Video Interview: ‘We Are Pat' Director Rowan Haber and SNL's Julia Sweeney

In 1990, “Saturday Night Live” introduced a recurring sketch called “It’s Pat,” written by Julia Sweeney, who starred as the titular character, a quirky and well-meaning person of ambiguous gender. The sketch was a hit, and Pat would appear a dozen or so times between 1990 and 1994. The character was so popular, Sweeney even starred in a feature film adaptation, also called “It’s Pat.” Alas, the film failed to recapture the critical and commercial success of “Wayne’s World,” and the character was never seen again.

Fast forward three decades, and we have a new documentary about Pat from filmmaker Rowan Haber, entitled “We Are Pat.” Haber, an unabashed “It’s Pat” enthusiast, sought to reclaim Pat as a non-binary and/or trans icon. Whether intentional or not, the popularity and cultural impact of Pat made the character part of queer history, and “We Are Pat” celebrates that legacy while also acknowledging its mixed reception from members of the non-binary community. All art is impacted by the passage of time, but “It’s Pat” in particular has had a unique evolution over the years, with some finding the character problematic and offensive, while others absolutely adore them, and still others fall somewhere in the middle, appreciating some aspects of the character while deriding others.

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“We Are Pat” is a fascinating, hilarious, and insightful film about one of SNL’s most popular, but oddly forgotten, sketches. It asks the question, ” Can ‘It’s Pat” even be made today?” and endeavors to answer that question by developing a writers’ room consisting entirely of trans and non-binary comedians. As part of the project that eventually developed into this documentary, Haber even reached out to Julia Sweeney herself, who ultimately participated in both the reclaiming/revival of Pat by the non-binary comedy scene, as well as the documentary… And also this interview.

I had the opportunity to chat with Rowan Haber and Julia Sweeney about the documentary, the history of “It’s Pat,” and the enduring legacy of the character, who simply refused to be pinned down or subjected to labels. Check out our complete, half-hour talk below. As for the film itself, “We Are Pat” is now playing in limited release at DCTV on Lafayette Street in New York City, with plans to expand nationwide throughout the summer movie season. The film will also release on Digital platforms on June 23, courtesy of Tribeca Films, during the height of Pride Month.

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 10:25 AM.