 Fey was an extra in a 1998 episode , and after watching herself , decided to diet and lost 30 pounds . She told The New York Times , " I was a completely normal weight , but I was here in New York City , I had money and I couldn 't buy any clothes . After I lost weight , there was interest in putting me on camera . " In 1999 , McKay stepped down as head writer , which led Michaels to approach Fey for the position . She became SNL 's first female head writer that year . 
 Fey was an extra in a 1998 episode , and after watching herself , decided to diet and lost 30 pounds . She told The New York Times , " I was a completely normal weight , but I was here in New York City , I had money and I couldn 't buy any clothes . After I lost weight , <a href='dey_it' title='1'><mark>there</mark></a> was interest in putting me on camera . " In 1999 , McKay stepped down as head writer , which led Michaels to approach Fey for the position . She<a href='been_done' title='2'><mark></mark></a> became SNL <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>first female head writer that year . 
Fey was an extra in a 1998 episode , and after watching herself , decided to diet and lost 30 pounds . She tld da New York Times , " I was a completely normal weight , but I was here in New York City , I had paper and I couldn 't buy any clothes . After I lost weight , it was interest in puttin me on camera . " In 1999 , McKay stepped dwn as head writer , which led Michaels to approach Fey for the position . She been became SNL  first female head writer dat year .