Whiskey Ginger with Andrew Santino - Kenan Thompson

Episode Date: October 20, 2023

Join us for a side-splitting, heartwarming, and whiskey-soaked episode of "Whiskey Ginger" as the hilarious Kenan Thompson steps into the spotlight. Kenan, a true comedy legend, shares his journey from his early days on "All That" to his record-breaking tenure on "Saturday Night Live." In this candid conversation, Kenan reveals the secrets of creating unforgettable characters, from the iconic "What Up with That?" host Diondre Cole to the lovable and ever-optimistic Steve Harvey. We'll dive into his experiences working alongside comedy greats, behind-the-scenes SNL stories. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite whiskey, kick back, and join us for an unforgettable chat with one of the brightest stars in comedy. You won't want to miss this episode of "Whiskey Ginger" with the one and only Kenan Thompson. #kenanthompson #andrewsantino #whiskeyginger #podcast =============================================== SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS RABBIT HOLE $5 OFF with Promo Code: WHISKEY https://rabbitholedistillery.com/drizly WATERBOY Use Discount Code: WHISKEY 15% off your order https://waterboy.com ========================================= Follow Andrew Santino: https://www.instagram.com/cheetosantino/ https://twitter.com/CheetoSantino Follow Whiskey Ginger: https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyging... https://twitter.com/whiskeyginger_ Produced and edited by Joe Faria IG: @itsjoefaria Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What up, Whiskey Ginger fans? Welcome back to the show. If it's your first time joining the show, welcome to the show. We got a good one for you today, like my man Steve Harvey done say. Steve Harvey, who was accurately played by my amazing guest, Kenan Thompson, is on the show. Love this dude. So funny, so cool, so talented. Been in the game for so long and continues to kill it. Love him.

Come see me live. Me and Bobby Lee are finishing out the Bad Friends Tour this year where we do a ton of stand-up, bits from the show. It's interactive with the audience. It's so much fun. Come see the Bad Friends live. Go to badfriendspod.com. Badfriendspod.com this weekend.

We will be in D.C. Huh? What would the founder and founders want you to do? They want you to come see Bad Friends in D.C. Washington, D.C., come get your tickets. Next weekend, we'll be in Denver. Then we go to Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Madison to end the tour. Go to badfriendspod.com for those tickets.

Badfriendspod.com. Enough rambling from me. Let's go to the episode. In here, we pour whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey. You're that creature in the ginger beard. Sturdy and ginger. Like vampires, the ginger gene is a curse. Gingers are beautiful.

You owe me $5 for the whiskey and $75 for the horse. Gingers are hell no. This whiskey is excellent. Ginger. I like gingers. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Whiskey Ginger. My guest today is one of my favorite people on earth. I say that for all my guests, but I mean it once again today.

Oh, man. It is Kenan Thompson. Kenan,an cheers thank you for coming on the show man thanks for having me i appreciate you just a little sniff of something just a little let it settle in the blood real good huh now that's real good yeah you like it that's real good but now you're not a big you're not a big drinker, though. Yeah, I'm not a huge. You like the other stuff. If we're out and about, it's usually for dinners. Dinners, you have a drink.

Evenings kind of stuff, yeah. I'm not a throughout the day. No, no. Well, neither am I. I mean, unless I'm shooting this show. And then I got a drink. Were you never a drinker when you were, like, when you were younger? Did you drink a little bit

or no? Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I mean, I went through them all, you know, starting with like, I don't know, Brass Monkeys or something,

like whatever you can get. Wait, what is that? I don't know. That's a drink, Brass Monkeys? Brass Monkeys is like one of those like pre-mixed,

real, like, back of the kind of gas station, like, you know what I mean? Cooler, under the beer.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Might as well be Jägermeister, but it's its own concoction thing. But yeah, it's just known as like brass malt. It's horrible. It's trash. Yeah, absolutely. Malt liquor and orange juice?

There you go. Malt liquor and orange juice. It's awful. Zima's, you know what I mean? Yeah, dude, I remember Zima's. Zima's is a thing that most of our audience has no idea what that is. This was before I knew, you know, fine spirits, basically.

So I went Amaretto Sour all the way through Alizé years. Yeah, your Alizé times? Absolutely. Any Hennessy years? I didn't love Hennessy by itself so I enjoyed like I was at Incredible Hoax That was a thing

The Incredible Hoax Yeah, yeah, yeah And then yeah So finally like Made it to vodka and tequilas And whiskey And whiskey, yeah That's funny

Zima For people that don't know Zima was ahead of the game Now all these people Like Spiked Seltzer Yep Zima was doing that It was first

It was just too sweet 20 years ago Something like that Way back Six pack Whatever Four pack Yeah yeah my uncle used to love zima as i remember and and our other uncles would make fun of him for bringing zimas to the party it's just a bad name i guess zima it is it's just a bad name it's a bad name because all these other seltzers now like topo chico has one and high noon topo Listen to that Topo Chico. Topo Chico. That was the name. That's nice. Topo Chico.

Yeah. Nobody wants a Zima? You guys sell Zima here? You talking about my cousin, Zima? It doesn't go with. Y'all sell Zima? That's no tough, guys. No.

Yeah, man. Give me a Zima. No, no. Not that one. The Zima. No. It doesn't work. You a Zima. No, no, not that one. The Zima. No. It doesn't work.

You sure you don't want Captain Morgan? No, no, Zima. Give me a Zima now. Yeah, Zima just doesn't have a tough guy ring to it at all. They had to pull it off. Who made Zima, by the way, Coney? Look it up. Who was distributing Zima?

Coors. Swing and a miss. Shout out to Coors for being ahead of the game. They were ahead of the game, man. Yep. Showing up early. 93. That's, man. Yep. Showing up early. 93. Showing up early. The Zima years.

The early 90s. Thank you for coming, by the way. I know you're in L.A. for a short period of time. I am a big fan. You don't even know. You don't even know. I mean, I guess I was aware from other pop-ups through the years, but that cheeseburger special was on point. Thank you very man i really appreciate you and that means a lot the day i

went to talk to pete on his podcast did he tell you this yeah yeah he told yeah pete holmes called me yeah fucking unbelievable like that morning i didn't even know you guys like knew i kind of figured it was a small group but i didn't know you guys were like tight like that i was just quoting like show me the shelves to myself. You know, I was cleaning up, and I was like, you know, I'm recycling, but I don't know if everybody is, and I'm just not buying. And I was just like, show me the shelves. Where are the show me the shelves?

Show me the shelves. Show me the shelves. Nobody's around. It's just me quoting that shit to myself. And then an hour later, I go to Pete. I really appreciate that. He told me that So good Well dude I've been

You know Not to We'll Tug each other a little bit But I've been a fan For a long time And I don't know If you knew

I tested for SNL Years ago My year was Pete Davidson's year I feel like I heard So they picked The wrong guy I'll tell you

I'll tell you what Obviously Yeah it was me Pete Dan Soder Interesting Two more They picked the wrong guy. I'll tell you. I'll tell you what. Obviously. Yeah, it was me, Pete, Dan Soder, two more, and like one or two more New York guys that were like in the final running. And where are you from? Chicago. Oh, interesting. And when I went back and I met with Lorne, I tested, then they flew me back.

I flew to LA, then they flew me back. And of course, then I was like, I got it. And then Lorne sent me in his office and we talked for a while and i got it i got and then laurence i mean his office and we talked for a while and i met all the writers and met everyone and did that whole dance and you know it's it's like an intimidation walk they like walk you to the hallway to be like meet these people meet these people and then as you're going you're you know it almost feels like you're at a um you know like i'm at a wedding yeah and you're you know what i mean and you have to like hey how are you and you have to kind of match their energy and match their sentiment and their their like

style of like comedy it's so it's an interesting dance you gotta meet them where they are yeah i have to meet you where you are yeah and uh yeah but anyway i i was back then i was uh i was very excited to even be near it and now you've you've been the king of the castle for so long now. It's kind of crazy, huh? It is the craziest thing ever because I remember that process too. I think, I don't know who it's easy for. You know what I'm saying? It's kind of a nightmarish.

I imagine for everyone it was probably awful. Yeah, it's just everybody has their own version of, like, how terrorizing it was. Like, that's terrorizing that you had to go that far to still not get it. To still not get it. You know what I mean? Yeah. It's a hard no. That's like a woman inviting you over to her house late at night on the other side of town.

You show up at the front door, and she cracks the door open. She's like, I don't want you to come in here and then slams the door and you're like, okay, so I'll just head back. Just head back to the other side of town then because that's where I live.

All right, well, I'll just go home then. That's where I came from. No, but it's, but you know, even seeing from afar,

I've had a lot of friends come and go on the show which has been pretty incredible and been there after the fact as like a, you know, like as a fan and a friend and it's just wild to watch people progress through that thing.

What do you think? I know you've been asked before, but what do you think your out is on that show? Do you think you just do it until you one day just go, I don't think I want to do it anymore? I mean, I'm, you know, obliged until like the 50th or whatever. You know what I mean? So like, I guess everybody's waiting on Lawrence's decision because that'll be really how the show continues cleanly.

You know what I mean? Because there is a possibility of someone else stepping in, but there's also a possibility of the budget getting slashed. There's just no one i think that has that tenured respect of you know the suits you know i'm saying like lauren was always our buffer in between the suits you know what i mean and the person that inherits that show with so much demand with so little resources it's not going to be the same show quickly you know what I'm saying? And you don't want to be that person, I guess.

And I don't necessarily want to be there to see the ship fall because I've always, you know, had thoughts of like, am I staying too long? Am I causing, you know, less of an excitement about it? You know what I mean?

Like that kind of thing. But, you know, people have always said like Saturday night should go away since the first day I was there. You know what I'm saying? Well, yeah, that's that old, like, I liked it better when blah, blah, blah. Hear it every week. But everyone has said that since its inception.

Yeah. You know, like, after the first chunk. It's the craziest thing ever. And you would think people would be aware of that. Like, oh, no, others have said that and it continues on so maybe i should just rethink before i actually say this thing no people are stupid you can't do that and it's just an awesome platform for talent you know what i mean and look at it look what it's look what it created i thought about the other night of like uh i saw a billboard

for will ferrell's new movie where it's the dogs where they're talking dogs you know can't wait yeah and it looks like the trailer looks for that i asked my manager if he would hit them up about part two like the day i saw the trailer yeah what's it called what's pretty please strays strays yeah pass that message along well yeah because i know there's going to be a part two well it looks so good and i thought it's insane like that when you think about what movie stars or television stars or just whatever you want to say, like superstars have come off of that platform bigger than any other platform. So when you say stay too long and all that stuff, I don't know if that's a thing.

I just think now you've kind of cemented in another area of it. I don't either. You know what I mean? And it's like it's such a one-of-a-kind experience. Number one, coming from a dude that does know the other side of steady work as an actor you know what i mean yeah auditioning and just hustling and this that and the other like i know it well so when it's not hard for me to oblige when i'm asked you know i mean if i wasn't being asked back i wouldn't be like knocking down the door like y'all need me

you know what i'm saying like you can't let me go you I would just be, like, going on into my future or whatever, but he keeps asking for me. So what am I supposed to do? You know what I'm saying? I can do everything else. Like, I've already done my show. Like, I've done, you know, the non-scripted kind of version of the show with Bring the Funny. You know, like, all kinds of things, you know what I'm saying?

Like, at the same time of being there. So there's no point of me jumping ship from, like, an eight-month predictability, I guess. You know what I'm saying like at the same time of being there so there's no point of me jumping ship from like an eight month predictability I guess you know what I mean like that shit's valuable it's a sure thing too yeah

and you enjoy it I mean you know that's the foundation yeah you know what I mean like everything else is just super duper icing it's the greatest

experience ever that's what I say we get to eat cake for a living yeah so everything else is like it's just icing every day I mean I say. We get to eat cake for a living. Yeah. So everything else is like, it's just icing. Every day we, I mean, I say that a lot.

And I've said that to some of the crew on the road whenever we're touring and stuff. When me and Bobby are on the road and I'm always like, dude, we're eating cake. We can complain, but you're still eating fucking cake. I'm glad you can be that way. You know what I mean? Because stand-up like really bothers me. It's tough, huh? It's tough on me because I can't forget about the evening that's a-cometh.

You know what I'm saying? So throughout my day, it's just on my mind. You know, weeks before, whatever. You know what I mean? And the lead-up to, and then the immediate release once I start talking. You know what I'm saying? It's just like the waiting, the waiting, the waiting all through the day. And you try to pass the time like, oh, I guess

we're in Kansas City, so let's look and go to a museum or whatever the fuck. You know what I mean? Do an activity. God damn, it bothers me up until that point, you know what I mean? So it just ruins a whole lot of time for me. But it bothers you enough to not want to do it anymore? For sure.

I don't even really do it. I've just done college gigs or whatever you think never again. I Mean I if I can avoid it. I mean, I don't know like 30 minutes. Yeah an hour I don't want to do that like that's professional stand-up and I don't want to be a professional stand-up You just want to do some time for fun If someone asked me right or if they didn't really need or if it's a you know, super duper You know, I mean like this I don't think it's the way I, or if it's a, you know, super duper, you know what I mean? Like it's, I don't think it's the way I want it. Cause I can't front, you know what I mean?

Like I don't want to pretend to be because I do respect it so much. And like a lot of my heroes came out of there. I just don't think it's for me. Like that lifestyle to build a good set. I don't think it's for me. That's tough. Well, do you, did you do a bunch of corporate gigs that put you in a bad place too?

No, but I did a lot of college drugs. You know what I'm saying? The corporate gigs, they're forgiving. You know what I mean? It's like, well, you did 47 minutes, and it's okay. Here's the check. But college gigs, when you run out of shit to say, they start leaving. You know what I'm saying?

And it's like, that shit is real. I didn't want to fake the funk. Yeah. Yeah. I was like, I'm kind of cool on that experience, that shit is real. I didn't want to like fake the funk, so. Yeah. Yeah, I was like, I'm kind of cool on that experience. Do you remember

one of your most painful ones? They don't want to book a 30 minute thing and then I, you know, I don't have an improv troupe to go out with either. Right,

right, right. So I have yet to develop my live on stage ability or appeal, I guess. Yeah. As far as serving both people,

myself and the audience, you know what I mean? Do you remember one gig that was like the one that stood out as one of the worst, a college gig that just... I don't remember where. I feel like it was in Chicago, but I want to say like I did Chicago well once and then another time it didn't go so well.

So like I want to say maybe Northwestern. Yeah, Northwestern, yeah. And yeah, I do my 30 and then like I do like a Q&A or something and that was my way of you know 30 and 30 and not really having a set or whatever but like I had timed out kind of my story up until that point it was like timing in like 30 minutes when I'm done like with like funny anecdotes of my career up to that point kind of shit. Yeah. So, like, the other, I was like, what if I did, like, a Q&A or something and open it up to the audience? And, you know, some, a lot of them, you know, went well,

but this one specific one, motherfuckers started pouring out of there. Just leaving mid-show. Just leaving, you know what I mean? And I was like, well, that's because they can smell that this is unprepared material and that's not what they usually show up for you know what i'm saying they show up for a show and this is not a show to them so i was like you know there you have it kind of thing right that's the proof that's the proof you're like i'll just stick to what i do best for sure like it didn't feel good to watch a motherfucker like nerdy as fuck with

glasses and shit like walking out of my shit i'm'm out of here, Kenan. You know what I'm saying? Not good enough. Yeah, they're very smart. Northwestern is, like, a really good school, too. You know, it was like, I can't really say they don't have anywhere to go, because it's Chicago. You know what I'm saying? They have probably some shit to do, and I wasn't servicing the need to stay,

so, yeah, it was a wake-up call. Well, you mentioned, when you said, when you said that, you know, you remember the old ways of auditioning anyway, so the security of the job is what's good. You've been on or been working since you were how old? When was your first job? I mean, my first, like, real gig,

first, like, check was a commercial when I was, like, 12, like a fried chicken commercial. Wait, what was it? Very proud of it. It was this restaurant that wasn't even in Georgia, so I never got to see the commercial. But it was called Lee's Famous Country Recipe Chicken, and they do have other commercials. It's just great, like hyper 80s, 90s, early 90s kind of whatever. And that was like an $800 check, and that kind of hooked me.

I was like $800 at 12, you know what I mean? Huge. Big, big, big money. Yeah. That's Brewster's Millions, man. Big candy money, you know? I'll buy the whole shop. I'll shut the shop down.

You know? Give me four rolls of those paper with the dots on them. Give me all that shit. I just wanted it. I wanted it all from that point. And I just was like, all right, maybe if it'll come my way

but it didn't really like become official until like the Mighty Ducks and I was like 15. Yeah. And then in between Nickelodeon was like a couple years,

like two and a half years of like just auditioning and you know, a job here, six months of no job and then you know, a job there and then you know,

another four months or some shit like that. So, yeah. Who was driving you around to the gigs your mom just driving you around all the time to try to go that was me and my mom i remember the furthest we went was to like charlotte or something for an audition and back and like didn't get it it was like man we're reaching yeah you know i'm saying like we are really reaching we might as well be doing like you know dancing with the stars or something before that that, it was probably, like, some sort of, you know, nationwide talent search that everybody has to come to, like, Minneapolis for or something, you know what I mean? Yeah.

It was, like, that kind of hustle, but God bless her, man, like, she never let me quit, number one, and then, you know, she never not took me to, like, an audition we got a phone call for, so. I was so scared as a kid to admit that I liked it. I don't know why, but I never wanted to tell them. Like, how did you do it? Like, how did you say to your mom? Were you, like, really happy?

I loved it. I mean, I didn't really love, like, you know, the rejection of it all or whatever. But I loved the dream of it. I loved the, like, oh, we're so close. Like, any time we would ride by, you know, one of the news stations, you know what I mean? I could see those satellites in the back, you know? It was just like, it's right there.

You know, like, maybe I could one of these. Even if I was, like, thinking maybe I could just wind up on the news or something, you know, I just wanted in it. Like, I wanted in that TV. It wasn't necessarily movie star shit. I didn't think that would even really ever really happen. But television, for some reason, was calling me right and you what did you say to her? Like I kind of know the process of being like you that young being like mom

This is what I really want to do and them taking you serious because as a kid You know a lot of they've got to put me into like theater and shit first. Oh, they did acting class Oh, wow, yeah, like me and my brother both like like, started, you know, together as, like, little kids. Sure. And then, you know, continuing to do theater and, you know, always landing a comic relief role or something cute. Right. You know what I mean?

Right. And then, like, sticking to it through, like, you know, between the 8 and 12, 13-ish kind of kind of years and like learning how to audition and like really like getting an agent early through the phone book you know i mean i was still like six seven eight you know what i mean cold calling yeah kind of really going after it like you know along with you know sports and piano lessons and whatever else was going on in school but then it just kind of kept propelling me in that direction. You know what I'm saying? Like, I just started booking shit and then booking something else and something else

or whatever. As I stayed short, you know, sports was easy to let go of. You know what I'm saying? It did the work for you. A little bit. Yeah. And then by that time, everything kind of was just unfolding, basically. Like, once I booked the Mighty Ducks, it was over. Yeah. it's funny to refer to it as staying short yeah yeah yeah as i stayed short

as everyone else grew tall what else i said like yesterday we were my wife and i were having a glass of wine and there was a woman that had walked out but she wasn't a little person but she was a little person yeah do you know what i mean she was a short she was a short very short person and my wife was like how do you refer what do you refer to that and i just said closer to the earth she's just closer to the earth that's all it is she's just a little bit more grounded appreciate to hear that closer to the earth in an earthquake she's not falling down as hard as i am no way big tree fall hard yeah anything loud noise a wide stance and she's fine yeah jerk motions it's all more compacted

it's come she's more compacted mighty ducks by the way i heard a rumor i don't know if this is true but there was an ongoing or never-ending lawsuit uh because of the original writers of it were never getting paid in perpetuity for the other stuff for like the the franchise after that do you know anything about that i don't yeah somebody told me there was something about that that it was like sounds like what we're striking for right now 100 yeah That was pretty close. Yeah. I'm not surprised if that is the case. Yeah. It's unfortunate. Yeah. Because you,

I remember the, the amount of merch and stuff back then was, it was, it launched a fucking hockey team, you know, it's insane. Straight up and down. You know what a professional sports team,

like it's a professional sport. So, okay. Maybe it's not basketball, baseball, or football,, it's a professional sport, so, okay, maybe it's not basketball, baseball, or football, but it's hockey,

you know what I mean? And it's like, if there's a fourth, and not necessarily a tied for third, you know what I mean? Yeah. It would be the NHL.

Yeah. So that is a yearly profitable ownership of a thing, right? Yeah. And it's coming off of, they tried to even deny

it was, like, about from the movie you know i mean like they're like this has nothing to do with the movie oh stop that and just fucking piece people off a little piece like if they gave him a point or a half of a point of the franchise he'd be very happy right now so i'm sure yeah you know what i mean because that is a guaranteed like bundle that they don't feel the difference of. And it's just, it's sad that people don't do compassionate business.

You know what I'm saying? Like, you can do business, of course, and just, you know, dot all the T's and cross all the I's and be fiscal as fuck. But at the same time, there is a way to kind of, like, not just be a dragon about it. And then all of a sudden, you just see Eisner when he was fucking under investigation. This motherfucker's flipping through a 600-page book like with his glasses like, no, no, no, I've read all of this and I'm innocent of all of this. Kind of like stop playing, yo. You know what I'm saying?

Like just do right. But it's hard to do right in Excel. 600 pages. Nobody's read 600 pages. Did you see that notebook? Yeah. It was fucking huge. And he's just sitting there like, what page are we talking about?

Okay, let me get there. It's impossible. And like, no, I didn't do this. And just denying everything. Come on, man. You know? But that's the, I think that's the thing. And I was a big fan of Eisner because he was big business.

You know what I mean? He was like the Iacocca damn near of Disney. But like, why do you have to do such dirt to succeed so high? I wish it kind of would go more hand in hand where the guy was, like, not such a shark necessarily. It was just known for, like, a big fish. You know? But what is it? It's power, right?

More than anything. I mean, people like power more than money. Power and the speed getting there right i want to get there as fast as i can that's an all-american way have you felt this way i mean this is you feel like this kind of person not knowing you but have you felt like as you've grown in your life or your career both your age and then your ascension do you feel like generosity is something that has become a part of you because of success like some people you know they get more successful and they become a little bit more closed off i feel like you're someone who

got successful and you feel more open and giving than than a lot of people oh for sure i mean i think you know generosity could be one of my faults at this point you know what i'm saying like it's just like it's a good fault i'd love to give. And I can't not recognize people's pain, struggles, whatever, blah, blah, blah. But I was kind of always like that. You know what I mean? Like humble beginnings or whatever. You know what I'm saying? Like my parents come from, my dad used an outhouse kind of shit,

he was telling me recently. I was like, that's crazy. Like I always knew y'all were like, you know, kind of on the like getting by side of things. You know what I'm saying? Hoping to move on up, but had to yet do that. He had an outhouse his whole childhood? And it would give him stomach problems because he hated going.

You know what I'm saying? Oh, yeah. You know, my father's, like, in his 70s now. So, like, we don't talk about his like childhood era much you know i mean we talk about his like you know 20s and 30s like when he was a new parent or like right before he was a parent kind of shit but never like much like six seven eight year old years or something but like when they get older i think they start talking about those years you know i'm saying and like making sure they like you know the whole story of who they are kind of thing.

And that's nice, but it's like, that's wild, you know what I mean? Because I never expected like he grew up balling, but like I thought that was some 1800s

kind of shit. You know what I'm saying? Take the bucket out and splash it down when you're done. Splash her down. It does feel like, yes,

it feels like a time when you're like, that was before your time. Like, no, no, no, that was my time. No, that was his time. So I just have an awareness of that, you know what I mean? Like, not necessarily that drastic, which is like new information or whatever, but at the same time, like, I watch all my cousins. I watch anybody that grew up in that small, you know, minimal kind of resource or minimal, you know, opportunity kind of existence or whatever and how their lives kind of, you know, are or whatever.

And it's tough. Yeah. And you just know, but you just know you might as well. You know what I mean? It's like also I know I say it a lot. It sounds bleak, but it's like also I know I say it a lot it sounds it sounds bleak but it's also I'm gonna die at some point I'd rather die knowing I tried to do some other good stuff instead of just making shit because I think what you do in our business is like you make stuff you make stuff

you create you want to you want to produce and write and you want to act and you want like you want to touch all these bases and you want to like spread yourself out to the world. And at some point you're like, well, what else can I do to like help this whole thing function better? You know, because otherwise you're going to be bored. I mean, you're going to be bored. You're going to be very bored. Like I sat with Danny Trejo the other day and we were working like me and my buddies were working on this documentary about, like, you know, certain, like, prison reforms or as far as, like, you know, being in the hole for 24 hours. Like, little humanity, you know, kind of changes. Other programs for when people come out to kind of, you know, try to get them better ready for society than just dumping them outside kind of thing.

And he was kind enough to, like, you know, interview or whatever. just dumping them outside kind of thing. Yeah. And he was kind enough to like, you know, interview or whatever. But he does so much just like that not a lot of people know about, you know, and just will like go detox people. Or he has one of those like programs where people come from jail and go into the housing and then they go into society kind of thing. And like he just keeps going and going and going and like the universe keeps blessing him, I think, because he is one of those kind of thing. Right. And, like, he just keeps going and going and going, and, like, the universe keeps blessing him, I think,

because he is one of those kind of vessels. Like, there's a lot of people on his level that don't really care anymore. You know what I mean? They, you know, just leave or their problems are what they are focused on and not anybody else's kind of thing. It's easy to do that, I guess, because, you know, first world problems are still problems and I get that, you know what I mean, or whatever. But there's a lot of people out there with, like, problems on top of problems on top of

problems. Yeah, it never stops. Quickly, like, so you're just going to watch people just sinking in quicksand kind of thing or you're going to, like, try to find some rope or a tree branch or something something try you know i mean like yeah if you fail you know that's a shame but but sit there and watch is just horrible yeah no i agree he talked about that with me he did a show maybe my first year doing it and he was talking about how you know his time in prison people that come out of prison he's like there's two perspectives he's like you either come out of prison and you couldn't care less about what

happened and it didn't really you didn't learn anything you didn't care it didn't matter or you come out of prison and you really want to start anew and he's like some people are lucky to be able to start again and some people fall into the same tropes but he's like i was just focused on re like remaking myself so when he was helping his neighbor i think that was the story he told me of moving the trash cans and he was like hey they need a guy to be a background actor guy as a tough guy you want to do a tough guy prison tough guy and he was like okay it was just helping his neighbor move trash cans and that guy introduced him to some guy and then when he was on set, they were like, how do you know language from prison?

He's like, I just got out. They were like, they were like, do that. Can you do that in the movie? Cause I guess the lines they wrote were trash. And he was like,

no one says that in prison. And that was a percent. Yeah. It was just a, he was like, but all I came from him helping somebody. Yeah. Right.

Helping out. He was like, all I was doing was wanting to make my life good again. And in doing that, I was like, can I just be good to my community, be good to everyone I know? And it wasn't disingenuous. What's funny is it's not like he did that with the idea,

I'll get something from this, which I think is the biggest trick. I don't think it works that way. No. You know what I mean? Like, your intentions have to kind of be pure for, like, things. Oh, let's get deep. Let's go for it. For things to vibrate your way the correct way. You know what I'm saying? Like, your intentions have to be pure for like things oh let's get deep let's go for it for things to vibrate your way the

correct way you know what i'm saying like your intentions have to be pure otherwise i think you're gonna be like just missing like how like a lot of asteroids just missed earth yeah their intentions weren't pure you know if only those rocks had your attention god damn it they would take us out but yeah they need to get more positive man balance balance asteroid balance you know do you feel like do you feel like you you're i mean i again we'll get this i love the philosophical stance on it do you feel like your fate do you believe in the fate of your life and your career like this was supposed to happen for you the way it did? Yes, only because of how kismet it's been. You know what I'm saying?

If you were to write it, it sounds like how it's gone, basically. Right. How the Mighty Ducks introduced me to this and that and the other, but even how I got introduced to the Mighty Ducks in the first place. You know what I mean? How was that? I was working on a kid's news show in atlanta on tbs called real news for kids but i was the movie critic and i didn't take that personally like i

never was in the studio with the like anchor kids or whatever i was always like on location like doing like all these little wraparounds for these free movies that i got to see and judge on my popcorn scale. But the first movie I critiqued and went and saw was the first Mighty Ducks. And then I, like, interviewed a couple of the kids or whatever, and it just was, like, a very cool experience. And then I didn't think anything of it. But, like, a year later or two years later or whatever, you know, I got to audition for the second one and wound up, you know,

kind of being in the second one. So, like, not even knowing Atlanta had a hockey rink, you know, I got to audition for the second one and wound up, you know, kind of being in the second one. So, like, not even knowing Atlanta had a hockey rink, you know. And I, like, went to the hockey rink to interview them and they're skating around and shit. And it was just, like, a lot of, like, light bulb kind of moment kind of happening. And then, like, forgetting about it and continuing to do that show or commercials or whatever. And, like, having an agent, you know what I mean, that would be able to get that phone call that they're nationwide kind of looking for a new kid to do this and that and the other. Send tape, send tape, send tape, go to L.A. finally for like a final thing

and then like book that shit. Wild. Bro, like the numbers are astronomical as far as like what are the odds. You know what I mean? And then into heavyweights, into meeting like Judd and all those guys when they're young? You know what I mean? And then into heavyweights, into meeting, like, Judd and all those guys when they're young. You know what I mean? And Peter Berg and, like, just that whole connection that I didn't even know would be valuable 20 years kind of later or whatever. Yeah.

Just knowing that they were good dudes. And Stiller, of course, like, in his early prime, you know, and meeting Jerry and and ann like bro like legends and like just being there in these moments or whatever and then on into like d3 and then all that nickelodeon and like you know us getting our own show and then like the movie the movie being good burger yeah um there is it is the that is that's the movie when you talk about movies you go what's the movie from that from my like era godfather you know the two g's pretty close pretty fucking close yeah yeah yeah yeah pretty close pretty close and like whatever kind of foggiest years but like winding like, winding up in, like, you know, an awesome episode of Felicity where I met JJ early.

You know what I'm saying? And, like, weird character, but still, like, an interesting fucking episode. And then Love Don't Cost a Thing. And, like, on and on and on. Barbershop 2 and then into SNL finally. And then fucking 20 years on SNL. It's crazy. It is wild.

You know what I mean? Yeah. Like, I'm from College Park, bro. Like, there's not a lot of people doing that from there. Like, making it all the way to Saturday night and then staying there for a long time or whatever. To have the mindset to want to stay and also, like, have, you know, the ability to be asked back, you know, and, like, just giving, giving, blah, blah, blah. You know, two healthy kids like it's just like bro there's a lot going on that like i haven't really had to like be like hanging off the side of a mountain chipping away at it to

make it you know carve out the way i want it to you know i mean it's just kind of been going with the flow and going with like the opportunity in front of me and walking through those doors kind of shit or whatever so So it seems very destined. Yeah, it does. I mean, in a great way. I mean, so that's why I feel like you are kind of that. That's why your energy is very much a, yeah, like give and help out and work to show the respect to the thing. Because some things work so positively.

You're like, this is maybe the universe being like, you better do some shit good on the other side for sure you know what i mean but i was like want to be careful because like as soon as you become like a super angel you're out of here you know what i'm saying yeah that's right yeah so i'm always trying to keep a little dirt going yeah yeah you can't you can't yeah right like you can't you can't tip too much you know what i mean at some point well as uh neil brennan told me the other day that he was like, something about, he said something about, like, giving a homeless guy money. Because I said there's a guy that's near my house. I give him money a lot at night when I get off the freeway. I see the same guy, and I just give the same guy money.

And then sometimes I'll dig into my pocket, and I'll be like, it's a fucking $100 bill. And I'm like, is this too much karma? Do I need all all this car i feel like that's a lot of karma man you're building daily anyway you know what i mean so like i don't know if you gotta bust that hundo out yeah if there's other hundos and it's one of many yeah but if it's the one or even two, yeah, that's a lot of like. I almost wanted to say to him, hey, man, I'm going to give you this hundred, but then we're clean for a while. The crazy thing about the karma of it all is that you don't really know

from which occurrence something good is coming back to you. So you don't know how to like equate it to being like, oh, well, that measures up to. So, yeah, that's the equal kind of comeback for that. You know what I mean? Yeah, it'll never be. Dope shit continues to happen based on you being dope. So you don't have to over dope it. No, don't over dope.

Like I had, you know, one time I had, I was going through, I just, this just popped into my head, but I had a moment. I'm going to see if you've had one of these where like, I was having like a tough go. Things were kind of shitty. And I don't know. I was just – I was having a tough time and the week was really bad. I got a bunch of bad news. And then I went home and in the slip of my door was a check, like a residual check.

Back when they – before they used to – before they sent you just the the physical checks and it had a little post-it note on it and it was a some girl had written like a poem almost of how she found it and it's made its way back to me and it was my residual check just i must have dropped it like leaving a building or something that's wild yeah and she wrote this beautiful note and was like i traveled all the way back to this area of town because i saw your addresses on the thing and no you know bring some light to your day and da da da da and it dude it it flipped me it was like one little gesture i was like this woman went out her she could have just thrown in the trash beautiful butterfly yeah gorgeous lady she is where is she what a spirit where is she now however that check could have been voided and you would have got another one. 100%, yeah.

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they were trying to give me a check. I was like, well, can't. Give you money back. Yeah. When I needed it, you know what I mean? Yeah. I was, like, in a bad situation, too, like, and, like, calling people trying to get, like, a couple hundred dollars, Western Union or whatever,

to get me through two days or some shit like that. And it was just, like, you know, nobody wanted to, like, either answer the phone or they couldn't help type shit. And I was like, all right, I guess I'll sleep. You know what I mean? Until the problems go away. And then, like, woke up to, like, an email or something. Like, we've been trying to contact you or whatever, blah, blah, blah.

Apparently you had years ago when things weren't this way. Yeah. You overpaid your bill or some shit. That's nuts. So I was like, great. Give me the money now, please. Forget about the residuals. I got very familiar with looking at which bank cut the check so I could take it to that bank and get it cash.

Because I didn't want to wait on it three days. I needed money. I need it now. And this was like $18.75 for something that I did. You know what I mean? I was like, I would like to have that now, please. Because I have a lot of shit. All that $, I would like to have that now, please. You know, because I have a lot of shit,

like, all that 18 is about to go out the door, basically. But like, if I wait, you know, another few days, like,

I don't have anything right now. You know what I'm saying? So like, I would like to have more than anything, please. Yeah, I remember, like,

I remember when I first moved to LA, I sat in bed one night, I had a real tough, tough, I had a tough, I had like a tough month financially and I was sitting in my room and I remember really vividly going

I guess I gotta sell plasma or jizz or blood I was thinking about what can I give of myself to make a couple of bucks and I started doing the whole plasma research thing and the day that I was gonna go do plasma something came through that I made a couple of bucks on that's the universe

yeah hey man keep that you don't have to do that i felt like it but like believe in the timing you know the universe has its own timing man like it gets louder i think as you get older and you become more aware of like shit i just said that and that just happened kind of thing like when you're young i don't think you pay attention like you're just doing whatever kind of shit but when you're older you're like we were just talking about that yeah man and like i also like you might be stronger once you're like older because you're closer to the cosmos like you were when you were a child. Like how newborns are very mystical or young kids are mystical when they say shit that they wouldn't necessarily, you know, you would think they wouldn't have that kind of character yet kind of shit.

And they sound like they've been here before kind of shit. You know what I mean? Maybe that's what it is, but, like, man, I've witnessed a whole lot of, like, not even thinking about manifestation, just speaking on shit and it coming to, you know, kind of shit.

So I try to pay attention now because, like, I've witnessed enough to know it's real. It is real. Energy is real. Spoken word has power, you know, and, like, man, it's all very real. And spoken word it has power you know and like man it's all very real and like why you know if it wasn't real who's it hurting yeah nobody you know yeah like so like

why not why not yeah that's well that's a good perspective like you when you said you know when you said the close to the cosmos like this that that kind of like uh i like to say when people have um whimsy when they're like like you've kind of retained this thing the that that kind of like uh i like to say when people have um whimsy when they're like like you've kind of retained this thing the thing that i really like about you and always really have from a distance is on the show the bulk of your career i've always felt like you found a way to make whatever sketch you're in seem whimsical and fun. Like, even if you don't really like this, or even if the sketch isn't really, like,

humming the way you want it to, what do you attribute that to when you're doing stuff? What do you attribute the idea that you know how to kind of just break it up and make it fun again? Well, I want to have fun. You know what I mean? I don't want to, like, not have fun. Because I don't want to like not have fun because i don't want to see people like i don't like confrontation i don't like seeing people crying i don't want to

you know i mean deal with like roller coaster of emotion because i've been there when it's my personal shit and it sucks you know i mean you throw something out there that was making you laugh yeah but like man it hits the fucking forehead you You know, it's harsh. So the later in the week that that happens to you, the worse it is. Like, you get past a table or some shit, and then it tanks at dress or it tanks on air. Like, that's a bad feeling. And, you know, I've seen people that I really love and admire in their worst moments, in their most painful moments, off of an idea, bro. You know what I mean?

Like, it shouldn't be that, you know, stressful, and, like, people shouldn't put that much pressure on them because, like, you know, how many geniuses have there really, really been? You know, like, everybody else is, like, really smart and, like, trying to be a good person and trying to do good, but we keep quoting Einstein. We don't keep quoting like

you know einstein this person this person you know what i mean all these other geniuses like you know what i mean so like ease up on that shit in my opinion is my attitude basically yeah and i think it gives me like a shield of like no i want to have a good time and if we don't have a good time that's even funnier you know what I mean like if they don't laugh that makes me laugh like when we're all expecting like a laugh to hit and it's quiet

hilarious hilarious it's kind of your superpower yeah truly like truly from I mean it's it's almost like it's damn near Trump school

where you just deny everything you know what I mean except for what you want to take from it so it's nope until it's yes yeah you're like no no no no and then they get on you're like see I told you you know what i mean yeah except for what you want to take from it so you're it's nope until it's yes yeah you're like no no no no and then they get on you're like see i told you you know a little bit but yeah i you know i've done enough stress and i think in life excuse me and then like you know there's people stressing about

way bigger shit than joke telling. So. Yeah, so who cares? Just kind of have a look at it. I mean, that attitude is good to have on that show, though, because you do see so much stress on there. And I know it's got to be hard. Because it's life-changing. Yeah. It's so big. It's a life-changing experience.

It's so big in so many different ways. Like, it could be financially or whatever, but it's such a status thing. It's such a thing amongst, you know, the ecosystem of the community. I'm using ecosystem because I just talked to Neil Brennan myself the other day. Yeah. He loves words like that. He loves it. Yeah, yeah.

But, like, you know, it is a community. You know what I'm saying? And, like, those things, you know, it's hard not to let them validate you in your existence. You know? So, like, when you are winning in a place like that, yeah, it seems like you ascend in all the directions of your life or your dreams or whatever. So that creates a ginormous pressure cooker. And it makes great shit. Honestly, to this day, still, if anybody asks me, and I'm not placating, but if anybody says, what's probably the funniest, cleanest, front to back, best SNL sketch.

And hands down, I always say it's with Tom Hanks on Black Jeopardy. To me, it's maybe one of the funniest, most clean, hysterical, deep. Like it's funny. If you're, you know, this is rude, but if you're a dumb person, that sketch is still funny. Yeah, for sure. If you're a smart person, that sketch is even funnier. Yeah. And I'm not saying, like, because I'm a dumb guy.

I'm not saying, like, I'm Mr. Genius. But, like, there's levels to it where you're like, fuck, man, this is like a great song where some people may just like the beat. And they're like, fuck, this beat is good. But then other people are like, have you even listened to what they're saying? Yes. It's even fucking better yeah but that to me was still to this day made me laugh so fucking hard well shout out to fucking brian tucker michael j it was so fucking funny man you know what i mean because they did their thing and you killed it it was just this thank you the rhythm was

so funny i mean but that's what i'm saying like Like, I'm maestro and then, like, what a pleasure. I have front row seats. You know what I mean? Like, it's a pleasure to actually have your hand on the cadence, too. You know? Like, that is my job

is to push the train along or slow it down or, you know, massage these moments where it's, like, a split screen and, like, yeah, I have to, like,

you know, kind of pull it out of people or whatever. But, you know, Hanks did that whole scared to shake my hand thing on air. Like, he hadn't done that all week yet. He just kept finding shit for his character or whatever. And, like, you got to tip your cap to motherfuckers that take it that seriously

when he could easily be the host and blame any faults on anybody else. Sure. Which I'm sure happens on the show. 1,000%. When they're like, you guys didn't write that thing I liked. I forget about it. faults on anybody else sure thing which i'm sure happens on the show one thousand percent like you guys didn't write that thing i learned i forget about it and people that you wouldn't expect that to come from you know what i mean i imagine like yeah you would think oh snap like i've watched you do so much work i didn't know you were a finger pointer right i just assumed you'd be cool man

yeah you fucking yeah well now I don't like you anymore. It makes it tough, but, you know, I'm not here to judge people. You know, it's human nature and people have their paranoias or, you know, just like rejections to being rejected kind of shit. You know what I mean? So, like, however they approach it, whatever. And it doesn't bother my daily either. You know what I mean? I'm very good at leaving work at work.

So like I just had to learn that because I got really close to people and then all of a sudden they weren't there anymore and it was just different. After you spend, you know, so much time around each other and like on topics, it was like high school days, you know? Like my theater group in high school, we were just arm and arm because like our drama teacher taught at our school, you know like yeah my theater group in high school we were just arm and arm because like our drama teacher taught at our school you know and we were in an outside like theater community you know what i mean so like it was just like 24 7 damn near and then like had that experience finally at snl or whatever after like years of you know a project here and people go away a project there

and people go away and then like an snL community of people I was fans of first, and then I got, you know, little brothered into them as well kind of thing, and then poof, they're gone. It's just different. It's like an orphanage, except you're the kid that didn't want to get adopted. Still looking in the window. Yeah, you're like, I think I'm going to stay. Yeah, but now I'm, like, you know, a janitor at this point.

I've been here for 62 years. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know. I was an orphan, but now I work here. Did you know Mr. Kenan used to be one of us? I sure did. And look what you can do with your life. Do you ever think, and this is a bold leap,

but do you ever think because of your status and your respect level in the show and in the community, do you ever think that they would ask you to drive the whole bus and give you the keys and be like, we want you to take this whole thing over? I mean, if they did, it'd be a no, but I would do it even if they slashed the budget. I wouldn't give a fuck, you know what I'm saying?

I would figure out ways to get that money into it or whatever. But, yeah, I mean, it's crazy to think about, you know? But I would do it in a heartbeat. Only because it deserves it for the undiscovereds and the possibilities of. You just never know. And that plays, there could be any given sunday a sketch that just blows people away or you know a kate mckinnon and cecily strong and an 80 bryant you know what i mean like wind up growing up there you know i mean kind of thing and like we're already

grown based on second cities and groundings and things like that or you know kate just coming from long island and kind of just being close to, you know, Broadway or entertainment in general. But really getting sharpened there, and now they are who they are, and we got to, like, watch the process. But that place is special, man. It's just different.

Yeah, it is. I can't really compare it to any other show. Like, Mad TV, we only got, like, a couple tastes of new cats coming in and out so we had our favorites kind of for a long time on that journey you know and living color was the same kind of way like when the new people started coming in starting getting weird like jamie foxx was like the last new person we accepted yeah after that it was like yeah cut it out you know a little bit and like yeah like there were some great people like Angela, Angelica,

Angela Winsbert, what's her name? Yeah, yeah. Oh, Cone, look it up. Angelica Winfield. Winfield? Is it Winfield? Something like that. Now I'm thinking about it.

Super funny. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, you know, like, you know, there's just great comics that just, there's a lot of talent out there, you know? So that's great comics that just, there's a lot of talent out there, you know? So, that's why I would just, yeah,

if somebody needed to grab the reins and they wanted to give it to me, I would take it. I hope they do. If it happens, I've always said that. I was like,

man, that'd be great for you to be able to put your stamp on that. Because I would love to be Lauren, you know what I mean? Go to dinners all the time,

be in the Hamptons and shit. Like, a lot of those, like, hosts that pop up on the show there, you're like, how the fuck did that happen? You know what I mean? It's just like, Hamptons and shit. Like, a lot of those, like, hosts that pop up on the show there, you're like, how the fuck did that happen? You know what I mean?

It's just like Hamptons dinners. Hamptons dinners. And, you know, London, Wimbledon weekends. You know what I'm saying? And just, like, behind the scenes, like, power shit. Let's get you to do that. I love that shit. Let's get you a house in the Hamptons.

Yeah, you know, I don't need it, but, like, I would get it if I was in that position because that's what that position requires, I think. It calls for it. To, like, really be a boss. You know what I'm saying? Like, you have to be able to be like, this person dropped out. Let's pick up the phone and call fucking Mick Jagger or some shit. Right.

You know what I mean? Have you been to one of these? I'm sure you've been to these dinners in the Hamptons with him and all these famous celebrities. I haven't. No? I've avoided that. Like, we go to Yankees games and shit like that, but I keep it pretty, like, in the city and, like, a little, like, he's on a pedestal for me, you know what I'm saying? Sure.

And I want to keep a little bit of distance. I don't text Lauren, you know what I mean? Like, people text Lauren. You never do? Not really. Like, unless I have, like, an issue or something. But, like, yeah, people, you issue or something. But, like, yeah. People, you know. It's just not like that

with you? No. Only because, like, he represents too much. Sure. You know what I'm saying? For me to think that like, now we definitely have a solid friendship and shit, like, because I've known him for 20 years. But, like, in the beginning, it was like, come on, man. Like, this motherfucker's hired and fired

so many different people, and it was like, had relationships with, like, in the beginning, it was like, come on, man. Like, this motherfucker's hired and fired so many different people. And it was like, had relationships with, like, Steve Martins and, you know, Paul McCartney and all these people. Like, for real, for real. You know, Paul, Simon. Like, I ain't gonna just come in here and just be like, you know. Have you seen Up and Harbor? Pay attention to me. Yeah.

But there have been people that were just like right on his phone. You know what I mean? Immediately. And like hitting him up about shit. It's just not how you are though. No. No. It's a little.

I like to keep it employee kind of employer because at the end of the day, that's what it is. Yeah. So like if you, you know, God forbid, do get shown the door, it's so much more painful. You think you're all friends, and then you're going to be trying to, like, come back around, you know what I mean, and kind of being like, can I get some tickets? When you know it's not cool.

Lauren, can I get a couple of tickets? He's like, there's something in the back. Yeah, yeah. We got you. We'll take care of it. But it's always in the back. You're up in the rafters. Always.

It's just like, but we're here. That that kind of denial i don't want to be that yeah no that was there ever you may not remember but was there ever a sketch that you wanted to do so bad that never happened on the show that you were like god it was so good very close we finally We finally, like, got redemption after, like, a couple few years of, like, feeling robbed on this one sketch. But it was this sketch called, it was about, it was a workout sketch. So it's like, I forget the exact title, but it was like such and such as, like, workout videotapes or some shit like that. Right. I forget the exact title, but it was like such and such as like workout videotapes or some shit like that. Right. And it was like a guy in the 70s that was like getting kids motivated about exercising.

And then it was the 50-year anniversary of that first like show appearance. So they were like doing a special like reunion show or some shit. So it's me 50 years later where they whatever like all out of shape and old basically so like they did this whole like opening theme song thing and the first time we did i think was with was it with kevin or was it with bruno i think active jack thank you active jack so i think the first one was with bruno and it was awesome because, you know, he's a singer, and, like, he killed the whole older number. And then, you know, flash forward, like, now 50 years later, you know, we got the cast back, blah, blah, blah.

Like, here they are. And it's the exact same music, and then I turn around, you know, and it's just, like, uproarious laughter, basically. Yeah. Like, the most classic ABC comedy kind of set up, basically. Yeah. Like, the most classic ABC comedy kind of set up shit ever. Yeah. Standing ovation when it was over, and that shit got fucking cut.

You know what I'm saying? It was just like, what the fuck? I don't know what the fuck happened. I don't know if Bruno didn't want to do it. I don't know if, you know, they just ran out of time, but whatever. But I've never seen a sketch get a standing ovation and get cut up into that

point of like me being there i was just like that's crazy because it was during dress it just murdered so hard you were you were like there's no way we're not doing this fucking sketch it's it it's not that serious you know what i mean it's very straightforward like you know this is a joke you know people get old basically yeah it's yeah and yeah for years we were like man fucking active jack bro we got rob we got rob we got rob and then kevin came and did it so it was just timing like we just felt good about maybe representing it and you know he loved it again because you know it straightforward makes you laugh kind of shit or whatever so Right. So it made the show when he did it, but that shit was crazy. Because that show

does things sometimes where, you know, things that I think even cast members that I've spoken to that don't think a sketch will resonate as hard as it does

and they peel one thing from it and then you're shocked by how many people like grabbed onto something about it, you know? I mean, look at Lazy Sunday.

You know what I mean? That shit started an era. Like, let alone, like, went viral. That shit created a fucking era. The show has been different since. There's only, like, certain things or certain, you know, people that have done that to that show. And I don't really know if they thought they were going to do that necessarily like that.

You know what I'm saying? They were just like, this is kind of what we do. Just a fun song. They were like, we'll just write a song with Parnell. Just a little thing. Fuck around. And it's like, not in the studio kind of thing. Like, y'all do those.

Like, you do commercials every now and again. Change the game. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, it's wild to me. Wild. Yeah, and what happens is it stays in culture. I think that's the other thing. And I don't know if I want to be in that meeting. thing and I don't know if I want to be in that meeting

like I don't know if I want to be in the meeting of why they didn't pick whatever happened you know what I'm saying like I don't it's probably ugly whatever it is

I don't want to hear it you don't want to hear it nope it just happened and I'm like chalk it up to the game or whatever and stay creative

you know like what are you gonna let you know people push you down nah just let it go fuck it come on so now that now that this break is you know, people push you down? Mm-mm, nah. Just let it go. Fuck it. Come on.

So now that this break is, you know, we're taking this big break, you know, assumably if this is able to come back, everything's able to function again, on the worst-case scenario, let's just say that you're, like, ready for something else, what do you think would be the next stage if you didn't go back i'm really into this producing shit man you know i mean like we just launched our little you know our little i keep calling it that only because i don't want to seem big-headed about it but our

production company artist for artists is like you know my main kind of focus outside of on camera kind of shit and if on camera kind of shit isn't working out, I'm really excited about that because my dreams have been like Spielberg-ish kind of like create an amblin and sell it, create a DreamWorks and sell it. Yeah, right. Along the way, you know, giving a lot of art,

you know what I mean, and a lot of like... Helping people make shit. Visual direction, yeah. Yeah. And just and a lot of like, helping people make shit. Yeah. Yeah. And just balling out of control at the same time. Like, that's kind of the ultimate,

basically. So anything closer to that, fantastic. Well, I should thank you. We talked a little bit off camera beforehand. I got the privilege

of going to Paris because of your production. Yeah. It was so funny, the fact that you didn't, weren't there too. I was just like, oh, Kenan is producing this whole thing and it was me and a bunch of you didn't weren't there too I was just like oh Kenan is

producing this whole thing and it was me and a bunch of comics we've talked about it on the show but it was me Andrew Schultz and Theo Vaughn

and Stavros and Matteo Lane and that's great yeah it was just nuts we got to go to Paris and perform for Kid Super's fashion show

which by the way now he's even bigger than he was then which is like it's funny to watch him get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger. Yeah.

And it was a great idea, man. And it gave us a platform and a private jet to Paris. Thank you so much. That's so good, man. That's so awesome. That was so wild. Like, I just found out

that detail now. You know what I mean? Like, my partner's really great about being on top of all this and I'm sure he knew that. Yeah. Or whatever, but, you know, I was just aware.

You know, I've heard the Puma Jet kind of thing in the atmosphere of the possibilities of but I didn't necessarily know that it happened for you guys it did yeah

all the way to Paris like that's amazing yeah it was incredible I hope somebody doesn't get fired over it I thoroughly would love to do more of that

kind of shit I don't need to be there you know what I mean like at all text me anytime you want me on a project with you to go anywhere. Straight up,

that whole Godfather of the Business thing, Clarence Avon kind of documentary, I see a lot of myself in that and my wants to be that. I started out as an actor and that does take a lot of my time, I guess, because I do enjoy that as well. But I would love to be on some like

mogul status type shit and I don't rap so I'm not gonna be like P. Diddy anytime soon. You don't want to rap though? I don't think so. Is there somewhere inside of you maybe you do? A little bit. Yeah. A little bit. Because it looks like the coolest damn near easiest job if you have a hit rap record

just one. It looks the most fun. who right now we were listening to naz's new album right before you came in who right now do you like the most in hip-hop like who are you like god that's the one i love that's the career i would have the newbies or just yeah the new guys yeah the new guys the newbies um man like i really like you know kind of um the little baby yeah he's doing like the baby hit the wall a little bit unfortunately but like little baby still been kind of coasting yeah so travis is pretty solid he's not so new but he was newish to me what about like thug or gunna do you like those guys i like gunna I've been seeing a lot of Gunna shit.

And yeah, Thug had his era, but I feel like Thug was kind of like leapfrogging off of Wayne a little bit, and I was a bigger Wayne fan. Well, that's also because generationally. Yeah. Which we talk about too. 1,000%.

You know, my producer's so young. You know, the kids that we work with here are like all 20. Yeah. And so the way we feel about it is just always gonna be different it's like everybody got their time you can say that about drake you know what i mean like drake sounded much like wayne in the beginning you know what i mean but like yes you know drake obviously

established himself you know as someone to be reckoned with so give that man his respect blah blah um but yeah yeah the younglings like, like It's early for them Like the Roddy Riches of the world You know Yeah People like that But they made It's so funny

You make a couple of those bangers Roddy Rich A couple of those You can ride this lightning For a long time For a while Like look at Schmurda Like that Bobby Schmurda song

People don't realize Like damn near 10 years old Yeah, already, huh? Yes That's crazy For sure Because he went to jail for a while And then came back and was still banging.

That's how good he can be. And hasn't put out shit like that, banging like that since. I haven't heard no Bobby Shmurda record like, yo, you hear that new Shmurda? I'm like, no. No. But that's funny.

That's how successful music is when you make a banger. You can go to prison, come back out, and it still works. In comedy, you go to prison, mid-career, you come back out. I don't think they're calling you up real fast. No. Like, Cosby had a tour when he came out, but they had to be like,

no, it's not the best idea. I don't think we can do this, Phil. I just don't think we can do this. I think we're gonna have to wrap it up, buddy. But it's sold out.

We know. But we can't do it. He did, the moment that he said he was putting out tickets to go on a tour, I was like, I bet my bank account it'll sell out.

Yeah. Within seconds. That's not the issue is him doing comedy. Now, was there something else going on with him? There was something else, huh? Yeah, there's a real hang up there. Yeah. Real hang up.

It's so funny that he, I mean, it was like, it's like when OJ wrote a book that's like, if I did it, it's so like tip of the hand. It feels the same as when Cosby's like, I'm going back out there. And won't stop that OJ. Uh-uh. Any given instance is like, you know, this reminds me of a time when people were accusing me of this and that. I'm like, man, man, bro, stop talking.

Stop it. Go away. You have the freedom to be on the golf course. You don't need to be on Twitter. Get off golf course. You don't need to be on Twitter. Get off the internet. You don't need to be on. Why is he still on Instagram and shit? Yo, Kazi's been home for like three years, maybe four, you know, at this point.

And he's been quiet. Like, learn a lesson. You know what I'm saying? Like, just go. Shut up. Go into the wilderness, man. No, for some reason, OJ's like tempting everyone. He's playing like, come get me.

He's like, come on and get me. Well, that's because he's been gotten twice. Well, I mean, come get me. He's like, come on and get me. Like 1,000 because he's been gotten twice. Well, I mean, he's gotten once over what he feels he didn't really do or,

you know, got away with the big one or some shit. Like, it's terrible, man. He's playing a lot of come get me. Yeah.

We'll get you, baby. Yeah. Don't you worry. Don't you worry. First of all, I want to say thank you. I appreciate you coming here and chopping it up with me it means a lot to me um i hope you guys get back to work soon because again i'm

you know i've always been a fan and i've kind of spoken pretty out loud about how much i appreciate it from a distance even as someone that sniffed it for a hot second um it's just something it's something so special that i think people can only really appreciate once they understand the difficulty of what it is. And even if people have heard it before, I've said it before, it is impossible, literally impossible, to make television in a week. And you do it. It's impossible. They're making a movie.

I mean, it's a 90-minute show, but there's commercials or whatever, so whatever time it's out to be, it's still like a one-hour thing. And if you watch Peaky Blinders, you'd be like, yo, this is a movie. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, it's a movie. It's a one-hour, super-duper movie. Now do it in fucking four days. And do it 20 times, you know what I mean?

Let alone like the Power Hour and like the Sid Caesar, where they were doing like 102, you know? And like, you just got to give people credit where credit is due and like, shut the fuck up if you don't know what you're talking about. You know what I'm saying? Like, bro, these people work hard and they don't just sit around trying to be lame. Right. You know, like 3000 talked about that shit in like a record.

He was like, somebody said it's like, his verse was boring. And he put that in the song. It's like, it's boring? Really? You know? And, like, how could you say that about something that's not easy to come by and, like, I do it well? You know? A lot of those people do it very well.

Whether it's your language, because it's too current or too woke or whatever it is, doesn't mean it's not on point for where that current language is you know what i'm saying they pay attention to that shit and live and breathe it you know what i mean so like i don't know if you're a construction worker and you don't do comedy and you don't pay that much attention to it it's like you might be out of date a little bit so like i don't know catch up catch up I appreciate you. We end the show the same way. You look into that camera right there,

and you say one word or one phrase to end the episode. It used to be a word a long time ago, and then people were like, oh, can I just say like a phrase or a piece of advice or whatever? So now it's on you to end the episode. One word or one phrase on that camera. Whenever you're ready, you go ahead and end the episode. Okay.

Smash. In here, we pour whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey. You're that creature in the ginger beard. Sturdy and ginger. Like vampires, the ginger gene is a curse. Gingers are beautiful. You owe me $5 for the whiskey and $75 for the horse. Gingers are hell no.

This whiskey is excellent. Ginger for the horse gingers are hell no this whiskey is excellent ginger i like gingers