Podcast Summary: "You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes"

Guest: Al Franken
Date: October 26, 2022
Host: Pete Holmes

Episode Overview

This episode features Pete Holmes in conversation with comedy legend, writer, and former U.S. Senator Al Franken. The discussion intertwines Franken's long career in comedy—most notably as an early writer and cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL)—with his unique pivot into politics. Pete and Al explore themes of comedic compulsion, finding one’s lane in show business, the transition from comedy to politics, the psychology of comedians, integrity in public life, navigating partisanship, and the mystery of existence. The tone is candid, funny, and full of offbeat anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Al Franken’s Comic Roots and SNL Origins

• Flexibility and First Days in the Senate (12:02): Franken shares a story about being mistaken for his TV persona by Senator Chuck Grassley, leading to an unexpectedly comedic exchange.

  "Oh, you look just like you look on TV." (13:11, Al Franken)

• Working with Tom Davis (15:11): Franken reflects on his SNL writing partner Tom Davis, their beginnings in high school, and how they became two of the show’s first writers.

  "We went to high school together... and we were two of the original SNL writers." (15:29, Al Franken)

• SNL’s Early Days (16:00, 36:08):

  • The SNL writers’ room and cast dynamics in the 1970s—fewer people, everyone multitasked, and tight bonds.
  • SNL’s evolution from a wild, tight-knit show to a larger ensemble with more structure, more pre-taped segments, and “less cocaine and all-nighters."

  "We had seven cast members... If there was a sketch and someone was a waiter, it was a writer." (36:17–36:43, Al Franken)

• Comedic Influence and Improv:

  • Franken notes he never officially trained in improv, unlike Tom Davis, but absorbed improvisational skills through osmosis and by working with legends.

  "I have no improv training, but Tom's improv training was... write the joke, which was, 'Go to the phone, dial 911...'" (32:54, Al Franken)

2. Comedic Process and Psychology

• Calling to Comedy (28:04):

  • Franken describes the pressure to pursue science in his family but ultimately feeling called to comedy, as revealed through humorous family anecdotes and psychometric tests.

  "The only question I remember was 'I have not had any black and tarry bowel movements.'" (29:40, Al Franken)

  • He boils down a comedian’s job as part camp counselor, part jazz musician—a blend of uplifting and improvisational skills (32:00+).

• Purpose in Comedy (47:46):

  • Both Pete and Al agree the best comedians are motivated by a compulsion to make themselves (and their peers) laugh, not just for external validation.

  "The only reason to do comedy is if you have to." (47:47, Al Franken)

• Writing for Yourself vs. the Audience (50:39):

  • Al: "People ask me, what's your favorite memory from SNL? ...three in the morning, Wednesday morning, ...just rolling on the floor laughing."
  • Both reject the idea of pandering; the best comedy comes from entertaining oneself and one’s peers.

3. Transition to Politics & Political Life

• Calling to Politics (64:58):

  • Franken’s move from entertainment to public service was catalyzed by the death of his friend, Senator Paul Wellstone, and spurred by a desire for integrity in politics.

  "He voted against [the Iraq war]... the next poll that came out had him up by seven. ...And then his plane went down..." (65:44, Al Franken)

  • Franken recounted the razor-thin margin of his Senate victory (he “clobbered” his opponent by 312 votes).

• Integrity & Motivation in Public Office (71:02):

  • Franken maintained that he never suffered from imposter syndrome because he knew why he was running: "I was doing it for all the right reasons."

  "I'm not sure that every politician goes into it for the same reasons." (71:40, Al Franken)

• Showbiz Skills in Politics (73:11):

  • They discuss political communication, the dangers of over-programming, and Trump’s rise due, in part, to his unscripted showmanship.

  "This is why Trump won... his rallies were incredibly entertaining to watch." (73:48, Al Franken)

4. Political Commentary & Partisanship

• Comedic Analysis of Trump & Populism (74:10):

  • Franken and Holmes riff on Trump’s showman tactics, his ease with riffing and slogans ("Build the wall" as his “Hot Pockets”), and the pliability of political language.

• Disillusionment, Tribes, and Policy (80:22-93:13):

  • They analyze how both the left and the right use populist anger, how labels shift (“millionaires and billionaires”), and the jam of consultant over-polishing.
  • Franken tells stories of interacting with constituents across the ideological spectrum and describes the importance of respecting and representing everyone, not just “your side.”

  "You just want to have... be in office and get the perks and have the power..." (86:17, Al Franken)

• Community, Tragedy, and Bipartisanship (96:57):

  • Franken remembers seeing communities come together in crises, illustrating everybody’s interest in helping neighbors over political posturing.

5. The Mystery of Life, Consciousness, and Meaning

• Mystical & Existential Reflections (101:39):
  • Pete asks Al about the meaning of life and what he believes happens when we die.
  • Franken: "I don't know. I don't know. I think this is a mystery."

  "I try to be spiritual... connect to something that tells me what's best for me and the people around me." (102:33, Al Franken)

  • Both muse on consciousness, meditation, and the paradox of the universe’s expanding, yet finite, nature (103:28–104:03).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SNL’s Influence:

  "He's been genius the way he's done this... the people who have come through that show..." (47:30, Al Franken)

• On Comedy Motivation:

  "The only reason to do comedy is if you absolutely have to be." (27:44, Dana Carvey via Al Franken)

• On Political Courage:

  "Minnesotans respect a politician who votes his conscience." (65:59, Al Franken)

• On Maintaining Perspective in Politics:

  "You represent everybody and you meet everybody and I love that part of it." (96:57, Al Franken)

Notable Laughter Moments

• Funniest Times Laughed:

  "I had the literal feeling of my eyes may pop out of my head... when [Steve Martin] sends Eddie Murphy across the highway in 'Bowfinger,'... and when writing a book with Billy Kimball... someone submitting an idea goes, 'It writes itself.'" (105:57–107:04, Al Franken)

• Comedy Advice:

  "Try to figure out a process and be patient with yourself... it's a 10,000 hours thing." (64:44, Al Franken)

Recommended Listening Timestamps

• On being flexible and SNL origins: 11:09–16:00
• Life at SNL and the writing process: 32:00–36:00, 47:46–51:15
• Comedy as a calling: 28:04–32:00
• Transition to politics & Wellstone story: 64:58–67:18
• Political showmanship & Trump analysis: 73:11–75:33
• Legacy, bipartisanship, and compassion: 96:57–98:00
• Existential reflections & meaning of life: 101:39–105:06
• Hardest laughter memories: 105:40–108:19

Final Exchange & Tone

• The episode closes with warmth, mutual appreciation, and a bit of sign-off playfulness:

  Pete: “Would you close the show with the guest saying, ‘Keep it crispy’? ... I promise it’s not a political trap.” (109:25) Al: “Okay. Keep it crispy. Keep it crispy... Keep it crispy. Thank you very much.”

Summary

Al Franken's appearance on "You Made It Weird" is not just a comedy geek’s dream—it's a thoughtful, warm, and surprisingly moving meditation on what it means to serve, to create, and to keep laughing. The conversation is rich in history (from SNL's earliest days to U.S. Senate backrooms), insight, and laughs, offering both inside baseball for comedy fans and a candid look at the joys, and sorrows, of public life.