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

Nick explores the memorable “Saturday Night Live” characters Kaitlin and Rick, played by Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz. These characters, appearing seven times over three years, are celebrated for their quirky humor and endearing dynamics. Kaitlin, a lively 10-year-old, constantly navigates her fears with the help of her patient stepfather, Rick. The episode delves into the creation and evolution of these characters, highlighting Poehler and Sanz’s versatile acting. It includes insights into the sketches’ writing, Poehler’s history on SNL, and features three notable sketches with guests like Kate Winslet, Tom Brady, and Paul Giamatti, offering a comprehensive look at these iconic comic figures.  [EP54]

Join Nick as he spotlights six incredibly talented and uproarious performers who, surprisingly, have never taken the reins as hosts on “Saturday Night Live.” These comedic geniuses have graced the SNL stage with guest appearances in sketches, monologues, and unexpected cameos, yet the spotlight of hosting has eluded them. Nick delves into why these stars are overdue for hosting duties, revisiting their rich history of comedic triumphs in film and television. You’ll get a front-row seat to their memorable SNL moments, featuring clips from episodes spanning 1993 to the unique “At Home” Coronavirus special in 2020. Alongside these stars, you’ll enjoy side-splitting contributions from the likes of Andy Samberg, Jeff Goldblum, Jonah Hill, David Spade, Josh Brolin, and others. Discover why these guests, who’ve never hosted, truly deserve their moment to shine on the SNL stage. [EP53]

The Oscars and “Saturday Night Live,” believe it or not those worlds have crossed paths several times. In this episode, Nick tells you about everyone who has worked in the hallowed halls of Studio 8H, that has ever been nominated for, or won, an Academy Award. From some surprising acting nominations (yes, Dan Aykroyd has really been nominated for an acting Oscar), to nominations in categories like Best Score, Best Short Film, Best Screenplay and more. Scenes from the award nominated movies are played, details of the films and performances are given, and you’ll hear stories about SNL alums like: Kristen Wiig, Marc Shaiman, Bill Murray, Adam McKay, Joan Cusack, Howard Shore, Eddie Murphy and more. Awards Season is in full swing, and this episode will give you all the trivia and knowledge you need to know when you attend that Oscar party in March. SNL, and The Academy Awards! [EP52]

Nick celebrates 20 years of Kenan Thompson, who holds the record for longest tenured SNL cast member of all time. You will hear about Thompson’s early life and career, his time performing on Nickelodeon kid’s shows, his own sit-com, movies, and his 20 seasons on “Saturday Night Live.” You’ll learn about how he almost left the show after his disastrous first season, but stuck to it, thanks to encouragement from a truly great SNL veteran, and his own determination. He has gone from underrated, ignored, underutilized, and often dismissed performer, to respected elder statesman, and consistently brilliant highlight reel…one of the best cast members in the history of the show. You will hear details about Thompson’s new memoir, “When I was Your Age,” and also in this fun episode, “What’s Up With That?”, “Black Jeopardy,” and “Family Feud” are represented, and you’ll get visits from LaVar Ball, Willie the Happy Neighbor, and the one and only Sump’n Claus. Yes…20 Years of Kenan! [EP51]

It’s Christmas time, and in honor of the holiday, Nick plays back some of his favorite holiday themed sketches/songs/films/bits from “Saturday Night Live” years past. You hear classics like: Schweddy Balls, Christmastime For The Jews, Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Song, and, of course, D*** In A Box. Plus, hilarious Christmas commercial parodies, a visit from Drunk Uncle, and a Consumer Probe into dangerous toys like “Bag O’ Glass.” Nick gives you the background of every sketch, and the date, season, and episode number so that you can check the full episodes out for yourself. Happy Holidays from “That Show Hasn’t Been Funny in Years!” [EP50]

Emma Stone became a member of the “SNL 5-Timers Club” this past weekend, and in this episode, Nick talks about, and plays sketches from her most recent hosting gig, including her 5-Timers monologue (featuring cameos by Tina Fey, Candice Bergen and Lorne Michaels). Then he goes back and visits the other four times she hosted the show in 2010, 2011, 2016, and 2019, and plays sketches, videos, songs, and other classic moments including the Lonely Island video “I Broke My Arm,” the classic holiday song “The Christmas Candle,” the recurring character she played in “Posters,” and the brilliant satire of method acting called “The Actress.” Stone’s incredible comedic range and fearlessness are explored, and her very first moments on the stage in Studio 8H can be heard and enjoyed. Emma Stone, a terrific actress, a great comedic talent, and now, a 5-Timer! [EP49]

Nick revisits five moments from past “Saturday Night Live” episodes that the cast and writers now see as mistakes. These include scenes with outdated or offensive language, inappropriate portrayals of real people, insensitive jokes about serious events, or simply unfunny content. The actors who regret these moments are Dana Carvey, Tina Fey, Fred Armisen, Seth Rogan, and Bill Hader. They worked with others like George Wendt, John Mulaney, Bobby Moynihan, Colin Jost, Michael Che, Seth Meyers, and more on these sketches. You’ll learn about how these scenes were created, how they were received on the show night, and the public’s reaction afterward, including apologies from the creators. In today’s sensitive and politically correct environment, where understanding what is acceptable can be confusing, these five examples stand out as lessons learned in the history of SNL. [EP48]

Nick chats about Conan O’Brien’s time at “Saturday Night Live.” From ’88 to ’91, Conan was on the SNL writing crew, penning or helping to pen some epic sketches like “Girl Watchers” with Jon Lovitz and Tom Hanks, and the laugh-out-loud “Mr. Short Term Memory” acts. He popped up in skits, usually playing doormen, lent his voice to bits, and was part of a killer writing squad with folks like Jim Downey, Greg Daniels, Bob Odenkirk, and the one-of-a-kind Robert Smigel (who teamed up with Conan again on “Late Nite” for Triumph The Insult Comic Dog). In this talk, you’ll catch wind of the celeb hosts Conan dug working with (think Hanks and Steve Martin), and some that gave him the jitters, like George Steinbrenner. Plus, there are nuggets about crazy late-night writing crunches, meeting Lorne Michaels, and that one time Conan came back to host in March 2001. And it all builds up to this legendary sketch that Conan was part of. It was so edgy it sparked a flood of 48,000 complaints and broke records for saying ‘penis’ more times than anyone ever did on TV in just five minutes—which is why this episode’s got its name. It’s a rundown of Conan’s unforgettable stint at SNL, with every ‘penis’ mention tallied up. [EP47]

Nick shares his 10 favorite Thanksgiving themed sketches/songs/bits from “Saturday Night Live” over the years. They include scary Thanksgiving parade floats terrorizing a family; Debbie Downer ruining everyone’s dinner with stories about war, death and feline AIDS; a group of adults sitting at the “kids’ table” acting like 9-year-olds;  a Thanksgiving table of bickering family members who are united by an Adele song; a crazy Guy Fieri sharing outrageous Thanksgiving recipes, and, of course, Adam Sandler singing his classic “Thanksgiving Song.” You’ll hear hosts like Anne Hathaway, Kristin Wiig, Matthew McConaughey, Julliana Margulies, Bea Arthur & Luke Wilson, as well as a huge variety of great SNL cast members celebrating Thanksgiving with a TON of laughs. Happy Thanksgiving! [EP46]

Nick looks back a pair of weird sketches that aired on “Saturday Night Live” in 1993, bombing the first time and killing the second. The sketches, featuring a hilarious Phil Hartman as the fictional editor of the real teen magazine “Sassy,” interviewing teenage heartthrobs, were meant to be satires of early 90s pop culture and hunky male celebrities, but kind of missed the mark. Here, Nick plays both sketches in their entirety, gives you the background and creation of each sketch, tells you about the episodes in which they appeared, and how they still have dedicated cult fans who laugh every time they watch them. You will also learn about the cast members and hosts who were in the sketches, and get a complete history of the ridiculous magazine that inspired them (a magazine that actually launched the careers of people like Chloe Sevigny and Spike Jonez). Hilarious work from Hartman, Adam Sandler, Jay Mohr and others are showcased, in addition to exploring some classic 90s SNL moments. Let’s get Sassy! [EP45]