Sweeney told an interviewer for afterelton.com that very few staff
writers other than Sweeney himself and Sweeney's boyfriend, Lanier Laney, were interested in writing parts for him on "SNL" (because of
their stated hesitance in writing for a gay cast member)--with the
exception of Al Franken and Franken's writing partner, Tom Davis.
Franken, who was always interested in writing politically themed skits,
was the first person who told Sweeney that, due to his resemblance to
Ron Reagan Jr., Sweeney should try playing Nancy Reagan in a skit.
Playing the then-first lady proved to be Sweeney's most memorable role
on "SNL," and Franken eventually parlayed his interest in politics into
becoming a US senator from Minnesota.