Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: SNL 50 Special Featuring Tina Fey
Episode Overview In the February 13, 2025 episode of NBC's "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist," host Willie Geist engages in an insightful and humorous conversation with Tina Fey, a comedy icon renowned for her work on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), "30 Rock," and the cult classic film "Mean Girls." Celebrating the 50th anniversary of SNL, this episode delves deep into Fey's illustrious career, her creative process behind the "Mean Girls" reboot, and her ongoing projects, including a dynamic tour with Amy Poehler.
Opening Remarks and Mean Girls Reboot
The episode opens with Willie Geist welcoming Tina Fey, setting a conversational and relaxed tone. The primary focus swiftly moves to the highly anticipated reboot of the beloved 2004 film "Mean Girls," marking its 20th anniversary.
Tina Fey on Reviving a Classic:
"It is a little odd, you know, and some days I feel like it was a minute ago. And some days I'm like, no, it was about 20 years ago I didn't have kids." [02:08]
Fey reflects on the passage of time and the surprising longevity of "Mean Girls" in popular culture, emphasizing how certain themes remain timeless despite societal changes.
Incorporating Modern Elements:
"We live in a world. In 2004, we'd never heard of Instagram or Twitter or Snapchat or TikTok or any of that stuff. So you did layer all of that into it." [04:02]
Fey discusses the integration of contemporary social media platforms into the new screenplay, highlighting the necessity to update the high school experience to resonate with today's youth.
Collaborative Adaptation Process:
"She probably shouldn't have said that or done that. And it's nice to. It's a real gift to get the opportunity to go back and update things." [02:42]
The conversation underscores the collaborative efforts in adapting the original movie into a screenplay that feels fresh and relevant, without merely replicating the original's charm.
Navigating Social Media and Modern High School Dynamics
Tina Fey explores how the advent of social media has intensified high school relational dynamics compared to the early 2000s.
Impact of Social Media:
"It's brutal. I mean, obviously this is different than talking about like actual accountability for behavior, but when it's just like, you know, you did your hair and it came out real stupid." [12:10]
Fey emphasizes the harsher and more permanent nature of social interactions in the digital age, contrasting it with the more forgiving environments of the past.
Parenting in the Digital Era:
"My 18 year old, I feel like I'm letting her, I'm trusting her core values. And the 12 year old is so far off. We don't have any social media." [12:29]
She shares her approach to parenting amidst the challenges posed by social media, balancing trust and guidance for her teenage daughters.
Tina Fey’s Early Career and Journey to SNL
The conversation transitions to Fey's formative years in comedy, tracing her roots from middle school to her pivotal move to Chicago.
Discovering Comedy:
"I wanted to write about comedians. And at that time, with no Internet, no YouTube, you could not even really a VCR to tape things..." [15:16]
Fey recounts her early fascination with comedy, sparked by limited resources like Joe Franklin's Encyclopedia of Comedians, and her determination to carve a niche in the field.
Move to Chicago and Second City:
"I moved to Chicago from Charlottesville, Virginia, where I went to college. I went to Chicago just because I thought, well, that's where the Second City is." [17:54]
Her relocation to Chicago was driven by her ambition to join the legendary improv group Second City, where she honed her skills and formed lasting professional relationships, including meeting Amy Poehler.
Breaking into SNL:
"And then SNL had come through the Second City scouting for performers and seen me and were, like, not interested. And I understandably, they were correct. And so I asked Adam if I could send a packet in as a writer, and he was like, for sure. And he's hired me, basically." [20:11]
Fey details her unconventional entry into SNL as a writer rather than a performer, credits Adam McKay for advocating on her behalf, and reflects on her initial apprehensions during the interview process with Lorne Michaels.
Collaboration with Amy Poehler and Touring Success
A significant portion of the discussion highlights Fey's collaborative ventures with her long-time friend and colleague, Amy Poehler.
Dynamic Duo:
"We are touring now and it is just like we really just have such an ease and shorthand working with each other." [27:43]
Fey describes the seamless partnership she shares with Poehler, both on tour and in various projects, attributing their success to years of mutual understanding and shared comedic sensibilities.
The Restless Leg Tour:
"We are like rock stars... It's just a paid mom's weekend." [30:38]
The duo's "Restless Leg Tour" is portrayed as a fun and flexible venture, balancing performances across major cities with personal downtime, exemplifying their ability to maintain professionalism while enjoying their work.
Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors
As the episode nears its conclusion, Fey teases her future projects and ambitions.
Netflix Series Adaptation:
"Tracy Wakefield and Lang Fisher and I are going to adapt... the Four Seasons... as a series for Netflix." [34:23]
Fey reveals plans to adapt the classic film "The Four Seasons" into a Netflix series, signaling her continuous evolution in the entertainment industry.
Mean Girls Stage Program:
"Mean Girls, the stage program is going to London in the spring to come see us in London." [34:30]
She announces the international expansion of the "Mean Girls" stage adaptation, demonstrating the enduring global appeal of the franchise.
Humorous Side Projects:
"Amy keeps yelling. She's like, why do you not have a line of glasses? Why do you not sell glasses?" [34:55]
Fey jokes about potential side ventures, showcasing her trademark humor and the playful dynamic with Poehler.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Willie Geist expressing his appreciation for Tina Fey's candidness and engaging storytelling. Fey's reflections offer a blend of humor, nostalgia, and insightful commentary on the evolution of comedy and high school dynamics over the past two decades. Her ability to adapt and remain relevant in the ever-changing landscape of entertainment underscores her status as a beloved and influential figure in comedy.
Final Remarks:
"Thank you, Tina. Fun to talk to you." [35:17]
Willie Geist signs off the episode, inviting listeners to tune in for future conversations and reinforcing the podcast's commitment to delivering in-depth profiles of cultural icons.
Notable Quotes:
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Tina Fey on Humor and High School:
"The core idea of sort of not taking other people down just to make yourself feel better... it's still like, don't look at me, look at them." [11:02]
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On Comedy Education for Her Children:
"We're not. We're gonna watch things that are funny." [34:14]
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Reflecting on 30 Rock's Legacy:
"Nobody in my house watches it. We don't watch it." [33:15]
Timestamp Highlights:
- 02:08: Tina Fey discusses the time elapsed since the original "Mean Girls."
- 04:02: Incorporation of modern social media into the reboot.
- 12:10: Impact of social media on high school dynamics.
- 15:16: Tina Fey's early interest in comedy.
- 20:11: Breaking into SNL as a writer.
- 27:43: Collaboration with Amy Poehler on tour.
- 34:23: Upcoming Netflix series adaptation.
- 35:17: Conclusion and final appreciation.
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Tina Fey's interview on "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist," highlighting her journey, creative endeavors, and enduring impact on comedy and popular culture.