The Truth About Comedy and Making People Laugh with Chevy Chase & Sean Callagy

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Truth About Comedy and Making People Laugh with Chevy Chase & Sean Callagy"

Unblinded with Sean Callagy | January 27, 2026

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Main Theme

This episode features a candid, lively conversation between host Sean Callagy and legendary comedian and actor Chevy Chase. Their discussion explores the origins and mechanics of comedic genius, the role of surprise in eliciting laughter, behind-the-scenes memories from Saturday Night Live (SNL) and classic films, and heartfelt reflections on legacy, influence, and what it means to truly make people laugh. The dialogue is warm, irreverent, and peppered with both humor and insight, making it a treasure for fans of comedy, performance, and the art of connection.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins of Chevy’s Humor and Career

• Family Influence and Early Years:

  • Chevy credits his father and grandfather for a natural sense of humor, rather than formal mentors or teachers.
    • "My dad was a very funny man. His dad was a funny man. They weren't comics... but they were very funny and particular about what they said and did and good with sarcasm when it was valued." (Chevy Chase, 02:58)
  • Comedy was a family trait, not a learned skill.
  • He recalls his time being funny in high school and college but insists others, like Wallace Shawn, were even funnier.

• Early Aspirations & Shift to Entertainment:

  • Chevy initially wanted to go into medicine, specifically surgery, but realized the long education path would delay his real passion.
    • "I was thinking about being a surgeon, but I realized in short order that it would take another four to eight years... And I wanted to be funny first." (Chevy Chase, 05:42)

• College and Music:

  • Participated in a college radio show doing comedic takes on broadcasting.
  • Musical background as a drummer (played with Steely Dan in college), later focusing on jazz piano for 50 years. (06:02)

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2. Breaking into Television & SNL

• Meeting Lorne Michaels & SNL's Birth:

  • Chevy recounts meeting Lorne Michaels, SNL's creator, at a late-night showing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, underscoring the comedy lineage from Monty Python to SNL.
    • “Lorne Michaels and I got together and sat around in his hotel room... about what he wanted to do with his new show called Saturday Night Live.” (Chevy Chase, 06:48)
  • Hired originally only as head writer, not an actor.

• SNL’s Live Element as Comedy Accelerator:

  • The unpredictability of live TV kept the show vibrant and helped cement its iconic status.
    • “Because it was live, I think it was most entertaining because you weren’t really sure what the heck could happen.” (Chevy Chase, 08:54)

• Transitioning On-Camera:

  • Chevy ended up in front of the camera after an impromptu sketch at a writers' table, which impressed Lorne Michaels.
    • “He pointed to me and said, do something funny... I did some takeoff... and it was pretty funny. And at that point, he decided to keep me as an actor too.” (Chevy Chase, 09:09)

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3. Film & Iconic Roles

• Post-SNL Movie Breakthrough:

  • Left SNL after one year due to personal reasons and quickly transitioned into film, debuting alongside Goldie Hawn in Foul Play.
  • Other key comedies followed: Seems Like Old Times, Caddyshack, Fletch, Three Amigos, and the Vacation series.

• Personal Favorites:

  • “I suppose my favorite was Fletch… I have about five or six that I liked.” (Chevy Chase, 18:23)
  • Specific praise for Three Amigos and working alongside Dan Aykroyd, Steve Martin, and Martin Short.
  • Loves Caddyshack and working with Bill Murray and Harold Ramis.

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4. Comedy Mechanics: The Secret of Laughter

• The Role of Surprise:

  • “Without surprise, you can’t really get laughter. It’s got to come from out of nowhere, almost. Or out of left field.” (Chevy Chase, 00:00 and 17:54)
  • Reiterates throughout that surprise is the essential ingredient for humor, both in live performance and writing.

• Perspective Is Key:

  • “A sense of humor is a sense of perspective. A sense of what's good and what's bad, what's right, what’s wrong, what's better, what's worse... That’s what a sense of humor is about.” (Chevy Chase, 13:34)
  • Sean observes this “perspective shifting” as a consistent comedic technique in Chevy’s film characters.

• Advice about Being Funny:

  • He’s hesitant to give ‘how-to’ tips, but encourages maintaining perspective, not being afraid, and just “keep that in mind.”
  • Playful banter ensues about whether Sean or his significant other is actually funny, with Chevy deadpanning: “I don't think either of you are very funny, frankly. You're gonna have to work that out together.” (25:38)

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5. Legacy, Life, and Personal Reflections

• Legacy and What Matters:

  • “I want to be remembered by my family, by the people I’m closest to. The rest can take it or leave it.” (Chevy Chase, 00:00, 24:13)
  • Expresses contentment and gratitude for his family and life, keenly aware of what really matters.

• On His Favorite Comedians and Films:

  • Influenced by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, and Lucille Ball.
  • Picks Lawrence of Arabia and Citizen Kane as favorite films outside comedy.
  • Declines to name top three comedians, stating it's impossible to pick from so many greats.

• Family, Fun, and Routine:

  • Jokes about parachuting and chess (“I like to play chess in the air. Parachuting. It always works for me.” (Chevy Chase, 24:57)).
  • Sharply humored responses implying that his ordinary life is fun enough.

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6. Touring, Legacy Events, & Upcoming Documentary

• Recent Tour Experiences:

  • Touring twelve cities, doing Q&As following screenings of Christmas Vacation.
  • Enjoys live audience reactions: “The audience stands and applauds and gives me a standing ovation, which is the only reason I go. Really.” (Chevy Chase, 21:12)

• Christmas Vacation & Reflections on Family:

  • Calls it “very much a family-oriented picture. It's pretty much like all of our families...” (Chevy Chase, 23:00)
  • Sean shares that these family dynamics resonate across generations.

• Upcoming Documentary:

  • Announces CNN documentary airing January 1st, laughs that he enjoys it: “Well, I’m in it. So I like it.” (Chevy Chase, 27:47)
  • Says it’s both funny and factual.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Laughter & Surprise

  • “Without surprise, you can't really get laughter. It's got to come from out of nowhere, almost. Or out of left field, as it were.” (Chevy Chase, 00:00 & 17:54)

• On Being Funny

  • “A sense of humor is a sense of perspective...that’s what a sense of humor is about. So...keep that perspective and don’t be afraid, you know?” (Chevy Chase, 13:34)

• On Legacy

  • “I want to be remembered by my family, by the people I'm closest to. The rest can take it or leave it.” (Chevy Chase, 24:13)

• On Being Asked to Recite Griswold Rant

  • "No, but I can read it." (Chevy Chase, 26:59)

• Signature Deadpan Banter

  • "I don't think either of you are very funny, frankly. You're gonna have to work that out together. No, you're fine." (Chevy Chase, 25:38)

• On Not Wanting to Name Three Favorite Comedians

  • "Geez, that's not fair. I don't want to name three... when there’s probably a dozen others that I love, too." (Chevy Chase, 29:36)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Chevy’s Childhood, Family, and Early Comedy Roots: 00:00–05:56
• Meeting Lorne Michaels and Birth of SNL: 06:48–09:09
• First Time On-Camera at SNL: 09:09–10:06
• Transition from SNL to Film: 10:22–11:09
• Favorite Films and Co-Stars: 18:19–20:31
• The Secret to Comedy (Surprise & Perspective): 12:40–14:31, 17:54–18:14
• Touring and Live Shows: 21:07–22:02
• Reflections on Christmas Vacation, Family: 22:23–23:49
• Thoughts on Legacy: 24:00–24:36
• Documentary Announcement: 27:19–28:05
• Comedic Influences and Favorites: 28:19–30:26

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Conclusion

This episode offers a rare, honest glimpse into the mind of a comedic icon, balancing nostalgia with practical insight. Chevy Chase underscores the elusive blend of perspective, risk, and surprise at the heart of true comedy, all while keeping the conversation light, unpredictable, and deeply human. For fans of comedy, admirers of great performance, and anyone seeking to understand the “hidden patterns” that turn observation into laughter, this conversation is at once a masterclass and a warm fireside chat.

Transcript

[Chevy Chase]

I think I was funny in high school. There were funnier people in high school and in college. No, no. As I said, my father was very funny, my brother was funny, and no mentors, no teachers. Just growing up with the right people. The way I see it, I wanted to be in medicine. I was thinking about being a surgeon, but I realized in short order that it would take another four to eight years before I could do that. And I wanted to be funny first. Without surprise. You can't really get laughter. It's got to come from out of nowhere, almost. Or out of left field. I left after one year. I had a reason to go, and I was personal, and I. I really didn't want to leave, but it was the way it was in my life at the time. I want to be remembered by my family, by the people I'm closest to. The rest can take it or leave it.

[Sean Callaghan]

Hey, we're here with the Sean Callaghan behind the podcast. We help people see what they don't see about their financial abundance, their time and magic. And as we hit this Christmas and holiday season, I couldn't be more honored to have our guest coming up here today. So let's kick it to Tink for his introduction.

[Tink]

There are rare souls in every era who don't just succeed. They redraw the map for everyone who follows. Before comedy learned to explain itself, before it softened the edges, Chevy Chase stepped forward and proved that intelligence could be hilarious, irreverence could be art. And the sharpest laugh is the one that reveals truth before I even know it's arrived. As a founding force of Saturday Night Live, an Emmy Award winner for both his performances and writing, and the architect of moments that echo through decades, Chevy didn't just collect accolades. He changed the very standards of comedy. He made it safe for wit to be sharp, for satire to be fearless, and for performers to trust that restraint and timing could be more powerful than noise. Being first isn't glamour. It's carrying a torch through the fog, misunderstood, until the world catches up. To master at this level is to time truth so clearly that laughter becomes revelation. Between the applause and the pressure, the brilliance and the burden stands a human who chose originality over approval and contribution over comfort. Tonight, we don't just honor nostalgia. We honor a man whose work raised the bar for what comedy, courage, and intelligence could be. And so it's my privilege to welcome arguably the greatest comedic innovator of his generation, a true one of one, Chevy Chase.

[Sean Callaghan]

Mr. Chevy Chase, honor and privilege to have you here.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, thank you Sean Kelly on the podcast. Nice to see you, Sean.

[Sean Callaghan]

Very nice to see you.

[Chevy Chase]

So I got to go after that intro.

[Sean Callaghan]

Thank you for that, for sure. So how did you get into comedy? Were you funny growing up? Was it something you just understood? Did you learn how to do it? Like, where, where did all this come from?

[Chevy Chase]

Well, all of the above. I mean, my dad was a very funny man. His dad was a funny man. They weren't comics or comedians as I'm supposed to be, but they were very funny and particular about what they said and did and good with sarcasm when it was valued. And, you know, things. Things happen, you just roll along and. Pardon me for burping. I just realized I. I've lost a lung. Okay, I'm back. Go.

[Sean Callaghan]

So were you, like, were you funny in high school? Were you in plays? You know, what. Was, what was that time like for you?

[Chevy Chase]

I think I was funny in high school.

[Sean Callaghan]

I.

[Chevy Chase]

There were funnier people in high school and in college. Wally. Sean was one. He was. He's well known for some of his movies. And, you know, I, I mean, you're still going to go over this, aren't you? How. How did I become funny? Yes. I don't know.

[Sean Callaghan]

Thank you. So did. Did you have anybody that was a mentor, a teacher, or. This was really just innately.

[Chevy Chase]

No, no. As I said, my father was very funny, my brother. It was funny. And no mentors, no teachers. Just growing up with the right people, the way I see it.

[Sean Callaghan]

Awesome. So what happens first to take you from high school, college into your career in entertainment and.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah, well, in a sense, that started in, in college, we used to make a radio, do a radio show that was. Could be heard in the college, and it was very funny in itself and a takeoff on radio and television. And that's sort of where it all began and going from there. I was actually a. I, I was. What was I, a pat. Oh, I, I majored in. In. I was a medical guy. I wanted to be in medicine.

[Sean Callaghan]

Really.

[Chevy Chase]

So, yeah, and I, I was thinking about being a surgeon, but I realized in short order that it would take another four to eight years before I could do that. And I wanted to be funny first.

[Sean Callaghan]

And you. And music. Carnegie hall pianist Steely Dan. That was a part of you as well?

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah, Steely Dan was in college with me, and I was with them, and I played the drums and. And later on I just moved into the piano, and that's what I've been playing for the last 50 years or so. Piano, jazz piano.

[Sean Callaghan]

Awesome. And how about Moving into Saturday Night Live, you know, what do you think perhaps people might not understand about Saturday Night Live, Your time there, that might be an interesting revelation for people.

[Chevy Chase]

What?

[Sean Callaghan]

So cool, crazy, interesting, fun times on Saturday Night Live. Was it fun? Did you enjoy it? Was it terrible?

[Chevy Chase]

Nutcase, you know. Yeah. SNL came about when I met Lorne Michaels, the producer, in a line late at night at like a midnight showing of the Monty Python's Holy Grail. Monty Python is another, in my opinion, the greatest of the comedy groups out of England. And. Lorne Michaels and I got together and sat around in his hotel room in la, Los Angeles, and we talked for about hour, no more than that, maybe the whole afternoon, about what he wanted to do with his new show called Saturday Night Live, SNL and. And how he'd like me to be the head writer because I had been the head writer up to that point in a couple of other shows and culminating in the Smothers Brothers Hour, which was a television show too, at the time. So I. I said, I'd love to come to New York and. But I wanted to act too, as I'm just starting to act in this Mother's Brother show and was enjoying it. And he said, no, no acting. So that was the end of that. But I still went and was with him in New York City as we put together this show. And he hired various, you know, Gilda Radner and John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin, various members of the cast. And we just put it together there and it took off. It was live. And because it was live, I think it was most entertaining because you weren't really sure what the heck could happen. And it. Yeah, yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

And. And for yourself. So from Saturday Night Live and being the writer, how do you end up in front of the camera? Yeah.

[Chevy Chase]

Well, let's see. Well, Lorne Michaels had us all sitting around an oval table and he'd point to John and Gilda and various. He'd say, do something. Do something funny. And by the way, he hadn't hired me to act, as I said, I just wanted me to be the writer. But he pointed to me and said, do something funny. And I did some thing about, you know, how those news people like David Muir and others, they end their. Their shows with a little light funny thing, they think. Anyway, I did some takeoff on that, and it was pretty funny. And at that point, he decided to keep me as an actor, too. So that's how that began.

[Sean Callaghan]

That's awesome. Who are some of the folks from that era, John Belushi and Steve Morton and Gila Radner Ragnar, who are some of the people that you enjoyed their work the most, not just, you know, critically thought of, but made you laugh, you know, from that.

[Chevy Chase]

All of those people you mentioned made me laugh. They're very funny people.

[Sean Callaghan]

Awesome. And then, so what happened? What happens after Saturday Night Live and how do we move from SNL into the world of film?

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, that was quick. Let me think. What happened after Saturday Night Live? Well, I left after one year. I, I, I had a reason to go, and I was personal and, and I, I really didn't want to leave, but it was the way it was in my life at the time. And let me see. What did I do? What did I do? I can't even remember. You did.

[Sean Callaghan]

You did. You went into foul play.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, yeah. Well, I took, I made a movie called Foul Play with Goldie Hawn and that was kind of cute. And we actually made a couple of movies together that and seems like old times. And I started making movies and having fun doing that, and it was all comedy.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. I mean, all these movies are iconic and amazing.

[Chevy Chase]

Excuse me. I just got finished with a pneumonia. Not. You won't get. You won't get it. It's gone.

[Sean Callaghan]

It would be worth it sitting here. I would accept pneumonia for privilege.

[Chevy Chase]

You would? I would.

[Sean Callaghan]

I would, I would gladly have. Go away from me to sit with you and have this conversation.

[Chevy Chase]

Get out of here.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. Yes. So the if. And I know this is a question that has been sort of. We're not all the way there yet, but let's pretend people are watching this to learn.

[Chevy Chase]

Let's hope they are.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah, let's hope to become more funny. Like, is there anything you. Has anybody ever asked you, hey, Mr. Chase. Chubby Chase, how can I become more funny people? You're on set with, folks. Is there anything you would give as guidance of what humor is to you or how you think about funny things or writing in humor, anything like that that people might be able to take away?

[Chevy Chase]

Repeat that.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes. So I could verbatim.

[Chevy Chase]

Yes, I bet you could. No, I mean, I'm not sure how to answer that. How could I teach people what?

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. If you're. Somebody said, give me one tip on how you can be more funny. You've made this room laugh five times, most of them at me. So it's amazing. Thank you for that. And by the way, my significant other is sitting there, so she's very, very happy. The more times you're making them Laugh at me will make her keep laughing like that.

[Chevy Chase]

Okay, good. Yeah, Perfectly good. Goodness.

[Sean Callaghan]

So, yeah, I mean, if you had one tip. Because she's not funny, so she's gonna try to become funny. So what would you teach her to become funny?

[Chevy Chase]

I would tell her to keep it up. Yeah. How could she get worse if that was the case? I mean, look, a sense of humor is a sense of perspective. A sense of what's good and what's bad, what's right, what's wrong, what's better, what's worse, all of those thoughts. And that's what a sense of humor is about. So to the extent that you keep that in mind and to the extent that you understand that, I guess that's how you learn better. I guess that's what you try to teach others. Just keep that perspective and don't be afraid, you know?

[Sean Callaghan]

So thank you for that, for sure. And I mean that sincerely, because, you know, folks. Watch this.

[Chevy Chase]

Excuse me while I blow your nose. Please.

[Sean Callaghan]

Please do.

[Chevy Chase]

No, it's mine.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, that's right. I don't have a handkerchief. Wait, I've got one.

[Sean Callaghan]

That's my mom. She would love.

[Chevy Chase]

Look at this. Is that in your mom?

[Sean Callaghan]

If you blew her nose in her handkerchief, she'll keep it. So. Seems like old times. Foul play. She had, like, posters of you.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, my God.

[Sean Callaghan]

All sorts of things.

[Chevy Chase]

So, yes, I'm here. Go ahead.

[Sean Callaghan]

So. And I, you know, the folks out there, they just learned something, and I did, too, of how to talk about humor. Because I believe everything can be modeled. Right. And I never thought about it in the context. Way of saying, of, like, perspective shifting. And that is funny. So if you think about. If I think about for a second, the characters you played, you were always in. Whether it's foul play or whether it's Fletch, whether it seemed like old times, whether it's in the vacation movies. That's something. You were just shifting that perspective to say something from another angle. It's funny, Right? And it's what you've done 10 times here today. I never understood that. So, yeah. Thank you.

[Chevy Chase]

Now you've learned something.

[Sean Callaghan]

I have.

[Chevy Chase]

Okay. It's time to be funny now.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes, I could. Because you didn't think I'm funny. Go forth and be funny. I've been directed Go Forth and be Funny by Chevy Chase to go forward and be funny.

[Chevy Chase]

Yes. Yeah. It's a biblical thing. Go forth and be funny.

[Sean Callaghan]

And my children think I'm cringy and not funny. So thank you.

[Chevy Chase]

I will do my Best. Sure thing.

[Sean Callaghan]

I think they're right.

[Chevy Chase]

Whatever I can do.

[Sean Callaghan]

Thank you. So we move from. You move from this time of foul play. Goldie Hawn, what are some of your favorite movies that you've done? That I made. Yeah. Yeah. What did you enjoy the most? Or, like, the most?

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, hell, I liked all of my. I had a lot of fun making most of them. I must have made 50 over the years, but probably the last.

[Sean Callaghan]

And. Can I just say something?

[Chevy Chase]

I don't.

[Sean Callaghan]

We don't say things to kiss your ass. Like, you are amazing. And, like, really, it is an honor. And people. And I just want to really bring this forward. So I don't just say nice things to people that say nice. You are a master.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah. Shooter, come on, now.

[Sean Callaghan]

Oh, I don't. Bella, do I say things to be nice? All the time.

[Chevy Chase]

Okay.

[Sean Callaghan]

So, mom, do I say things to be nice?

[Chevy Chase]

They're both here.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes, they're both here.

[Chevy Chase]

Right.

[Sean Callaghan]

But I mean it, you know, really, I've been a student of your work and just moved by it. Like, there's not a Christmas season that goes by. I don't watch Christmas vacation multiple times. But I understand you're way more than that. You know, the entire body of work, you know, foul play, it's all about laughter. Yes.

[Chevy Chase]

That's all. I mean, it's that simple. But can you make people laugh?

[Sean Callaghan]

Cool.

[Chevy Chase]

And we've. We've sort of covered some of that right now.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah.

[Chevy Chase]

And, you know, ever since I've been little, I've liked making people laugh. It seems to be one of the happiest moments in their lives to laugh.

[Sean Callaghan]

Sure.

[Chevy Chase]

So to the extent that I can make you laugh. Or your mom or your wife, I mean. Or your. Your wife.

[Sean Callaghan]

Close enough.

[Chevy Chase]

Yes, close enough. Yes. It's sugar. It's sugar Mom.

[Audience Member / Family Member]

That's my sugar baby.

[Chevy Chase]

Or the sugar mom. Yeah. Anyway, to the extent that I can do that, that's really all it's about. And that means surprise, basically. And without surprise, you can't really get laughter. It's got to come from out of nowhere, almost. Or out of left field, as it were.

[Sean Callaghan]

Beautiful. So. And how about your. Any. Any movies that are your favorites that you made? Like, do you.

[Chevy Chase]

That I made.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. Of yours?

[Chevy Chase]

I suppose my favorite was Fletch, which is.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah.

[Chevy Chase]

My more recent one, I think. Fletch. But, you know, times I love Despise like us. I certainly loved the Three Amigos. That's one of my favorites. So those I have. I have about five or six of them that I liked. Wow.

[Sean Callaghan]

So at Fletch, we have the Underhill Bills. How about where's Caddyshack stack up for you in terms of.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, Caddyshack's right up there, too. Yeah. I like Caddyshack a lot. I like being with Harold Ramis. And Bill Murray was in Caddyshack. We were very funny together.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. I don't think the heavy rain's gonna come down for a while yet or something, right?

[Chevy Chase]

The what?

[Sean Callaghan]

The rain. We're talking about the rain. It's like pouring rain in that moment. Iconic scene with, I think, Bill Murray. Yeah. Was talking about not thinking the rain's gonna come down and as it's pouring.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, I don't remember that. Bill Murray. My brain.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. So how about in the. The world of vacation? Right. How. I didn't hear you mention that, Clark.

[Chevy Chase]

Vacation.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. How.

[Chevy Chase]

Sure.

[Sean Callaghan]

How did you enjoy that movie? If. If people see you through that prism, like, see you that way. Do you like that? You don't like that?

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah, I enjoyed it. I liked it. Thanks for asking. I mean, you know, look, I. I don't want to go over it and over it, but like I say, if you can surprise people, you can make them laugh. If you can surprise them in the right way, you know?

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes.

[Chevy Chase]

Got it.

[Sean Callaghan]

I got it.

[Chevy Chase]

Okay. That's what.

[Sean Callaghan]

For sure.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

Thank you for that. So who did you. Who are some of your favorite people to perform with? I don't want. I mean, if you want to tell me the people you didn't like performing with, the movies you don't like, feel free. I'm not asking to put you in a weird spot.

[Chevy Chase]

I don't. There's nobody I didn't like. Okay. No, I like them all.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. And how. Who.

[Chevy Chase]

I love dance. I love Dan Aykroyd, for instance, a very good friend and wonderful guy from. From. From snl. Steve Martin. Martin short. They both have their own show now called Only Murders in My Building. In somebody's building. I don't remember whose. And they're. They're two very good friends of mine. We made the Three Migos together, which I thought was a good movie. And, you know, stuff like that. Cool.

[Sean Callaghan]

How is that? I know you've been on a recent tour. You've been going around. How's that going?

[Chevy Chase]

And the tour is going fine. We've been going from city to city. We've been, as of now, in about 12 different cities. It's a workout. But we go and we show the movie Christmas Vacation right about this time of year. And then I come out at the end of it all, and the audience stands and applauds and gives me a standing ovation, which is the only reason I go. Really? And we. We do a show in front of the audience. They ask questions and I answer the questions. And yes, they like that because they like to see a star in his live. You know, live.

[Sean Callaghan]

Sure.

[Chevy Chase]

That kind of thing. Sure.

[Sean Callaghan]

So in Christmas vacation is. How does that fit into. I mean, obviously on tournament for it. So well known for it. But what were some of your favorite things about that? Is that how do you. How do you feel about that being, you know, the legacy? It is because.

[Chevy Chase]

Well, I love it because it was a very much a family oriented picture, and it's very much the. Are you gonna leave now? Talking.

[Sean Callaghan]

I think.

[Chevy Chase]

Get out of here.

[Sean Callaghan]

I think you gave my.

[Chevy Chase]

Don't cough in here.

[Sean Callaghan]

I think you gave my mom pneumonia.

[Chevy Chase]

Camera. The pneumonia.

[Audience Member / Family Member]

I'll be back.

[Sean Callaghan]

Okay. We'll see you, Grammy. Yes.

[Chevy Chase]

What a place this is.

[Sean Callaghan]

It's crazy.

[Chevy Chase]

Anyway. Yeah. Where was I?

[Sean Callaghan]

We were talking about what vacation? Christmas vacation.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, Christmas vacation. Yeah. I love that. That's a family oriented picture. It's pretty much like all of our families, they come and. And attack your family during Christmas. And you have to be aware of it and ready for it and try to make it a fun ordeal for everybody.

[Sean Callaghan]

And thank you for that. You know, it. It is. I came from a big family. My mom, who just left the room choking because I think she caught pneumonia in the room. That's like our family, you know, the. And I think it's like everyone's family. And so as you spoke about earlier, this perspective, that's what's really happening right behind the scenes. We're burning the turkey and there's no food, and the senile ant is giving presents that nobody wants and wrapping cats.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

So just really thank you for that, you know, permanent imprint on everybody's life.

[Chevy Chase]

Well, you're welcome.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

Legacy. Is that something you care about? You think about how to be remembered, what you want to be remembered for. It's, you know, 100 years from now. It's your last day on earth. What would you, if anything, want to be remembered for?

[Chevy Chase]

I'd want to be remembered for living to be a hundred. Sorry. I don't know. Just. I want to be remembered by my family, by the people I'm closest to. The rest can take it or leave it.

[Sean Callaghan]

It's a beautiful perspective. You seem like you really have a great life where you're I do have a great life.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah. I love it.

[Sean Callaghan]

What do you do for fun?

[Chevy Chase]

For fun? I. I live my life. It's. What do you mean, for fun? Like the rest of. It's not fun.

[Sean Callaghan]

Do you like parachute? Do you play chess? Do you, you know, do you eat ice cream?

[Chevy Chase]

I like to play chess in the air. Parachuting. It always works for me.

[Sean Callaghan]

That is perfect. Clothed or unclothed?

[Chevy Chase]

I like to be clothed most of the time because it's very cold up there.

[Sean Callaghan]

Oh, this is. This is definitely fun.

[Chevy Chase]

Bella.

[Sean Callaghan]

Rita, you keep laughing over there at this.

[Audience Member / Family Member]

I think you're getting some funny lessons.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes, I'm getting funny lessons. Yes. So any questions you have? Bella? Frida.

[Chevy Chase]

No.

[Audience Member / Family Member]

How do we make him more funny? Because he thinks he's funnier than me, and I don't think he is. Obviously, you've experienced how funny I am, I think. How do we make him funnier?

[Chevy Chase]

I don't think either of you are very funny, frankly. You're gonna have to work that out together. No, you're fine.

[Sean Callaghan]

Thank you and appreciate that.

[Chevy Chase]

Don't worry about it.

[Sean Callaghan]

So tonight.

[Chevy Chase]

No, no, tonight you can. Okay.

[Sean Callaghan]

Okay. Thank you. So for tonight, we're gonna be celebrating at our Christmas and holiday party with 800 of my closest friends.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

So it'd be wonderful.

[Chevy Chase]

What?

[Audience Member / Family Member]

He's got some surprises for you.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes. We're gonna have a beautiful.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, am I gonna be there?

[Sean Callaghan]

I. I hope so.

[Chevy Chase]

I'll try to get there.

[Sean Callaghan]

Thank you. I appreciate that. So we're gonna be lighting the Christmas tree honoring you. And we're gonna play a clip before you come out of your moment in Christmas vacation where you have just found out that you were the winner of the Jelly of the Month club as Clark Griswold. Oh, is that okay with you? If we play that moment and then we're gonna surprise people don't know you're coming.

[Chevy Chase]

That's where I rant.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes, the. The magical cork Griswold rant.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

So is that okay with you?

[Chevy Chase]

Yes, it's okay with me.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes. And then we're going to ask you to repeat it verbatim from memory. Would that be okay?

[Chevy Chase]

No, but I can read it.

[Sean Callaghan]

I'm totally joking.

[Audience Member / Family Member]

Sean, though, could definitely recite every line.

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear it. Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

So we'll have that beautiful night. Is there anything that we can do that you want these fine folks to know before we wrap up about you life, Anything?

[Chevy Chase]

No, no, I'm very happy to be here. It's very nice to meet you people. Yep. Documentary. Oh, there. I have a documentary. There's a documentary about me coming up on television.

[Sean Callaghan]

Amazing.

[Chevy Chase]

What is it, January 1st? Yeah, on January 1st on CNN. These guys want me to promote the documentary about me. And it's. It's pretty good. I saw it.

[Sean Callaghan]

You like it?

[Chevy Chase]

Well, I'm in it.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes.

[Chevy Chase]

So I like it. Yeah. Yeah, it's nice.

[Sean Callaghan]

Amazing. And what. Is it funny? Is it factual? Is it both?

[Chevy Chase]

It's all.

[Sean Callaghan]

All the things.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah, yeah, it's funny. It's factual. It's. Tells you a lot about me. Cool.

[Sean Callaghan]

And were there any influences on you? You know, we've mentioned some of these comedic geniuses, including your family, but was there anybody else, Your dad, your grandfather, that were funny? Is there anybody else in the history of comedy that influenced you?

[Chevy Chase]

Of course. Charlie Chaplin was. He was brilliant as a physical comedy comic. I'm a physical comic, so. I loved watching Chaplin and Keaton, even. Even though they were years before me. I mean, they were in the 20s and 30s, and I wasn't born till the middle of the 40s, but.

[Sean Callaghan]

Abbott Costello, Laurel Hardy. Enjoy any of those folks.

[Chevy Chase]

I liked Laurel and Hardy. Abbott and Costello. Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

How about what's thing through? Anybody from sort of the 50s, 60s in comedy that was.

[Chevy Chase]

Well, Caesars and Imogene Coco. 60s? Oh, hell, I don't remember now. It's long, long time.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah, a long time ago. How about Lucy? I Love Lucy? Lucille Ball was that.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah, she was.

[Sean Callaghan]

Okay, got it. So if you. If you're gonna pick Chevy Chase's three favorite comedy folks of all time, who. Who would be your top three?

[Chevy Chase]

Of comedy? Yeah, in comedy. My first of all time.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. Who would be, like, 1, 2, and 3 for you in comedy?

[Chevy Chase]

Oh, geez, that's not fair. I. I don't want to name three.

[Sean Callaghan]

Okay.

[Chevy Chase]

People that. When there's probably a dozen others that I love, too.

[Sean Callaghan]

Understood. So how about outside the realm of comedy? What are some of your favorite movies?

[Chevy Chase]

My favorite movies?

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah.

[Chevy Chase]

Well, Lawrence of Arabia is my favorite movie that. Citizen Kane. These are not comedies, obviously. Right, But. And then there are plenty of chaplain movies and. And later on. I don't know. It's tough to. It's tough to announce who I think are the best when there are so many that I love. Awesome.

[Sean Callaghan]

Do you ever watch your own movies?

[Chevy Chase]

Not much. Besides, I've seen them and I've been in them, so I don't watch them much now. We don't. We don't sit around at home laughing at dad.

[Sean Callaghan]

Do You. And you said, dad, you have children?

[Chevy Chase]

Of course I have children. I have three daughters.

[Sean Callaghan]

Beautiful. And do they think you're funny?

[Chevy Chase]

They do. They think I'm funny.

[Sean Callaghan]

Wow. So I guess maybe my daughters are right.

[Chevy Chase]

That I'm unfortunate, but they do. Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

That is super fun, Grammy. Anything that you would like to ask Mr. Chevy Chase, as we begin to draw to a close, I just love seeing, Like Old Times with Goldie Horn. And it just seemed like such a fun movie.

[Chevy Chase]

Thank you.

[Sean Callaghan]

Was it fun?

[Chevy Chase]

They're all fun. They're all fun. Yeah. I can't imagine a film I made that wasn't fun. Of course it was fun. Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

Well, I thoroughly loved it.

[Chevy Chase]

Well, thank you very much. Appreciate that.

[Sean Callaghan]

How about Jerry? Any. Anything on your heart and mind?

[Chevy Chase]

No, just I. I enjoy your work, Chevy. You made me laugh many, many times. And I appreciate your working. Thank you. Oh, you're very welcome.

[Sean Callaghan]

My husband.

[Chevy Chase]

Yeah.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yeah. So I just want to say thank you.

[Chevy Chase]

One. One more quick question from the audience.

[Sean Callaghan]

Oh, Mike, sure.

[Chevy Chase]

Okay. Yes, Mr. Chase, we heard there's a great story about John Belushi and something that was in a vial that you found. What? We could phone a friend on that. On the piano. Remember when you. When you had your little vial on the piano on set and then it disappeared? Oh, I don't want to get into that. That's. That's not right. No, I mean, you don't want to hear about that. It's drugs.

[Sean Callaghan]

Well, my girlfriend does. She wants to hear about drugs because you want to know what she brought into my house? My mom doesn't know this, so this I want to see if we're getting funny. Yes. My mom doesn't know this, but she came into my house with a suitcase full. You're not listening.

[Audience Member / Family Member]

No, I'm not listening.

[Sean Callaghan]

She went from high school drug dealer to God dealer. So she went from drug dealer to pastor now. Yes. But she had a moment where she may have brought a suitcase full of interesting things into my house. Yes. So I just want to say thank you. We have a magical night tonight. I appreciate your time and your coming here today.

[Chevy Chase]

Well, thanks for having me.

[Sean Callaghan]

Ladies and gentlemen, of course, the one and only Chevy Chase of all of the magic and Merry Christmas. Happy holidays to folks.

[Chevy Chase]

Folks, I appreciate it. I enjoyed myself. Thank you very much, everybody, for being here. There are all of eight people in here.

[Sean Callaghan]

Yes. The live studio crowd. Yes.

[Chevy Chase]

Take care.

[Sean Callaghan]

Thank you.