Bombing In Front Of De Niro w/ Colin Quinn | 2 Bears, 1 Cave Ep. 210
Nov 6, 2023
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Colin Quinn, former SNL cast member, joins Tom Segura to share their most horrific bomb stories. They discuss working at SNL, wild Chevy Chase stories, drunks ruining shows, and pitching new stand-up ideas. Other topics include one man shows, 'resetting' a bad audience, and how MTV used to be cool.
MTV was the epitome of coolness and the epicenter of pop culture at the time.
Starting at Saturday Night Live offers a different dynamic for writers compared to performers on the show.
Conflicts and clashes, like those with guest host Chevy Chase, can lead to funny and memorable situations cherished by those who experienced them firsthand.
Deep dives
MTV: The Coolest Place in the World
MTV was the epitome of coolness. Whether you were into top 40 hits, headbanging metal, or rap, MTV had the best music videos for every taste. It was a 24/7 channel that teenagers couldn't get enough of, eagerly waiting for the next cool and sometimes hilariously bad video. The hosts were iconic, and the channel was the epicenter of pop culture at the time.
The Intimidation Factor of SNL
Starting at Saturday Night Live can be intimidating, especially for young newcomers. However, as an older writer, this factor decreases due to more life experience and a grounding in the industry. While there can still be challenges and conflicts, being a writer at SNL offers a different dynamic compared to being a performer on the show.
Conflicts and Humorous Moments at SNL
Like any workplace, conflicts can arise at SNL. There were disagreements and clashes, but these were no different from any other job or comedy club. While some guest hosts like Chevy Chase may have had a reputation for being difficult or outrageous, these moments can lead to funny and memorable situations that are cherished by those who experienced them firsthand.
The Unique Dynamics of Movie Sets
The dynamics on a movie set can be unique. Seemingly intense friendships and connections can form, but they may dissipate once the project is over. This can be due to the nature of the business, where people become engrossed in their roles and professional relationships during production, only to move on to other projects once filming concludes, leaving those intense connections in the past.
The Importance of Being Authentic in Comedy
The podcast episode discusses the importance of staying true to oneself in comedy. The hosts talk about the energy and commitment displayed by some comedians, like a father who jokes in front of his son and friends, and how it resonates with the audience. They point out that comedians should strive to be authentic and not try to imitate or match the energy of others. They also emphasize the significance of finding one's own voice and exploring profound moments in comedy.
Crafting Acts and Theme Shows
The podcast episode explores the process of crafting comedy acts and the concept of theme shows. They discuss the idea of curating comedy by going beyond simple jokes and finding the profound moments within them. The hosts mention the importance of working out bits in clubs and gradually shaping them into a coherent act. They also highlight the practice of having a central theme for a comedy show, suggesting that it helps to create a more engaging and meaningful experience for the audience.
On this episode of 2 Bears, 1 Cave, Colin Quinn joins Tom to discuss some of their most horrific bomb stories. Colin also talks about working at SNL, his favorite (and least favorite) SNL hosts, and some pretty wild Chevy Chase stories. Tom is convinced that drunks ruin shows and Colin wants to pitch a new idea to Bert for his standup. Other topics include: one man shows, “resetting” a bad audience, and how MTV used to be cool. It’s a fun and insightful episode. Enjoy!
