Podcast Summary: Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out - Episode 176
Title: Jane Wickline & Leva Pierce: SNL, Dukes, and Working Out Songs
Hosts/Guests: Mike Birbiglia, Jane Wicklein, Leva Pierce
Release Date: July 7, 2025
1. Introduction to Jane Wicklein & Leva Pierce
Mike Birbiglia kicks off Episode 176 by introducing his guests, Jane Wicklein and Leva Pierce, two dynamic talents in the comedy scene. Jane is known for her contributions to Saturday Night Live (SNL), particularly her memorable Weekend Update songs, while Leva is a versatile stand-up comedian, actor, and writer.
Mike Birbiglia [00:57]: "Jane Wickline and Leva Pierce. This is a really cool episode today."
2. Formation of the Comedy Duo Dukes
The conversation delves into how Jane and Leva teamed up to form their sketch comedy duo, Dukes. Contrary to the typical storyline of friends meeting in school, their partnership blossomed through mutual recognition of each other's work online and serendipitous in-person encounters at comedy venues.
Show Hornbuckle [03:43]: "Both of us were making videos in college. I was making videos more on Twitter and Jane was making videos on TikTok."
Leva Pierce [04:20]: "We decided to watch The Graduate somewhere on the bus ride."
3. Navigating the New York Comedy Scene
Moving to New York presented its own set of challenges. Both Jane and Leva navigated the competitive landscape of comedy, dealing with intimidation and the sheer volume of talent. They shared anecdotes about attending numerous open mics, often competing with seasoned comedians, and the emotional toll it took.
Mike Birbiglia [08:35]: "When you moved to New York, are you, like, oh, so no odds of this working?"
Leva Pierce [10:35]: "And it's so exhausting. Every part of it is so exhausting."
4. Early Struggles and Bombed Sketches
One of the early attempts by Dukes, a sketch titled "City Council," unfortunately didn't resonate with audiences, leading to an undeniable bomb. This experience, while disheartening, became a pivotal learning moment for the duo, teaching them resilience and the importance of refining their material.
Leva Pierce [12:30]: "We have a sketch in our first and second shows called City Council that we were like, this is our ticket."
Show Hornbuckle [13:14]: "City council is a sketch about two characters going to the town hall because they have too many scarves, hats, gloves."
5. Developing Original Comedic Songs
A significant portion of the episode focuses on Jane and Leva's creative process in developing original songs for their shows. They work collaboratively, often bouncing ideas back and forth, and refining their material based on feedback and personal insights.
Featured Song: "Please, Mr. Pornhub"
The duo presents their in-progress song, "Please, Mr. Pornhub," which humorously critiques the extremes of modern pornography by yearning for more meaningful and intellectually stimulating content.
Jane Wicklein [03:13]:
They say porn is far too extreme now. Well, it's not extreme to me. All of these films put me right to sleep. Threesomes, foursomes, five sums and I'm just bored. Give me something more. A video of sex that shocks me to my core. Please, Mr. Pornhub, don't you Understand? I want a film to take me by the hand. I need new porn to treat me like a friend. Teach me how to be a better man.
Leva Pierce [04:34]:
Show me a porn that makes me want to take dance classes. Show me a porn that lays out a new government.
6. Collaborative Creative Process
Jane and Leva emphasize the importance of open and honest feedback in their collaboration. They discuss how they utilize various communication methods, such as texting and voice memos, to share ideas and critique each other's work. This transparent feedback loop is crucial for refining their sketches and songs.
Leva Pierce [26:17]: "We're texting each other, sending each other voice memos, and we're very comfortable telling each other when we don't like things."
Show Hornbuckle [27:05]: "Does this spark anything at all?"
7. Overcoming Creative Block and Integration into Shows
The duo shares strategies for overcoming creative blocks, such as integrating audience suggestions into their performances. They also discuss the structural elements of their shows, aiming to maintain a fluid and engaging performance without disruptive pauses or blackouts.
Show Hornbuckle [24:23]: "Our writing needs to be clear. Then we're like, got it. Then we go back and literally rearrange the words to sound like Yoda is talking."
8. Current Tour and Future Projects
Jane and Leva are currently touring with their sketch show Dukes, performing in various cities including New York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, and Los Angeles. They express excitement about their upcoming performances at Joe's Pub in New York City.
Show Hornbuckle [01:40]: "Summer in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Los Angeles, and then at Joe's Pub in New York."
Additionally, they hint at future projects, including the development of new songs and sketches, aiming to push the boundaries of traditional comedy and create more nuanced and thought-provoking content.
9. Closing Collaborations and Future Endeavors
As the episode winds down, Jane and Leva perform snippets of their songs, showcasing their creative prowess and the seamless integration of music into their comedy. They also discuss potential future collaborations and the ongoing process of refining their material.
Mike Birbiglia [32:23]: "This is Mike Birbiglio. This is Tiny Comedy Desk Concert. I love that song."
Show Hornbuckle [47:08]: "You can follow Jane Wicklein at @aignewickline and Leva Pierce at @ChoppedLeva."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Mike Birbiglia [09:11]: "Where do I start? Like, what do I do?"
- Leva Pierce [10:56]: "I have a log of everything."
- Show Hornbuckle [12:43]: "We couldn't get through it."
- Leva Pierce [19:03]: "I'm glad that that happened because I, like, walked in and I saw the stage. I, like, immediately burst into tears."
- Show Hornbuckle [28:37]: "We're just gonna take the audio we have so far and we're just gonna clip it."
- Leva Pierce [35:44]: "I've been watching too much porn with my arms crossed."
- Show Hornbuckle [39:18]: "I don't want my friends sad. But chaos gives the days momentum."
Conclusion
Episode 176 of Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out offers an insightful look into the collaborative journey of Jane Wicklein and Leva Pierce. From their serendipitous meeting to overcoming early setbacks and developing unique comedic material, the episode underscores the importance of resilience, creativity, and sincere collaboration in the world of comedy. Their innovative approach to integrating music and sketch comedy sets them apart, promising engaging performances both on tour and in future projects.
For those interested in experiencing their comedic brilliance firsthand, Dukes is currently touring and can be followed on Instagram:
- Jane Wicklein: @aignewickline
- Leva Pierce: @ChoppedLeva
Enjoy their performances and keep an eye out for more episodes of Working It Out as Jane and Leva continue to shape their unique comedic journey.