Bobby Moynihan

Summary

Podcast Summary: Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim – Episode Featuring Bobby Moynihan

Release Date: February 3, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Thanks Dad, hosted by Ego Nwodim, listeners are introduced to Bobby Moynihan, a beloved comedian known for his roles in Inside Out, Brother Nature, and his extensive tenure on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Ego, who was raised by a single mother and never knew her father, welcomes Bobby to serve as her “Dad for the Day,” setting the stage for an intimate conversation about fatherhood, personal struggles, and life lessons.

Exploring Bobby Moynihan’s Relationship with His Father

Early in the conversation, Ego opens up about her own absence of a father figure, a sentiment that resonates deeply with Bobby. At [02:06], Bobby reveals, “Hello, daughter. It's me. My dad died too.” This shared experience forms the foundation of their discussion.

Bobby elaborates on his late father’s life, describing him as a hardworking man who battled epilepsy and alcoholism. He shares poignant details:

“My dad was a hard-working kid. His mother passed away when he was very young, so he didn't have that. And his dad was a fireman who was always working...” ([03:25])

Growing up in the Bronx, Bobby’s father owned a gas station and a liquor store, embodying both resilience and struggle. Bobby reflects on how his father's relentless work ethic and personal battles shaped his own upbringing:

“He was a proud, like, you know, like, you could hit me in the face with a two by four, I'll get up and walk away...” ([11:36])

Realizations Through Parenthood

As a father of two—a seven-year-old and a one-year-old—Bobby shares how becoming a parent has transformed his perception of his own father. He acknowledges the cyclical nature of parenting, recognizing that his children mirror behaviors and traits he observed (or didn’t observe) in his father:

“It's like having the giving birth to mirrors.” ([24:07])

Bobby candidly discusses the challenges of parenting, including balancing discipline with being present. He admits to common pitfalls, such as being distracted by his phone while interacting with his children, and emphasizes the importance of being genuinely engaged:

“It's more like what's really important is putting your phone down and being present.” ([24:07])

Navigating Life After SNL

A significant portion of the episode delves into Bobby’s experiences on SNL, particularly during the show's 40th and 50th anniversaries. He reminisces about the transitional phases he witnessed at SNL:

“I came into the tail end of that and started kind of the new era...” ([28:25])

Bobby shares anecdotes about his favorite sketches, including the ill-fated “Party for Burl” with Jane Lynch, highlighting the unpredictable nature of live television:

“It was very weird and stupid, and it was never going to get on again.” ([43:37])

Practical Parenting Advice: Embracing Creativity and Preparedness

When prompted for fatherly advice, Bobby offers both practical and unconventional tips. Drawing inspiration from Jaleel White’s portrayal of Steve Urkel, he recommends a method to assess his children’s needs effectively:

“Are you hurt or are you injured?... Are you hurt? Are you in pain? Or are we making a trip to the hospital?” ([35:08])

Additionally, Bobby emphasizes the versatility of painter's tape as an essential parenting tool, demonstrating his knack for creativity:

“The only thing you need when you're a father and you're traveling is painter's tape... You can make baby gates out of it that are almost indestructible and they don't hurt kids.” ([55:13])

Reflections on Legacy and Preparation for the Future

Bobby opens up about the emotional toll of losing both parents within six months of each other shortly after leaving SNL. He discusses the importance of preparing his children for the inevitability of loss and ensuring they are equipped to handle life's challenges:

“I want to lessen the amount of work they have to. Like, when I die, I want them to go, like, oh, he set it up for us.” ([18:31])

He candidly admits that his father didn't prepare him, but strange parallels in his childhood experiences inadvertently prepared him for his own role as a parent.

Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

As the episode winds down, Bobby shares a final piece of advice emphasizing simplicity and presence in parenting:

“Life is really fun and confusing and complicated and you can make it that way or you can make…” ([51:46])

He reiterates the importance of being present and engaged, drawing from his own experiences and the lessons learned through hardship and joy alike.

Notable Quotes

• Bobby Moynihan at [02:10]: “Your dad died as well?”

• Bobby Moynihan at [03:25]: “My dad was a hard-working kid...”

• Bobby Moynihan at [24:07]: “It's more like what's really important is putting your phone down and being present.”

• Bobby Moynihan at [35:08]: “Are you hurt or are you injured?...”

• Bobby Moynihan at [55:13]: “You can make baby gates out of it that are almost indestructible and they don't hurt kids.”

Conclusion

This episode of Thanks Dad offers a compelling blend of humor, vulnerability, and insightful reflections on fatherhood. Through Bobby Moynihan’s candid storytelling, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics between fathers and their children, the impact of personal struggles on parenting, and the invaluable lessons that come from both joyous and challenging moments. Ego Nwodim’s empathetic hosting creates a space where meaningful conversations unfold, making this episode both entertaining and profoundly relatable.

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Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and podcast information. It aims to capture the essence of the episode while omitting advertisements, intros, and outros as per the request.

Transcript

[Ego Wodom]

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[Aga Wodom]

Hi, guys. I'm Aga Wodom, and welcome to. Thanks, Dad. I was raised by a single mom, and I don't have a relationship with my dad. And I don't think I'm ever gonna have a relationship with my dad because he has gone ahead and died. And that's crazy. Gets me every time and gets my guests every time. So on this podcast, I'm sitting down with father figures who are old enough to be my dad or are just dads themselves. In this case, I don't think Bobby's old enough to be my dad. No, I tell you, she's a dad. Uh oh. That's gonna fuck your career saying your age.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I'm 78.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, my gosh. I'll get to ask the questions I've always wanted to ask a dad. Like, how do I know the guy I'm dating is right for me? Can you teach me to change a tire on the car I don't have yet? Can you go with me to buy that car so that I don't get bamboozled by a car salesman? Is that still a thing in modern times? Do you think car salesmen are still.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Bamboozling women every day, every. Every. Every second of every day? Well, at least. At least they think they are.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Oh, that's. Oh, and that is. That's right. They think they are. They think they've got the one. Okay. Anyway, guys, you just heard the voice of my dad for the day. You know, my next guest from movies like Inside out, if. And Brother Nature, the Show, Me, Myself and I, and his nine season run, Saturday Night Live. My kin frankly. Please welcome my dad for the day, Bobby Moynihan.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Hello, daughter. It's me. My dad died too.

[Aga Wodom]

Your dad died as well?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, no. Oh, my gosh. There's. There are so many things out here that can kill us. And the piece of advice I'm going to ask you about at the end kind of touches on death because I end every episode asking my dad for the day, a piece of advice that I think dads know. And if you don't know, you better pretend you know what you're talking about. Act like an authority figure and yeah, I will heed your advice. Okay. Bobby, you had a dad. He passed.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Correct.

[Aga Wodom]

Can you tell me what he was like?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Nope. I gotta go.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay, Dar, I'll see you later, guys.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yes, of course my father was. How long do we have?

[Aga Wodom]

We have all the time in the world. Fret not. This is what this entire podcast is about. My dear.

[Bobby Moynihan]

That. That's crazy. It's. It's funny when you say that. It's. I've. I feel like I've said this a million times, but now that I am a father, I'm a father of two now I have a seven year old and a one year old. And I have a very, very different view of my father, like from before. From after the seven year old. After the one year old. Like, it keeps changing.

[Aga Wodom]

Right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

But right now I feel like I have a. The. For the first time, I have the most realistic. Sure.

[Aga Wodom]

Right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Vision of who he. Like when someone asked me that question, I go like, okay, my dad was a hard working kid. His mother passed away when he was very young, so he didn't have that. And his dad was a fireman who was always working. So a lot of stuff going on there. Don't think I really realized all of that until much later in life, like that side of it. And he had epilepsy and he was an alcoholic. So the two things you can't do is drink or drive. And in his life, he owned a gas station and a liquor store.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, wow. Perfect setup for an improv scene. Yeah, I feel like. Oh, gosh. So where did your dad grow up?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Bronx.

[Aga Wodom]

I didn't realize you were New York. You've got New York blood in you.

[Bobby Moynihan]

No, Yeah, I grew up. I lived there my whole life.

[Aga Wodom]

So you say his mom passed away. He was younger. You have a different view of him now that you are a father. You had a different view with this, with the seven year old, with your one year old. What was your view of him when you were young? What was your relationship like with him?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Just trying to impress dad. Just wanting dad's attention. Dad was very hard working. Worked at the liquor store. Very big Giants fan. Okay. Wore Phil Sims. I don't think I've. Well, I mean, like, I have. I'm trying to be funny. But it was very rare to see him outside of a Phil Sims New York Giants jersey. He had multiple. He wore it to both My high school graduation and my sister. Like, he just wore a Phil Sims.

[Aga Wodom]

That was his thing.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Kind of like. Like Kevin Smith, like, wears, like, a hockey jersey.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, he was like that. Okay. What were things you would do to try to impress him when you were younger?

[Bobby Moynihan]

That's the first time in 47 years I ever compared my father to Kevin Smith. I just want that to be on record.

[Aga Wodom]

It's a good comparison. It paints a picture. I will say I immediately like, oh, okay, got it. I understand.

[Bobby Moynihan]

The opposite of me. I look exactly like Kevin Smith. I played Kevin Smith on snl. My father opposite. He looked like he was six foot tall. He was six feet big, Irish, white haired, like. Like a Chevy Chase almost, but bigger. Like if Chevy Chase lived in the Bronx. Yeah. And wasn't severely racist.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay, good to know your dad wasn't a racist.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Okay, well, he grew up around.

[Aga Wodom]

Sure.

[Bobby Moynihan]

My dad. I always said drunk uncle is pretty much the. The idea was just like, hey, I'm not racist, but I don't have the right terminology either.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

That was the whole.

[Aga Wodom]

I'm not interested in knowing the right terminology. I mean, like.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I mean, mean well.

[Aga Wodom]

And it's like, do you.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like, that. Was that. Was that. Was that. Was that.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

He grew up in that time, unfortunately.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Did you feel like you were close to your dad growing up?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yes and no. Like, I don't think I realized what was happening till much later. Like, I was just like, dad, what's up? And he was just like, get the out of here. Like, kind of like, I'm tired. Like, you know, like, it was. It was a lot of that. But we. We were. Yes, we were. We were. No, no, no. Absolutely not.

[Aga Wodom]

We were not close. Okay. Yeah. You don't listen. He's not here. I'm not gonna tell on you.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah. Yeah. I appreciate it.

[Aga Wodom]

I honestly just want to know what it was like. I'm so fascinated by dads and people's relationships with them, given I didn't have a relationship with my dad. So I'm like, yeah. What was it like for you? I mean, you say you were trying to impress me.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Well, that's why we're perfect for snl, too.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. I think everyone who works at SNL has daddy issues. Maybe that's not fair because maybe I can't speak for all of Mike. I don't know everyone who works there.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It doesn't hurt.

[Aga Wodom]

Relationship. Yeah. Daddy issues is very helpful. It's.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

I feel like Lauren knows how to pick him. I'm trying to understand so your. Your dad was sort of Kevin Smith or Chevy?

[Bobby Moynihan]

My dad was, like, Irish, Irish Catholic, 6 foot tall, Irish Catholic ex. Went into the Marines because this was my dad. His father got remarried to a woman right around when he was graduating high school. And he didn't know. He found out at high school graduation. It was kind of like, hey, I've been dating this woman. We are now married. And my father went, great, I'm going to the Marines. Oh, like, bye.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Yes.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Joined the Marines, got the tattoos and all the stuff. And a week later, they were like, you have epilepsy. You can't be a Marine. And he was like, all right. And out of the Marines.

[Aga Wodom]

Home. Back home. Out of the. Okay, funny.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like, and like this. And like, this is like, stuff, like, now. Like, now at 47, I go, how did that happen? How did that work? How did you get out? Like, what was the thing? Like, did they see you have a seizure? But I'll never be able to ask, right?

[Aga Wodom]

I mean, there's so many questions.

[Bobby Moynihan]

We won't be able to ask her forever.

[Aga Wodom]

Do you believe in heaven or hell?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I. I was. I was raised Catholic, and now I believe in, like, the movie Soul.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Yeah, yeah. Jamie Foxx.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like. Like, I just go. Like. I think there's, like, Soul got it kind of right. Like, there's a place where your soul is from. And like. Yeah, like.

[Aga Wodom]

And it goes back to. Yes.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And everything is just kind of smooth jazz.

[Aga Wodom]

That would be really nice if it were the Coco.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Anything by Anything Heaven by Pixar. I'm down with.

[Aga Wodom]

You're like, I believe that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

So was your dad particularly strict, then, if you grew up Catholic?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I don't know if strict was the right word. That wasn't it. We went to church because, like, it was almost like they were like, we gotta go to church because we have to, like, think it was like, they hated it too. Like, they. They were just. They were. I think that was the part of parenting. They were like, the one thing you gotta do is what Jesus says.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like, you don't gotta listen to me, but you gotta listen to Christ. Like, it was like that.

[Aga Wodom]

Right, Right. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It was more of a threat. And, like, he was like a. Like, just like an authority figure above my father. Like, okay, that was it. I went to Catholic school. I went to all that shit.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. What were some of the ways you did connect with your dad?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Jesus.

[Aga Wodom]

Damn. You really wish you would have read the email. Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

No, I figured it was this. It's just. It's never Easy to talk about. I'm just glad I'm not weeping.

[Aga Wodom]

No. Oh, by the way, if you weep, I will probably weep. You wouldn't be the first one on this podcast to weep a little bit.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I get it. I just saw the SNL documentary, which is, like, every 90% of the stuff I'm in, I'm weeping, and I'm like, oh, Jesus Christ, Bobby, what did you do to yourself? No, honestly, like, I don't know how to answer that question. But, like, I will say this. Like, when I was 13 years old, I worked full time in his liquor store, like, helping customers, running the cash register. Like, I learned how to drive really early because I was literally making deliveries.

[Aga Wodom]

So driving illegally.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Illegally driving. My father hammered in the liquor store hammer.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And I'm driving around, deliver. I delivered once to, I believe, to, like, Richard Pryor's house. Lived in nourish shell. Like, I had no idea who he was, but, like, it was just. Yeah. 100 millions of those stories. I was delivering alcohol between the ages of, like, 16, 15, 16, 17, like, not of age. Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

Right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And. And, like, New Year's Eve slammed selling champagne to drunk adults at 15.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. What a life. You grew up fast. Grew up very fast. Do you think that made your dad proud ultimately, like, that you were helping the family business and stepping up to do the. That he probably shouldn't have been doing?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I think I made him proud in weird ways.

[Aga Wodom]

Like, what are other weird ways?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I was funny. I. I was. He was funny. He was. He was sarcastic. It was. It was dad. He was like. He was a good guy. He was a good guy. But I'm realizing now he was just a big, stupid boy. His mommy died when he was young.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And he never had that. And he spent the rest of his life drunk and thinking about it and. And had probably had kids, like, too young and dealt with that the rest of his life. Like, that never occurred to me that he was never an adult.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Do you feel like you're having that realization in real time right now? 100% right. Yeah. It's fascinating the moment you realize your parents are. And you are a parent now, but you realize your parents are just little girls and little boys who have kids and some. Some more mature, some less mature, depending on the tools they have in their toolkit and depending on what their life experience is like, and depending on how safe they felt to emote, even frankly, like. And it continues to be a light bulb moment for me even in my relationship. With my mom, who's fantastic and I think did a great job raising me and my siblings, but I'm like, oh, my gosh. Just a girl who had some kids and is trying her best.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Did you. Did your mom get to do the. The Mother's Day show?

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, she did the Mother's Day show twice.

[Bobby Moynihan]

That's the best.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. And it's really, really special, but it's also nerve wracking because I'm like, I'm at work. It's like, bring your mom to work day. And you're kind of like, well, this place stresses me out plenty.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Live television for nine years. That was the most nervous I ever was. Was that moment.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, I think so too. I'm most on edge both of those episodes. I'm like, most on edge. And I remember one of my castmates, my first time being around for a Mother's Day episode where their moms were coming. One of my castmates was like, I'm so stressed. I just don't want my mom to, like, go off the rails on air. Just kind of not say what's on the cards. And in that moment, that was a more senior cast member. I was like, oh, good, I'm not alone. I don't know that I'm worried my mom's gonna go off the rails, but it's just like having my mom do this thing that is so outside of her element and her frankly, ability, and then it's being broadcast to the entire country and then lives online for the world is so. Yeah. It's so anxiety inducing and a job that's already. Yeah. Stressful.

[Bobby Moynihan]

In retrospect, it was fun. I was terrified. I'm sweating. I'm terrified. I'm terrified. And my mom is locked in.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, wow.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like, ready to go. I said some jokes. She definitely said something. She was. She was like, yeah, okay. Like, she definitely, like, improvised a tiny little bit.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And I was like, like, in retrospect, I'm like, nice, mom. Like, you took it and good for you. Good for you, mom.

[Aga Wodom]

Ye.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Then Reese, she met Reese Witherspoon. And then. And then for the rest of her life, because my mom passed away. Also only referred to who as Reese.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Because they're friends now. First name basis, you know, Reese. That day, I was talking to Reese at 8h.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I am going to see Reese Witherspoon tomorrow. And I cannot wait to tell her that she was the kindest to my mother.

[Aga Wodom]

That's incredible. Was your dad proud of you going into comedy since he was a funny Guy.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yes, I think. Yes, I think I can answer that and say yes. He was proud in his own way. Like, I. I have said this in interviews, and it's true. Like, I told my father, I got snl, and he was like, you got health insurance? And I said, yeah, congratulations. Like. Like, that was like. It was more like, I get it. He. He. The Hollywood. Like, that whole side of it is not him. He's like, you know, he came to SNL once. It was Eli Manning hosted.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Because he wanted to meet Eli Manning because he was on the Giants, and he literally met him, and he was like, you're good, but your brother's better and don't get hurt. Like. Like, and treated him like garbage.

[Aga Wodom]

Well, you know, you got to give it up to the adults for not giving a. Honestly, there's something about that. But. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

He. He asked my dad. He said, you want me to sign. My dad was wearing a Peyton Manning or Eli Manning jersey. And he goes, you want me to sign that jersey? He goes, no. Like, he looked at him like, why? Like, you want to write on it? I paid 100 bucks. I paid 100 bucks for idiot. Like, it was amazing.

[Aga Wodom]

That's kind of cool. Your parents were very cool. Not nonchalant.

[Bobby Moynihan]

My dad was, like, Italian Popeye.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And he was Irish.

[Aga Wodom]

The picture is getting clearer and clearer. Because it's getting clearer and clear. You're doing a good job here of painting this picture. So when he's, like, cool, you have health insurance. You understand then in that moment that he's proud of you. Sounds like potentially a man of few words. Loves his sports.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah. Loves to entertain, love to sing. Like, really loved music. Was very, like, had, like, for, like, a stupid Bronx guy. His favorites were, like, Luciano Pavarotti. Like, he loved the Three Tenors. He, like, once he found that, like, he was like, this is music. Like, and he love. He listened to, like, Frank Sina, a lot of Frank Sinatra, a lot of, like, old jazz and, like, classical music. He had, like, a CD collection that he took very, very seriously.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Because he enjoyed music a great deal. He loved to sing to himself. He had a. When he was a kid, he was in, like, the choir.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, that's incredible.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Weird. Weird.

[Aga Wodom]

It's a plot twist for me because as you're painting the picture, remember I said, the picture's getting clearer now. I'm like, oh. And he sings. I love that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah. Dollar heart, nickel brain. I feel like now I can say that about him. Like, you know, like, good guy, but.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, little damage sure, we're all getting messed up. And I also tend to think that no matter how much knowledge we have now about the ways parenting impacts a child and the person they become, I'm like, I want to have kids one day. I'm like. And I'm sure they're going to mess them up somehow. Even with all.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Well, no matter what, you will. It's more just. I feel like going into parenting, I, I was terrified and, and like, you think it's going to get easier. And now I'm a different kind of terrified. Which is when you realize everything you learned doesn't matter.

[Aga Wodom]

Right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And all it is especially, I mean, like. And also, to be honest, it's easier to talk to you in a way because we should have lunch for the sole reason of, like, we can speak to each other on two different languages, which is a parent who's d. SNL like, it's two, two exclusive clubs you, you, you want to be in, but it sucks sometimes.

[Aga Wodom]

Yes, exactly.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It's just a fascinating.

[Aga Wodom]

I think about it. I truly do think about this often where I'm like, I read things about parenting just because I'm curious. And even having gone to therapy myself, and it's not. My therapy is not so intense. Please. What are you going to say? Please?

[Bobby Moynihan]

No, no, no. I just really remembered the point I was trying to make, which is now I, I, I, I go. It's just parenting to me is just preparing them for when I'm gone. Because that's all that life is. Because adults dealing with the person who taught them how to be an adult is gone.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And like, now that just feels like, oh, all I gotta do is make sure that they're gonna just not drink themselves stupid when I'm gone. Cause they don't know how to do anything for themselves. Cause I think that's what happened to my dad.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Yes. Well, then do you think, do you think that your dad then did prepare you for his absence? Would you say he did?

[Bobby Moynihan]

No, not in any way. Well, but, but I was prepared. He didn't prepare me, but the things he did prepared me because I, I spent most of my childhood fearing that he was going to die. There were multiple times I was in the hospital. Like, this is it. Say your goodbyes. Oh, no, he made it. Okay, well, I'm happy this time. The sixth time. It's a little annoying.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And you start to get that in college before cell phones come home. He's not gonna make it. He's in the hospital. He's not gonna make it. Drove all the way home going, I gotta get a suit. And he's fine. And you're like, fucking. I drove.

[Aga Wodom]

I drove two hours for this. Can you please just go?

[Bobby Moynihan]

You know, like that starts to happen. So prepared when he died, like, it was like, oh, no way. This time it really happened. Oh, like that was. There's a little, you know, like that.

[Aga Wodom]

Did you ever think of him as sort of resilient, though, in some sense, given that he had all these scares but then would still make it through?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah, yeah, you.

[Aga Wodom]

That.

[Bobby Moynihan]

But like, I used to think it was a skill and he thought it was a skill. He was a proud, like, you know, like, you could hit me in the face with a two by four, I'll get up and walk away. Like, you know, like, like, it's like, yeah, that's great. You know, professional wrestlers do that too. But then they take the mask off and they have to deal with their lives.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

You don't have to take the pain.

[Aga Wodom]

It doesn't need to this way. This is not the route we have to take. So then it's like unintentionally, as a result of just how he was living his life. You do feel like you were prepared. It wasn't like a function of him sitting you down and going, these are the values I want to instill in you.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah. No. I had an alcoholic father who, who pickled himself his whole life and worsened his injuries in his. Inside of him slowly until. Until it, until it killed him.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you feel scared of him? I know you were scared of the situation and him going, but you felt scared of him too.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah, I guess I should. I was scared of him. But I'm. I'm one of the lucky ones that like, it. It was never like, he never hit me. Like, you know, like, it wasn't like it was. It was mentally and like, you know, abusive, but never physically. So, like, that's good.

[Aga Wodom]

Like, right, right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like that's a positive, I guess. And. But scared in the fact of, of, of like walking out, like, okay, act different because he's around or, or act different because he's around and drunk.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Did it feel like then you were closer to your mom? Is that someone you felt like?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

You felt that nurturing sense from.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Dad died a couple months after my first daughter was born and we. I. It felt like he was waiting for it. It felt like he was waiting. He saw her and then like he gave up. And then six months later, out of nowhere, watching Rupaul's Drag Race, midnight with my wife. Get a phone call. Mom, I'm in. I'm in a. I'm in an ambulance in New York. I'm in la. I'm like, what?

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And she's like, I just wanted to say I love you. And I'm like, oh, no. What?

[Aga Wodom]

What? Yeah. What?

[Bobby Moynihan]

No, that was the last time I talked to her. Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, I'm sorry, Bobby. That is.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It's okay. You didn't do it.

[Aga Wodom]

Well, no, I didn't, but. Yeah. Well, you claimed to have done one of them at the beginning of the podcast.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah, I didn't say anything about the second. I would never murder my mother. I wouldn't even joke about.

[Aga Wodom]

Sounds like a sweetie. So now you understand parenting. To be preparing your children, in a sense, for when you're not here. Add more to that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah. Yes. I go, like. Like, I see things with the fur, even with the first daughter, compared to the second daughter, you start to, like, you just act different. The first daughter, I was putting my nose. My finger under her nose when she was sleeping to make sure she was still breathing. Like, you know what I mean? Like, it's like, you're so. Like, oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Like, you know what I mean? Like, and the second kid, my wife jokes around, like, well, I'll walk in the room. Like, I'll get scared because I forget that she's here. Like, yeah, yeah. Like, it's like, it's just. It's just literally just easier because you've done it before. Like, and, like, even just that, you. You go, like, okay, I've been a parent for a couple years, and we have a bit of an age gap at seven and one, so, like, right. We had some time to relax. We had a pandemic to raise a kid, and then we had an actor strike to raise the second kid. And, yeah, it's been nice. I've spent more time with both my daughters than my father spent with me in his entire life.

[Aga Wodom]

Right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like, yeah, it's different.

[Aga Wodom]

Does that make you feel like you're doing something right, then? Because I feel like I hear parents talk about their guilt all the time and feel like they're doing things wrong and they have no idea if they're doing it right. But does at least getting to spend more time than your dad spent with you, with your daughters make you feel like, okay, well, this feels right?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I feel like I could confidently say I'm doing better, but not right all the time. Like, I mean, I Guess. Yeah. Yeah. There's, well, it's, it's also like the thing that really sucks about parenting is like focusing on like what I gotta do is like I have to, I have to be more strict with her and I gotta tell her like, you must finish all your chicken nuggets. And you're doing this while you're looking at your phone. You're thinking this while you're looking at your phone and you're realizing that what you're doing is you're imprinting that you don't give a. Because you're just on your phone. Like it's more like what's really important is putting your phone down.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And being present. Like there, it's just like you, there's little things like you don't even know you're doing and then all of a sudden they do it back. It's like having the giving birth to mirrors.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Isn't that, I just imagine that is so bizarre because I imagine being a parent, you become hyper aware of your own behavior. So such as like saying you need to finish your chicken nuggets while you're on the phone. Now I hear that I'm kind of like, yeah, you're letting her know she has to eat her dinner but you happen to be on your phone. But you're right that there might be some messaging in that that like I don't really give a shit about, about this interaction.

[Bobby Moynihan]

No one says you're gonna spend 10 years fending off a child who knows all your tricks but doesn't know how to use them yet, if that makes sense. So you're just looking at someone who's doing it wrong going, you son of a. Yeah, and I taught you that. But you have no idea. Like you're just like, it's crazy. It's like watching a bank robbery that you did and don't remember.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself then knowing that, that your children are mirrors in that way? Now that you have a seven year old, for instance, before the one year old was here, and you're spending time in the pandemic, do you feel like you were putting a lot of pressure in yourself during that period?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Less now. I'm easier at letting dumb shit go. I mean like I was, I, I, I know now and can say like, I'm very dramatic and I, I, I'm, I can I enj. I am someone who finds it easy to play the victim and may even cause problems to be the victim of. And that is this.

[Aga Wodom]

Did you Learn this in therapy.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I learned it more from just watching my kids do it right back to me and going, man, all right, but, yes, that therapy didn't hurt. You know what I mean? Like, But. But, yeah, but, like. But it's also that. It's. It. You spend a lot of years being embarrassed by that. Being embarrassed. Like, oh, my God, how did I do that for? So, like. I mean, I wish I could go back to SNL first day and go, hey, guys, sorry. I'm back.

[Aga Wodom]

Back. Learn some things about myself.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Figured something out. I figured something out. And I'm back. Hi, Lauren. Like, I would. That. That's it. I would walk in there every day and go, hi, Lornie. Because that's what I wanted to do, and I should have done it, but instead I went in every day going, hello, sir.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, boy.

[Bobby Moynihan]

You know. Hey.

[Aga Wodom]

Yes.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Huh?

[Aga Wodom]

Yes. The quickest little tin ginger exchange. I mean, it doesn't have to be quick, but now I'm just. That comment you made about how you might have showed up at SNL differently, the way you were showing up at SNL you believe is a function of what, survival?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I mean, just. It was. It was nine years of. Please don't take this away from me.

[Aga Wodom]

Did you feel scared that you would not get another job, or was SNL just your dream?

[Bobby Moynihan]

No, it's just stupid. It's fucking insane. It's crazy to love something your whole. To be a comedy fan and love something your whole life and look up to it and it. And it. To be a cultural phenomena, like, it's part of. It's one of the things. It's one of the things. And then all of a sudden, you're there. I used to. It's this sentence. It's this sentence. After my first year, I said this sentence to my mom. She was like, was it the summer after my first year? And, like, you're. Everyone's different. Every person in your life is different. You're different. Everyone has changed. And my mom said, what's wrong? Like, you seem down kind of thing. And I was just like, I don't know how to explain this to you, Mom. I was on a mechanical bull with Tom Hanks last week.

[Aga Wodom]

Bobby, I. I mean, I really do want to get lunch with you about the SNL of it all because. And. And the dead parent of it all, because you're supposed to be elated, but it's such a. Gosh, it's such whiplash, too. It's such. It's. It's such an emotional whiplash. I think being on snl, which is incredible opportunity. Not complaining. But, yeah, you.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It's. It's. It's also like my view of SNL when I was on it, I was also there for the 40th. So I know a little bit of what you're going through right now. I can't imagine what it's like being there for the 50th. I can't imagine because I was there for the 40th.

[Aga Wodom]

What did you pick up on in the 40th? What were the vibes?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Well, everything changed before. There was a before and an after. There was two before and afters for me at SNL when Seth left in the 40th. And, like, they were kind of close to each other, like, but, like, to. As far as, like, when I first got there, Amy and Daryl were still there and like, Shoemaker and like, it was still old SNL or. Or what at that time was considered old snl. The. Sure. The Kristen era. The Kristen Bill Hater Andy era. You know, the. That era. I came into the tail end of that and started kind of the me, Taryn, Vanessa, that Jay Pharaoh, that era. So I saw this switch, this change where kind of people left and it will. People who had worked there for 40 years were gone, and it was bringing in kind of the new era. I remember, like, we were never in digital shorts. And by the time I left, I was rarely rehearsing because we were shooting for 24 hours straight, you know, like, so, like, I saw, like, a different. And I saw the transition. I feel like I was there at a transitional period. So the 40th for me was like space camp. Like, it was, like, it was nuts. But I can't imagine ramped up for the 50th, like, even just. Even just the 50th, being around in California, it has changed my life. My wife was in Wicked on Broadway and I'm on snl and we went. It's like our house is filled with insane trauma right now. We went to a City Walk the other day and City Walk, the entirety of Universal CityWalk is just Saturday Night Live and Wicked.

[Aga Wodom]

That's wild.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It was wild. I did, by the way, I did buy this at CityWalk. And you're on it.

[Aga Wodom]

I'm on it.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah, you're right.

[Aga Wodom]

What is it? Where. What? SNL mug at CityWalk. Oh, my gosh. I'm next to Bobby on the. Oh, my SNL mug from City Walk. Drunk uncle and Lisa from Temecula. That is incredible. Gosh. Now, this is a dad podcast.

[Bobby Moynihan]

But, oh, yeah, we just made it an SNL podcast.

[Aga Wodom]

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay it be like that. It's like, you did boot camp. You did the same boot camp I.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Did, and now we were both in the same war.

[Aga Wodom]

Yes. And so we have to go. Remember that. Gosh, I have so many questions now. I've been. My trauma has kicked in and I. Wait, did you have your first child? At what point in your tenure at snl? Is it after you left snl?

[Bobby Moynihan]

After. Yeah. Yeah. I couldn't have done both. I would have died. I would have exploded. I watched Bill Hader have a kid in the middle of SNL and, like, saw what it did to him or, like, saw just. Just the different people he. Like, it's. You just don't sleep anyway if you're on snl. So I can't imagine both. Yeah. Got married and had a kid within a year of getting off of snl. And seven year old. And then we did. I. Yeah, yeah. Now we have one year old.

[Aga Wodom]

You did ivf and you have a one year old.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I was gonna say we. We did ivf. It took a while. We. We didn't. We kind of like, stalled during Pandemic, and now, then it worked, and here we are.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. When you were on SNL and it was sort of like that energy of, please don't take this away, Please don't take this away, was your desire to get married and be a dad any part of your decision to leave or what was that like?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I mean, it's funny in retrospect now I think back and I go, I met my wife, like, a couple weeks before I got snl.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And when I got snl, I called my mom, and then I called her, and, like, we had gone on like, a couple days. Like, it was, like, weird, but, like, I think I just knew. And, like, we dated all throughout snl. At one point in the middle of snl, we were like, she kind of. She was on Broadway. So it was like every. Like, we never saw. Like, we tried to see each other whenever we could, and. And she kind of went like, we're. We either have to get married, like, what are we doing? And I went like, we can't do this. And we broke up for a little while, but it very much. It very much felt we were both going, like, we have to break up with this because this is too much. And the second we did, we went like, oh, man. Okay, so when we get back together, we'll get Married. We're like, let's just wait a little while so we don't look like idiots.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And that's. That's, like, what it felt like. And we got back together, and we've been together ever since and got married the second we had, like, a day off.

[Aga Wodom]

During the time you were dating and you were on snl, she was on Broadway. Obviously, time is limited. Was Monday night your date night?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yes, very much so. Like, Monday was a big deal for us. It was. Monday was our Sunday.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Yep. I don't. I know it. That's the day every SNL person is going on dates as Monday.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It's Mondays.

[Aga Wodom]

It's Mondays. So when you guys decided to have your first child, which seems like it happened pretty much right away, did you feel ready to be a parent? Like, did you feel like, this is something I'm ready to do? Or was. Was it a function of this is the time to do it?

[Bobby Moynihan]

It. No, it. Looking back, it's very much. SNL prepared me for it in the sense of, like, well, we're going live and there's nothing you can do about it. Like, so that's kind of like. Like, that. Was it 11:30 all the time with a kid. 11. It's like, you take the kid that you. You give birth, and then you get downstairs and you go, like, okay, we gotta put this thing in a car. Like that. Literally, like, the first time it hits you is the car ride home where you're like. So no one. I'm just. No one's gonna help. I'm allowed to take this thing. And like, it's crazy. It's a crazy realization where you go like, oh. But I think that's. Yeah, I was about to do another SNL thing. I'll stop talking about SNL and only talk about.

[Aga Wodom]

You're welcome to talk about SNL as much as you want. And I want listeners to know this is truly what happens. And somehow all roads lead back to snl. Even if you weren't on snl, I feel like somehow I'd be talking to someone about snl. Right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I said it in that documentary, Seth. When I got the show. The night I got the show, Seth said, congratulations, you'll never talk about anything else for the rest of your life.

[Aga Wodom]

Seth is so brilliant and wonderful.

[Bobby Moynihan]

The best.

[Aga Wodom]

I wasn't obviously there when he was head writer, but I've heard so many wonderful tales of his time as a leader there and wish I could have been there.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I hope he gets it. I hope he inherits the Show a great deal.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, that would be really cool, because only good things. Okay, so you felt like. It was like being on snl. We're going to go live. Did anyone give you any advice that was particularly helpful to you in parenting, whether it be in the baby phase or once your kids can talk phase? Did anyone say anything that you're like, that was good advice, and I've used it.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Jaleel White, Steve Urkel.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Love, twist. Unexpected. Okay. Keep going.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It's not the best advice. It's just whenever someone asks me that question, I love to see their reaction when I say, jaleel White told me.

[Aga Wodom]

What did Jaleel say? What did Urkel say?

[Bobby Moynihan]

He's a good dad. He. He was talking to his daughter, and he was very specifically going, no, no, no, no, no. Are you hurt or are you injured? Explain this to me. Do we. Are you hurt? Are you in pain? Or are we making a trip to the hospital? Like, the difference between hurt and injured and explaining that quickly was very. I don't know why. It just. It just hit me. It just hit me like it was written in a movie. I went, like, I'm gonna remember that always. I don't know why, but I'm going to.

[Aga Wodom]

And have you used it?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Oh, a billion times. A billion times. And because he said it. And it just. Well, it also. It's a good parenting tool because it kind of snaps your kid into reality. Because ego. We were on snl. We're very dramatic. So, like, my daughter. My daughter bangs her knee a tiny bit, and it's, dad, it's like, It's. It's bloody murder. So you go, are you hurt or are you injured? And they hear. What they hear is, I don't want to put down the iPad and go to the hospital. Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry. Sorry. I was being a little dramatic.

[Aga Wodom]

I really love that. Because I'm going to be honest, when you first said that Jaleel taught you that, are you hurt or are you injured? I was like, what's the difference? And I'm like, now I really understand. Yeah. The specificity of that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

That's why I bring it up. Because it is a crazy thing.

[Aga Wodom]

Are you hurt or are you injured? And my ass wants to go. The answer is yes. But in like, no, you need to pick one. And they mean different things. And one means, we're going to go to the hospital. How many trips to the hospital have you been saved with that question? Do you believe?

[Bobby Moynihan]

A few. But we had a real trip to the hospital. That changed everything. She. My daughter broke her arm when she was three and that made everything very real. And so like. But. But also, like, this is a terrible thing to say, but it's like I never broke a bone when I was a kid and she broke her arm when she was three and she's fucking tougher for it.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, wow. Wow. It's kind of like I'm not condoning violence. I feel like if you've ever gotten beaten up, it does something like, you know, in a school does. Does something for you.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It's a shitty thing to say. Never would have said this before I had two kids. Sometimes you need to get punched in the face.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. I believe it, too. I agree with that, by the way. I backpedal on what I said about I don't condone violence. If I was running for office. That's my. I don't condone violence. But honestly, I do believe sometimes I'm. You need to get.

[Bobby Moynihan]

That's how you learn in life not to get punched in the face is by getting punched in the face when you do dumb.

[Aga Wodom]

I agree. If Bobby says it, then I feel like I can be honest and say, I agree. Also, I've never broken a bone. And I'm going to knock on. I don't have wood to knock on, so I'll knock on marble. This is marble.

[Bobby Moynihan]

But marble columns. You're surrounded by marble columns. I'm not.

[Aga Wodom]

This happens to be a marble table. I promise it's all the marble I own.

[Bobby Moynihan]

She's sitting in a porcelain tub full of raspberries.

[Aga Wodom]

I hope this is okay, Bobby. I hope this isn't too much.

[Bobby Moynihan]

She's in a business suit, but there's a lot of raspberry.

[Aga Wodom]

Exactly. That's okay. And that's a character. I'm gonna put that one in my back pocket.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Please do.

[Aga Wodom]

Maybe people will like that one. But I. Gosh, I can only imagine having a child break an arm. Did you in any way feel guilt about her? Okay. And then what happened, may I ask?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Well, it's not guilt. It's just this. I can see the look in my mother's eye of like, oh, my God. All I want is to take everything bad that's happening to you right away from you right now, and I can't.

[Aga Wodom]

Would you call that top three most overwhelming feelings in this life?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Parents, death. Realizing that your kids are going to go through it. Those two. And when. And when Jane lynch had one of my sketches cut on as an oil killer. Still want to kill her to this day?

[Aga Wodom]

Okay, I am gonna ask about that sketch. But what you say, what. You realize that your kids are gonna go through it, meaning, like, have a rough time in life or they're gonna.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Experience I'm gonna die someday. And. And just knowing. Just knowing what I know now, it's just like, oh, man, why did I have a kid?

[Aga Wodom]

Why did you do. Why did. Why would you say you did it? Actually, Bobby, why would you?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Well, because. Because of the 99 point billion percent other time when it's absolutely wonderful and it's. It. Every fiber of your being just goes, there they are.

[Aga Wodom]

Did you suspect you would be a good dad?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I suspected I would be a fun dad, but not a good dad. And I am a fun dad. And that pretty good dad.

[Aga Wodom]

Are you a disciplinarian at all?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Oh, no.

[Aga Wodom]

Let your wife be the bad guy.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I think it's more like right or wrong than discipline, but I think I have a discipline problem. Like my. My daughter. It's like, like sneaking treats. You know what I mean? Like, you have a little extra chocolate. You know what I mean? Like, or like I. I collect. I'm a collector, like, to. I've never thrown anything away in my life. So if, like, I have a problem of like, hey, we're only getting 10 things this time, honey. Like, you know what I mean? Like, I grew up poor, and because of snl, like, you know, because of the. My daughter has a very different life than I did. Right. We're not bill, you know, billionaires, but, like, you know, like, it's like when I think about, like, I was buying used GI Joes, and now when my daughter likes something, I'm like, here's the entire set. You need all 10. You can't have just two. Yeah, and that's my fault. And now I have to curb. And I realize now, especially with the second kid, like, we don't have to buy toys for the second kid because we bought all of the toys for the first.

[Aga Wodom]

First one. What will you say if the. Your second one says, I want my own stuff? I'm starting to realize these are all handmade downs. Are you going to go?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Okay, I'm going to look her in the eyes like my. I'm not. What I'm not going to do is what my father was. Hey, shut the up.

[Aga Wodom]

I don't know.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Figure it out. I'm not going to do that. I'm going to go. I completely understand that. What we should do is probably donate these to some kids who need them. So that'll be fun. Let's do that together instead of looking at an iPad. That right.

[Aga Wodom]

Love that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And also maybe we do some stuff around the house or we figure out some fun things to do. Or maybe you can make some art for an allowance. Something creative. What do you want to do?

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And then we can work up and buy some new toys. But when we do, we get one and it's got to be a special one. And I have to remind myself that because that's not how I lived.

[Aga Wodom]

Clearly not at all.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I see as you see my childhood behind me, my SNL jersey.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh boy. Boy, do you worry about spoiling your kids because your upbringing is different from theirs.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Constantly.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I grew up in Eastchester, New York. They are growing up in California. My this, this got me the other day and I'm not ashamed to say it because I gotta remember by myself. My daughter's in first grade and said where friends said, I'm going to the movies. And she said, is it the premiere here? Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

A little Hollywood girl.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Well, well, no, not a Hollywood girl at all. But. But we took her. I'm an inside out and I'm inside out too. And we took her to the movie and it was the premiere and we never took her to a premiere before. So it was just. But it was just that. It was just like, just that one sentence. I went like, well.

[Aga Wodom]

Is it the premiere and are we dressing up? What? Well, you know what?

[Bobby Moynihan]

How come no one's taking my picture at Sonic three? It's a.

[Aga Wodom]

Where's. Where's the red carpet? I mean, I guess there is red carpet at the movies, but there's no seamless.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

And got to get a seamless. Bobby, you do sound like a fun dad. I feel like if I could pick a dad, I'd go, yeah. Well, I have chosen you as my dad for the day. I want to ask really fast before I get into this dad Vice. Dad Vice piece where I ask you for a piece of advice. The Jane lynch sketch. What was it? And tell me the story because I have my own version of the Jane lynch sketch. It wasn't Jane lynch, but please do tell.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It was a sketch that I had tried to get on for a while to the point where like no one told me you weren't supposed to fucking pan stuff in multiple times when I first got there and I kind of did. And it was a sketch called Party for Burl. Please look it up on the database.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

With Jane Lynch, I was. Was a 900 pound man who was having a party. A party at his house because he had reached his goal weight of 600 pounds. And they built a big body on a chair, and I had my head poking through it.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And Jane lynch was my very normal wife. And there was a lot of very normal suburban people at this party, and they were all having a party, and Jane lynch did all the talking, was like, hey, everybody, thanks for coming. Burrow. And was like. She was like, and thank you for coming. And she told the whole story like I just told you. And she would go, isn't that right, Burl? And I would go, yeah. And I just never said anything except. And I never moved. And they all went into a different room to play Twister. And you could hear fun happening. And I just sat there. It was dark and weird. Keenan was. Looked like a grandpa. But then it was like, my wheat dealer's here. And it was Keenan. He was like, good to be here, man. And it was just very weird and stupid, and it was never going to get on again. And it made it to dress, and it got in the show, and it was the sketch after dress. I mean, after update. My favorite spot.

[Aga Wodom]

Why is that your favorite spot?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Because everyone's like, all right, we're laughing. We're actually.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay, great. Okay, great.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It's like a fun spot. That. Or the last sketch of the night is my two favorite places to be.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, wow. Okay. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Floor update. But. And I walk in and it's fucking in. And, like, I looked at Seth, and Seth was like, I can't believe it either, buddy. And we're doing the. The. The read, and we're starting to get close to update, and we're starting to get notes, and Jeff Blake just creeps up to the board, takes the card, pulls it down and puts another card up, and it just says, Susie Orman show.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And it was like a political sketch where Jane lynch was playing Susie Orman. That kind of tank. Or didn't. Whatever. I don't remember how it did, to be honest.

[Aga Wodom]

You think you can be honest? You're like, it kind of tanked because.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I don't know if it tanked because I. I should see it again and go, oh, no, it didn't actually.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. That feeling when you're like, mine is better. Mine is better than the one you chose. Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

You're trying to tell me that party for bur. Like, you know, like, I was. And it got taken off in the middle of, like, it was in. And. And that had never happened in my nine years there where they had made a decision. And then Reneged. And she just kind of leaned over and whispered, sorry, Susie Orman's a friend of mine. And I was, like, devastated. And it never got on. And that was.

[Aga Wodom]

It just went, man, Party for Burrow, man.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I keep. Seth brought it up once on to do it on Second Chance Theater, and I was just, like, not even there. It doesn't even deserve to be there.

[Aga Wodom]

No. That would have been fun. I. I now want. I'm gonna go look it up on the database and also shout out to Jeff Blake. And you remembering it was him who took the car. We love Jeff Blake.

[Bobby Moynihan]

The best. The best.

[Aga Wodom]

The. The best. The best guy ever at snl. Okay, I'm gonna end this by asking you a piece of dad vice, which is what I do on every episode. I have a dad for the day. You've been a fantastic dad. My piece of advice, and this is why I was saying it kind of relates to death. How do I articulate this? Dad, I'm nervous because I'm getting real time with you, but in terms of savings, how much savings is the right amount of savings, would you say, dad? Because I oftentimes with savings, go. What am I saving this for? Yes. An emergency, maybe, if I have a goal in mind. But I also could die. Die tonight.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Save. Very different. Very different. I would even say from, like, a couple weeks ago. I've changed this before the fires even.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Which is save everything and put it in a bank. You don't need anything. I have this. I have a collecting. I like to collect things. I. I have a lot of stuff. I stole so many props from snl, it's stupid.

[Aga Wodom]

Someone jail this man.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Oh, yes. Easily the 40th anniversary was me walking around stealing things when. Whenever Dana Carvey would put them down.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay, gonna take that. Thank you. And this as well.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I have his drumsticks from Wayne Garth. I literally wear within reach. Yeah, save everything. None of this matters. I. I collected my whole life, and now I'm in the process of, like, selling everything and just going, like, I enjoyed it. I enjoy. I loved it. But, like, it's all, like, now. It's just. I go, like, I don't do anything unless it's for those kids because, like, I just. Everything. I'm going to get dark for a second.

[Aga Wodom]

Please, please be real.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Losing both of your parents within six months of each other after leaving Saturday Night Live for nine years, getting married and having a baby. It was a lot of stuff.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

In one year. And just. Even the physical task of which I did solely Alone of cleaning out my childhood apartment of everything that my mother and father owned and going like, this is all garbage. Yesterday it was their stuff, and today it's garbage.

[Aga Wodom]

So one man's trash is not necessarily another man's treasure.

[Bobby Moynihan]

One man's trash is also another man's trash.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, sometimes. Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

So, like. Like, it's like that. It's like. It's. It's. It's also like, I want to lessen the amount of work they have to. Like, when I die, I want them to go, like, oh, he set it up for us. That was nice. Like, because my parents did not do that. I. I paid a lot of stuff off. I. You know, it was. It was. It was. You matter. The things you do matter.

[Aga Wodom]

Right. And that is a big lesson. Do you have a will?

[Bobby Moynihan]

A couple.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. All right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Just one. Just.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. I don't know what the. I said, you could have told me you had 100, and I would be like, I don't know anything about them, and I should maybe get one or I shouldn't. I don't know.

[Bobby Moynihan]

One for each identity.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. Okay. Today I'm talking to Bobby. Tomorrow it's Bibby.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

Even in terms of stuff, like, I'm not. We get so many things gifted to us, which is really cool. And people want us to, you know, that press the PR thing of it all. And I try to give it away as much as I can because I'm like, I. I don't need all of this stuff. And so I do a pretty good job with, like, actual stuff and not hoarding. But then I'll do a good job of, like, purging. But then I'll look up and I go, oh, my gosh. I have a lot of stuff again. Somehow, despite having purged a year and a half ago and giving things away that I'm gifted. And you just look around and you go, this is so much stuff.

[Bobby Moynihan]

SNL enhanced the collecting, too, because I was. As somebody who likes to collect things. And then you would wear a T shirt during good nights, and someone would go, hey, you like this? And then they would send you cases of this stuff. And then you're like, oh, no.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And, like, your house is filled with stuff.

[Aga Wodom]

And you're like, yeah, that's exactly right. You go, I'm so glad you clocked that I wore the thing and that I like the thing, but I don't know that I need more of the thing. It's just me.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I want it. I don't need it, but I want it.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, sure. But, but even in terms of like, financial savings is kind of the root of my question. My money comes to mind. I'm like, I should just have a thick ass savings account. You think that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And this is just the, the, the truth. Truth. I worked at a Pizzeria Uno on Central Avenue in Yonkers. I was a bartender for many, many years, and I really just, I was good at it.

[Aga Wodom]

Right.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And I really just try to assume no matter how many times I'm on a mechanical bull with Tom Hanks, I could be bartending a Pizzeria Uno again tomorrow so easily and be fine with it. That's where I need to be. I really.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay. I like this mentality. Less is more like some sense.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Yeah, it's, it's. Life is really fun and confusing and complicated and you can make it that way or you can make. And.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah, or you. What's my other option? Am I hurt or am I injured? What's. What were you gonna say? My other option is.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Oh, are you hurting? Oh, my other. No, My other advice that I heard as a parent, you mean.

[Aga Wodom]

No, no, no, no, no. But you were, you were saying life is really fun and you could, it could be complicated or you can make it that way or, or, or.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I think. No, no, no. I think right now it's that it's either you, you either are a victim or you. Or you're being the victim. And knowing when you're being the victim because it's easier is, Is a huge thing that I didn't really fully understand and will look back on this podcast in a month and go, oh, God, I thought I knew what I was talking about. You know, it's just that it's, it's, it's that it's. You never. There's always a bigger fish. Yeah, always, always, always.

[Aga Wodom]

Can I just. Cause at this point, you've given me all the advice. You've been a fantastic dad. Thank you for telling me your tales of fatherhood. When you described, though, your leaving SNL after nine years and losing both parents within six months of each other, getting married, having a kid in that short amount of time, Bobbi, I felt attention on my end and I didn't live it. But I, I know the SNL of it and how challenging that decision may be and how much you put your heart and energy into that place and how emotionally taxing SNL can be, which a lot of people wouldn't quite understand unless they work there and understand how that machine works and what keeps that place together. Do you feel like you've come down from all of that in some sense. All of it.

[Bobby Moynihan]

That.

[Aga Wodom]

That year you just described. Have you properly exhaled yet?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I. I can. I can say this honestly now in the moment, because I'm a little bit more present than usual, which is. It was starting to happen. It was starting. I was starting to calm down. And then the fifth 50th. It's been like. The 50th has, like, kicked up so much stuff. When the 50th's over, that's. I feel like the real healing begins then also. I'm just excited. I'm. I'm. I haven't heard anything about. I just can't wait to go watch and be proud and then go home.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Yeah. That'll be fun. And I think it. I think it'll be very special. Pre 40th. Post 40s. 40th. This is my second post dad vice question. Pre 40th. Post 40th. The difference for you, energetically there. You alluded to that.

[Bobby Moynihan]

It felt like ramping up to something, and then it felt very much like, okay, now we just gotta make it to the 50th.

[Aga Wodom]

Oh, wow. Okay. Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Like, it just. The. The wave. Well, it was harder to come. Keep coming in low. Like season 41.

[Aga Wodom]

Yes. Got it. Okay. Got it. Yeah, that makes sense.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Season 51 is gonna be harder.

[Aga Wodom]

Well, somewhere. And different.

[Bobby Moynihan]

And different. It'll be completely different because you're. It's a different show because the 50th's over.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Some might say the 50th is hard.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Oh, yeah.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. You know, I can't imagine. I don't know who would say that. Okay, well, thank you so much, Bobby. You have been an incredible dad for the day. Thank you for letting me be your daughter. Please. You have a thought.

[Bobby Moynihan]

I do. The last thing. Just because it's literally the best dad advice I've ever gotten, and it works. The only thing you need. When you're a father and you're traveling, the only thing you need to bring is painter's tape. Blue. You know that? Blue. Painter's tape.

[Aga Wodom]

Yes.

[Bobby Moynihan]

You can make baby gates out of it that are almost indestructible and they don't hurt kids. You can make toys out of tape. You could do anything with painter's tape.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay.

[Bobby Moynihan]

You can make. You can tape off sections of hotel rooms. Anything. It's the best.

[Aga Wodom]

That's baby gates being crucial. Who gave you that advice? Do you remember?

[Bobby Moynihan]

I don't remember, but I. I should thank them because it's the truth.

[Aga Wodom]

Okay, that's good piece of advice. That's very solid. I'll keep that one dear to me. I'll be a mom someday, God willing. And I will have my painters tape on me. Thank you so much. Do you want to plug anything, dad? Bobby, Bobby, Dad.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Sure. Check. I got a children's book called not all sheep are boring. You can get on the computer have you can check out Loy and Lightning Wolves, their animated series I made on on YouTube. That's it for now. Oh, oh, and I got a podcast called who me with the Batman, um, on Comedy Bang Bang. Um, CBB Presents, uh, where I play, um, Batman and I interview people.

[Aga Wodom]

I love it. I love it. Shout out to Scott Aukerman. Another. Another one has been my dad.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Entre Pinour.

[Aga Wodom]

Yeah. Oh my God, Bobby. Thank you, Andre. You've been wonderful. Thank you so much for. And let's get lunch for real.

[Bobby Moynihan]

Such a blast. Definitely.

[Aga Wodom]

Thanks dad. Is a Headgum podcast created and hosted by me, Ego Odom. The show is engineered by Rachelle Chen and Anya Konovskaya and edited by Rachelle Chen with executive producer Emma Foley. Katie Moose is our VP of content at Headgum. Thanks to Jason Matheny for our show art and Ferris Manchi for our theme song. For more podcasts by headgum, visit headgum.com or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Leave us a review on Apple podcasts and maybe, just maybe, we'll read it on a future episode.

[Bobby Moynihan]

That was a Headgum podcast.

[D]

Hey, it's Nicole Byer here. Let me ask you something. Are you tired of endless swiping on dating apps? Fed up with awkward first dates and disappointing hookups?

[Bobby Moynihan]

Girl, stop.

[D]

Same. Welcome to why won't you date me? The podcast where I figure out love and how to suck less at dating. Each week, I get real with comedians, friends, and celebrities about their love lives. We swap dating horror stories, awkward hookups, and dive into the messy and wonderful world of relationships. I've chatted with amazing guests like Conan O'Brien, Whitney Cummings, Sarah Silverman, Trixie Mattel, Tiffany, Hannah, and so many more. So whether you're single, mingling or booed up, there's something in it for everyone. Tune into why won't you date me with me, Nicole Byer? And discover insights that might just save you from your next dating disaster. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and catch full video episodes on YouTube. New episodes drop every Friday.

[E]

Hi, I'm Caleb Herron, host of the so True podcast now on Hedgehog Gum. Every week, me and my guests get into it, and we get down to what's really going on. I ask them what's so true to them, how they got to where they are in life, a bunch of other questions. And we also may or may not test their general trivia knowledge. Whether it's one of my sworn enemies like Brittany Broski or Drew Wallow or my actual biological mother, Kelly, my guests and I are just after the truth, and if we find it, great. And if not, no worries. So subscribe to so True on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and watch video episodes on the so True with Caleb Heron YouTube channel. New episodes drop every Thursday. Love.