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

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That Show – The Bad Boys Club: Season 20 May 07, 2025

Show notes

Nick takes a deep dive into one of the most chaotic and heavily criticized seasons in Saturday Night Live history: Season 20, also known as The Bad Boys Club Season. Following the departure of core cast members like Phil Hartman, Rob Schneider, and Julia Sweeney, the show found itself leaning hard into the rowdy, often crude humor of Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, and David Spade—while sidelining much of the female cast, including Janine Garofalo, who left midway through the season.

The cast was bloated, the writing uneven, and the press relentless. Nick walks through the entire season with behind-the-scenes stories, including how Jeff Daniels nearly suffered a serious makeup mishap, why Dan Aykroyd unofficially hosted instead of the listed John Goodman, and how the writers struggled with brilliant hosts like Bob Newhart, John Turturro, David Hyde Pierce, and Courtney Cox—while completely losing control during hosting gigs by George Foreman and Deion Sanders.

Despite its rough reputation, the season had its moments: Norm Macdonald took over the Weekend Update desk, Molly Shannon made a strong debut halfway through, and both Damon Wayans and Dana Carvey returned to deliver some much-needed highlights. You’ll also hear Stuart Smalley hilariously scolding the public for ignoring his movie, and Bill Murray delivering a moving tribute to the late Michael O’Donoghue.

It’s a full look at one of SNL’s messiest, most fascinating seasons—flawed, but unforgettable. [Ep 122]

That Show – Cut For Time, Part 2 Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Sometimes Saturday Night Live sketches don’t make it past dress rehearsal, falling into the “Cut For Time” category. On this episode of THAT SHOW…, Nick revisits five recent sketches that were pulled at the last minute—whether for timing, length, or simply because they didn’t hit quite right. Despite featuring standout performances from a wide range of cast members and hosts, these sketches never aired live. Nick explores how they came together, why they didn’t make it, and what makes them worth revisiting. From the offbeat to the outright strange, these unaired moments still pack a comedic punch. [Ep 121]

That Show – Special Guest: Mike Kerz Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Nick welcomes film expert, exhibitor, and historian Mike Kerz to the podcast to talk about his lifelong love for Saturday Night Live—a passion that began in his teen years when he would record each episode’s audio with a portable tape recorder. As the co-creator of the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention and co-owner of The Midway Drive-In in Dixon, Illinois, Mike shares how SNL influenced both his sense of humor and his professional ventures.

They count down Mike’s 5 Favorite SNL Sketches of All Time, highlighting iconic performances from Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, and the darkly brilliant Michael O’Donoghue, whose work Mike especially admires.

The conversation also includes a deep dive into what many consider to be the greatest SNL sketch ever: The Last Voyage of the Star Trek Enterprise—a true classic that gets the attention and appreciation it deserves. [Ep 120]

That Show – Failure to Communicate: Strother Martin Hosts SNL Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

On April 19, 1980, legendary character actor Strother Martin hosted Saturday Night Live—and delivered a surprisingly strong performance. Best known for his unforgettable roles in films like Cool Hand Luke, True Grit, Slap Shot, The Wild Bunch, Up in Smoke, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Martin brought his unique presence and versatility to Studio 8H for one memorable night.

Nick looks back at this fascinating episode, featuring a clever Cool Hand Luke parody and a mix of strange, sharp, and hilarious sketches. Along the way, he shares behind-the-scenes stories about how some of the show’s most unusual comedy came together. You’ll hear standout moments from cast members Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Harry Shearer, Garrett Morris, Paul Shaffer, and more—plus material that feels just as politically relevant today as it did in 1980.

It’s a fun, deep dive into a night when one of Hollywood’s most underrated talents—often mistaken for Tennessee Williams—stepped into the world of live sketch comedy and left his mark. [Ep 119]

That Show – Special Guest: Jim Laczkowski Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Nick welcomes musician, filmmaker, and podcast host Jim Laczkowski to That Show… to discuss his love for Saturday Night Live and how he became hooked on the show during the early days thanks to Steve Martin. Jim shares his appreciation for the weirder, more offbeat sketches, WTF moments, and—of course—anything involving cats.

As Nick and Jim count down Jim’s five favorite sketches of all time, you’ll hear the hilarious work of Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, Chris Farley, Dana Carvey, Molly Shannon, Kenan Thompson, and others. And yes, cats make an appearance—whether they’re shooting lasers from their mouths or driving cars. It’s a fun conversation and a cool look back at some of the most bizarre and hilarious moments in SNL history. [Ep 118]

That Show – Season 45: The Coronavirus Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Nick looks back at Season 45 of Saturday Night Live, a season that started off strong with Woody Harrelson hosting and Billie Eilish as the musical guest. Everything felt business as usual—until it wasn’t. No one could have predicted that the season would end early, transformed into a series of prerecorded, at-home episodes due to the onset of a global pandemic.

Nick analyzes the season episode by episode, revisiting standout sketches and memorable moments. Along the way, he reflects on how COVID-19 not only changed the world but also forced SNL to rethink how comedy could be created and delivered under lockdown conditions.

Highlights include appearances by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Will Ferrell, Daniel Craig, Brad Pitt, Kristen Wiig, and Eddie Murphy, whose long-awaited and Emmy-winning return as host was a major high point—just before the world came to a halt. [Ep 117]

That Show – Special Guest: Monica Eng Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Nick welcomes journalist, author, food writer, and Axios Chicago contributor Monica Eng to the podcast to share her memories of watching Saturday Night Live as a kid, what really makes her laugh, and how SNL helped shape her sense of humor.

Monica reflects on her cheerleading days, her love for Jerry Lewis movies, and the influence of her hilarious Puerto Rican aunts—who even inspired a couple of her favorite sketches. She also reveals her Top 5 SNL Sketches of All Time, featuring the comedic brilliance of Gilda Radner, Cheri Oteri, Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks, Andy Samberg, Molly Shannon, and more.

And yes—Monica delivers a spot-on Roseanne Roseannadanna impression, and you’ll hear it. A fun, nostalgic, and laugh-filled conversation with a good friend and a great writer. [Ep 116]

That Show – Season 26 Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Nick takes a deep dive into one of the best seasons of Saturday Night Live ever: Season 26, which aired from October 2000 to May 2001. Fueled by a memorable election and a powerhouse cast, this season delivered sharp comedy and some of the most iconic sketches in SNL history.

Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon took over the Weekend Update desk, while veteran cast members like Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan, Molly Shannon, Darrell Hammond, and newcomers like Maya Rudolph and Rachel Dratch kept the laughs coming.

You’ll hear some of the most unforgettable sketches from this standout season, including the legendary debate sketch featuring “strategery” and “lockbox,” and the Jeffrey’s Clothing Store sketch with the world’s smallest cell phone. Nick also shares behind-the-scenes stories—including the shocking moment when someone actually broke their neck during an episode—and revisits the work of some fantastic hosts, including Christopher Walken, Calista Flockhart, Tom Green, Julia Stiles, and Sean Hayes.

Season 26 was a high point for SNL, and this episode brings back all the best moments! [Ep 115]

That Show – Sketches That Bombed, Part 3 Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

They may have gotten laughs at the table read or killed during rehearsal, but for some reason, these sketches completely tanked on live television. On this episode of That Show…, Nick looks back at five Saturday Night Live sketches that bombed in front of a national audience.

You’ll hear those disastrous moments, the stories behind them, and a breakdown of what went wrong—some of them are actually pretty funny! Talented performers like Christina Applegate, Dakota Johnson, John Goodman, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Bobby Moynihan, and Mary Gross all played a part in these infamous misfires.

Also featured are insights from comedy legends like Conan O’Brien, Kristen Wiig, Tom Hanks, and Seth Meyers as they share their own experiences of bombing on SNL. [Ep 114]

That Show – I’m 50!! 50 Years Old!! Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Nick pays tribute to one of the most iconic characters in Saturday Night Live history: Sally O’Malley, the unforgettable 50-year-old who’s proud to tell the world her age. She can kick… stretch… and kick! She’s 50! Created and portrayed by the brilliant Molly Shannon, Sally O’Malley has become a classic SNL character, delivering big laughs and memorable moments each time she takes the stage.

Nick shares how Molly Shannon brought Sally O’Malley to life, including the real-life inspiration behind the character, straight from Shannon herself. He also revisits some of Sally’s most iconic sketches, starting with her 1999 debut alongside Danny DeVito. Other standout appearances include collaborations with Ben Affleck, the Jonas Brothers, Betty White, Seth Meyers, and more.

To wrap things up, Nick highlights Sally’s triumphant return during the SNL 50: The Anniversary Special, where she once again kicked, stretched, and kicked—this time with Emma Stone. It’s a fun, nostalgic look back at one of SNL’s most beloved characters. [Ep 113]

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