Podcast Summary: The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast Episode: Listener Q&A #1
Release Date: September 23, 2024

Introduction and Housekeeping

[00:00 - 01:34]

The episode kicks off with Seth Meyers welcoming listeners to the podcast. Andy Samberg leads with some housekeeping updates, humorously referencing past interactions and setting the stage for the episode's format.

Andy Samberg:
"So here's the plan, guys. I'm really excited. I have a little housekeeping, and then we have some Q and A. And then we're gonna see where we're at, and we'll go from there."
[00:06]

Lorne Michaels Staying on SNL

[00:22 - 02:26]

The conversation shifts to the recent announcement that Lorne Michaels will continue his tenure at Saturday Night Live through its 50th season. The hosts express relief and humorously discuss the unspoken fears about who might replace Seth if not Lorne.

Andy Samberg:
"Our long national nightmare of waiting is over. Lorne has announced he's gonna stay at SNL through the 50th."
[00:22]

Seth Meyers:
"I was worried it was me."
[00:32]

Tina Fey:
"Yay. Yes."
[00:32]

They joke about Seth not being mentioned as a potential replacement, highlighting the often-overlooked contributors behind the scenes.

Andy Samberg:
"You never got mentioned. And I feel like it's often one of the people that never gets mentioned."
[00:46]

Emmys and Steve Higgins

[01:34 - 03:02]

Andy shares his experience attending the Emmys, where he presented alongside notable personalities like Kristen Wiig, Bowen Yang, and Maya Rudolph. The discussion touches on Steve Higgins, his role, and amusing anecdotes from the event.

Andy Samberg:
"The bit was we went out and talked about how many Emmys Lorne has lost over the years. And I knew that he would laugh at Maya and Wiig and Bowen, telling him that he's not a loser."
[01:57]

Steve Higgins' Antics

[03:02 - 05:08]

Andy recounts three humorous incidents involving Steve Higgins during a dinner with Lauren and Higgins. These stories highlight Higgins' quirky behavior, including slapping Andy's hand for reaching past him for a roll and ordering a simplistic cheese sandwich despite the variety available.

Andy Samberg:
"He slapped my hand so hard it still hurts."
[03:02]

Colin Jost:
"That's a weird call."
[03:14]

Upcoming Movie Release and Q&A Prep

[05:11 - 08:07]

The hosts discuss Andy's upcoming dramatic role in the movie Lee, releasing in theaters on September 27th. They delve into the film's production, Andy's preparation for a serious role outside his usual comedy sphere, and its reception by critics.

Seth Meyers:
"Andy took a little dramatic turn, and he's awesome in it."
[05:14]

Andy Samberg:
"I didn't have the same bodies. But when you get your hair cut a little bit..."
[05:30]

Listener Corrections and Feedback

[08:15 - 11:24]

Former SNL writer Rob Klein joins via a recorded message to correct inaccuracies mentioned in previous episodes. He clarifies the origin of his nickname "Flip Flop" and defends the Harpoon Man short, which he claims is underrated and should be recognized as one of Andy's better vocal performances.

Rob Klein:
"If you guys actually believe that that's Andy's worst vocal performance, then you've clearly never seen a little short called the Best Look in the World."
[08:18]

Andy Samberg:
"That's from Melinda. And it is. You know, there's a server and there's a Kevin Miller..."
[17:21]

Technical Insights and SNL Archives

[16:09 - 19:34]

Andy addresses listener questions about accessing SNL's archival material, such as digital shorts not available on YouTube. He explains the role of Kevin Miller, a producer with access to NBC servers, enabling them to retrieve old scripts, rundowns, and videos for the podcast.

Andy Samberg:
"There's a server and there's a Kevin Miller. Kevin is a producer on this podcast and former writers assistant at SNL..."
[17:21]

Seth Meyers:
"For listeners that have no clue what we're talking about. And Andy won't pump up his own balloon. That's a phrase."
[08:07]

Merchandise and Fan Interactions

[19:35 - 25:26]

The hosts discuss fan merchandise and interactions, sharing anecdotes about receiving SNL merchandise like the "Roy Rules" T-shirt and responding to fan questions about merchandise involvement. They also highlight Jon Hamm's fandom and his contribution to the podcast.

Andy Samberg:
"Megan. Did you guys ever have any say over merch? ... I'm a high school teacher. In 12 years of having the punched magnet on my whiteboard..."
[37:20]

Colin Jost:
"People bringing It."
[37:32]

Behind the Scenes: Bash Brothers Special

[38:08 - 43:07]

Andy expresses interest in dedicating an episode to the Bash Brothers special from 2019, sharing stories from live performances and interactions with José Canseco. Seth reminisces about the skit where the crowd's attention shifts from the hosts to Canseco, highlighting the memorable comedic moments.

Andy Samberg:
"Somebody wrote. How does SNL pick extras for skits shorts in the first scene of people getting punched. My favorite short."
[34:56]

Seth Meyers:
"Do you think we'll ever hear from him? And he would just be like, no to all those."
[42:32]

Writers and Auditions at SNL

[44:30 - 46:40]

The discussion moves to how writers are selected for SNL, detailing various paths writers have taken to join the show, including auditions and being hired based on comedy prowess. The hosts share personal experiences and shoutouts to notable writers like Rob Klein and Mark McGuire.

Andy Samberg:
"Some writers, like Rob Klein from earlier in the pod. He was definitely someone we hired off his packet that he submitted."
[45:06]

Colin Jost:
"We all worked on it together, too."
[45:52]

Emotional and Humorous Moments

[46:40 - 48:01]

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share light-hearted moments and express their appreciation for the listeners. They reflect on past memories, upcoming episodes, and maintain the camaraderie that defines their collaborative dynamic.

Andy Samberg:
"It was just all labor love. And Mike diva, who works at SNL doing the shorts now, did it with us..."
[44:30]

Tina Fey:
"Same here, Seth. I thought you guys were gonna do it."
[47:52]

Seth Meyers:
"Love you."
[48:00]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Samberg:
  "I have a friend at snl. We should tell him this story and he'll put it on the show."
  [27:18]

• Seth Meyers:
  "It's called Lee. It's a World War II movie and it's a Kate Winslet movie."
  [04:27]

• Colin Jost:
  "That's a really funny line."
  [27:43]

• Andy Samberg:
  "We're actually now recording these close enough to the present that I can plug that. Andy's gonna be on the show."
  [03:24]

Key Takeaways

• Lorne Michaels' Continued Leadership: The confirmation of Lorne Michaels staying at SNL brings relief to the team and fans, ensuring continuity as the show approaches its 50th season.

• Behind-the-Scenes Humor: The hosts share numerous anecdotes about working with colleagues like Steve Higgins, showcasing the camaraderie and light-hearted environment behind SNL's success.

• Archival Access and Preservation: The podcast benefits from exclusive access to SNL's archives, allowing the hosts to delve deep into past digital shorts and scripts, enriching their discussions with rare insights.

• Engagement with Fans: Listener questions drive much of the episode, fostering a strong connection between the hosts and their audience. The inclusion of corrections from Rob Klein underscores the community-driven aspect of the podcast.

• Upcoming Projects and Specials: The anticipation around Andy's new movie role and the potential deep dive into the Bash Brothers special highlight the hosts' ongoing creative endeavors and commitment to exploring their collaborative history.

This episode of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast offers a blend of humor, insider stories, and heartfelt reflections, providing listeners with an engaging look into the making of some of SNL's most memorable digital shorts and the enduring friendships that sustain their creative endeavors.