RE-RELEASE - Drew Barrymore

Summary

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Podcast Summary

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

RE-RELEASE - Drew Barrymore

Release Date: December 20, 2025

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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.

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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)

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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.” |

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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

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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.

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

Transcript

[Dana Carvey]

Hey, David, when it comes to gifting, you know, I've learned there are two types of presents. Okay. The ones that get returned and the ones that instantly become a favorite. Do you agree?

[David Spade]

Yeah. That's Jenny Bird jewelry definitely falls in the second category. These designs, as you know, are very modern. They're timeless, always feel special.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, well, isn't that special special?

[David Spade]

That makes it my secret weapon when I want to give a gift that really, you know, lands. That's why Jenny Bird makes it easy. The packaging is beautiful. It's very thoughtful. The pieces are comfy enough to wear every day. Y and they ship fast.

[Dana Carvey]

That's right.

[David Spade]

Perfect. If you're last minute shopper like me.

[Dana Carvey]

That's right. I mean, I just want to do this when I hear that. Way to go.

[David Spade]

Way to go.

[Dana Carvey]

And because the styles are so versatile, they always make an outfit feel pulled together. David. Without trying too hard. Hard, David. Not talking about you. Some of my wife's go to's are the best selling Florence earrings which always get compliments. And the Remy Bengal lightweight, water resistant and just as good stacked as it is on its own. These are the gifts you'll actually want to keep.

[David Spade]

And you can get 20% off your first order with Jennybird by visiting jenny-bird.com and using code F OTW at checkout. You know, this last year, Dana, after my big dinner, slipped into the old food company.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh my goodness.

[David Spade]

Basically fused in with the couch. I'm talking stuffing, pie, all the fixer bread, house I tore into. I don't remember eating it. I said just the roof.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, one of those. Yeah, I did a lot of pumpkin pie. Yeah.

[David Spade]

Anyway, now I come.

[Dana Carvey]

What do you do now?

[David Spade]

Chava is my holiday reset. I keep a couple servings in my carry on and stash some at home. My friends and family show up. The snacking gets a little too nutty.

[Dana Carvey]

I blend mine with nut milk and frozen fruit or iced coffee.

[David Spade]

A little extra.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, right.

[David Spade]

Coming back, steady energy, easier digestion, muscles that actually recover. Metabolism support and a little help for my mind and immune system. Plus it's delicious. 25 grams of plant based protein. No artificial flavors, no soy, no gluten, none of the junk. Just real all in one nutrition.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, yeah, that's right. Food coma recovery made easy. Go to cachava.com and use Codefly for 15% off your next order. That's good job. Kachava. K-A C-H-A-V A.com Kofly for 15% off.

[David Spade]

You know, some mornings feel impossible. Dana. Like today, freezing cold holiday to do's piling up. And you just want something from your wardrobe. You just want it to make your life easy and just perform.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

You want your. Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Something to perform. You want a wardrobe to perform.

[David Spade]

Yeah. You want a wardrobe to bring something to the table. That's why I'm turning to Quince. Their Mongolian cashmere sweaters.

[Dana Carvey]

Mongolian cashmere sweaters.

[David Spade]

Insanely soft. 50 bucks for a cashmere sweater and looks way more expensive than they are. Italian wool coats. Structured, polished, perfect fit for these chilly months. Honestly, the down jacket, I got to get that from Quince because that's a go to it keeps you warm, looks sharp, holds up through the whole season.

[Dana Carvey]

Yes, Quince really nails the essentials. They got denim and chinos that actually fit. David outerwear that lasts. From leather jackets to wool top coats. All made from premium materials by trusted factories. And because they cut out the middleman, you get luxury quality without the crazy price tag.

[David Spade]

You were in a high school band called Denim and Chinos if I recall.

[Dana Carvey]

Yes, and BBQ was the lead singer. Actually, she was good.

[David Spade]

Starting grabbing a few gifts for home, bath and kitchen. I don't stop at home. I go bath, kitchen.

[Dana Carvey]

Nice.

[David Spade]

They make perfect presents that make it feel thoughtful, but don't break the bank. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with quints. Don't wait. Go to quince.com fly for free shipping on your order and a 365 day return that's all year now. Available in Canada too. What is it, Dana?

[Dana Carvey]

That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com fly free shipping and 365 day returns.

[David Spade]

Quits.com fly Drew Barrymore.

[Dana Carvey]

Drew Drew Barrymore.

[David Spade]

Universally loved. Mm, very sweet. And I've known her since the old days, right around wedding singers when I met her and we talk about that. And I saw her out the other night and I never see her. She's one of the ones I just never see. She was perfectly sweet and lovely as you would think.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, she was. When I saw her when we were vetting our friend Adam Sandler at the Kennedy Center Honorary, I just ran into her and I'd seen some of her show and we'd had her on our podcast and I said, you're really, really good at this. And she just paused and she's very sincere and her shoulders dropped and she said, really? You think so? She's very vulnerable and sweet and we enjoyed talking to her. One of our favorite podcasts, she's Easy to talk to and goes anywhere you want her to go to. So I think this is a fun one.

[David Spade]

Here she is, Drew Barrymore.

[Dana Carvey]

Bill Hader as kind of a. His voice has a treble softness to it, but then when he did Daniel Day Lewis, it just went incredibly deep. So his range is like, really kind of interesting because his talking voice is very sort of soft, you know, up here. And we had a great time. And then he's like. But I totally.

[David Spade]

I like that. I try to do Daniel Lewis and you guys both do it.

[Dana Carvey]

And I forgot I used to do it like crazy. I was. His was so great. I feel like we, you know, at some point we'll just tell. I was going to say, yeah. That if they said you were the best ever, I wouldn't slug him in the face. But there's 50 people that could be mentioned. You know, there's. It's just. People love to have lists.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

I don't want Maya Rudolph to go, what's going on?

[David Spade]

But he's definitely up there.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, he just. It's kind of like Will Forte that middle knots that early to 2010 or 12, whatever.

[David Spade]

Not had a loss is the gross.

[Dana Carvey]

I know had a lot of. Had a lot of talent. That's why I listed all of them. And I forgot my Rudolph. There's a lot of talent.

[David Spade]

Where's that lady?

[Drew Barrymore]

Oh, my God, you guys. I've been here the whole time screaming. It was on fucking mute. I didn't want to interrupt you. I was like, oh, I guess they're going and riffing here.

[David Spade]

You thought we were ignoring you on the wall.

[Drew Barrymore]

I was. I was listening and you were talking about Maya Rudolph and the knots or the arts or whatever we're calling them. And I literally was, oh, I guess when they're ready, they'll invite me in. But these are like the high class problems of our current world. You're on mute. I can't see. Your screen is off. This is the new verbiage for us. But I actually have been sitting here waiting to jump into the double dutch, Literally. I'm so excited that you guys would have me on.

[Dana Carvey]

Are you crazy?

[Drew Barrymore]

I love both of you so much. I'm in. I'm double dutching with you right now.

[Dana Carvey]

And I'm loving my wife said, oh, Drew's so sweet. She's so fun, has so much energy. And I go, you think? I don't know. I'll tell you what happens. But already you hear exactly what she promised.

[Drew Barrymore]

Oh, she's so kind. She's Definitely right about the energy part. I'm a lot. I'm like a lab Labrador in heat.

[Dana Carvey]

I like the heat.

[David Spade]

Yeah, I've heard people say that.

[Drew Barrymore]

Yeah, I am. I. But like, with.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, well, that was my. Go ahead.

[Drew Barrymore]

No, go ahead.

[Dana Carvey]

I like heat.

[Drew Barrymore]

Then I when I'm happy, when I'm intense, I think I'm a whole other metaphor. But when I'm happy, I'm like Labrador in heat, panting, probably trying to grab your leg, you know.

[David Spade]

Interesting.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, I read, I read some things about you last night, and it was truly impressive and exhausting how much you packed in.

[David Spade]

So, I mean, my God, Labrador.

[Dana Carvey]

And he. I'm going, and how young you are. From where I'm perched, it's like, damn, you got. Where does that come from? Where does the. Where's the motor to do all this and then become a producer and now this. And I don't know, I can't even. Maybe, maybe a hard question that's more of an Oprah question or Larry King.

[Drew Barrymore]

I love it. I'm like, I did not expect. Respect. The how do you do it? Question that's traditionally a woman to woman.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, yes. And a mom. Working mom. Yeah.

[Drew Barrymore]

Yeah. I like, like that you guys are asking it because.

[David Spade]

Yeah, we're real thinkers, Drew.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, we love. We love women, basically.

[Drew Barrymore]

I. And I love. And I love funny men. So this is a match made in heaven.

[Dana Carvey]

A win, win.

[Drew Barrymore]

I, I do it by burning the candle at both ends. I actually am here editing our next issue of a magazine that we're making, of course. And I think about, it's weird people will ask that question. And I think I've been so passive about my answer because my humility wants to go. No, no, no, I don't do that much. Let me turn it back to you.

[Dana Carvey]

Yes.

[Drew Barrymore]

And lately I've been for this magazine and trying to think of some content for it. I've been looking at the how and the we, not the how and the I. But I think that it's really messy. And I was brought up sort of. We all lived in that world where we would see those articles where people were like, 8am I drink my coffee and I do this.

[David Spade]

Okay, Mark Wahlberg, 10:30.

[Drew Barrymore]

I do this. You know, and I never lived that life. And it seemed so type A and unattainable. And I was more the you never know where the day is going to take you. Whimsical. Or I will burn myself to a crisp and then I'll find that pocket of rest and wellness somewhere else. So I don't. I don't know how anyone does it. And if they do it in an organized fashion, they have my deepest respect. And if they feel like it all feels like putting out fires and kind of burning yourself out, and it's all like a higgledy piggledy mess, and it's super comedic, and there are chickens running through the frame and, like, random funny shit is going on, that feels so true to are to my experience. And I would never preach to anyone that I have it together or that I'm a blueprint. I am just a work in progress. And so far, I'm shocked in some ways that I am a relatively healthy person, because I feel like I don't live a very healthy lifestyle.

[Dana Carvey]

Geez. And that's been Drew Barrymore today. We appreciate it. That's amazing. Go ahead. I have a question.

[David Spade]

No one argues that she's busy. Her IMDb looks like a CVS receipt seat. And if you could see her zoom, it's like. It looks like house and garden. Me and Dana look like we're in a bunker in Kabul.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, we're.

[David Spade]

Her place looks gorgeous.

[Dana Carvey]

She looks fresh as a daisy.

[David Spade]

Fresh as a daisy. Gorgeous.

[Drew Barrymore]

And only because I have hair and makeup, because I'm at the show. And by the way, on my headstone will for sure say death by inspo. Because I'll have inspired myself into the grave. Like, I can't even look at a woman's shoe without going, do you mind if I take a quick picture of that? Because that color tone would just be so great for the packaging on the next thing. I'm making. Like, it's. I. I cannot. I can't stop. And sometimes I feel like I wish I could just, like, have, like, quick, temporary. You know, I think that's probably why I drank so much back. You know, most of my.

[Dana Carvey]

What do you mean you had a problem?

[Drew Barrymore]

Just shut it down. I was like, just shut up, dude.

[David Spade]

At seven, you were like, I can't take it anymore, dude.

[Drew Barrymore]

You know what? Yeah, seven. I was paying the rent. And that's a lot of stress.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. Fairly uncommon thing for a human being in America to be paying the rent at 7.

[David Spade]

Drew. I can relate. Dana, I didn't tell you this. I was a child star, too. I. When I was. My dad was in advertising. He was like a Mad Men type of guy. And when I was. I was five, I was pretty cute. I had a good run from five to eight. So when I was five, really?

[Dana Carvey]

I never heard this.

[David Spade]

My dad goes, why don't you be in this, like, Taco Bell commercial that we're filming because they were part of it. And he goes, they need some kids. We'll throw you in. We'll give you 10 bucks. And I was like, holy shit. So they put ten $1 bills out for me on my desk. I probably got 1,000, but they kept it, you know, and they go, here's your 10. And then they took nine of it. And I go, so you already took a cut, I'm sure. Before, behind, Before I saw it. Then I get 10. And then you go, we'll hold it. And I go, wait, what's going on? And then I had a dollar left. They go, go nuts, you guys.

[Dana Carvey]

Drew's like, I hear that. I was still. I didn't put down my waiter's apron until 23 and a half. You guys start right out of kindergarten.

[David Spade]

Start.

[Dana Carvey]

Can I ask you a question, Drew? Because you kind of talked about, like, Reese Witherspoon. Okay. She's another, like, how does she do all that? And I heard her kind of own it, like in the way men can sort of own it. Like, okay, I get out of my way. I can do anything, basically. Is it difficult for you to have that gear? Because people would say I'm nice. They'd say, you're nice. But, you know, where do you have that part of you that has a ego, like, can kind of give yourself, give yourself a pat on the back?

[Drew Barrymore]

I don't.

[Dana Carvey]

So that's why you just keep going.

[Drew Barrymore]

Yeah. And I hate those. And I know Reese, so I, I, you know, she's just incredible that she is a good, like, hot question mark of how the hell does she do it? I, I, I feel like I had so much opportunity because of starting as a kid that the gender effect never had me. It never had my attention. It was squandered early because I started working as a baby and kept working. So I never had anything other than I could do all these things. And they're my opportunities to screw up or make something of. And there were men and women giving me those opportunities. I just wrote the foreword to the new ET book because it's the 40th anniversary and I was talking about Kathleen Kennedy and Melissa Matheson. I saw women at work, so I just really didn't have that. I need to be aggressive or act like a man to get anything done. I always felt permission to check in with my idols, the Go Go's and Pippi Longstocking, who were all girl all the time, but they did everything that boys did. And it became my ethos on making Charlie's Angels was, why do women have to pretend to be men in order to look strong and capable? Because the truth is, in my world, if I was kicking butt with my girlfriends, we would totally be talking about last night's date while taking the bad guy down. And bad guy could be again, bad guy or bad girl. I've never been affected. Luckily, I've not had the unfortunate ingenue treatment of being held back. Or as I started a production company at 19 and it was really in the era of the power suit woman, I was like, intimidated by that and just felt like, screw it, I'm going to be a girl with my CinnamonRuroys and my JanSport backpacks and the work is going to speak for me. And no man has ever kept me down. They've only helped give me opportunities as women have. And I'm just. I'm a girl. And I. I think the one thing that's always stuck out for me about men, first and foremost, was that, like a lot of my comedy influence when I was young came from men. There weren't a ton of female comedians. There's so many more now. I feel like the playing field is so much more equal. So I identified men a lot with funny, and that was a good thing. I didn't think of men as my bosses or anyone who was going to hold me back or I had to be like them. I've had fortunate liberation my entire life like that. And I hate boss bitch. I hate it. Boss lady. It sounds like you're hanging a pair of balls on you with a bitterness. And I don't like that because I don't have one bitter bone in my body. However, if people have to put, you know, metaphorical balls on or a cape or do any mechanism to empower themselves that I stand back and do not judge because everybody has their process of how they get to bravery.

[David Spade]

She has the best answers.

[Dana Carvey]

I know.

[David Spade]

Oh, my God, they're unreal.

[Drew Barrymore]

Oh, David Spade, I love you so much.

[David Spade]

I mean, my God, we have to talk about snl, by the way, back to ET to have two women that high up in the chain must have been nice back then. And they must have had an even keel about them because you look up to them and you don't see them. I mean, there is equal up there with everybody that are running a huge, huge movie. That's good. That's a good influence.

[Drew Barrymore]

Early on, and Steven Spielberg was flanked by these two women. Frank Marshall was there, but Kathleen Kennedy and Melissa Matheson.

[David Spade]

And so Melissa wrote it just for our viewers.

[Drew Barrymore]

Melissa wrote it. She was married to Harrison Ford at the time. They were very close. They had the script for years. They were making the Indiana Jones movies. They were all a tight knit group. And she had this script. It was called A Boy's Life. And yeah, that's what E.T.

[David Spade]

Was called.

[Drew Barrymore]

Yeah, it wasn't called E.T. until after the film was made. I guess maybe in marketing I'd have to ask.

[David Spade]

It was called Little Gross Monster for a little bit. I heard.

[Dana Carvey]

Cute little alien.

[David Spade]

Okay, go ahead. So, Dana, ask her a question about snl. What are you doing?

[Dana Carvey]

I know, I'm so. I'm a little starstruck.

[David Spade]

I'm starstruck too.

[Dana Carvey]

I'm fascinated by your life. I think it's so cool.

[Drew Barrymore]

I'm starstruck by you guys. I mean, literally, you're about to bring up SNL and I don't know where your question's going to go, but boy, did that show change my life in so many ways. But in no way did I participate the way that you guys have.

[Dana Carvey]

You know, David, last year I gifted Masterclass to my sister for her birthday and she couldn't stop talking about it. See? See how that works? She integrated it into her mornings as a little personal growth ritual. Inspired me to do the same.

[David Spade]

Okay.

[Dana Carvey]

Now it's part of my routine too. Just a few minutes a day and I feel sharper, calmer, more creative.

[David Spade]

We needed to get you like honed down into that zone.

[Dana Carvey]

I'm so glad you, you just heard that. Like you've. You heard me. You felt, you felt my.

[David Spade]

I hear what you're saying.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, exactly. You listen.

[David Spade]

That's my crime. I'm a listener. You hear, but you don't listen. You look, but you don't see. One of the favorite classes that I've heard about is Amy Poehler. You know what I mean? Amy Poehler does a improv class. And yeah, those are, those are things you can actually use in your everyday life. People have. When you're writing emails and you have presentations, when you're in conversations, it sort of makes you think a little differently. But there's so many with Masterclass. I mean, there's how many 200 world classes with genius people teaching you. And the plans start at just $10 a month, billed annually. So you can watch or listen anywhere on your phone, laptop, where else?

[Dana Carvey]

Or even online if you're traveling. And David, every membership comes with bonus guides and a 30 day money back guarantee. Thousands of Bite sized lessons fit right into your schedule. Make it easy to learn from the best on your own time.

[David Spade]

That's right. Masterclass always has great offers during the holidays. Sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to masterclass.com fly for the current offer. That's up to 50% [e-mail] fly Listen, Dana, if you're like me, you're like me a little bit.

[Dana Carvey]

I think so. Yeah.

[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

Okay, listen, so for Thanksgiving.

[Dana Carvey]

Thanksgiving. Yep.

[David Spade]

I'm going to add into the mix some Omaha steaks. Because it's like I want to, you know, have them around because they have steaks, they have hamburgers. They have.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, they're fun. They're fun to have around.

[David Spade]

Yeah. And then you take that and then I'm going to tell people that's a good gift idea for Christmas. You know, send them out, take the pain out of going and shopping. Suddenly you got all this at your fingertips.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, they come and get. They come gift wrapped, USDA certified tender. I like that. Steaks, juicy burgers, cozy and convenient comfort meals. And a lot more than that, David.

[David Spade]

Oh, yeah, there's way more than that, Dana. During their Sizzle all the Way sale, they tied that into Christmas. That says all the way. Yeah, you can get 50% off site wide at Omaha steaks.com plus our precious listeners get an extra $35 off with promo code fly.

[Dana Carvey]

I'm gonna say that's a good thing. You've had some Omaha steaks, haven't you?

[David Spade]

Yeah. You're gonna see me in the kitchen. Maybe I'll take them out on the bbq depending on weather. Weather permitting.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[David Spade]

And watch me. Hey, you know, I'm over there. Like, how do you like them, you.

[Dana Carvey]

Know, yelling, I once dated a woman named bbq, but good night.

[David Spade]

Oh, yeah, I've actually met her with you.

[Dana Carvey]

Omaha steaks. Actually, David, you may not believe this, but they're unrivaled and quality and variety and everybody's backed by their 100 guarantee.

[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

Since 1917, if I had to guess.

[Dana Carvey]

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[David Spade]

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[Dana Carvey]

That's Omaha steaks.com code fly for people who don't know it.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

You've hosted six times, which is a record for.

[Drew Barrymore]

I'm tied right now, I think with.

[Dana Carvey]

Candace Bergen or no.

[Drew Barrymore]

Nope, she's five. I think I'm tied with scarjo who I pretty sure is gonna beat me because she's great on.

[David Spade]

Oh, yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

She's got married to Colin. She's got a fast track. We're gonna book her for three a year.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Drew Barrymore]

And she makes, you know, big movies that are gonna, you know, I'm sure she's gonna beat me. And I love her so much. And we just did the show together and if anyone's gonna beat it. But here's a record I do hold that. I think I will be. It will be bittersweet when it happens. I am still the youngest host in 1982 at the 7 years old.

[Dana Carvey]

Yes.

[Drew Barrymore]

That one's gonna hurt.

[Dana Carvey]

That's gonna be a tough one.

[David Spade]

That's really no danger. I don't know.

[Drew Barrymore]

Unless I wonder. How has it not been taken? How the hell has that not happened?

[David Spade]

Well, because it's child abuse. Hey, kid, you're gonna. I can't even handle. I was crying when I hosted and I'd done 200 shows. Yeah, you go back there and you're like, wait, what do I do? And the band's playing. It's terrifying.

[Dana Carvey]

I'm 40, I can't even. But was the monkey a surprise?

[Drew Barrymore]

Yes, yes, a total surprise.

[Dana Carvey]

It was a non sequitur for David. Yeah, go ahead, explain that.

[Drew Barrymore]

Because Jim Kazarinski, who I had just an adorable crush on, I just thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread, they didn't want me to have to deal with an opening monologue. And they sort of addressed that in the monologue. And they say instead of we're going to do a Q and A with Tim and Drew. Weird to say your name. And so he asked me questions on little index cards and I adorable. And then at the end he says, we have a surprise for you. And they bring out this monkey. Yeah, I don't know what the point of it was other than to, well, your reaction. Cutest thing. And the most delightful surprise for anyone, let alone a seven year old girl. I remember so many different emotions. Steven Spielberg came and he's very much probably the only father figure I've really had in my life. And he was very parental. And on the show night he brought Robin Williams, which scared me to death because I was so obsessed with Robin Williams and that felt very intimidating to me. And.

[David Spade]

Who's blabbing?

[Dana Carvey]

Somebody's auditioning back there.

[Drew Barrymore]

Sorry, sorry.

[David Spade]

Tell them you don't want to get spayed mad.

[Drew Barrymore]

They're all exactly so Robin Williams. So Robin Williams. And it was such a weird mixed bag because I was in the opening scene, which I didn't realize until way later how hard it is to get in the scene before the credits. Like I spent my young adulthood fighting to get in that opening scene, the cold open. And I was in it. And they all circle around me and I'm sad about something and they are rallying me up. And then they said, you know, would you like a glass of milk? And I remember my line was, milk, I'm a Barrymore, I want to drink and make it a double. And seven years.

[Dana Carvey]

Seven.

[Drew Barrymore]

Boy. Little did I know how true that would end up.

[David Spade]

You were like, all kidding aside, make it a double.

[Dana Carvey]

Was there, was there a family history of that at all or.

[Drew Barrymore]

Oh my God, I mean, literally they all died of consumption. Literally, my grandfather died of consumption. I think Ethel and Lionel were a bit more put together, but yeah, total hedonists and an artists and a long line of alcoholism. And yeah, it's highly genetic. Obviously it is highly genetic, but I'm gonna be the one who breaks that in our chain.

[David Spade]

Break it.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, I have been.

[Drew Barrymore]

I haven't had a drink in almost three years and wow, it's a really good feeling.

[Dana Carvey]

What's your happy place? How do you calm down then? Do you meditate? Do you take a bath? Do you run around the block? How do you calm that. That thinking brain without alcohol?

[Drew Barrymore]

Yeah, and I'm not sober. I don't work a program. It's just I realized my relationship with alcohol was the most toxic one in my life and one I had been trying to master since I was 9 years old and did start drinking and that. Yeah, I had to find a way. I had to find a different way to live. And I can sort of trace every negative thing back in my life. And there's probably alcohol dancing in there somewhere. And it's like the best breakup I've ever had in my life. And it's so confident and quiet. And I have a bar in my house. I serve people drinks. I have no hang ups about it. I'm just like so psyched at this choice to finally cut this like cancer out of my life. It's something. Excuse me.

[David Spade]

Well, you feel better too. I mean, there's a lot of positives if you can get through it. It's a lot of energy upside.

[Dana Carvey]

And so how did you manage all these movies and this massive career while imbibing? Was it sort of binge drinking or.

[David Spade]

Would you people look the other way?

[Drew Barrymore]

I think when you do burn the candle at both ends and you are prolific, that's part of the fooling yourself. But I'm doing all this work, so I'm functioning. And that was definitely my justification. But I was more of like when I partied, I was the crazy one. I can think of another SNL alum, Chris Catan, whose nickname and I for each other as rooftops because we would get wasted and jump off my roof into the pool. And I had a lot of fun with it and it wasn't all bad. And then I think when kids came into my life, I realized that this was no longer sustainable. And I made a hard choice and it's the best one I've ever made. When it was just me and my life, I guess I didn't matter to myself enough to find the balance. My kids mattered more to me than I did. And I found the balance and it didn't come easy and it wasn't pretty and we all wish we had done things sooner. But I'm here and I'm so happy to be here. And that in itself, I Think has replaced a ton of meditation and jogging and New Agey stuff and self help and self care. Just being a person who isn't corroded with guilt and dysfunction and blame. Like, 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? It's you. You're the bad girl.

[David Spade]

And if it's kind of your. Your thing, like she's the drinker and the fun party girl, then you're like, it's already sort of factored in, so no one's going to get mad. That's kind of what they want.

[Drew Barrymore]

100%. I'm the good time girl. And I did have a good time. I wasn't willing to give it up for a long time. I was balancing it in a way where I was working my ass off. I work hard, I played hard, and that was okay for 30 years. And then I think 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 I don't know if it's. I just only know my own journey. I started so much younger than other people in many ways, but I think a lot of my wisdom came later, and that's okay. I don't even ask people what their age is because I don't give a shit. I don't think it's going to tell me everything about you. You're going to tell me. If I have to ask people what their age is, I'll literally say, what's your number? Because it's not indicative of your journey. There are people who have clawed their way through life at such a young age and been dealt such strange cards, and there are people who just can't seem to mature. No matter how hard everyone around them is trying, they won't.

[Unidentified/Background Voice]

Did you say David?

[Dana Carvey]

No, that was a joke. Look at him in his mansion. He's very. He's very successful, but he's the.

[David Spade]

Listen, I was. When I was nine years old, my mom would say, you're not drinking till you're nine. Like Drew Barrymore. And I go, right, that's where we had a tough rule. No, I've got my shit together, Drew. No, I don't.

[Drew Barrymore]

Do you, Drew?

[David Spade]

No, no, no.

[Dana Carvey]

We're comedians. We're damaged little clowns.

[David Spade]

Yeah, we're little clowns.

[Drew Barrymore]

It was an interesting lesson growing up, being such a lover of male comedians. You know, so many wake up calls on who used the sort of torture as an excuse to, you know, behave a certain way or be kind of an intense person or, you know, you're.

[David Spade]

Talking to me or Dana and those.

[Drew Barrymore]

Who didn't, you know, and I would definitely gravitate towards the ones who didn't. But I. And my mom, by the way, when I was a kid, not only did I get to do SNL at 7 years old, but my mom worked as a waitress in the Comedy Store. So I now have a character that I do for the digital on our show named Mitzi Banana Moore. And it's all dedicated to Mitzi Shore, really. And she's the inspiration for it. And I get to ask questions that I can't get away with on daytime television. And I got a wig and a look and a whole thing, and I.

[David Spade]

You know, sounds so funny coming out of you.

[Dana Carvey]

Do you have a lot of Mitzi stories? Because I. We have stories about Mitzi.

[Drew Barrymore]

You know, Paulie sure was my babysitter. Oh, yes.

[Dana Carvey]

Sorry. Is everything okay?

[Drew Barrymore]

I think so. Him and Donovan Leach used to, like, look after me sometimes. Like, our parents didn't. I mean, my mom is an extreme case. And, you know, but, like, a lot of people were in that time. Like, we did not parent back then the way we do now. And it's crazy. The scrutiny and the helicopter parenting and the guilt and the books and the rights and the wrongs and the do's and the don'ts.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Drew Barrymore]

My mom just left me with Polly and Donovan while she and Mitzi were off at work. It was fun. I loved it. And my mom gave me such a rich history on who each and every comedian was and what their body of work was and what Steve Martin meant and what Robin Williams meant and who these people that came and did a set that night or here's the person up and coming. It's very in my DNA. And so for me, getting on this podcast with you guys, like, I'm the one freaking out. I don't know what so much of my life would be without the things that you both have put into the world. And comedy is a very healing thing. I call it medicine always. And I've been trained like a little seal, to appreciate and understand the power of 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 and the things you got to do and the things that have affected you. You are liberated and free in that moment because your chemistry Changes.

[Dana Carvey]

You can't laugh and worry at the same time.

[Drew Barrymore]

I mean, by the way, the more you're worried, I hope, the more you are laughing, because it's the only way you're gonna survive it.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, this leads me to a question, because you're giving a background on what comedy meant to you and learning this in real time with you. What does it mean to have hosted SNL for you? Because then you go into America's Comedy palace, basically, and you host it six times. What does that mean to you? And how thrilling was it for you to then be part of it after the age of seven, and then you're an adult, mature, funny person on that show? Thanks. What is it? What is it? I don't know. You have six minutes to answer that question.

[Drew Barrymore]

I really feel like that show is an institution. And 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.

[David Spade]

Such good answers so far.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. That was so poetically. You speak like a poet.

[David Spade]

Yeah. It's unreal.

[Dana Carvey]

Have you written a book of poems? You have, haven't you? I don't.

[Drew Barrymore]

Yeah, I do write poetry. I love poet. I read a lot of poetry growing up. We get to bask in the shade and the light of that tree, and it's like it formed me so much as a human being. And I'm happy to say, whether it's successful or not, I don't know. I'm not objective about myself. I never want to be. But when I was lucky enough to get the show that I'm doing now, which is a talk show, it has my name on it, actually asked for it to be named something else. They said, that's not how this works. I said, fine.

[David Spade]

We'Ll go with a household name.

[Dana Carvey]

You have a great. You have a great name.

[David Spade]

Yeah, it's a cool name.

[Dana Carvey]

One syllable and then three syllables. It's just. It goes. Drew Barrymore is just a cool name.

[Drew Barrymore]

Thank you, Dana Carvey. That ends in a smile. I think I never thought of that. It's true. I leaned in so hard to my SNL training for this show. And a couple examples are that when we launched the pandemic in 2020, it was a very scary time to find a voice. I felt like it was in order to be quiet and be a good listener and be a student and learn. And so that was really intimidating. But I tried to tap into bravery to be funny and have a show that really celebrated comedians and go hard on Comedy. It was go hard.

[David Spade]

I love it.

[Drew Barrymore]

It was scary and I think it confused a lot of people. And especially in that moment, like, what the hell is this?

[Dana Carvey]

The Pandemic. Here she comes again. Yep.

[Drew Barrymore]

And the Drew's news segment of the show from which I fought for since the pilot. I kept trying to explain it to everybody and obviously there is this section of a magazine called the Week that's called. It wasn't all bad and it's just these tiny baby sized paragraphs that are so funny and uplifting and weird. And then Weekend Update and then, you know, I just kept saying, I just like Weekend Update to me is, is a drug. I'm on that theater. I watch it every week. I don't miss it. I love finding out information in a funny way. You could call it satire, you could call it pop culture, you could call it comedy. But that news desk, I had a picture of Walter Cronkite, the Weekend Update desk, and like the Week magazine. And I think everyone was really scared because they were like, well, that's very written. And I was like, no, I know, I'm not going to write it. We're going to report stories that give people hope because there is good news out there and there are life affirming things and there are weird happenings and interesting findings and we're going to be an aggregator for that and then we can do commentary on it. I think Chelsea lately honestly was a really interesting, you know, she did a format where they really commented more on like gossip and pop culture, but it was so much fun and no one had done that. And she had a panel of comedians and it was delicious and nobody had done that.

[David Spade]

And you know, Drew, during your, during the pandemic, it's even harder because it's an uphill battle. Everything in the news is bad. It was so pessimistic and so rough that you're fighting through that clutter. And if anyone just turned to the channel and see you, they're like, give me a breather here for a second.

[Drew Barrymore]

I didn't know if I would ever be one, but I knew that I wanted and I thought I want to be a bright spot and not a blind spot. I want you to come here and not think that I don't understand what's happening all around us. But there is beautiful things. There are wonderful people. There is that good. And if we have to be reminded in life affirming ways that this battle is worth it, great. Then that's what I want to do. And how do I take us out while not seeming like I've lost the plot or I'm not in and aware and civic duty minded of everything that is really happening in reality. And it was the weirdest seesaw ever to balance. But I would say that Saturday Night Live has been my biggest influence in my life.

[David Spade]

Jesus.

[Drew Barrymore]

And now that I got to do a show that's not a movie or not a script or not a rom com that probably involves a lot of people from the SNL alum, you can see that love and that honoring and that adhesive sort of of admiration I have for male comedians because I've spent.

[David Spade]

So much time, you know, how about Sandler and Fallon? And you did movies with both those guys.

[Dana Carvey]

Like how crazy crossover.

[Drew Barrymore]

I got to be in Wayne's World as Bjerg and Kierigen for Beergen Kiergen.

[Dana Carvey]

Can we hear a little bit of Bjergen Kurgan from Wayne's World too?

[Drew Barrymore]

Drew Baron by the way, I really feel like that was the, like I was worried sweet, like anyone was gonna be mad at me. Like I made a, a real joke out of the accent because I didn't really study enough for it. And I sort of went for the broad comedy and I was like offend people with that.

[Dana Carvey]

People's gotta stop being offended. But it was I'm vegan. All I do is Greta Thunberg. I don't know what country she's from. How dare you. How dare you. That's it. It's just three words.

[Unidentified/Background Voice]

There's nothing like gaining a fresh perspective from experts who've seen it all and have the wisdom to prove it. With Masterclass, you can learn from the best to become your best. With plans starting at $10 a month billed annually, you get unlimited access to over 200 plus classes taught by the world's best business leaders, writers, chefs and more. With Masterclass, you get thousands of bite sized lessons across 13 categories that can fit into even the busiest of schedules. And the classes really make a difference. Three in four surveyed members feel inspired every time they watch masterclass. And 83% of surveyed members have applied something they've learned from Masterclass to their lives. Masterclass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to masterclass.com audio for the current offer. That's up to 50% [e-mail] audio masterclass.com audio There's a lot of pressure to choose the perfect gift. But with Omaha Steaks, you can put all that gift anxiety aside from effortless holiday hosting to unforgettable gifts Omaha Steaks delivers the world's best steak experience. When you gift Omaha Steaks, you're gifting USDA Certified Tender steaks, premium proteins, elegant sides and decadent, indulgent desserts. Omaha Steaks offers unrivaled quality and variety and every bite is backed by their 100% guarantee. Every steak is perfectly aged to maximize tenderness and hand cut by master butchers in America's heartland. Grass fed Grain finished beef has more marbling for exceptional flavor and is the choice of steakhouses and professional chefs around the world. Right now is the perfect time to save on delicious gifts and holiday hosting favorites. Save big on gourmet gifts and more holiday favorites with omaha Steaks. Visit OmahaSteaks.com and for an extra $35 off, use code T Bone at checkout Terms app. See site for details. That's Omaha Steaks.com promo code TBONED get.

[Drew Barrymore]

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[Dana Carvey]

Well, I don't know exactly what you're saying, but I think I've got a bloody idea about something you're trying to Michael Caine, everyone. Michael Caine. If I had to say it, I don't know. You're tremendous. Everyone says, excuse me. Many people Drew Barrymore You. Your show's terrific. It's terrific. Many people. Excuse me.

[Drew Barrymore]

Many people are saying it's all inflection.

[David Spade]

Yeah.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah. And I just have fun with it. I'm in awe of, like, there's certain people do certain impressions, and I just love it, and I'm on awe of it. And Jimmy Fallon, his Neil Young is, like, insane.

[Drew Barrymore]

His Neil Young is so good.

[Dana Carvey]

He has so much talent. You know, I've talked to people there. Like, he's with Justin Timberlake, and they're doing. They're choreographing something, and they go, jimmy, just one time. He's got it. And then he can sing and he dances and he does all these voices. And he's such a great, great talk show host because he's so. Such a great audience.

[Drew Barrymore]

But we're all so influenced by that renaissance variety human that can pull out of the ether or have a premeditated approach to it or access to both.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, what's one that you learned? You talked about learning one and really owning it.

[David Spade]

Yeah. Do you have a good one? Load it up.

[Dana Carvey]

Do you do Chloe Feynman?

[Drew Barrymore]

Sorry.

[David Spade]

Jesus.

[Dana Carvey]

That's my favorite thing.

[David Spade]

Who is that?

[Dana Carvey]

Austin. We've done dozens of these. That's my favorite moment. Thank you, Drew. It's the most real moment.

[Drew Barrymore]

Thank you. I'm sorry, I'm not.

[Dana Carvey]

Now, you're definitely the coolest.

[Drew Barrymore]

Oh, good. Oh, good. I.

[David Spade]

All right. That one's getting to my house now. It's just getting to me. Oof.

[Drew Barrymore]

Let's see. What have I eaten today?

[David Spade]

Chili dog, I can tell you.

[Drew Barrymore]

No, just. Only. Only quinoa. Like a quinoa porridge. It's pretty boring. I. Oh, shit.

[David Spade]

What was the question of Sandler for the end?

[Dana Carvey]

We have a lot of Sandler questions at the end. We got a little.

[David Spade]

Let's. We got a Sandler questions. We like to clown on him.

[Drew Barrymore]

I mean, God, do I just. I love him.

[Dana Carvey]

Doesn't I got some monster movies with him? Adam's made a lot of great movies, But I think 51 dates is, like, one of his very, very best. Because I. It was such a complete film, and it was emotional at the end. You know, I don't. Didn't you find that to be an extra special one you did with them? 50. 51 dates. You've done three 50 first dates.

[Drew Barrymore]

50 first dates or 51 originally. Another title change. It was called 50 first kisses, and I think they thought that was too girly in the marketing. Neutral dates, like dates is more gender neutral now. This actually became a really big study for me about men and women. This is where I really did take on gender. So Nan, my partner, had found that script, and it was a drama that took place in Seattle. And funny enough, she, like, wanted Reese Witherspoon to do it. She was like. She was like, you're busy. I'm gonna. I was. I believe in Reese Witherspoon. She was a total fan. We've all been fans of hers forever. I've known Reese since I was 14 years old. And so she had me read it at a table reading. And I was like, oh, my God, this is the best script ever. And we wanted to get attached to it as producers at Flower Films. And it disappeared overnight. Like, it just. Someone gobbled it up and then her. And I tracked it for the next, like, I mean, years, several years. It went through different big directors and big actresses, and we just. Nan and I were, like, determined to track where this script went. And all of the sudden, it finally matriculates over to none other than Happy Madison.

[David Spade]

Happy Madison.

[Drew Barrymore]

And that is to anyone who doesn't know is Adam Sandler's company. He's always done it with the same people he always will. He's such a loyalist. And it was everybody I knew from the Wedding Singer and.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, another great one. Yeah, I love that movie.

[David Spade]

Oh, another monster.

[Drew Barrymore]

Well, I stalked him. I was like, I know that you and I are supposed to be Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, except for probably through more of, like, a Marty Feldman Buddy Hackett lens. Buddy, I'm not fancying myself Katharine Hepburn here. I've got purple hair and a leopard coat on, and you're like, sporty sport. You're Sporty Spice. So nothing about it physically says that this is a match, but I am convinced, ad, that you and I are supposed to be cinematic soulmates. And we did the Wedding Singer together. And then I think it was like 10 or 11 years later, I found out the script, went to him. I ran into my trailer. We were filming Charlie's Angels on the Sony lot. Happy Madison was on the Sony lot. And instead of running over to his office, I thought, I'm going to type out a letter for him. So I got him my Olivetti typewriter, and I typed out this letter to him, hysterically sobbing. And this, I think, the power of a letter. I've had multiple things happen that have changed my life for the better or in palpable, powerful ways. Through a letter.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah.

[Drew Barrymore]

Don't deny the power of a letter. And I said, I know we've Talked about maybe coming back together. We set ourselves up real well in the first one, which kind of us up for the second one, because the expectations are going to be really high for both of us, and we can't do something that is less than. We have to do something equal or maybe even more than. And I am convinced that this is the movie. And I had someone run the letter over to his office. He showed up at my trailer.

[Dana Carvey]

What are you trying to do?

[Drew Barrymore]

He's like, why do you like this movie? We're trying to make it into a comedy. And I said, oh, my God, really? And he goes, yeah. And I go, but, okay. Interesting. Well, damn it, you cannot lose. What is so fucking important about this movie, which is how do you make someone fall in love with you every day? And the poetry, like, as a woman, I've never been more fucking moved in my life. You can't wash that away with goofiness. And he was like, yeah, but we know comedy, and we know what guys want. And I said, and you know what? I know what girls want. And he goes, well, then obviously, you've got to produce it with me. And I said, well, obviously, we've got to make this movie together. And he was like, so it's happening. And I'm like, is it happening? Really?

[Dana Carvey]

Wow, what a great story. I love it.

[Drew Barrymore]

We went to work right away, and we got Flower Films, which was me and Nan and Happy Madison, which was him and the boys. And we sat there and we rewrote the movie based on what we thought went like, what we were all looking for.

[David Spade]

Women's side.

[Drew Barrymore]

Yeah, women's side, boys side. And this was in the day where, as a producer early on, I was told men make the decisions about where to go to the movie that weekend, and the girlfriend will go with it. That. And that's a gender stereotype that I just thought, oh, God, that's crazy. All right, well, I don't know what to do with that information, but thank you for telling me that. And we tried to make it this balanced seesaw. And I. We met with directors, and it was in Pete Siegel, who. You know, I always think I got lucky and had a knack for seeing things in directors that they hadn't had in their work before. And with Pete Siegel, I knew he was the guy. I knew he got the tone. And this was gonna be such a challenge to straddle, like, whale sperm flying in faces one minute and trying to connect with the human heart and move people in the next scene. And I was like, this Is gonna take a very unique conductor to pull this all up and make everybody happy. And I knew that Pete could do it because of our conversations. I knew he got it.

[David Spade]

Pete did another big comedy, Drew.

[Drew Barrymore]

What?

[David Spade]

Tommy Boy.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, he was your director 10 years, which is another really, really great film.

[David Spade]

Isn't that crazy? Look at your face.

[Drew Barrymore]

My God.

[Dana Carvey]

Oh, my God.

[Drew Barrymore]

I didn't even realize that. That is a fucking masterpiece.

[David Spade]

Can you believe I was saying when you said Pete Siegel, I go, you got the right guy.

[Drew Barrymore]

Oh, my God. Tommy Boy. I mean, that's an iconic movie, David. Iconic like history books.

[David Spade]

Well, love Tommy Boy. And I'm thinking for you guys to balance that the team of you, Sandler and Pete, and then you throw Rob Schneider in a coconut bra or whatever he did. Oh, my God, that's a real guy.

[Dana Carvey]

He was based on does these great funny characters. But it's interesting, Drew, you say that. That the bones of it was a drama, because that's still whatever you guys did.

[David Spade]

It's kind of what it is.

[Dana Carvey]

It resonated by the third actor. When he's on the boat, he sees you again. It. It got me verklempt. I mean, I had to ride with it, and that's hard to do in a comedy.

[Drew Barrymore]

It's very hard to do. It was my life, and very much with the show that, again, I am lucky enough to make. And we fight so hard for it over here. We have the best time making it. But making a show and broadcast daytime in this time, I can't imagine is really challenging. And we're trying to find new ways to reinvent it. But 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. And no journey is devoid of tragedy and laughter and love and heartbreak and death and loss and ecstasy and sex and, you know, maybe children, if you choose to go that route. And, you know, relationship, it's just. It's all the things. And so I don't like. It's music, you know, and it's visuals and cinema. Like, it's books. It's. It's everything. It's everything. And I want so badly to put everything in a blender. But then I think the trick is you still have to make it your own. You have to be you. But I love all the. All the tones. And 50 first dates is definitely a fun tonal example that you can kind of have it all and do it.

[David Spade]

Really well done, really well put together.

[Drew Barrymore]

But I'm aiming for that for everything in my life. Sure. Maybe the north stars can be simplified down to heart and humor.

[Dana Carvey]

Maybe you're like Paris, that Ernest Hemingway called it a movable feast.

[Drew Barrymore]

Oh, of course. That's a beautiful book.

[Dana Carvey]

Yeah, it's. Well, that phrase is just sort of encompasses kind of what you're saying. The magistrate and the symphony of life and all, you know, slings and arrows and ups and downs and better philosophers than me have spoke to. But to live is to suffer and have joy every day. And we had a joy today visiting with you. We did.

[David Spade]

We got a lot.

[Dana Carvey]

I was a talk show host in.

[Drew Barrymore]

A previous life, including Hemingway perfectly. It is such like. I was so excited to do this with you guys. I thank you for choosing me. Thank you for having me.

[David Spade]

We're thrilled.

[Drew Barrymore]

Thank you for everything that you've done. I just love and admire you and I'm.

[Dana Carvey]

Well, you've brought a energy and a different point of view and you're, you know, you're so far sort of an outlier. It was really great to get you on our podcast and here you speak to all this stuff. Really interesting.

[Drew Barrymore]

Thank you. Said by. Oh, God, it's.

[David Spade]

Ah.

[Drew Barrymore]

And by the way, I will be on the teat forever of laughter. So please keep giving it to everyone.

[David Spade]

Hey, guys, if you're loving this podcast, which you are, be sure to click follow on your favorite podcast app, Give us review 5 star rating and maybe even share an episode that you've loved with a friend.

[Dana Carvey]

If you're watching this episode on YouTube, please subscribe. We're on video now.

[David Spade]

Fly on the Wall is presented by Odyssey and executive produced by Danny Carvey and David Spade, Heather Santoro and Greg Holtzman, Maddie Sprung Kaiser and Leah Reese Dennis of Odyssey.

[Dana Carvey]

Our senior producer is Greg Holtzman and the show is produced and edited by.

[David Spade]

Phil Sweettech Booking by Cultivated Entertainment.

[Dana Carvey]

Special thanks to Patrick Fogarty, Evan Cox, Maura Curran, Melissa Wester, Hillary Schuff, Eric Donnelly, Colin Gaynor, Sean Cherry, Kirk Courtney and Lauren Vieira.

[David Spade]

Reach out with us. Any questions be asked and answered on the show? You can email us at flyonthewalldysee. Com. That's a U D A C Y I dot com.