Transcript

Taran Killam (0:00)

You made it with. You made it with. You made it with. Oh yeah, you made it with. Yes, you made it weird.

Pete Holmes (0:12)

You made it weird with Pete Holmes. What's happening, weirdos? This is the. This is the return of Taran Killam. The first time Taran did the podcast I was like, oh, we should have a podcast together. And barring that, we're just going to keep doing this podcast every once in a while because he's incredible. He's so funny. I died laughing. I'm so glad you're here. Check out Taran. He's on a bunch of shows. He's on a great show called Stumble that people are absolutely loving. He's also in high potential. Just check him out wherever you get your Taran Killams. Also you can check me out. I'm on the road. I also look at this. This is new. This is my kids book, spells to cast on your parents. It is a book that encourages parents to be silly. Get it in frame there to be silly with their children. And I'm thrilled to say that it's available for pre order wherever you get your Taran Killams, wherever you get your books. I worked really hard on it to make my daughter like it and she loves it. And basically the idea is the book is guarded by a dragon and you have to prove that you're a wizard because the book is only for wizards. And the only way to prove to the wizard, I'm sorry, to the dragon that you are a wizard is to cast spells on your grownup and makes you do all these funny silly things. So it's a lot of fun. It's very silly light work for the parent. I don't want anybody doing anything crazy. But check it out. Spells to cast on your parents. Also my special lot to plug for me. I guess my special silly silly fun boy is available now on YouTube for free. So why not watch it a few hundred thousand times. Just go to YouTube.com it's a website and if you're subscribed to me you'll see it right there in your feed. Or just type in Pete Holmes. It'll probably be the first thing it's on 800 pound gorilla and I'm thrilled with it. I it love, I love it so much. I hope you love it. Last thing peteholmes.com is my tour dates. I'm going to be in Tallahassee. I'm going to be in Irving, Texas, Los Angeles on April 29 for Largo, Madison, Denver, north and South Carolina, Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. Hope to See you out there. And thank you to all the weirdos that came out to Royal Oak. Those were awesome shows in Michigan. And without further ado, please enjoy. Buckle up and get ready to enjoy the incredible taran kill em. Get into it. So we are 1/4 into 2026 and AI is already doing incredible, amazing things. It's going kind of nuts. At first it was like, I've got this. And we're like, do you? And it's like, well actually, yeah, it does. It's hiring humans, it's running databases in seconds. You got co working agents that feel like your replacement on a slow Tuesday. Yeah, great, great, great. But honestly, just the beginning. And instead of panicking, we need to get smart about it, we need to get smart with it. That's where Outskill comes in. Outskill is an AI education platform built to help you actually use AI in your work, not just watch videos about it. They've already helped over 10 million people across 100 plus countries and it's completely free to check out. They're hosting a two day live AI mastermind this weekend. 16 hours total, Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 7 Eastern. So it works globally. You'll learn how to build AI agents that can plan, execute and report for you, authorize workflows while you sleep, connect tools like Google Sheets and Notion. Basically save hours every week and get real edge at work. And this isn't just random AI guru type stuff. This is built from insights from a hundred plus practitioners at companies like Nvidia and Microsoft. Plus bonuses worth $5,000, prompt libraries, a custom AI toolkit builder, and even a roadmap to make money with AI. So just for signing up, you get their AI survival hackbook to stay ahead of the crazy changes. So click the link in the description or scan that QR code, join their WhatsApp community and get ahead of the thing before it gets ahead of you.

Summary

You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes

Episode: Taran Killam Returns

Release Date: March 25, 2026
Guest: Taran Killam
Summary by Podcast Expert

Episode Overview

In this lively and laughter-filled return episode, Pete Holmes welcomes back SNL alum Taran Killam for an exuberant, nostalgia-soaked conversation. Friends and comedy peers, Pete and Taran riff and reminisce on the weirdness of showbiz, generational differences, their comedic inspirations, and the craft and culture of comedy. They swap stories from SNL, debate the subtle nuances of comedic performance, and bond over deep-cut references from sketch comedy, classic films, and '90s pop culture.

The episode brims with impressions, playful debates, and mutual admiration, offering listeners both a lighthearted hangout and thoughtful insights into comedy’s evolution, especially on projects like "I Think You Should Leave" and Adult Swim’s “Haha, You Clowns.” By the end, it’s clear why Taran keeps returning — the on-mic chemistry is infectious, inviting the audience into their shared comedic language.

Key Topics and Discussions

1. Appearances and Judging People

Wisdom vs. Reality: Pete and Taran kick off by mulling over whether people “look like how they are,” challenging snap judgments.
- Quote: "People do look like how they are. I could argue that. And people aren't like how they look." – Pete [05:02]
- Taran’s insight: The difference between nature (intrinsic) and nurture (lifestyle, choices) in shaping appearance and persona.

2. Comedy Inside Baseball: SNL Writers’ Room and Legacies

Deep dive into the legacy and style of SNL favorites Tim Robinson and Zach Cregger.
- Taran nostalgia: Rooming with Zach Cannon and Tim Robinson at SNL, acquiring an NBA Jam machine to “jazz up our office” (and the resulting hijinks).
- Quote (on Tim and Zach): "Their stuff, oh my God... it was like being next to Mr. Hershey pouring the chocolate bars and leaving the factory." – Pete [11:40]

3. Comedy Styles and Influence

Dissecting the impact of “I Think You Should Leave” and "Oh, Hello", and how they changed comedy and daily conversation.
- Quote: "Tim Robinson and Zach Canaan, they figured out a way to talk and look at the world that became incredibly infectious." – Pete [10:41]
Taran’s pride at witnessing their early genius first-hand at SNL.

4. Nostalgia for 90s Media and Home Improvement

The joys of emulators, old arcade games ("NBA Jam" and “Sunset Riders”), and the difference in how today’s youth relates to endless entertainment.
- Quote (on emulators): "You have it at home. You have them all at home, bro." – Taran [15:04]
Recommendation: Haha, You Clowns (Adult Swim), an animated series drawing on '90s sitcom vibes and absurdity.
- “It’s warped Home Improvement... 12-minute episodes, brilliant blend of earnest plots and grotesque satire.” – Taran [20:14]

5. Comedy Impressions and SNL Memories

Extended riffing and impressions: Alf, Simpsons, Michael Caine in "The Dark Knight," Brad Pitt, David Brent (The Office UK), and more.
The skill and pressure of doing impressions for audiences who may not “know what Mike Birbiglia sounds like.”
- Quote: “Seth said pretty early on, 'I hope Tim becomes famous enough that your impression will become worthwhile.'” – Taran [45:43]

6. Reflections on Comedy’s Inner Workings

Insight into why certain sketches don’t make it to air at SNL, and the role of tone and “melody” in defining what makes the show.
Taran describes the trajectory of Tim Robinson, from cast member to writer, and how “I Think You Should Leave” eventually became an outlet for ideas SNL passed over.
- “There becomes a hive mentality tendency for the tone of the show… you’re trying to make a melody out of it.” – Taran [44:19]
Pete’s observation: Tim focuses on adults who have "big feelings" they don't know how to express, finding comedy in denial and rage.

7. Movie Talk & Actor Obs.

Fun dissections of Brad Pitt’s filmography, talk patterns, and impression ("Ma', am, I'm 12 years old…").
Pete’s pet theory: similarity between Brad Pitt and Macaulay Culkin’s manner of speaking.
- Taran delivers spot-on impersonations, blending Home Alone dialogue with Pitt’s voice. [58:17]
Deep affection for films like “Fight Club,” “Jesse James,” “True Romance” and thoughtful takes on more recent indie and genre films (“Eddington,” “Beau is Afraid”).

8. Pop Culture, The Office, and British Humor

Extended quoting/game riff on The Office (UK), culminating in a shared appreciation for the emotional resonance and realism of David Brent.
- “One of the best moments of cinema.” – Pete on Brent telling off Finchy [83:17]
They ponder what’s changed in sitcom tropes: who “wins” in White Lotus vs. The Office.

9. On Artistic Inspiration

Both discuss what recent art or comedy projects inspired them: Chris Fleming's HBO special, Nirvana the Band the Show.
- “Every once in a while you see something and it gives you hope…” – Pete [73:51]
Talking about how, no matter what AI may do, the unique perspective of “who made it, how they made it,” is irreplaceable.

10. Life and Career Updates

Taran promotes his current projects:
- “Stumble” (NBC/Peacock) - a show finding an audience and critical praise.
- “High Potential” (ABC) – recently renewed.
Sincere gratitude for still being able to create and work on well-liked projects.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On first impressions:
"People do look like how they are. I could argue that. And people aren't like how they look." – Pete, [05:02]
On comedy influences:
"Tim Robinson and Zach Canaan found a way to talk and look at the world that was incredibly infectious, without a doubt." – Pete [10:41]
On arcade game nostalgia:
"You have it at home. You have them all at home, bro." – Taran [15:04]
On SNL legacy:
"The struggle is so, like, undefinable and circumstantial… Like, Tim was always the funniest. When he came in, you thought, you're next level funny." – Taran [42:36]
On impressions:
"Seth said pretty early on, 'I hope Tim becomes famous enough that your impression will become worthwhile.'" – Taran [45:43]
On inspiration:
"Every once in a while you see something and you're just like… It gives you hope." – Pete [73:51]
David Brent/Office UK quote-off:
"Keep your head down, Tim. What are you doing? Don't work, and in a few years, you'll be a Nazi." – Pete & Taran riff [85:00]

Highlighted Timestamps

[05:00-07:30] – Looks vs. personality, don’t judge a book by its cover
[11:00-14:00] – SNL office stories, NBA Jam machine caper
[20:00-21:30] – Taran recommends “Haha, You Clowns”
[42:00-44:50] – Tim Robinson’s SNL struggle, how shows define their internal tone
[73:30-74:10] – Artistic hope and what inspires professionals
[79:00-82:30] – Extended The Office UK quote-off, both nailing David Brent and Finchy moments
[88:00-90:00] – Music and heightening in The Office’s Christmas Special

Overall Tone

The conversation is playful, warm, and densely referential— a genuine hang between two comics who love the details and layers of their craft. Much of the humor is in rapid-fire impressions, callbacks, and the sincere celebration of creativity, both in the past and present. Taran and Pete’s mutual admiration is on display, making for an episode that’s both entertaining and insightful.

For Listeners

If you love SNL, sketch comedy, '90s culture, or deep comedy nerdery: this is a delight.
Best moments: The SNL backstage stories and their inside-baseball discussion on how iconic sketches and shows are shaped are gold for comedy fans.
Recurring themes: Nostalgia, the evolution of comedic language, deep dives into what makes certain comedians unique, the timeless quest for authenticity in art.
Skip to the Office UK section if you want to hear one of the best unscripted quote-offs ever.

Final Word

This episode is a treat for anyone fascinated by the mechanics of comedy, the creatives behind contemporary classics, or just looking for an hour of infectious banter between two joyful, masterful weirdos.