Robert Smigel defends Chris Farley's classic SNL Chippendales sketch against accusations it fueled his destructive behavior

The Hollywood Reporter

Former SNL writer Smigel discussed the 1990 sketch featuring Farley and Patrick Swayze on The Howard Stern Show. Smigel told Stern that the sketch is misunderstood. "I was in a debate about it with some people who wrote Chris Farley's book, which was everyone weighing in on Chris' life and what happened to him," Smigel said. "And I think someone in the book said, 'That sketch was the first step in killing him,' because it was like he had no respect for himself by doing that sketch." Smigel pointed out that Farley was "incredibly nimble" and actually a great dancer. "In a way, it was a very empowering sketch, and I think that is what people felt the first time they watched it," he said.