Beck Bennett on booking SNL and Embodying Putin

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
Episode: Beck Bennett on Booking SNL and Embodying Putin
Date: August 21, 2025

This episode features former SNL cast member Beck Bennett, who joins Dana Carvey and David Spade for a lively, irreverent, and inside look at booking Saturday Night Live, embodying Vladimir Putin on-screen, and his recent experience playing Steve Lombard in James Gunn’s Superman. They discuss the audition gauntlet, improv roots, surviving showbiz premieres, the unique stress of SNL, and creating iconic characters like “Baby Boss” and Putin. The conversation blends humor, behind-the-scenes stories, and honest reflection on the enduring impact of SNL.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Beck's Superman Experience

• Playing Steve Lombard: Beck elaborates on playing the Daily Planet sports reporter, a classic adversary to Clark Kent, in the new Superman film.
  • “He’s sports writer at the Daily Planet and sort of a, an office adversary for Clark Kent... he kind of thinks he's friends with Superman, you know, and he's like, they're buds.” (Beck, 08:33)
• Audition & Set Stories: Joining a massive movie set was daunting, but SNL prepared him for it.
  • “Honestly, looking back at everything... with the experience of Superman, nothing really compares to SNL. It's SNL's more intimidating for sure.” (Beck, 14:04)
  • “[James Gunn] was creating a fun atmosphere... towards the end, there's a scene where... he let me scream in the back of that tea craft for a while. One of the lines in the movie was improvised.” (Beck, 11:12)
    • Improvised line: “I just scream, ‘Why don't I have a seat?’” (Beck, 11:34)
• Premiere Anxiety: Hollywood glam and red carpets feel awkward, even to seasoned performers.
  • “Premieres exist to make you feel bad about yourself... I'll go...take some photos. I'm like, oh, God.” (Beck, 31:19)
• Team Talk & Red Carpet Style: The ritual and oddity of needing a ‘team’ for public appearances.
  • “Team is the funniest new term that everyone says... We talked to Beck's team. I'm like, let’s see a picture of that team.” (Dana, 32:11)

2. SNL: Booking, Surviving, and Sketch Creation

• Path to SNL: Beck traces his journey from college improv group Good Neighbor to national commercials to the SNL stage.
  • “They saw us doing [sketches]... The Lonely Island was really sweet and they had maybe shown some videos... then I was doing these AT&T spots with Jorma [Taccone].” (Beck, 21:17)
  • “Jorma was super helpful. He was like, just be chill. Just, like, hang out. He [Lorne Michaels] wants to know that he can hang out with you.” (Beck, 23:12)
• First Audition & Sketches: Describes developing characters specifically for SNL after seeing others’ (Kyle Mooney, Nick Rutherford) paths.
  • “Friend of mine, Nick Kocher...I was like, I don't know, I've been thinking of this character like a...boss with the body of a baby” — which became “Baby Boss.” (Beck, 25:13)
  • The audition process: open mics, showcase at iO West, and eventual testing with Lorne.
• Character Creation: “Baby Boss” went viral:
  • “It was so specific and so accurate that I guess you rehearsed the...out of that. You’d never done it?” (David, 28:32)
  • “I've always enjoyed, like, doing physical comedy, but... I sat next to a guy with a baby on his lap on a plane and watched this baby just...I gotta figure out a way to like...” (Beck, 28:53)
• SNL Pressures:
  • “They'll give you something you've never done before that's completely outside what you do, and you've got two days to get it... I am so glad that I don't have to do anymore.” (Beck, 50:31)
  • Assigned impressions, like Mitch McConnell: “I wasn't like, I have a Mitch McConnell. Let me do this.” (Beck, 51:11)
  • The evolution of prosthetics: “The prosthetics...got so much better...They really get you halfway there, 90% there.” (Beck, 51:14)
• Impressions & Breaking Character:
  • SNL’s unwritten codes about breaking during sketches. How has it changed?
    • “There was like that pride in not breaking and like staying here...You want the audience to feel you having fun. Not breaking on purpose by any means...” (Beck, 45:34)

3. Embodying Putin & “White POTUS”

• Making the Putin Character:
  • “It’s good when you don’t do an exact impression because it’s too boring. So you gotta screw with it a little bit, make it...The voice is more like...higher pitch, quiet, barely talks.” (Beck, 53:12)
  • “Putin was just a great notion. He’s not gonna ever have his shirt on.” (David, 52:37)
  • On impact: “That was like, the impression, I feel like that I really did...it was wild how...did that, and then it was like another—just another level of recognition, you know?” (Beck, 53:30)
  • International attention: “It was on Russian TV at one point...I was like, he knows about it...should I be doing this? Is this weird?” (Beck, 54:04)
• The Sketch “White POTUS”:
  • “White POTUS was a big one and brought...Putin back for that...Colin Jost [came up with it]...so funny, so perfect.” (Beck, 52:30, 53:25)

4. SNL’s Unique Pressure Cooker

• SNL vs. Big Movies:
  • “Nothing really compares to SNL. It's more intimidating for sure. It really prepared me for that.” (Beck, 14:04)
  • “That’s maybe one of the things I am so glad I don't have to do anymore...” (Beck, 50:31)
• Training for Hollywood:
  • SNL’s chaotic pace = unique teaching ground. “Chris Rock said...if you can do Saturday Night Live, you can direct a movie.” (David, 56:23)
  • “Things like that, where I leave and I'm like, oh, yeah. Like, it really is like a version of home...It has informed kind of everything that I've done.” (Beck, 55:34)

5. Reflections, Legacy, and What’s Next

• Enduring SNL Connection:
  • “It really is amazing...everything that Lorne says is kind of true...Once you're a part of it, you're always a part of it.” (Beck, 55:34)
• Upcoming Projects:
  • Mentions podcast with Kyle Mooney, produced by Headgum, and recent film projects (“Y2K”).
• Mutual Admiration & Comedy Bonds:
  • David and Dana praise Beck's run: “Congratulations. You had a great run on that show. You're brilliant on that show, and everyone knows who you are...” (David, 55:08)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the pressure of Hollywood premieres:
  • “Premieres exist to make you feel bad about yourself...I'll go...take some photos. I'm like, oh, God.” (Beck Bennett, 31:19)
• On SNL nerves and preparation:
  • “With the experience of Superman, nothing really compares to SNL. It's SNL's more intimidating for sure.” (Beck Bennett, 14:04)
• On improvising in big-budget movies:
  • “I would go to set on days when I wasn't called and sit in Video Village and just talk on all the people who had superpowers.” (Beck Bennett, 07:57)
• On embodying Putin:
  • “It was wild how ... did that, and then it was like another—just another level of recognition, you know?” (Beck Bennett, 53:30)
  • “It was on Russian TV at one point...I was like, okay, cool.” (Beck Bennett, 54:04)
• On sketch comedy style:
  • “Your sensibility on that show is its own special lane... it's so funny and so dry and weird.” (David Spade to Beck, 42:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Superman Role & James Gunn Stories
  • [06:05] – Beck joins; initial Superman jokes
  • [08:33] – Steve Lombard character explanation
  • [10:16] – Daily Planet long take/James Gunn's direction
  • [11:28] – Improvising “Why don't I have a seat?”
• SNL Audition Journey
  • [20:42] – How Good Neighbor led to SNL
  • [23:39] – Jorma’s advice for Polo Lounge chat with Lorne
  • [25:13] – Audition process and creating “Baby Boss”
  • [28:32] – “Baby Boss” physicality
• Red Carpet & Premiere Culture
  • [31:19] – Premiere awkwardness and “team” culture
  • [32:51] – Hollywood fashion and stylists
• SNL Pressures & Impressions
  • [50:31] – Pressure of taking on unfamiliar material
  • [51:01] – Mitch McConnell impression assignment
  • [51:47] – Impressions, prosthetics, and era comparisons
• Putin & White POTUS
  • [52:30] – White POTUS and Putin character insights
  • [53:12] – The essence of Beck’s Putin impression
  • [54:04] – International recognition and nervousness
• SNL as Career Bootcamp
  • [55:32] – SNL’s lasting impact and Lorne’s sage advice
  • [56:23] – Chris Rock’s SNL vs. movie-making comparison

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Episode Highlights & Takeaways

• SNL is unmatched in prepping performers for high-pressure environments, from Hollywood blockbusters to unpredictable live comedy.
• Character creativity thrives under constraint: Beck’s most iconic SNL roles came from pushing past nerves and channeling personal, physical observations into sketches.
• Improvisation finds a place even on blockbuster sets; confidence and humor can make memorable scenes that stand out amid big budgets.
• The realities of fame and red carpet moments: Beck and the hosts agree, “teams” and premieres are less glamorous—and more awkward—than they seem.
• Embodied impressions like Putin can have surprising real-world impact—even making it to Russian state TV!
• The SNL alumni bond is strong—whether reflecting on Lorne’s wisdom, sharing behind-the-scenes anxieties, or simply riffing on old bits.

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Transcript

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah. No, I just realized I had some tissue paper on my chin.

[David Spade]

Yeah, I made a note about that.

[Beck Bennett]

Like, I'm a real guy. I'm a real. You know what I mean? I know.

[Dana Carvey]

That was very real.

[Beck Bennett]

Premieres exist to make you feel bad about yourself. Like, you know what I mean? Like, I'll go. I'll be like, I wore. I put something on. I think it's pretty cute. And then, like, take some photos. I'm like, oh, God. Oh, my God. Yeah. And in it, it's kryptonite. Turns Superman into David.

[David Spade]

You know, we know a lot of people and our friends do a lot of different things. You know, sometimes they're in movies, like you and Joe Dirt. I'm sure it was 1997, but that thing's got legs, I'm telling you.

[Dana Carvey]

Wasn't that long ago.

[David Spade]

No, 1994, but it hasn't the 19s. You late 80s.

[Dana Carvey]

Fucking 1974. Came out with Star Wars 88. No, we have. I saw Superman and it was sort of researched because we had this gentleman in the next day.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

And I was like, wow. On SNL has a part in Superman.

[David Spade]

Yes.

[Dana Carvey]

You know, an integral part, actually. And it's not Crypto the dog Crypto. By the way, someone should adopt crypto because just running around like Antarctica in the movie. I don't know what Krypto's story is, but back to Beck Bennett. That's the guy.

[David Spade]

Yeah. Oh, yes. Beck Bennett. Which is obviously an amazing name and it's his real name, but it is.

[Dana Carvey]

Beck Bennett is a Good show. Busy.

[David Spade]

Two Bs.

[Dana Carvey]

Sydney.

[David Spade]

Sweeney Bennett should be a king or something in medieval times. My lord Beck Bennett.

[Dana Carvey]

And he gives us the behind the scenes of Superman along with all the SNL stories. So great chat with this dude. So Beck plays Steve Lombard in Superman. He's a sports reporter that kind of, you know, it's Clark Kent. So he's kind of tough, kind of Hassling Clark and bullying, which is a mistake.

[David Spade]

Yeah, yeah. I'll tell you right now, it's always a mistake. But he's. He's part of the ecosystem now. You know, I. I would love to be in some kind of.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, yeah. And one of those big movies and.

[David Spade]

Be some kind of character that might come around again. So he's very excited about that and the possibilities of it. And we go over, you know, his. He's a hall of famer on SNL. It's like 10 years there, and he was everywhere he's doing. He's a very versatile, almost Phil Hartman esque talent.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. Sarah Sherman says he's probably the nicest guy to work with. So he came off very nice to me during our interview.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Let you decide, folks.

[David Spade]

Let. Let the folks decide. But please enjoy our guest.

[Dana Carvey]

Beck Bennett.

[Beck Bennett]

Well, you guys look fantastic too, though. You guys look really good.

[David Spade]

Yeah, don't look us up on Wikipedia. Just dream a little. Dream. Your filters are excellent.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, really? I see. I don't even know what my filters are.

[Dana Carvey]

You have so many filters. It's great.

[Beck Bennett]

So many filters. I got the under eye filters. I got the CH stuff. I got the hair. I'm bald, actually.

[Dana Carvey]

I've got the one that gives me bags stoop. The dumbest filter.

[Beck Bennett]

Honestly. That is actually cool. That's like. That's more like rock and roll, you know, it's kind of like Leonardo DiCaprio was looking for for a while. He wanted to lose that baby face.

[Dana Carvey]

I look like Benicio, by the way. Look at Dana. To his right arm. What's behind you?

[Beck Bennett]

That's me.

[David Spade]

Yeah, that's. Yeah, it's a. It's a. It's a motion picture that you're part of.

[Beck Bennett]

That's emotional. Yeah. Big Hollywood film.

[Dana Carvey]

Were you Superman? I should watch it again. But.

[David Spade]

Yeah, I have not had the pleasure to see it yet. But are you playing Superman? Let's just get that out of the way.

[Beck Bennett]

You know, I still don't even know. I've seen it three times and I can't figure it out because I really thought I was. And it doesn't seem to be the case because there's somebody else playing Superman. But I still believe that, you know, maybe later in the universe. It's a. It's a long. It's a long game.

[Dana Carvey]

Those movies are so complex. Who knows?

[Beck Bennett]

Exactly. Exactly. I didn't get the script until I was there, so.

[David Spade]

Did you ever find yourself up in James Gunn's face a little bit going, seriously, dude, I mean, I could have done the man, you know, you put me in Steve. Okay. I'll be the wacky. Yeah, yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

I was like, yeah, I'll do this for you. But there are going to be other movies, and let's.

[David Spade]

That's a good idea.

[Dana Carvey]

I would sit at Village, and on Superman takes, I go, he. I think he lifted that building like it was too light. It doesn't match with the other one, but, yeah, whatever.

[Beck Bennett]

It doesn't look that cool. But, yeah, I'm sure you guys will figure it out in post. Just. Just totally. Yeah, I would. I would go to set on days when I wasn't called and sit in Video Village and just talk on all the people who had superpowers.

[David Spade]

That's not a bad. Yeah, and just go. I thought it was. I thought it was a good take. You know, whatever you guys want to do. I thought it was a good take, actually, Dana, this guy, Video Village, it's not working.

[Dana Carvey]

This guy got some laughs where there probably weren't laughs, so I will give you that. That's good, because he plays a guy in the newsroom. What is your guy's name in the movie?

[Beck Bennett]

His name is Steve Lombard. He's. He's been in the comics since the 70s, and he's sports writer at the Daily Planet and sort of a. An office adversary for Clark Kent. He, like, picks on him and makes fun of him. He's. You know, there have been different versions of him throughout the decades since he was created, but he, like, he kind of thinks he's friends with Superman, you know, and he's like, they're buds.

[Dana Carvey]

Does Clark let you act like you could beat him up?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, absolutely, because he's got you. He can't show his strength.

[Dana Carvey]

You're like, what's up?

[David Spade]

Right?

[Dana Carvey]

When he comes in the office, you say something to him, and I go, oh, no.

[Beck Bennett]

He walks in. I'm just like, hey, loser.

[David Spade]

Yeah, hey, loser.

[Beck Bennett]

High school bully right from the start.

[David Spade]

Yeah, I read because I do a little research. And yeah, a comment was very nice. It just said, every time you come on the screen, there's a big laugh.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, that's so sweet.

[David Spade]

Every time you landed. This was in the comments. And then I looked down and it was. My wife left it. I didn't even know what that. And she hadn't seen the movie, so I don't know what that was.

[Beck Bennett]

She's been texting me constantly, and, like, we don't have a relationship carpet bombing me.

[David Spade]

But seriously, it's very nice.

[Beck Bennett]

So it's okay. So, you know, it's hard to get.

[Dana Carvey]

Laughs on these movies where you're not the main guy. But, you know, when you do those scenes, it's fun. Daily Planet, which everyone knows you're part of that world, which is. It's the most well known Superman world of, I would say, is that's that Daily Planet. And.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

So when they go there, I wonder if there's takes where you. You try to throw in a line or something just because.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

You just like. Or if you do something goofy or something, does everyone go, hey, maybe we just do one where.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. This is not that kind of movie.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, I know. It's hard.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. I mean, I did. I did the first day, like, at the Daily Planet, because that was, like, a long take, you know, like, he walks in, he comes around, I'm yelling at him. We walk down the whole office, and he's, like, talking to his parents. And we would, like, reset and reset all the extras. And James would, like, shout over this. Not shout, but, like, talk. Give direction through this God mic, you know, and it's like bellowing through this whole train station. And I was nervous, so I wasn't really, like, trying to mess with things too much.

[Dana Carvey]

Sure.

[Beck Bennett]

But he would be like, yeah, now do something crazy. And then I would do. And he'd be like. Not that he was fun with it. Like, he was creating, like, a fun atmosphere, but towards the end, there's a scene where we're in Mr. Terrific's tea craft, and it wasn't Dana's. Like, what?

[David Spade]

I know what you mean.

[Dana Carvey]

I saw it.

[David Spade]

I love anything Mr. Anything. So I love a guy. Terrific. This is terrific.

[Beck Bennett]

It's an original name. You know, it was. It was many drafts that he came up with that. That name.

[David Spade]

That's funny.

[Beck Bennett]

But it was. It was basically like there was this opportunity where it was like, oh, we didn't plan on this happening. Just. Just go. And he let me, like, basically scream in the back of that tea craft for a while.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

And that one of the lines in the movie was improvised.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, good, good.

[David Spade]

Can you say. Can you say the line doesn't give away too much?

[Beck Bennett]

I just scream, why don't I have a seat?

[Dana Carvey]

That was a good one.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. And it, like. And I was just screaming back there, like, please, somebody help me. Why don't I have a seat? What's happening? Yeah, they kept that. Why don't I have a seat? Which is just great, because it's like, in a movie like this.

[Dana Carvey]

Like.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Why doesn't he have a seat? He's in the back just flying around, you know, it's just a fun, physical, you know.

[Dana Carvey]

One thing Dana, he said that didn't really fit was he goes, rachel, why are you flying this plane? You don't know what you're doing. And they go, call her Lois Lane, please. If you're going to make up stuff.

[Beck Bennett]

Is it all right? Right, right, right, right, right. Yeah, Improv.

[Dana Carvey]

I've called people their real name so many times in movies. I'm so unprofessional.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, yeah, no, it's, you know, it's easier that way. You make it more personal.

[Dana Carvey]

So much easier.

[Beck Bennett]

I want to get so much easier. Can't we just use our names?

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Can I just be back as every character?

[David Spade]

This is a. Probably a very generic question. So the pinch factor of, of pinch factor. I just made that up going into 8h for the first times because I, it was creepy when I got there. It was 10 years into the show. I was like, you know.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

And then going on, I don't know, let's call it a 300 million dollar giant historic franchise. Probably the best current director of these kinds of movies.

[Beck Bennett]

Huge movies.

[David Spade]

And walking on to the set the first day, it was both a little like, whoa. Or I mean, the Superman is unknown and you're famous. So that must have been interesting.

[Beck Bennett]

Right here.

[David Spade]

He's not unknown anymore, but go ahead.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah. No, I just realized I had some tissue paper on my chest. Yeah.

[David Spade]

I made a note like, I'm a real guy.

[Beck Bennett]

I'm a real. You know what I mean?

[Dana Carvey]

I know that was very.

[David Spade]

That's what this is about. Lauren Michaels would say, please, can we lose the tissue paper thing?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Beck, you're at 80s, you're not in the bathroom. Yeah, right.

[Dana Carvey]

Look like a star.

[David Spade]

Every single person we've interviewed has been on SNL has a Lauren. And I put yours, I'm putting yours.

[Beck Bennett]

Yes. I try to get real gutter over that.

[David Spade]

A guttural lord.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Cool, cool, cool.

[Dana Carvey]

I like when he goes higher. He goes, do you like Pesto? He floats in a floater. Yeah, yeah. It's kind of. Because usually it's down here.

[David Spade]

It's like that thing of like a really, really good show.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah, exactly it. But to answer your question, the walking on that set, it was intimidating. But like, honestly, looking back at everything and with the experience of Superman, nothing really compares to SNL. It's SNL's more intimidating for sure. So it, like, it really prepared me for that. But it was, it was. I mean, I. I was lucky that I got to get down to Macon, Georgia a week before we started shooting. I was on weather cover. So, like, you know, they had us there in case they needed to shoot inside.

[Dana Carvey]

That's tough for people that don't know if you. There's an outside and inside scenes. Even if you're not in a scene and you might want to sneak home or leave town or something, they go your weather cover. So if there's a storm, we might have to shoot the inside of the Daily Planet or wherever.

[Beck Bennett]

Exactly. Yeah.

[David Spade]

Yeah. Stand by. Be ready.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, be. Just be there.

[Beck Bennett]

They had a whole train station just shut down, ready to be shot at. It was just empty.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, my God.

[Beck Bennett]

It was crazy. Like, I was walking around making. I was like, is there another production here? I was like, no, this is a huge movie.

[Dana Carvey]

You bought the town.

[Beck Bennett]

They just bought the town. Yeah. Just in case we want to shoot here. It's all shut down. Everybody went home.

[David Spade]

God. Oh, so many movies are shooting here. Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Wow.

[David Spade]

It's crazy, all these sets.

[Dana Carvey]

Whose spacecraft is that? Oh, that's yours.

[Beck Bennett]

Another space movie that's really similar. But yeah, I mean, it was, it was just like. So I was there for a week and James was really fun. He just like went out. He like had dinners with everybody every night. We were all staying at the same hotel, so I got to know everybody really well. So it was really fun. But it was, it was shaky, you know, it was nerve wracking. For sure.

[Dana Carvey]

Sure, for sure.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. That, that like the. Him shooting shouting direction in this huge hall and just going again and again and again and just, you know, hope. Yeah, it's that first day. You're like, I mean, I auditioned for it, so I know he liked what I did, but it's still like, is it working? Does he want more? You know what I mean? And you. It's like, I feel like I. This happened at SNL where it's like, I want to look professional. So act, act like you know it's going well. You know what I mean? Like, act like you know you've got it.

[David Spade]

You don't want your name whispered at.

[Dana Carvey]

Video Village, like after the take, like, what are you guys talking about? They would be like, what are we doing with this guy? What. What did he do in the audition that we liked?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, right in his head. He's spiraling.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, exactly. And, and if you hear 300 or $200 million movie, it's just different to come on and be like, shit. It just Seems like the same thing. There's a camera, there's three actors, but you go, it's just weirder.

[Beck Bennett]

You go, yeah. I was so nervous about it going into it. I was like, is there, you know, like, if I mess up one thing, are they going to be like, what are you doing? This is a 300 million just wasted.

[Dana Carvey]

113 grand.

[Beck Bennett]

Exactly. Yeah, but, but no, it was great. It's, you know, it's really all the same thing. It's just a little bit more nerve wracking at first.

[David Spade]

We're gonna reset because Beck didn't know what he was doing. Acta number one. All right.

[Beck Bennett]

This time I'm not going to tell you what it is. I'm not going to tell you what to fix. Just do it right.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

It's the big leagues.

[Dana Carvey]

All right, Dana. You know, I'm always dragging around and I always got a five hour energy on me.

[David Spade]

I know that about you.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. They're either in my sock, in the car, they're somewhere.

[David Spade]

You keep them everywhere.

[Dana Carvey]

I give them a little slurp. I don't really shoot the whole thing like some people do on an empty stomach. I think I eat a little bit. Couple sips. Just like coffee. Just keep, just keep something going.

[David Spade]

You don't chug it.

[Dana Carvey]

I don't. I'm actually.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

I don't want that much energy at once. It's five hours. So I kind of, you know, that's what most people do, but I sip it. Overall, there's a lot of different flavors. Yeah. There's one called confetti craze that tastes like a good birthday cake. Which they're all pretty good, but this.

[David Spade]

Is and buttery flavor here to let you be unapologetically extra and unstoppably energized. Actually.

[Dana Carvey]

Big birthday energy. Wherever you go, there's shot. The shots are, are reasonable. You don't have to chug a full bottle or anything. You just run around with that big birthday energy.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

And you can plan your confetti party at www.5hourenergy.com or Amazon. That's available now. You know what I mean? So you can get on five hour energy. That's the number five hourenergy.com or Amazon. Unleash your big birthday party energy.

[David Spade]

As much caffeine as 12 ounces of your fancy coffee, but zero sugar and zero sugar crash. So yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

And I'm not like a coffee guy, so this is kind of better for me.

[David Spade]

You're a Five Hour Energy Confetti Craze. Guy Five Hour Energy Confetti Craze flavor is available online. Head to www5hourenergy.com or Amazon to order yours today. Hello, it's Lena Dunham. I host a podcast called the C Word with my dearest friend and historian of bad behavior, Alyssa Bennett.

[Beck Bennett]

What is up?

[David Spade]

It's a chat show about women whose society is called crazy.

[Dana Carvey]

We're going to be rediscovering the stories of women's society dismissed by calling them.

[Beck Bennett]

Men, mad, sad or just plain bad.

[David Spade]

Listen to and follow the C Word with Lena Dunham and Alyssa Bennett. Available now. Wherever you get your podcasts, you know.

[Dana Carvey]

Those mornings where everything feels like it's moving a hundred miles an hour? Emails are flying in. You're trying to hit your protein goals. Somehow you're already running late. Yes, same. That's exactly when I hit pause and I had a tropical smoothie cafe. Whether I'm craving something bold and fruity or warm and savory, Tropical smoothie cafe makes it easy breezy. I'll grab a peanut paradise smoothie, 22 grams of smooth peanut buttery protein or mix it up with a PB protein crunch bowl packing a punch at 32 grams of protein.

[David Spade]

And when I'm in a breakfast sandwich mood, their sausage, egg and cheese dilla or the all American wrap are always hot, toasty and packed with the protein I need to actually power through my day, not just survive it. The best part, I order ahead in the app, swing by and grab it on the go. No waiting, no stress. Just me, my smoothie and a much needed mental getaway. Every smoothie, bowl and wrap is made to order, filled with better for you ingredients and serious good vibes. So go ahead, manifest a more refreshing morning Tropical smoothie Cafe. You're on tropic time now.

[Dana Carvey]

We're jumping around but going back to snl. So you get that straight out of you were in an improv group, right? Is that where they see you?

[Beck Bennett]

I would, yeah, I did. Well, I did improv and sketch with in a college group with Kyle and Nick and then we, we basically we're pretty much just doing sketch. Our sketch group Good neighbor. They saw us doing that. Kyle auditioned for SNL the year before I did but then I was doing these and so yeah, Kyle Mooney, my, my, my comedy partner and lover dropping that now that so I see some.

[Dana Carvey]

Headlines sort of given.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah but yeah, they, I think they knew about us from that and the Lonely island was really sweet and they had like they kind of maybe shown some videos and and then I was doing these AT T spots with Jorma, who's a part of the Lonely island as well.

[Dana Carvey]

Was he directing?

[Beck Bennett]

He was directing, yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, what a great connection there.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, it was so helpful because he was like. We had this meeting with Lauren at the Polo Lounge, one of his favorite spots.

[David Spade]

Polo Lounge. I have a couple. I've had a couple of meetings there with him.

[Beck Bennett]

Yes.

[Dana Carvey]

Sit, sit.

[Beck Bennett]

Order anything you want.

[Dana Carvey]

Anything.

[Beck Bennett]

I will. I will take note of it.

[David Spade]

That is a new frequency. I haven't heard the gargly, deeper one.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah.

[David Spade]

You know what I mean?

[Dana Carvey]

As he's looking at his menu.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, it's coming out as he's, you know, getting up there in age. But yeah, so we had. What was they say? So we had a meeting at the Polo Lounge. Is that what I was talking about? Yeah, but, yeah, he met with our group there and. Oh, yeah. Wait, why was. No, there was a specific thing about the Polo Lounge. No, no, he always.

[Dana Carvey]

You were going nowhere.

[David Spade]

He always stays at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, he does. He does. But anyway, I. They saw. They knew about Good Neighbor, and then they saw the AT T stuff, and, yeah, they. They asked for me to audition. Everybody. So many people were leaving. Like, it was. Andy Sandberg had already left, but it was Forte and Fred Armisen and Hater. Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, it was right around then. Okay.

[David Spade]

That puts people in a 2013 Kristen wig was just leaving or maybe.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, she had left the year before.

[Dana Carvey]

Really? That long ago?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah. And then. Yeah. When we. And so that I was doing these commercials and. Oh, right. Okay. So this is why I knew. I was talking about the Polo Lounge because. Because Jorma was super helpful. He was like. We had this meeting, and he was like, don't try to be funny. He was like, just. Just be chill. Just, like, hang out. He's seen everything. He's been surrounded by the funniest people in the world for his whole life. Just like, he wants to know that he can hang out with you.

[Dana Carvey]

So that was funny.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah. Beyond funny. Just be born. Be whatever. Don't try. And that was super helpful. But, yeah, I think Lindsay shook us. Who was the head of talent was. Had liked. Been seeing the AT T commercials. She knew about Good Neighbor and then. And then, yeah, it all worked out. They had lost a lot of white guys, so they were looking for white guys, which is great for me.

[Dana Carvey]

Hard to find.

[David Spade]

So they got a lot of white guys left, and they wanted to get more white guys. Okay.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. They wanted to replace the white guys.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

The year I got in. It was me and Kyle and I think three other white guys and one white girl. There was a little bit of a backlash.

[Dana Carvey]

I don't think SNF has ever been short of white people.

[Beck Bennett]

No, no, they gotta have their whites. Funny, their whites to go to.

[David Spade]

So your audition, was it nerve wracking then or you felt like you kind of already had it?

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, no, I was, I was so nervous. I was. I had like sent in a tape and gotten notes and I was like, I. I've always loved sketch comedy and I loved snl, but with Good Neighbor, we were kind of trying to make our own sketch show. And I always loved like the state and Mr. Show so much and we were kind of going that route. So I didn't really have like my impressions and everything, but I got all that stuff together for the show, for the, you know, for the tape that I submitted. And then later in the summer, I was shooting a movie in Austin, Texas, and they were like, they want you to fly out to la, meet with Lauren at the Polo Lounge, with the rest of the neighbor.

[Dana Carvey]

This time, audition at the Polo Lounge.

[Beck Bennett]

And audition at the Polo Lounge. Just get up whenever you feel ready.

[Dana Carvey]

Be funny this time you're type five.

[Beck Bennett]

But then I had like the showcase at IO west, which was. Which doesn't exist anymore. And then a week later got the. Or, you know, the next day got asked to fly out to test. But I was. So, I was doing this movie and I had never done these things live. Like, I don't do stand up, so I'd only perform these characters and sketches with other people on stage, you know, and I taken excerpts of them for the tape. But I knew that I had to do this showcase live and I had to test live. So I was going around to these open mics and trying these characters outside of the scene and they weren't really working, so I had to come up with new characters. And I was just like, I don't know, this isn't hitting. And that's when I. A friend of mine, Nick Kocher, who ended up being a writer at snl, was in the movie as well. He's a good friend of mine. And I was like, I don't know, I've been thinking of this character like a ce. Like a boss, like a CEO with the body of a baby. And he was like, what do you mean? What does that look like? And I did it for the first time with him and he like cracked up and I did that. And then I came up with two other Characters which were like a supportive friend, a jealous supportive friend who just found out his friend, like got cast in a show and then like a bully genuinely trying to make a friend. And those worked. And I, like, I did them at these open mics and then went to la, did it, rehearsed it, you know, incessantly. So nervous. And then. And then it works.

[Dana Carvey]

You know, you're trying them on State now. IOS for the people at home is Improv Olympic, I think.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Okay. And that is. And could you go on there and do stand up or did you have to go to somewhere else to do these?

[Beck Bennett]

To. To do the. Oh, well, I. I mean, I was just. Yeah, it was in Austin where I was practicing because. Because I got.

[Dana Carvey]

That's where the movie was.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, that's where the movie was. And that's. They were like, basically like, you have.

[Dana Carvey]

I just jumped on. So you did a movie in Austin?

[Beck Bennett]

The movie in Austin. I was just going to these random clubs and trying them out there.

[Dana Carvey]

But did they tell you also to do. Sometimes, like, they just go, lauren wants to look at you tomorrow in New York, so we'll work on your flights. And you're like, I'm actually on a movie set. They're like, yeah, so we'll see you tomorrow.

[Beck Bennett]

We'll see you tomorrow.

[Dana Carvey]

And you're like, absolutely. Now you worry about that. Then you're like, so I got to go to this movie and say I got to take a day. That kind of stuff happened in the old days, I remember.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, yeah. And even like. And when I got on SNL, I was like, doing these. Still doing these AT&T commercials, which was such a great gig. And he was like, you're not the AT&T guy anymore. We want you to be known for us. And. Oh, so, yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

And so you're the guy that orders the.

[David Spade]

So what do you mean? Yeah, I mean, you can't keep doing the. You can't keep. He didn't want you to keep doing the commercials.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, because he was like, you know, we want to be known for snl. I was like, okay, cool. Yeah. So we were guaranteeing how many seasons.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, no way.

[Beck Bennett]

It was my first year. And there were like. And it was like, we're all staying. I don't think so.

[David Spade]

I did watch Baby Boss because I saw the comments and then a lot of people just said, oh, man. Baby Boss. Baby Boss. Baby Boss.

[Dana Carvey]

Just about give me my Baby Boss.

[David Spade]

It was hyper skilled. I would tell people, check it on YouTube. Beck. Yeah. You're up and every move is exactly like a toddler. Yeah, man. And it was so specific and so accurate that I guess you rehearsed the. Out of that. You'd never done it.

[Beck Bennett]

I had never done it. Yeah. I mean, I've always enjoyed, like, doing physical comedy, but. But, yeah, I'd never done it. I sat next to a guy with a baby on his lap on a plane and watched this baby just, like, pull my headphones out of my computer, put the headphones in its mouth, and throw them on the ground and then start crying. And, like, it happened, like, three times. I was like, this is. This baby is so stupid. I gotta figure out a way to like.

[David Spade]

But also the move. The first move that gets it. Like your. Your baby, man. You're a full grown man, but you're sliding down the banister and the stairs.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

And then you've gotta get to a standing position.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

And that was so skilled that it was like. It was really, like, an incredible illusion.

[Dana Carvey]

One sock half off.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

When you give him a plate, you bite a plate and suck on and hand it to him because.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Babies always hand you. And then he takes it and bites and you go, why are you sticking your mouth?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, I don't know.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, that's weird, man.

[Dana Carvey]

At Baby Boss, I'm with the Cameron Diaz's 1700 comments, Dana about Baby Boss.

[David Spade]

Wow, 1700.

[Dana Carvey]

First one. Beck is frighteningly good at acting like a baby.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. It's right there.

[David Spade]

There's. I don't know if you want to go down.

[Beck Bennett]

Thumbs down.

[David Spade]

Thumbs down.

[Dana Carvey]

I'm on you. I'm YouTube guy.

[David Spade]

Thumbs down that I'm gonna.

[Beck Bennett]

Thumbs up in this thing.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Amrom Diaz was so awesome. She was so down for, like, I love Cameron Diaz.

[Dana Carvey]

So. She was. That was 2014. She has. She hosted since. I mean, you got her back when she was sort of taking a sabbatical, I think after.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. I don't even know what she was. What she was promoting that.

[Dana Carvey]

But she's such a favorite. Everyone, like, grew up loving Cameron Diaz.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Funny. Super cute.

[Beck Bennett]

Like, the funniest.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. Mask.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Good God. The mask premiere. I told Dana. Such a premiere whore. I was at all these premieres.

[Beck Bennett]

Really? Well, you know, you. You were. You get. You had to have your finger on the pulse.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. You got to be everywhere.

[Beck Bennett]

Everywhere. Breaking it all down.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, you get an invite. You're like, oh, how fun. And then you're like, oh, well, I've been to three this week. Maybe. Yeah, maybe peel back. But it was fun. Then I don't even go to premieres anymore. At all.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, I try not to.

[Dana Carvey]

There aren't many. Superman must have had a big mongo one.

[Beck Bennett]

It was a big mongo one. And again, similar to the movie. I was like, what's this gonna be like? You know what I mean? Am I like. I feel like me and my wife Jesse have always, like, Reese for a while, been like, premieres exist to make you feel bad about yourself. Like, you know what I mean? Like, I'll go. I'll be like, I bored. I put something on. I think it's pretty cute. And then, like, take some photos. I'm like, oh, God. Some website has a stylist and a groomer. They got makeup. They got like, you know, it's what.

[Dana Carvey]

Not to do at a premiere. Show you.

[Beck Bennett]

Exactly. Yeah, that's. That's one.

[Dana Carvey]

I'm sure Rachel took it very seriously.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. She. She looked fantastic.

[Dana Carvey]

Knows what she's doing.

[Beck Bennett]

She knows how to do it.

[Dana Carvey]

She's a sharp dresser.

[Beck Bennett]

She really is.

[David Spade]

But she have a team. Everyone seems to have a team. Where's your team have a team? Do you have a team?

[Beck Bennett]

I have a team.

[Dana Carvey]

Team is the funniest new term that everyone says. Everyone's on this show. We talked to Beck's team. I'm like, let's see a picture of that team.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, no, they're. They only me in photos.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

No photos for my team.

[Dana Carvey]

They don't get out.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah.

[David Spade]

My team was really happy.

[Dana Carvey]

You tag your Instagram photo, your whole team at the bottom.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, you got it. You gotta. You gotta. You gotta tag those. The groomer and the stylist. You have to.

[Dana Carvey]

Groomers. And then people like, oh, someone pick those shoes. That wasn't an accident. And you're like, yeah, here's the guy.

[Beck Bennett]

It was her. It was definitely her exact. Like, it.

[David Spade]

Do you have premier clothes? Do you have a go to. Do you have, like, five go to have a tuxedo? Do you have, you know, Hollywood clothes?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, I mean, you know, actually, no, I don't know if I do. I do occasionally get something nice, but then I like. Then I'll wear it to a premiere. And I'm like, that looks like crap. Like, it looks too baggy and worn in. You know what I mean? So that's one of the reasons why I think I don't go to premieres because I don't want to take my photo and do all that. But I do have a stylist now. She put me in something that I. I felt good about and liked. But I. Yeah, I mean, I. Not really. I mean, I've gotten a couple nice things where I'm like, this is. This is, like, something I could wear and get my photo taken in. And it's not. It's so not specific that I could wear it again and again, but that's not really the case. You kind of don't want to wear the same thing again.

[Dana Carvey]

It's odd when they say, what are you wearing? To a guy? And to go, Tom fard so out. You're like, oh, gross.

[David Spade]

You thought about this when Mike.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. As a guy, you gotta be like, I don't know, man.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Beck Bennett]

Whatever.

[David Spade]

Mike Myers and I. Sorry. Not named Rock. Where? Wayne's World. We're pretty green and we're getting suits free to go to the Oscars, you know, And I can't remember the name of it. And it's like the most incredible thing. And Mike from Canada is very sincere and goes, yeah, these are pretty cool, but could you make these things smaller? He was telling the guy, the lapels are kind of big, right?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

The guy's face dropped, you know.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Suits are already made, sir. They're not. They're not. In process. I'm not.

[Dana Carvey]

You're actually. Dana, I gotta tell you, you didn't see the movie, but he. He's pretty jack. You can't tell. He's kind of yoked and jacked and obviously on something because he's like. That's why he's, like, not too late to switch me over to Clark Kent.

[Beck Bennett]

Right? Exactly. Like, check this out.

[Dana Carvey]

Not too late, guys.

[Beck Bennett]

I am the type of body that can look good in a shirt.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Right now. You know what I mean? Like, when I'm in shape, it's like, I can look good in a shirt. You take the shirt off, it's no good.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, that's a trick. Yeah.

[David Spade]

Do you. Are you gonna go to more premiere? I mean, are they going all over the world?

[Dana Carvey]

Is it over? Are you still going?

[David Spade]

Do you want to go to Tokyo? Beck.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

I mean, is that still happening or.

[Beck Bennett]

No, you know, they. I think they already did the international press tour.

[David Spade]

Okay.

[Beck Bennett]

It was just David, Rachel and Nicholas.

[Dana Carvey]

Who's Nicholas?

[Beck Bennett]

Nicholas, folks. He played Luther.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

I didn't. I didn't get that.

[David Spade]

David who's kind of evil.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, he's kind of evil. Yeah.

[David Spade]

He's like the bad in the piece.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Lex Luther has gotten skinnier and better looking since Gene Hackman or Whatever it was. Yeah, but he.

[Beck Bennett]

I'm. I'm really into Gene Hackman. He really does.

[Dana Carvey]

Hey, wasn't that cool, that one with Gene Hackman and Ned Beatty?

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, yeah.

[David Spade]

Well, by. By the way, I mean, I was going to ask you about that.

[Dana Carvey]

I'm being facetious.

[David Spade]

The original Superman, what the. What the critics are saying. They're. They're saying that this is an optimistic Superman. And because I. When you think of James Gunn, you think of the challenge and how many times we've tried Superman, Batman, Chris Nolan, you know, broke film with that. And I guess they're saying that making this earnestness and positivity is sort of. They landed it. Is that the idea why it's a hit?

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, I think so. I mean, I like so many aspects of it. I mean, it's so fun to watch. The action is fun, it's funny, and it's weird. Like, James really is just kind of weird, you know, like all his movies. Like, his characters are unique and stand out, but there's always just like, there's a little bit of weirdness, like something sort of odd that you, like, haven't seen that's exciting to watch is sort of baked into the whole thing. But. But, yeah, there's. It's really sweet and uplifting, and everybody I talked to is like, I felt good leaving the theater. I felt, like, inspired and, like, excited a little bit.

[David Spade]

What's your. What's your favorite kind of superhero from the comics? Is it Batman or Superman? You don't have to say because you're in the Superman.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, I mean, you know, it's okay. They can. Superman can handle it. I think growing up, it was like Batman and Wolverine. Those are my guys. I really liked Wolverine. I like the, you know, the naughty little. The nasty boy.

[Dana Carvey]

You know, in this. In the early script I read Dana.

[Beck Bennett]

I don't know if anybody's described Wolverine like that, but he's a nasty boy.

[David Spade]

He's a nasty boy.

[Dana Carvey]

He's a troublemaker.

[Beck Bennett]

He's a troublemaker. Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, in Superman, early drafts, when I got it.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, yeah, he.

[Dana Carvey]

To make it a little different, he. He didn't fly, and he was just walking everywhere. And they're like, this is taking too long and that.

[Beck Bennett]

And they told you that that was the Superman draft.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. They go, superman just to be different. He's not going to fly.

[David Spade]

Crazy.

[Dana Carvey]

So he has to hitchhike, walk. And then it was like he had to walk to Antarctic every time to go to, you know, his house.

[Beck Bennett]

I. That.

[Dana Carvey]

This house. They Brought Krypton closer.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. And they. They made it a house. Instead of the. The fortress of solid.

[Dana Carvey]

It's the ice fortress. By the way, Dana, I don't want to give it everyone away, but that's where he hangs out. That's when he needs to think. Or when he's fighting with Lois Lane.

[David Spade]

I heard the actual title was going to be pretty much Superman.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. And they were going to. It was going to be totally new and original and different.

[David Spade]

Pretty much Superman.

[Beck Bennett]

It was going to be David Spade.

[Dana Carvey]

Superman on the back nine to his house. Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

The whole movie is just the journey to his house.

[Dana Carvey]

I've got a dirty cape on. I'm just.

[David Spade]

Well, actually, David was offered a part in Superman. Like the kryptonite was going to really get to Superman. He's going to be all shrunken down and old and kind of wasted. And David got offered that part, the.

[Dana Carvey]

Part where they push in on him when he's got kryptonite against his face.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

And it gets all wrinkled and smashed. And then they cut to me and they go, is that spade?

[Beck Bennett]

Oh my God. Yeah. And in it, Kryptonite turns Superman into David Spade.

[Dana Carvey]

Hey, who played Mr. Terrific? I like that guy.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, I love him. Eddie Gathegi. Great.

[Dana Carvey]

I think the. He's incredible power team or whatever that. What was that squad?

[Beck Bennett]

The Justice Gang.

[Dana Carvey]

The Justice Gang was good because I don't think they were well known. And I think that's kind of good. It's less distracting in a weird way. Not to cut them down or any. By any means. But it's better because you sort of get to discover what they do. They don't have any hooks already. That preconceived. And that guy was good. And there was a. A bird person.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, Hawk girl, Isabelle. She's awesome.

[Dana Carvey]

And there was a guy.

[David Spade]

Hey, guys, I'm still wanna see the movie.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, that was Nathan Fillion.

[Beck Bennett]

That was Nathan Fillion in the bowl. Cut. He's so funny.

[Dana Carvey]

He is well known. I did not even put that together.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Good job. Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

That was fun.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, it was. It was a blast. Everybody was so, so fun to work with. It was. It was a really great crew. James has this thing where he has like a no assholes policy. So he like checks in on people to make sure they're not assholes before hiring them. And the set for that reason is just.

[Dana Carvey]

We didn't have that. Obviously. Dana.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, Dana would not be able to be hired on a James Gun film.

[Dana Carvey]

Nope.

[David Spade]

The worst is when the directors actively wants sabotage you and the film. Trust me, I won't say the movie. I wasn't in a lot of movies for this reason. But that's. That's what. That's the worst. When the director actually is trying to crash the airplane, basically.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

I was watching a TikTok yesterday. Beck, you'll love this.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

You won't care, but I was watching a TikTok and it was a female, I think, wrestler. And they said, what's your favorite movie? She said, master of Disguise, guys.

[David Spade]

Yes. Yes.

[Dana Carvey]

I should have sent it in. I should have kept. Instead of deleting my Tik Tok, I should have.

[David Spade]

They said it couldn't be done, and they had a point. But $100 million later.

[Beck Bennett]

That. I mean, that my. That just makes me think of something I've laughed at so much, which I'm sure you get this a lot is in the. The. The Dana Carvey show documentary. The. The Cut.

[David Spade]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

That is so funny. I like. I laugh at that multiple times.

[Dana Carvey]

What's that?

[Beck Bennett]

It's. It was like a very special episode of Home Improvement and. Yeah, but too. It's like. It's. It's like. And right after the Daniel Harvey root beer mug.

[David Spade]

Root beer. Diet mug. Root beer. I think diet.

[Beck Bennett]

A real promo about it, Right?

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

It was so funny.

[David Spade]

They showed that cold to Stephen Colbert and he literally, he. He went April, apocalyptic, whatever the word is. But thank you for noticing that. I just want to say you. That you and Kyle, that your sensibility on that show is its own special lane. And I don't even really know how to describe it. Yeah, it's dry, weird, quirky. But when I look at it and all my dancing for my donuts isn't that special. Jumping around. I'm always so, like. Like, that's the stuff I want to do.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

I mean, because it's so. It's so funny and so dry and weird and.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

I don't know how you've gotten that comment before, I assume.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah, definitely. And I mean, you know, it's. It. It's so fun to do. It really makes us laugh. And then, you know, sometimes the audience catches on. But it is so weird. We like.

[David Spade]

Yeah. Like the house. The House with Chris Hemsworth. The way you did the shooting and it was in black and white. And the sincerity and earnest awkwardness of that. I don't.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, that makes me laugh so much. I love that one. The. Like, the After School Special ones, like, beers that we did with beers. David and yeah, yeah. I mean, I'm so. I'm. I really appreciate that we got to do that on the show because it was just. Just odd and strange. I mean, we definitely did one. Did a couple where, like, they just were so flat, like, not. We were like. We did one with Ryan Gosling. It was like a family matter, like, these very special episodes of these, like, classic sitcoms. And we were laughing so hard editing it, and then it, like, played a dress, and it was just enough. It was nothing.

[Dana Carvey]

I like Ryan Gosling. He's pretty fun. Was he fun on there?

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, he's the best. He's. He's so.

[Dana Carvey]

He's up for it.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. And he was like. He. He comes in being like, I like that stuff. I want to do that. And he, like, pushes for it. And, you know.

[David Spade]

He'S probably my favorite host all time, because the episode where they had Beavis and Butthead, like, so the beginning of the show, he's not really breaking, but he's enjoying it so effusively. Every single thing. The monologue, he's kind of, like, just smiling and having so much fun. Maybe because he's a giant international movie star. It wasn't like he didn't care, but he just set up the whole party. It was like the whole show was lifted by his attitude.

[Beck Bennett]

Totally. You can tell he's just having fun. Like he did. I think the first time they did that Kate McKinnon alien abduction sketch, I think he was just, like, breaking.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, is he in that? In the first one? I think he was probably in. Was on the 50th. Was he in that, or was it Meryl Streep?

[David Spade]

No, that was Meryl Streep, but he had one of the famous breaks when Kate landed that. I don't know if it was the first or second time where so funny. And I was back, you know, in the. Under the bleachers with Lauren. I said, is it okay that Ryan's breaking? Oh, of course he's Ryan Golf.

[Dana Carvey]

Let him.

[Beck Bennett]

Because back in your day, did he not like it when you guys broke?

[David Spade]

I'll tell you what.

[Beck Bennett]

No.

[David Spade]

A million percent from 86 until Adam Sandler got there. And he. He wasn't even breaking that much. But him and Farley would kind of. You know, it would deconstruct before that. Really not supposed to break.

[Dana Carvey]

It was.

[David Spade]

It's so Carol Burnett.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, Yeah.

[David Spade]

I mean, that's not what we do here.

[Dana Carvey]

You know, like, don't try to trick the crowd to laugh.

[David Spade]

When. What was it like when you first got there.

[Beck Bennett]

You can't fake it. I mean, I think it was probably a similar thing, but I think it was like, the idea was also though, like, have fun. Go up there and have fun. If you take it too. Because I also think, like, I. I have an acting background as well, so I'm like. So sometimes I would try to take things too seriously. I mean, there was like that pride in not breaking and like staying here.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

But I would definitely be like, you don't need like lighten the grip a little bit. You know what I mean? Like, it took me a couple years to just relax and be like, you want the audience to feel you having fun. Not breaking on purpose by any means, but like, do you remember what you.

[Dana Carvey]

Broke in the first time? Or did you ever poof Putin?

[Beck Bennett]

I think it was.

[Dana Carvey]

You ever in a Debbie Downer?

[Beck Bennett]

No, I wasn't. There was a sketch that Charles Barkley when he hosted and never made it there. And I, I honestly forget everything.

[David Spade]

Terrible. That's just terrible, man. That's just terrible.

[Beck Bennett]

That's terrible. Oh, man. Yeah, he's just doing it.

[Dana Carvey]

That's terrible.

[David Spade]

I think it's terrible. T U R R. It is terrible. Terrible. Who's the.

[Dana Carvey]

There's.

[David Spade]

Can't remember his name. There's an impression as it does that brilliantly.

[Dana Carvey]

You know me on the go.

[David Spade]

You are on the go. And what's. How do you keep going? I mean, that's the. How do I keep this glow energy up? Positive all the time.

[Dana Carvey]

Looking great, positive, good vibes.

[David Spade]

How do you, how do you do it? I'm serious.

[Dana Carvey]

Cachava.

[David Spade]

Oh, that's right. Yeah, yeah, I get it.

[Dana Carvey]

Listen, this is interesting because I, I like this kind of stuff. And this has got, this is great. They've got different flavors, they've got different things. I just. Right now I start with the chocolate. All right, Spot.

[David Spade]

Good idea.

[Dana Carvey]

I also add to it, I put a little, what I put in there. Almond butter, maybe. And a little bit of ice.

[David Spade]

Banana.

[Dana Carvey]

And a little bit of banana. Not a lot. I don't want it too sweet.

[David Spade]

Yeah, yeah, Just a little.

[Dana Carvey]

And a little almond milk. And almond milk. And it's great.

[David Spade]

And some blueber berries. Yeah, yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Grind into a pulp.

[David Spade]

Hey, you've tried the new strawberry flavor, I hope.

[Dana Carvey]

No, that's what I want to try. I'm getting that like I. They have strawberries supercharged and I want to get into that because they have 85 plus superfoods. They have nutrients, plant based ingredients, 25 grams of plant based protein. Antioxidants, adaptogens.

[David Spade]

Six. You heard me right. Six indulgent flavors. Chocolate, vanilla, chai, matcha, coconut, acai and their newest flavor, strawberry.

[Dana Carvey]

Listen, let me pull you aside. I'll tell you something.

[David Spade]

Pull you aside. Well, oh. Oh my goodness. David, it's too.

[Dana Carvey]

I gotcha. I got you.

[David Spade]

You got me. I'm trying to talk about Kachava and I got.

[Dana Carvey]

Contains nutrients to support your strength, energy, digestion, metabolism, cognition and immunity. They're covering a lot here and they got new strawberries. So you've never tasted strawberry like this. Go to kachava.com and use code FLY for 15 off your next order. That's Kachava K A C-H-A-V-A.com code FLY15OFF. Auto Traders powered by Auto Intelligence put simply. Their tools and data sync to your exact budget and preferences to tailor car buying to you. You want a Pink mid size SUV with 22 inch rims and a V8? How about a two door convertible with premium sound system and heated cup holders? Nothing is too specific. Autotrader Powered by Auto Intelligence helps you to find your dream car at the right price in no time because they do all the hard work for you. Imagine going from no clue to new car in no time.

[David Spade]

Learning that fully loaded fits the budget. Finding the car that gives you the feels as much as the deals. Want your car delivered the same way as your lunch order. Yeah, that's the thing with Autotrader Powered by Auto Intelligence. You're in control from your first search to the moment you sign on the dotted line. It's the totally you way to buy a car. Visit autotrader.com to find your perfect ride. My wife's in laws came to visit and they're in their 80s and they're Irish and we wanted to put them up somewhere and so we got an Airbnb and we went to it. It was right in the little town and it was spectacular. It was just amazing and they loved it and so they had privacy in their time. They could walk around the little town and we didn't have to put them up here and have someone say, do you know, could I, where would I get a towel if I needed a towel? You know, that kind of thing.

[Dana Carvey]

Where do you keep your shillelaging?

[David Spade]

Could I get a washcloth please? But anyway, where do you keep your potatoes? They were really. This goes to Ireland. You. No, but they're incredibly sweet and they had a great time. You already have an Airbnb?

[Dana Carvey]

That's right. While you're away. Your home could be an Airbnb. Your home might be worth more than you think. Check it out. Find out how [e-mail] host.

[David Spade]

Did you. One thing about SNL, which I think is kind of interesting, is that they'll give you something you've never done before that's completely outside what you do, and you've got two days to get it. And, you know, I don't know. It's just a funny part of that show.

[Beck Bennett]

I think that's like, what. That's maybe one of the things I. I am so glad that I don't have to do anymore.

[Dana Carvey]

It's like, oh, when they hand you something.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. And it's like, I don't do this, and I'm gonna. It's gonna be bad. And they're like, I don't care. You're the best we got. It's happening tonight or anyone else is.

[Dana Carvey]

Used in this sketch.

[David Spade]

You gotta play this guy.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. You gotta do this impression of somebody you do not have the. The register for.

[David Spade]

You landed Mitch McConnell. You did a great Mitch McConnell.

[Beck Bennett]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

And was that an assignment that week or the first time you did it?

[Beck Bennett]

Like, I think so. Yeah. I wasn't like, I have a Mitch McConnell. Let me do this.

[David Spade]

Right.

[Beck Bennett]

And then, I mean, the prosthetics that, you know, the.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

Got so much better. I think it was maybe with, like, the silicone or something that they were in the three.

[Dana Carvey]

They really get you halfway there, 90% there.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Beck Bennett]

They didn't have that back in the day.

[Dana Carvey]

It's better when they know what you are. Like, I sort of miss also Chevy Chase going, I'm Gerald Ford. There's nothing.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, I know.

[Dana Carvey]

Or Dan Aykroyd. I'm Nixon. Just nothing.

[David Spade]

He's got a mustache.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. And just keeping it really loose.

[Dana Carvey]

It's funny when hosts come in and they have a beard and a mustache and they go, I'm not shaving. And you go, oh, yeah. So it's gonna be hard for you to play these six people, but. All right.

[Beck Bennett]

Right, right. All right, well, we'll cast you as that. We'll write to you as that. I guess I feel like they always end up shaving, but, I mean, not. Not always actually put up a fight.

[David Spade]

Yeah. Oh, trust me. That'll shave.

[Beck Bennett]

Shaved. Trust me, that's Lauren's favorite part of the job, is just getting celebrities to shave their faces.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. Trust me.

[David Spade]

When Lauren says trust me, it normally he makes it come true. Trust me. I Have a plan. If I had a mustache, I'd be curling it right now, but I don't.

[Beck Bennett]

What are you doing? Yeah, yeah.

[David Spade]

Daniel Craig, accent coach. I mean, there's a bunch. I. I just.

[Dana Carvey]

I liked White po. White. White potus.

[Beck Bennett]

White potus. I love that.

[David Spade]

Yes.

[Beck Bennett]

That was really fun.

[Dana Carvey]

POTUS was a big one and brought.

[Beck Bennett]

Putin back for that.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was fun.

[David Spade]

And Putin was just a great notion. He's not gonna ever have his shirt on.

[Beck Bennett]

Right, right.

[David Spade]

You know, and. Well, how did you talk.

[Dana Carvey]

He's the third thresher.

[Beck Bennett]

Sort of like me and our little mischief is enjoying myself.

[David Spade]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That was the funny take. Like a playboy. Super confident. We have nukes. Maybe we'll use them.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. I don't know. Control. Yeah, it's.

[Dana Carvey]

It's good when you don't do an exact impression because it's too boring. So you got to screw with it a little bit. Make it.

[Beck Bennett]

Voice is more like. It's more like this little. It's like high pitch, you know, like, it's like higher pitch, quiet, barely talks.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. Always serious.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, serious. Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

I mean, the White POTUS is the funniest name. You had to do that sketch. When someone thought of that, it's like, I know.

[Beck Bennett]

It was Colin Jost. And I was like, yes, I will. Absolutely. It was so funny, so perfect. But, yeah, that was like, the impression, I feel like that I really did. That thing with that they try to teach you is like, you know, you don't have to do an exact impression, just like, capture the essence and have fun with it. And it was wild how, like, I had been on the show for three years maybe, and did that, and then it was like another. Like, you're, you know, just another level of recognition, you know?

[David Spade]

Oh, yeah. You're all over those cold openings.

[Beck Bennett]

And like, it was on Russian TV at one point.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, really?

[Beck Bennett]

I was like, okay, cool.

[Dana Carvey]

You, like, crushing on Russian? Were you scared they'd be Russian on Russian?

[David Spade]

Russian on Russian. Man, was I.

[Beck Bennett]

Was I afraid that. What?

[Dana Carvey]

That. That he'd come after you, say, yeah, I just want to talk to you.

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, yeah, Yeah. I was. It was. I was like, he knows about it. So if he. If. Yeah. I mean, like, at the same time, I'm like, it's. It's silly that I get that. Would get nervous. I'm like, he would never come for me. That'd be stupid, even if he wanted to. But there was definitely a couple moments of like, should I be doing this? Is this weird?

[Dana Carvey]

Maybe it's funny. I make him look like, what's that?

[David Spade]

If I. If I come to Moscow, will you hurt me? Of course.

[Beck Bennett]

I love you.

[David Spade]

I love.

[Dana Carvey]

Good sketch.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

Now everyone's doing your impression.

[Dana Carvey]

All right, Dana, what else we have for Young back?

[David Spade]

I would just say, you know, because this show's a little bit cornball in the sense that here we are casually going over, which is an intense, incredible part of anybody's life. It's just. Just a fact. It's just an absolute fact. And so congratulations. You know, you had a great run on that show. You're brilliant on that show, and everyone knows who you are, and I think.

[Dana Carvey]

You should luck with Superman soon.

[Beck Bennett]

Thank you. I think I should host, too. Yeah, it's really. It really is amazing. I mean, you guys have been out for a couple years now. Yeah. But it is, it is wild. It's like you leave. Everything that Lauren says is kind of true. You know, he's like, this is kind of where you're going to be the funniest and it's going to stick with you forever. Once you're a part of it, you're always a part of it. Things like that, where I leave and I'm like, oh, yeah. Like, it really is like a version of. Of home. And I like. It is. It has informed kind of everything that I've done. You know, it's such a great training and it is. It really stays with you. And even though, even though you're on the show, like, you're always a cast member and you have everybody else.

[Dana Carvey]

Is that a card behind you?

[Beck Bennett]

Oh, it is. Yeah. That was, that was unintentional. That is. Save your thank yous for later, Beck. And we're back. And live from New York, it's Saturday Night.

[David Spade]

The first time I said David, because of what Beck just said. What did Chris Rock say to you about directing a movie and juxtaposing that with snl? Didn't Chris say something? Like, something the effect of anybody can direct a movie. If you can do Saturday Night Live, you can direct a movie. It's like, it's so crazy hard at.

[Dana Carvey]

Times because I always say directing is too hard. He's like, nah, nah. You directed sketches. You, you, you don't even know it. You already did it.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah, yeah. It really, it really does apply to every other part of the business I feel like so.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, thank you, brother.

[Beck Bennett]

Yeah. Thank you guys so much for having me on. Love you guys.

[David Spade]

Our pleasure.

[Beck Bennett]

Love you the best.

[David Spade]

We'll run into one of these days. Well, that was Beck Bennett, everybody.

[Dana Carvey]

Beck Bennett, who I forgot to ask him about. Like he said, or I had read earlier that Steven Spielberg and Louis CK had seen him early on his improv life. Spielberg talk to.

[David Spade]

Yeah, they love.

[Dana Carvey]

That's kind of cool.

[David Spade]

Good Neighbor was a. A big one of the first YouTube hits. 2007 sketch comedy on YouTube. So, yeah, that's what got them going.

[Dana Carvey]

Arrested Development. And also he has a podcast coming out and the name of it is.

[David Spade]

What's our podcast?

[Dana Carvey]

That's with Kyle Mooney.

[David Spade]

Kyle Mooney, Yeah. In August, produced by Head Gum, Bad Gum.

[Dana Carvey]

You know, I just saw Y2K, which Kyle's movie he talked about when he was on here. Anyway, we. That was fun. Talking about him doing Putin and White POTUS and. And Superman, of course. Superman. What a big, big thing to do.

[David Spade]

Yeah, it's, you know, when we have people, SNL alums who did eight years and, you know, you want to touch on that and then the movie. So we, I guess we kind of bounced around back and forth the whole time, you know. Well, you just. Ideas pop in your head. Well, I want to get to this one. Then we'll go back to Superman. So.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, for sure.

[David Spade]

But it's a easy conversation.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. Cool. Dude jacked in. The movie looks ripped. And hope everybody liked it. And we'll see you next week. I guess next time. We'll see you twice this week.

[David Spade]

We'll keep putting out two hours of television content each week.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, we really shove it down your gullet. So love it.

[David Spade]

If you miss an episode. Don't, don't feel bad. We'll be the ones who'll feel bad. But we'll. Yeah, it's okay.

[Dana Carvey]

Go back and watch all of them from the beginning and catch up.

[David Spade]

Yeah, yeah, we are. Our goal is to entertain. We. We don't want anyone to listen or see one of our podcasts and go, you know what? That just burns my beans.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, we don't need anyone unentertained. Okay, bye. Hey, guys, if you're loving this podcast, which you are, be sure to click follow on your favorite podcast app, Give us review 5 star rating and maybe even share an episode that you've loved with a friend.

[David Spade]

If you're watching this episode on YouTube, please subscribe. We're on video now.

[Dana Carvey]

Fly on the Wall is presented by Odyssey and executive produced by Danny Carvey and David Spade, Heather Santoro and Greg Holtzman, Maddie Sprung Keyser and Leah Reese Dennis of Odyssey.

[David Spade]

Our senior producer is Greg Holtzman and the show is produced and edited by Phil Sweet.

[Dana Carvey]

Tech booking by Cultivated Entertainment.

[David Spade]

Special thanks to Patrick Fogarty, Evan Cox, Maura Curran, Melissa Western, Hilary Schuff, Eric Donnelly, Colin Gaynor, Sean Cherry, Kirk Courtney and Lauren Vieira.

[Dana Carvey]

Reach out with us. Any questions be asked and answered on the show? You can email [e-mail] that's a U-A C-Y dot com.