Nick revisits Joan Rivers' one and only stint as host of Saturday Night Live, a wild ride that aired in April 1983. At the time, Rivers was a comedy powerhouse—known for her sharp tongue, fearless punchlines, and an endless supply of Liz Taylor jokes. While the sketches written for her weren’t exactly Emmy material, she powered through with her trademark grit and timing, turning even the clunkiest bits into something watchable. Highlights include a surreal moment where Joe Piscopo plays Joan in ...
Jun 25, 2025•51 min
Nick dives into a BuzzFeed survey rounding up some of the most beloved Saturday Night Live sketches of all time, as voted on by fans. From outrageous characters to iconic moments, these picks span generations—and the people definitely have good taste. Highlights include Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Sean Hayes battling fashion snobbery (and microscopic cell phones) in “Jeffrey’s,” Christopher Walken’s unforgettable turn as the ever-creepy “Continental,” and Cecily Strong getting way too emotio...
Jun 18, 2025•59 min
Nick wraps up the landmark 50th season of Saturday Night Live with a deep dive into the year’s biggest moments—onstage and off. From the premiere to the finale, he revisits the standout sketches, hosts, musical guests, surprise cameos, and the behind-the-scenes specials that marked this milestone season. The 2024 election loomed large, shaping much of the material, and Nick breaks down how the show navigated it all. He also counts down his five favorite sketches of the year, including a razor-sh...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Nick dives into one of the most transitional—and underrated—seasons in SNL history: Season 36. With a powerhouse host lineup that included Paul Rudd, Emma Stone, and Bryan Cranston, and the debut of future standouts like Vanessa Bayer and Jay Pharoah, this season delivered both change and consistency. Nick shares behind-the-scenes stories and revisits standout sketches, from Jon Hamm’s return to the Vincent Price Halloween Special, to Jeff Bridges pulling pranks, and a hilarious Macy’s return bi...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Nick revisits the only time legendary actor Walter Matthau hosted Saturday Night Live, offering behind-the-scenes stories from a wild week at 30 Rock. From writers' room pitches and cast reactions to what actually made it to air, it’s a full breakdown of a strange, memorable night. Highlights include John Belushi’s Cold Open as Fred Silverman, Matthau’s pants-dropping monologue tease, and a Killer Bees sketch filled with masturbation jokes. With no musical guest, Garrett Morris stepped up with M...
May 28, 2025•59 min
Nick shines a light on Shia LaBeouf’s two turns as Saturday Night Live host—both surprisingly strong, both likely his last. Packed with standout sketches and offbeat moments, the episodes featured Shia as a bizarrely delightful version of magician Doug Henning on a twisted Match Game, and as one half of a duo of underage knuckleheads scheming to score beer with Andy Samberg. There’s also a nod to Indiana Jones and a solid lineup of SNL regulars including Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Kenan Thompson,...
May 21, 2025•1 hr
Nick takes a hilarious stroll down memory lane to the night Peyton Manning traded his helmet for a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live. From Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler dishing it out as the "Bronx Beat" ladies, to Andy Samberg’s wild take on Sanjaya and a surprise visit from Dan Aykroyd, the show was packed with standout moments. Things get especially weird (and wonderful) when Manning joins Kristin Wiig for a late-night sketch that goes completely off the rails. But the real showstoppers? That...
May 14, 2025•55 min
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 bl...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 19 min
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 wor...
Apr 30, 2025•54 min
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 Al...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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,...
Apr 16, 2025•53 min
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 Shanno...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 20 min
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 COVI...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 7 min
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 br...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min
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 t...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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 She...
Mar 12, 2025•52 min
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 in...
Mar 05, 2025•59 min
Nick looks back at the one and only time Jodie Foster hosted Saturday Night Live on November 27, 1976. At just 14 years old, Foster became the youngest host in the show’s history—until Drew Barrymore took the title in 1982 at the age of 7. Despite her talent, Foster was a nervous wreck, thrown into live television for the first time with material written by people who had no idea how to craft sketches for a teenage host. The result was a bizarre, sometimes uncomfortable episode filled with sketc...
Feb 26, 2025•52 min
Nick welcomes Chicago-based food and entertainment writer Marnie Shure to the podcast for a deep dive into her Saturday Night Live memories. They chat about her experiences growing up with the show, her favorite cast members, hosts, and musical guests. Marnie also counts down her all-time favorite SNL sketches, featuring unforgettable performances from Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, Dana Carvey, Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Andy Samberg, and more—plus appearances from Natalie Portman...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Nick celebrates Valentine’s Day with a hilarious look back at some of Saturday Night Live’s best sketches, bits, and songs that poke fun at—and embrace—the holiday. Highlights include a song about the awkwardness of receiving a Valentine’s Day card from your mom, a last-minute gift guide courtesy of a very honest CVS commercial, and a visit from Garth and Kat with their signature off-the-cuff holiday songs. Plus, Nick revisits the first-ever appearance of Leon Phelps: The Ladies Man, along with ...
Feb 12, 2025•48 min
Nick welcomes fellow film critic Peter Sobczynski to the podcast for a deep dive into his Saturday Night Live memories, from his childhood introduction to the show to his favorite cast members and standout moments. They also count down Peter’s five favorite SNL sketches of all time—many of which share a horror-inspired, darkly comedic streak. Highlights include Dan Aykroyd’s hilariously gruesome Julia Child, Gilda Radner as a terrified child facing a closet-dwelling fiend, and Bill Hader’s Vince...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 24 min
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 criticism, dismal ratings, and skepticism about the show’s direction, Lorne Michaels decided to transform SNL i...
Jan 29, 2025•51 min
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 women, Jewish culture, and targeted commercial audiences, and how these elements have influenced com...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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 Kyle Mooney, Molly Shannon, Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Noel Wells, and...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 7 min
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. Erik shares his five favorite SNL sketches, including a hilarious Digital Short mocking The OC, a com...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 11 min
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, Bill Hader, John Mulaney, Anya Taylor-Joy, Will Ferrell, Paul Mescal, and more. Topics range from St. Patrick’s Da...
Jan 01, 2025•56 min
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 Christmas movies and TV shows. Classic sketches like Schweddy Balls, Christmas Time for the Jews, and A Gl...
Dec 25, 2024•50 min
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 at a Texarkana Longhorn Steakhouse clash with their eccentric boss, played by the always hilarious Heidi Gardner. T...
Dec 18, 2024•46 min
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 theme music by John Tesh, two holiday concert performances that go hilariously off the rails, and an episode...
Dec 11, 2024•56 min
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 Lindsay Lohan, and Vanessa Bayer’s uncanny Jennifer Aniston impression—delivered while the real Jennifer An...
Dec 04, 2024•55 min
