 Backstage at SNL , Hartman was called " the Glue " , a name coined by Adam Sandler , according to Jay Mohr 's book <unk> for <unk> . However , according to a biography on Hartman 's life entitled You Might Remember Me : The Life and Times of Phil Hartman written by Mike Thomas , author and staff writer for the Chicago Sun @-@ Times , the nickname was created by SNL cast member and Hartman 's frequent on @-@ screen collaborator Jan Hooks . Hartman often helped other cast members . For example , he aided Jan Hooks in overcoming her stage fright . SNL creator Lorne Michaels explained the reason for the name : " He kind of held the show together . He gave to everybody and demanded very little . He was very low @-@ maintenance . " Michaels also added that Hartman was " the least appreciated " cast member by commentators outside the show , and praised his ability " to do five or six parts in a show where you 're playing support or you 're doing remarkable character work " . Hartman won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety , Music or Comedy Program for SNL in 1989 , sharing the award with the show 's other writers . He was nominated in the same category in 1987 , and individually in 1994 for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program . 
