Wiig relocated to Los Angeles to act while working odd jobs to support herself. She performed with Empty Stage Comedy Theatre and with The Groundlings. She felt improvisation was a better fit than acting, and being a part of the comedy group improved her skills. In 2003, she appeared in Spike TV's "The Joe Schmo Show", a spoof of reality television, in which she played Dr. Pat, a quack marriage counselor. While at The Groundlings, Wiig's manager encouraged her to submit an audition tape to "Saturday Night Live". Wiig played the Target Lady on part of her audition tape. Wiig debuted on "SNL" shortly into season 31, on November 12, 2005. She survived an "SNL" budget cut, becoming a full member of the repertory cast at the beginning of season 32 in 2006 and until 2012.