SNL Hall of Fame Water Cooler Podcast – Alan Zweibel

In this episode, hosts Joe, Shari, and jD take us on a nostalgic journey into Saturday Night Live (SNL) history, focusing on legendary comedy writer Alan Zweibel and his contributions to SNL’s early seasons. From the behind-the-scenes dynamics of writers like Zweibel to iconic characters like Gilda Radner’s creations, the hosts delve deep into the essential pop culture moments of SNL.

Tune in as the hosts share their insights, sprinkle in celebrity encounters in podcasts, and rank some of the most memorable moments in SNL history.

[00:00] - Intro to the Show

jD, Joe, and Shari kick things off by introducing the premise of the SNL Hall of Fame podcast. They discuss how their rankings and segments will break down this episode’s focus.

[02:15] - Alan Zweibel’s Career & Contributions

A deep dive into Alan Zweibel’s role as one of the original SNL writers. The hosts discuss his relationship with Gilda Radner, his work on classic sketches like the Weekend Update jokes, and his extensive influence on early SNL.

[04:38] - Classic SNL Sketches Featuring Alan Zweibel

jD highlights how Zweibel worked on some of the classic SNL sketches, including the Samurai and Emily Litella sketches. Shari reflects on Zweibel’s ability to collaborate across the writer’s room with people like Gilda Radner and Robert Smigel.

[07:52] - Ranking SNL Hall of Famers: Beck Bennett vs. Sherry O’Terry

The hosts engage in a lively debate over the rankings of various SNL Hall of Fame contenders, including Beck Bennett, Sherry O’Terry, and Bob Odenkirk. They also discuss the trajectory of SNL cast members and who deserves Hall of Fame status.

[15:02] - Celebrity Encounters in Podcasts

A fun discussion about podcast co-host Jeremy Dove’s story of meeting Pharrell, sparking a conversation about celebrity encounters in podcasts and how they add flavor to episodes.

[18:40] - SNL Hall of Shame Moments

The hosts critique some of the weaker sketches from a recent SNL episode featuring Ariana Grande and Stevie Nicks. They call out the misuse of cameos and how it limits airtime for regular cast members.

[23:02] - SNL Cast Dynamics & Cameos

Shari points out the challenges of balancing SNL cast dynamics with the regular appearance of cameos. They discuss how Heidi Gardner and Eggo Nwodim deserve more screen time.

[30:48] - Closing Thoughts on the Episode

The hosts wrap up by previewing next week’s episode, featuring a discussion with Robin Duke about Joe Piscopo and his impact on SNL.

Listen and subscribe to the SNL Hall of Fame podcast for weekly discussions on the essential moments and key players in SNL history. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual listener, our breakdowns of essential pop culture moments will keep you entertained.

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