Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

RE-RELEASE – Chevy Chase

Date: January 28, 2026
Podcast Host: Audacy
Guests: Chevy Chase (with appearances by his wife Janie and daughter Kaylee)
Summary by an Expert Podcast Summarizer

Overview

This episode of "Fly on the Wall" brings legendary comedian and original SNL cast member Chevy Chase into the Los Angeles home studio of Dana Carvey and David Spade. The conversation is an unfiltered and playful journey through Chevy's formative years, the chaos and brilliance of early "Saturday Night Live," classic movie stories, and reflections on comedy itself. The hosts allow Chevy to roast and riff in his signature unpredictable style while weaving in genuine admiration, behind-the-scenes tales, and sharp, quick-fire bits. Ultimately, the episode is a loving, rowdy oral history of comedy's golden eras, tinged with reflection and warmth—and punctuated with zingers and unsparing self-deprecation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nature of Chevy's Comedy and Persona

• Roasting, Irreverence, and Kindness:
  • Dana and David give context for Chevy's style, calling out his Don Rickles-like edge, his tendency to say the unsayable, and his desire to be both funny and liked.
    • "He likes to say what you’re not supposed to say...He wants to make you laugh and he wants to be liked, and some of it’s very rough, and if you know it’s coming, it’s a little easier." (Dana, 01:02)
  • Chevy, in turn, disarms with self-effacing jokes, and backstage, shows gratitude:
    • "After the podcast, when the cameras weren’t on...he said, 'hey, thanks for being so nice to me.'" (Dana, 01:51)

2. SNL Memories, Origins & the National Lampoon Radio Hour

• SNL as a Launchpad:
  • Chevy recounts being cast and memories of working with icons like Mike Tyson, Paul McCartney, and Bill Murray.
    • "I get cast in SNL...We go to a Yankees game...You introduced me to Mike Tyson." (Chevy, 06:03–06:22)
  • Describes the wild creative atmosphere—writing with Michael O’Donoghue, Alan Zweibel, Dan Aykroyd, Al Franken, and Tom Davis.
    • "You had, dare I say, Alan Zweibel, who never wrote anything...and Al Franken and Tom Davis..." (David, 10:36–11:01)
• National Lampoon Radio Hour Roots:
  • The Radio Hour as an incubator for future SNL talent, including Bill Murray, and the influence of Michael O’Donoghue.
    • "The most incredible guy, really funny. He was just the best writer in the world." (David, 09:17)

3. On Working Styles and Influences

• Physical Comedy and Relentless Bit-Making:
  • Dana describes seeing Chevy doing Buster Keaton–level bits off-camera, constantly practicing even when no one’s watching.
    • "No one was watching. I go, he’s doing Buster Keaton...it’s really interesting...you’re just always practicing." (Chevy, 12:38)
• Meeting Goldie Hawn and "Foul Play":
  • Chevy retells meeting Goldie by going straight for a sight-gag:
    • "When you walked in, you didn’t say hi, you just went up and put your hand under the bag and said, 'cough.'" (Dana & Chevy, 13:10–13:24)

4. SNL Alumni – Legacies, Tragedies, and the Family of Comedy

• Chevy’s Place in SNL Lore:
  • Time Magazine calling him the “funniest guy in America” (Dana, 17:41) and reflection on his meteoric rise after the first season.
• Reflections on SNL Colleagues:
  • Warm talk about Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray’s unpredictable wildness, and Phil Hartman’s hobbyist genius.
  • Profound sadness over the loss of John Belushi and Gilda Radner; anecdotes about being ranked in retrospectives.
    • "Wasn’t that the worst thing in the world? John dying?" (Chevy, 29:45)
• Riffs on the SNL Five-Timers Club:
  • Chevy clarifies hosting only five times ("That prick Lorne"), riffing about the exclusivity and club status.
    • "'Chevy, you’ve hosted it five times.' Like, that’s enough." (Chevy, 27:34)

5. Movie Memories and On-Set Improv

• Vacation Series, Three Amigos, Caddyshack, Fletch:
  • Rapid-fire reminiscing about shooting hundreds of "Vacation" movies—Chevy jokes about actual and cinematic vacations.
    • "Eight movies and nine actual vacations...But how many if you had your vacation." (Chevy, 20:19)
  • Three Amigos’ improv and the enduring cult status is discussed, especially the "chapstick" scene and George Martin's bemusement with comedians:
    • "It was a hit. But now it’s like a cult thing. They don’t make those kind of funny movies anymore..." (Chevy, 21:55)
  • Caddyshack’s golf scene with Bill Murray:
    • Dana praises Chevy for holding his comedic ground with a stone face—“so Buster Keaton”—even as Bill tries to break him.
    • "You just went nothing. And created this incredible comedic dance with Bill Murray." (Dana, 45:00)

6. Awards, Dream Roles, and Comedy vs. Drama

• Comedy Struggles for Awards:
  • Chevy points out he never got an Academy Award (“they don’t give them for comedy”) but is proud of three Emmys for writing and acting.
    • "You know, they don’t give them for comedy. And apparently I’m not going to do any more movies..." (Chevy, 47:44)
• Hosting the Oscars:
  • Chevy describes hosting as fun and low-pressure, with anecdotes about Jack Nicholson and working alongside Richard Pryor.
    • "You just come out...you just have to be me, as it were." (Chevy, 34:47)

7. Reflections on Comedy Today

• On Political Correctness:
  • Chevy laments the lack of “just funny” movies, but singles out Seinfeld for being “pretty great.”
  • "Do you see a lot of comedies anymore, or is it too PC?" (Dana, 62:47)
• Praise for Jerry Seinfeld:
  • Discusses Seinfeld’s “scientific” approach and work ethic.
    • "If you're around him and he hasn't done his hour alone in a room with his comedy notes, he starts getting anxious." (Chevy, 32:15)

8. Relationships and Family Dynamics

• Chevy’s Family Joins the Conversation:
  • Wife Janie and daughter Kaylee drop in, sparking jokes about family, music, and breaking boundaries (Kaylee as the first woman pianist at The Comedy Store).
    • "There’s no woman playing the piano at the store...what is the problem?" (Chevy, 67:34)

9. Hidden Talents and Fun Facts

• Jazz Pianist and Steely Dan Drummer:
  • Chevy’s musicianship is revealed; he played drums with Steely Dan in college and is recognized for his perfect pitch.
    • "What people don’t know about Chevy is he’s an amazing jazz pianist...You have perfect pitch. You play the drums, too..." (Chevy/Janie, 63:55)
• Childhood Inspirations:
  • Chevy cites the movie Shane (1953) as blowing his mind as a kid, highlighting Jack Palance’s villain and Alan Ladd’s heroics.
    • "Shane blew your mind. Then as a kid, you see it in the theater..." (Chevy, 51:56–52:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Roasting and Rapport

• "He’s roasting us the whole time. But after the podcast... he said, 'Hey, thanks for being so nice to me.'" (Dana Carvey, 01:16)

On Early SNL

• "It was the first one, so people do compare that... But really, it’s the best by far." (Dana & Chevy, 40:35–40:44)
• “You could have a shirt that just says, This is crazy.” (Dana, 19:20)

Movie Set Chaos

• "That was all—those movies are so great. Funny." (Chevy on the Vacation films, 65:54)
• "You have a pool, don’t you?...We have a pool and a pond. A pond would be good for you." (Chevy/David on Caddyshack improv, 45:00–46:35)

On Comedy and Pain

• "We don’t get hurt. We’re comedians. We play hurt." (Chevy, 66:36)
• "I bombed worse than you could possibly do." (Chevy, 66:44)

Comedy Then and Now

• "It was a hit. But now it’s like a cult thing. They don’t make those kind of funny movies anymore... just funny." (Chevy, 21:55)
• "Do you see a lot of comedies anymore, or is it too PC?" (Dana, 62:47)

Family Cameo

• "Chevy’s daughter Kaylee is a pianist at the Comedy Store. The first woman to do it. Breaking barriers." (Dana, 67:22)

Important Timestamps

• [01:02] – Context for Chevy’s roasty persona
• [06:03] – Audition stories and SNL origin memories
• [09:17] – On Michael O’Donoghue and National Lampoon Radio Hour
• [12:38] – On Chevy’s constant physical comedy influences
• [17:41] – SNL success and Time Magazine’s endorsement
• [21:55] – Three Amigos' cult status and comedy movie lament
• [29:45] – Losing John Belushi and SNL “family” discussion
• [34:47] – Hosting the Academy Awards and Oscars anecdotes
• [40:35] – On Norm MacDonald and SNL Update
• [45:00] – [46:35] – Caddyshack: improvising with Bill Murray
• [51:56] – Childhood inspiration: "Shane"
• [63:55] – Chevy’s hidden musical talent (jazz pianist, Steely Dan drummer)
• [67:22] – Kaylee Chase as a pioneering Comedy Store pianist

Tone & Atmosphere

Anarchic, warm, self-deprecating, irreverent, and affectionate. Chevy Chase radiates subversive humor and a need for approval, Dana Carvey guides with admiration and quick wit, and David Spade alternates between sharp asides and sincere curiosity. The show toggles between zany comedy and genuine reminiscence, revealing the camaraderie, vulnerability, and resilience that underpin great comedy careers.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in comic timing, inside jokes, and showbiz storytelling, filtered through comedic giants who shaped modern American humor. It’s rich with war stories, backstage gossip, philosophical asides on comedy’s evolution, and moments of real connection—all delivered in a way that makes listeners feel like true “flies on the wall” in comedy history.