That Show Hasn't Been Funny In Years: an SNL podcast on Radio Misfits

Nick looks back at the very first time Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hosted “Saturday Night Live,” which aired in March of 2000. At that time, Johnson was still known primarily as his wrestling persona, The Rock, and hadn’t yet become the Hollywood megastar demanding millions of dollars per film. He was simply a beloved WWE pro-wrestler with a massive fan base.

But The Rock wasn’t the only wrestler to take the SNL stage that night. In this episode, you’ll relive the pro-wrestling invasion on SNL, hear some of the funniest sketches, and get behind-the-scenes stories from the memorable night. Chris Parnell (who hilariously gets beat up a lot), Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, and others contribute to the laughs with fantastic performances.

Take a trip back to Season 25 and experience the night The Rock cooked up comedy gold on SNL! [Ep90]

Nick takes a look back at the one and only time William Shatner hosted “Saturday Night Live,” which aired live on December 20th, 1986, as the Season 12 Christmas episode. The show featured special guests Buster Poindexter, comedian Kevin Meaney, and musical guest Lone Justice. At the time, Shatner was riding high on the success of the latest “Star Trek” film and his hit TV series “TJ Hooker,” both of which were hilariously satirized on the show that night.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the funny parodies of “Star Trek” and “TJ Hooker,” plus behind-the-scenes stories from that memorable night. Nick also highlights other hilarious sketches, including Jan Hooks’ and Nora Dunn’s fantastic Sweeney Sisters, Al Franken’s uproarious health report on Ronald Reagan, and the most talked-about (and controversial) sketch of the night—where Shatner, playing himself, verbally massacres fans at a “Star Trek” Convention, delivering the now-famous line, “Get a life, you people!”

This sketch not only re-sparked national interest in SNL but also made headlines, cementing itself as one of the funniest and most iconic moments in the show’s history. [Ep89]

In the past 49 seasons of “Saturday Night Live,” there have been hundreds of terrible sketches—it’s just the nature of the game. In this episode, Nick looks back at five truly awful sketches from more recent years that are among the worst ever performed on the show. You’ll hear these bombs and learn about why they were written, performed, and included on the show at all.

Sometimes it’s the writing, sometimes it’s the cast, sometimes it’s the host, and sometimes it’s EVERYTHING, but whatever the reasons, these five sketches are just disastrous. Nick provides insight and information, revealing why talented actors like Reese Witherspoon, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Rock struggled with these particular sketches, and why less experienced performers like January Jones and Elon Musk completely tanked.

It’s fascinating to analyze why things aren’t funny and why they are “Bad, Just Plain Bad.” [Ep88]

We all know that “Saturday Night Live” has had some pretty incredible and funny surprise celebrity cameos over the years. Since the very beginning, SNL has had a wonderful habit of bringing out celebrities to have some fun and shock audiences at home and in the studio by simply popping on stage. In this episode, Nick looks back at some of the best surprise cameos that delighted audiences everywhere.

Included are the out-of-the-blue appearances by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Daniel Craig, Colin Farrell, John Mulaney, and a truly inspired cameo by Amy Poehler playing her legendary character from “Parks and Recreation.” You’ll hear the sketches and cameos, along with the stories behind the appearances themselves.

This is Part 2 of a multi-part series called “SURPRISE!!! SNL Cameos.” [Ep87]

Nick takes a hilarious look back at Will Ferrell’s famous Harry Caray impression. While the impersonation itself might not be the most accurate or perfect recreation of the legendary sportscaster, it’s undeniably funny, bizarre, and one of the most memorable characters Ferrell brought to life during his tenure on “Saturday Night Live.”

You’ll hear the very first time Ferrell did the impression (during his SNL audition!), along with a montage of unbelievably funny moments from his appearances on Weekend Update and the brilliantly weird sketch “Space – The Infinite Frontier” with Jeff Goldblum.

Nick also provides a brief history of Caray’s Chicago broadcasting career, shares a personal story that includes his own Harry Caray impression, and gives a rundown of the guys who actually do the best, most accurate Harry Caray impressions of all time. Plus, there’s an interview with Ferrell about a time he might have pushed the bit a little too far.

So… Hey Everybody! It’s Harry Caray time! [Ep86]

Cast member Punkie Johnson has announced her departure from “Saturday Night Live” after four seasons. In this episode, Nick reflects on her time on the show, highlighting some of her most memorable moments and discussing her comedy career—past, present, and future. The episode features hilarious segments, mostly from Weekend Update, where Punkie did some of her best work.

Nick plays back some of her funniest moments, including her impression of a convict who jumped over a barrier to attack a judge during a trial, her real-life story about dealing with family as a lesbian during Christmas, and an uproarious bit where Mikey Day reveals her tendency to not know any celebrities’ correct names. Nick also discusses her wonderful role in last year’s brilliant movie “Bottoms” and shares a great Seth Meyers interview about her career and time on SNL.

As we say goodbye to Punkie Johnson, Nick celebrates her talent and wishes her the best in her continuing comedy career. [Ep85]

Nick looks back once again at the work of the best cast member in the history of “Saturday Night Live,” Phil Hartman. While Hartman’s best-known work—like his great impressions of Bill Clinton and Frank Sinatra, and unforgettable characters like Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer and The Anal-Retentive Chef—is always talked about and shared, this time Nick showcases four of his more obscure sketches.

“Robot Repair” features Hartman as a robot obsessed with syntax. “Only in New York” stars Hartman and Nora Dunn as a married pair of gossip reporters. In the hysterical (and controversial) “Don’t Pray So Much,” Hartman plays Jesus. The episode closes with a riotous musical salute to a fictional Broadway musical composer named “Hal Jarome.”

You’ll hear these sketches, learn about who wrote them, and discover the fascinating backstories behind each one. It’s time to enjoy some of Phil Hartman’s best but least well-known work. [Ep84]

It’s an election year, so Nick revisits some of the most iconic political impressions in “Saturday Night Live” history. In Part 1 of this series, Nick focused on impressions performed by guest stars and hosts rather than regular cast members. In Part 2, cast members are showcased, and you’ll hear the background stories about the impressions, who wrote the bits and sketches, and the full sketches themselves.

You’ll hear Dan Aykroyd’s classic Jimmy Carter, Kate McKinnon’s hilariously grotesque parody of Jeff Sessions, Darrell Hammond’s spot-on Bill Clinton, and get two Bushes for the price of one when Dana Carvey and Will Ferrell play H.W. and W. in one sketch. This is the latest in a series of politically themed episodes of “THAT SHOW…” scheduled throughout 2024, leading up to the November election. [Ep83]

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]

In this episode, Nick reviews the performance of “The Summer Jobs” tour of stand-up comedy that he recently attended in Chicago. The hilarious show was performed by “Saturday Night Live” cast members James Austin Johnson, Devon Walker, and Andrew Dismukes. Nick not only reviews the comedy show but also provides a bio of each performer, sharing their comedy background and playing back some of their best work on SNL.

You’ll hear highlights from Studio 8H, including terrific Weekend Update appearances by each comedian and some very memorable sketches featuring Johnson, Walker, and Dismukes. Enjoy Johnson’s incredible Trump and Biden impressions, Walker’s hysterical take on NBA star Draymond Green, Dismukes’ wonderful bit about his great grandmother, and the classic sketch where he plays a best man in a wedding party dressed as The Joker.

These three talented SNL cast members are on tour this summer, so don’t miss them live, and don’t miss this look back at their fine contributions to SNL and more. [Ep81]