Alan Zweibel

In this episode, we dive into the illustrious career of Alan Zweibel, one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live (SNL). Join us as we explore his pivotal role in shaping some of the show’s most iconic sketches, his close partnership with Gilda Radner, and his later collaborations with comedic legends like Larry David and Gary Shandling. Discover why Alan Zweibel deserves a spot in the SNL Hall of Fame. Listen now!

Show Notes:

• [0:41] Introduction to the episode by JD, kicking off at the SNL Hall of Fame podcast. Shoutout to Gary Seith from the Not Ready for Primetime Podcast, which covers early SNL seasons.

Listen to Gary Seith’s podcast here.

• [2:17] Matt’s Minutia Minute: Trivia on Alan Zweibel—one of the original SNL writers, his comedy roots in Brooklyn, and his friendship with Gilda Radner.

• [3:51] Overview of Zweibel’s impressive writing credits on Saturday Night Live—from Weekend Update sketches to iconic characters like Roseanne Rosannadanna and Emily Litella.

• [6:53] Discussion on Zweibel’s collaboration with Gilda Radner on Emily Litella and Roseanne Rosannadanna—key figures in early SNL seasons.

• [10:32] Analyzing the impact of SNL’s Samurai sketches and how Zweibel took the concept and turned it into a classic series for John Belushi.

• [13:34] Zweibel’s post-SNL career: It’s Gary Shandling’s Show and his work with Gary Shandling, including writing and producing for the show.

• [19:02] Zweibel’s close friendship with Larry David and his contributions to Curb Your Enthusiasm, including one of his memorable appearances on the show.

• [21:25] The deep connection between Zweibel and Gilda Radner, which led to some of SNL’s most beloved characters and a lifelong friendship.

• [28:38] Discussing the SNL Weekend Update format and Zweibel’s contributions alongside Herb Sargent—crafting some of the earliest jokes for the segment, including the iconic “prostitution stamp” joke.

• [36:12] Special moments from the SNL Mardi Gras special where Zweibel’s quick thinking saved the show, as he hand-wrote jokes under the Weekend Update desk.

• [44:02] Zweibel’s impact beyond SNL, including his role in co-creating It’s Gary Shandling’s Show and working on the adaptation of Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother.

Key Takeaways:

• Alan Zweibel was a crucial part of SNL’s formative years, contributing to the success of the first five seasons.

• His collaboration with Gilda Radner on Weekend Update characters like Emily Litella and Roseanne Rosannadanna helped cement SNL’s reputation for groundbreaking comedy.

• Zweibel’s post-SNL career includes working on legendary shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and co-creating It’s Gary Shandling’s Show.

Listen in as we celebrate Alan Zweibel’s lasting influence on comedy, from SNL to Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Connect with Us:

• Twitter & Instagram: @SNLHOF

• Facebook: SNL Hall of Fame Facebook Group

• YouTube: Dewvre1974 YouTube Channel

• Gary Seith’s Podcast: Not Ready for Primetime Podcast

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