Neal Brennan | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Comedians discuss the unique pressures of crafting and performing comedy, especially for high-profile platforms like Saturday Night Live (SNL), and reveal the complexities of balancing creativity with the demanding nature of production environments.

Comedians discuss the unique challenges and pressures of crafting and performing comedy, especially for high-profile projects and platforms

Navigating the creative process and protocol of writing for shows like Saturday Night Live, where sketches go through multiple rewrites and edits before making it to air

Dana Carvey speaks from his experience on SNL, recalling the show’s competing environment, which he likens to the "Game of Thrones of Saturday Night Live." He discusses his own approach to competing for parts and the moderation of his competitive nature. Reflecting on his early stand-up days, Carvey mentions his comfort in smaller venues, which allowed him the space to develop confidence and perfect improvisation.

Neal Brennan shares his insights as well, discussing the chaotic writing process during the week Dave Chappelle hosted SNL in 2016, especially on election night. Brennan and Michael Che wrote a sketch involving Rick James that underwent significant changes throughout the night, showcasing the mutable nature of the show's content and the relentless late-night rewrites that are common practice.

David Spade and Carvey further discuss the often chaotic sketch revision process, with Carvey noting instances when he doubted the show could proceed due to disorganization.

Balancing the desire for creative control over their material with the realities of working within established production environments and frameworks

These comedians express the reality of needing to assert creative control while adapting to the structures within shows like SNL. Brennan recounts a moment when he physically moved a sketch card on a board during an SNL meeting to assert influence over the content that would be aired, a metaphor he refers to as "rushing the cockpit."

In contrast, Brennan and Dave Chappelle had to write all sketches themselves for "Chappelle's Show," rewriting pitches from others like Brian Tucker, a future SNL writer, to better match their vision.

Reflecting on the film "Half Baked," Brennan acknowledges that he and Chappelle should have kept rewriting the script after it was greenlit. He notes their limited foresight over production aspects, indicating the challenge of maintaining creative control, which they achieved later with "Chappelle's Show," where every decision went through him or Chappelle.

Carvey describes a fiasco during "The Dana Carvey Show" due to the practical challenges of producing cont ...

Comedians discuss how their performance styles and methods for connecting with audiences have evolved, reflecting on the pressures and opportunities presented by changing technologies and audience behaviors.

Comedians reflect on how their performance styles and methods for connecting with audiences have evolved over time

Dana Carvey speaks on comedians’ initial challenges, recounting how Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert were not always the confident personas we know today, and how their stage presence evolved. David Spade shares how he now prefers to tell longer, personality-driven stories in his stand-up routine, creating a personal touch that makes his act more unique. This transition indicates a move towards more personal engagement with the audience.

Discussing the differences between intimate, club-style standup sets and larger-scale, polished specials or televised performances

Carvey expresses a preference for filming specials in intimate 50-seater venues, feeling smaller settings allow for the best comedic headspace. However, he also acknowledges the expectation to perform in larger theaters. Neal Brennan and David Spade juxtapose this with the very different energy and expectations of filming a special, where the pressure to capture the performance perfectly can dampen the show's dynamics. Brennan describes the effective use of more visual comedy to engage the home-viewing audiences, inspired by the vast range of options they have. He uses visual effects like appearing on a big iPhone, underscoring the use of multimedia to create a more impactful viewing experience.

Exploring how advances in technology and changes in audience consumption habits have influenced comedic approaches, including the incorporation of more visual elements and multimedia

Advances in technology have led comedians like Brennan to adapt their stand-up to incorporate visual elements that resonate more through screens to cater to viewers at home. Comics nowadays often augment their performances with visual effects, recognizing the power of mixing visuals with comedic content to enrich the audience's experience. Spade and Carvey acknowledge the necessity of refreshing comedic content wi ...

In pursuit of laughter and entertainment, comedians often tread through the shadowy terrains of their own mental health struggles. Dana Carvey and Neal Brennan unravel such personal journeys, touching on their respective battles with mental health challenges and the unique experience of comedians in the industry.

Comedians openly discuss their struggles with mental health challenges, including depression, and how they've sought to address and overcome these issues

Dana Carvey comments on the commonality of personal struggles among comedians. This observation gets backed by Neal Brennan, who shares his own encounters with depression, which had become interlaced with his comedic persona. Carvey acknowledges Brennan’s confrontations with depression despite his successful stand-up career, hinting at the widespread nature of such challenges.

Describing the use of psychedelics and other therapeutic approaches that have helped them achieve greater emotional balance and contentment

Neal Brennan speaks on utilizing psychedelics, specifically ayahuasca and MDMA, as a means to counteract his sadness. Inspired by an article sent by Chris Rock, Brennan embarked on ayahuasca experiences that were transformative, intense, and revealing. Contextualizing this within a ceremonial setting, Brennan distinguishes such sessions from recreational drug use, hinting at a journey toward neuroplasticity and a reshaping of the brain. Brennan credits these experiences with helping him wean off antidepressants, transitioning from atheism to a belief in a "central Creation force."

Emphasizing the importance of practices like gratitude and mindfulness in maintaining a healthy, productive mindset as a performer

Brennan shares his personal practice of a gratitude checklist, performed multiple times a day to combat negative thinking patterns. The technique draws inspiration from daily Islamic prayers and was adapted after a conversation with Rainn Wilson. By reminding himself of his accomplishments, Brennan reinforces a positive approach to his life and caree ...