Podcasts > Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade > Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

By Dana Carvey, David Spade

Fortune Feimster joins comedians Dana Carvey and David Spade to discuss her journey in stand-up comedy and the creative process behind her work. She shares the inspiration she draws from Carvey and Spade's iconic "Saturday Night Live" characters and the grueling cycle of constantly crafting new material for specials and tours.

The conversation explores the intricacies of stand-up, from the challenges of naming shows and specials to tailoring routines for diverse audiences. Feimster, Carvey, and Spade also reflect on their experiences overcoming tough crowds and finding their comedic voices, whether through impersonations or relatable storytelling.

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

1-Page Summary

Fortune Feimster's background and comedy beginnings

Fortune Feimster drew inspiration from classic "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) comedians Dana Carvey and David Spade while growing up. Eager to emulate her idols, she auditioned for SNL in 2009 and 2010 but was not selected. Though disappointed, Feimster now recognizes she may have been too inexperienced, or "green," at the time, according to Spade.

Developing stand-up material: A constant challenge

Feimster highlights the intense cycle of creating new jokes and stories every 1-2 years for specials like "Sweet and Salty." She meticulously crafts new material through local shows before touring with an entirely new hour.

Naming comedy tours and specials: An added layer

Spade and Feimster discuss the challenge of finding memorable names for tours and specials, with Feimster noting her tour names often differ from her special titles.

Getting laughs through impersonations vs. storytelling

While Dana Carvey delights audiences with iconic SNL impressions like the Church Lady, Feimster's strengths lie more in storytelling humor, recounting relatable tales like her Hooters visit as a child.

Stand-up challenges and adaptations

Both Feimster and Spade recount times of overacting or pushing too hard for laughs when facing tough crowds. Carvey also recalls a disastrous early set where he rushed through material unhumorously.

Feimster surprisingly sells more tickets in smaller, conservative towns—whose enthusiastic audiences jump at chances to see visiting comics, unlike bigger cities. This underscores stand-ups' need to tailor material for different locations.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Feimster auditioned for "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) in 2009 and 2010 but was not selected. This experience was significant in her comedy journey, as SNL is a prestigious platform for comedians. The auditions were opportunities for Feimster to showcase her talent and potentially join the cast of the iconic sketch comedy show.
  • Feimster's need to tailor material for different locations means adjusting her jokes and stories to suit the audience's demographics, preferences, and sensibilities in various cities or towns. This adaptation ensures that her humor resonates with the specific crowd she is performing for, enhancing the chances of connecting with and entertaining them effectively. By customizing her material, Feimster can cater to the unique characteristics and cultural nuances of each location, making her performances more relatable and engaging for the audience present. This practice reflects a common strategy among comedians to optimize their comedic impact and reception across diverse audiences and venues.

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Fortune Feimster's background and how she got her start in comedy

Fortune Feimster, influenced by early childhood memories of watching "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) and the comedic styles of Dana Carvey and David Spade, sought to turn her passion for comedy into a career. Her attempts to audition for the platform that sparked her love for humor marked a significant milestone in her journey as a comedian.

Growing up watching SNL comedians Dana Carvey and David Spade

As a child, Feimster was captivated by SNL sketches, particularly those featuring Dana Carvey and David Spade. These comedians were a staple of her formative years, as indicated by her habit of recording and reciting SNL sketches to friends during her sports practice. Feimster’s early interest in performing comedy was clearly ignited by the influence of watching Carvey and Spade weave their humor into memorable characters on the iconic show.

Her attempts to audition for Saturday Night Live in 2009 and 2010

Looking to follow in the footsteps of her idols, Feimster took the bold step of auditioning for SNL herself in 2009 and 2010. This endeavor, which she spoke of with both a sense of admiration for the platform and a reflective understanding of the outcomes, was a formative experience. Though she found it disappointing not to be selected, Feimster now sees it in perspective, recognizing why it might not have been the right time for her.

Subtopic: Being a green performer during the auditions and struggling with strong characters

Reflecting on her auditions, Feimster shared that during her first audition, she had reached th ...

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Fortune Feimster's background and how she got her start in comedy

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Groundlings is a renowned improvisational and sketch comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, known for nurturing comedic talent like Fortune Feimster. The Sunday Company is a training ground within the Groundlings organization where emerging comedians hone their skills through performances and workshops. Feimster's involvement with the Groundlings and her progression from the advanced level to potentially joining the Sunday Company showcases her dedication to developing her comedic craft in a structured and supportive environment.
  • Feimster's enduring connection to the SNL legacy stems from her interactions with SN ...

Counterarguments

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

The challenges of writing and developing new stand-up comedy material

Comedian Fortune Feimster shares insights into the challenging creative process behind her stand-up specials.

The difficulty of constantly having to create new jokes and stories for specials every few years

The pressure of creating new stand-up material is intense, as David Spade and Fortune Feimster acknowledge in their conversation. Feimster highlights the daunting task of developing a new hour of material, reflecting on how she has completed her third hour in the last five years. This consistent output is a testament to the difficulty of generating fresh jokes and narratives that resonate with audiences and are worthy of a comedy special.

Fortune's rapid pace of releasing a new hour of material every 1-2 years

Feimster's Approach to Craft New Material

Fortune Feimster describes her meticulous process in crafting new comedy routines. Once she completes a tour and films a special, she allows herself time to recharge. After this short break, Feimster jumps back into the comedy circuit, performing at local shows to hone her new material. Through this iterative process of testing and ...

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The challenges of writing and developing new stand-up comedy material

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Developing stand-up comedy material involves creating fresh jokes and stories that resonate with audiences. Comedians face pressure to consistently produce new content for specials every few years. Crafting material often involves testing and refining jokes in smaller venues before showcasing them in larger shows or tours. The process requires a balance of creativity, timing, and audience feedback to deliver engaging and original performances.
  • Creating a comedy special involves developing a new hour of material that resonates with audiences. Comedians often perform at local shows to test and refine their new jokes before filming the special. The expectation is to deliver original and engaging content that showcases the comedian's unique style and perspective. This process typically involves a cycle of creating, performing, filming, and starting anew to keep the material fresh and relevant.
  • Fortune Feimster's personal approach to crafting new comedy routines involves taking a break after a tou ...

Counterarguments

  • While the pressure of creating new stand-up material is intense, some comedians thrive under pressure and may find that it fuels their creativity.
  • Developing a new hour of material is daunting, but it can also be seen as an exciting opportunity for growth and exploration for a comedian.
  • Generating fresh jokes and narratives is challenging, but it is also part of the evolution of a comedian's career and can lead to more profound and relatable content as they gain life experiences.
  • Releasing a new hour of material every 1-2 years might be rapid, but it could also be a reflection of a comedian's work ethic and passion for their craft, rather than an unsustainable pace.
  • Meticulously crafting new comedy routines is one approach, but some comedians may prefer a more spontaneous or organic process that relies less on meticulous planning and more on improvisation.
  • Taking a short break after completing a tour and filming a special is common, but some comedians might choose to immediately work on new material without a break to maintain momentum.
  • Honing new material by performing at local shows is a traditional method, but alternative approaches, such as using social media or podcasts to test material, can also be effective.
  • Testing and refining content in smaller venues is a tried-and-true method, but it may not always capture the diverse reactions of a broader audience that a special would reach.
  • Preparing for another tour to showcas ...

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Discussion of stand-up comedy tours, specials, and naming them

David Spade and Fortune Feimster delve into the nuances and challenges of naming comedy specials and tours, revealing the creativity and sometimes complexity behind the process.

The challenge of coming up with names for tours and specials

David Spade discusses the tedious process of finding a name for comedy tours and specials, highlighting how the chosen name might not be as memorable to audiences as comedians would hope. Fortune Feimster agrees with Spade, stating that it is indeed challenging to come up with such names. Dana Carvey humorously offers whimsical suggestions for Feimster's specials, such as "Fortune 500 minutes of comedy" and "fortune cookie." Carvey's contributions underscore the playful side of the industry, even in tasks like naming a special.

How special names often don't end up being the tour names

Fortune Feimster shares her personal experience that the names of her tours frequently do not become the names of her comedy specials. Davi ...

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Discussion of stand-up comedy tours, specials, and naming them

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • In the comedy industry, comedians often go on tours to perform live shows in various locations. These tours can have a specific name to promote and distinguish them. A comedy special, on the other hand, is a recorded performance typically released for broadcast or streaming. The name of a tour may not always match the title of the special, as the content and format of a live show ...

Counterarguments

  • While David Spade and Fortune Feimster find the process tedious, other comedians might enjoy the creative process of naming their tours and specials.
  • Some comedians may argue that a memorable or catchy name can significantly contribute to the marketing and success of a comedy special or tour.
  • Dana Carvey's whimsical suggestions, while playful, might not be practical or effective for all types of comedy or audiences, and some comedians might prefer more straightforward or relevant names.
  • The fact that tour names often differ from special names could be seen as an opportunity for rebranding and reaching different audience segments rather than a challenge.
  • There ...

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Getting laughs from impersonations and characters during stand-up sets

Stand-up comedians Dana Carvey and Fortune Feimster discuss their experiences with incorporating impersonations and beloved characters into their acts, illuminating the varied approaches they take to get laughs.

Subtopic: Dana's many iconic impression characters from SNL that audiences want to see in his stand-up

When Dana Carvey takes the stage, he's not alone; audiences eagerly anticipate the emergence of his beloved characters from "Saturday Night Live." Carvey himself hints at the crowd's expectation, noting that whenever he hits a familiar voice, the audience reacts with joy, essentially saying, "That's what we want." He readily acknowledges this by bringing up his well-known impressions such as President George Bush Sr., Garth from "Wayne's World," the Church Lady, Hans and Franz, and Ross Perot. Carvey even has a closer in his act that features around 50 micro impressions, including that of George W. Bush. He describes a bit in his stand-up act where he impersonates George Bush, Sr. attempting to jump off a high dive, and even says goodbye as the Church Lady, highlighting his adaptability and keen awareness of his audience’s favorites.

Fortune lacks major impression abilities other than a Richard Simmons bit she auditioned with

Fortune Feimster, on the other hand, takes a different route in her stand-up performances. She adds to her routine a well-received story from her special "Sweet and Salty" about visiting Hooters as a child. The storyline is a hit with her audience, who anticipate and join in on a particular line, showcasing he ...

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Getting laughs from impersonations and characters during stand-up sets

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Impersonations in stand-up comedy serve as a tool for comedians to entertain audiences by mimicking the voices and mannerisms of well-known figures or characters. These impersonations can create familiarity and nostalgia for the audience, enhancing the comedic experience. They also showcase the comedian's versatility and skill in embodying different personalities, adding depth and variety to their performances. Overall, impersonations can be a key element in engaging and connecting with audiences, offering a unique form of humor that resonates with a wide range of viewers.
  • Fortune Feimster showcases her storytelling prowess in her stand-up performances by engaging her audience with relatable and humorous anecdotes, such as her experience visiting Hooters as a child. Through her storytelling, she captivates her audience and creates a connection by inviting ...

Counterarguments

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Stories about awkward or bad stand-up comedy experiences

Comedians often encounter challenging moments on stage, and Fortune Feimster and David Spade are no exception as they delve into their own experiences with pushing too hard for laughs when performances don't go as planned.

Subtopic: Pushing too hard for laughs and overacting when a show isn't going well

Both Fortune and David discuss examples of this from their stand-up experiences

Fortune Feimster opens up about a time on NBC's "Champions" when she felt she was overacting, pushed for laughs too hard, and found herself yelling punchlines. This, she notes, stemmed from the pressure of the new show trying to find its humor.

David Spade echoes Feimster's thoughts, relating to her experience by sharing his own stand-up encounters. He points out the classic, incorrect reactions that comics have when facing a tough crowd—going bigger with their performance, increasing profanity, or speeding up their speech in a bid to elicit laughs.

Putting a personal spin on the discussion, Spade recalls moments from his stand-up acts, such as shouting jokes about the DMV to provoke a reaction from the audience. His account stresses the desperation comedians often feel when trying to connect with an unresponsive crowd.

In a similar vein, Dana Carvey recollects a specific set at the Improv in the early '80s where he hurried through his routine and performed poorly. The exper ...

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Stories about awkward or bad stand-up comedy experiences

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • David Spade feeling like a "spooked horse" at the Comedy Store performance is an analogy that describes his sense of unease and nervousness on stage. The comparison likens his frantic search for material that would resonate with the audience to a startled or frightened horse that is restless and unsettled. This analogy conveys the intens ...

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Planning and adapting stand-up sets for different audiences and cities

Stand-up comedians often need to tailor their material based on the audience and location of their performances. Fortune Feimster shares insights into this process, revealing that her success doesn't always correlate with city size or assumed political leanings.

Ticket Sales in Different Cities

Feimster recounts her experiences, sharing a surprising detail that she actually sells more tickets and fills larger venues in red state cities and smaller towns than she does in major coastal cities. The reason for this, according to Feimster, is that audiences in places like Mobile, Alabama show high enthusiasm for performers who make the effort to stop by their city—a stark contrast to what one might expect in larger, more liberal markets such as San Francisco.

Smaller Towns' Appreciation for Visiting Comics

Feimster explains that the excitement and appreciation of smaller towns and cities in red states stem ...

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Planning and adapting stand-up sets for different audiences and cities

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Red states typically lean towards conservative political ideologies, while blue states lean towards liberal ideologies. Red state cities and smaller towns are often located in states that consistently vote for Republican candidates in elections. Major coastal cities, on the other hand, are usually found in states that lean towards the Democratic Party and are known for their more liberal viewpoints.
  • Fortune Feimster's success in red state cities and smaller towns over major coastal cities is attributed to the enthusiasm and appreciation of audiences in less frequented areas, who value the novelty of diverse voices in comedy. The infrequency of comedians visiting these locations creates anticipation and eagerness among audiences, leading to unexpectedly successful shows. This success challenges the assumption that a comedian's popularity is solely determined by the size or political leanings of the city they perform in.
  • In the context of stand-up comedy, smaller towns often have fewer opportunities for live performances compared to larger cities, leading to a scarcity of entertainment option ...

Counterarguments

  • While smaller towns may show high enthusiasm, the economic impact for comedians might be less compared to larger cities due to potentially lower ticket prices and smaller venues.
  • The novelty factor of visiting comics in smaller towns could wear off over time, leading to a decrease in ticket sales and enthusiasm.
  • The assumption that success is not tied to city size or political views may overlook other factors such as marketing efforts, the presence of a loyal fan base, or the specific appeal of a comedian's style to certain demographics.
  • The idea that audiences in smaller towns are "starved for different voices" could be an oversimplification, as there may be a variety of entertainment options and tastes within these communities.
  • The success in red state cities and smaller towns might not be generalizable to all comedians, as individual experiences can vary widely based on a number of factors, including genre of comedy, personal brand, and the current cult ...

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Fortune Feimster | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Hopes for the future of Fortune's career

As Fortune continues to navigate the twists and turns of a professional journey, there is a sense of anticipation and optimism about what the future holds. Although the content provided does not detail specific aspirations or planned milestones, it is possible to speak generally about the kind of hopes one might harbor for a prosperous and fulfilling career.

With dedicated effort, skill development, and a touch of serendipity, Fortune's career path is poised for growth and expansion. Success is often born from a combination of hard work, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt to changing industries and new opportunities.

A thriving career may also include a positive impact on communities and industries, influencing change, and contributing to progress in one's respective field. As Fortune’s career unfolds, the hope is to achieve not just personal and financial succ ...

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Hopes for the future of Fortune's career

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • A career path being "poised for growth and expansion" means that the individual's professional trajectory is positioned to advance and develop further. This suggests opportunities for progress, improvement, and success in their chosen field. It implies that the person's skills, experiences, and efforts align well with potential future advancements and achievements. Essentially, it indicates a favorable outlook for career development and the potential for reaching higher levels of accomplishment.
  • A career making a positive impact on communities and industries involves using one's professional skills and influence to contribute to the betterment of society and the advancement of specific sectors. This can include initiatives that promote sustainability, social responsibility, diversity, innovation, or o ...

Counterarguments

  • Growth and expansion in a career are not solely dependent on individual effort and skill development; external factors such as economic conditions, industry trends, and organizational changes can significantly influence career trajectories.
  • Hard work and continuous learning do not guarantee success; sometimes, even the most diligent individuals face setbacks due to circumstances beyond their control.
  • Making a positive impact on communities and industries is a noble goal, but it can be challenging to measure and may not always align with personal or organizational objectives.
  • While paving the way for others is admirable, it is not always possible for everyone to serve as a trailblazer or mentor, especially in highly competitive or saturated fields.
  • Leadership roles, innovation, and mentorship require a specific set of skills and opportunities that may not be accessible or desirable to ...

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