Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
Episode: RE-RELEASE – Robert Smigel
Release Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Fly on the Wall is a lively, joke-packed deep dive into the world of sketch comedy and Saturday Night Live, celebrating the extraordinary career of Robert Smigel—legendary writer, performer, and creator (best known as the voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and as a head writer for Conan O’Brien). Dana, David, and Robert (with plenty of Triumph’s biting humor) reminisce about their days at SNL, dissect classic sketches, and explore the evolution (and absurdities) of comedy writing, impressions, and showbiz culture. Witty banter, honest self-reflection, and backstage stories come thick and fast, making it a must-listen for comedy aficionados.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening Banter and The Triumph Entrance [14:06 – 21:10]

• Smigel’s Entrance as Triumph:

  • Smigel launches into the episode not as himself but as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who immediately roasts Dana, David, the show, and podcasting in general.
  • Triumph quips: “This is a great show… Wall. Not for me to poop on. No, no, fantastic show.” (15:03–15:10)
  • On old white comedians: “Old white people complimenting old white people…” (19:10–19:23)

• Meta-commentary on Podcasting:

  • The crew riffs on the explosion of podcasts (“There’s 2.8 million podcasts… It’s like Covid. There’s more every day…” — Spade, 20:41), and the self-congratulatory nature of comedy podcasts.

2. SNL Backstage Culture and Writer Dynamics [21:10 – 31:00]

• The Lauren Michaels Impression & Office Politics:

  • Smigel and Carvey swap stories about how everyone backstage eventually tries a Lorne Michaels impression — and how Dana’s became famous for going “one step beyond” reality.
  • Exposes the culture of passive-aggressive versus openly ambitious writers at SNL, with anecdotes about Jon Lovitz (“He’d say, ‘they cut it because it was too funny…’” — Carvey, 27:58), and how carving a unique niche for yourself was often tough.

• SNL Auditions and New Cast Members:

  • David Spade discusses his joke about being “Chief Not-in-Show” (22:24)—i.e., often written into few sketches as a newbie.
  • Smigel gives a behind-the-scenes take on cast and audition perceptions, revealing that Spade was originally seen as a “Dana Carvey type,” which created confusion and pigeonholing (23:06).

  Notable Quote:

  • Smigel: “People like Sawyer…thought you’d be the next Dana Carvey but weren’t letting your full persona out yet.” (22:52)

3. Collaboration, Impressions & Sketch Creation [29:41 – 36:30]

• How Impressions Seep into Sketches:

  • Carvey would hand out a list of impressions to writers hoping it’d spark ideas for sketches—a refreshing openness with the writing staff.
  • Smigel recalls building Carson and Regis impressions: “I wrote it for Phil Hartman… but Dana was right, he just looked more like Regis.” (31:47)

  Notable Moment:

  • The “Regis explosion” anecdote, bonding over the way Regis would make exceptions and shout excitedly.

• Process for Abstract Impressions:

  • Discussion of “abstract” impressions—where the impersonation becomes its own caricature (e.g., Travolta’s exaggerated “weird” and “slack” catchphrases).

4. Sketches That Ruffled Feathers: Dealing with Real-Life Reactions [36:30 – 54:30]

• Johnny Carson's Mixed Reactions:

  • The crew reveals Carson was actually upset by one SNL sketch, believing he was being portrayed as senile because of a change in the cold open guest (from Sinead O’Connor to Susan Dey).
  • “He said this on his own show—‘they’re saying I’m senile’…” — Smigel (52:08)
  • Carvey reflects: “I’d be flattered to become a caricature—even if it means I can’t get on the show anymore.” (53:10)

• Impact of Satire on the Satirized:

  • Smigel expresses increasing empathy with age, aware that sketches sometimes inadvertently sting their targets:
    “When you get older and life kicks you in the nuts… you realize how tough careers are.” (43:33)

  Notable Quote:

  • Smigel on Adam Sandler’s advice: “You feel good about that? What if that guy’s home watching… he’s had a hard day. What did I do?” (44:44)

5. Notable Sketch Stories and Writerly Insights [54:42 – 61:45]

• Legendary Sketches:

  • Schmidt’s Gay (beer commercial parody) — Smigel details its origins and emphasizes its subversiveness: “The joke was turning the tables on objectifying, sexist beer commercials.” (57:59–58:00)
  • TV Funhouse and the “Ambiguously Gay Duo” — Smigel’s foray into cartoons, including a memorable moment showing Lorne Michaels as an animated character (“He called it ‘putting a beanie on the boss’…” — 59:40)

• Affection for Nerd Culture:

  • Smigel’s “nerd affinity” shines in his Triumph segments at Star Wars lines and in writing the famous William Shatner “Get a Life!” Star Trek convention sketch.
  • Experiences ribbing celebrities (like Don Rickles) and why being roasted is a “badge of honor” (62:52).

6. Tributes and Reflections on SNL History [66:45 – 75:30]

• The Night of Too Many Stars:

  • Smigel describes producing the star-heavy autism benefit (“The funniest title ever for a benefit”—Spade, 65:45). He retells the “all-star band” sketch where Lou Reed performed with comedians and the comic tension when Reed sternly asked Carvey not to play so hard on the drums (67:59).
  • “Maybe it was nerves. But… he was totally affable later.” — Carvey on Lou Reed (68:00)

• SNL Character Creation:

  • Anecdotes about being urged to write up your own “character sheet” pre-SNL—David Spade, a standup, “just made up stuff in case it clicked” (26:40).
  • Discussion of writers’ signature sketches—Jack Handey’s unique voice and why his sketches always made the show, regardless of audience laughs.

7. Deconstructing the "Chippendales" Farley Sketch [70:38 – 75:30]

• Was it Exploitative or Empowering?

  • The group reflects on the legacy of the infamous Farley Chippendales sketch, addressing debates over whether it exploited Farley’s body.
  • Smigel’s take: “All I saw was an audience fall in love with Chris… Not remotely ashamed of his body—if anything, it was empowering.” (71:19)
  • Carvey and Smigel emphasize the grace and athleticism Farley brought to physical comedy and confirm there was no backroom resentment—just an epic sketch that launched Farley into stardom.

  Notable Quote:

  • Smigel: “To me, the only thing it was exploiting was what made him special.” (73:17)

8. Rapid-Fire “What Else Didn’t We Cover?” Section [77:00 – 81:24]

• Dana Carvey Show:
  Brief mention of the short-lived, cult-favorite variety show, with Smigel joking, “So funny that we didn’t talk about the Dana Carvey Show.” (77:01)

• Hans & Franz Movie:
  They lament not covering more about the unmade Hans and Franz movie, joyfully recalling Siskel & Ebert’s cameo and the script’s genius.

• Triumph and Cultural Impact:
  Smigel’s journey as Triumph, plus the “Ambiguously Gay Duo,” and relentless pushing of boundaries in parody and cartoon formats.

• Jack Handey’s Brilliance:
  Smigel and the hosts sing the praises of iconic SNL writer Jack Handey, marveling at the singularity of his sketches (e.g., Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer) and the awe Handey inspired among writers.

  Memorable Quote:

  • Smigel: “If you polled the writers of that era, they’d have gone with Jack…nobody else could have thought of almost any of the sketches Jack Handey wrote.” (81:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Triumph introduces himself:
  “Honestly, this is a great show. Wall. Not for me to poop on. No, no, fantastic show.” — Triumph (15:03)

• On podcasting culture hype:
  “Saturday Night Live hasn’t gotten enough attention. Or retrospectives. Or anniversary shows…” — Triumph (15:33)

• On Lorne’s legacy:
  “Lauren had a term for every comedy move in the world... everything anyone’s written, I’ve seen a version of it.” — Smigel (59:56)

• Sandler on empathy:
  “You feel good about that? What if that guy’s home watching…?” — Smigel, recounting Sandler’s concern post-cartoon parody (44:44)

• Reflecting on Farley’s fearlessness:
  “What I saw was an audience fall in love with Chris because he was so committed and he was such a good dancer.” — Smigel (71:19)

• Jack Handey’s unique legacy:
  “Nobody else could have thought of almost any of the sketches Jack Handey wrote.” — Smigel (81:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [14:06] – Triumph the Insult Comic Dog takes over
• [21:10] – SNL inside baseball: Writer dynamics, “Chief Not-in-Show”
• [29:41] – Impressions & sketch collaboration
• [36:30] – Satire and real-world fallout (Johnny Carson sketch)
• [54:42] – Discussion of legendary SNL sketches & TV Funhouse
• [61:45] – Shatner/Trekkie sketch, Triumph’s nerd affinity, Don Rickles stories
• [66:45] – “Night of Too Many Stars,” Lou Reed all-star band
• [70:38] – The Chippendales Farley Sketch: reactions and legacy
• [77:00] – Rapid-fire “what we didn’t get to” (Dana Carvey Show, Hans & Franz movie)
• [81:24] – Jack Handey and the art of the unforgettable sketch

Final Thoughts

The episode blends sharp wit, poignant reflections, and behind-the-scenes candor, spotlighting the enduring legacy of Robert Smigel. From searing SNL satire to the surprising real world impacts of comedy, Smigel, Carvey, and Spade remind us how showbiz remains both a playground and a crucible for creative minds. For SNL fans, improv heads, and anyone curious how modern sketch comedy was—and is—made, this is essential, hilarious listening.