Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade RE-RELEASE - Laraine Newman
Nov 3, 2025
Laraine Newman, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live and a talented voice actor, shares delightful tales from the SNL trenches. She dives into her relationship with Gilda Radner and the chaotic early years of the show. Expect insights on the pressure of live comedy, her iconic Valley Girl character, and memorable experiences with quirky hosts like Mickey Rooney. Laraine also discusses the evolution of comedy and her journey in voice work, all while reflecting on SNL's lasting impact on sketch humor.
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Working With Mickey Rooney
- Newman describes performing with Mickey Rooney who behaved erratically, spitting and making crude gestures on set.
- She and Dana recalled Rooney's provocative antics and how they made the set experience surreal and uncomfortable.
Early Connections Before SNL
- Laraine Newman recalls meeting Bill Murray and other National Lampoon people before SNL and how she first befriended Gilda Radner.
- She describes being kept for hours in a room in New Orleans with Gilda, who turned a trash can into a puppet to pass the time.
SNL As An Alt-Comedy Breakthrough
- Laraine Newman calls SNL an 'alt comedy' amalgam that contrasted with mainstream variety shows like Carol Burnett.
- The show benefited from performers' groundlings and improv backgrounds, creating a new sketch sensibility.
