Blocks w/ Neal Brennan Sarah Sherman
19 snips
Apr 2, 2026 
Sarah Sherman (aka Sarah Squirm), comedian and performer known for her surreal, body-horror–tinged style and HBO special Live & In The Flesh. She talks about her distinctive fashion and stage look. She digs into lifelong anxiety, SNL nightmares, and therapy. She explores feeling ‘kind of bad at standup,’ live sketches versus pre-taped work, touring challenges, the internet’s pressure, and embracing grossness.
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Comedy As A Lifelong Identity
- Sarah always wanted to be a comedian and built her identity around comedy from childhood through college and beyond.
- She started open-mic'ing at 17 on Long Island, wore a bow tie and skirt, then went to Northwestern because a guidance counselor told her Chicago was where comedians go.
SNL Dreams Tap Collective Work Anxiety
- Sarah has a decades-long recurring dream about Lorne Michaels being mad at her, reflecting work anxiety tied to SNL's cultural weight.
- Neal compares universal SNL nightmares, showing the show's collective unconscious impact on comedians.
Paranoia Fuels Shock Comedy And Self-Doubt
- Sarah's anxiety and paranoia make her doubt success, believing achievements are accidental and fearing exposure as a fraud.
- This fuels a push-pull: she intentionally freaks audiences out but needs laughter and approval to feel secure.
