Kyle Mooney
Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
Deep Dive
WHY is Kyle Mooney's sense of humor so potent?
Kyle Mooney's comedic style, characterized by its dry, quirky, and almost Andy Kaufman-esque delivery, sets him apart. His ability to play it flat and real contributes to the potency of his humor.
What was the challenge Kyle Mooney faced adapting his comedic style to Saturday Night Live?
The challenge was packaging his subversiveness and subtlety in a way that worked for the broader SNL audience while staying true to his unique comedic voice. He initially tried replicating his YouTube style but later learned to adapt it for a more mainstream audience.
When did Kyle Mooney start to feel recognized by the SNL audience?
He began to feel recognized in the latter half of his nine seasons on SNL. A monologue he did with Chance the Rapper, where the audience applauded his introduction, marked a significant moment of recognition.
What is Kyle Mooney's new movie, Y2K, about?
Y2K is a horror comedy about two high schoolers at a party in 1999 when the Y2K bug actually causes machines to come to life and terrorize the teens.
What movies inspired the tone and style of Y2K?
Y2K draws inspiration from classic teen movies like Superbad, Can't Hardly Wait, and John Hughes films, capturing the coming-of-age spirit of those movies before the horror elements kick in.
What is the writing process like for Kyle Mooney?
Mooney often starts with a simple idea, riffs on it with his co-writer, and develops the building blocks of the story within a week. He enjoys inhabiting different characters during the writing process, which allows him to riff in their voices.
Who is the director of photography for Y2K and what are some of his notable works?
Bill Pope, who shot The Matrix, Clueless, and Edgar Wright movies like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, was the director of photography for Y2K.
How was Kyle Mooney's experience working with A24 on Y2K?
A24 was unlike any other studio Mooney had worked with. They were very good at branding, marketing, and promoting the film. Their involvement also helped accelerate the production process.
How did Kyle Mooney's collaboration with Jonah Hill's company, Strong Baby, come about for the movie Y2K?
Hill was a fan of Mooney's pre-SNL "Inside SoCal" videos. They met before Mooney joined SNL, and Hill suggested they collaborate when he hosted the show. Strong Baby's involvement, along with A24's, helped get Y2K made.
How long was the shoot for Y2K?
The shoot for Y2K lasted approximately 30 days, or about six weeks.
What were some of Kyle Mooney's recurring characters or impressions on SNL?
While he didn't have any iconic catchphrase characters, he did Baby Yoda a few times on Weekend Update and revisited some video pieces. He did a character called Bruce Chandling, a bad standup comedian.
Why did Kyle Mooney leave SNL after nine seasons?
Several factors contributed to his departure: his close friends had left the show, he felt he'd done all he could do there, and he wanted to start a family.
Shownotes Transcript