Saturday Night Dive: An SNL Podcast has arrived!
SNL is one of the most celebrated and beloved institutions of American television. Launching in 1975, the weekly live sketch show has produced 50 seasons and almost 1000 episodes, introducing the world to stars such as Eddie Murphy, John Belushi, Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell and more.
Well fans of the show can now relive their favourite moments with Saturday Night Dive: An SNL Podcast, hosted by two SNL enthusiasts, Zach Pruett and Zach Hall.
Each week, the Zachs will cover half a century of sketch comedy classics from the very first “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night” to the most recent “That’s our show, goodnight”. We caught up with Pruett to discuss this new venture:
Where did the inspiration come to start an SNL podcast?
“I’ve always been deeply interested in everything Saturday Night Live, both watching the show itself, as well as following the cult around the world of the show and everyone who has walked through the halls. I think it’s the ultimate American pop culture landmark. After a few sitcom rewatch podcasts, I decided to go back to the root of every piece of American comedy that has come since 1975 by finally tackling and recapping all of the nearly thousand SNL episodes.”
2. What are the main goals of the podcast?
“We’re here to be the “we watched every episode of SNL” guys, so that you don’t have to be. Alternatively, if you’ve always wanted to dive in and catch every episode of the show, but need some friends to keep you motivated along the way, we can be that podcast for you, too. How does SNL of the ‘70s hold up in the ‘20s? What makes the timeless stuff timeless and what makes the jokes that have gone on to curdle like old milk stink so bad? Let’s find out together.“
3. Has SNL creatively inspired you in any way?
“If you consider yourself a funny person or at least an enjoyer of comedy, the fact is, you have been inspired by SNL, whether you can accept that or not. The show is a machine that many a hipster have tried to rage against, but if you start to pay attention you’ll find its fingerprints are everywhere. SNL has inspired me to (try to) be funny and seek out what I find funny for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait to see how this project will creatively fuel and inspire me past that.“
4. What are your earliest memories of SNL?
“I’m mainly a 2000s kid, so for me it’s Seth Meyers at the Weekend Update desk with Stefon. Kenan Thompson mugging the camera flawlessly one time after another. I remember cackling at Kristen Wiig’s Dooneese and rehashing MacGruber bits, even though I’ve still never seen a MacGyver in my life. Endless “best of” VHS compilations and Celebrity Jeopardy sketch compilations on YouTube have always fueled my SNL journey.”
5. What can SNL fans expect from Saturday Night Dive?
“If you’re a Saturday Night Live fan looking for more deep dive coverage after the whirlwind that was SNL50, we’re the podcast for you – let's dive into every sketch, host, musical guest and so on from day one to see how the bones of our favorite show came together. If you’re a Saturday Night Live SUPERfan who knows everything, please listen to the show and correct us – we need your insight too! “
6. Do you ever plan to have guests on the podcast, eg: comedians or comedy writers?
“If you’re a funny person professionally or otherwise that wants to chat vintage SNL or be interviewed on what the show means to you, yes of course we want to talk to you. I don’t want to make any promises I can’t keep, but the goal is to talk to as many people as possible that were actually involved in the show itself. This summer many big names are coming through my city to perform, and you best believe I’m sending out emails to every single one.”
7. What are some of your stand out SNL moments?
“Any moment that reminds you that this show is happening live. SNL can go very right or horribly wrong in the blink of an eye, since its performers are literally putting it together and making it happen as you’re watching it. When a joke or character shines for the first time and a star is born, when something in the production goes wrong and we get to watch them scramble to cover it up in real time, when Jimmy Fallon breaks character in every sketch in every episode – that's what makes it SNL.“
Saturday Night Dive is proudly brought to you by The Four Finger Discount Network. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the show via Apple, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts.
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