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

Not every sketch makes it to air on Saturday Night Live. Some are cut after dress rehearsal due to time constraints, rewrites, or because they bombed—or were just too bizarre for live TV. In this episode of That Show…, Nick dives into some memorable sketches that were “cut for time” and never made it to the live broadcast.

The talent behind these lost sketches includes J.K. Simmons, Bill Hader, John Mulaney, Anya Taylor-Joy, Will Ferrell, Paul Mescal, and more. Topics range from St. Patrick’s Day mishaps to a racist old man, a TV show about empowerment gone wrong, and an old-timey prospector tasked with leading troops into Afghanistan.

Some are weird, some miss the mark, and others are absolutely hilarious. You’ll find out why these sketches were cut and hear them all on this episode. [Ep104]

It’s Christmas time, and to celebrate the holiday, Nick shares some of his favorite holiday-themed sketches, songs, films, and bits from Saturday Night Live over the years. Highlights include a vulgar, method-actor twist on the Charlie Brown Christmas special, the violent alternate ending of It’s a Wonderful Life, and 19th-century film critic Jebidiah Atkinson hilariously skewering timeless Christmas movies and TV shows.

Classic sketches like Schweddy Balls, Christmas Time for the Jews, and A Glengarry Elfin’ Christmas are also featured, showcasing the comedic brilliance of Alec Baldwin, Bill Hader, Molly Shannon, Martin Short, Taran Killam, Dana Carvey, Seth Meyers, Phil Hartman, Kate McKinnon, and more.

Happy Holidays from That Show Hasn’t Been Funny in Years! [Ep103]

Nick revisits the memorable episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Tony and Oscar-winning singer and actress Ariana DeBose. This standout show featured great material, stellar musical performances, and one of the best, weirdest, and funniest “12:50 Sketches” of all time: Kitchen Staff, also known as At The End of the Day…Lurr. In this hilariously bizarre sketch, the kitchen staff at a Texarkana Longhorn Steakhouse clash with their eccentric boss, played by the always hilarious Heidi Gardner.

The episode also included a fantastic Cold Open where President Biden hilariously blames COVID on Spider-Man, a fabulous opening monologue by DeBose, and a delightful parody of The Sound of Music. This celebration of an excellent SNL episode and the unforgettable “Lurr” sketch is a must-listen! [Ep102]

In this episode of That Show…, Nick looks back at five SNL sketches that never really took off or got the attention they deserved. Whether they were too specific, too weird, or intentionally not funny, these bits flew under the radar despite being pretty great.

Among the sketches discussed is a hilariously awkward blind date in an airport bar, the over-the-top creation of the iconic NBA theme music by John Tesh, two holiday concert performances that go hilariously off the rails, and an episode of a college TV show about Japanese culture hosted by two painfully out-of-touch white students.

Featuring the comedic talents of Tim Robinson, Jason Sudeikis, Taran Killam, Vanessa Bayer, Molly Shannon, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Kenan Thompson, Eddie Murphy, and more, this episode is a tribute to forgotten sketches that prove SNL’s brilliance often hides in unexpected places. [Ep101]

Impressions have been a cornerstone of Saturday Night Live since its inception, showcasing the cast’s incredible comedic and mimicry skills. In this episode of That Show…, Nick highlights some of his favorite SNL impressions from over the years.

Included are Kristen Wiig’s hilariously over-the-top impersonation of Jamie Lee Curtis promoting Activia Yogurt, Emma Stone’s spot-on portrayal of Lindsay Lohan, and Vanessa Bayer’s uncanny Jennifer Aniston impression—delivered while the real Jennifer Aniston sits right next to her. You’ll also hear Melissa Villaseñor sneaking her Dolly Parton and Lady Gaga impressions into Weekend Update, and Taran Killam’s biting takedown of Bravo’s Andy Cohen.

Nick also shares behind-the-scenes stories about these bits and impressions and features a classic sketch where at least a dozen incredible impressions are showcased during “auditions” for Jurassic Park. This episode is all about making a great impression—and you’ll laugh the whole way through.  [Ep100]

Nick looks back at the one and only time Jay Leno hosted Saturday Night Live on February 22, 1986. At the time, Leno was still a rising stand-up comedian, years away from his Tonight Show fame, with a hot reputation and a career on the rise. Despite his popularity, Leno was underused on the episode, largely because he lacked skill in sketch comedy and acting. Instead, he spent most of the show either playing a stand-up comedian or taking on quiet background roles.

In this episode, you’ll hear his monologue from that show, along with a few sketches from the notorious and troubled 11th season. Nick also shares behind-the-scenes details about Leno’s strained relationship with Lorne Michaels and SNL, a dynamic that affected both Leno’s appearances and his eventual relationship with The Tonight Show. You’ll also hear about Leno’s one other appearance on SNL in 1992, when he did a Weekend Update commentary on the L.A. Riots.

Jay Leno and SNL were never quite a great fit, and after listening, you’ll understand why. [Ep99]

In the latest That Show…, Nick revisits a standout episode of Saturday Night Live that aired on November 21, 2009, when actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt hosted for the first time. This episode is legendary for containing what many consider one of the best opening monologues in SNL history. Gordon-Levitt wowed audiences by recreating Donald O’Connor’s iconic “Make ‘Em Laugh” number from the classic musical Singin’ in the Rain, delivering the routine with incredible skill and energy. It’s breathtaking to watch and remains one of the all-time greatest monologues.

Alongside this unforgettable performance, Nick highlights some of the best sketches from that night, including a riotous edition of What’s Up With That?, the debut of Secret Word featuring Kristen Wiig’s hilarious Mindy Grayson, and a talk show parody with Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Gordon-Levitt, and a spot-on David Matthews as Ozzy Osbourne. All of this fantastic comedy leads up to that unbelievable opening monologue that left audiences speechless. [Ep98]

Nick Digilio welcomes film critic, writer, financial analyst, and corporate governance speaker Nell Minow (AKA: The Movie Mom) to the podcast to discuss her love of Saturday Night Live and much more. Nick and Nell chat about how she’s watched every episode of the show since its very beginning, and how her father—the great Newton Minow—is forever connected to SNL. They also delve into the historical importance of the show, especially during an election year.

Nell unveils her five favorite sketches of all time, which feature the talents of Dan Aykroyd, Tina Fey, Bowen Yang, Tom Hanks, Amy Poehler, and writer Julio Torres, among others. She shares behind-the-scenes stories involving Phil Donahue and Gilda Radner, as well as anecdotes about the President of the United States and Lorne Michaels. Throughout the conversation, Nick and Nell analyze why SNL has remained such an important show for entire generations of fans.

It’s a terrific interview with a brilliant guest, loaded with funny sketches and great tales. [Ep97]

Nick takes a look back at the four times iconic and beloved actor Michael Keaton hosted Saturday Night Live, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and highlights from each appearance. Keaton first hosted in 1982 when he was still transitioning from being a stand-up comedian and had just gotten his big break in Ron Howard’s Night Shift. In this episode, you’ll hear his very first sketch ever (alongside Eddie Murphy, of course) and his first monologue from that show.

It took ten years for Keaton to return as host in 1992, and by then, his image had definitely evolved. The change in his persona was evident in both his monologue and his sketch work. Fast forward another 22 years to 2015—yes, a long wait—but it was well worth it, as Keaton’s work on that episode was absolutely terrific. By that time, Keaton had become a true Hollywood legend.

Most recently, Keaton hosted SNL just a few weeks ago, and once again, he proved why he’s such a fantastic host, delivering laughs and showcasing his enduring charisma. Enjoy this journey through Michael Keaton’s SNL hosting history. [Ep96]

The one and only Flip Wilson was one of the funniest and most important stars of the 60s and 70s. Not only did he host a top-rated variety show, break barriers for African-American artists, and create some of the most memorable characters in comedy history, but he also changed the face of television variety shows forever. Flip Wilson only hosted Saturday Night Live once, and while it wasn’t a particularly memorable episode, it represented a specific time in SNL’s history and had some great moments.

In this episode, you’ll hear Flip’s brief and somewhat odd monologue, along with a couple of funny sketches and the stories behind some of Wilson’s greatest creations. Nick also shares behind-the-scenes tales and background stories about Flip’s work, including his collaboration with the legendary Richard Pryor. You’ll hear an outstanding piece of comedy from The Flip Wilson Show, showcasing their incredible talents, and more.

A true comedy legend hosted SNL, and you’ll hear all about it in this episode of That Show… [Ep95]