Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Episode: Paul Feig (IN STUDIO) Suits Up & Ditches Stand Up For Directing
Release Date: December 18, 2025
Guest: Paul Feig – Writer, Director, Producer (Freaks & Geeks, Bridesmaids, Spy, Ghostbusters, The Housemaid)

Overview

In this lively in-studio episode, comedy legends Dana Carvey and David Spade welcome the impeccably dressed Paul Feig for a deep dive into his remarkable journey from stand-up and acting to creating some of the most beloved comedy films and TV series of recent years. They explore Feig’s comedy philosophy, his origins in stand-up, shifting to directing, and thoughts on modern film and comedy, with plenty of industry anecdotes, banter, and insights about his new thriller “The Housemaid.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Paul Feig’s Comedy Origins and Stand-up Days

• Early Influences: Feig recalls being blown away by Woody Allen films, sparking his passion for comedy and filmmaking.
• Michigan Scene: He started stand-up at 15 in Detroit, performing in the Johnny Carson style, inspired by the comedy boom fostered by shows like “Make Me Laugh.”
• Stand-up Highlights:
  • "My best bit? Willard Schmidt, the wood shop teacher… completely flat, all his jokes are about accidents in his class. Just killed." (28:08)
  • “My closer was the Thurston Howell blues — from Gilligan’s Island... The killer line: ‘He can make a coconut lie detector, but he can’t build a goddamn raft!’” (28:57)
  • Feig and Spade riff on the classic “comedy condo” and the odd characters they encountered on the road.
• Transition from Stand-Up:
  • “The minute I became a headliner, I didn’t like it… Being a headliner is lonely.” (34:07)
  • Feig admits he left stand-up due to the isolating grind and “comedy condo” living.

2. Acting Years and Shift to Directing

• TV Roles: Feig was a regular on several TV shows, often as quirky side characters (“Norman the bellhop” on “Dirty Dancing: The TV Series”).
• Dreams of SNL: Managed briefly by Howie Mandel’s team, he tried (unsuccessfully) to get on SNL in the mid-80s.
  • “They said, ‘What do you want?’ I said, 'My dream in life is to be a regular in SNL.' They’re like, ‘Done.’ ...It never happened.” (33:19)

3. Behind the Camera: Directing Philosophy

• Discovering the Magic:
  • Feig emphasizes improvisation and cross-shooting: “My joy place is cross-shooting, so you’re getting real reactions. Audiences pick up on that.” (12:55)
  • “Bridesmaids was on film still; we were stuck with 12-minute loads. Sometimes something would just start to happen and you’d have to stop to change film!” (13:32)
• On Capturing Comedy:
  • “If you’re good, you make it look effortless. It looks easy. Nothing worse than sweaty comedy, when someone’s trying too hard.” (23:53)
  • Often tempers big performances: “All I’m ever doing is saying, ‘Take it down, take it down.’” (24:11)

4. Making Freaks and Geeks and Creating Stars

• Concept and Casting:
  • Feig created “Freaks and Geeks” after a long stretch as a TV actor, with Judd Apatow pivotal in its production.
  • “Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, James Franco… all succeeded. We discovered Seth Rogen in Vancouver at 16.” (42:22)
• Enduring Impact:
  • “It’s kind of stood the test of time, which you always hope for.” (42:12)

5. Transition to Feature Films and Signature Movies

• First Films and Lessons:
  • His first film post-TV was “I Am David,” a drama, after which he learned: “Don’t ever make movies just to win an Oscar.” (43:21)
• Comedy Directing Process:
  • References directing TV (“Arrested Development,” “The Office”) and the challenges of three-camera sitcoms versus single-camera ('single camera is closer to movies'). (44:12)
  • “When you get it right in a comedy, it's so hard... nobody can really agree on what’s funny.” (44:50)
• Bridesmaids Backlash and Triumph:
  • “People were enraged at the Bridesmaids trailer, either saying all the best jokes are in it, or thinking we were making fun of Melissa McCarthy's character. People come in hostile because they've been burned by a lot of comedies.” (45:00–45:37)

6. On the State of Modern Comedy & Film

• Why Are There Fewer Comedies?
  • “Straight comedy feels too frivolous for audiences in the last 10 years… People want higher stakes.” (45:55)
  • “Comedy is now hidden in the form of horror movies. Like ‘Megan’—it’s hilarious and a horror.” (46:53)
• Sequels and Audience Demands:
  • “The big question audiences are asking now: Why? Why do I need to see this? Am I just going to see the same thing again?” (48:54)
  • “Everybody thinks they want Bridesmaids 2… But the reason Bridesmaids works is you watch someone at rock-bottom build herself back up. You can’t just reset.” (49:20)
• Directing Women-Led Comedies:
  • On working with Melissa McCarthy: “If you’re in sync with somebody comedically, that’s gold… My job is to create a safe environment so everyone can try anything.” (51:09–51:26)

7. Ghostbusters, Controversy, and Fan Backlash

• Proud but Challenged:
  • “I’m glad I made it. I’m very proud… Older guys who saw the [original] as kids got really mad.” (57:41, 57:56)
  • “Donald Trump came out against us. There’s a video — ‘And now the Ghostbusters are women, what’s going on?’” (58:49–59:02)

8. Latest Project: “The Housemaid”

• About the Film:
  • “It’s a straight-up thriller, but still in my own inimitable way, it's funny at times. Based on the bestseller by Frieda McFadden. Sydney Sweeney stars, Amanda Seyfried. Think you know where it’s going? You don’t.” (59:30–60:18)
  • "It’s a sexy thriller. I love thrillers. That’s all I watch these days." (61:50–61:57)
• Industry Thoughts:
  • Feig and the hosts discuss theatrical vs streaming releases. Dana notes, “It’s either church or a movie theater. Turn it off for two hours… The world just quiets down.” (63:24)

9. Feig’s All-Time Favorite Movies & Taste in Film

• **He rarely watches modern comedies—prefers thrillers and crime.
• Favorites:**
  • “It’s a Wonderful Life” (“Not the greatest movie ever made, but accomplishes everything a movie’s supposed to: makes you laugh, cry, uplifted at the end.”) (65:46)
  • “Dr. Strangelove,” “Bringing Up Baby,” “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
  • “The reason 2001 is great is because there’s no sound in space scenes. It’s so creepy.” (67:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cross-Shooting Comedy:
  “My joy place is cross-shooting, so you’re getting real reactions. Audiences pick up on that.” — Paul Feig (12:55)

• On Overplaying Comedy:
  “There’s nothing worse than sweaty comedy, you know, when you see it all the time. Somebody just like working so hard.” — Paul Feig (24:03)

• On Stand-up Loneliness:
  “Being a headliner is lonely. Like, when you’re the middle or opener, guys are in the back… when you’re the headliner, everybody's gone to dinner.” — Paul Feig (34:07)

• On Sequels:
  “The big question audiences are asking now... is why? Why do I need to see this? Am I just going to see the same thing again?” — Paul Feig (48:54)
  “Everybody thinks they want Bridesmaids 2… But the reason Bridesmaids works… you can’t just reset.” — Paul Feig (49:20)

• On Comedy’s Current State:
  “Straight comedy feels too frivolous for audiences in the last 10 years…People want higher stakes.” — Paul Feig (45:55)

• On Making ‘Ghostbusters’ (2016):
  “I’m glad I made it. I’m very proud of it. The people that had a problem with it, I’m sorry. Younger people really like it…” — Paul Feig (57:41)

• On His Role as a Director:
  “My biggest job is to create a safe environment where everybody feels they can try anything.” — Paul Feig (51:26)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Stand-up beginnings and bits (28:03–30:00)
• Transition to directing & SNL ambitions (31:42–33:40)
• ‘Freaks & Geeks’ casting and legacy (42:06–42:46)
• Improvisation and cross-shooting philosophy (12:48–13:21)
• Trailers and comedy audience skepticism ('Bridesmaids' reception) (45:00–45:43)
• Gender-swapped ‘Ghostbusters’ backlash (57:41–58:49)
• Discussion of 'The Housemaid' (59:30–61:57)
• On movie theaters vs streaming: why the big screen matters (63:24–63:53)
• Feig’s favorite films and why he loves “It’s a Wonderful Life” (65:46–66:57)
• On the composure and challenges of modern directing (51:26–52:45)

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is conversational, funny, and comfortable, with Paul Feig’s gracious, dapper style meshing naturally with the hosts’ playfulness and industry-insider wit. Feig’s humility and measured outlook on comedy, directing, and the ever-changing world of entertainment keeps the discussion grounded and insightful.

Bottom Line

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolution of comedy in TV and film, and for fans of Paul Feig’s work. It features rare insights into the creative process, the grind of stand-up, the neuroses of Hollywood, and the future of laughter on the big screen—plus a preview of Feig’s promising new thriller, “The Housemaid,” opening December 19th, 2025.