American actress and comedian
POPULARITY
Picture this. It was my first job in radio. I decided to do a series about women and comedy. The idea coincided with the birth of Saturday Night Live. The first interview: Gilda Radner. We sat on the floor, right across from Studio 8H where the show is still performed. Gilda told me all about what life is like when you become an overnight star. Then I talked to Jane Curtin about people asking her for autographs when she walked her dog. Somehow, in those years I missed talking to Laraine Newman. But I finally just caught up with her. And she's the star of this episode. It's an outrageous conversation about SNL and all the things that have happened to her since. Plus, you'll hear what Gilda and Jane had to say from those early day sit-downs. "Now What?" is produced with help from Steve Zimmer, Lucy Little and Jackie Schwartz. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today we're sharing the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, where Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of our new season, Julia sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, shares the moment she learned Julia was cast on Saturday Night Live. Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast. Find us on Substack at wiserthanme.substack.com. Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today by hitting 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts or lemonadapremium.com for any other app. For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefd For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefd For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefd For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefd See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job. After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this SELECTED SHORTS, host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about moving out of familiar territory into new spaces and new understanding. In Meron Hadero's “The Thief's Tale,” read by Teagle F. Bougere, an émigré can't leave some of his old ways behind. “The Tallest Doll in New York City,” by Maria Dahvana Headley, imagines what happens when two iconic skyscrapers fall in love.It's read by Becca Blackwell. And summer trip yields unexpected treasures in Anne Tyler's “The Feather Behind the Rock,” read by Jane Curtin. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Michael S. Baser joined me to discuss watching Sky King as a kid; using comedy as a deterrent to bullies; starting a stand-up duo as a teenager; meeting Kim Weiskopf; his father not helping them; A Year at the Top; writing the first transgender character on TV in the Jeffersons; writing the Barbara's Friend suicide episode of One Day at a Time; creating Mr. Furley on Three's Company; creating 9 to 5; working for Glen Larson; working with Janet Jackson on Good Times; giving Michael Moye his first job on Good Times; Carter Country; Melanie Griffith; Norman Paul; Three's Company; Lana; Don Knotts; Campus Cops; wanting Jane Curtin on 9 to 5; Rachel Dennison; Al Jean & Mike Reiss; and his pilot, Crazy Dan
Meg Wolitzer presents four works that consider various forms of risk, and risk taking. In “Clicking on Heaven's Door,” by Anand Giridharadas, performed by Negin Farsad, the pearly gates require an online account, a password, a security question…you get the idea. “The Stand-In,” by Gerald Jones and Jean Marple, imagines a unique job. It's read by Tony Hale. David Sedaris creates the ultimate in well-meant interference in other people's lives—oh, and there's a parrot. “Farnsworth” is read by Jessica Keenan Wynn. And—dining at the end of the world. Where's the waiter? Robin Hemley's “The Last Customer,” is read by Jane Curtin and Mike Doyle.
It's Episode 184 and we're digging into Antz (1998) — the underrated, weirdly deep DreamWorks movie that kicked off their animation legacy. Pat King joins us as we celebrate Steve's birthday month with a pick full of 90s nostalgia and bugged-out comfort. Is this movie for kids or existential adults? Let's find out.Please remember to like, comment, subscribe and click that notification bell for all our updates! It really helps us out!WE HAVE MERCH - https://www.redbubble.com/people/HDYSTMerch/shop?asc=u & http://tee.pub/lic/GdSYxr8bhtYStarring: Woody Allen, Dan Aykroyd, Anne Bancroft, Jane Curtin, Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Jennifer Lopez, John Mahoney, Paul Mazursky, Grant Shaud, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone & Christopher WalkenDirected By: Eric Darnell & Tim JohnsonSynopsis: Z the worker ant (Woody Allen) strives to reconcile his own individuality with the communal work-ethic of the ant colony. He falls in love with ant-Princess Bala (Sharon Stone), Z strives to make social inroads, and then must save the ant colony from the treacherous scheming of the evil General Mandible (Gene Hackman) that threaten to wipe out the entire worker population.Watch LIVE at: https://www.twitch.tv/heydidyouseethisone every Thursday at 8 PM ESTA PROUD MEMBER OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PODCASTSCheck us out online at: https://www.ufpodcasts.com/We use White Bat Audio – a user that creates DMCA free music for podcasters and YouTubers. Please follow at: https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteBatAudioAudio version of the show: Spotify - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heydidyouseethisone Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-did-you-see-this-one/id1712934175YouTube Audio Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD6BOSx2RcKuP4TogMPKXRMCxqfh5k9IU&si=umIaVrghJdJEu2ARMain Intro and Outro Themes created by Josh Howard - remixes by Jacob Hiltz & Jake ThurgoodLogo created by Jeff Robinson#90sNostalgia #AnimatedMovies #DreamWorks #Antz #HeyDidYouSeeThisOne
"We have a real-life Judi Dench in our midst. You are the boss and yet you have not sacrificed one ounce of femininity." The last topic of The Spy Who Loved May is Enemy of the State (1998).
Nat Segaloff joined us to talk about his new book The Rambo Report: Five Films, Three Books, One LegendNat talks:-Brian Dennehy played the Sheriff -Stallone did not want veterans watching the movie -Kirk Douglas was assigned to pay the role Richard Crenna plays (the colonel), but he shows up on the set with his on version of the script he'd written. And both Stallone and the director said you're not going to change the character. So he left!-Rambo was an apple Discussing his other work-John Belushi and how Jane Curtin was upset with Lorne Michaels To subscribe to The Pete McMurray Show Podcast just click here
Join us as we dive into the heartwarming sci-fi comedy Jules! The team discusses this hidden gem, starring Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, and Jane Curtin. When a UFO crashes in a small Pennsylvania town, lonely retiree Milton befriends a mute alien named Jules, sparking an unexpected adventure filled with quirky neighbors, government pursuits, and themes of loneliness, friendship, and human connection. Discover why this critically acclaimed yet underseen film earned a 9/10 from our team! Spoiler alert: We unpack the movie's tender moments, clever Easter eggs, and surprising plot twists. Watch Jules for free with your MCPL library card on Hoopla Digital or take out the DVD today!
That Show Hasn't Been Funny In Years: an SNL podcast on Radio Misfits
Nick welcomes film expert, exhibitor, and historian Mike Kerz to the podcast to talk about his lifelong love for Saturday Night Live—a passion that began in his teen years when he would record each episode's audio with a portable tape recorder. As the co-creator of the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention and co-owner of The Midway Drive-In in Dixon, Illinois, Mike shares how SNL influenced both his sense of humor and his professional ventures. They count down Mike's 5 Favorite SNL Sketches of All Time, highlighting iconic performances from Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, and the darkly brilliant Michael O'Donoghue, whose work Mike especially admires. The conversation also includes a deep dive into what many consider to be the greatest SNL sketch ever: The Last Voyage of the Star Trek Enterprise—a true classic that gets the attention and appreciation it deserves. [Ep 120]
PopaHALLics 140 "Pop Go the Clues"It's no mystery why we love TV's "The Residence" and the book "The Last"—they're both murder mysteries, albeit very different ones (a comedy and a dystopian thriller). And does Seth Rogen have a clue about being a Hollywood executive in "The Studio"? Stay tuned!Streaming:"The Residence," Netflix. A brilliant, eccentric, no-nonsense detective (Uzo Adoba) investigates a murder in the White House residence during a State dinner in this comedy from Shondaland Productions. With Giancarlo Esposito, Bronson Pinchot, Al Franken, Jane Curtin, and more."The Studio," Apple +. A new studio head (Seth Rogen) tries to juggle his desire to make great movies with his boss' desire for big box office. A Kool-Aid movie, anyone? With Catherine O'Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Bryan Cranston, and such real-life Hollywooders as Martin Scorsese playing themselves.Books:"Everything I Know About Love," by Dolly Alderton. In a funny, sometimes heartbreaking memoir, a British journalist and podcast host reflects on the trials and tribulations of becoming an adult."The Last," by Hanna Jameson. Imagine an Agatha Christie novel written by Stephen King. This dark, chilling, highly original novel finds a historian trying to solve a murder at an isolated Swiss hotel after the end of the world."A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis and the Song That Changed Everything," by Ben Wynne. This nonfiction book traces the unusual development of the song "Hound Dog"—written by two Jewish teenagers, popularized by a black woman with a large frame and a booming voice, parodied by a Las Vegas lounge act—and then taken to new heights of popularity by Elvis Presley. Podcasts:"Miss Me?" from BBC Audio. Join pop star Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver, her friend since childhood, for a twice-weekly podcast. On Mondays they answer questions on a theme: celebrity weddings, lies, orgasms, etc. On Thursdays, they pick apart everything from intimacy to interiors.Music:Because of our discussion of the book "A Hound Dog Tale," PopaHALLics #140 Playlist (Hound Dog) features various versions of that song, more Big Mama songs, and some classics from "Hound Dog" writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.Click through the links above to watch, read, and listen to what we're discussing.
Send us a textThis week we talk about Coneheads from 1993! Our creator profile this week is Jane Curtin!https://www.instagram.com/thebonsaimoviecrew/https://twitter.com/bonsai_crewhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thebonsaimoviecrewhttps://discord.gg/8jCPe8T2kT#moviereview #podcast #moviefan #filmpodcast #moviepodcast #film #nostalgia #classic #90s
The Not Ready for Prime Time Podcast: The Early Years of SNL
Eric Idle returns to SNL for the first time since his two Season 2 hosting gigs! This time, he brings along new British pop sensation Kate Bush for her first - and still ONLY - US television appearance. In a much-needed jolt to the season, Idle delivers his signature brilliance alongside recurring characters, lots of Jane Curtin, not one but TWO classic sketches, and singing dogs.With Saturday Night Live showcasing two English guests on the program (yes, evidently there's a difference from British), we welcome Pop Culture Five's Thomas Sena to OUR 5-Timers Club as he helps break down this amazing episode. Thomas tackles it all - from the comedic genius of Eric Idle and his analysis of what makes an effective cold open to his apparent dislike of dogs. He also educates our hosts on the musical talents of Kate Bush.---------------------------------Subscribe today!Follow us on social media: X (Twitter): NR4PTProjectBluesky: nr4ptproject.bsky.socialInstagram: nr4ptprojectFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: nr4ptproject@gmail.com
On this show, host Meg Wolitzer gets friendly, and shares three stories about friendships of all kinds. Kelly Stout's zinger “Let's Get Drinks,” offers up the perils of conducting a social life via hyperbolic texts, which are hilariously performed by Jane Curtin and Jane Kaczmarek. Next, “True Friendship,” by Jorge Hernandez, describes a life-long friend who's almost too good to be—true. The reader is Michael Urie. And three misfits fit together in Anthony Marra's “The Last Words of Benito Picone,” performed by John Turturro. A brief interview with Turturro follows the story.
Picture this. It was my first job in radio. I decided to do a series about women and comedy. The idea coincided with the birth of Saturday Night Live. The first interview: Gilda Radner. We sat on the floor, right across from Studio 8H where the show is still performed. Gilda told me all about what life is like when you become an overnight star. Then I talked to Jane Curtin about people asking her for autographs when she walked her dog. Somehow, in those years I missed talking to Laraine Newman. But I finally just caught up with her. And she's the star of this episode. It's an outrageous conversation about SNL and all the things that have happened to her since. Plus, you'll hear what Gilda and Jane had to say from those early day sit-downs. “Now What?” is produced with help from Steve Zimmer, Lucy Little and Jackie Schwartz. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
This week, we go back fifty years to the iconic and chaotic Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza with director Jason Reitman's Saturday Night. Join us for our Season 7 Premier!Check us out on...Twitter @TSMoviePodFacebook: Time SensitiveInstagram: @timesensitivepodcastGrab some Merch at TeePublicBig Heads Media
Saturday Night Live has been a staple for all of us. This year, the late-night institution is celebrating its 50th season, so we thought, why not honor SNL with a review of Jason Reitman's amazing comedy film SATURDAY NIGHT? The original cast of Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, and John Belushi are played by near-no-name actors Ella Hunt, Emily Fairn, Kim Matula, Lamorne Morris, Dylan O'Brien, Cory Michael Smith, and Matt Wood, respectively. SATURDAY NIGHT received the top honor for Best Ensemble Cast by the Music City Film Critics' Association awards, and it's easy to see why.
Guest host Meg Wolitzer presents our holiday show--two stories about being home for the holidays and how you can count on your Mom to be there for you—and possibly to complicate things. First, memoirist Augusten Burroughs recalls a disastrous—and hilarious—childhood cooking project. Reader Michael Cerveris relishes every bite. And in “Live Wires” by Thomas Beller, a young man invites his girlfriend to his mother's annual Hanukkah party. The reader is Jane Curtin.
Meg Wolitzer presents a show of stories about our need to have “proof of love”—some demonstration by those nearest and dearest of exactly how much they care. A lot, in Etgar Keret's sweetly improbable “Almost Everything,” in which a husband looks for the perfect gift for a demanding wife. It's read by Liev Schreiber. In Jacob Guajardo's “Conquistadors, on Fairchild,” read by Michael Hartney, old flames reconnect, but it's not clear where they are headed.And in a classic from our archives, Haruki Murakami's “Ice Man,” a shy woman marries a man who carries winter within and without. Jane Curtin is the reader.
This week on the program, Thomas, Matt, and jD welcome back Darin Patterson to the show. You can find his work at SNL Nerds where ever you get your podcasts.Transcript:Track 4:[0:42] Thank you so much, Doug DeNance. It is a thrill to be back here with you on the SNL Hall of Fame podcast. Before you come inside, if you would do me a favor, please wipe your feet. The SNL Hall of Fame podcast is a weekly affair where each episode we take a deep dive into the career of a former cast member, host, musical guest, or writer, and add them to the ballot for your consideration. Consideration once the nominees have been announced we turn to you the listener to vote for the most deserving and help determine who will be enshrined for perpetuity inside the hall and that is how we play the game it's just that simple a little 411 for you we have a new email address it is the snl hall of fame at gmail.com that's the snl hall of fame at gmail.com shoot Shoot us an email if you have any questions about the show or would like to guest on this show or the SNL Hall of Fame Water Cooler with Joe and Shari.Track 4:[1:43] So there's that. This week we are joined by our friend Darren Patterson of the SNL Nerds podcast. You can check that out wherever you find your quality podcasts. Podcasts and uh darren has quite the track record of uh nominating people in episodes he joined us for the first time on season two where he nominated tom hanks who got in then in season three he kicked off the season by nominating dana carvey who also got in that year uh he took the year off in season four and didn't visit us in season five either but this year he's back and uh i'm excited about this episode so there's that.Track 5:[2:32] Here we go with an original not ready for prime time player it is the often overlooked garrett morris matt what do you have to say about garrett morris wow uh garrett uh he five foot eight born february 1st 1937 in new orleans uh he is uh an incredible talent he studied drama at the hb studio and attended juilliard he's a triple threat raised by a baptist minister grandfather he got his first taste of performance in the church choir uh with 116 acting credits six soundtrack credits and one writer credit it, he worked as a soloist and arranger for Harry Belafonte.Track 5:[3:22] Yeah, so he was part of Belafonte's band. During his time as a singer for Harry Belafonte, he was performing in Los Angeles and decided to go for a walk. Police cuffed him and dragged them to jail when he tried to show his hotel keys to prove where he's staying. After a background check, it came back clean. And then they checked the itinerary in his pocket and saw that he was part of Harry Belafonte's band. And all of a sudden they were like oh i'm sorry i'm sorry mr garrett morris i mr morris like we're so he's he that kind of uh changed his life um he became very active uh he joined the black arts repertory theater and school a cornerstone of the black arts movement um um, in New York and ended up being surveilled by the FBI during that time. Yeah.Track 5:[4:23] So he has a file. Um, but you know, he's also done things like he released an album called South African Freedom Songs with Pete Seeger and Guy Carowan. Uh, he appeared in broadway in hallelujah baby and ain't supposed to die a natural death and uh he.Track 5:[4:44] Wrote a play called the secret place daddy piku and stagger lee uh which he penned for the brooklyn uh school kids as part of a new york program uh to write a play for school kids in their in your home borough and on top of all of that he released a comedy album called saturday night sweet um which has some pure disco tracks on there it is it is incredible um he survived a brush with death having been shot in the chest and arm while being mugged uh and got to be kidding me yeah like he's that was.Track 5:[5:28] In 1994 so not even that long ago did not go well for the shooter because there were some garrett morris fans in prison and let's just say he didn't leave the prison uh so yeah that got that you don't mess with a good with great comedians you know people don't like that so yeah so garrett morris garrett morris in a in a wrapped in a bow by our friend matt ardell and now we're going to check in with our other friend Thomas Senna as he digs in on Garrett Morris.Track 2:[6:31] Jamie and Matt, thank you so much. Welcome to another episode of the SNL Hall of Fame. Today we have a Heritage nominee from Season 1, an original Not Ready for Primetime player. So I'm really excited to talk about Mr. Garrett Morris.Track 2:[6:52] And with me to talk about Garrett and his time at SNL is Darren Patterson from the SNL Nerds podcast. Somebody who I haven't had on in like two or three seasons. It was long overdue. I knew I needed to get Darren back for Season 6 of the SNL Hall of Fame. Darren, how's it going, man? It's going well, Thomas. It's going well. Yeah, it's been a minute. I haven't been around these parts in quite some time. I love what you've done with the place. yeah well thank you tied it up a little bit before before you stepped into the hall we make sure to dust and we make sure to everything is in its right place for special guests like yourself so from one snl podcaster to another i gotta make sure that my space is presentable for for you guys especially for other snl podcasters so it's wonderful to have you man i think you were on uh for a roundtable an end of season roundtable i think that's last time we checked in on you yeah yeah it was that was that was a lot of fun that was a that was a blast if i recall correctly yeah yeah no we had a blast talking uh talking about the different nominees from that season of the snl hall of fame uh i love chatting with fellow snl podcasters like we both were chatting beforehand that this is such a really neat community of snl podcasters like both buddies with john schneider from the saturday night network the guys gary and brad from the not Not Ready for Primetime podcast. Andrew Dick's doing his thing.Track 2:[8:19] So, yeah. So, it's just really fun to have a fellow SNL podcaster on. Why don't you tell us what's going on lately over at SNL Nerds? The listeners can go and listen to our 300th episode, which we just recorded. We hit the big 3-double-0. Wow. It's bonkers. Yeah, yeah.Track 2:[8:38] It's an episode we did with Mike Diva, SNL film unit director. The man who directed such hits as I'm Just Pete, the Pete Davidson pre-tape, the Waffle House pre-tape for the Jenna Ortega episode, Mario Kart in the Pedro Pascal episode, the Christmas Carol pre-tape on the Steve Martin, Martin Short episode. Yeah, this dude's done it all. So, guys, go check that out, our 300th episode. That's awesome. We got it. Yeah, yeah. It was a pretty big milestone for us. We were like, oh wow, we've been... We've been really doing this for a while. You know, most podcasters don't even get to five episodes. Really? Yeah, I think I read that somewhere. I think five episodes is like the average, if that. So people start a podcast, they bail after like one or two episodes. So 300 is amazing, man. Yeah, that makes us 60 times better than the average podcast. And you could fill it with you and John Trumbull, your co-host. Yes, yes. Yes. Me and my coach, John Trumbull, we're two guys in New Jersey who are obsessed with SNL, so we during the summer since they've been off, we've just been kind of talking about SNL quote-unquote related movies. Just because we've done all the directly connected to SNL movies, so now we're just like, we just had an episode of Throw Mama from the Train and Billy Crystal's in it. I think that's SNL adjacent. I don't know.Track 2:[10:07] As long as the cast member's on, I think that definitely qualifies. Yeah like as long as we can find one cast member in the cast or for something more produced we kind of shrug and be like all right that works like our next episode we're gonna do a league of their own one of my favorites john lovitz is in that so i was like all right that counts yeah that's one of my favorite things about your podcast is is you you've carved out your own niche in that like you're exploring like snl related movies which which i love so so 300 hundred congratulations darren congratulations john huge milestone go check out uh snl nerds follow them on social media and listen to their pod it's an awesome one so today we are chatting about mr garrett morris so uh garrett had a somewhat different path to snl compared to the rest of the cast he wasn't a groundling didn't come from second city uh garrett was a dramatic actor singer playwright so Lauren was looking for a playwright landed on Garrett who then obviously became a cast member of course part of the original cast so Darren like as an SNL nerd what does Garrett overall kind of mean to you, Oh, God, what does it mean to me? I mean, of course, right off the top, he was the first African-American cast member in SNL. I mean, that's a huge thing right there.Track 2:[11:30] I mean, and also when I think of Gary, I kind of also think of almost like what could have been a little bit just because it's like you said, like Gary really didn't come up with the rest of the cast members through the improv channels. Channels he just kind of he was like a theater kid basically he worked in the theater and playwrights and whatnot so he was he was i i always felt like he that's one of the things that's kind of separated him from the rest uh well i mean i think there was like a few things actually the fact that he well first you know african-american uh the rest of the other cast was uh white uh all the writers were white sometimes i think he was might be the only black guy in like the building yeah Yeah, yeah, seems like, right? It's very possible. Yeah, and so there's that. The fact that he doesn't come through the improv channels, that always kind of separated him. And the fact that he was, like, so much older than the rest of the cast, too, which is something I think a lot of people don't even realize, is because the other cast members, they were all in their 20s when they got to show, like, mid-20s, early 20s, something like that. Garrett was 38 when he got it. Right. It's like, aside from him and George Cove, like those are the old dudes so part of me does think oh maybe those three things kind of are what separated him from the rest of the crew and maybe writers and the cast members maybe didn't know exactly how to.Track 2:[12:55] Fit him into what they were doing so it always seemed like he was kind of doing his own thing the more I think about it I don't know if anybody actually.Track 2:[13:06] Wanted to write a sketch for Garrett it seemed seem more like the writers were like i have this idea for a sketch and if gary can fit in it okay right you know like it was even more something like because a lot of them came from second city i know lorraine was a grambling um but a lot of them have even had even had sketches that they performed together before snl so so that so there was just like an uphill climb uh for gary he had been in like uh uh i think he was in a band um with harry bell like not with harry belafonte But it was a band of like Harry Belafonte kind of like nurtured and like mentored a little bit So Garrett was like in that band. He was singing acting like I mentioned playwrights So that yeah, he was just he wasn't part of like that sketching improv inner circle Yeah, which probably? Was a disadvantage to him and you uh you alluded to it But I mean one thing of course that we can argue is that.Track 2:[14:07] Him being sidelined as a black man. And we saw for a long time afterward that SNL did have a problem with representation, Darren. Yeah, yeah, it really did. I mean, I don't know if maybe they just weren't quite looking for that or they were just kind of maybe more focused on just getting on the kind of humor that maybe they could only conceptualize or conceive as being radical without thinking about maybe how it may appear to other people. Like, you know, they've always had, SNL's always had issues with that. They're doing better, you know, the fact that we have, like now, like we had Bunky, but like people like Bowen or Devin and Ego and like all these other different perspectives, kind of Marcelo now, like all these other different perspectives coming up with ideas that, you know, like ideas that wouldn't have come to other, maybe certain types of writing but uh but you know like like sketches that maybe like ego has done like like things that kind of maybe include like a vernacular or have like a viewpoint from a certain community that you wouldn't have normally thought of like another i'm going off of the tangent here sorry like one sketch i thought of like was um uh the sarah lee sketch from the harry styles episode yes the one that had like cecily and bowen and then harry styles came in and he'd been posting all these odd things on Instagram.Track 2:[15:34] And the wordage they were using, I was like, oh, this is written by Bowen or something, because I don't see anybody else kind of... Unless you know about that community, then a lot of other people just wouldn't know about that. It seems like a lot of the writers who were around when Garrett was around didn't just quite know about his world, so they didn't maybe know how to write it. So that's why maybe they had a harder time trying to figure out what he could do.Track 2:[16:04] Yeah, and like the late 70s, I don't think it was as emphasized or writers and people behind the scenes didn't necessarily care about certain voices. And I think you can, like, if they thought that the audience wouldn't get certain points of view, you can still make those funny. You can kind of train the audience to understand certain things. You could put Garrett or somebody on Weekend Update and kind of – even if you have to kind of explain the backgrounds, explain the context for a few seconds. We've seen them. We saw them do that on Saturday Night Live all the time in the 70s. Even if you have to explain context, you can make it funny. So I don't – I think they just didn't care around that time. Yeah, I think – I mean I think that what you're saying is that that's something they finally caught around when Eddie Murphy kind of came on the scene. Scene and I mean I'm not sure exactly who was writing for him at the time he might have just been writing his own stuff or whatever but like I think when Eddie came in they're like oh this is.Track 2:[17:06] From a fresh new viewpoint that maybe we don't know about, but is worth exploring and investigating and making some sketches about. Yeah, I think there's a lot of credence to that, for sure. All that said, Garrett was such a great singer, such a great actor. I think he added a wonderful dimension to the show when it was on screen. Darren, I've always found this applies to hosts, especially in my opinion, but even cast members. I think some of the best people to do sketch comedy are good actors i think you need to have a sense of humor but you also need to know how to act that's something that they could have really tapped into with gary like talk about acting chops he's probably the best actor uh at that time maybe on the whole cast yeah no he that's true he could have done that i think what he might have done, which maybe kind of you know was was to his you know detriment was he tried to be maybe as funny as the rest of the cast members in some things or like he tried to meet them on their terms when he should have just kind of stuck with his strengths and like and you know that would have been his like maybe more better path forward where like he probably came up saying like well I'm a dramatic actor I know theater.Track 2:[18:25] But these guys are like comedic improv so let me try to be let me try to keep up with them try to play their game but like I feel like he should have kind of maybe played his own game and found his way.Track 2:[18:38] Through what the rest of the improv people were doing. It's almost like, I mean, I don't know if you saw what was it, Batman Forever? The one with Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carey from back in the day, that Batman, where I'm really going off the edge today. No, it's not me.Track 2:[18:59] Jim Carey was the Riddler and he was like he just really played it to this nth degree and uh tommy lee jones was two-faced and he tried to match carrie's crazy and it just got too much crazy yeah whereas like if tommy lee jones maybe played it more straight and played it more kind of down here it would have had a better balance but like i remember that movie just being kind of really off kilter and not great because of that so i think maybe garrett could have done that like he could have been like maybe the more serious grounded uh person or or uh force in a sketch right and while everybody else was kind of acting a little bit crazier around him, Yeah, so he was trying to find his footing, so it's easy to understand why he would be like, well, it's a comedy show, and these guys have – I think I've even heard Garrett say this. He's looked at all of them and said, oh, they're like funny people. They're like trained funny people, so I kind of have to match that. But maybe looking back, you could say I was maybe the best actor of the bunch, so that's what I could have contributed. But you could see it. When I revisit old SNL, a lot of my takeaways from some sketches are like, man, Garrett acted his ass off, and it helped the scene.Track 2:[20:08] Like like big time i i think of like somebody who we're going to talk about this season adam driver to me he's one of the better hosts in snl history because he's like a great actor and a lot of those great dramatic actors do really well as hosts on snl so i just think that skill set really crosses over to sketch comedy yeah no for sure that definitely does like uh yeah i mean you have comedic actors that like try to be the funniest one in the sketch and that can't come across as maybe depending on the comedic actor it could be a little obnoxious but like dramatic actors always kind of know that less is more and like yeah you don't always have to be the big boisterous clown in the room you can just maybe play it down a little bit more and be a little bit more understated and you know find the rhythms and just add to the sketch and that's a better path well it might not be like like the flashiest role or you know like more than what everybody remembers, you still did your part to maybe flesh out the sketch a little bit more and get it to greater heights. Exactly. It services the sketch. Sketch comedy nerds like us will pinpoint that contribution and give credit where credit's due. So as far as Gary goes, I'm really excited. I want to dig into his work on SNL. So is there something that immediately kind of stands out to you that he did on the show?Track 2:[21:33] One of the biggest standouts immediately is the president of the New York School for the Hard of Hearing. It was a quick little thing he always did on a weekend update with Chevy where they have him in those little hard of hearing bubbles. And Chevy would say he's here for the hard of hearing. And Chevy would be like, our top story tonight. And then you just see Garrett cupping his hands over his mouth, screaming the exact same thing that Chevy's saying. Our top story tonight, President Ford is finally over that stubborn week-long cold.Track 2:[22:11] It was like one of those really simple, dumb gags that like we'll get a laugh i remember getting a laugh out of that the first time i saw when i was like a little kid where i was like it's it's simple it's kind of corny it's it's almost like a dad joke but damn it it makes me smile and it lives on too garrett he came back and was it snl 40 that he yes that he did that right i believe so it was one of the snl uh anniversary specials that that they brought garrett back to to do that on weekend update so So that one definitely lives on. I mean, the tone is like just yelling, but Garrett's not trying to like be a clown or be, you know, he's just sort of like doing what needs to be done. And it lives on almost 50 years later, Garrett doing that.Track 2:[22:59] Yeah, I'm sure everybody will remember that. Weekend Update, I kind of want to stick with too, since you started there on Weekend Update. A character he did 10 times, 9 of those on Weekend Update was Chico Escuela. Is sports correspondent which is what i i mean that when i think of garrett i think of like the a lot of the fun stuff he did as chico escuela darren yes yes me too i mean it was like um i mean yeah like you said it was like a character that just kind of popped up here and there a little bit uh it wasn't you know it wasn't it didn't get too overused there was no you know emily latela or anything like that but it was poor poor emily latela that's like the classic example but you're right I agree right she got so much air time it was like wow you really trying to make Emily Latela happen but I mean Chico escuela like he had again much like Garrett he kind of went at his own pace you know the baseball didn't very very good to me and whatnot it was like a very small that's small but very understated character very understated performance, memorable, to say the least, I'd say. Baseball been very, very good to me. This week, baseball been very, very good to Willie Mance. Say hey, Willie always keep his eye on the ball.Track 2:[24:25] In the Super Bowl, we have, how do you say, highlights. Roll, please. Please, Jackie A. Smith did not keep his eye on the ball. I think it is actually kind of a nuanced thing because I love the conceit of he doesn't know anything, especially the first one. The first time he came on as a sports correspondent, he doesn't know about any other sports. He's just trying to like push his way through like the nhl highlights and he doesn't really know much about basketball then when baseball he just kind of jumps right in and yeah just talks about it so i just think that's a very very funny conceit chico always seemed like a nice guy has that catchphrase man like like everybody who knows the show it seems like knows the baseball been very very good to me and yeah like yeah he another one that lives on yeah no it's not like one of the bigger catch, you know, it's not like it's no two wild and crazy guys, but I feel like it's another like.Track 2:[25:32] It's another thing where it's like, yeah, it's a catchphrase that may not be that big, but it is known. I don't know. The more I think about it, the more I think more serious SNL nerds like us would appreciate Garrett more. He's always just been kind of – again, he's not like the big flashy breakout star, but people like us, we see what you're doing there. Yeah, I know. If you really go back and watch the first five seasons, there's so many times where we're like, oh my gosh, Garrett. It like like and he i love the chico character too because like it had an arc like he had a really fun arc there's at one point where he uh was quitting weekend update because he went back to met spring training to try to make the team again because his his background was that he was an all-star for the new york meds so uh but then when he went to uh spring training uh it turns Turns out that some of the team was upset with him because he wrote a detailed account of Major League Baseball.Track 2:[26:32] And it was called Bad Stuff Bout the Mets that he wrote. So he had to endure himself. So there was like a whole narrative arc with Chico Escuela going to Mets spring training, then flaming out. So that's something that I kind of would love to see more of on SNL, especially with weekend update kind of characters. I want to see those narrative. But we like we got that with Seth and Stefan but Darren like I love that There's like some sort of narrative arc here. Yeah, I don't yeah I I mean I'd love to have like you said like something like narrative arcs in SNL and or even runners I think that they tried to do, Runners a little bit back in the day like they had that um, when Kim Kenna was on they still had that uh, was it I.Track 2:[27:18] Think she had like some little bit of runner through there. I, They can't even remember it. But I don't know. Part of me thinks because of this, I guess, TikTok world we're living in where, like, you know, the little sound bites and clips are a little bit more important just to get eyes and views. I don't know if there's a place for, like, a runner or... Marianne Conway, that's who. They had the Marianne Conway thing where Kate McKinnon was, like, on her knees. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, all right. All right, sorry. I just remembered.Track 2:[27:51] So, yeah. Yeah, so I don't know. I mean, I would love a runner. I would love arcs. But again, because we're in this world now where quick little five-minute video clips are kind of how we just ingest everything now. I just don't know if there's room for an arc or a runner or anything like that anymore. It's a bummer because they're really cool. No, I could see that. No, it was really cool with Chico. go that was a character too that i would hear people who watched uh snl live when in the late 70s always referenced they would always reference chico escuela and base baseball being very very good to me and all that so i think this kind of like almost lives on as far as like this might be like garrett's legacy at snl is this character because i really have heard a lot of older snl fans when i was a kid they would always reference this like i knew what this was before i even saw I saw it on screen. I knew what this was. Oh wow. Yeah, yeah, no, totally memorable, totally great. Yeah, it's fantastic. What else is there that may have popped out to you for Garrett? I mean, the one thing that comes to my mind is the, I forget the name of the sketch, but it's like that aristocrat's dinner that happens.Track 2:[29:08] And Garrett is a person who's, you know, what's it called? He has like a staff in his hand. He slammed it against the ground to introduce people to the party. Say, you know, Lord and Lady Gardner, Lord and Lady, blah, blah, blah. And then these two people come in and he says, Lord and Lady Douchebag. Douchebag and uh we get this whole sketch about you know this lord and this lord and lady in this fancy high society party and their names are douchebags to your point that sketch which i think honestly was the last sketch of the original era it happened in the very last episode buck henry hosted it in season five yes yes i think it may have been the last sketch of the original error or close to it maybe there was one more after that uh but but to your point garrett made that sketch because if you ask somebody they i think a lot of like casual sketch comedy fans will tell you oh yeah i've heard of like lord and lady douchebag um but they couldn't tell you the beats of the sketch no right they just recite garrett saying that line so that's to your point like garrett made the most out of he wasn't the star of the sketch i think it was buck henry and Harry Shearer, honestly. But Garrett May, he was the star of that sketch ultimately. Lord and lady, douchebag!Track 2:[30:33] Yeah, and I know Bill Murray was in that sketch, because at one point he goes, ah, douchebag! He does that. But yeah, I don't remember anything anyone else actually said in that sketch. The one thing you can you think about it or totally remember is Garrett saying Lord and Lady Douchebag. I mean, that's him taking, I guess what he knew was going to be like the big line that would get the big laugh.Track 2:[30:58] Once everybody in the audience kind of sees where the sketch is going that's going to be their big aha moment so like he probably looked at that and was new like oh i really need to really like enunciate and make a big deal out of this one phrase that like i just know is going to be the one that sticks in everybody's brain exactly he brought out his booming but he almost brought his singing voice yeah yeah he said that absolutely yeah that was a great example that's way back uh at the end of season five.Track 2:[31:28] Like the very last episode of the original era, Garrett still made his mark for sure. In season one, almost maybe a missed opportunity. They did this four times, but something that I always loved when I went back and rewatched a lot of the original seasons was he hosted a show called Black Perspective. Yes, yes. Yeah, so he did that in episode four was his first time. So they kind of gave Garrett his talk show. he played uh uh probably a different version of himself and he had on jane curtain playing a different version of herself but these black perspective they could have been a thing like again he did it four times but they were always like they had jokes about about just things that like like to your earlier point that there were jokes involving like black perspective that's the name of the show the black community but but these were ones darren that uh that i loved so he said He said he had Jane Curtin on the first time. Fran Tarkenton appeared on season two.Track 2:[32:29] So it was basically kind of Garrett and the show almost mocking like stereotypes. Yeah. It's just kind of poking fun of them. Like Fran Tarkenton was talking about how like. Black guys can't read defenses and that's why they aren't quarterbacks and he made fran made to was made to look like the in that sketch but that's kind of the theme of this yeah i remember those those are like really interesting i mean like of course tim meadows would kind of do something like that yeah you know well i've been called perspectives yeah yeah yeah outstanding.Track 2:[33:01] But uh but yeah like that's like another thing that like uh garrett had that didn't, I mean I don't want to say it didn't take off they were really cool and really interesting but yeah like I again like they're not you know you don't see them too often when you look at an SNL, retrospective like they'll show you you know Samurai Chef or something a lot but you won't really see that like I do remember there was like another one where Julian Bond yes when he hosted and there was this like who's this you know politician this black politician back in the day and like there was this one really interesting sketch that they got into where where, I mean, I kind of wish they went further with it, but, like, the conceit of it is, like, they talk about how, like, light-skinned blacks are smarter than dark-skinned blacks. I remember seeing that. I was like, wow, that's a bold... Yeah, that happened in, like, 1976 or 77. Yeah. That was, like, in season two. They've been saying that whites are smarter than blacks for hundreds of years, baby, right? And we've only had these IQ tests for, what, 20, 30 years. Now, how did the IQ of white intellectual superiority originate in the first place? Well, that's a very interesting point. My theory is that it's based on the fact that light-skinned blacks are smarter than dark-skinned blacks.Track 2:[34:25] Say what? Garrett just kind of waits a beat, just kind of stares at him in that Garrett way, those eyes. I thought that was pretty hilarious. I mean, really, really ballsy for its time. I was like, wow. I don't even know if I'd try that sketch today. Yeah, right, exactly. They only did those black perspective ones like four times. Cecily Tyson was on the last one. And that was Cecily telling Garrett that black women have gotten a raw deal because the black man is such a loser Garrett it was like so I was like say what and he had this reaction So it's like kind of tension that between he and Cecily Tyson, Because she just kind of said that so so yeah, so I would have loved to see like a.Track 2:[35:11] More of those and more like perspective uh in in garrett's voice and more black perspective honestly yeah like i remember i mean from what i've read like garrett was the thing where he was like really kind of trying to fight to get stuff like that on he was trying to kind of get you know like sketches that kind of seemed more from the black perspective but like he was kind of just hitting so many walls with that and so like the fact that he got the little that he did i I think it's a huge accomplishment, even though maybe people didn't quite get it at the time. I mean, I think the fact that he just he put it out there and I'd imagine like there must be some people, some black comics coming up that's seen that and was like inspired by that. Yeah, yeah, I think so. He he tells a funny story. I mean, he speaks highly of Al Franken overall.Track 2:[35:58] He said nice things about Al Franken, but he did say that Al Franken kind of pushed back on some of his ideas. Is and he said one time he he challenged al frank into a wrestling match and he said he said he thought he was going to get the worst of it probably because al was a wrestler and he's kind of a stocky build guy like al's kind of a bigger dude he was a bigger dude than what you might think it's like i i challenged him he's like i knew i was gonna probably get my ass kicked but i challenged al frank and so snlwf yeah yeah exactly so garrett did have to almost literally fight for screen time sometimes. I had no idea. Yeah, that makes sense. Al Franken, from what I know about him, especially in his younger days, he was a bit of a...Track 2:[36:45] He had a bit of a... Temper or he was just a little gave you a lot of pushback you know he's exactly he's the man that came up with limo for a lame-o i mean for a lame-o yeah he's the one that uh when everybody like the cast i think it was in the late 80s early 90s i think it was george harrison who was like.Track 2:[37:04] Playing piano and just putting basically putting on this like beatles show in the office for people and al's the one who came out of his office and said get back to work you guys got some writing sketches to do and yeah so i don't blame garrett sometimes for trying to fight him push back on that uh one other memorable moment you mentioned the so the julian bond one i think is very memorable chico escuela deaf and hard of hearing one the lord and lady douchebag so garrett has these like memorable things um one thing i also knew about when i was a kid uh was if you remember this was in season one as well when they had what they called like death row follies yes prison yes so yeah they're putting on a performance of gg at a prison and are auditioning inmates oh yeah so you remember this one yes i do yeah so where.Track 2:[37:59] Does it go from here if you can if you can remember the beats i believe if we're thinking about the same one this is the one where Garrett comes out as an inmate and he starts singing the song.Track 2:[38:49] That's the one and it comes out of nowhere too it's like because dan dan and chevy played inmates for the first two auditions and then garrett comes out he's saying that he was in solitary confinement and he was writing this thing and he goes to the piano and i think maybe by episode 11 the audience had heard garrett probably sing yes so they knew that he was like this maybe maybe Maybe like a really good singer. So you're expecting. And even sometimes I forget. Because I'm expecting Garrett to kind of sing this beautiful song. But no. It's his famous song. Yeah it's like this kind of jaunty upbeat song. I'm going to take all the shotgun and kill all the white guys. Yeah. Which even makes it funnier. And like you're just talking about. Once he does that. Whitey won't bother him. Yeah.Track 2:[39:40] Yeah exactly. He said he got that from a real thing. And it wasn't like, kill all the whiteys. I see it was much, you know, it was a very, very, very racist little performance that Garrett happened to see. So he kind of flipped the script on that. Yeah. So that's kind of where Garrett said he got it from. But such a memorable moment. I knew the words to that song before I even saw the context to it as well. And that's something that like lives on with Garrett yeah and again that's another way like or another instance of Garrett kind of taking over a sketch with his little screen time he has because I don't remember what happened before that sketch or after Garrett saying it like all the other parts of that sketch I don't quite remember but I definitely remember Garrett singing that song and talking about getting a shotgun but like I know there was some stuff before and after he performed but I don't.Track 2:[40:38] Call it but no garrett's part that was the star of the show the only reason why i remember the beats because i just kind of recently watched it okay but like but but other than that that's all you remember from the sketch because it's so like shocking and memorable and hilarious and uh i think gilda is part of the sketch and they tell all the and they warn her basically or they say oh you might want to like button your top button a little bit more because these these men haven't seen a woman in years or whatever and then of course they all take a shining um to put it nicely to gilda throughout to put it nicely yes that's the nice way of saying it yeah because yeah that i remember yeah that was wow yeah yeah uh there was one more that i kind of uh that i think really sticks out with some people and garrett says that he's pretty proud of this one i've heard him talk about it and it's called the white guilt relief fund oh yes yeah I'm Garrett Morris talking to all you white Americans about the way black people have been treated in America now I know a lot of you feel guilty and you should.Track 2:[41:43] My great-great grandmother was brought over here on the slave ship and was raped by her white master and my grandfather was lynched by a mob for not tipping his hat to a white lady now they're dead now there's nothing you can do to erase their suffering. However, if you would like to relieve your guilt, I am willing to accept money as a representative victim of 400 years of repression. Send your check or money order to White Guilt Relief Fund, care of Garrett Marsh, 870 West 127th Street, New York, New York. Good perspective. I like it. That's the stuff that I wanted more of. Yeah. That's actually a pretty smart concept. I don't know why they didn't do more things I don't know, it seems like maybe the writers just had their own ideas and then they just kind of were like, alright, we'll give Garrett this one thing and that'll make him happy and then we can do our thing, what we want to do. But I don't know, I feel like they left money on the table in a way. They could have explored Garrett's mind a little bit more and worked with him a little bit more and gotten all these other great sketches from perspectives no one else maybe was even thinking about looking at.Track 2:[42:55] Yeah, they really could have. Yeah. I mean, they were really funny. They were really short, too. Like, that White Guilt Relief Fund one wasn't that long. It's something that you could plug in. Like, that's kind of a replicable concept that you could plug in if you need a minute ten to fill, honestly. Like, that's something you could do. Yeah, that could be like a TikTok. That's like TikTok. Perfect TikTok. It really is. Yeah, that's like for the TikTok era. Garrett was ahead of his time. He was ahead of his time. Really, Garrett created TikTok, if you think about it. Yeah, I mean, that sounds, I haven't looked into that, but that sounds right. That sounds, that checks out. It checks out, story checks out. Thank you, Garrett.Track 2:[43:34] Is there anything else before we kind of, like, move on, post-SNL stuff for Garrett? I've always liked his, that one role he had as the best friend Cliff for the Fenstruck Brothers. Oh, yeah. Like, he didn't have too much to do there, but, like, you know, he kind of came in and came out. And he'd always acted like a good sort of straight man to help the these two dudes just try to get the foxy foxy lady single women's yes yes yes I remember click very well I don't know if I undersold it honestly but I think he's on the shortlist and he might be the greatest singer in SNL history.Track 2:[44:37] Anna gasteyer is amazing cecily recently chloe trost currently but is there a better singer as far as cast than garrett i mean all those singers you mentioned are great uh melissa vio senor for the little time she didn't get to sing she's great but uh i think the fact that garrett is like classically trained and he like sung you know mozart songs and don otavino songs The fact that he can sing operatic stuff, I think maybe puts him a notch above all those other singers you mentioned. Because they're all great and have beautiful voices, but when you hear...Track 2:[45:15] Garrett Morris has a voice of an angel. Yeah, for sure. He can sing Ave Maria type stuff, and that's pretty special. Yeah, 100%. I would put Garrett, number one, probably on a gas tire right after that. She's still doing Broadway stuff. She's an incredible singer. And then everybody else is kind of fighting after that, after Garrett and Anna. But that should be part of his legacy as well. The most talented singer in SNL history. Yeah, you can't dismiss his singing prowess. I think there's enough stuff out there that people know he can sing when he sang on the show. But I feel like it's something that doesn't get brought up as much as it should. It because i mean he's he my man's got pipes yeah definitely uh yeah so after snl he made one cameo since he left the show in 1980 with the original cast garrett's made one cameo not including snl 40 and all those it was in november of 2002 the pop quiz here and i actually i'll admit i didn't know this until a couple days ago do you know the context of this cameo that That happened in an episode in November of 2002?Track 2:[46:27] I don't think. I don't believe so. No. He appeared in an Astronaut Jones sketch. Oh. Out of nowhere. It was Brittany Murphy. And of course Astronaut Jones. The Tracy Morgan character. And it was. Yeah. Garrett was standing right by him. And I forgot who else. So there was a third guy. Okay. No. It was Nellie.Track 2:[46:50] Nellie. It was Nellie. I was not expecting to say that. Yeah this is 2002 uh so so is tracy as astronaut jones and then nelly and garrett and then britney murphy was the host so so garrett appeared in astronaut jones darren that is wild i totally forgot about that yeah 22 years almost 23 years after he left the show that was his only appearance.Track 2:[47:15] Yeah, that is wild. I kind of wish he'd made more appearances. Yeah. But, yeah. Yeah, me too. But hopefully we'll see him here on SNL 50. I assume so.Track 2:[47:27] He guest starred in a lot of sitcoms, different strokes, The Jeffersons, Hill Street Blues, Married with Children, all over the place. If you watch Martin like I did, main part of the cast of Martin, very beloved, The Jamie Foxx Show, Two Broke Girls. Roles so man like i don't know he's still around he appeared in ant-man in 2015 which was awesome they made up a reference to him playing ant-man on snl yes the first wasn't he the first uh person ever to play ant-man in like tv or film it's like live action so maybe he's he is the first yeah so i'm glad that that was like a little tip of the cap to garrett playing ant-man in that it was like a parade of of superheroes kind of sketch oh yes yes i remember that that was a good one yeah so So, like, awesome, Darren, like, when Garrett just pops up in something you're watching, right? Yeah. Gets you excited. Yeah, it does. It does. It's like, oh, yeah, he's still out here. He's still doing it. He's still, he always just seemed, like, kind of just, like, kind of very zen, almost. Like, he's just, like, a very laid-back dude, and he's just kind of happy where he's at. And, you know, he's just, he just has a really great kind of aura about him. I don't know. I never met the man, but, like, I feel like if I, if we ever did, I would just, it would just like i would feel at peace at one yeah myself like through him he's buddhist it really yeah so that tracks no garrett's buddhist yeah i just made all that shit up i had no idea.Track 2:[48:54] That's awesome you have a good feel for it because i think i think garrett would be pretty zen i think he's he has said that he's buddhist uh so so yeah that's a good good read of a person darren Wow, way to go me. I did get that vibe. I think Martin was the first thing that I had. I mean, I think I had seen some old SNL clips when he was on, but I think Martin was my first real exposure to Garrett. So I do remember that just him being like just the funny station manager, the casual. So that was actually my first exposure to Garrett was Martin. Yeah, I think for a lot of, you know, people that grew up in the 90s, it was that, too. And, like, I mean, I remember him from Martin, of course, and Jamie Foxx show later on in the 90s. But, like, I guess I was big enough. I was a big enough SNL nerd to be like, oh, wait, that's the guy who was on. That's Chico Escuela. That's the guy that was on that SNL show that I watched the reruns of on Comedy Central. That's the guy that was going to grab the shotgun. Remember him? Yeah, he was going to kill all of them. Yes.Track 2:[49:56] Um so lamorne morris will be playing garrett in the upcoming saturday night movie um like one of the things you do on your podcast is discussing snl related movies i'm sure you're excited about this one this could be like the holy grail of snl movies for you guys yeah no with we are super as soon as the trailer dropped we were we were both super pumped i think i watched that trailer at least five or six times yeah we're definitely like me and my buddy john trumbull we we i think we uh spent there was like one episode we put out recently we spent like at least 15 minutes just talking about that trailer uh but yeah i mean i love the way it looks i think it looks great i love the way there's this one scene in the trailer where, Lamorne Morris is kind of looking at Jim Henson while he's smoking a cigarette. And the stare that he gives Jim Henson, it looked a lot like a young Garrett Morris. For a minute, I was like, oh, that looks like Garrett.Track 2:[51:00] So I'm looking forward to that. And I just really like the look of it. I think everybody who's playing, whoever they're playing, kind of gets it. The guy that's playing young Lorne Michaels kind of has his speech patterns down and his little pout. But he doesn't do it to an extent where it's a goofy caricature. You know, he's just like, you know. He has the little pout going on and the voice down. The guy that plays Chevy kind of has Chevy's voice down.Track 2:[51:29] I'm really looking forward to this. I might... I mean, I'm not going to take the day off work or anything, but I think I'm going to definitely see this opening... Definitely opening weekend, maybe opening night. but like i yeah i am so pumped for this i want to see it opening night but my wife's gonna be out of town and i might have to wait for her to get back because she's really wants to see it too i don't know to see this is this is a moral quandary with the husband do i am i do i adhere to my snl passion as a podcast maybe i could justify it as like i'm a podcaster i gotta see it opening night honey and then we'll see it again maybe when you get back but i don't know this is a moral quandary for me darren yeah i know oh i've i've been in those shoes where it's like, she's not she's out of town but i really want to see this show uh just go and then i pretend to be surprised yeah no you don't want to do that.Track 2:[52:26] A marriage is built on honesty fair enough yeah you're damn right so uh either way uh i'll definitely be seeing it soon afterward lamorne morris seems like he has um garrett's kind of aura down a little bit there's this trailer where he kind of introduces it and it seems like he's really got a pretty good feel for garrett i love lamorne in a new girl um a lot of stuff he's other done he's done as well i liked him in the new season of unstable even though that season was I thought I liked Lamorne in the season. So I'm looking forward to seeing his portrayal of Garrett and just the movie overall. And I get skeptical with biopics, especially with SNL kind of things. But this does look really promising. It does. I mean, Lamorne Morris has always been really good. I really liked him in, I don't know if you saw the movie Game Night. I haven't. It's really funny. It's really good. I saw it on Hulu a while ago on a whim just because I heard a lot of friends say it's really funny. You should check it out and i checked it out and it's really it's like on the level of almost like bridesmaids or like the hangover or like all the big comedies that came out in the early it's but it's like smarter and it's really well shot and like game night fantastic movie but anyway uh saturday night we're talking about that movie yeah but yeah so we're yeah we're pumped for saturday night pumped for the garrett morris uh depiction by lamorne morris so now's the time Darren, we've reached the point in the show where you kind of make an appeal to people.Track 2:[53:54] So why don't you tell us, why should listeners, SNL fans, and folks at the SNL Water Cooler appreciate Garrett's place in SNL history? Because the fact, first of all, he's the first African-American cast member. Boom, right there. And secondly, yes, he may not be the most memorable one of the group, or the one that got the most spotlight or get the most accolades.Track 2:[54:23] You still remember him. Even though he didn't get that much screen time or much lines, you still remember Chico Escuela. You still remember the president of the New York School for the Hard of Hearing. Those things still reside in your brain for some reason. He's always somebody who's made quite a lot with not what little he's given. You still remember hearing him sing with that beautiful angelic voice of his. He stays in your memory. He's always been a solid cast member. And while it's a shame he never got his due, you still remember him. He still sticks around in your brain. And yeah, he might be the unsung hero, I'd say, of the original SNL cast.Track 4:[55:31] So there's that thank you so much darren patterson from the snl nerds podcast check that out if you're listening to this and you don't listen to the snl nerds podcast what are you thinking keep that's, you know, get your priorities straight.Track 4:[55:52] Add it to your playlist. Thanks, Darren. It's great to have you back. I'm real curious if you keep your streak up. Tom Hanks, Dana Carvey, that's a pretty good pedigree that you've established. And I am very curious to see whether or not your luck is with Garrett Morris. So there's that. that let's go to the garrett morris sketch that uh thomas is selected here and i want to tell you that it is uh the first chico escuela appearance on weekend update uh obviously we listened to thomas and darren and chico escuela was certainly a big part of of garrett morris's five-year tenure at SNL. This took place season four, episode eight. So that's his first appearance. Wow. So really he was only season four and season five that he was Chico Escuela. To me, it was something that was just, it was always there. I don't know. I guess because of the clip shows, I'm skewed. At any rate, let's go to that now.Track 3:[57:11] New York Mets, Chico Escuela. Welcome, Chico. Chico will be covering the sports team for Weekend Update. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Baseball being very, very good to me. Thank you, Hayne. Pete Ross Baseball being very, very good to Pete Ross, $3.2 million for Pete Ross Charlie Hustle, you bet Daniel, very, very much, And football. I don't know football. In Dominican Republic, football is... How you say in, um... soccer. Your football... I don't know. And National Hockey League. In baseball baseball being very very good to me thank you very much thank.Track 4:[58:38] You thank you very much oh man that's freaking fantastic what a baseball been better better good to me is just uh like thomas said in the conversation, it's just one of those things I knew and I was born in 74 so I was one and a half when SNL began so clearly I don't remember that my first memories are season 9 really, maybe a little bit of season 8 but I didn't really get into things until season 10 so there's that, I don't know whether or not.Track 4:[59:20] Garrett Morse makes the hall. It's going to be interesting.Track 4:[59:25] Tune in this week to the SNL Hall of Fame water cooler to hear what Joe and Shari have to say. I joined them this week on the show. And it should be interesting to take note of their feelings and thoughts on this. Thanks for joining us this week.Track 4:[59:47] It's always a pleasure. on behalf of Thomas and Matt I want to thank Darren Patterson once again and do me one last favor, on your way out as you walk past the weekend update exhibit turn out the lights, because the SNL Hall of Fame is now closed.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/snlhof/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Meet Joe and Shari as they assemble around the SNL Hall of Fame watercooler to discuss a variety of things relating the SNL and its Hall of Fame. Transcript:Track 2[0:22]All right. Welcome to the SNL Hall of Fame Water Cooler Podcast. I'm Joe Gannon and I'm sitting at the water cooler with...Track 3[0:30]Me, Shari Fasco. I'm very excited to be here. I've got my cup and I'm filling it up.Track 2[0:38]All right. And then there I go. All right. Let's get into it. All right. So on On this podcast, we're going to be talking about the SNL Hall of Fame and who we believe should and shouldn't be in it. But first, let's kind of just introduce ourselves. I'm Joe Gannon. I've been an SNL fan since, I guess, 1991. 91 and what I enjoyed about it was as I was watching it like as it was going on since 91 I got to watch the reruns like on Comedy Central E and whatnot so it's kind of cool seeing a show develop and then learn its history at the same time and I just found it absolutely fascinating about how important it is to our society about because the show makes fun of our society and politics, and everything. And the last thing is, I grew up in the central time zone, so the TV show was on at 10.30 to midnight. So to me, it was like a show that waited until the last hour and a half of the week to make fun of the previous week. And you, Sherry, introduce yourself.Track 3[2:00]Hi, I'm Shari, rhymes with Starry, as I tell everybody, and I am a Michigan native, and I have been into Saturday Night Live probably since I was about nine, since it started in 75. I was really, really young in 75, so I don't remember it that young, but I definitely, definitely remember watching it at like eight, nine, ten. I was really into Mr. Bill. I vaguely remember having a Mr. Bill t-shirt. I just always loved the show and it's always been like a rock for me. It's been something that I've always come back to when things are good and when things are not so good. My husband is also into it. He's been watching a lot of sketches with me lately, getting ready for this podcast. And it's just, it's really just, it's comfort food. Just like what Joe's saying, it's comfort food. It's something that's always been there. and now it's going into its 50th year. I'm 54. It's kind of incredible. It's kind of crazy to think that it's been around. So I'm really excited to be here with Joe. I think both of us are super excited to be talking about these incredible people. I think we're ready to get into it. Are we ready, Joe?Track 2[3:15]I believe so.Track 3[3:16]We're going to talk about the season six draft. We're each going to do the two people we would like to see get in. And then the two that we don't think really have much of a chance of getting in possibly. I will let you go ahead and go first, Joe, and then I'll go after you.Track 2[3:33]Okay. So the first person I think should get in is Lorraine Newman. I believe that the only reason why she hasn't gotten in sooner is there's just a series of people that are a little bit more obvious. Uh you know that just i feel like should be uh you know people that just feel like they should be in uh like will ferrell but um as far as the original cast like obviously everyone from the original five years should be in um as far as where lorraine is in that uh group she's not She's not really a household name. She wasn't a Ghostbuster. She wasn't a Blues Brother. She didn't have a sitcom afterward. Everyone knows Aykroyd, Murray, Jane Curtin, Chevy Chase, John Belushi. And I feel like Lorraine Newman, who is extremely talented, just doesn't have that star power name. So when people are voting and they see her name... It just doesn't connect, or they don't immediately remember all of the great sketches that she was a part of. Or, if they do, they remember someone else that was in that sketch.Track 2[5:01]So that's why I chose Lorraine Newman. All right, and who's your pick?Track 3[5:06]My pick, I just stuck to strictly the season six draft. So I went with one, two of the draftees for this coming season that I would like to seek it in that I'm not really hopeful about. But my first is Sherry O'Terry. For all of the reasons you just said about Lorraine, I think Sherry is very, very, very, very, very underappreciated. She is absolutely hilarious. hilarious she stands up against the likes of will freaking farrell and holds her own yes even though she's this diminutive little she can't be more than five two but against will farrell who's like i don't know six four she still holds her own her comedic chops are that strong that she can hold her own and i feel that way in the zimmermans with chris katan i i watched her playing against Sylvester Stallone in one of her Rita sketches. And she really is amazing and so funny and so able to bring real relatability to these outrageous characters that she plays.Track 3[6:19]And I'm feeling like I don't think she's going to get in on the first ballot, but I do hope that The people remember her. I know she was a long time ago. I remember her vividly because I was in college. And that's the time when you remember the gas.Track 3[6:38]So I hope there's a lot of Gen Xers and a lot of Zs and millennials that are going back and watching and listening to our great guest. And Thomas, of course, make an excellent argument for her this season, I'm sure. So that's my first choice. Now back to you.Track 2[7:01]You made a great point, and the only word I want to add to it, just literally one word, is energy. She was full of energy in pretty much everything she did. I mean, with the exception of maybe Barbara Walters, but that's because it wouldn't fit. But if you look at all of her characters, that's the common theme, is that she was almost like twitchy.Track 3[7:23]I totally agree.Track 2[7:24]But, yeah. That's an excellent, excellent pick. Okay, so I'm going to go with my one, and we're going to continue the female trend. Someone a little bit more current. I'm going to go with Kate McKinnon.Track 3[7:41]Absolutely.Track 2[7:42]She, yes, yes, yes. She is one of those people, she reminds me of Amy Poehler in the sense that her talent seems to have been made for Saturday Night Live. Um now just i want to say this on our first episode uh to me the three things that make up a great snl cast member are characters impressions and hosting we can update not doing characters but hosting now you don't need to do all three to be great sometimes you can like jimmy fallon will ferrell dan ackroyd uh sometimes you can do just one dennis miller however when you do two or three, that shows that you're able to play any position.Track 2[8:31]So with that being said, with Kate McKinnon, she did characters and impressions extremely well.Track 2[8:39]The various characters, like the alien abductions sketch, that to me is timeless. That is one of the latest great reoccurring sketches. Sketches um and then as far as her impressions uh you look at amy puller who did like you know hillary clinton um and ever uh ever levine um kate mckinnon said hold my beer and then did uh not only female impressions but male she did rudy giuliani uh and such and a bunch of other politicians um and just i mean i'm having a hard time thinking of all you know it's trying to like name all the santa's reindeer or the seven dwarves you know you like you get down a few or you're like wait uh there's also uh you know so i'm i don't want to um take up too much time saying a lot of urs and ums as i try and think of them all but she is just where she just blended into those impressions and then characters and she was like Phil Hartman where she could be in she could do the whole show, you know she could do and it was almost unfair to the other cast members I don't want to overhype her too much you can't overhype her but.Track 2[10:02]I will. I do, but I want to be fair to everyone else. I want to be fair. I don't want to make it seem like the rest of the cast that they were less. I don't want to make them seem like they were less than they were.Track 3[10:16]But she's amazing.Track 2[10:18]But she was just, Kate McKinnon was just, her talent was made for Saturday Night Live. And I'm not going to lie, I miss her.Track 3[10:28]She definitely left a hole and she was part of a she was part of a trinity when you talk about her and cecily 80 unbelievable with things like twin bad i mean back home ballers just amazing the three of them together will just fire so excellent choice joe i'm gonna shake things i'm gonna shake things up a little i'm gonna i'm gonna break i'm finally gonna break up our like female male domination that's going on, which I love, but I'm going to break it up a bit. Like I said, I chose two from season six because that's where my head was at, and I chose a musical act, and I know J.D. Mentions this. Thomas mentions this.Track 3[11:12]Musical guests don't seem to get into the Hall of Fame. I think Paul Simon might be the only one still. Dave Grohl is knocking on the door, and he's he's on my list but the act i want to talk about they're coming up this season like i said is one of my favorite bands and remember i'm a gen xer so i know you know joe who i'm talking about uh you too you do i mean i watched a couple of performances it's hard to find musical performances especially when you don't have peacock which i know right i know snl fan without peacock But anyways, I love you two. I could not believe how amazing they were on that 8-H stage. Thomas made a really good point in the draft episode.Track 3[12:03]They were selling out stadiums at this time. I mean, they were huge at this time. But then they could bring it down and be right on that 8-H stage and be intimate and personal. And Bono, let's face it, it's the Bono show, right? The man can sing. He has charisma oozing out of his pores. And he just captivates. And that's exactly what he did. it. These days on current SNL, the musical acts are really getting out of control. And I know they talk about this in several of the podcasts I listen to. They're throwing all these dancers and visual effects and explosions. You don't need it. If you can sing and you're talented, you don't need it. U2 does not need it. I'd love to see them get in at some point. I hope they get at the 10% to at least stay on the ballot. But after Dave Grohl, I think they should be in next because they're just amazing. So those are my two.Track 2[13:07]All right. So let's get into the two that we think definitely won't. I just want to go first because I want to continue the trend of what we're talking about with the musical guests. Now, you said that it's going to be really hard for musical guests to get into the Hall of Fame, because they're not really a major part of the show. They're rememberable, but not as much as the cast, the writing, the host. So they're kind of like the fourth tier. But they're very important, don't get me wrong. It's just not one of the initial people that you think of when you think of the show. So as far as my first pick, I'm going to say Randy Newman. I agree with everything that was said when they were doing the ballot show. I agree with Randy Newman's great toy story. I love L.A. He's funny. When he accepted an Oscar, I don't remember specifically what he said, but he had a great Oscar speech.Track 2[14:10]Let's just put it this way. When you're voting for an SNL Hall of Fame, you know, person, I doubt that you're going to vote for Randy Newman. I mean, there's just a lot of people ahead of him in line, you know, like, you know, like the people that we're saying, you know, and then there's you got, you know, you got hosts that are well known. You got cast members that are well known. Writers are kind of a gray area, you know. And then musical guests are just hard to get into, period. And then Randy Newman is, you know, like people might know him from Toy Story and such, but they might not know him that well, or at least current people or whatnot. And I'm not saying anything, I don't want to say anything too much, too negative about him, but he's just not really a household name anymore. So with that being said, like it would be hard to vote him in the snl hall of fame so yeah i don't i don't know what more i could say after that it's just kind of kind of cut and dry i guess like you know like it's hard for a musical guest to get in and he's not really that well known as a musical guest so agreed.Track 3[15:30]In fact i agree so much my first totally won't get in was also randy newman and i'm not gonna to rehash it because you said it well. And even when J.D. nominated him in the draft, he said that he wondered if people would remember because he hasn't been... I mean, I'm sure he's still doing music for movies and doing movie songs and things, but you don't hear about him much. Like, I don't know if he had a new song in the new Pixar movie, the one that just came out or not. But yeah, I'm not going to go into it too much since you did a great job. I will go on to my second person and then I'll throw it back to you. My second person is a writer and I have to disagree with you a little bit. I actually, well, I don't know quite how you feel about writers, but you kind of sounded like you thought they were gray area. I don't think they're gray area. I think writing comes first. Great writing.Track 2[16:34]I don't think it's important. It's just not, the writers might not be well known.Track 3[16:38]Oh, I agree with that. But I feel that writers are the most important. They're that base ingredient. read yet. I don't care if you have the best cast in the world, if the sketch sucks and is poorly written and the characters aren't well-developed, nobody's going to be able to bring that to life. Whereas if you have a great sketch or a great script, a so-so actor, like say even myself, could do a good job with it. I think writing is essential. I don't think writers get enough love in the Hall of Fame. I don't think they get enough love in general. So that all being said, I'm going to talk about Alan Zweibel. Unfortunately, unlike Jim Downey, who I'm so happy got in, he doesn't have name recognition. He's done a lot. I've been reading a lot about him, and I was sent a list of the sketches he's worked on. I mean, Roseanne, Rosanna, Dana, Anna, Letella, Emily Letella. He worked very closely with Gilda, very close with Gilda. He was very, very, very, very essential to those early years.Track 3[17:56]Unfortunately, and I worry about this with Garrett Morris, too. I don't want to get off track, and Lorraine. People don't have long memories always. And especially these days, Joe, you know the kids are jumping on, they're watching sketches, they're watching the Beavis and Butthead sketch, they're not watching the whole show. So it's very different now. And I feel like writers like Alan Zubow have been lost to the anals of time, unfortunately. And maybe I'll be wrong. I hope I am wrong, but I feel like there's other writers ahead of him a bit. However i'd be thrilled if he got in i'd like to see writers get more love but i don't think it's happening so now i'm gonna throw it back over to you.Track 2[18:41]I just want to add on a little bit to that because i think he might have been a cast member in season five because okay yeah everyone started leaving so they just started pulling people from like the writers and like because like i think paul schaefer was a cast member in season five so season five was It was just kind of that running on fumes before everyone left. And then also, I just want to mention, as far as the Gildan Radner connection, I just love this memory, which is her last television appearance, which was on It's a Gary Shandling Show. And I know this isn't Saturday Night Live, but um uh he gary shanley uh developed that show with alan's i or uh zybel and uh after, gildan ran there was um she had a pause where she started to look good uh health-wise and so she showed up on that show and i just wanted to recommend people to look that moment up because it's such a gift from alan and gilda um so i know it's outside saturday night live but uh, But anyway, to segue to my pick, I also picked a writer for the same reason. Again, writers, it would be cool if writers, if you could see their name on the sketch.Track 3[20:04]Right.Track 2[20:04]That would be great. You know, that way, you know, like the only one that I think of is Jack Handy, The Deep Thoughts. You saw his name on that sketch. Right. So that kind of made you familiar. Now, anyway, my pick is Julio Torres, who is more recent. I just don't, he's not like John Mulaney, where he's a recent writer who has standout specials or hosted the show and all this stuff. I'm sure he's a great writer. He's just not well known. I think he's the least known person on the list.Track 3[20:41]I think you're right. He does have that I'm a Stone Actress sketch, which was great. But, yeah, he's not really talked about as much.Track 2[20:49]I mean, I don't want to, I literally don't have anything negative to say about him other than the fact that he's not known enough. And I'm sure people found out, you know, what sketches he wrote. They'd be like, oh, yeah, absolutely. I love that. But at this point, you know, I mean, you know, I just can't see people looking at this list and voting for him. I mean, and I'm not saying anything negative about him. I just don't see him being well known enough.Track 3[21:23]Now, let's reveal our ballots. Do you mind if I go first, Joe?Track 2[21:27]Yes, please.Track 3[21:28]I'm just going to zoom through it. But my 15, and I did use all 15. I know some people don't, but I had a hard time keeping it to 15. I could have gone to 16 or 17. My ballot is... And a guest hire, Sherry O'Terry, Dave Grohl, Vanessa Bayer, Rosie Schuster, and Paula Pell, both writers. Candice Bergen, Rachel Dratch, Dick Ebersole, Herb Sargent, Lorraine Newman, Buck Henry, Jack Handy, Tracy Morgan, and you too. Those are my 15. And let me tell you, I didn't really know who Buck Henry was. I didn't know much about Dick Ebersole, rather. Then I listened to this podcast, and it changed my voting. And I put these two on. This is the first time I've put them on because I think they're essential to the show's history. So thank you, SNL Hall of Fame. Thank you, Thomas. Thank you, JD. Thank you, Matt, for making me a more educated viewer. Now your turn, Joe.Track 2[22:39]All right. So with me, I just went with 10. My brain just works in the DECA system. So shout out to the Romans. um so the list goes paul rudd dick ever saw dave grohl paul lapel lorraine newman kate mckinnon adam samler martin short chris parnell and john malane um i just and to me that would almost be a great show all of himself they were together so that's my time agreed well Well.Track 3[23:10]I'm surprised at like how similar our lists are because I think we have slightly different tastes, but I think we're ready to move on. Beck Bennett is our first season six nominee. And the way this is going to go every episode is one of us is going to be pro and one of us is going to be con. It does not reflect our true feelings, but we're arguing the side we're arguing, and that's how it's going to go. And are we ready to get started? Do you want to start, Joe? You're the con and I'm the pro. What do you think?Track 2[23:50]Well, how about this? we'll go pro just to kind of introduce him and then uh i'll do con.Track 3[23:55]Okay we'll just throw it back and forth how's that sound yes sounds good all right so i am arguing the pro for mr beck bennett eight seasons that alone meets one of my criteria i feel like a great cast member has to have at at least five. Beck has eight. Eight seasons, and he came out of the gate on fire. He brought ideas to the show. He, of course, had a relationship with Kyle Mooney, and they came with sketches. So that's my first pro. Want to give a con, Joe?Track 2[24:37]Yes. Yes. So now, first off, let me just say I agree with every positive thing. However, my assignment is to come up with cons. So I agree with everything that you're saying and everything on the podcast. However, for the con, I feel like he was a part of a big cast.Track 3[25:01]True.Track 2[25:02]And he didn't really pop. He didn't really stand out. So to give an example or demonstration of this, imagine if he came back to host, you know, people wouldn't be saying, oh, I hope he does this sketch, you know, like, or I hope he does this character. There wasn't anything. He did Baby Boss, but that wasn't rememberable. I don't think people are going to be quoting or re-watching that on YouTube. A lot of the Kyle Mooney pre-taped stuff is funny, don't get me wrong, but not rememberable. He didn't you know he just didn't pop and then um he also did a lot of the straight man stuff which is a thankless task like he did a lot of uh game show hosts and you know so i just that's my con he just didn't pop he didn't stand out i i just i can't make a list of uh stuff i would want him to do again if he came back to host so that's my con all.Track 3[26:09]Right so i i just want to add I've got a few more things for the, for the pro. Let's talk about his pre-tapes. I mean, he and Kyle came with the SoCal boys, kind of the clueless boys who were all over the internet at that time. They're probably still all over the internet. And they just nailed it. And it was so funny. I just rewatched a couple of those SoCal boys pre-tapes and they were hilarious. But I just want, I have to mention my, one of my absolute favorite pre-tapes, which is the Leslie Kyle back.Track 3[26:48]Triangle specifically the one with the masquerade with the eyes wide shut for those of you young listeners it's a movie that came out a long time ago watch the sketch watch the pre-tape i i can't even do it justice so funny even colin jost gets into the act it is hilarious i just think beck was one of those in the clutch performers who could come and be the straight man and all the the craziness could bounce off of him against Santa Baby with Gosling and Vanessa Bayer. They're going nuts about Santa, and Beck has to play the straight dad role. Like you said, Joe, always having, often having to be the one that everybody else sort of plays. He's sort of the canvas, and they play off. He's just so perfect at that. And they mentioned so many good examples in the Hall of Fame episode that I don't think I need to do anymore. So that's my wrap up. I think he deserves a shot. And I was very happy I got to be pro because I know, Joe, that you struggled with the cons. But I think you did an excellent job and made some excellent points about why maybe he is not quite Hall of Fame material.Track 3[28:13]All right, Joe, I think it's time for our final, final segment, our hopes for the 50th season. And the theme for this, this week's our first is which two cast members do we want to see more of? All right, I'll start. Let me tell you, I had two, I had two people. One, I didn't change. One, I did. Guess why? Why? Because my buddy Joe and I had a conversation and he made me rethink and I'm like, he's right. I need to go with my gut and I need to say a regular cast member. I was going to do a newer cast member, but instead I'm going with a I believe she's going into her sixth year.Track 3[28:59]She's getting the screen time. But thank you, Mike Murray, on Saturday night or Saturday as an on the Saturday Night Network. Network yeah because mike murray if you haven't listened and i'm assuming if you're listening to this podcast you listen to the hasn't on uh mike murray does a great stats breakdown and he gave me some stats and he's he talks a lot about uh minutes per episode and i don't think i don't think she's getting enough time on screen and he has solidified that for me i'm talking about the the one, the only, the incredible Ego Nwudum. She is my favorite cast member, bar none, hands down.Track 3[29:45]I think she's absolutely hilarious in every sketch she's featured in. She just holds her own so beautifully against the likes of Kenan and Mikey Day and Heidi Gardner. Ego stands tall and proud. She's amazing. I'm really happy she got one of the first reoccurring characters in a long time, Lisa from Temecula, and she delivers. And I'm thrilled that she's got a TV show now, I believe on Peacock. I think it's called The Throwback, but I might be messing up the name. But I'm really, I'm thrilled that she has a show and I want to see her. I hope that doesn't mean she's going to get less screen time i want to see her get more screen time okay joe.Track 2[30:33]Who do you want to see more of again i guess this is a very female themed episode because my first one is my comedy crush uh and by that i mean i love her comedy is sarah sherman uh.Track 2[30:53]So I just love she is so unique, but I'm also glad she could blend in to the cast. Like, I'm glad that she could do both her unique style and, you know, that doesn't alienate her from everyone else. She's able to be in sketches that don't work, you know, that aren't about her unique sense of humor. She is so she has such a unique identity. She just does goes with her gut and just and then on top of that. And then the second point is I want to see her on Weekend Update. She did Sarah's News, I believe was the segment. But most importantly, and I do mean this, which is important to me. I want to see her roasting Colin Jost because she is aside from those swap joke swaps that he does with Michael J. I love seeing Colin Joe's get roasted by Sarah she just does it in this goes for the jugular just really you know she did one where she went backstage in his dressing room and there was like yeah this is where he keeps the interns in the cage and stuff like that and she, chef's kiss I mean I just love her unique sense into humor and I love seeing her roast Colin Jost. So yes, that's my first pick. And now yours.Track 3[32:19]My second is a little newer and he just nailed it this past season. I think he's getting more time, but again, thank you Mike Murray. His screen time is not where it needs to be. His Tim Scott is one of my favorite political impressions currently. Of course, I'm talking about the fabulous Devin Walker. I think Devin is fantastic. I love Marcelo Hernandez, don't get me wrong, but he seems to be the newbie getting the most love, and I'd like to see the love spread a little evener for Longfellow as well, but really for Devin. I think this is Devin's season to shine. I hope so. I hope they give him more impressions. I hope they put him on update. Let him have Devin's take, kind of like they did with Longfellow and let him give his takes on certain cultural happenings in the zeitgeist. Yeah, I want more Devin Walker this season. A lot more than last season.Track 2[33:16]So my second pick is Michael Longfellow. It's just real... Yes. It's just real simple. I just look at that guy and I know this is kind of a part of the con that I said about Beck Bennett, but he has great deadpan.Track 3[33:34]Yes.Track 2[33:34]So and that is really one of the thankless tasks of a cast member is looking at the other ones, looking at the character and just, you know, acting, you know, and just having a facial expression that says you're weird and stuff like that.Track 3[33:51]Yes.Track 2[33:52]You know and then um how about this is what came to me i can't believe it was an snl cast member or or anything but it keaton has this thing where he just goes no no and michael longfellow just has that in his face where he's able to do that without saying anything like you're weird you're just he's got it in his eyes it reminds me of like dave foley from news radio um he just he's He's able to look at the joke and not say anything. And to me, it's more important to act instead of saying, you know, like, you know, brevity is the soul of wit. So just to be and I just like seeing that from him. So that's what I'm hoping to see more of from him.Track 3[34:33]OK, so I think the moral of our episode today is we want more women getting involved and we want the newbies getting some love because both Devin and Michael came in. And Marcelo seems to be getting all of the love, which he's super talented. But like I said, I'd like to see them spreading it out a little more. Okay. I cannot believe that this is the end already, Joe. This is so much fun. You are so much fun to talk to because you're as geeky, passionate about SNL as I am. And so thank you.Track 2[35:10]Yes. And I believe you have excellent taste. No, no, you're great. You know, you have mountains and mountains of information and passion. So, yeah, this is great. You know, I hope to be doing this every week. We will be doing this every week right here at the Butter Cooler.Track 3[35:26]We're throwing our cups away until next week when they'll be, when Thomas will be joined by another great guest on the SNL Hall of Fame. Well, they'll be talking about the one and only, and we talked about her today, right, Joe?Track 2[35:41]Yes, we did.Track 3[35:41]The fabulous sherry o terry very.Track 2[35:47]Energetic a mountain yeah we got a lot to get into on.Track 3[35:50]Yeah looking forward to it but for now leaving the water cooler till next time throwing out the cup.0:00 / 36:410.5x0.75x1.0x1.25x1.5x1.75x2xSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/snlhof/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
That Show Hasn't Been Funny In Years: an SNL podcast on Radio Misfits
In this episode, Nick looks back at the night that consumer advocate, author, attorney, and future presidential candidate Ralph Nader hosted "Saturday Night Live." It was a notable show, not just for Nader's appearance, but because it was a night of many firsts. It marked the debut of cast member Bill Murray, who made an incredible impression right from the start with fresh characters, funny writing, and hilarious performances. This episode also featured the very first "Coneheads" sketch, with Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman portraying the alien family "from France." Additionally, it was the first episode where the legendary Jim Downey appeared as a writer. Nick delves into the backstory behind the episode, explaining why Nader was chosen as host, and shares many of the great "first moments," hilarious sketches, and more—including a phone call from an injured John Belushi, who did not appear elsewhere in the episode. Nader did a fine job (playing himself in almost every sketch he appeared in), the writing was strong, and the Not Ready For Primetime Players were rock stars at that point. The debuts were very successful, making the night that Nader's Raiders appeared on SNL a truly memorable one. [Ep82]
Host Meg Wolitzer presentsfour works in which nature and the out-of-doors drive both plots and character. Humorist Jenny Allen does battle with her stubborn plants in “Garden Growing Pains,” read by Kirsten Vangsness. The majestic Canadian border separates an Indigenous family in Thomas King's “Borders,” read by Kimberly Guerrero. A housewife masters one of the elements in “Flying,” by Alyce Miller.The reader is Kirsten Vangness again.And a sudden storm creates a sense of abandon in the Kate Chopin classic “The Storm,” read by Jane Curtin.“Garden Growing Pains,” “Borders,” and “Flying,” were presented in cooperation with CacheArts and Utah Public Radio, KUSU-FM.
In April 2023, Jane Curtin was our guest for the UAlbany Creative life series to discuss her life and work. You know her from "Third Rock from the Sun." You know her from "Kate & Allie." She won two Emmys for that. And of course, you know her as one of the original Not Ready for Primetime Players on the National Broadcasting Corporation's "Saturday Night Live."
In April 2023, Jane Curtin was our guest for the UAlbany Creative life series to discuss her life and work. You know her from "Third Rock from the Sun." You know her from "Kate & Allie." She won two Emmys for that. And of course, you know her as one of the original Not Ready for Primetime Players on the National Broadcasting Corporation's "Saturday Night Live."
The Not Ready for Prime Time Podcast: The Early Years of SNL
"I'm going to....8H!" Fresh off his most recent Super Bowl loss (his 3rd in last 4 seasons), Fran Tarkenton takes the stage as host of Saturday Night. The show doesn't let the former NFL-MVP stray too far with a running football gag throughout the episode and Fran playing...well just different versions of Fran Tarkenton all night.Leo Sayers sings two songs (sadly dancing through one of them) and Donny Harper & The Voices of Tomorrow also lend a song to the night's festivities.It seems like every episode this season provides at least one classic moment and this uneven outing is no exception. This week's entry is Jane Curtin's famous "Connie Chung" blast during Weekend Update. How great is Jane? Jamie Burwood, from TVShowGraphs.com, joins us to answer this and many more questions.Subscribe today! And follow us on social media on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
Our deep dive into our 25-year history continues with appearances from Jane Curtin, Adam Savage, Hannah Kearney, Muffet McGraw, and more!
On this SELECTED SHORTS, host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about moving out of familiar territory into new spaces and new understanding. In Meron Hadero's “The Thief's Tale,” read by Teagle F. Bougere, an émigré can't leave some of his old ways behind. “The Tallest Doll in New York City,” by Maria Dahvana Headley, imagines what happens when two iconic skyscrapers fall in love. It's read by Becca Blackwell. And summer trip yields unexpected treasures in Anne Tyler's “The Feather Behind the Rock,” read by Jane Curtin.
Producer/Director Marc Turtletaub joins Mase & Sue on the CULTURE POP PODCAST to talk about his new sci-fi comedy film JULES starring Ben Kingsley, Jane Curtin and Harriet Sansom Harris. We also discuss the inspiration of his character driven projects THE FAREWELL, PUZZLE, SAFETY IN NUMBERS, A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD and the evolution of how the critically acclaimed LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE came to be. Plus, his unique directing style and how the former President and CEO of THE MONEY STORE became one of the most prolific movie producers in Hollywood.
On CinemAddicts Episode 202 we review Gran Turismo, The Pod Generation, Operation Napoleon, Jules, and Aporia. For this week's "What's in the Box" segment, Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes review the Chan Wook-Park feature Thirst (2009).Timestamps(0:00) - Intro(4:20) - Thoughts on the passing of William Friedkin(13:50) - Gran Turismo (Orlando Bloom, David Harbour) - reviewed by Eric (21:05) - The Pod Generation (Emilia Clarke, Chiwetel Ejiofor) - reviewed by Bruce and Greg(30:30) - Jules (Ben Kingsley, Jane Curtin) - reviewed by Eric(35:24) - Operation Napoleon - CinemAdddicts review(48:53) - Aporia - CinemAddicts review(60:36) - Thirst - Bruce and Eric review1. Subscribe to our CinemAddicts YouTube Channel2. Like Our CinemAddicts Facebook Page3. Join our CinemAddicts Facebook Group for daily movie recommendations!4. Questions/comments on CinemAddicts email Greg Srisavasdi at info@findyourfilms.com.5. Our website for entertainment news, reviews, and podcast coverage is Find Your Film: https://findyourfilms.com/6. Contact Bruce Purkey for some What's in the Box? recommendations: brucepurkey@gmail.com8. Eric Holmes can be reached at hamslime@gmail.com9. Anderson Cowan's latest project is Loaded for Bear: The Documentary. For info and support: https://loadedforbeardoc.com/10. Atty's Antiques is on Facebook MarketplaceSupport the show
On this show, host Meg Wolitzer gets friendly, and shares three stories about friendships of all kinds. Kelly Stout's zinger “Let's Get Drinks,” offers up the perils of conducting a social life via hyperbolic texts, which are hilariously performed by Jane Curtin and Jane Kaczmarek. Next, “True Friendship,” by Jorge Hernandez describes a life-long friend who's almost too good to be—true. The reader is Michael Urie. And three misfits fit together in Anthony Marra's “The Last Words of Benito Picone,” performed by John Turturro. A brief interview with Turturro follows the story.