Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade Beck Bennett on booking SNL and Embodying Putin
Aug 21, 2025
Beck Bennett, actor and comedian known for his memorable stint on Saturday Night Live, shares hilarious insights about his journey in Hollywood. He reveals the quirky tale of how a trip to the Polo Lounge landed him on SNL and discusses the pressures of live performance. The conversation dives into the challenges of embodying comedic characters, including his playful interpretation of Putin. With a mix of humor and reflection, Beck shares stories about the absurdities of red carpet events and the importance of authenticity in comedy.
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Playing Steve Lombard On Superman
- Dana describes his role as Steve Lombard in Superman: a Daily Planet sportswriter who needles Clark Kent.
- He recounts long single-take shoots, improvising, and James Gunn encouraging spontaneous choices on set.
SNL Is The Toughest Training Ground
- Dana says big studio shoots feel nerve-wracking but SNL is even more intimidating and prepares you for other work.
- He views SNL as the most demanding live-training ground that informs the rest of your career.
How A Polo Lounge Meeting Led To SNL
- Dana Carvey recounts getting noticed by SNL after Good Neighbor and AT&T spots and a Polo Lounge meeting with Lorne Michaels.
- He auditioned, did live showcases and tested while juggling a movie, which led to his SNL hire.
