Podcast Summary: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Frank Caliendo In Studio

Podcast: Holmberg’s Morning Sickness (98KUPD | Hubbard Radio)
Episode: 08-20-25 – Frank Caliendo – Desert Ridge Improv – In Studio
Date: August 20, 2025

Overview

In this episode, comedian and master impressionist Frank Caliendo joins John Holmberg and the crew in the studio to discuss television, comedy, the evolution of performances, and the realities of working in show business. With trademark wit and a barrage of spot-on impressions, Frank gives insights into his creative process, reflects on his time on "Frank TV," and riffs on everything from sitcoms to security systems—with plenty of laughs along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. TV Shows and Character Development

• The hosts and Frank discuss how iconic shows often start rough, with poorly defined characters.
  • Shows like The Sopranos and The Simpsons are cited for their awkward early seasons and later evolution into classics.
  • “Tony is not ... He hadn’t become a Muppet yet.” – John Holmberg, (02:03)
  • Early Homer Simpson voice as Walter Matthau and shifting character roles ("It's the boy," 02:45).
• Debate on what makes a show launch strong—“No shows ever start off great except for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Frank TV, which started...” (02:16)

2. Behind the Scenes of 'Frank TV'

• Caliendo shares his frustrations about the editing process and creative limitations.
  • “When you took all the air out of it, you're going, well, it needs the timing…” – Frank Caliendo, (04:12)
  • “I felt like I had a lot [of control], until it was the very end ... then it was just so stuck...” – Frank Caliendo, (03:55)
  • Discusses the difference between cutting for comedy and sports, and how a sketch show's rhythm got lost due to network interference (04:43–05:07).
• The impact of the 2008 writer’s strike and public reception on the show's short run.
  • “…Got cut the first year, got cut by the writer strike. Then the second year, got cut by the public.” – Frank Caliendo, (05:55)

3. The Changing Landscape of Comedy

• Frank reflects on how he’d approach projects differently today, favoring grounded roles in dramedies.
  • “I would rather be a small part of something really good.” – Frank Caliendo, (06:05)
• The appeal of being a character in a drama with comedic moments, à la “Better Call Saul” or “Breaking Bad.”
  • “Because in real life, things aren’t joke after joke. It’s awkward situations.” – Frank Caliendo, (06:17)

4. Life & Career Outside of Comedy

• Caliendo considers what he’d do if not for comedy—mentions wanting to be an architect as a kid, then pivots to perhaps being a PE teacher.
  • “I wanted to teach, but … wasn’t enough money in F ed.” – Frank Caliendo, (12:01)
  • Joking about gym teachers, their physique and attire, and “Mr. Pfeiffer stories” (12:31–13:00).

5. The Art of Impression & Evolution in Performing

• Both hosts and Frank talk about how social media and AI have changed public expectations for impressionists.
  • “AI killed impressions because … people are like, that's not very good and people are going nuts over it.” – John Holmberg, (14:24)
• Frank explains his current approach—using impressions as sound effects to punctuate stories rather than extended bits.
  • “I try to use them as sound effects now … just using those little ones and then I can call it back and do this.” – Frank Caliendo, (15:01)
• Demonstrates multiple quick-switch impressions (Obama, Owen Wilson, Joe Biden) (15:22–16:43).
• Challenges of new voices—struggling with Elon Musk as an impression and notes Elon as a sort of amateur ventriloquist (17:13–18:18).

6. Inside Stand-Up: The Improv and the Audiences

• Frank discusses his reasons for performing only one show on Fridays at Desert Ridge Improv.
  • “If I can get out of two show Fridays, I do… I don't like the Late Show Friday because it's not fun.” – Frank Caliendo, (09:17)
  • Notes Friday late shows are “the liquor show” with “drunker” audiences (09:24–09:49).

7. Home Security & Suburbia Riffs

• Lighthearted discussion about gated communities, alarms, and suburban paranoia.
  • “Our neighborhood is more of a … it's paranoid white women. … It’s a privacy gate.” – Frank Caliendo, (21:42)
  • Anecdote about their home alarm mysteriously triggering police response (22:05–23:36).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Frank on show development:
  “It almost feels like a cartoon. I mean, it's like a dreary cartoon … Going back and watching it just, yeah, it was even a little hard to get through going, I guess. Is this … going for comedy here or straight drama? It was just … the timing was weird to me.” – Frank Caliendo, on The Sopranos (01:15)
• John on network interference in sketch shows:
  “You cut highlight to highlight to highlight. Maybe a little build, big highlight, highlight. That's not how comedy works.” (04:49)
• Frank on his own evolution:
  “I would rather be something interesting that can be thought of as maybe funny, but different happening in a drama…” (06:09)
• Frank on impressions today:
  “AI killed impressions because … makes impressionists who are good at it look at people are like, that's not very good. And people are going nuts over it.” (14:24)
• Frank on ventriloquism & Elon Musk:
  “He's a ventriloquist. He's not great at it. He's just a beginner ventriloquist. He's just gotten the record albums. He's been playing Edgar Bergen.” (17:45–18:22)
• Frank on suburban security:
  “Our neighborhood is more … paranoid white women ... It’s a privacy gate. Ours is a privacy gate. It’s not actually a security.” (21:42)
• Frank on the meaning of ‘interesting’:
  “That’s interesting not good or funny. I hate when you’re honest.” (24:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Early struggles and growth of TV classics: 01:00–02:50
• Frank TV, editing woes, network influence: 03:30–05:58
• Would Frank do sketch TV again? & preferred roles: 06:02–07:19
• Impressions and how social media/AI changed the craft: 14:20–15:48
• Live impressions: Obama, Owen Wilson, Biden, Musk: 15:22–18:18
• The comedy club circuit & audience insights: 09:17–10:14
• Suburban security, home alarm debacle: 19:02–23:36
• Frank’s career alternatives (architect, teacher): 11:08–13:00

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is lively and packed with quick banter, inside jokes, and bursts of impressions, matching the off-the-cuff, irreverent style Holmberg’s Morning Sickness is known for. Frank’s openness about the industry, mixed with comedic self-deprecation and riffing with the crew, gives the episode a loose, conversational, and highly comedic feel.

For Listeners Who Missed It

• If you love TV nostalgia, the comedy process, or want a window into standup and Hollywood (with plenty of tangents), this episode is for you.
• Frank Caliendo is at his best—playful, thoughtful, and willing to poke fun at himself, his career, and the absurdities of modern life.

Catch Frank Caliendo live: Desert Ridge Improv – tickets at desertridgeimprov.com
Find Frank’s work: frankonstage.com