Podcast Summary
Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out, Episode 201: Heidi Gardner—Behind Your Favorite SNL Characters
Release Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Mike Birbiglia
Guest: Heidi Gardner
Episode Overview
In this episode, Mike Birbiglia welcomes comedian, SNL cast member, and Kansas City native Heidi Gardner. The conversation delves deep into Heidi’s unexpected journey from hairdresser to comedian, her creative process behind iconic SNL characters, the grind and stresses of live sketch comedy, her Midwestern roots, and her passion for community—punctuated with personal stories and practical advice for aspiring comedians.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. From Hairdresser to Comedy (00:00–02:00, Revisited at 13:39–15:30)
- Heidi started out as a hairdresser in LA, doing hair for nine years. Originally, she aimed to work in film as a hair and makeup artist, but union barriers and the need for stable income led her to salon work.
- Turning Point: A Groundlings performer friend invited her to a show, intending to inspire Heidi to take classes. Heidi was resistant, thinking she wasn't an actor, but was convinced after her friend pointed out her habit of leaving long, in-character voicemails.
- Support System: Her brother offered to pay for her comedy classes when she hesitated to start.
- Quote: “You leave me 7 minute voicemails in character. You can do this.” – Heidi’s friend (00:42, 15:19)
2. The Groundlings Years — Learning Craft and Stakes (16:01–17:44)
- Heidi’s entrance into improv and sketch was almost accidental. She found the early classes freeing because she didn’t comprehend the competitive nature.
- Quote: “I wish I could go back in time and be like, I wish I wouldn't have learned the stakes… I just don't think I was ever competitive in life before.” – Heidi (17:08)
- Eventually, learning about the “stakes” at Groundlings and SNL auditioning changed her motivation and added pressure.
3. SNL: High Stakes, Pressure, and Rejection (03:11–05:18, 28:02–34:10)
- The constant stress and rejection involved in working at SNL:
- Pitching sketches only to frequently get cut (“I ended up getting cut, I feel like, more than anyone in the world.” — 04:26).
- The transition from anxiety to comfort with the process, while never losing sight of how “high stakes” it truly is.
- The emotional toll of seeing your work not make air, and coming to terms with it.
- Quote: “At least one of the worst things would always happen.” — Heidi (03:44)
4. Character Creation: Mining Real Life for Comedy (05:52–24:12)
- Heidi’s SNL “Weekend Update” characters are inspired by real-life observation and specific details, often stemming from a single quirk she notices in people:
- Ex: The “mom whose son just got famous” started with observing a particular woman in a boxing match.
- Her Kansas City upbringing provided inspiration for relatable, regional characters.
- Lessons from Groundlings about grounding a character in reality—focusing on one trait instead of overwhelming audiences with too many oddities.
- Quote: “Pick one thing and build a sketch around that… If you load it this hard from the top, they're not gonna believe you.” – Advice from a Groundlings teacher (21:04)
- Quote: “That’s like, shaking my core. Even life and everything.” – Mike, about the advice to play yourself first before going wild with characters (24:54)
5. Kansas City Roots & Community (07:28–10:22)
- Heidi’s love and loyalty for Kansas City, involvement in the annual Big Slick charity event, and what makes her hometown special (barbecue, art scene, people).
- Quote: “It's easy to love. You fall in love quick.” — Heidi (08:25)
- Quote: “I don't hear other people talk about their hometown like I do or Paul or Jason do… We're just loyal.” — Heidi (09:30)
6. SNL Auditions and Working with Heroes (27:47–34:29)
- Heidi describes the surreal, anxiety-blackout experience of auditioning for SNL and later being asked to watch her own audition for a documentary.
- Quote: “Once you do it, then you black out completely. It’s like an anxiety blackout.” — Heidi (29:07)
- Meeting and working with her hero, Jack Black, and how he surpassed expectations:
- Quote: “I got to work with my hero. And my hero inspired me to be a better person.” (32:16)
- A behind-the-scenes look at SNL host dynamics, including her “tailgate” parties for Travis Kelce and Jack Black.
7. On Not Breaking Character and SNL Breaks (38:08–41:18)
- Heidi is known for rarely breaking character on SNL. She breaks down why it finally happened in the infamous Beavis and Butthead sketch, citing the perfect combination of surprises and being thrown off by a fellow cast member.
- Quote: “How can you not break and then break that hard for that long?” — Heidi (39:52)
- Tips for not breaking: Audible inhale instead of exhaling a laugh as a technical trick to stay in character.
8. Daydreams, Movie Theaters, and Real Life Stories (44:10–45:28, 45:36–47:44)
- Heidi dreams of opening a movie theater, complete with movie-themed nights, costumes, and community interaction.
- Shares memorable stories of neighbors and roommates—such as the neighbor whose sex life kept her awake, and the negotiation for a “free pizookie” dessert as compensation.
9. On Animals and Pets (52:57–56:13)
- Discussion of rats in New York, pet cats, and the (sometimes disappointing) lack of predator instinct in house cats.
- Quote: “We have two cats… I think there might be something in my story of, like, having a heart to heart with the cats and just being like, everybody’s gotta pay their way around here.” — Mike (55:24)
10. Giving Back: The Big Slick Charity (56:40–57:53)
- Heidi spotlights her favorite cause, Big Slick KC, the annual event benefiting Children’s Mercy Hospital for pediatric cancer patients and families in Kansas City.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------------------------------------|-------| | 00:42 | “You leave me 7 minute voicemails in character. You can do this.” | Heidi’s friend | | 04:26 | “I ended up getting cut, I feel like, more than anyone in the world.” | Heidi | | 08:25 | “It's easy to love. You fall in love quick.” | Heidi | | 17:08 | “I wish I could go back in time—wish I wouldn't have learned the stakes…” | Heidi | | 21:04 | “Pick one thing and build a sketch around that…” | Groundlings teacher (via Heidi) | | 24:54 | “Woo, that's like, shaking my core. Even life and everything.” | Mike | | 29:07 | “Once you do it, then you black out completely. It’s an anxiety blackout.” | Heidi | | 32:16 | “I got to work with my hero. And my hero inspired me to be a better person.” | Heidi (on Jack Black) | | 39:52 | “How can you not break and then break that hard for that long?” | Heidi | | 55:24 | “Everybody’s gotta pay their way around here.” | Mike |
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – Heidi’s journey from hairdresser to Groundlings
- 03:11 – SNL pressures and getting sketches cut
- 05:52 – Inspiration and building SNL characters
- 07:28 – Kansas City pride and Big Slick charity
- 13:39 – Working as a hairdresser before comedy
- 16:01 – The Groundlings experience
- 21:04 – Grounding sketches in reality
- 27:47 – Auditioning for SNL and reflections
- 32:16 – Meeting Jack Black, hosting tales, tailgate parties
- 38:08 – On not breaking character, Beavis & Butthead
- 44:10 – Daydreams of opening a movie theater
- 45:36 – Memorable neighbor/roommate experiences
- 52:57 – Pets, city rats, and animal stories
- 56:40 – Big Slick KC and charitable work
Tone & Style
The episode maintains a friendly, confessional, and humorous tone, rich with stories, practical advice, and genuine moments of vulnerability punctuated by laughter and insight. Both Mike and Heidi are honest about anxieties, behind-the-scenes realities, creative struggles, and the quirky details that make life and comedy uniquely authentic.
Additional Resources
- Heidi Gardner Instagram: @heidilgardner
- Big Slick KC Charity: bigslickkc.org
- Mike Birbiglia Tour + YouTube: birbigs.com | Mike’s YouTube Channel
This summary captures the episode’s entertaining, thoughtful, and revealing look into the life and process of one of SNL’s standout performers, offering value to both comedy fans and aspiring creators.