What's Our Podcast? with Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney

Episode: Bobby Moynihan (September 17, 2025)
Host: Headgum
Guest: Bobby Moynihan

Episode Overview

In this playful and unpredictable episode, Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney are joined by their former SNL colleague and friend, Bobby Moynihan. Continuing their podcast’s central conceit—figuring out what the show should actually be about—they invite Bobby to pitch the theme. The result? "Beef"—interpreted both literally (the food) and metaphorically (conflict, as in “having beef” with someone). What ensues is a zany, affectionate, and occasionally combative exploration of their friendships, comedic histories, and, of course, all things beef.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter, Podcast Identity Crisis

• The episode kicks off with Beck and Kyle riffing on shirt pockets and their disdain for podcast format conventions, highlighting their perpetual indecision about the show’s direction (00:09–03:00).
• They reflect on their shared commercial history, notably a CarFax commercial, and discuss the oddities of wardrobe and appearance in showbiz (03:44–05:41).
• Kyle: “My hair is, like, pretty. Like, they straightened it.” (04:09)

2. Behind-the-Scenes Real Talk

• The hosts reveal they're recording multiple episodes in a single day, debating if they need to change clothes for continuity (08:15–09:02).
  • Beck: “We’re keeping it 100 with you. Right now, Kyle’s peeling the banana and showing the whole…” (08:24)
• Discussion about the authenticity of podcasting and breaking the “podcast fourth wall.”

3. Bobby Moynihan Joins—Intros & SNL Nostalgia

• Bobby is introduced with great enthusiasm and mutual appreciation (17:24).
• Discussion turns to SNL memories, especially poignant moments from the 50th anniversary special.
  • Bobby explains the surreal experience of attending the 50th as a fan and former cast member (23:04–24:09).
  • Bobby: “The fan part of me was completely and totally fulfilled. The ex cast member part of me was completely and totally filled and, like, was hit in the brain with a hammer…” (23:29)

4. SNL History, Legends, and Traditions

• The trio swaps stories about best sketches and personal SNL highlights.
  • Maya Rudolph’s legendary National Anthem cold open is lauded (21:00).
  • Bobby shares obscure anecdotes about office traditions, including throwing pencils into his ceiling and collecting celebrity-autographed jerseys (41:05–43:01).
    • “I had a moment of throwing a pencil in a ceiling with Katy Perry so I didn’t have to go...the job was terrifying.” (41:29)

5. Puppetry, Improv Roots, and Comedy Pedigree

• Kyle asks Bobby about his Wikipedia page, uncovering false/comical “facts” and recalling pre-SNL improv performances (29:17–33:03).
• Bobby discusses taking puppetry classes in college—not a major, but part of his acting studies (35:52).
  • “I took some puppetry classes because I could get it as a minor… UConn is...the only accredited university...that has a puppetry department.” (35:59)

6. The “Beef” Podcast Within the Podcast (46:00–69:50)

Podcast-Within-a-Podcast Bit

• Following Bobby’s suggestion, the group pivots to a beef-themed show, presented as a new concept.
• They hilariously debate the definitions of beef—ground beef vs. steak, what constitutes beef, and witty comparisons (49:04–50:34).
• Bobby’s joke:
  • “What do you call a cow with no legs? Ground beef.” (49:27)

Segments and Escalating Silliness

• Sexiest Beef Segment (51:55)
  • The trio debates which cuts of beef are sexiest, alongside what counts as “sexy beef” in pop culture feuds.
  • Memorable answers: tenderloin, filet mignon au poivre, skirt steak. Jokes about “tube steak” ensue (53:00–54:44).
• Fast Food Faves
  • Kyle proposes “Top Three Fast Food Hamburgers.” The conversation quickly goes off-the-rails, with Bobby confessing a taste for a naked triple Whopper and microwave White Castle sliders (59:01–62:21).
  • “What I've been getting recently is a triple Whopper—just bun, just patties. Just three patties. No, just three patties of beef.” (60:03, Bobby)
• Tacos, Burger Construction, and Food Taboos
  • Kyle advocates for hard-shell ground beef tacos wrapped in a soft shell with refried beans (“double decker” style) (69:10–69:32).
  • Bobby: “No lettuce. I don’t put lettuce on a taco.” (69:50)

Meta-Beef

• Bobby keeps the mood combative by constructively heckling the hosts over their podcasting style and lack of direction, referencing the multi-layered meaning of “beef” (throughout the “beef” segment).
  • “I have been completely owning you all day…” (71:08, Bobby)

7. Closing Thoughts, Affectionate Roasts, and Podcast “Feedback”

• Kyle and Beck reflect on how Bobby’s “beef” theme ambushed them, playing into both food and personal dynamics (74:26–76:31).
• Final mutual expressions of love, the hope that the podcast will “get better,” and self-deprecating humor about not figuring out what the show is after four episodes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SNL’s Impact:
  “Would you say [Lorne Michaels] changed your life?”
  Bobby Moynihan: “Yeah.” (20:45)

• On SNL 50th Reunion:
  “I wanted to go see a [SNL] show… My biggest cigarettes [regrets] was: ‘I’ll never get to, like, watch it live.’” (23:29, Bobby)

• On Their Podcast’s Lack of Structure:
  “We've been leading a podcast... It feels right. I don't know if we're—I don't know if I'm on the podcast yet, but, yeah, everything has felt very podcast.” (18:33, Bobby)

• The Word “Beef” Pitch:
  “What do you think our podcast should be about?”
  Bobby Moynihan: “Beef.” (46:12)

• Meta Insight:
  “You allowed. You wanted to be a guest on our podcast Beef. This is what we talk about on Beef.” (66:40, Kyle)

• On Microwaved White Castle:
  “I only like the ones you get in the microwavable box.” (61:55, Bobby)

• Affection and Emotional Honesty:
  “I love you guys. You two are a shining light in my life. We used to work together. I wish we still did… Not on this show.” (72:17, Bobby)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Description | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:09 | Opening banter, podcast concept riffing | | 03:44 | Hair/appearance in commercials (Kyle’s curls!) | | 13:40 | Bobby Moynihan enters and is introduced | | 21:00 | SNL sketch and documentary discussion | | 23:29 | Bobby recounts SNL 50th experiences | | 29:17 | Kyle quizzes Bobby on SNL origins and credits | | 46:12 | Bobby pitches "Beef" as podcast theme | | 51:55 | “Sexiest Beef” segment begins | | 59:01 | Top fast food burger discussion | | 69:10 | Ground beef tacos, taco construction debate | | 71:08 | Bobby: “I have been completely owning you all day” | | 74:26 | Post-episode reflection |

Episode Tone & Style

Throughout, the tone remains impulsive, absurdist, and improvisational. The comedic dynamic is anchored in their shared history, mutual teasing, and deep affection, with Bobby’s combative (“beefy”) persona bringing out both vulnerability and silliness in Beck and Kyle. Non sequiturs, deep-cut SNL lore, and the meta-awareness of podcasting tropes make this episode particularly rich for fans of the trio and behind-the-scenes sketch comedy.

For New Listeners: Why Listen?

• Comedy fans get a rare, unscripted look at the camaraderie and chaos of three SNL greats sorting through their creative process.
• SNL aficionados will enjoy deep lore: context on famous sketches, legendary reunions, and inside rituals.
• Food lovers (and those who love a good tangent) get surprisingly passionate debates about hamburgers, cuts of beef, and taco ideology.
• Meta-podcast buffs will appreciate how the lack of focus IS the show’s focus—and how “beef” is both the topic and the energy.

Summary

This episode is a love letter to ambiguity, friendship, and comedic misdirection. Bobby Moynihan’s presence amplifies the show’s core tension—what is the podcast actually about?—while providing heart, nostalgia, and, of course, plenty of playful beef.