David Spade declined to swap roles with David Bowie on SNL
Spade says he still can’t believe he turned down a suggestion from someone like Bowie
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Spade has recalled the moment he turned down David Bowie’s request to swap roles for a sketch on Saturday Night Live.
The 59-year-old actor appeared in the SNL skit opposite Bowie in 1991, with Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin serving as host.
During an episode of the Fly on the Wall podcast, Spade said he had been playing the role of a receptionist that “stops you because he thinks they’re better than you,” and he envisioned Bowie making a cameo as himself.
Since the late singer wasn’t at the pitch meeting to hear the idea, Spade tried calling Bowie at his hotel.
“I called him and he answers and it’s f***ing Bowie,” he remembered. “And he’s like, ‘This [sketch] is so f***ing funny. This is exactly my life and these people I see.’
“And he goes, ‘One tweak: Can I play the receptionist? … That’s the funnier part.’”
Bowie apparently responded by saying that playing himself was “boring” and suggested that Spade and him should swap roles. However, Spade turned down the request.
The Grown Ups star said he still couldn’t believe he turned down a suggestion from Bowie, who apparently persisted and told him: “Well, what if the sketch never gets on [the show]?”
Spade clarified that Bowie wasn’t being rude about the skit, but just believed that it would be more fun to play someone other than himself.
He also revealed that Bowie later apologised for questioning their respective roles after the episode aired.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
“He was like, ‘Hey, sorry, man … I get what was going on and I shouldn’t have been a little chilly about it,’” Spade said.
Bowie died at his home on Lafayette Street, New York, in 2016, around 18 months after being diagnosed with liver cancer.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments