Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Episode: Michael McKean Returns… Just Like Spinal Tap

Release Date: September 11, 2025
Guest: Michael McKean

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes Michael McKean back to the show—a multi-talented actor, comedian, and musician best known for “Spinal Tap,” “Laverne & Shirley,” and numerous film and TV roles. The conversation is a nostalgic, inside look into comedy, improv, showbiz stories, the making and legacy of "This Is Spinal Tap," and the hotly-anticipated sequel. With hosts Dana Carvey and David Spade riffing along, the episode delivers a mix of behind-the-scenes tales, humor, and thoughtful insights about the craft, including memorable experiences with comedic icons and industry legends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Vacation Stories

• McKean kicks off with a funny memory about cramped family trips to Lake Ronan, Montana, sharing how “the cabins [were so flimsy] you could see through the walls,” and how Airbnb would have changed the game for big family trips ([00:00–00:32]).

2. Introducing McKean & Spinal Tap 2

• Spade and Carvey introduce McKean’s legendary status, his work in Christopher Guest films, SNL, and tease "Spinal Tap 2."
• Fun riffing on fake sequel titles:
  • David: “‘The End of the Beginning’—it’s kind of funny” ([03:33]).
  • McKean: “‘It’s One Higher’—two is more than one. Eleven” ([03:40]).
• They joke about the film’s famous amplifier scene, keeping the humor meta and referential ([03:51–04:01]).

3. Filming Styles and Improv in 'Spinal Tap'

• Improvisation:
  • Carvey reveals that only two lines in the original film were scripted, the rest improvised ([21:03] Dana Carvey: “There were two written lines in the first film… everything else was improvised.”).
• Production Process:
  • The film developed from a character “bible” and a wall-sized tour map of the US marked with story highlights ([21:33+]).
  • Editing and structure evolved from extensive filmed material ([22:28]).

4. Casting Stories & Unexpected Turns

• Casting the ‘Tap Head’:
  • McKean recalls how Eddie Deezan, “the nerd from Grease,” was almost cast, but the role shifted in development ([08:44–09:11]).
• Howard Hessman's role in Spinal Tap:
  • Cast last-minute when the original choice proved nonverbal and overwhelmed ([19:44–20:15]).

5. Residuals and Showbiz Economics

• Funny anecdotes about tiny royalty checks from old TV appearances and sitcoms, including Carvey earning “48 cents” for a split-second cameo montage ([10:26–11:14]).
• McKean shares a story of unexpectedly large residuals for dubbing over a famous actor's role in a talking dog project ([11:29–12:07]).

6. Failing Upward: Audition Stories

• McKean and Carvey reminisce being repeatedly passed over for roles before landing their big breaks.
• McKean: “I for sure did a hundred in a row where I didn’t get it” ([19:24]).
• “That’s every audition I had...I wish they told me ahead of time, you’re just not going to get it” —Spade ([19:10]).

7. The Cult and Legacy of Spinal Tap

• Spinal Tap was not a big hit initially—its true fame came from home video word-of-mouth ([23:38]).
• The crew had to fight for rights, especially Harry Shearer, whom McKean jokingly credits as having “Simpsons money” ([25:04]).
• The sequel’s premise involves band members “dragged kicking and screaming to a reunion,” rife with “bad blood,” guest stars, and playful, improvisational filming ([25:18–25:55]).

8. Influence on Modern TV Comedy

• Discussion of how Spinal Tap’s mockumentary format shaped shows like “The Office,” “Modern Family,” and “Parks & Rec” ([47:17–51:31]).
• McKean: “He [Gervais] perfected it. I resisted the American Office…[but] every time I see an episode…it makes me laugh” ([49:11–50:10]).

9. Coneheads, Dan Aykroyd, and SNL Reminiscence

• Behind-the-scenes hilarity from “Coneheads”—including Carvey’s story about Aykroyd losing his temper and tearing off his conehead prosthetic ([29:55–30:28]).
• Reflections on working with iconoclastic comedians, haunted houses, and Aykroyd’s fondness for the supernatural ([31:20–32:34]).

10. Impressions, SNL, and the Art of the Impression

• Dana Carvey and McKean reflect on impressions—what makes a great one, fondness for Bill Hader and Phil Hartman, and the evolution of impressionism on SNL ([37:00–39:41]).
• Carvey: “I’m not a big impression guy…I did do the best George Will” ([37:20]).

11. Women in Sci-fi and Movie Talk

• McKean critiques “The Thing” for lack of female characters as a reason for its initial struggle at the box office, sparking a tangential discussion about “Alien” and the importance of Sigourney Weaver’s role ([41:12–42:13]).

12. Musicians as Actors: Paul McCartney and Elton John Cameos

• McKean recounts the surreal joy of hearing Paul McCartney sing a song he wrote for “Spinal Tap 2” ([60:20–60:45]).
  • "I just spent the first part of the morning listening to Paul McCartney sing a song that I wrote. That's something I never thought would happen to me." — McKean ([02:11], recalled at [60:20]).
• Highlights Elton John's deadpan turn in the new film ([59:28]).

13. On Playing It Straight in Comedy

• “No one was signaling that they're being funny. I mean, it gave it that...made it way funnier.” — McKean on the core approach of Spinal Tap and the importance of earnestness in comedic farce ([57:37–58:12]).
• Discussion of Larry David’s “Curb” philosophy: “no one's trying to be funny” ([57:28]).

14. Favorite Beatles Songs

• Spirited debate about Paul McCartney’s greatest melodies: “Martha, My Dear” is McKean’s pick ([62:42]).
• The hosts share how favorite Beatles songs change over the years ([64:56–65:20]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spinal Tap’s Legacy:
  • “No one was signaling that they're being funny. I mean, it gave it that... made it way funnier.” —Michael McKean ([57:37])
• On Improv:
  • “There were two written lines in the first film... everything else was improvised.” —Dana Carvey ([21:03])
• On Getting Rights Back:
  • “He [Harry Shearer] says, ‘Guys, I'll do the stuff. We're gonna sue him. We're gonna get the rights back.’ And we did.” —Dana Carvey ([25:04])
• On Auditions:
  • “I for sure did a hundred in a row where I didn’t get it.” —Michael McKean ([19:24])
• On Hearing Paul McCartney Sing His Song:
  • “I just spent the first part of the morning listening to Paul McCartney sing a song that I wrote. That's something that I never thought would happen.” —Michael McKean ([60:20])
• On the Best Beatles Melody:
  • “Martha, My Dear is his greatest melody.” —Michael McKean ([62:42])
• On Spinal Tap’s Influence:
  • “That was sort of this mock documentary. The way they shot it was new. Something new.” —David Spade ([66:06])
• On the art of farce:
  • “A farce is what happens to you on the worst day of your life. It should be a terrible, terrible thing you’re going through, otherwise it’s not going to be funny.” —Dana Carvey, quoting John Cleese ([58:12])

Pop Culture & Industry Deep Dives

• Influence of Spinal Tap’s Mockumentary Style:
  • Deep reflection on the legacy of mockumentaries in TV (“The Office,” “Modern Family”) and the difference between the US and UK versions.
• Stories from Legendary Sets:
  • Filming “Coneheads”—Dan Aykroyd’s on-set outburst and affinity for the supernatural.
• Industry Realities:
  • Tales of showbiz economics (“residuals” and small checks), frustrating auditions, being ‘let go’ from SNL, and the bittersweet nature of fame.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00–00:32] – Michael’s family vacation/Airbnb story
• [03:11–04:07] – Discussion of "Spinal Tap 2" and the famous “It goes to eleven” joke
• [21:03–22:28] – How Spinal Tap was written/improvised; developing the shooting ‘bible’
• [23:38–25:55] – Spinal Tap’s cult status and the long road to a sequel
• [29:55–30:28] – Dan Aykroyd’s on-set freakout and the mythology of the “Coneheads”
• [37:00–39:41] – Delving into impressions, SNL, and the invention of new comedic archetypes
• [41:12–42:13] – Discussing “The Thing,” “Alien,” and women in sci-fi/horror
• [60:20–61:05] – Paul McCartney sings a McKean song for the new film
• [62:42] – Best Beatles melody: “Martha, My Dear”
• [64:56–66:19] – Reflections on favorite Beatles songs and the idea of creative genius

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for comedy nerds, movie buffs, and anyone nostalgic for the golden age of character-driven comedy. With plenty of behind-the-scenes tidbits and heartfelt reverence for collaborators living and departed, it’s both a love letter to improv and mockumentary style and a deep dive into the creative process of making something that truly stands the test of time.

For more, catch full episodes on YouTube (@flyonthewallpod), and send questions to flyonthewall@audacy.com.