Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey & David Spade

Episode: RE-RELEASE - Chris Rock
Original Air Date: December 11, 2025
Guest: Chris Rock

Overview

This episode of "Fly on the Wall" features a lively, candid, and often hilarious conversation between hosts David Spade, Dana Carvey, and iconic comedian Chris Rock. Together, they revisit their early days on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), reflect on developing as comics, share personal insights about therapy and growth, and explore what it means to succeed in comedy. As always, their banter delivers both laughs and genuine moments of vulnerability, making listeners feel like they're eavesdropping on a conversation among old pals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SNL Memories and the “Junior Varsity” Cast

• Dana Carvey reminisces about how Spade, Rock, Sandler, Farley, and Schneider were brought in to renew SNL’s energy, even when the main cast was still strong ([07:00]).
• Chris Rock: “Yeah, Farley, like Kobe Bryant, came off the bench. People forget.” ([07:19])
• Chris discusses his and Farley's experience as the "new guys," likening the environment to boot camp, and highlighting the divide between stand-ups and improv actors ([09:25]).
  • Improv actors were more technically prepared; stand-ups were more mentally ready due to living and dying with their own material ([09:32]).
• Discusses the pressure of filling in the SNL “Black cast member” slot after Eddie Murphy and Damon Wayans during a time of scrutiny for SNL's lack of diversity ([12:48]):
  • Chris Rock: “You're gonna do some Eddie Murphy stuff, right? Like, I don't do any impressions... I do what I do.” ([13:25])

2. The Art of Stand-Up and Writing Original Material

• Discussion about the anxiety and excitement of participating in new sketches, and the need to repeatedly “inch your way in” ([13:35]).
• The critical eye Lorne Michaels applied when hiring new talent:
  • Chris Rock: “Lorne said the thing... ‘you guys had original thought.’ I don't think that we both had, like, a joke somewhere that he hadn't heard before. And that’s why he hired us.” ([17:35])
• Rock’s early edgy signature joke about attending abortion rallies as a way to meet women ([18:21]), reflecting his boundary-pushing comedic voice.

3. Camaraderie, Competition, and Identity in Comedy

• Exploration of how cast members discovered who had "game" around the office and at read-throughs ([19:26]).
• The comedy “tribe” and validation from fellow comedians is valued above mainstream praise:
  • Chris Rock: “The only people I care about is, like, you guys, right? Not even comedians, just comedians I think are funny.” ([40:39])

4. Personal Growth, Therapy, and Their Impact

• Deep dive into what therapy taught each comic:
  • Chris Rock: “This apartment is probably the first real purchase I've made for myself in about 28 years... Since I got that Corvette at SNL.” ([30:31])
  • On tackling childhood trauma: “Until you deal with all your childhood shit... nothing’s going to work out for you. You gotta start at the beginning. It’s like working on a script. Okay, page one.” ([30:58])
• Chris explains how childhood bullying, being the oldest of seven (yet smallest), and intense family dynamics shaped his personality—making him “bend over backwards to be nice” and avoid anger ([32:05–33:46]).
  • Chris Rock: “The last year, now I can get angry. I’m not scared of letting people know how I feel.” ([34:09])
• Dana and Chris share the ways upbringing and family trauma influenced their tendencies toward confrontation and self-care.

5. Dating, Relationships, and the Costs of Divorce (with Signature Humor)

• Chris jokes about the financial impact of his divorce:
  • Chris Rock: “I always say my ex-wife has made more money off of comedy than Robert Townsend.” ([36:47])
  • “I’m the only comedian that has to drive a cab at night… I’m gonna change that to Uber.” ([36:59–37:03])
• Dana introduces the quote: “Men want to be admired and women want to be loved by a man they admire.” Chris and David riff on whether this rings true ([40:08]).

6. Fame, Recognition, and Public Perception

• Recognition on the street spans everything from jokes to movies to Madagascar:
  • “It’s not SNL anymore. It’s more movies here or there. I’m like, I don't know… Certain people were just famous and you couldn't even figure out why.” ([43:18])
• David grapples with being recognized—not always positively ([43:24]).
• The phenomenon of "heat" (career momentum) vs. "fame":
  • Chris Rock: “Me and Chappelle always joke about it… back when I was Drake.” ([44:23])
• Surprised at the reach of new crowds and comics now selling out arenas—no longer reserved for household names ([45:29]).
  • Chris observes that comics have become the “real artists” in America as stand-up is newly respected ([46:26]).

7. The Philosophy of Stand-Up—and Its Parallels to Preaching

• Stand-up’s social role as a voice of reason and philosophy in a world with fewer philosophers and less religion:
  • Chris Rock: “Humans need people to talk… philosophers used to be famous… so the only place people can say their thoughts is stand-up. The last of the thinkers.” ([48:24])
  • Chris draws inspiration from preachers in his family and says he watches their style as much as stand-ups ([49:16], [49:26]).

8. The Joys and Challenges of Writing New Material

• The thrill of creating new jokes and performing in small clubs ([50:39–51:21]).
  • Chris Rock: “Once you get enough bits that are working... The greatest feeling is a new bit coming together.” ([51:25–51:28])
  • Unveils the origin of his classic “keep her off the pole” line regarding his daughter, which became an iconic bit ([52:08]).

9. Living Up to Expectations and Stage Introductions

• Discusses the pressure of performing as “Chris Rock,” the expectations set by MCs, and the challenge of being introduced without fanfare when trying out new material ([54:39–55:17]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris Rock on joining SNL’s “junior varsity”:
  • “It’s amazing… Farley, like Kobe Bryant, came off the bench. People forget.” ([07:19])
• On the SNL Bootcamp:
  • “It reminds you that everyone got there because they were good. And then you’re immediately shit on… it’s like a wake up call.” – Chris Rock ([15:47])
• On therapy and self-care:
  • “This apartment is probably the first real purchase I’ve made for myself in 28 years.” – Chris Rock ([30:31])
  • “Childhood trauma is like some real shit. …You gotta start at the beginning. It’s like working on a script.” – Chris Rock ([30:58])
• On anger and boundaries:
  • “The guy you saw was bending over backwards to be nice. Because I was so scared of my anger.” – Chris Rock ([33:22])
  • “Now I can get angry. I’m not scared of letting people know how I feel.” – Chris Rock ([34:09])
• Classic self-deprecation:
  • “My ex-wife has made more money off comedy than Robert Townsend.” – Chris Rock ([36:47])
  • “I’m the only comedian who has to drive a cab at night.” – Chris Rock ([37:00])
• On the new wave of stand-up:
  • “In America, the standups are becoming the real artists… the nerdy tradition of coming up with your own stuff.” – Chris Rock ([46:26])
• On the thrill of a new bit:
  • “Once you get enough bits that are working… the greatest feeling is a new bit coming together.” – Chris Rock ([51:25])
• On the legacy of his iconic joke:
  • “Gotta keep her off the pole… It just came out of my mouth.” – Chris Rock ([52:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• SNL, “JV”/“Varsity” Cast, Early Days: [06:55]–[09:32]
• Stand-Up vs. Improv, Lorne’s Choices: [09:25]–[13:20]
• Getting Overwhelmed on SNL: [13:35]–[14:53]
• Validation, Comedian Approval: [40:30]–[41:29]
• Therapy, Upbringing, Self-Care: [30:31]–[34:53]
• Bullying & Anger: [32:05]–[34:53]
• Divorce & Financial Advice: [35:24]–[37:04]
• Fame & Recognition: [43:24]–[44:45]
• Stand-Up as Modern Philosophy: [48:24]–[49:26]
• Preaching & Performance Style: [49:16]–[50:13]
• Writing New Material: [50:39]–[51:49]
• Pressure of Stage Intros & Expectations: [54:39]–[55:41]

Tone & Takeaways

Throughout the episode, the tone is as expected for three legendary comics: fast-paced, irreverent, deeply honest, and warm. They move seamlessly from inside jokes and classic bits to real talk about therapy and the challenges of comedy. Chris Rock’s openness about therapy, anger, and growth stands out, as does his reverence for comedy as an art form and community. The hosts keep the chat feeling like a reunion of friends, inviting the audience to laugh, reflect, and reminisce right alongside them.

Useful for Listeners If You Haven’t Tuned In

• Fly on the Wall offers rare, in-depth insights into the comedic process, the grind of SNL, and the evolving landscape of stand-up.
• The episode gives listeners a seat at the table with comedy greats discussing personal growth, professional lessons, and what keeps them coming back for more.
• For fans of SNL, stand-up, or just good storytelling, Chris Rock’s mix of humility, vulnerability, and killer punchlines delivers on every level.