The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast

The MacGruber Episode

Jul 29, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Will Forte, known for his work on Saturday Night Live, and writer John Solomon share insights into the inception of 'MacGruber.' They dive into their creative journey, detailing the collaborative magic that brought iconic sketches to life, including hilarious moments with Seth Rogen and Molly Shannon. The group also reflects on the absurdity of sketchwriting, sharing wild anecdotes, like the one about a nude sushi platter, and the challenges of crafting comedy that resonates. Get ready for laughs and nostalgia!

54:49

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Quick takeaways

The creation of MacGruber stemmed from deep friendships and shared comedic experiences between Will Forte and John Solomon at UCLA.

Their journey to SNL involved persistent advocacy and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of relationships in the comedic community.

MacGruber sketches evolved from a rejected idea to a hit segment, showcasing the power of collaboration and perseverance in comedy.

Deep dives

The Origins of MacGruber

The characters of MacGruber, played by Will Forte, and his collaborators were born out of early friendships and shared experiences in college. Will Forte and John Solomon met during their sophomore year at UCLA, with others playing a significant role in recognizing their comedic compatibility. They bond over their shared offbeat personalities and mutual love for comedy, which leads to the creation of the now-iconic character of MacGruber rooted in nostalgia for the series MacGyver. This camaraderie sets the stage for their future collaborations and success in comedic writing and performance.

Intro

2min

From College Days to MacGruber

18min

The Art of Crafting Comedy: Dedication to Detail

4min

The Joy of Concerts and Spontaneous Creativity

4min

Navigating the Comedy Writing Table: Challenges and Frustrations

2min

The Art of Absurdity: Sushi Platter and Hockey Dates

19min

Midlife Miata Memories

7min

This week, Will Forte and John Solomon take over the podcast! Joined by Seth and Jorma, the guys talk about how MacGruber was originally created, Will and John’s writing partnership, and the MacGruber sketches with Molly Shannon, Seth Rogen, and more!

MacGruber (every episode)
The Falconer
Potato Chip
Jennjamin Franklin: Second Chance Theater
The Date

(Not all the clips we mention are available online; some never even aired.)

If you want to see more photos and clips follow us on Instagram @thelonelyislandpod.

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Produced by Rabbit Grin Productions
Executive Producers Jeph Porter and Rob Holysz
Lead Producer Kevin Miller
Creative Producer Samantha Skelton
Coordinating Producer Derek Johnson
Cover Art by Olney Atwell
Music by Greg Chun and Brent Asbury
Edit by Cheyenne Jones
Mix and Master by Jason Richards

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