Kate McKinnon Reflects on Final SNL Episode and Post-Show Life

Kate McKinnon reflected on her final episode of Saturday Night Live, revealing that her original idea was a bold and humorous sketch where she, as her character Sheila Sovage, would kiss every cast member in a line, but they ultimately chose the more meaningful and fitting alien-themed sketch featuring her iconic character Colleen Rafferty. McKinnon considered the "Close Encounter" sketches some of her best work, noting their humor and emotional resonance, particularly her farewell scene where Rafferty boards an alien spaceship, which she described as beautiful and heartfelt. Despite her success and Emmy wins, McKinnon shared feelings of regret about reading critical internet comments and recalled being haunted by memories of sketches that did not succeed, expressing lingering shame about some performances. After leaving SNL, McKinnon has embraced a quieter life, focusing on rural homestead living, growing food, woodworking, and acquiring survival skills like plumbing and electrical work, motivated by a personal belief in preparing for an apocalypse. Throughout her career and beyond, McKinnon has shown a blend of comedic brilliance and personal introspection, highlighting both the highs and challenges of her time on the iconic show.