That Show Hasn't Been Funny In Years: an SNL podcast on Radio Misfits

Season 11 of Saturday Night Live is often regarded as the weirdest—and possibly the worst—season in the show’s history, and episode 13 serves as a prime example of why. In this episode of That Show… , Nick revisits the infamous night when George Wendt hosted, Phillip Glass was the musical guest, and none other than Francis Ford Coppola directed the show. In an attempt to address harsh critic...

Nick welcomes the multitalented writer, producer, broadcaster, and journalist Amy Guth to the podcast to share her memories of watching Saturday Night Live as a young kid and how the show inspired her creative journey. They chat about standout moments and hilarious work from cast members like Tina Fey, Bill Hader, Gilda Radner, and Adam Sandler. Amy also reflects on the evolving representation of...

Nick welcomes film critic Steve Prokopy to the podcast to share how his love for Saturday Night Live was inspired by his father’s obsession with George Carlin, carried through his high school years during the Eddie Murphy era, and now includes a deep appreciation for the Digital Shorts from The Lonely Island. Steve also recounts some of his memorable interviews with SNL cast members, including Kyl...

Nick welcomes film critic Erik Childress to the podcast for a nostalgic dive into his memories of watching Saturday Night Live . Erik reflects on experiencing the tail end of the original cast as a very young kid and the impact of the Sandler, Farley, Carvey, and Spade era during his high school years. They discuss how SNL shaped his comedic sensibilities, alongside the influence of Monty Python ....

Not every sketch makes it to air on Saturday Night Live . Some are cut after dress rehearsal due to time constraints, rewrites, or because they bombed—or were just too bizarre for live TV. In this episode of That Show… , Nick dives into some memorable sketches that were “cut for time” and never made it to the live broadcast. The talent behind these lost sketches includes J.K. Simmons,...

It’s Christmas time, and to celebrate the holiday, Nick shares some of his favorite holiday-themed sketches, songs, films, and bits from Saturday Night Live over the years. Highlights include a vulgar, method-actor twist on the Charlie Brown Christmas special, the violent alternate ending of It’s a Wonderful Life , and 19th-century film critic Jebidiah Atkinson hilariously skewering timeless Chris...

Nick revisits the memorable episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Tony and Oscar-winning singer and actress Ariana DeBose. This standout show featured great material, stellar musical performances, and one of the best, weirdest, and funniest “12:50 Sketches” of all time: Kitchen Staff , also known as At The End of the Day…Lurr . In this hilariously bizarre sketch, the kitchen staff a...

In this episode of That Show… , Nick looks back at five SNL sketches that never really took off or got the attention they deserved. Whether they were too specific, too weird, or intentionally not funny, these bits flew under the radar despite being pretty great. Among the sketches discussed is a hilariously awkward blind date in an airport bar, the over-the-top creation of the iconic NBA the...

Impressions have been a cornerstone of Saturday Night Live since its inception, showcasing the cast’s incredible comedic and mimicry skills. In this episode of That Show… , Nick highlights some of his favorite SNL impressions from over the years. Included are Kristen Wiig’s hilariously over-the-top impersonation of Jamie Lee Curtis promoting Activia Yogurt, Emma Stone’s spot-on portrayal of Lindsa...

Nick looks back at the one and only time Jay Leno hosted Saturday Night Live on February 22, 1986. At the time, Leno was still a rising stand-up comedian, years away from his Tonight Show fame, with a hot reputation and a career on the rise. Despite his popularity, Leno was underused on the episode, largely because he lacked skill in sketch comedy and acting. Instead, he spent most of the show eit...

In the latest That Show… , Nick revisits a standout episode of Saturday Night Live that aired on November 21, 2009, when actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt hosted for the first time. This episode is legendary for containing what many consider one of the best opening monologues in SNL history. Gordon-Levitt wowed audiences by recreating Donald O’Connor’s iconic “Make ‘Em Laugh...

Nick Digilio welcomes film critic, writer, financial analyst, and corporate governance speaker Nell Minow (AKA: The Movie Mom) to the podcast to discuss her love of Saturday Night Live and much more. Nick and Nell chat about how she’s watched every episode of the show since its very beginning, and how her father—the great Newton Minow—is forever connected to SNL. They also delve into the his...

Nick takes a look back at the four times iconic and beloved actor Michael Keaton hosted Saturday Night Live , sharing behind-the-scenes stories and highlights from each appearance. Keaton first hosted in 1982 when he was still transitioning from being a stand-up comedian and had just gotten his big break in Ron Howard’s Night Shift . In this episode, you’ll hear his very first sketch e...

The one and only Flip Wilson was one of the funniest and most important stars of the 60s and 70s. Not only did he host a top-rated variety show, break barriers for African-American artists, and create some of the most memorable characters in comedy history, but he also changed the face of television variety shows forever. Flip Wilson only hosted Saturday Night Live once, and while it wasn’t...

Nick looks back at the work of actor, writer, and director Buck Henry during the first five seasons of Saturday Night Live . Henry, who already had a rich history in TV and film during the 60s and 70s, became a mainstay in the early years of SNL, hosting the show a record 10 times in less than five years. Known for his sharp humor, Buck was always hilarious in sketches, delivered wonderfully meta...

The one and only time the multi-talented Donald Glover hosted *Saturday Night Live* was on May 5th, 2018, and it’s high time he returns to host again. The actor, writer, director, comedian, singer, and musician did an outstanding job, not just as the host but also as the musical guest, performing under his stage name, Childish Gambino. This episode from Season 43 was a solid, often hilarious...

Nick takes a look back at the legendary Olympia Diner sketches from the early days of *Saturday Night Live*. These classics are known for their memorable characters, the bustling diner atmosphere, the functioning flattop grill (LIVE on stage!), and of course, the catchphrases like “Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger…no Coke, Pepsi…no fries, chips!” This popular recurring sketch was performed a record six...

In the 50 years that *Saturday Night Live* has been on the air, there have been plenty of controversial sketches and moments. Some were so outrageous that public apologies had to be issued—sometimes unsuccessfully. In this episode, Nick revisits four of the most controversial sketches that were either misguided, misinterpreted, or just plain offensive. Hosts like Christoph Waltz, Bea Arthur, and J...

Nick looks back at the very first time Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hosted “Saturday Night Live,” which aired in March of 2000. At that time, Johnson was still known primarily as his wrestling persona, The Rock, and hadn’t yet become the Hollywood megastar demanding millions of dollars per film. He was simply a beloved WWE pro-wrestler with a massive fan base. But The Ro...

Nick takes a look back at the one and only time William Shatner hosted “Saturday Night Live,” which aired live on December 20th, 1986, as the Season 12 Christmas episode. The show featured special guests Buster Poindexter, comedian Kevin Meaney, and musical guest Lone Justice. At the time, Shatner was riding high on the success of the latest “Star Trek” film and his hit TV...

In the past 49 seasons of “Saturday Night Live,” there have been hundreds of terrible sketches—it’s just the nature of the game. In this episode, Nick looks back at five truly awful sketches from more recent years that are among the worst ever performed on the show. You’ll hear these bombs and learn about why they were written, performed, and included on the show at all. So...

We all know that “Saturday Night Live” has had some pretty incredible and funny surprise celebrity cameos over the years. Since the very beginning, SNL has had a wonderful habit of bringing out celebrities to have some fun and shock audiences at home and in the studio by simply popping on stage. In this episode, Nick looks back at some of the best surprise cameos that delighted audienc...

Nick takes a hilarious look back at Will Ferrell’s famous Harry Caray impression. While the impersonation itself might not be the most accurate or perfect recreation of the legendary sportscaster, it’s undeniably funny, bizarre, and one of the most memorable characters Ferrell brought to life during his tenure on “Saturday Night Live.” You’ll hear the very first time...

Cast member Punkie Johnson has announced her departure from “Saturday Night Live” after four seasons. In this episode, Nick reflects on her time on the show, highlighting some of her most memorable moments and discussing her comedy career—past, present, and future. The episode features hilarious segments, mostly from Weekend Update, where Punkie did some of her best work. Nick plays ba...

Nick looks back once again at the work of the best cast member in the history of “Saturday Night Live,” Phil Hartman. While Hartman’s best-known work—like his great impressions of Bill Clinton and Frank Sinatra, and unforgettable characters like Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer and The Anal-Retentive Chef—is always talked about and shared, this time Nick showcases four of his more obscure...