At a Glance
- Maya Rudolph told Amy Poehler she regrets never flirting with SNL hosts during her 9-year tenure
- The comedian admitted she’s “bad at flirting” and didn’t realize people were interested in her
- Rudolph has been with partner Paul Thomas Anderson since 2001 and shares four children
- Why it matters: The revelation offers a rare, candid look at the personal dynamics behind the scenes of America’s most famous sketch comedy show
Maya Rudolph just delivered one of her most candid interviews yet, revealing a surprising regret from her nine seasons on Saturday Night Live. During a live taping of Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, the 53-year-old comedian made a startling admission about her time on the show.
The Shocking Revelation
Mid-conversation, Rudolph abruptly interjected: “Can we talk about flirting more? I didn’t get to, like, sleep with anybody at SNL.”
Poehler, 54, immediately responded with sympathy: “I know, I’m sorry.”
“Why didn’t I flirt with people?” Rudolph questioned aloud, before concluding she’s simply “bad at flirting.”
Poehler agreed with her assessment, adding: “I agree, you don’t read it. Everyone was in love with you.”
The Real Reason Behind Her Restraint
While the conversation was lighthearted, Rudolph’s long-term relationship likely explains her lack of romantic entanglements at Studio 8H. She began dating director Paul Thomas Anderson in 2001-just one year into her SNL tenure-and they’ve remained together ever since.
The couple, who never officially married, share four children:
- Pearl, 20
- Lucille, 16
- Jack, 14
- Minnie, 12 (named after Rudolph’s mother, Minnie Riperton)
Anderson once told Rudolph it was love at first sight when he saw her perform in an SNL sketch.
Her Favorite Hosts Weren’t Who You’d Expect
In a separate interview on Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce, Rudolph revealed her favorite celebrity hosts were actually professional athletes.
Derek Jeter topped her list as “probably one of my all-time favorite hosts ever,” thanks to a memorable sketch where he wore a perm wig to a party.
Key Takeaways
- Rudolph spent 9 seasons on SNL (2000-2007) but never pursued romantic relationships with hosts
- She claims she’s “bad at flirting” and didn’t realize people were interested
- Despite the regret, she’s been in a committed relationship since 2001
- Professional athletes, particularly Derek Jeter, were her favorite celebrity hosts
The candid admission offers fans a rare glimpse into the personal dynamics behind the scenes of Saturday Night Live, where cast members often form relationships with the weekly celebrity hosts.
