Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

RE-RELEASE: Cecily Strong (March 4, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Fly on the Wall" welcomes Cecily Strong, beloved SNL alum and star of Apple TV’s "Schmigadoon," for a candid, energetic, and deeply funny conversation. Hosts Dana Carvey and David Spade reminisce with Cecily about her journey to SNL, dive into the rich details of life behind the scenes at Studio 8H, analyze the art of character work and impressions, and touch on her successful transition to post-SNL projects. Throughout, the trio swap stories about auditions, green room nerves, SNL legends, unforgettable hosts (including Donald Trump), the importance of comedic partnerships, and the joys and challenges of leaving the iconic show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SNL Memories & Departures

• Dana and David introduce Cecily, reflecting on her SNL tenure and the unique gap she left:
  • "She kept upping her game all through the seasons, and it's hard to leave, but she did." (02:47, Dana)
  • Cecily describes her exit as bittersweet:
    • "I think Christmas would be a great time [to leave]... it's a happier show and I'm going to be so sad to leave." (56:19, Cecily)
• Discusses the emotional process and the timing of cast departures:
  • Cecily emphasizes wanting a "happy" exit and not making it a drawn-out goodbye. (56:08)

2. Early Influences and Audition Stories

• Cecily credits Phil Hartman as a personal "true North Star," especially for straight-man roles:
  • "I do think... I've played a lot of straight characters, and he just is such a great straight man." (16:29, Cecily)
• Recounts her roots in theater, family support, and cautious optimism about an SNL dream:
  • "Even at the audition, was like, well, I can't. I don't want to say it out loud even. Cause this is so... this just doesn't happen." (17:07, Cecily)
• Recalls her Chicago comedy training (Second City, IO, Groundlings):
  • "Chicago is still a Midwestern city... I enjoy the Midwest a lot more. It's a lot chunkier. People are more friendlier." (35:55, Cecily)
• Audition nerves and myths:
  • Cecily describes prepping six short bits, strategizing to avoid redundancy, and the intimidating presence of Lorne and team:
    • "Some people... do like a three minute monologue [for an impression]." (38:54, Cecily)
    • "Lauren told me... my second [screen test] was funnier than the first and he said that's why he hired me." (49:52, Cecily)

3. Behind-the-Scenes at SNL

• Audition Process & First Days:
  • Getting the show meant a series of auditions, nerve-wracking waits, and even a "speed-dating"-style meet with producers:
    • "There were like two long tables... I love Trader Joe's, you know, cute cucumbers and wine." (44:12, Cecily)
• Sketch & Update Dynamics:
  • Cecily discusses switching from Update co-anchor back to sketches, preferring the creative range of sketches:
    • "I liked being a guest on Update... I was more valuable in sketches than at the [Weekend Update] desk because I'm also not a standup." (52:39–54:32, Cecily)
• Notable Impressions & Characters:
  • Cecily breaks down developing voices for Gemma (Cockney/British reality star) and Kathy Ann (redneck, hard-living type), focusing on vocal tics and physicality:
    • "You have to make it feel like you have big teeth, too... it's sort of like if you're talking around your teeth." (10:06, Cecily, on Gemma)
    • "If you think about... try to talk like you have no teeth... sometimes it's sort of starting from there." (22:32, Cecily, on Kathy Ann)
• Physical Comedy & Chaos:
  • Cecily, Dana, and David discuss the unique joy of live chaos (dogs, props, unexpected mishaps) adding to the magic of SNL:
    • "That became my favorite part of the show... The thing that sets us apart is having it live and not perfect." (75:50, Cecily)

4. Memorable SNL Guests & Hosts

• Cecily shares the surreal oddities of working with Donald Trump:
  • Trump’s table read quirks—refusing to wear glasses, misreading lines ("told ya turkey legs"), and taking personal phone calls about book sales during rehearsal.
    • "He just did not believe that The Giving Tree... was a real book, as he was in a full tree costume." (32:18, Cecily)
• The vibe difference between American and British hosts:
  • "Every British host we had almost had like a giggly, like little kid... willing to do anything." (27:44, Cecily)
• Reflections on dealing with host nervousness and encouragement:
  • "I thought of my role as an RA throughout the week, just always being encouraging, like, how do you feel? That's normal." (33:21, Cecily)

5. Classic Sketches & Collaborations

• Update Characters:
  • "Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party": Came out of overheard real-life encounters; roots in taking herself less seriously at auditions. (41:59–44:12)
• Porn Stars Sketches (with Vanessa Bayer):
  • Built around malapropisms and understated wit; Cecily's character perpetually more "out of it."
    • "My porn star was always a little bit more out of it than Vanessa's." (66:21, Cecily)
    • "How can we skirt around me saying a name? Like, she'd say, 'I'm Brecky,' and I'd go, 'And you can too!'" (68:56, Cecily)
• Other Faves:
  • Gina Perino Update bits (physical, bombastic energy); Best Buy firing sketch with Bobby Moynihan ("going out with a bang"); Two-handers with Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer, Bobby Moynihan, and others.
    • "I did a lot of two handers for a long time over there, which I really loved... It's fun. It's a very clean, simple thing." (74:09–74:41, Cecily)
• The joy of letting chaos reign, especially in sketches with physical props, unpredictable elements, or live animals.

6. Post-SNL Career: Schmigadoon & Beyond

• Cecily discusses "Schmigadoon!"—its musical homage, surreal premise, and demanding production:
  • "Couple at a rut in their relationship... they end up in this magical town called Schmigadoon, but they find out it's a musical every day." (59:47, Cecily)
  • "Second season there are more looks and worlds covered... felt a bit more frantic, but we got it done." (60:52, Cecily)
• Touches on performing "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe," with Lily Tomlin’s presence on opening night described as "more nerve-wracking than Lauren at that audition." (57:26, Cecily)
• Commercials, memoir ("This Will All Be Over Soon"), and embracing new opportunities post-SNL:
  • "You were not supposed to do commercials when you came off there. In the 90s, you were not supposed to do commercials... I root for you guys." (80:17, David)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• SNL 40th/Bidding Sketches: "Bye Bye" with David (07:06–09:17)
• Gemma's Cockney Accent Demo (09:57–11:13)
• Phil Hartman Influence / Early Comedy Roots (16:13–17:07)
• Cecily’s SNL Audition Story (37:52–49:52)
• Kathy Ann Character/Physicality (19:36–22:32)
• Donald Trump’s SNL Table Read Stories (29:20–32:29)
• Reflecting on Sketch vs. Update Roles (52:39–54:32)
• Porn Stars Sketches with Vanessa (66:21–69:09)
• Schmigadoon Premise (59:47–60:52)
• Departing SNL and Reflections (56:08–62:58, 78:26 onward)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Auditioning:
  • "There's really... I don't know what the strategy would even be for that. Sometimes you just have to go, do. Go do it." (40:37, Cecily)
• On SNL Table Reads:
  • "He went, 'Huh. Oh that's great. Uh huh. My book just went to number one.' And we all just went, wow." (31:33, Cecily, on Trump interrupting rehearsal for a phone call)
• On Leaving SNL:
  • "I got to leave, like, happy, which I know doesn’t always happen." (78:54, Cecily)
• On Legacy:
  • "I feel like the greatest thing since leaving has been, like, seeing that people maybe see me now the way I saw Amy and Tina and Maya and Kristen walking in. And that was, I think, like, that's just a great thing to have in my pocket for a bad day." (84:14, Cecily)

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is warm, candid, and heavy on comedic banter—punctuated by affection for SNL, genuine admiration among comics, and an expert’s eye for the artistry of sketch and character work. Cecily’s humility and comic intelligence shine through, while Dana and David keep the discussion lively with personal anecdotes, SNL shop talk, and plenty of laughs.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a treasure trove for SNL fans and comedy nerds: a rich behind-the-scenes tour of Cecily Strong’s SNL years, the camaraderie and chaos of late-night sketch comedy, and the thrilling (sometimes terrifying) moments that defined her career. Whether you want to know about audition strategy, the subtleties of crafting characters, what it's really like to say goodbye to SNL, or just want to hear funny people riff, this episode lets you be a fly on the wall for some of the best stories in showbiz.