Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Episode: iHeart’s Best Comedy Podcast Reigning Champs Will Defend Their Title… Or Will They?

Release Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: Dana Carvey & David Spade
Guest/Contributor: Heather Santoro

Overview

In this lively episode, Dana Carvey and David Spade riff on their status as last year's reigning iHeartRadio Best Comedy Podcast champs and examine the confusion—and controversy—around this year's nominations. The duo dives into showbiz award categories, the blurred lines between comedy and other genres, Golden Globes reflections, SNL war stories, fitness philosophies, and tales from their entertainment careers. Along the way, they touch on trending movies, pop culture oddities, and their trademark “fly on the wall” banter, peppered with bits and impressions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

iHeart Comedy Podcast Award Nomination Confusion

[03:24 – 07:04]

• Controversy: David brings up that they may not be nominated this year, despite being last year's winners.
  • “We have the Lombardi trophy. Any comers? Even though we will lose. Wait, why are we not nominated?” (David, 01:37)
• Roster rundown: Confusion over the actual nominees; Amy Poehler has multiple nominations.
  • “It’s an Amy Poehler year. Who’s who we love so. And well deserved. But yeah, she's got like six, seven nominations.” (Dana, 04:35)
• Category blurring: Discussion of how non-comedy podcasts (like true crime) sneak into comedy categories.
  • “Some comedy podcasts to me are about like murder and stuff. I think people jump over to sneak in a comedy category when they're not fully…” (David, 06:29)
  • Dana proposes a new podcast: "Murder, Murder, Murder—with exclamation points after each Murder." (07:11)

Commentary on Award Shows and Comedy Categories

[07:30 – 11:30]

• Golden Globes: Both discuss the comedy/musical category and movies that don’t fit.
  • "That it was in the comedy category really made me laugh." (Dana, 07:40)
• Nikki Glaser’s hosting: Praise for Nikki's jokes and style at the Golden Globes.
  • “She crushed it again. She looked great, she was funny and she did some sketches.” (Dana, 10:41)
• Commentary on Wanda Sykes’ hosting: David notes how some jokes about race or gender have a double standard.
  • "When she comes out and says, I am here because a queer black woman can do better than two mediocre white guys—it's just hard...everyone laughs. It’s hysterical." (David, 10:49)

The Evolving Nature of Comedy and Political Jokes

[14:51 – 15:43]

• Trump Joke Fatigue: Conan O’Brien’s points on easy Trump jokes and the prevalence of “clapter” (audience applause for opinion rather than laughter).
  • "We've said that sometimes people rely too much on Trump because it can be a hat on a hat." (David, 14:51)
  • "Instead of a joke, it's like Trump, and if you have the right audience, you might get a standing ovation. So it's a different environment." (Dana, 15:22)

Listener Reactions & Podcasting Meta-Talk

[15:43 – 17:14]

• David and Dana share anecdotes about meeting fans, comment on the stripped-down, DIY nature of podcasting.
  • "It's us talking and everybody and Amy and everybody. It's just people in rooms talking. There's no real production." (Dana, 16:34)
  • They joke about podcast set decoration: "In podcasting, there's like, you gotta have a plant, man." (Dana, 17:08)

Banter: Fitness, Health, and Domestic Life

[17:32 – 21:11]

• Debate about stairs as exercise: Dana advocates for intentional, mindful movement, and even offers detailed advice on stair form.
  • "If you just carefully go up and consciously walk up the stairs, go, ‘Oh, in your place, I get to walk up the stairs. One step at a time. Push from the glute.’" (Dana, 18:56)
• Stories of SNL physical comedy leading to lasting injuries.
  • "I got so many Saturday Night Live shoulder doing Dan Quayle over an ottoman...Grade three separation." (Dana, 20:21)
• Dirty massage joke bit from David.

Movie Reviews & Industry Talk

[22:21 – 25:08]

• Housemaid: Dana becomes a champion for the sleeper hit, praising performances and box office success.
  • “The performances are brilliant. And the way it all ties together, the music, the story, the ending. I think it's like, just a sleeper movie.” (Dana, 23:39)
• Primate trailer: Joking about the over-the-top horror movie marketing.
  • “People were throwing up and having diarrhea…Netflix doesn't think they can even air this.” (David, 25:57)

Hollywood and Career Anecdotes

[25:57 – 33:12]

• Brainstorming mock movie pitches: dinosaurs, aliens, and “Flintstones simulation.”
• SNL backstage stories; Dana tries “Yabba Dabba Doo” for Biden but is told by Lorne Michaels to swap it out.
  • “Lauren just comes. Dressroom just says, Oh, yabba daba dabadoo. And I said, all right, I'll change it, I'll change it.” (Dana, 28:56)
• Excitement over possible future projects (“Busboys” movie, guest prospects).

Pop Culture, Impressions, and Hair

[35:11 – 39:32]

• Discussion of mullet contests, with nods to “Joe Dirt” and a desire to host future contests.
  • “I want to host a mullet contest. We should do that next year.” (David, 37:44)
• Banter about wrestler Nick Nemeth’s podcast and the “Hollywood Minute.”
  • “The Hollywood minute thing, yours was specific to Hollywood stars.” (Dana, 40:05)
• Morning show anecdotes and Regis Philbin impressions.

SNL and Hollywood Lore

[47:00 – 50:07]

• Hollywood "brush with fame" stories (e.g., David and Dana’s Julia Roberts/Kiefer Sutherland tale).
• Dana’s SNL and film career reflections (ad-libbing with Richard Pryor in “Moving”).

Lighthearted Observations & Bits

[51:01 – 54:28]

• Mr. Beast reality show discussion; game show betrayals.
  • “He falls down in Shame. And everyone goes, what? They've been there for days. What?” (David, 51:19)
  • Dana proposes: “I'm going to have a show called Mr. Beastie. And I'll be Mr. Beastie. And there'll be people competing and betraying each other.” (Dana, 54:12)
• Jokes about “animals with people names,” old horror movies (“Willard,” “Ben").

Closing: Reflections & Final Impressions

[58:08 – 59:43]

• Dana shares a “Laura Dern” running award show joke; discuss Nikki Glaser’s roasts at the Golden Globes.
  • “What made me laugh just as a. As a comedian occasionally was how sincere she was. Nikki with, you're great. I love you. You're so great. And then just complete. You're too so great.” (Dana, 58:53)
• Closing laughs and shout-outs to fellow nominees.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's an honor to just talk about being nominated. That's pretty good. Hang."
  — Dana Carvey, [05:45]

• "In 2023 the comedy podcast, the year in I heart was Son of Sam. The entire season was dedicated to Son of Sam. And I guess it was funny. I don't know."
  — Dana Carvey, [06:51]

• "When she comes out and says, I am here because a queer black woman can do better than two mediocre white guys, it's just hard. If I said I'm here because I'm better than two mediocre black women, I mean, who could say that?"
  — David Spade, [10:49]

• "I've talked to people, everyone loves Kubrick...great movies need to be seen more than once."
  — Dana Carvey, [08:27]

• "It's tempting in a way. If you have an audience and they have a very strong point of view about anything, and you kind of co sign it, you don't necessarily have to be hilarious... It's different than a laugh. You get more of a woo."
  — Dana Carvey, [15:43]

• "If you just carefully go up and consciously walk up the stairs...one step at a time. Push from the glute. One step at a time. Make it a workout."
  — Dana Carvey, [18:56]

• "The performances are brilliant. And the way it all ties together, the music, the story, the ending. I think it's just a sleeper movie."
  — Dana Carvey, [23:39]

• "I want to host a mullet contest. We should do that next year. I'm going to call Barstool Sports... let's go host a mullet."
  — David Spade, [37:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• iHeart Nomination Confusion: 03:24 – 07:04
• Comedy Category Blurring: 06:29 – 07:11
• Golden Globes & Nikki Glaser: 09:50 – 11:30
• Conan/Trump Jokes Discussion: 14:51 – 15:43
• Meta-Podcasting Talk: 16:34 – 17:14
• Stairs & Fitness: 17:32 – 21:11
• Housemaid & Primate Movie Reviews: 22:21 – 25:08
• Flintstones/SNL Anecdote: 28:56
• Hollywood “Brush with Fame” Stories: 47:00 – 50:07
• Mullet Contest & Joe Dirt: 36:28 – 39:32
• Mr. Beast Bit: 51:01 – 54:28
• Award Show Jokes & Closing: 58:08 – 59:43

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is classic Carvey & Spade: loose, irreverent, playful, and occasionally self-deprecating. The conversation bounces rapidly between personal anecdotes, showbiz observations, and spontaneous riffs—full of improvisation, impressions, and running gags. The rapport is lighthearted but sharp, with plenty of meta-commentary on the comedy industry and their place within it.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a healthy dose of behind-the-scenes absurdity and insight into the world of comedy podcasts, award shows, and pop culture. Whether poking fun at the ever-shifting criteria for “comedy,” reflecting on career war stories, or simply riffing on mullets and movie trailers, Dana and David remain in top comedic form. Fans and newcomers alike will feel like true flies on the showbiz wall.