Podcast Summary: Soder Podcast

Episode 121: Evel Knievel Americana with Craig Ferguson

Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Dan Soder
Guest: Craig Ferguson

Episode Overview

Dan Soder welcomes legendary comic, actor, and former late night host Craig Ferguson for a rich, hilarious, and wide-ranging discussion. The two delve into American comedy, the legacy of "The Drew Carey Show," the evolution of late night TV, the nature of fame, punk rock roots, stand-up authenticity, and the wild world of Evel Knievel. The tone is loose, friendly, and deeply appreciative of comedy’s history—infused with tales from both men’s careers and candid reflections on the present and future of the industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Drew Carey Show, Improvisation, & Comedy Roots

• Nostalgia and Legacy

  • Soder and Ferguson reminisce about "The Drew Carey Show," its underrated comedic legacy, and the sheer talent of its cast, including Ryan Stiles and Kathy Kinney.
  • Soder: “That show... made me a huge fan of every single person on the cast. There wasn’t a weak spot.” (02:26)
  • Ferguson laments the lack of recognition: “Criminal. Not remembered the way it should be.” (02:21)

• Comedy while Sick

  • Soder measures favorite shows by their ‘comfort’ value: “How much I want to watch it when I’m sick.” (02:49)

• Improv Giants

  • Praises for improvisers like Ryan Stiles and Diedrich Bader, discussed for their legendary comedic timing and acting chops. (04:09–04:36)

Seinfeld & Curb Your Enthusiasm Reflections

• Ferguson reveals he once had to turn down a guest spot on "Curb," something he regrets to this day:
  • “One of the greatest regrets of my life, I was asked to do Curb, and for some reason, I couldn’t do it.” (03:35)
• The hosts discuss the genius of Larry David and how "Curb" makes Seinfeld funnier in hindsight. (03:19–03:35)

Life on the ABC Lot: Sitcom Golden Era

• Ferguson relives the experience of sharing the ABC lot with the likes of "ER," "Friends," and "Lois & Clark."
• The Drew Carey Show—often dubbed the “ugly Friends”—had a self-effacing sense of humor about itself:
  • “When we started... they said we were the ugly friends.” (11:07)
• Soder admits he preferred Drew Carey’s more “real” brand of comedy to "Friends." (11:14)

The Changing Face of Celebrity

• The transition from celebrity-as-currency to authenticity-as-currency:
  • Ferguson: “Authenticity is a form of currency.” (12:19)
  • Soder: “All my friends that have become very famous are miserable in a way that I go, oh...” (12:57)
• The ‘demystification’ of fame thanks to podcasts and social media, leading to more access but less mystique. (11:55–12:54)
• Nostalgic riffing on early Hollywood's wild glamour, and how today’s fans have unprecedented proximity to their idols. (13:03–14:00)

Evel Knievel: Americana and Masculinity

• Ferguson shares a classic Evel Knievel story—he’d take physical risks, knowing he’d fail, simply because the crowd was there.
  • “‘You can’t do that.’ And he went, ‘Yeah, I know I can’t do it, but everyone’s here.’” (15:28)
• The story underscores the charisma and bravado of American stunts—a massive cultural influence for Ferguson. (14:36–15:45)

Stand-Up, Sobriety, and Family

• Candid talk about quitting drinking:
  • Ferguson on his family’s reaction: “Some of us just fucking muscle through it, son.” (06:46)
  • Soder’s mom reacts to his sobriety with comedic disbelief: “Forever? Like that.” (07:07)
• Both emphasize the importance of supportive family for comics and joke about running bits by mothers. (08:09–08:22)
• Discussion about “mom material” and the risk/reward of mining family stories for the stage. (08:25–08:39)

Getting the Late Late Show: Kilborn, Rotating Hosts, and LA Life

• Ferguson recounts the “bake off” to get the Late Late Show—outlasting D.L. Hughley, Michael Ian Black, and Damien Fahey.
  • “We all got a week each... I thought, D.L.’s gonna get it for sure... and I got it.” (21:56–22:44)
• The job provided life stability during a personal rough patch: “I was going through a divorce and I had a young son. I thought, I need a job that’s going to keep me in town.” (22:55)

Stand-Up as Lifeline and the Changing Comedy Landscape

• Ferguson always maintained stand-up as his “independence” from showbiz overlords:
  • “If I don’t keep doing this, I’m gonna lose my child. And also, I have to maintain autonomy with the corporate overlords.” (23:30–23:45)
• Comparing the "old days" of industry control (e.g., needing Letterman or Conan) to the direct-to-fans, DIY approach of today’s comics. (43:02–44:42)

On the "Club" Experience and Authenticity

• Praise for the raw alchemy of live stand-up over specials or online consumption.
  • “The more I do stand-up, the more I kind of love the purity of it... it’s the immediacy. That’s authenticity.” (37:41–37:51)
• The value of working clubs, dealing with hecklers and “positive heckling,” and the necessity of keeping one’s stand-up sharp in gritty environments (45:14–45:55)

Letterman & Late Night War Stories

• Ferguson describes the autonomy given to him because Letterman owned the CBS time slot:
  • “CBS couldn’t do much about me because Dave owned the time slot.” (52:36–52:43)
• Surreal encounters with Dave, like running into him at a Nike store, with Letterman greeting him, “How long have you worked here?” (54:36)

Book Clubs, Ageing, and Literary Recommendations

• The two wind down discussing reading, the importance of books, and Soder’s restart with Stephen King.
• Ferguson suggests “Dracula” for depth and fear—“I can't read scary books out there [in the countryside]. It’s too scary. I’ve got to read them in New York.” (66:03)
• Soder recommends “Frankenstein,” observing how old literature is often richer and stranger than modern adaptations. (65:03–65:34)
• The comedic duo jokes about starting a book club: "Craig Ferguson and I are still starting a book club." (67:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Evel Knievel’s Bravery:
  • Ferguson: “Yeah, I know I can’t do it, but everybody’s here.” (15:28)
• On Growing Older in Comedy:
  • Ferguson: “The audience is getting old with me too... and we're all getting—” (68:41)
• On Comedy Authenticity:
  • Ferguson: “It’s an art form... I've made some specials, some of them better than others... but it’s not the same.” (37:42)
• On Industry Shifts:
  • Soder: “I think that is one of the benefits of the industry losing its absolute power... now it’s, please, please come do stand-up.” (42:51)
• On Comedy and Music Parallels:
  • Soder: “It’s just like genres in music... If I’m a singer-songwriter, I’m not going to be mad about a pop band.” (42:10)
• On Fame and Authenticity:
  • Ferguson: “Authenticity is a form of currency.” (12:19)

Recommended Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic / Notable Moment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:16 | Drew Carey Show legacy and improv cast appreciation | | 03:35 | Ferguson on missing Curb Your Enthusiasm | | 11:07 | “Ugly Friends” label; Drew Carey Show vs. Friends | | 14:36 | Evel Knievel stories and impact | | 22:55 | Why Ferguson wanted the Late Late Show | | 37:41 | Stand-up purity and why Ferguson won’t do more specials | | 44:51 | Hypocrisy of "fan" culture and fame in comedy | | 52:36 | Letterman’s ownership of late night time slot; creative freedom | | 54:36 | Letterman greets Ferguson in Nike store: “How long have you worked here?” | | 65:03 | Soder and Ferguson trade book recommendations | | 68:41 | Ferguson on aging with the audience |

Final Thoughts

The episode is a masterclass in generational comedy storytelling. Both host and guest bring wit, insight, and open-hearted honesty to questions of fame, authenticity, and the craft of stand-up. It’s rich with behind-the-scenes gems—the kind that reward comedy fans—and a love letter to the enduring power of laughter and storytelling.