Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade: Featuring Iliza Shlesinger Episode Release Date: February 26, 2025
Presented by Audacy

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade, hosts Dana Carvey and David Spade welcome renowned comedian Iliza Shlesinger. The trio delves deep into Iliza's comedic journey, her creative process, experiences in the entertainment industry, and her upcoming projects. The conversation is peppered with humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions about the nuances of stand-up comedy.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Iliza shares her rapid ascent in the comedy world, highlighting her transition from open mics to headlining clubs within three years—a feat she considers challenging.

Iliza Shlesinger [02:49]: "She's someone who went to her first open mic and then was a headliner in clubs within three years, which is not easy to do."

Dana playfully contrasts her own longer journey in stand-up:

Dana Carvey [03:05]: "That took me three years to learn how to hold the mic."

David adds humorously about his limited stage time initially:

David Spade [03:10]: "I had about, you know, 14 minutes."

Stand-Up Process and Special “A Different Animal”

The conversation shifts to Iliza's meticulous stand-up process and her upcoming Amazon Prime special titled “A Different Animal”.

Iliza Shlesinger [14:56]: "My new special is out on Amazon March 11th."

Iliza elaborates on the challenges of refining jokes without over-reliance on recordings:

Iliza Shlesinger [15:31]: "I tend to listen back if it's a brand new joke. Like, my new special is out on Amazon March 11th... and that's gonna be a good one because I've seen some of the stuff she's doing on it."

Dana and David discuss the emotional toll of reviewing one's own performances:

Iliza Shlesinger [16:54]: "It's weird. It's like, so this is something I wish on other people, but I can't watch myself."

Comedic Anecdotes and Industry Insights

The hosts and Iliza share numerous humorous stories from their careers, including mishaps during introductions and interactions with fellow comedians.

David recounts an incident where he mistakenly mispronounced Iliza's name:

David Spade [48:51]: "I said her name wrong. It's a tricky name."

Iliza appreciates David's genuine apology, highlighting the camaraderie among comedians:

Iliza Shlesinger [52:41]: "I couldn't believe that someone of your stature, that someone that David Spade was reaching down to little me to be like, hey, sorry about that."

Balancing Personal Life and Comedy

Iliza opens up about managing her career alongside her personal life, including motherhood and maintaining her comedic edge.

Iliza Shlesinger [25:02]: "I showed my daughter a bunch of In Living Color and tried to explain why certain sketches are funny."

She discusses the impact of her comedy on her family and how she introduces her daughter to humor.

Insights on the Comedy Industry

The trio delves into the dynamics of the comedy scene, discussing topics like sexual harassment, sustaining a career, and the evolution of stand-up platforms.

Iliza shares her proactive approach to bypassing challenges in the industry:

Iliza Shlesinger [14:06]: "I was able to sort of become a headliner and bypass a lot of sexual harassment very early on."

David reflects on the relentless nature of stand-up:

David Spade [12:45]: "The other night I actually got up and I seldom do this with just a list of jokes that I have written that I haven't gotten to."

Upcoming Projects and Collaborations

Iliza reveals details about her upcoming Amazon Prime special, emphasizing the hard work and preparation behind the scenes.

Iliza Shlesinger [55:21]: "I wrote it. It's a... It's based on a true story, and I starred in it, and it's available for streaming 24 hours a day."

She also hints at potential collaborations and future endeavors, maintaining an air of excitement about her evolving career.

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with light-hearted banter about outfit choices for performances and humorous takes on audience interactions. Iliza promotes her special one last time, receiving heartfelt support from both Dana and David.

Dana Carvey [55:36]: "A different animal. Amazon Prime, March 11th."

David commends Iliza's upcoming projects, reinforcing the episode's supportive and friendly atmosphere.

David Spade [55:38]: "So vouch for that."

Notable Quotes

• Iliza Shlesinger [16:54]: "It's like, so this is something I wish on other people, but I can't watch myself."
• Dana Carvey [03:05]: "That took me three years to learn how to hold the mic."
• David Spade [48:51]: "I said her name wrong. It's a tricky name."

Conclusion

This episode of Fly on the Wall offers an intimate glimpse into Iliza Shlesinger's life as a comedian, her professional triumphs, and the personal experiences that shape her humor. Dana Carvey and David Spade create a welcoming environment that not only entertains but also provides valuable insights into the world of stand-up comedy.

For those who missed the episode, tune in to Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade on Audacy to catch up on all the laughs and stories shared by one of today's most dynamic comedic talents.