Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

RE-RELEASE – Steve Buscemi

Release Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, comedy legends Dana Carvey and David Spade sit down with the iconic actor and director Steve Buscemi. They share hilarious and insightful Hollywood stories, dig into Buscemi's unique career, discuss filmmaking, the craft of acting, Buscemi’s time as a firefighter, and the art of staying “effortlessly cool.” The conversation is relaxed, funny, and intimate, with the trio riffing on showbiz, SNL, movie memories, and personal anxieties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The “Grown Ups” Movie Set & Adam Sandler’s Directorial Eye

[01:14 – 07:31]

• David Spade reminisces about a tricky late-night scene in “Grown Ups,” where continuity was a challenge due to filming stretches and changes in "drunken" performance.
  • “It was really hard to match the exact tone of the drunkenness. Sounds crazy, but…” (David Spade, 05:34)
• Adam Sandler is described as a hands-on creative force who oversees each detail, even though he dislikes directing’s logistical demands.
  • “He's always so involved… And I said to him, why don't you ever direct? ...He said he doesn't want a location scout.” (Steve Buscemi, 06:47)

Life on Set: Juggling Cast, Weather, and Odd Demands

[07:31 – 11:47]

• Buscemi recounts shooting "Grown Ups" in a full-body cast, feeling left behind in the rain, and the indignity of waiting for a staged “dog sniffs your balls”shot.
  • “I thought we were friends. Like, you're left out there. Nobody's checking on me…” (Steve Buscemi, 08:50)
• Dana and David highlight the grueling, sometimes absurd realities of movie set life—the fatigue, long hours, and how it tests endurance.

Behind the Scenes of “The Listener”—Directing & Storytelling

[13:04 – 18:44]

• Carvey and Spade praise Buscemi’s new film The Listener, focusing on its single-actor structure (Tessa Thompson) and the challenge of making it visually dynamic.
  • “You only see Tessa on screen for the duration of the film. And she's amazing...” (Steve Buscemi, 13:38)
• The film was shot in six days due to Thompson's schedule, heightening the intensity and creativity required.
  • “She had seven days off, and she chose to work with us...So we shot the entire film in that one week…” (Steve Buscemi, 17:33)
• Discussion about how voices—distinctive and memorable—function as “fingerprints” in the film and in life.
  • "When I think of women I've dated ...a voice is one thing I really appreciate in people because they are fingerprints." (David Spade, 16:17)

The Art of Storytelling, Directing, and Indie Filmmaking

[20:14 – 22:34]

• Even an acclaimed actor like Buscemi finds it hard to get indie movies financed.
  • “This is the first film I've directed in 15 years ...The climate out there is tough for any filmmaker. But you know, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.” (Steve Buscemi, 20:33)
• He aimed to create intimacy and subtlety in “The Listener,” focusing on movement, nuance, and letting the audience “lean in.”
  • “I wanted to create this really intimate atmosphere and have Tessa’s location be totally her...for the audience to want to lean in and be involved." (Steve Buscemi, 21:29)

Acting, Anxiety, and Hollywood War Stories

[24:12 – 31:33]

• Hilarious rapid-fire questions about Joel vs. Ethan Coen (“both hacks”, Buscemi quips 24:43), Tarantino’s foot obsession, and internet trivia about Buscemi’s “fast talker” roles.
• Spade reflects on auditioning (and failing) for Buscemi's part in “Con Air”; Buscemi is surprised and gracious about others’ struggles to land roles.
  • “I never knew that. Wow. You would have been…” (Steve Buscemi, 27:04)
• The trio discuss the pain of auditions, offers for “names,” and odd encounters, including commercial auditions nightmares.
• On working with the Coen Brothers, Buscemi describes their precise scripts but openness to occasional improvisation:
  • “Their writing is so specific, you know, that they really want you to, you know, say what's written. And so there's very little [improvisation].” (Steve Buscemi, 29:58)

SNL: Sketches, Hosting, and Stage Anxiety

[31:33 – 37:31]

• Buscemi and Spade reminisce about SNL sketches, including “Welcome Back Cotter: Tarantino Edition,” and the unique anxiety of performing live.
  • “I was so anxious and I didn't know if I was allowed to say anything or contribute...even though they were asking me.” (Steve Buscemi, 36:18)
• Lorne Michaels is described as both intimidating and comforting:
  • “He’s kind of both. He’s very intimidating and comforting…because he’s so calm.” (Steve Buscemi, 37:46)
• Odd moments like spotting friends or spouses in the audience can throw off even experienced performers.

Iconic Roles: Airheads, Billy Madison, Chris Farley, and the “Cool” Factor

[38:05 – 42:03]

• Buscemi’s one-day cameo in “Billy Madison” is immortalized thanks to the “kill list & lipstick” scene.
  • “For no reason at all, I put on lipstick, which—that was my favorite part.” (Steve Buscemi, 38:59)
• Chris Farley’s enthusiasm and Buscemi’s collaborations with comedy legends are celebrated.
  • “He really was that way. Like when he had that sketch on SNL...” (Steve Buscemi, 40:36)
• “Is Fargo the one you get asked about the most?” No, says Buscemi—“The Big Lebowski” has become his cult signature.
  • “It got to be where I knew the Lebowski fans, like, somebody would come up to me on the street ...and I’d say, ‘shut the f** up, Donnie.’”* (Steve Buscemi, 41:10)

Craft, Self-Doubt, and Staying Effortlessly Cool

[43:06 – 46:21]

• Buscemi discusses his most “in the pocket” role as "Tree's Lounge"—but admits directing and acting at once doubled his anxiety.
  • “My anxiety, I think, just gets in the way.” (Steve Buscemi, 43:39)
• Carvey and Spade joke about the pervasiveness of anxiety in show business—and how actors have learned to name and manage it.
• Buscemi is praised for his “effortless cool” and unique lane in Hollywood:
  • “He's just the guy who goes in and you can't take your eyes off that guy.” (Dana Carvey, 51:10)

Firefighting, 9/11, and Heroism

[46:00 – 47:53]

• Carvey lauds Buscemi’s real-life heroism: Once a firefighter, Buscemi returned to volunteer after 9/11.
  • “I felt really honored that they would even let me come back and work with them…” (Steve Buscemi, 46:21)
• Doing so quietly, he found his old gear made him stick out:
  • “All the equipment changed...people were like, why is this time machine a relic from the past? Oh, wait, it's that actor.” (Steve Buscemi, 47:37)

Personal Tidbits: High School Wrestling and Understated Masculinity

[48:09 – 50:37]

• Buscemi was a light varsity wrestler—“wiry, secretly strong.”
• He shares a humorous anecdote about his “secret move” (the reverse cradle) and the awkward intimacy of wrestling.
  • “It’s very homoerotic wrestling. It is.” (Steve Buscemi, 50:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "He's always so involved... He's always so involved in, like, all the films."
  — Steve Buscemi on Adam Sandler’s work ethic (06:47)
• "I was a firefighter for a few years... 9/11...it just put me back in touch, and I felt really honored that they would even let me come back and work with them.”
  — Steve Buscemi on his return after 9/11 (46:01)
• "You weren't in Fargo… It didn't feel like you were acting. You weren't an actor in that movie."
  — Dana Carvey on Buscemi’s authenticity (51:10)
• "For no reason at all, I just put on lipstick, which—that was my favorite part."
  — Steve Buscemi, on his “Billy Madison” cameo (38:59)
• "My anxiety, I think, just gets in the way."
  — Steve Buscemi, on directing and acting (43:39)
• "It’s very homoerotic wrestling. It is. Okay, you know, let’s look at a clip. It’s part of the appeal."
  — Steve Buscemi, on high school wrestling (50:22)
• "Both hacks."
  — Steve Buscemi on Joel & Ethan Coen (24:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |:---------:|------------------------------------------------| | 01:14 | “Grown Ups” filming story (night shoots, continuity) | | 06:16 | Adam Sandler’s creative process/directorial style | | 08:50 | Steve Buscemi’s “full body cast” rain set story | | 13:04 | Discussing “The Listener” – single-actor challenge | | 17:33 | Filming “The Listener” in six days | | 20:33 | Challenges of indie film financing | | 24:43 | “Both hacks”: Joel/Ethan Coen, Tarantino feet jokes | | 27:04 | Spade auditioned for Buscemi's “Con Air” role | | 29:58 | On Coen Brothers' scripts and improv | | 31:49 | SNL: “Welcome Back Cotter”/live nerves | | 36:18 | Buscemi’s anxious SNL monologue experience | | 38:59 | “Billy Madison” - kill list and lipstick scene | | 40:36 | Chris Farley fandom moments | | 41:10 | “The Big Lebowski” – cult status | | 43:39 | On “Tree’s Lounge,” directing, and anxiety | | 46:01 | Firefighting, 9/11, and volunteering | | 50:22 | High school wrestling stories | | 51:10 | Buscemi's authenticity and "cool factor" |

Final Thoughts

This episode is a warm, funny, and revealing portrait of Steve Buscemi—his humility, self-doubt, peerless cool, and artistic drive shine through. Fans of SNL, classic comedies, and indie filmmaking will relish the candid stories and mutual respect.