Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Episode: "Martin Short Got Eddie Vedder to Quit Smoking???"
Original Air Date: February 19, 2026
Guest: Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, David Spade and Dana Carvey welcome rock legend Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. The trio dives into a vibrant mix of music history, the Seattle scene, memories from Saturday Night Live, and deeply personal conversations about loss, supporting medical causes, and the occasionally absurd interconnections of celebrity life. Highlights include reminiscences about SNL’s 1990s heyday, behind-the-scenes stories about charity events, reflections on musical influence, and, yes—the comedy of Martin Short convincing Vedder to quit smoking.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Seattle Scene and 'Grunge' Ambivalence

• (10:18–14:33) Eddie Vedder reflects on the Seattle music community’s reluctance toward commercial success, the supportive but understated nature of its scene, and the complex emotions surrounding Pearl Jam's explosive rise.

  • Quote [13:53] – Vedder: "To be honest, there was a real thing in Seattle where ambition was kind of looked down upon."

• (14:07) The hosts discuss the rapid ascendancy of bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Metallica, and others in 1991, emphasizing the sense of a 'mini renaissance' in music.

2. SNL Memories & Iconic Bands

• (14:54–18:33) The episode explores Pearl Jam’s early SNL performances. Vedder recalls the awe and weight of playing the show, interacting with iconic cast members, and even being invited to play extra songs due to fewer strong sketches—a rare SNL moment.

  • Quote [16:46] – Carvey: "You got three songs. That is so rare…I thought, holy, look at this spoiled dude!"
  • Quote [17:01] – Vedder: "They told us until after the first rehearsal show…do you want to do one more?"

• (17:36–17:49) Discussions swirl around which cast members were on 'Weekend Update,' with shoutouts to Kevin Nealon, Dennis Miller, and Norm Macdonald.

3. On Musical Inspiration & Legends

• (20:48–24:04) Vedder and the hosts discuss influences: Neil Young (“Godfather of Grunge”) and Roger Daltrey of The Who, drawing parallels to Vedder’s own emotional vocal style.

  • Quote [21:00] – Vedder: “The sound of his [Neil Young's] amp up close…like standing next to an erupting volcano…”

• (24:24–27:37) An exploration of the creative 'zone'—both in music and stand-up. Vedder tells a behind-the-scenes story: vocals recorded five hours apart, one while drunk, seamlessly merged on the record.

  • Quote [27:19] – Vedder: “I remember that, or I remember not remembering that.”

4. Heartfelt Tributes and Loss

• (06:51–09:27) Emotional memories of Catherine O’Hara are shared, from her joy- and laughter-filled presence to her deep impact on friends and fans.

  • Quote [07:17] – Vedder: “I was just absolutely gutted. She was everything and more…such an incredible energy.”

• Shout-outs to John Candy, Martin Short, and the 'Canadian' comedy lineage.

5. EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) Advocacy & Documentary

• (02:34, 31:34–43:18) A large segment centers on Vedder’s 15-year involvement in raising money and awareness for EB, a rare skin condition. The conversation covers the new Netflix documentary, personal anecdotes from benefit events, and the evolving landscape of genetic research.
  • Quote [33:31] – Vedder: "This film…it’s really full of [heroes] because you see how heroic and courageous these kids are..."
  • The organization’s name: EB Research Partnership (EBRP)
  • Fundraisers feature music and comedy, sometimes with high-profile musicians and comedians such as Zach Galifianakis and Chris Cornell.

6. The Power of Community & Philanthropy

• (40:19–43:18) Vedder details the shift to "venture philanthropy" and the scientific breakthroughs enabled by EB fundraisers. Noteworthy is that 'angel donors' cover administrative costs, so all public donations support research directly.

7. On Rock Voices and Influences

• (28:17–30:24) Spade, Carvey, and Vedder riff on iconic rock vocalists: Bon Scott, Tiny Tim, Bowie, Steve Perry, Sting, and more. Personal stories about Sting’s lesser-known German collaborations arise.

  • Quote [29:27] – Vedder: "Sting's voice can cut through the clouds."

• (30:32–30:38) Comic aside regarding meeting Stewart Copeland and Ringo Starr at a birthday bash, underscoring the wild intersections of music and comedy worlds.

8. The SNL Crossover and Shared Gigs

• (51:00–54:38) Lively banter about near-miss SNL bits, including Vedder nearly joining Carvey’s infamous “Choppin’ Broccoli” sketch and appearing in a pirate costume for a live musical show alongside Lady Gaga.
  • Quote [52:16] – Vedder: "Well, the thing is, I agreed to work with you, and then next thing you know, they had me dressed up as a pirate."

9. From Lightning & Thunder to Hugh Jackman

• (46:33–50:46) Talk of the film Song Sung Blue and the real-life performance journey of 'Lightning' and how Vedder supported them, ultimately leading to a biopic starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

10. The Beatles and Musical Reverence

• (55:03–58:24) A collective gush over The Beatles’ genius, from their tight early pop to later innovations, with mutual fandom for albums like the White Album and Revolver.
  • Quote [57:26] – Vedder: "My uncle had a Memorex tape…it just said ‘Revolver, White Album.’ And that was one of my first forays into the heavy stuff."
• Vedder shares the surreal experience of collaborating with Ringo Starr for his solo album Earthlings.

11. The Power of a Martin Short One-Liner

• (58:40–60:50) The episode’s centerpiece anecdote: Martin Short’s razor wit helps Vedder quit smoking. During COVID, Marty checks in and, after hearing Vedder is smoking again, quips:
  • Quote [60:35] – Martin Short (as recounted by Vedder): "Oh, are you still waiting for more literature on that?"
  • Quote [60:44] – Vedder: "And that was the last time I ever had a cigarette."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [13:53] Eddie Vedder (on Seattle):
  "To be honest, there was a real thing in Seattle where ambition was kind of looked down upon."

• [16:46] Dana Carvey:
  "You got three songs. That is so rare...I thought, holy, look at this spoiled dude!"

• [21:00] Eddie Vedder (on Neil Young):
  "The sound of his amp up close…like standing next to an erupting volcano…"

• [33:31] Eddie Vedder (on the EB doc):
  "This film…it’s really full of [heroes] because you see how heroic and courageous these kids are..."

• [52:16] Eddie Vedder (on SNL):
  "Well, the thing is, I agreed to work with you, and then next thing you know, they had me dressed up as a pirate."

• [57:26] Eddie Vedder (on The Beatles):
  "My uncle had a Memorex tape…it just said ‘Revolver, White Album.’ And that was one of my first forays into the heavy stuff."

• [60:35] Martin Short (as recounted by Vedder):
  "Oh, are you still waiting for more literature on that?"

• [60:44] Eddie Vedder:
  "And that was the last time I ever had a cigarette. Really."

Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• [07:17] Tribute to Catherine O’Hara – Vedder’s emotional description of losing one of comedy’s brightest talents.
• [21:00] Inside Neil Young's Creative Trance – Vedder’s impressionistic depiction of Young channeling music “like a shaman.”
• [27:19] “I remember not remembering that” – Vedder’s honest laugh about being ‘in the zone’ (and a little drunk) recording vocals.
• [33:31–36:37] EB Documentary’s Impact – Vedder describes the courage and community around the EB doc and benefit events.
• [52:16] Pirate Vedder on SNL – The surreal moment of rock royalty conscripted into an SNL pirate sketch.
• [58:40–60:50] Martin Short’s Life-Changing Quip – The one-liner that pushed Vedder to quit smoking.

Timestamps: Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:51–09:27 | Tribute to Catherine O'Hara and rare comedy community bonds | | 10:18–14:33 | Discussion on Seattle scene, grunge, ambition | | 14:54–18:33 | SNL memories, iconic 1991 albums, and breaking onto TV | | 20:48–24:04 | Musical influences: Daltrey, Neil Young, the 'zone' | | 31:34–43:18 | The fight against EB, Netflix doc, and medical philanthropy | | 51:00–54:38 | SNL crossovers, sketch near-misses, performing on stage/TV | | 46:33–50:46 | The Song Sung Blue story, supporting fellow artists | | 55:03–58:24 | Beatles fandom, Ringo’s drumming, memories of musical discovery | | 58:40–60:50 | Martin Short’s quick-hit that ended Vedder’s smoking habit |

Final Thoughts

This episode is quintessential "Fly on the Wall"—a blend of comedy, showbiz stories, and sincere humanitarian advocacy. Eddie Vedder brings wisdom, warmth, and surprising vulnerability. The chemistry among the hosts and guest is palpable, oscillating between irreverent humor and moments of true gravity. For fans of music, SNL, and the weirdly beautiful interconnectedness of the entertainment world, this is a must-listen.