The Al Franken Podcast 211: SPECIAL: Al on SNL's 50th
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Feb 16, 2025 Peter Ogburn, Executive Producer of Saturday Night Live, interviews comedian Al Franken, shedding light on their journey with the iconic show. They reveal the intense behind-the-scenes energy leading up to a live performance. Al reminisces about his first season and the hilarious evolution of sketches, including the creation of his beloved character Stuart Smalley. The conversation captures the essence of SNL's impact on comedy, discussing memorable moments and the unique collaborations that forged its legacy across 50 remarkable years.
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Early Career
- Al Franken and Tom Davis began their comedy partnership in high school, doing announcements.
- Their World War III newscast helped launch their career.
SNL Beginnings
- Franken and Davis were hired for SNL's first season based on a writing packet.
- Lorne Michaels, SNL's creator, hired them without meeting beforehand.
Lorne's Innovation
- Traditionally, comedy writers did not interact with actors during production.
- Lorne Michaels broke this by placing SNL writers and actors in the same room.