Keri Powers has a job that many people can recognize on the surface, but few actually know what it entails. As the Talent Producer for Saturday Night Live, Powers tells us her role, for all intents and purposes, is to book the host and special guests for the show. That could also mean attending comedy shows or film premieres to spot exciting talent that the SNL writers and cast would enjoy working with, and that viewers would tune in for. For the past season alone that’s meant A-list talent like Emma Stone, Ayo Edebiri, and Kristen Wiig, and musical guests like Sabrina Carpenter, Vampire Weekend, and Olivia Rodrigo. But season 49 was hardly new territory for Powers. And as SNL currently prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, Powers celebrates her own milestone this fall: 10 years working at the iconic sketch comedy show.

Prior to SNL, Powers built a career in entertainment while working at other major establishments, including Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Paramount Pictures. And though she describes herself as someone who never gives less than 100%, she also had no idea the career path she has now ever existed before she was on it. Ahead, she tells us how it came to be, the importance of having good work relationships (especially in a highly demanding, fast-paced job), and some of what it actually means to work at 30 Rock bringing Saturday night’s most iconic entertainment to life.

I have always gravitated towards entertainment—from my first job at CAA through my career. I love film and TV, and would watch and follow this world even if I weren’t working in it. 

When I was a kid, I didn't even know jobs like mine existed. I am from this super small town: Clinton, Massachusetts (an hour west of Boston.) I grew up in the ‘80s and' 90s and thought you could just be a teacher, doctor, nurse, lawyer, or banker. After college, I went out to California. My cousin is a talent manager and I stayed with her. I didn't know anything about LA. She had to go to a work event one night and asked, “Do you want to come with me?” And I was like, “Oh, yeah, definitely.” It was Orlando Bloom's 30th birthday party at the Chateau Marmont. I remember going around and talking to everyone, asking what they did. Everyone was a publicist, manager, or agent. I was just fascinated by it and it seemed so fun. I was 23 years old and I moved out to LA two weeks later. I sent my resume to all the talent agencies…and I got hired at CAA. I started a few weeks later and was there for three and a half years.

After 2008, the economy was shit. It was really hard to get a job. I was finding it hard to move up in anything. I didn't know what I wanted to do and I was going to move back to LA, but then SNL was hiring and I interviewed for it. And, as luck turned out, I got it. That's how I ended up here.  

The pace and schedule of the show were the most major adjustments for me. I was hired right before the 40th season so, in addition to booking the show each week, we were also planning the anniversary. It was a complete whirlwind of learning how to be a part of a well-oiled machine and finding my place in it, as well as being in awe of how it all managed to come together each Saturday.

In this business, you hear a lot of nos. What it ultimately teaches you, especially [at SNL], is that you have to move on to the next thing. When you’re working here and things are changing by the minute, most things don’t go as planned. You have to be able to think on your feet, adjust to the circumstances, and find the best way forward.

I always feel better when I’m dressed up for work. If I like what I’m wearing and how I look, I work harder and feel better. I know it’s cliché to say, “Dress for the job you want,” but when I come to the office, it’s important to me to feel comfortable and look like I care about what I’m wearing! You never know who you will meet.

For me, it’s being as prepared as I can. I try to go to every screening, every meeting, and read as much as I can to inform myself about what’s coming up. When I’m asked who is going to have a big year or who will be the best host to complement each show, I want to be able to answer with certainty and confidence. And in terms of team-building, I think it’s important to come to work and enjoy the people you work with. We spend a lot of time together, so it’s most important that we like each other!

It is surreal to me that it’s been 10 years. My favorite part of the job is when a host I have advocated for (or was perhaps a bit of a surprise to people) has a great show and is a hit with both the audience and viewers, but also the cast and crew. 

I think the key to longevity here is understanding what you have control over and what you don’t, especially in the constraints of a live show. When things happen that are unexpected, you learn to deal with them in the moment and pivot to find a solution quickly. You can’t dwell on anything, because you don’t have time! You have to just fix the problem.

There's a moment every show when either the musical guest is performing, or there's a really funny sketch, or the host is out there and I’m just like, My job is incredible. I had a small part in getting this live show off the ground every week. You have Coldplay performing right in front of you, or Paul McCartney, or Bruce Springsteen singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” You have the most unreal moments working in this job. Those are totally Pinch me, I can't believe I'm here moments. That part of it is amazing, but it takes a lot to get there.