Amy Poehler shares encounter with chimpanzee reacting to her 'blond hair' in a surprising twist

Amy Poehler has done it all on SNL, but nothing in her sketch resume prepared her for the moment a chimpanzee latched onto her wrist backstage and basically treated her like a jungle climbing gym. The story is already wild, then she adds the twist: she thinks it was her “blonde hair” and her “vibe” that set the whole thing off.

On Ariana Grande’s Good Hang podcast, Poehler walked through the chaos, explaining that she was in a sketch that involved a monkey, and during a quick change she walked past the chimp and it reached out, grabbed her, and refused to let go. Poehler said she started screaming, and even though she managed to free herself, she wasn’t exactly calm about it, calling the whole situation stressful and admitting she just does not like working with animals.

And yes, Ariana’s reaction was immediate, because if you hear “chimpanzee strength” and “wouldn’t let go” in the same sentence, you do not assume it’s fine.

Amy Poehler's Encounter with a Chimpanzee

During the chaotic moment with the chimpanzee, Amy Poehler recalled feeling a mix of fear and confusion as the animal clung onto her wrist with surprising strength.

Despite the alarming situation, Poehler managed to keep her composure and eventually freed herself from the primate's grip with the help of some crew members.

That’s when the Parks and Recreation star went from describing a sketch to reliving the exact second the chimp grabbed her during her quick change.

Ariana Grande's Encounter with a Mischievous Chimpanzee

Explaining how things unfolded to Ariana Grande on her Good Hang podcast, the pair had been discussing onset bloopers when Poehler explained that the chimpanzee had been part of a sketch on the show and taken hold of her wrist backstage and refused to let go.

“One time I was doing a sketch where I think Jason Bateman was the host and there was a monkey in the sketch,” the Parks and Recreation star explained.

Amy Poehler's Uncomfortable Encounter with a Chimpanzee

Expressing her discomfort at working with animals in general, Poehler continued: “I don’t like them. It’s too stressful for me.

“I walked past the chimpanzee and it reached out and grabbed me by the wrist and wouldn’t let go in the middle of a quick change."

Meanwhile, Ariana Grande’s Good Hang podcast moment turns into a real-time check-in, because Poehler’s “I started screaming” part is not exactly a throwaway blooper.

Title: Poehler's Encounter: Blonde Hair, Vibe, and Chimp Strength

Sharing her rationale for why she thought it may have happened, Poehler added: “I think it was the blonde hair or my vibe. And I started screaming."

“And chimpanzees are very strong.I couldn’t get it to let go of me.”

Like Iran’s ambassador delivering “one message” to the U.S. at the UN Security Council, Poehler faced a high-stakes surprise.

Ariana's Concern for Poehler's Well-being

Shocked by the anecdote, Ariana quickly enquired as to whether Poehler was okay, before conceding that it was probably more "PTSD" than a blooper.

The infamous ‘Monkeys Throwing Poop at Celebrities’ sketch has often proved to be a firm hit with fans, and featured a lively TV host played by Jason Bateman tricking Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond) into a live interview before he’s pelted with flying chimp poo.

Poehler then drops the most Poehler explanation possible, blaming her blonde hair and her vibe for the chimp’s decision to target her wrist.

Celebrities Face Chimp's Wrath on SNL Sketch

Poehler appeared briefly towards the end of the sketch, yet even despite the brief appearance, it was enough to rile the chimpanzee.

Bateman himself also didn’t escape the chimp’s wrath either, as he later recalled how the monkey had also had a go at him during his 2020 return to SNL.

Close Encounter: Unexpected Monkey Attack

“We’re all hugging, we’re saying goodnight, the credits are rolling, and then the monkey tried to kill me,” he explained at the time.

“Truly, I bent down to say, ‘Good job’ to the monkey. You know, bein’ nice.

“The chimp unhinges his jaw, he flashes the teeth, and he tries to bite my entire nose off.”

Even the infamous “Monkeys Throwing Poop at Celebrities” SNL sketch, with Jason Bateman and Sean Connery getting pelted, suddenly feels less like comedy and more like a warning label.

Observational studies indicate that human-animal interactions can be enhanced through proper conditioning and training.

The unexpected encounter between Amy Poehler and a chimpanzee during her 2005 appearance on Saturday Night Live serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of wildlife interactions. This incident, which escalated alarmingly due to the chimpanzee's reaction to her blond hair, underscores the critical need for a deeper understanding of animal behavior. Such encounters can be mitigated with better training and gradual introductions, which are essential for reducing stress and aggression in animals. Recognizing the emotions and needs of these creatures is paramount in fostering safer and more respectful interactions, whether in the wild or in controlled environments. Poehler's experience is not just a comedic anecdote; it highlights the inherent risks involved when humans and animals intersect in unexpected ways.

Poehler might have been the punchline in that moment, but the chimp was the one holding the plot hostage.

After a chimp clung to Poehler’s wrist over “blond hair,” see Tampa’s Crocs-and-pajamas ban.