SmartLess Podcast Episode Summary: "Kate McKinnon"
Release Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Guest: Kate McKinnon
Overview
In this lively and heartfelt episode, the SmartLess crew welcomes comedic powerhouse Kate McKinnon. The conversation traverses her journey from a quirky kid growing up on Long Island to her rise as an SNL legend and now a published author. With signature warmth and improv, the hosts tease out the roots of Kate's comedy, her experiences with fame, her new venture into writing, and her surprisingly hands-on passion for carpentry. Fans of honest, off-the-cuff storytelling and genuine laughter are in for a treat.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Early Comedy Roots and Family Influences
[14:33 - 17:10]
- Kate reveals her childhood in a Long Island family where “everyone was doing voices, you had to do voices, or you got kicked out.”
- First big ‘laugh moment’ came while playing Cyrus in a church pageant — in a British accent, no less.
- “I just always liked to do different voices other than my own because my own… you’re hearing it, it’s like...”
- Discusses the quirky, humorous environment of her North Shore, Nassau County upbringing.
- Notably, her grandfather was Joey Buttafuoco’s auto mechanic, so the Long Island Amy Fisher saga felt close to home.
Quote:
“There were always… everyone was doing voices. You had to or you got kicked out.”
— Kate McKinnon [16:35]
2. Path to Performing: College, Sketch Comedy, & SNL
[22:06 - 32:44]
- Kate attended Columbia University, majoring in theater but never imagined comedy as a viable career.
- “Never did I ever, ever think that was possible.” [29:01]
- Her professional ‘plan’ post-college involved selling popsicles as Pippi Longstocking in Union Square or teaching English in Romania.
- Landed first job via open call for the Big Gay Sketch Show on Logo, followed by years performing at UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade), mainly solo shows involving “45 or so wigs that were gross and had chicken juice in them.”
- Auditioned for SNL after a showcase in LA, at the invitation of SNL staff. Bobby Moynihan's encouragement helped her through pre-audition nerves.
Quote:
“I was 22. And I thought, well, this’ll be easy… and then I learned it became clear that it was a difficult career.”
— Kate McKinnon [23:16]
3. SNL Experience: Joys, Challenges, and What Came Next
[32:44 - 36:47]
- Kate describes her years at SNL as both “always hard and always fun.”
- She doggedly rehearsed for her SNL audition (“must have said that out loud 50,000 times”) but generally prefers to wing it.
- Deep affection for the SNL crew, especially stage managers and cue card team, admitting “I cannot memorize dialogue...I forget. I can’t remember stuff anymore.”
- Leaving SNL was emotionally tough:
“I just, I hate, I hate goodbyes. I hate change. And so it was not a decision made lightly and I was just so sad…” [35:32]
- Post-SNL, she relishes simple pleasures: earlier bedtimes and focusing on new creative outlets.
4. Identity, Visibility, & Navigating Fame
[40:35 - 42:27]
- Will asks directly about her coming out timeline; Kate clarifies she was already openly gay before SNL, thanks to early Internet visibility through the Big Gay Sketch Show.
- Reminisces about presenting Ellen DeGeneres with an award, with Beyoncé at her table (“The shoulders [of her dress] were so tall...it was so resplendent. I couldn’t look at her”).
- [42:23]
Quote:
“I am a coward. And I don’t know if I would have had the courage to do it if I had not already done it.”
— Kate McKinnon [41:17]
5. Writing and New Creative Outlets
[46:00 - 51:46]
- Kate introduces her new middle-grade book series, Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science.
- The second book, The Secrets of the Purple Pearl, sees girls at a mad science etiquette school embarking on adventure.
- Fascinated by “funny names, big hair, and funny voice” as essentials to her character creation.
- She distinguishes between YA and middle-grade fiction:
“YA is like monsters and making out… middle grade is fantasy, it’s discovering your identity, it’s grappling with questions of… Who are you? What are you for?” [50:57]
- Collaborated closely with illustrator Alfredo Cáceres:
“I described and he created.” [52:19]
6. Passion for Carpentry and Daily Life
[46:15 - 47:46; 53:06 - 54:48]
- Kate shares her serious hobby: “Carpentry. I always said...I would make cabinets.”
- Built a workshop in her garage, sources materials from Lowe’s, and enjoys making cabinets, molding, and paneling.
- Enjoys cooking daily (“three times a day”) and gardening, often making fresh vegetable dishes.
Quote:
“So when I left SNL, I needed to know that I was jumping to something which was making cabinets. And that’s what I have done in my spare time.”
— Kate McKinnon [47:26]
7. The Classic SmartLess Banter & “Tri-State” In-Jokes
Scattered throughout episode
- Friendly ribbing about New York traffic, bridges (Kosciuszko, Triborough, Whitestone vs. Throgs Neck), Long Island, and upstate living.
- Running gag about Jason’s and Will’s fake “impressions,” Sean’s bag of audition wigs, and the hosts’ upcoming projects.
- Multiple callbacks to real and imaginary New York commutes.
- “You know how to coax a laugh. You’re the best.” — Jason Bateman [55:30]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On being funny for the first time:
“I was playing Cyrus, King of Persia… I decided to do it in a British accent to make myself feel more comfortable. And those Methodists, they got a kick out of that.”
Kate McKinnon [15:16] -
On solo sketch shows and props:
“I would stop at the Gristide’s… buy a cake and a full rotisserie chicken… lugging a lot of props and wigs. I had amassed a collection of 45 or so wigs that were gross and had chicken juice in them.”
Kate McKinnon [24:25] -
On SNL audition nerves:
“I was horrifically nervous… I was going to the restroom often… But then Bobby Moynihan… said, ‘Hey, you’re funny.’ And then I could breathe.”
Kate McKinnon [29:28] -
On honest career plans:
“My plan was that I was going to dress up as Pippi Longstocking and sell popsicles in Union Square…”
Kate McKinnon [28:08] -
On what she’d do if not famous:
“Carpentry… Always said I would make cabinets… and now I have made a cabinet. Yes, I have.”
Kate McKinnon [46:15]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Kate Joins the Show / Introduction – 09:20
- First Big Laugh, Family Influence – 14:33–17:10
- Sketch Comedy Origins, Big Gay Sketch Show, UCB – 22:06–25:16
- Will's Failed In Living Color Audition Story – 25:16–26:08
- SNL Audition, Bobby Moynihan’s Pep Talk – 29:28–30:08
- Leaving SNL & Next Steps – 35:32–36:47
- Coming Out and Ellen Tribute/Kate’s Visibility – 40:44–42:27
- Carpentry Passion – 46:15–47:46
- New Book: Millicent Quibb Series/Purple Pearl – 48:31–51:46
- Daily Life, Cooking, Gardening – 53:06–54:48
- Rapid-fire Banter, Farewells – 55:14–57:02
Tone and Atmosphere
Throughout, the tone is playful, generous, and occasionally absurd. The hosts and guest are unscripted and supportive; the in-jokes about NYC, fake beard auditions, and “deep dulcet tones” layer in a warm, familiar camaraderie.
Summary Verdict
This episode delivers an affectionate, open, and insightful look at Kate McKinnon’s life and art. It reaffirms her as both an inventive performer and a thoughtful, down-to-earth creative. Whether discussing childhood, SNL, woodworking, or the value of a well-timed laugh, Kate charms with humility and wisdom.
Listen to this episode for:
- The real inside scoop on breaking into and surviving SNL
- Kate’s love of “voices, wigs, and chicken juice”
- Advice for creative reinvention (plus, you just might learn which New York bridge reigns supreme)
- All the loving chaos and wit that make SmartLess a must-listen