AceShowbiz - Kevin Nealon, a former star of Saturday Night Live, recently expressed disapproval of current cast members breaking character and laughing during sketches. Although he did not mention anyone specifically, his comments followed an episode where host Ryan Gosling and featured player Ashley Padilla frequently cracked up while performing.

On the social media platform X, Nealon shared his perspective, stating, "I never broke character on SNL. I knew how much time the writers put into those scripts. You don't want to be the one who throws it off." He added that former showrunner Lorne Michaels dislikes cast members breaking character, explaining that even if the audience laughs, it disrupts the flow of the sketch and ultimately doesn't work.

Referencing his own resilience, Nealon cited the famous season 16 "Chippendales" sketch featuring Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze. He noted, "If I could get through the Chippendales sketch, I could get through anything."

Ryan Gosling, who has hosted SNL four times, including a recent episode on March 7, has become known for frequently breaking character during sketches. The "Passing Notes" skit from that night was especially notable for how often both Gosling and Padilla burst into laughter.

In the sketch, Gosling portrayed a high school principal visiting a teacher's classroom, played by Padilla. They intercepted notes passed between students, only to discover the notes contained embarrassing comments about themselves. The unexpected humor was heightened because the notes were changed after rehearsals, catching the performers off guard and prompting the frequent breaks.

Following the episode, Padilla posted on her Instagram Story, thanking the writers Mikey, Streeter, and Alison Gates for “absolutely destroying me on live television.” She also called Gosling “the funniest person on the planet.”

While the breaking of character in this instance was planned as part of the sketch’s humor, numerous other moments throughout the 51 seasons of SNL have featured cast members laughing mid-performance. However, Nealon’s comments highlight a traditional expectation within the show’s culture to maintain composure during live sketches.

Kevin Nealon was a prominent figure on SNL from 1986 to 1995, anchoring the iconic "Weekend Update" segment during that time. His perspective reflects a veteran understanding of the pressures and discipline required on the show's live stage.

This article is based on reporting originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.