Mikey Day gave Meryl Streep acting advice ahead of “SNL50” special: 'I'm actively telling her to go against her instincts'

Meryl Streep has no problem learning her lines, but at Saturday Night Live, guests can rely on cue cards.
So when the Devil Wears Prada actress was tapped to play Kate McKinnon's mother in the long-running "Close Encounter" sketch for SNL50, she was reminded that she didn't have to memorize her part.
In a recent episode of the Hey Dude... The 90s Called! podcast, Mikey Day told hosts Christine Taylor and David Lascher that he gave the Oscar-winning actress some tips ahead of the sketch, which he wrote.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R14ekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R24ekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe"She was just, like, almost memorizing it just by habit," Day said. "And we're like, 'There's cards.' I'm actively telling her to go against her instincts that have made her the best actress of all time."
The "Close Encounter" sketch is a fan-favorite bit that features the character Colleen Rafferty (McKinnon) describing her experience getting abducted by handsy aliens.
There have been nine "Close Encounter" sketches in the past decade, and Day has co-written all of them. He joked that McKinnon has "been abducted like a dozen times now at this point."
Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

NBC
Meryl Streep in 'Close Encounter' sketch on 'SNL50'For SNL50, McKinnon had said it was her "dream" to involve Streep in the sketch. Day also shared that Close Encounters of the Third Kind director Steven Spielberg was supposed to be in the sketch too, but was cut for time.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1cekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2cekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframeWhen deciding how to write Streep into the sketch, Day said the choice was obvious.
"She has to be her mom so she can manspread, smoke a cigarette, and just kind of be nonplussed," Day said. "It was surreal."
Listen to the Hey Dude... The 90s Called! episode with Mikey Day below.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly

Mikey Day's bold directive to Meryl Streep, urging her to defy instinctive acting during the 'SNL50 special', underscores their collaboration in pushing creative boundaries within sketch comedy.

Mikey Day's unconventional strategy of encouraging Meryl Streep to go against her natural instinct in preparation for the ‘SNL50’ special, highlights his bold approach and appreciation for pushing acting boundaries.

Mikey Day's unexpected acting advice to Meryl Streep suggests a refreshing approach on SNL50: defying one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actresses with the wisdom that truth is sometimes found outside established instinct, adding layers and depth beyond naturality.

Mikey Day's unconventional acting advice to Meryl Streep ahead of 'SNL50', urging her to defy instinct and embrace new horizons, shows fierce dedication in driving a dynamic performance.

An intriguing insight into the making of SNL50 special, as Mikey Day's bold advice to Meryl Streep suggests a desperate attempt at disruption in Hollywood convention by encouraging her to deflate her legendary instinct for realism.

Micky Day's bold encouragement to Meryl Streep, urging her to move beyond instinctive acting during the 'SNL50’ special spectacle reflects a profound trust in pushing boundaries and embody多样性的表演 as an art form.

Mikey Day's bold directive to Meryl Streep, encouraging her to defy conventional acting instinct on the 'SNL50,' shows a rare act of creative pushing beyond comfort zones.

Mikey Day's bold move of encouraging Meryl Streep to defy her own instinctive acting prowess for SNL50 special demonstrates the levels reached in actorly agility during this milestone event.

Traditional actors receiving guidance from a Saturday Night Live icon such as Mikey Day on acting techniques before SNL50 is an unusual yet inspiring display of artistic camaraderie and mutual respect in the Hollywood scene.

Mikey Day's unconventional approach to advising Meryl Streep ahead of SNL50 special defiedactively highlights the importance on honoring a strong actor by pushing her beyond familiar instinct."

An innovative approach from Mikey Day to Meryl Streep's acting advice: breaking away from conventional instinct, demonstrating the importance of creative risk-taking in comedy.

Mikey Day's unconventional advice to Meryl Streep, encouraging her 'to go against instinct', highlights the innovative approach he brought behind-the scenes of ‘SNL50’ special that pushed boundaries and inspired new depths in his veteran actor.

Mikey Day's bold advice to Meryl Streep ahead of 'SNL50', urging her to counteract natural instinct, demonstrates a rare blend of directorial courage and artistic trust in pushing boundary-breaking performances.