The legendary “Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals” sketch from the groundbreaking Saturday Night Live show performed by the indefatigable Andy Samberg perfectly captured the spirit of actor Mark Wahlberg, and it became an instant hit with audiences worldwide. However, a curious story lurked beneath the laughter – one that Mark Wahlberg himself had a unique perspective on.
The Birth of Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals
Over his seven years at SNL, Andy Samberg developed his signature brand of comedy in a series of prerecorded sketches known as SNL Digital Shorts. Samberg and his fellow members of The Lonely Island are responsible for online classics like D**k in a Box and I’m on a Boat.
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The actor’s impersonation of Mark Wahlberg in person was all the more impressive given how rarely he appeared in live sketches. Andy Samberg’s impersonation skills were brought to light when his Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals sketch aired in October 2008.
Samberg, dressed casually in jeans and a plaid shirt, had a hilarious time on the farm. Samberg had hilarious interactions with various real animals by imitating Mark Wahlberg’s distinctive Boston accent and bold demeanor.
Mark Wahlberg Was Not A Fan
Amid the roar of laughter and the outpouring of praise, Mark Wahlberg’s reaction to the sketch remained cryptic. When asked by MTV News if he enjoyed the parody, Wahlberg said that it didn’t tickle his funny bone quite as much as he had hoped.
“Uh, I didn’t think it was as funny as I’d hoped. I love when people do imitations of me; I try to get people who work with me to do it all the time. It’s not gonna be one of those things like [Tina Fey’s recent sketches about] Sarah Palin, where it’s a big deal.”
Given the generally humorous tone of impersonations of famous people, this comes as something of a shock. Wahlberg’s conflicted feelings came to light when he admitted enjoying parodies of himself.
Mark Wahlberg’s wittiness enhances his criticism of the sketch. Andy Samberg, who was filming the comedy Hot Rod in Canada then, was a real person he had met, he said in the same interview. The Instant Family actor said the movie was funny, even funnier than the infamous Saturday Night Live skit.
“I did meet him. I met him in Canada when he was shooting that movie ‘Hot Rod’, and I liked ‘Hot Rod.’ ‘Hot Rod’ was funnier than that skit, I thought. I just wish it was a little bit funnier.”
Though the sketch may have struck a nerve with Wahlberg, it ultimately was a snapshot of the entertainment industry as a whole. Samberg’s trajectory as a comedian and actor was just as promising as Wahlberg’s, and the former’s career flourished.
Source: MTV News
