Podcast
That Show Hasn't Been Funny In Years: an SNL podcast on Radio Misfits
Hosted by Nick Digilio / Radio Misfits Podcast Network · EN
Award-winning radio personality, podcaster, and SNL fanatic/historian NICK DIGILIO hosts this weekly deep dive into the world of the granddaddy of all sketch-comedy shows. Nick, a Second City grad and veteran of Chicago comedy and theater, has watched every single episode of SNL since George Carlin hosted the premiere on October 11th, 1975. Consisting of new and old episode analysis; SNL-relates guests; historical impact; and even entire episodes dedicated completely to just one sketch…this is every SNL fan’s dream podcast, and proof that that tired, cliched statement: “That show hasn’t been funny in years,” is simply NOT true.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
That Show – Sinbad Hosts SNL
Jun 300:51:31Tap to summarizeNick looks back at the one and only time comedian and actor Sinbad hosted Saturday Night Live. The 1992 show made great use of the cast, packed with memorable sketches that ranged from clever and absurd to a little risky and questionable by today’s standards. Highlights include the first gay platoon in the Civil War meeting the first African American platoon, Superman’s funeral, a hilarious Blacula parody, and a family that dramatically overreacts to everyday situations. The episode also marks the debut of Adam Sandler’s now-classic Thanksgiving Song. Along the way, Nick shares behind-the-scenes stories, revisits some of the night’s funniest moments, and provides an update on Sinbad, who turned in a terrific performance during his only stint as an SNL host. [Ep 178]
Transcribe →That Show – See You Ninjas There!!
May 2700:36:51Tap to summarizeNick looks back at one of the funniest recurring commercial parody sketches from Saturday Night Live, the Kickspit Under Underground Rock Festival promos that aired between 2009 and 2012. Inspired by the real-life Gathering of the Juggalos festivals, the sketches feature Jason Sudeikis as DJ Supersoak and Nasim Pedrad as Lil’ Blaster, hyping up the most ridiculous music festival imaginable. You’ll hear the outrageous promos, learn how the sketches came together, including how sleep deprivation helped fuel the writing, and get the full story behind Ass Dan, played by Bobby Moynihan. The episode also includes memorable appearances from Ryan Phillippe, Bruno Mars, Ben Stiller, and Helen Mirren. Get ready for some badass crunk and a lot of laughs at the Under Underground Rock Fest. We’ll see you ninjas there. [Ep 177]
Transcribe →That Show – The Best of Alec Baldwin, Pt. 1
May 2000:58:14Tap to summarizeAlec Baldwin has hosted Saturday Night Live more than anyone else and has also shown up over the years as a frequent guest and special cast addition. For more than 35 years, he’s been one of the show’s most reliable and funniest presences. Nick looks back at some of his best work, including standout sketches, recurring bits like his take on Donald Trump, and plenty more. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories and how some of these moments came together, along with full sketches. Highlights include a Glengarry Glen Ross-style meeting at Santa’s workshop, a visit from Charles Nelson Reilly on Inside the Actors Studio, a strange diner exchange between a cowboy and a waitress, and, of course, a little taste of Schweddy Balls. It’s a celebration of a legendary SNL host. [Ep 176]
Transcribe →That Show – SNL and The Oscars
May 1300:59:04Tap to summarizeNick looks back at the ten former Saturday Night Live cast members who have been nominated for Academy Awards, including one who actually took home an Oscar. Each story has its own twist, and not all of the nominations were for acting. Kristen Wiig earned a nod for Best Screenplay, Michael McKean was nominated for Best Original Song, and George Coe, whose background gets explained here, received a nomination for Best Short Film. Along the way, you’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories and clips from the films that earned those nominations. The episode features work from Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Joan Cusack, Dan Aykroyd, and Robert Downey Jr., the only former cast member to win an Oscar. It’s a fun and informative look at the connection between SNL and the Academy Awards. [Ep 175]
Transcribe →That Show – Che’s Happy Neighbor Willie!
May 600:38:49Tap to summarizeNick looks back at one of Kenan Thompson’s funniest SNL characters, Willie. A regular Weekend Update correspondent and Michael Che’s neighbor, Willie is brought on to lift spirits whenever the news gets too heavy. He’s endlessly upbeat, even though his life is about as rough as it gets. Created by Che and Thompson, the character quickly became a fan favorite thanks to the way Willie cheerfully shares some truly awful personal stories. You’ll hear several of his best Update appearances, along with the origin of the character and some behind-the-scenes details. It’s hard not to feel a little better about your own life after spending time with Willie. [Ep 174]
Transcribe →That Show – Dr. Jason Barr & The Music of SNL
Apr 2901:05:07Tap to summarizeNick welcomes Dr. Jason Barr, Associate Professor of Music at Glenville State University, to talk about the history of music on Saturday Night Live, with a focus on the legendary live band that has been part of the show since it debuted in 1975. They get into the origins of Studio 8H, including the technology and its early days as home to the NBC Symphony Orchestra, along with a look at both the original SNL band and the current lineup. Nick and Jason also highlight past and present band members you may not know but should, along with musicians who have played with SNL over the years. It’s a deep and fascinating conversation about one of the most important elements of the show, the music that has helped define it for decades. [Ep 173]
Transcribe →That Show – Underappreciated cast members, Danitra Vance
Apr 2200:55:17Tap to summarizeNick pays tribute to one of the most underappreciated cast members in Saturday Night Live history, the late Danitra Vance. Raised on the south side of Chicago, Vance came up through improv, earned her Master’s degree, taught for a time, and eventually found her way to Second City before landing on SNL as the show’s first female African American cast member. Unfortunately, she arrived during the troubled Season 11, where the writing often held her back from doing the kind of work she really wanted to showcase. Even with those limitations, her character work stood out and her writing was sharp, topical, and honest. She brought attention to the experiences of young Black women in the inner city and delivered smart satire that pushed back on stereotypes and tropes. You’ll hear some of her best sketches, including multiple appearances by her unforgettable character Cabrini Green Jackson, along with stories about her life, her career, and her passing in 1994 after a battle with breast cancer. It’s a well-earned spotlight on a performer who never got the recognition she deserved. [Ep 172]
Transcribe →That Show – Olya Povlatsky
Apr 1500:36:02Tap to summarizeNick takes a look back at one of Kate McKinnon’s funniest and most memorable Saturday Night Live characters, Olya Povlatsky. As the Russian correspondent on Weekend Update, Olya reports from a bleak, remote village where life is so miserable that everyone, including her, seems to be constantly hoping for the end. Her segments cover everything from the Russian economy and the war with Ukraine to the 2014 Sochi Olympics and computer hacking. Along the way, Nick shares behind-the-scenes stories about how the character came together and why it worked so well. He also revisits the rare moment Olya appeared outside of Weekend Update, showing up in a Cold Open alongside Beck Bennett as a shirtless Vladimir Putin. It’s a deep dive into a standout character created by one of SNL’s best. [Ep 171]
Transcribe →That Show – It’s The Tom Green Show!
Apr 800:49:36Tap to summarizeNick takes a look back at the notorious Season 26 episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by comedian and talk show host Tom Green. Riding high from his MTV success and his role in Charlie’s Angels, Green was invited by Lorne Michaels to host, and he brought his signature chaos with him. The show opens in fairly traditional fashion with a political Cold Open about the 2000 election recount, but things quickly go off the rails when Green brings his fiancée Drew Barrymore on stage and teases a wedding by the end of the night that never happens. From there, it only gets stranger. Green climbs onto audience members’ heads and licks them, while sketches featuring live pigs, surreal rappers, and terrible storytellers push the episode into full-on absurdity. There’s also a bizarre segment with Green and Lorne Michaels in a bubble bath, along with a strange Dr. Phil parody that adds to the overall madness. Along the way, Nick shares behind-the-scenes stories, including interviews with Green himself, and looks back on his career and this unforgettable SNL time capsule. [Ep 170]
Transcribe →That Show – Patrick Swayze Hosts
Apr 100:56:04Tap to summarizeNick goes back to October 27, 1990 to revisit the only time Patrick Swayze hosted Saturday Night Live, and it turned out to be a great showcase for him. Fresh off the success of Ghost and in the middle of filming Point Break, Swayze came in ready to do a little bit of everything. He opens with a memorable monologue dancing with his wife, Lisa Niemi, then jumps into a wide range of sketches, poking fun at his own image, playing a smooth Latin crooner, and even showing up alongside Hans and Franz. Of course, the night is best remembered for the now-legendary Chippendales sketch with Chris Farley, which still holds up as one of the funniest bits the show ever did. Nick plays the key moments and shares stories from behind the scenes of a show that was a little weird, very funny, and a perfect example of how committed Swayze was to whatever he was asked to do. [Ep 169]
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