Podcast Summary: BEST OF - Bob Odenkirk on Comedy (and Drama)!

Podcast: The Al Franken Podcast
Episode Date: August 31, 2025
Guest: Bob Odenkirk
Host: Al Franken

Overview

This “Best Of” episode features a wide-ranging, candid conversation between Al Franken and Bob Odenkirk, originally recorded in 2022 after Odenkirk wrapped filming the last episode of Better Call Saul. The discussion covers Odenkirk’s comedic roots, his influential years at Saturday Night Live, his experience working with iconic comedians and writers, the making of legendary sketches, his work on Mr. Show, his role as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and his unexpected pivot into action stardom with Nobody. The episode is marked by both light-hearted reminiscence and thoughtful reflection on creativity, friendship, and perseverance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Years & Getting into Comedy (03:06–05:08)

• Writing from a Young Age: Odenkirk describes writing comedy sketches as a child on his mom’s typewriter. Both he and Franken bonded over having written comedy in grade school, without really believing show business was a viable career (“It’s that Midwestern thing of, like, you know, human beings don’t do show business.” — Bob Odenkirk, 03:16).
• Midwestern Upbringing: The improbability and humility infused in both men’s early ambitions, with no direct path or contacts in the entertainment world.

2. SNL: Collaboration, Culture & Classic Sketches (05:08–11:58)

• First SNL Days and Social Awkwardness: Odenkirk was candid about struggling to fit in and his gratitude when Franken helped him with a sketch about a recurring subway character (06:21).
• Collaboration: Anecdotes about writing “Love Toilet” and the importance of learning structured sketch-writing, particularly from Franken and Robert Smigel.
• Comedy Legends: Odenkirk reflects on the iconic Matt Foley sketch for Chris Farley, his infamous rocky interview with Lorne Michaels, and the influence of Monty Python and SCTV.
• Notable Quote:

  “I really, truly walked in thinking, he doesn’t want me to kiss his ass. This guy must get his ass kissed every day…he wants to hear a cold hard realist.”
  — Bob Odenkirk on his SNL interview with Lorne Michaels (09:33).

3. Influences and Mentors (11:34–15:02)

• Del Close: Deep dive into Del Close’s impact on improv (13:11–15:02), including a formative encounter Odenkirk had as a young, aspiring comedy writer.
• On Creative Role Models:

  “I’d never met someone his age who was talking excitedly about what they were going to do next week” (15:02).

4. Chris Farley, Vulnerability & The Chippendales Sketch (18:11–22:06)

• Farley’s Brilliance and Personal Struggles: Odenkirk and Franken recall Farley’s magnetic presence, humor, and difficulties with addiction.
• Chippendales Sketch Debate: Odenkirk expresses discomfort about the sketch’s effect on Farley’s self-image.
• Notable Quote:

  “It just reinforced in him… ‘That’s my value to the world is this big, obnoxious, kind of appalling physique.’ And it just broke my heart.”
  — Bob Odenkirk (19:02)

5. Family, Ambition & Comedy Influences (22:07–26:37)

• Odenkirk’s Father: Reflections on his father’s unhappy career making business forms and how that shaped Odenkirk’s drive.
• Love of Sketch Legends: Extended homage to the Credibility Gap, Mike McKean, and Bob and Ray. Both host and guest reminisce about the joy of discovering Bob and Ray through bootleg tapes.

6. The Chicago Sketch Scene & Robert Smigel (26:37–30:00)

• All You Can Eat: Franken and Odenkirk discuss discovering Smigel’s talent in Chicago and how that led to careers at SNL. Odenkirk credits Franken and Tom Davis for pivotal opportunities.

7. Mr. Show, Experimentation & Sketch Pride (30:37–32:24)

• Cult Classic Status: Discussion of Mr. Show’s unconventional approach, highlighting “The Story of Everest” as a classic and the delicate balance between traditional and experimental sketches.
• Notable Quote:

  “But my favorite thing... those solid, good sketches we did, that are kind of classic construction sketches.” — Bob Odenkirk (31:01)

8. Transition to Drama: Larry Sanders, Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul (32:51–37:55)

• Landing the Role of Saul Goodman: Odenkirk describes going into the role with little awareness of Breaking Bad’s impact, and the overwhelming challenge of Saul’s wordy monologues.
• Adapting to Drama: The adjustment of moving from loose, improvisational comedy to precise, structured dramatic acting.
• Tightening the Universe: Odenkirk teases how Better Call Saul’s final season intertwines with Breaking Bad.

9. Health Scare and Work-Life Balance (38:09–43:38)

• Heart Attack on Set: Odenkirk recounts collapsing while filming Saul and being revived by quick-thinking crew members (38:31).
• Limiting Work Days: He credits Franken and Smigel for insisting he reduce his hours upon returning to set, which was appreciated by all crew members.
• Notable Quote:

  “What the fuck is your problem? You fucking died. Take care of yourself.”
  — Al Franken to Odenkirk, post-heart attack (43:42).

10. Nobody & The Shift to Action Star (44:35–45:51)

• Action Movie Success: Odenkirk talks about the surprising journey from comedy to leading a hit action film, and excitement for Nobody 2 (“It was such a crazy dream to do it.” — 45:36).

11. SNL Host Stories & Spielberg Anecdotes (45:53–54:00)

• Jeremy Irons & Steven Seagal: Behind-the-scenes tales of challenging SNL hosts and writing sketches for actors with strong personalities.
• The Post & Spielberg: Odenkirk and David Cross were both in Spielberg’s The Post; Spielberg only later realized he'd cast both partners from Mr. Show:

  “He goes, do I have a problem?” — Spielberg, on discovering the “Bob and David” connection (52:18).

12. Mutual Admiration and Career Retrospective (54:00–54:41)

• Thanks & Reflections: Both men express gratitude for each other's friendship, advice, and career support. Franken commends Odenkirk for his resilience during long, tough stretches in his career.
• Anticipation: Franken (and fans) eagerly await the next season of Saul and Nobody 2.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On Breaking Into Comedy:
  • "It's that Midwestern thing of, like, you know, human beings don't do show business."
    — Bob Odenkirk (03:16)
• On Lorne Michaels & SNL Interview:
  • “I really, truly walked in thinking, he doesn't want me to kiss his ass. This guy must get his ass kissed every day… he wants to hear a cold hard realist.”
    — Odenkirk (09:33)
• On Chris Farley & Chippendales:
  • "It just reinforced in him… 'That's my value to the world is this big, obnoxious, kind of appalling physique.' And it just broke my heart."
    — Odenkirk (19:02)
• On Surviving a Heart Attack:
  • “What the fuck is your problem? You fucking died. Take care of yourself.”
    — Franken (43:42)
• On Moving to Drama:
  • “I just dug in, man. I didn't… I was scared, but I… did an impersonation of Robert Evans… It was kind of fun to find a different rhythm.”
    — Odenkirk (34:40)
• About Spielberg Discovering Bob & David:
  • “Do I have a problem?”
    — Steven Spielberg (52:18)
• On Creative Perseverance:
  • "Boy, did you earn it… there were really long periods where nothing works, nothing happens… so I'm so happy for you."
    — Franken (54:19)

Essential Timestamps by Segment

| Segment/Theme | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|------------| | Early comedy & writing ambitions | 03:06–05:08| | SNL, sketch-writing & collaborations | 05:08–11:58| | Influences: Del Close & improvisation | 11:34–15:02| | Chris Farley & Chippendales sketch | 18:11–22:06| | On Bob Odenkirk's father & influences | 22:07–26:37| | Chicago scene with Robert Smigel | 26:37–30:00| | Mr. Show & classic/experimental sketches | 30:37–32:24| | Larry Sanders & from comedy to drama | 32:51–37:55| | Heart attack & work limits on Saul | 38:09–43:38| | Transition to action star: Nobody | 44:35–45:51| | SNL host stories, Spielberg on Bob & David | 45:53–54:00| | Career retrospectives & mutual thanks | 54:00–54:41|

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is warm, irreverent, vulnerable, and deeply insightful about both the craft and toll of comedy. Odenkirk blends humility and gratitude with honest critique—whether reflecting on SNL, friendships, or the agony and joy of creative risk. Franken serves as both a fan and crucial ally, helping surface stories that illuminate the resilience, self-doubt, and eventual triumph underlying Odenkirk’s celebrated career. Their mutual respect and playful banter ensure an engaging listen, full of revealing details for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

For further listening:

• Check out “The Story of Everest” sketch from Mr. Show ([31:52])
• Stream Nobody and catch Nobody 2 in theaters (44:35)
• Binge Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad for the intertwined final seasons (37:34)