What to do when the weather is frigid and the streets are filling with snow? Hunker down and listen to funny comedy. These three podcasts are the best for fans of Saturday Night Live who want to hear from former cast members.
In this roundup I select three great podcast offerings from former SNL cast members:
Top Prize: Carvey and Spade riffing
The best of the former SNL-helmed podcasts is Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade, two formidable standup comedians who produce an episode every week (or more).
The duo chat with former and current SNL cast members, hosts, and other comedians, sharing stories and deep-diving into SNL lore and showbiz. Especially noteworthy are the comedic bits the pair come up with on a weekly basis or more. It’s like seeing what Carvey might be doing on-screen if he was still a cast member on SNL. His impression of Joe Biden is fantastic, with the perfect hooks the SNL legend is known for. Carvey rates among the greatest cast members in SNL history.
Spade often gathers memes or news items for the purpose of the two friends riffing on them. It’s refreshing to see how close of friends these two former cast members are. Carvey clearly is the older, mentor, but Spade is no longer the smarmy, smirking kid we saw at the Weekend Update desk for “The Hollywood Minute.” Spade is mature and confident.
Spade didn’t have the impact Carvey did on SNL, but he’s a professional entertainer, in complete command behind a microphone. He basically guides this podcast, steering the wild Carvey back into a lane. Spade still maintains the acerbic, sharp, and often dry wit that makes him one of the best comics in the business.
A sampling of guests includes a who’s who of SNL: Kevin Nealon, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Laraine Newman, Melanie Hutsell, and even Lorne Michaels himself.
A favorite episode is the appearance of Bill Hader.
Franken isn’t for everyone: Politics Alert
Al Franken served as a writer on SNL several times: 1975–1980, 1985–1995. He was also a cast member from 1976–1980, and again off-and-on from 1985–1995.
The Al Franken Podcast covers a more narrow range of topics, including politics and current events (which Al Franken is well-known for), he frequently features high-profile guests, including many from the comedy and SNL world.
However, the AL Franken Podcast leans heavily into left vs right politics, so if you’re not into that type of thing, choose one of the other options. But, if you love Al, and you like to delve into politics, national, and international issues, this is for you.
SNL guests include former head writer Jim Downey, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, and others.
Poehler: A Good Hang
On the surface this seems like a star-studded interview show. But, these episodes are a little different than you’d expect: Amy does a deep dive with her guests, usually an hour-plus, probing not just into their entertainment lives, but everyday topics, like bringing kids to school, dating, and going to the gym.
Guests have included Ariande Grande (who will host SNL this December), Paul Rudd, Aziz Ansari, Rachel Dratch, Aubrey Plaza, and Will Forte. It’s a bevy of “Friends of the Show” SNL types.
Want a place to start? Check out the Will Forte episode. It’s hilarious.
