That Show Hasn’t Been Funny In Years: an SNL podcast

Nick sits down with author, longtime radio producer, and publisher Rick Kaempfer for a fast, funny dive into the world of classic Saturday Night Live. Rick walks through his all-time favorite sketches, including staples like “Schweddy Balls,” “The Chris Farley Show” with Paul McCartney, and the ever-quotable “Wild and Crazy Guys.” Along the way, he shares radio stories from the days of Steve and Garry and John Records Landecker, pulling back the curtain on a few moments fans rarely hear about.

The conversation opens up into his personal encounters with some of Chicago’s and SNL’s most recognizable names. Bill Murray appears in a tale involving an inspired use of a limo, Jim Belushi crosses paths with a surprisingly relevant Michael Dukakis, and Dennis Miller and Paul McCartney make memorable cameos of their own. Rick also reflects on his teenage years in Germany during the earliest, most defining days of SNL. The result is a funny, thoughtful tour through comedy history told by someone who lived close to the spark. [Ep 152]

Nick celebrates one of the most delightfully chaotic recurring sketches in Saturday Night Live history — the fully improvised musical mayhem of Garth and Kat. Played by Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig, the offbeat duo would appear on Weekend Update wearing mismatched vests and identical blonde wigs, pretending to have rehearsed their songs, only to make them up live on the spot.

Every appearance was completely unscripted, and the result was a mix of awkward harmonies, accidental rhymes, and uncontrollable laughter — even from the usually composed Seth Meyers. Nick explores how the sketches came together, why they became Wiig’s personal favorite moments on the show, and plays several of their funniest performances.

You’ll also hear about a few surprise celebrity drop-ins who joined the improvised madness. A celebration of spontaneity, chemistry, and pure silliness, “Garth and Kat” remains one of SNL’s most joyfully unpredictable acts. [Ep 151]