Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Nadeen demands calm at full volume while being anything but calm, and that clash is the joke. Fans use it on anyone overreacting, and it is one of Oteri's most repeated late-90s SNL catchphrases.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Saturday Night LiveShow the scene
Nadeen is one of Cheri Oteri's original Saturday Night Live characters: a testy department-store employee whose catchphrase is an order for everyone to calm down. In the Wilson's sketch of the 13 November 1999 episode, the one with Garth Brooks and his Chris Gaines persona, she stands in the store telling customers to "simmer down". The phrase is said as "Simma down now!", in the heavy accent Oteri gave her. Nadeen is separate from Arianna, the Spartan Cheerleader Oteri played opposite Will Ferrell.
Sources (2)
- SNL wiki, episode of November 13, 1999Wilson's sketch listingReference checked
- Wikipedia, Cheri OteriOriginal characters listReference checked
Context reviewed
