Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey & David Spade

RE-RELEASE – Zach Galifianakis

Episode Date: October 1, 2025
Format: Live recording at Largo with audience
Main Theme: An in-depth and hilariously unpredictable conversation with Zach Galifianakis exploring comedic origins, iconic projects (notably "Between Two Ferns," "The Hangover," "Baskets," and SNL hosting), the craft of improv and risk-taking in comedy, and memories of beloved colleagues.

Episode Overview

Dana Carvey and David Spade sit down with Zach Galifianakis for an hour-plus of offbeat banter, confessions, and stories that traverse the journey from eccentric open-mic nights to pop culture stardom. The episode offers a behind-the-curtain view of Zach’s most famous bits ("Between Two Ferns," "The Hangover," "Baskets"), insight into his process, and memories of late comedy friends. It’s full of candid, slyly dark, and absurd humor, offering both comedians’ reverence for and playful ribbing of each other.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

First Impressions & Stage Energy

• [05:23] Zach receives applause and joking introductions. Spade and Carvey riff on Zach’s “Wolverine” hair and chair heights.
• [06:12] Spade: “How the fuck did you come up with the two ferns thing? Because that’s too crazy.”
  The transition into deep-dive, open-ended conversation style is established immediately.

The Origin and Oddity of "Between Two Ferns"

• [06:42] Zach shares that the idea emerged when Scott Aukerman asked him to do “something,” and Zach, inspired by public-access TV and cable-access dance tutorials (“how to waltz”), suggested: "Can you get me two ferns and some kind of celebrity?"
  — Quote: “I always thought celebrity interviews are ridiculous.” (08:26, Galifianakis)
• [08:57] The improvised, awkward nature was intentional. Zach reveals most guests had little idea what to expect, and publicists were often wary—except when the format’s popularity made it desirable.
  — Quote: “Nobody really knows what’s going on—even us... The awkwardness kind of fills it in.” (08:57, Galifianakis)

Memorable Guest Experiences

• [10:11] Some celebs loved it, others were thrown. Zach discusses nearly pranking Jennifer Aniston with a Brad Pitt lookalike, but called it off after reading her face; the Pitt lookalike then pivoted to claim he resembled Colin Farrell. — Quote: “Do you happen to look like anyone else?” “Colin Farrell.” (12:23, Galifianakis)

The Line Between Prank and Roast

• [14:20] The comedians discuss Don Rickles as a reference point—Zach credits Rickles’ directness as an influence, emphasizing the fun in letting public figures gently poke fun at themselves.
• [15:22] “Pepsi wanted to sponsor it... but I’ve always just wanted to keep it free online and keep it clear of those other things that get in the way.” (Zach on not selling out the ferns concept)

Life as a Standup and Early Comic Experience

• [16:59] Zach and David share war stories of opening for musicians and struggling with odd venues and cold crowds (Earth, Wind & Fire, Sugar Hill Gang, Robert Palmer).
• [17:11] Zach: “But in high school I was Zach Gallifagodakis…”—showcasing mispronunciations that haunt comics.

On Humble Beginnings

• [28:15] Zach describes being a quiet, observant kid in a funny family, feeling humor was a “currency of high regard.”
• [29:04] Zach, tongue in cheek: “It was at my parents’ conception of me.”
• [30:13] He describes no formal theater training, only a “public speaking competition” (mother wrote a speech called “You and I and Tomorrow”).
• [32:12] References to his old VH1 show “Late World with Zach,” an oddball variety format with a one-person audience and six-year-old laugh track—“It was really a weird show.”

Defining "Weirdness" and Alienation in Comedy

• [34:20] Zach’s stand-up in clubs was often “too bizarre,” sometimes alienating traditional comedy audiences. He recounts being kicked off stage at a Bible school for making a joke about the Bible.

Accents and Southern Roots

• [35:18] Zach explains how his North Carolina accent returns when back home—highlighting his sensitivity to regional differences.
• [35:45] On Hollywood’s version of Southern accents: “I declare, I have never seen such a…”

The Hangover and Abrupt Stardom

• [39:12] Zach recounts landing "The Hangover," noting he only got the role (“Todd [Phillips] was going to stand-up clubs... I don’t know if I’d done much otherwise”) after flying down from Canada to audition, despite “always being bad at auditions.” — Quote: “My mindset then was, you try doing show business... you kind of beat yourself up sometimes.” (42:22, Galifianakis)
• [43:13] Cast dinners with “Bradley, Ed, and Ken”—Zach felt the film’s special “energy” but stresses you never know until it’s released.
• [44:53] A joke about having to audition for "Hangover 2" (“Hollywood…”), then riffing on being confused for bit parts.

On Facing Sudden Financial Changes

• [50:13] Zigzagging back to reality: “Yeah, I bought four elephants.” (dryly, on what he did after his payday); in truth, he bought a place in North Carolina, seeking a back-to-the-land lifestyle.

Remembering Brody Stevens & the Comedian Community

• [45:41] Zach and David reminisce about their late friend Brody Stevens, a comic known for delighting and alienating audiences. The affection and specificity of detail reflect real loss and deep mutual respect among comics. — Story: Brody warming up the crowd on Zach’s VH1 show, doing bizarre bits (“Whopper or Big Mac, you make the call”), and another where Brody, half-mocking his own perceived shortcomings, shouts, “Why come me don’t have one [sitcom]?” at the TV.

Camaraderie and Mentoring in Comedy

• [57:10] Touching tributes to Louis Anderson, with Zach recounting the creative process behind casting Anderson as his character’s mother in "Baskets":
  — Quote: "I wanted it to be more real than I have seen... I was telling Louis [C.K.] I was imitating the voice, and he goes, like, Louie Anderson’s voice... and that was it." (54:17, Galifianakis)

On "Baskets" & Creating a Grounded World

• [52:37] Zach wanted to "ground a comedy... more real... in this rodeo clown world," highlighting his intention to make his FX show dusty, lived-in, and emotionally resonant.
  — Quote: "Sometimes you get lucky... most of the time you get unlucky, but sometimes you get lucky…” (52:37, Galifianakis)

SNL Experiences

• [63:45] Detailed discussion of Zach’s SNL hosting (“2010, 2011... hosting both times”). Memories of being the Extreme Flute Guy in Kenan Thompson’s “What’s Up With That?” ("I still have the jumpsuit. It’s quite comfortable. I wear it in Canada chopping wood." (64:32, Galifianakis)).
• [65:24] On his stint as guest writer and pitching sketches to Britney Spears—strange, offbeat ideas met with blank stares and polite confusion. — Quote: “She was nice about it... on my back, I mean, it’s not her fault.” (66:56, Galifianakis)
• [67:39] The "Little Orphan Annie with a flip chart" monologue actually originated in his standup act, layered in political satire but realized through “doing something very weird.”

Impressions and Anecdotes about Lorne Michaels

• [69:43] Carvey shares stories of doing his Lorne impression for Lorne, and Lorne’s philosophies (“There are only 900 funny people on the planet… like 20 in Poland…” 72:28, Spade).

Comedy, Charity, and Self-Reflection

• [73:11] Tongue-in-cheek rapid questions to Zach:
  • Best thing about fame? “Good table at Soup Plantation.” (73:53, Galifianakis)
  • Best feature? “I have good legs.” (74:25)
  • Empath or narcissist? “There’s no middle ground at all.”—leading to a running bit about the way comics can both bare their souls and deflect.
• [75:55] Playful exchange and mutual admiration:
  • Dana: “You’re one of the Mount Rushmore all time comedians of our generation.”
  • David: “I draw a line between you and Will Ferrell; only in the sense of the commitment. No one can out-commit you.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Nobody really knows what’s going on, even us. The awkwardness kind of fills in the rest of it.” (08:57, Zach)
• “If people don’t know you’ve given, then you haven’t given.” (73:24, Zach)
• “My family is funny. I kind of watched them even as the quiet person I thought I was.” (28:18, Zach)
• “You’re one of the Mount Rushmore all time comedians of our generation.” (77:24, Dana)
• “Sometimes you get lucky, and most of the time you get unlucky, but sometimes you get lucky with things kind of coming into place.” (52:37, Zach)
• On Brody Stevens: “He was known for alienating audiences. That was one of the reasons comics like charms, perversely, is we would all rush out to see him turn audiences away.” (49:27, Zach)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:23 – Zach takes the stage
• 06:12 – “Between Two Ferns”: How it started, philosophy, awkwardness
• 10:11 – Navigating guest sensitivities; Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt story
• 14:20 – Don Rickles’ influence, roasting culture
• 28:15 – Growing up, family humor, childhood ambitions
• 32:12 – “Late World with Zach” VH1 show
• 39:12 – Casting and filming “The Hangover,” career pivot
• 45:41 – Remembering Brody Stevens; stories of friendship, comic culture
• 52:37 – Creative process/motivation behind “Baskets”
• 63:45 – SNL Hosting, “What’s Up With That?,” writer’s room stories
• 73:11 – Signature rapid-fire questions, self-mockery, and humility
• 77:24 – Mutual respect, closing remarks

Tone & Style

The conversation is fast-paced, dryly absurd, and honest: the hosts needle and praise each other and Zach, oscillating between irreverence and genuine affection. Laughter punctuates even serious observations about loss and artistic struggle. Jokes about Hollywood, fame, growing up odd, and the business of comedy abound, underscored by moments of introspection.

Audience Takeaways

• Even the most off-the-wall stars have roots in humble, awkward, and frequently rejected beginnings.
• The alchemy that creates breakout work (like “Between Two Ferns” or “The Hangover”) is fragile, accidental, and often deeply personal.
• Comedic innovation often rides the line between alienation and connection—“being weird” is a strength, not a liability.
• The brotherhood (and heartbreak) of stand-up runs deep; stories of Brody Stevens and Louis Anderson show this world’s genuine warmth, even as it’s tough.
• SNL is a badge of honor even for “outsiders”; the process is mysterious and humbling.
• Fame is fleeting and mostly used for good Soup Plantation tables.

Final Thought

Fans and newcomers alike will find the episode a rich panorama of comedic process and memory—equal parts offbeat, poignant, and dazzlingly funny.