In the world of podcasts, there are a few standout genres. There's the true crime podcast that has you on the edge of your seat, waiting to find out what happened. There's the stand-up comedy podcast that makes you laugh until you cry. And then there are the celebrity rewatch podcasts. If you're looking for something fun and light-hearted, these podcasts are perfect for you. These podcasts are usually picking one or several iconic shows or movies and going behind the scenes with the celebrities that were in those shows. If you've been an SNL fan, then the Fly on the Wall podcast is the perfect choice. You'll get nostalgic about your favorite show and you'll also get your dose of weekly entertainment!
But before we talk about the Fly on the Wall podcast, let's first have a quick overview of the SNL show.
Saturday Night Live (SNL)
Saturday Night Live (1975–77) which was also known with the original name of NBC's Saturday Night is an American sketch comedy and variety show that aired on Saturdays on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) network since 1975, becoming one of television's longest-running shows. The program is a regular fixture on NBC programming, as well as a major landmark in U.S. television.
Saturday Night Live was conceived as an edgy comedy show to appeal to people aged 18 to 34, and the series, despite a few dips, has consistently lured new viewers who have joined that demographic group, while also remaining a favorite with already were far above 34. After taking a break in the early 1980s, Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol produced this 90-minute program which became an instant success.
Each episode features the show’s regular ensemble of comedic actors, as well as a guest host and a musical guest. The show always begins with an opening sketch that ends with the signature phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”
The show's production value of being filmed before a studio audience and then broadcast live (with Western time zones viewing a tape delay) has created many iconic series, for better or worse. One of the most memorable moments was when in 1992, Sinéad O'Connor ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on camera during the show, leading to an influx of angry letters from viewers.
How Was SNL Made?
According to Dratch, who began her comedy career at SNL in 1999, the show was extremely demanding. She, like the other performers and cast members, found the program to be quite challenging. They all only had six days to plan the show's next episode before it would go live.
Mondays were reserved for a brainstorming session in Michaels' office. Writers and cast members created sketches together on Tuesdays, often working late into the night to complete them. Wednesdays were spent reading through the sketches and making changes while the production crew began work on the sets, costumes, and sound. Thursdays and Fridays were used by the cast and crew to rehearse, edit, tie up loose ends, and write “Weekend Update," which comments on current events.
A cast rehearsal would occur on Saturday afternoon and was followed by a dress rehearsal that ran until nine p.m. in front of a live studio audience. Afterward, Michaels would make the final cuts and edits as the show would usually be 20 minutes over the 1 hour limit. His staff worked frantically to implement these changes up to - and even after - eleven thirty PM, and finally everyone watching the American TV would hear the now famous words: "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
Now that we know what SNL was all about, it is time to talk about the Fly on the Wall podcast, discovering how it makes the show's audience relive the famous SNL moments.
Fly on The Wall Podcast: A Full overview
In each episode of Fly on the Wall podcast with Dana Carvey and David Spade, you'll get to hear some of your favorite SNL cast members, hosts, writers, and musical guests share never-before-heard stories about their careers. They'll discuss how they made it onto the show and how being a part of its cultural history has affected their lives outside of SNL. This presentation by Cadence13 is not one to be missed!
And a good update for the podcast listeners is that in January 2023, Cadence13, a subsidiary of Audacy, extended its collaboration with comedians Dana Carvey and David Spade. The two renewed their "Saturday Night Live"-focused podcast series "Fly on the Wall'' and started a second season. On the weekly program, Carvey and Spade chat with former "SNL" cast members and presenters about the iconic moments from the famous show. You'll also get to listen to interviews with hosts, writers, and musical guests.
Season 1 of the show, which aired in January 2022, featured Chris Rock talking about his experience with childhood bullying. This went viral after Will Smith slapped him on stage at the Oscars. Other notable guests included Mike Myers, Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, Bill Hader and Jon Lovitz.
Other Celebrity Rewatch Podcasts to Check Out
While we wait for new episodes of Fly on the Wall, be sure to check out some of these other excellent celebrity rewatch podcast series!
Celebrity rewatch podcasts are a great way to stay connected with your favorite celebrities and their work. Here are some of the most popular celebrity rewatch podcasts to check out:
The Reel Geeks Podcast: This show is all about movies, with a particular focus on geeky and niche films. The hosts, Chris and Gerald, offer in-depth analysis of classic and contemporary films, as well as interviews with directors, actors, and other industry professionals.
The Canon: This podcast is all about movie canon. Every week, the hosts - Alex and Matt - debate about whether a particular film should be included in the canon. They also offer in-depth analysis of classic and contemporary films, as well as interviews with directors, actors, and other industry professionals.
Off Camera with Sam Jones: If you want a podcast with a bunch of celebrity interviews, then this is the one to check out. From actors and musicians to athletes and politicians, you'll find all types of interviews here! The host, Sam Jones, has interviewed some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Tom Hanks, Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow, and Tina Fey.
How Did This Get Made?: This podcast is all about movies that are so bad they're good. The hosts - Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael - offer in-depth analysis of terrible movies and interview the people responsible for making them.
Back to the Beach Podcast: Back to the Beach is a special podcast in which original cast members from the hit MTV reality TV show, "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," watch episodes for the first time in 18 years. Go behind the scenes with Kristin Cavallari and Stephen Colletti as they relive their experience on one of America's most iconic television series.
If you feel like the celebrity rewatch genre is not really for you, you can also check out our list of history podcasts or skim through these top podcasts of 2022. Let us know which podcast you liked the most in the comments section below!
