Chris Parnell recently revealed a detail about the famous "More Cowbell" sketch that he had previously kept secret for years. Parnell first ed SNL during season 24 along with new featured players Horatio Sanz and current The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon. The actor starred on the long-running variety show for eight seasons, concluding his stay in 2006.
On SNL's season 25, episode 16, hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Christopher Walken, Parnell participated in the "More Cowbell" sketch, originally written by Will Ferrell and playwright Donnell Campbell. Walken starred as music producer Bruce Dickinson as he attempted to produce Blue Öyster Cult's hit song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." During the recording, fictional character Gene Frenkle (Ferrell) enthusiastically plays the cowbell much to the chagrin of other of the band, including Parnell's Eric Bloom. However, Dickinson loved Frenkle's performance and wanted more of it, exclaiming, "Guess what! I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!"
During an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Parnell recently revealed a secret he had kept regarding his performance during the filming of the "More Cowbell" sketch. Meyers, who was briefly Parnell's co-star on the show, recalled Parnell's nickname of "Ice Man." According to the host, the name was a title of affection as Parnell was known to execute his scripts without flubbing a line and for maintaining his composure during sketches. Meyers noted that Parnell didn't break during the famous "More Cowbell" sketch in which every cast member on stage laughed or smiled. However, Parnell itted that he did crack a smile, but it was hidden from the cameras. Read the exchange between the SNL alums below.
Meyers: "You were in 'Cowbell' and were the only member of 'Cowbell' who kept it together.
Parnell: "Yeah."
Meyers: "I mean that's really like the gold standard of not-breaking because I think when you go back and watch it, it seems like Will's sole purpose in that sketch was to make his castmates break."
Parnell: "I think it was. I think it was. Christopher Walken and I did not break."
Meyers: "That's right."
Parnell: "Although, there was a moment that the camera was not on me, and I knew it wasn't on me, and I looked down at my guitar, and I smiled. So, I don't know if that counts as a break."
Due to the live nature of SNL, breaking -- or laughing unintentionally -- is a relatively common occurrence, although the actors wish to maintain their composure to preserve the integrity of a skit's premise. However, the "More Cowbell" sketch proved to be too funny for any of the cast . With Parnell's revelation, only Walken holds the honor of being the only participant in the sketch to not have laughed, or even cracked a smile.
Originally titled "Behind the Music: Blue Oyster Cult," the sketch went on to become a hit with fans and has since been parodied and referenced many times across various media. On May 14, 2005, Ferrell returned to SNL to host and revisited the role of Gene Frenkle by ing musical guests Queens of the Stone Age during their performance, playing the cowbell. However, Ferrell has also jokingly claimed that the success of the sketch has ruined Walken's life as more people heckle the venerable actor about the sketch than anything else from his other many roles.
Source: Late Night with Seth Meyers