Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Episode: Isla Fisher Has The Best Friend Group
Date: October 23, 2025
Guest: Isla Fisher
Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI

Episode Overview

This episode of Fly on the Wall brings the lively Isla Fisher into the fold with hosts Dana Carvey and David Spade. The trio delivers an irreverent, fun conversation that covers Isla’s eclectic acting career, anecdotes from Hollywood, behind-the-scenes stories about her latest films, and the tight-knit Australian actor community. Isla’s natural wit and banter shine as she discusses working on the third Now You See Me film, juggling career and motherhood, and her enviable circle of friends.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

Introductions & Relationship Dynamics

[03:32–06:10]

• Dana and David set the tone with their signature casual humor.
• Isla recounts an awkward/funny near-matchmaking story involving Spade and a friend, resulting in running jokes about “picking up at 4 o’clock.”
• Isla jokes about her recent divorce and maintaining privacy:

  “I don't really want to comment on that because there are children involved.” (06:44, Isla)

Isla’s Career Beginnings & Accents

[08:48–10:08]

• Clarification of Isla’s name (it’s Fisher, not Fischer) and birthplace—born in Oman, raised in Australia.
• Early acting in the Australian soap “Home and Away.”
• Discusses blending accents and the small Australian acting community.
• On her shifting accent:

  “I think it's Australian... I'm not sure.” (09:48, Isla)

The “Now You See Me” Franchise

[11:01–17:47]

• Isla talks about returning for the third movie, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (in theaters November 14).
• On what makes the films so appealing:

  “It has a lot of magic, and we love magic. It's an action. It's a heist movie, and it's what we love.” (15:36, Isla)

• The cast play a game describing their co-stars in one word; Isla’s choices:
  • Jesse Eisenberg: “Hilarious”
  • Woody Harrelson: “Adorable”
  • Dave Franco: “BFF”
  • Dominic Sessa: “Kind”
  • Ariana Greenblatt: “Sweet”
  • Justice Smith: “Clever”
  • David Spade: “Handsome” (13:35)
• Discusses the practical magic on set and the teamwork involved:

  “Everything that you see our characters do, do you do them? Yeah. So one's a mentalist... and then you've got the sleight of hand, and then you've got these different types... coming together, like a kind of Avenger group.” (17:02, Isla)

Stunts and On-Set Dangers

[20:15–21:39]

• Isla recalls her “drowning” scene in a tank:

  “So I was never at. In any genuine peril. But it did feel like at the time that it wasn't fun... Less Little Mermaid and more just like middle aged woman thrashing in the tank.” (21:09–21:32, Isla)

• She and David Spade share stories of anxiety around water in stunts.

The Australian Actor Network

[23:43–24:44]

• Isla talks about the “koala mafia” of Aussie actors in Hollywood.
• Discusses how government support for the arts has grown in Australia:

  “We have state funded drama schools. And there's a lot of money in the arts.” (24:01, Isla)

Behind the Scenes: Woody Harrelson & Cast Games

[25:17–26:18]

• Woody Harrelson is described as a joy to work with.
• Isla shares an addictive on-set game called “Fingers.”
• On the game’s appeal:

  “When Woody and Dave crack it, it’s nothing. It’s like a mental magic thing.” (25:52, Isla)

• Group enthusiasm for magic and slight-of-hand keeps the camaraderie strong.

Character Acting and Range

[32:23–34:13]

• Isla considers herself a “character actor,” something she’s proud of:

  “I feel like I'm a bit more of a character actor. I feel really lucky about that.” (32:34, Isla)

• David and Dana riff about Daniel Craig as a “character actor.”

Writing and Personal Projects

[35:03–35:43]

• Isla co-wrote YA novels with her mother at 18, including “Bewitched” and “Seduced by Fame.”

• “I was like 18 and so I hadn't even... had a boyfriend at that point. So it was quite awkward with my mum pitching quite racy things.” (35:08, Isla)

Isla’s Famous Friend Group

[35:55–36:30]

• Talks about her best celebrity friends:
  “Chelsea Handler, Annabelle Wallis, Natalie Portman, Michelle B. I absolutely love her.” (36:08, Isla)
• On Natalie Portman:

  “You know why you don't see her? Because she lives...in France. In Paris.” (36:28, Isla)

SNL and Missed Opportunities

[38:33–39:15]

• Isla was approached to do SNL after “Hot Rod” but scheduling conflicts interfered.
• Expresses enthusiasm for the show and being a fan:

  “I would love to do it. Love, love, love...I just love watching it.” (39:15, Isla)

Casting and Audition Stories: “Wedding Crashers”

[40:47–41:44]

• Isla auditioned five times for “Wedding Crashers.”
• Chose to play her character in a “Glenn Close from Fatal Attraction” style.

• “I thought it’d be funny if she was a bit more Glenn Close from Fatal Attraction... in the edit, it did work better that she was more threatening than she was a little unhinged.” (41:18–41:44, Isla)

Philosophy, Humor, and Lighthearted Banter

Ongoing

• Humor about Australian stereotypes, large feet, barbecues with Paul Hogan, Scooby-Doo impressions, debates about The Beatles vs. Queen, Daniel Craig, and more.
• Self-deprecating jokes from Spade and Carvey:

  “I don't challenge myself. And I've been doing the same part for. Since the beginning.” (43:36, Dana)

• Isla on her drive:

  “I was really ambitious under the age of 10, then I kind of peaked by 12...” (44:56, Isla)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the “koala mafia”:
  “We do all hang out. It is like a bit of a koala mafia.” (23:43, Isla)
• On writing with her mum:
  “It was quite awkward with my mum pitching quite racy things.” (35:08, Isla)
• Magic on and off screen:
  “I don't ever want to figure out magic. It's one of the few things I. Because I'm too smart, and that's one.” (26:26, David)
• Comedy about feet:
  “I've always had very large feet.” (34:23, Isla)
• On new roles post-Wedding Crashers:
  “It changed my career because until then I felt like I hadn't really done comedies before and I wasn't really, like, considered for them. And then I got like a whole other...” (43:11–43:20, Isla)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:32: Episode intro, Isla joins, “picking up at 4 o'clock” gag
• 08:48: Name and birthplace clarification, early acting in Australia
• 11:01: Now You See Me series details, magic and stunts discussion
• 13:13: Co-star associations, “one word” game
• 20:15: Learning/practicing stunts, water tank scene
• 23:43: Australian actor community and arts support
• 25:17: Woody Harrelson and on-set cast games
• 32:30: Character acting, distinction from leading roles
• 35:03: Co-writing novels with her mother
• 35:55: Celebrity friend group, discussion of Natalie Portman
• 38:33: SNL conversations and fanhood
• 40:47: “Wedding Crashers” audition and process
• 43:11: How “Wedding Crashers” changed Isla’s career
• 44:56: Childhood ambition and family background

Tone and Vibe

• Freewheeling, rapid-fire banter with moments of genuine candor
• Humorous yet insightful, embracing both the absurdity of Hollywood and relatable human moments
• Isla Fisher is open, good-natured, and quick with self-deprecation, while Spade and Carvey keep the conversation dynamic and playful

Conclusion

This episode is a breezy, bright look into Isla Fisher’s real-world friendships, behind-the-scenes hilarity, and career evolution, with Spade and Carvey amplifying the fun. Whether you love magic, want showbiz stories, or crave gags about Australians and Hollywood, this episode delivers a healthy dose of laughter, insight, and heart.