Podcast Summary

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade (Audacy)

RE-RELEASE - Drew Barrymore

Release Date: December 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and heartfelt episode, comedy veterans Dana Carvey and David Spade welcome actress, talk show host, and producer Drew Barrymore. The trio explores Barrymore’s extraordinary journey from childhood stardom to Hollywood success, her transformative relationship with comedy, overcoming personal struggles, and her philosophy of work and life. The tone is candid, affectionate, and full of comedic energy, with honest insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and warm tributes to comedic influences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Drew’s Energy, Work Ethic, and Early Life

• Drew’s “Labrador in Heat” Energy:
  Barrymore self-describes her boundless, infectious energy:

  "I'm a lot. I'm like a lab Labrador in heat...when I'm happy, I'm like Labrador in heat, panting, probably trying to grab your leg, you know." – Drew Barrymore (08:11)

• Managing Her Workload:
  Drew talks candidly about how she “burns the candle at both ends,” combining chaos and inspiration in her workflow, refusing to preach as if she has it figured out:

  "I would never preach to anyone that I have it together or that I'm a blueprint. I am just a work in progress." – Drew Barrymore (11:30)

• Childhood as Breadwinner:
  Drew describes the unusual pressures of child stardom:

  "At seven, I was paying the rent. And that's a lot of stress." – Drew Barrymore (13:21)

Gender, Comedy, and Women’s Empowerment

• Not Letting Gender Define Her Path:
  Drew credits positive examples like Kathleen Kennedy and Melissa Mathison and states she never felt held back as a woman in the business:

  “I had so much opportunity because of starting as a kid that the gender effect never had me...I just really didn't have that I need to be aggressive or act like a man to get anything done.” – Drew Barrymore (15:18)

• Rejecting "Boss Lady" Stereotypes:

  "I hate boss bitch. I hate it. Boss lady. It sounds like you're hanging a pair of balls on you with a bitterness...I don't have one bitter bone in my body." – Drew Barrymore (18:51)

SNL Memories and Comedy Heroes

• Youngest SNL Host:
  Drew remains the youngest host in SNL history, having hosted at age 7 (27:29).

  "I'm still the youngest host—1982, at 7 years old. That one's gonna hurt [if I lose it]." – Drew Barrymore (27:30)

• Emotionally Impactful Experiences:
  She recounts Spielberg and Robin Williams’ support during her first hosting, the pivotal effect SNL had on her, and her reverence for Weekend Update (29:39, 40:27).

  “That show is an institution...it's a living, breathing tree. It's a giving tree that new leaves come out of its branches. And these leaves are these people, these artists.” – Drew Barrymore (39:57)

• Influence of Male Comedians:
  She describes comedians as “medicine,” appreciating both male and now increasing female comic voices for their healing, liberating power (38:17, 39:10).

  "When someone makes you laugh, they take away your pain and stress. They give you a respite from your trauma and your damage and your worries." – Drew Barrymore (39:10)

• Comedian Impressions:
  Drew admires Carvey and Spade's instant access to impressions, contrasting it with her own effortful study (49:23).

Sobriety, Personal Growth, and Parenting

• Open about Addiction and Sobriety:
  Barrymore speaks honestly about her struggles with alcohol, starting as a child and ending three years prior to the podcast (31:10).

  “I haven't had a drink in almost three years and wow, it's a really good feeling.” – Drew Barrymore (31:10)

• Motherhood as Motivation:
  She shares that her kids inspired her final change, giving her a new sense of balance and purpose (33:15-34:08).
• Letting Go of the “Bad Girl” Narrative:

  "I had a bad girl narrative growing up, so every time I did something wrong, I went straight back to, 'Well, you're a bad girl, so what the fuck else do you think?'" – Drew Barrymore (34:08)

• Willingness to “Grow Up”:

  "Growing up isn’t overrated. I’m totally into it. I feel so lucky to have arrived at a more peaceful, saner place. I’m 47 and...a lot of my wisdom came later, and that’s okay." – Drew Barrymore (34:18)

Hollywood Stories & Producing

• Collaboration on '50 First Dates':
  Drew explains the film’s genesis as a drama, her determined pursuit of the script, and her belief in balancing "what girls want" and "what guys want" in co-producing with Adam Sandler (53:04–58:05).

  “I typed out this letter to [Adam Sandler]...and I said, I know we’ve talked about maybe coming back together...and I am convinced this is the movie.” – Drew Barrymore (56:08)

• The Power of Letters and Collaboration:
  She credits old-fashioned letters with major career turning points (56:08).
• Desire for Emotional Range in Projects:
  Drew wishes for “all the tones,” combining heart, humor, pathos, and joy in her projects (60:40, 62:14).

  “I want to be greedy in life and have all the tones. I think we have all the feels, and therefore, there are all the tones and there are all the life experiences.” – Drew Barrymore (60:40)

The Drew Barrymore Show & SNL’s Influence

• Borrowing from SNL for Her Talk Show:
  Drew worked hard to make her talk show a comedy-friendly, uplifting space, directly inspired by SNL’s Weekend Update and variety style (41:14–44:48).

  "I leaned in so hard to my SNL training for this show." – Drew Barrymore (41:26) “I want to be a bright spot and not a blind spot. I want you to come here and not think I don't understand what's happening all around us.” – Drew Barrymore (44:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 08:11 | Drew Barrymore | “I’m a lot. I’m like a lab Labrador in heat… when I’m happy, I’m like Labrador in heat, panting…” | | 13:21 | Drew Barrymore | “At seven, I was paying the rent. And that’s a lot of stress.” | | 18:51 | Drew Barrymore | “I hate boss bitch. I hate it. Boss lady. It sounds like you’re hanging a pair of balls on you…” | | 27:30 | Drew Barrymore | “I am still the youngest host, 1982 at seven years old. That one's gonna hurt [to lose].” | | 29:39 | Drew Barrymore | “My line was, ‘Milk, I’m a Barrymore, I want a drink—and make it a double.’ And seven years[old]…” | | 31:10 | Drew Barrymore | “I haven’t had a drink in almost three years and wow, it’s a really good feeling.” | | 39:10 | Drew Barrymore | “When someone makes you laugh, they take away your pain and stress…Comedy is a very healing thing.” | | 41:26 | Drew Barrymore | “I leaned in so hard to my SNL training for this show.” | | 44:48 | Drew Barrymore | “I want to be a bright spot and not a blind spot.” | | 56:08 | Drew Barrymore | “Don’t deny the power of a letter.” | | 60:40 | Drew Barrymore | “I want to be greedy in life and have all the tones… no journey is devoid of tragedy and laughter and love and heartbreak.” | | 62:28 | Dana Carvey | “Maybe you’re like Paris, that Ernest Hemingway called it a movable feast.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Drew joins the conversation: 07:08
• Child actor/Paying rent at 7: 13:21
• Breaking gender perceptions & early influences: 15:18 – 18:57
• SNL hosting records & memories: 27:29 – 34:08
• Sobriety & self-realization: 31:10 – 34:18
• The Comedy Store, Mitzi memories, and healing power of laughter: 36:09 – 39:10
• On SNL's influence & making her talk show: 39:57 – 44:48
• Working with Sandler/’50 First Dates’ origin: 53:04 – 58:05
• Heart & Humor as life’s North Stars: 62:10 – 62:23

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is a mix of warmth, quick comedy, vulnerability, and insider Hollywood storytelling.
• Drew Barrymore is open about both her successes and struggles, especially around addiction, early fame, and evolving self-perception.
• She repeatedly credits SNL and the example of comics as key shapers of her worldview and career philosophy.
• Carvey and Spade bring genuine admiration and their trademark playful banter, contributing to revealing and inspiring moments.
• Drew champions laughter, connection, and embracing all life’s emotional range—offering inspiration for listeners in and beyond showbiz.

A must-listen for fans of comedy, SNL, Hollywood history, and candid conversations about resilience and joy.