Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade RE-RELEASE - Sebastian Maniscalco
Nov 19, 2025
Stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco joins the hosts to delve into his unique career journey. He shares how his physicality and rhythm captivated audiences, giving insights into his formative influences like Johnny Carson. Sebastian discusses the challenges of balancing fresh material while catering to fans' favorites. The trio also talks about the transition from live performances to acting, managing silence and timing, and the physical toll that comedy can take. With humor and reflections, he sheds light on the slow burn of success in showbiz.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Late Night Waiter Turned Comedian
- Sebastian Maniscalco waited tables at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills into his early 30s while doing comedy on breaks.
- He ran sets between shifts and quit the job around age 31 after seven years of schlepping drinks and food.
Slow Burn Built Sustainable Stardom
- Sebastian credits a slow-burn path for giving him longevity and grounding after success.
- He says incremental growth kept him patient and tied to his working-class roots.
Craft Versus Viral Fame
- Sebastian contrasts today's easy fame with the old craft of working clubs to develop material and timing.
- He finds viral stardom from trivial clips demoralizing compared with building skills on stage.