BEST OF: Al on SNL’s 50th Anniversary

In this best-of episode of The Al Franken Podcast, Al Franken revisits his 2025 interview with Peter Ogburn to reflect on his 15 seasons as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, celebrating the show's 50th anniversary. Franken recounts the origins of his career, from his high school comedy duo with Tom Davis to their unexpected hiring by Lorne Michaels based on a 14-page writing package that included a satirical World War III newscast and a conceptual film about a 7-Eleven robbery. He details the intense, collaborative week-long process of creating an SNL episode—from Monday meetings and Tuesday-night writing marathons to read-throughs, rewrites, blocking, and dress rehearsals—highlighting the unique creative freedom and camaraderie of the early days. He shares iconic moments from his time on the show, including the creation of Stuart Smalley, the infamous Placenta Helper sketch (censored by stage director Jane Crowley), the blood-spraying Julia Child sketch, and the evolution of political satire from Chevy Chase’s Ford to Dana Carvey’s Bush. Franken also reflects on the cultural impact of SNL, the legacy of its creators and performers, and the personal significance of the show in his life, including memories of watching it with his father as a child. The episode closes with heartfelt tributes to the show’s enduring influence and the people who made it possible.