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

Nick looks back at the only time Owen Wilson hosted Saturday Night Live, on October 2, 2021, kicking off Season 47. It turned out to be a really strong show, with Wilson proving to be a terrific host from the start. His monologue was sharp, well-delivered, and he was completely game for whatever the writers threw at him.

The episode features some standout sketches, including a chaotic school board meeting packed with bizarre characters, a daytime talk show parody interrupted by COVID test results, and a hilarious bit involving some very questionable dialogue for the next Cars sequel. Nick revisits the best moments, shares behind-the-scenes stories, and makes the case that Wilson should have hosted more than once. There’s also a bonus look at Melissa Villaseñor’s spot-on Owen Wilson impression, even if Owen himself thought it was “played out.” [Ep 184]

Nick looks back at one of his favorite Saturday Night Live characters of all time, Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy. Created and performed by Vanessa Bayer, Jacob is an awkward 13-year-old Jewish kid and die-hard Yankees fan who delivers painfully corny, carefully rehearsed jokes from a binder on Weekend Update. Inspired by Bayer’s real-life brother Jonah, the character quickly became a fan favorite.

Nick revisits some of Jacob’s funniest appearances, shares the story behind how the character was created, and digs into behind-the-scenes moments from Bayer’s time on the show. The episode also features one of Jacob’s best moments, a special appearance by Billy Crystal as his father. A hilarious look back at one of Weekend Update’s most lovable oddballs. [Ep 183]

Saturday Night Live has a long history of great celebrity impressions, but some of the funniest moments happen when the real people being impersonated show up to confront their TV counterparts. In this first installment, Nick revisits some of the best examples, including Ego Nwodim’s Dionne Warwick standing face-to-face with the real Dionne, Hillary Clinton joining Amy Poehler during a Cold Open, Vanessa Bayer and Jennifer Aniston facing off in a Rachel Green showdown, and Nicolas Cage appearing alongside Andy Samberg’s over-the-top version of himself on Weekend Update.

Along the way, Nick shares behind-the-scenes stories and background details about how these memorable appearances came together. It’s the first chapter in a series celebrating those rare SNL moments when the impersonated meet the impersonator, usually with hilarious results. [Ep 182]

Nick looks back at one of the funniest and strangest characters ever created by Will Forte during his time on Saturday Night Live: Senator Tim Calhoun. Soft-spoken, painfully awkward, intensely nervous, and completely unpredictable, Calhoun became a recurring favorite through a series of memorable appearances, most of them on Weekend Update.

You’ll hear some of Tim Calhoun’s funniest segments, along with behind-the-scenes stories about how the character was developed and why it connected so well with audiences. The episode also includes Forte’s return as Calhoun during the 2016 presidential election on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It’s a celebration of one of Forte’s most bizarre and brilliant creations. [Ep 181]

Nick looks back at the rare occasions when professional wrestlers stepped into one of television’s toughest jobs: hosting Saturday Night Live. Only four wrestlers have ever hosted the show, beginning with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T, who took the stage on the eve of the very first WrestleMania in 1985.

From there, Nick revisits the five appearances by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the only wrestler to host multiple times and one of the show’s most popular guest hosts. He also examines Ronda Rousey’s lone hosting appearance in 2016, and why it never led to a return engagement, before wrapping up with John Cena’s only turn as host, a performance that left many wondering why he hasn’t been invited back more often.

Along the way, you’ll hear full sketches, behind-the-scenes stories, and highlights from some of the most memorable moments when the worlds of wrestling and SNL collided. [Ep 180]

Nick looks back at one of his favorite recurring Saturday Night Live sketches, Morning Latte, featuring Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri as Tom Wilkins and Cass Van Rye, the clueless and endlessly upbeat hosts of a ridiculous morning talk show. The pair are hilariously scatterbrained, overly enthusiastic, and far too willing to share details from their personal lives with the audience.

You’ll hear several of the sketches in their entirety, along with behind-the-scenes stories and background on how the recurring bit became a fan favorite. The episode also features memorable appearances from guest stars including Alec Baldwin, The Rock, John Goodman, Jerry Seinfeld, Britney Spears, and more in this celebration of one of SNL’s funniest television parody sketches. [Ep 179]

Nick looks back at the one and only time comedian and actor Sinbad hosted Saturday Night Live. The 1992 show made great use of the cast, packed with memorable sketches that ranged from clever and absurd to a little risky and questionable by today’s standards. Highlights include the first gay platoon in the Civil War meeting the first African American platoon, Superman’s funeral, a hilarious Blacula parody, and a family that dramatically overreacts to everyday situations.

The episode also marks the debut of Adam Sandler’s now-classic Thanksgiving Song. Along the way, Nick shares behind-the-scenes stories, revisits some of the night’s funniest moments, and provides an update on Sinbad, who turned in a terrific performance during his only stint as an SNL host. [Ep 178]

Nick looks back at one of the funniest recurring commercial parody sketches from Saturday Night Live, the Kickspit Under Underground Rock Festival promos that aired between 2009 and 2012. Inspired by the real-life Gathering of the Juggalos festivals, the sketches feature Jason Sudeikis as DJ Supersoak and Nasim Pedrad as Lil’ Blaster, hyping up the most ridiculous music festival imaginable.

You’ll hear the outrageous promos, learn how the sketches came together, including how sleep deprivation helped fuel the writing, and get the full story behind Ass Dan, played by Bobby Moynihan. The episode also includes memorable appearances from Ryan Phillippe, Bruno Mars, Ben Stiller, and Helen Mirren. Get ready for some badass crunk and a lot of laughs at the Under Underground Rock Fest. We’ll see you ninjas there. [Ep 177]

Alec Baldwin has hosted Saturday Night Live more than anyone else and has also shown up over the years as a frequent guest and special cast addition. For more than 35 years, he’s been one of the show’s most reliable and funniest presences. Nick looks back at some of his best work, including standout sketches, recurring bits like his take on Donald Trump, and plenty more.

You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories and how some of these moments came together, along with full sketches. Highlights include a Glengarry Glen Ross-style meeting at Santa’s workshop, a visit from Charles Nelson Reilly on Inside the Actors Studio, a strange diner exchange between a cowboy and a waitress, and, of course, a little taste of Schweddy Balls. It’s a celebration of a legendary SNL host. [Ep 176]

Nick looks back at the ten former Saturday Night Live cast members who have been nominated for Academy Awards, including one who actually took home an Oscar. Each story has its own twist, and not all of the nominations were for acting. Kristen Wiig earned a nod for Best Screenplay, Michael McKean was nominated for Best Original Song, and George Coe, whose background gets explained here, received a nomination for Best Short Film.

Along the way, you’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories and clips from the films that earned those nominations. The episode features work from Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Joan Cusack, Dan Aykroyd, and Robert Downey Jr., the only former cast member to win an Oscar. It’s a fun and informative look at the connection between SNL and the Academy Awards. [Ep 175]