Not Ready for Primetime SNL Podcast

Ryan and Mike are back with a look at this week's episode. We talk a little about the state of the show, tease some thoughts about its new UK counterpart, and delve into the future of this particular podcast as well. Be sure to subscribe to Mike's newsletter The Hard Pass as well!

In the first half of this week's episode, we look back at both Harry Styles' episodes but also some really interesting trends in the last three episodes that may portend some shifting tides at Studio 8H. In the second, we dive deep into several storylines from the 2026 Oscars! Make sure to subscribe to our Patron as well! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike discuss Ryan Gosling's 4th time hosting Saturday Night Live. He certainly laughed a lot, but did we? Make sure to subscribe to our Patron as well! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back to cover the strongest episode of 2026 by a long shot. A brief programming note: The show is on hiatus until after the 2026 Winter Olympics, but we will be putting out content on our Patreon throughout that time. That will include some writing by Ryan on the show as well as other pop culture artifacts such as the new MCU show "Wonder Man." Be sure to subscribe via the link below! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

This was a previously Patreon-exclusive pod we are now releasing on the free feeds. We were both feeling left out by all the conversations surrounding this show, and wanted to see what we were missing. As an example of how quickly time can go: between the time we decided to record this and actually recorded it, the idea was far less novel than it seemed. And a week later...who knows? But have a listen and find out, as we talk about all that in addition to a great show we both binged. If you want to hear content like this well before anyone else, you should subscribe to our Patreon! Link below as always. https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Hey all: Given the state of the last 24 hours, this isn't our usual upbeat episode. We try to make what little sense we can of the events in Minneapolis, and then do our best to cover an episode that seemed equally distracted by real-live events. A brief programming note: We recorded a Patreon-exclusive episode about the hit show show "Heated Rivalry" last Friday, which will be on this feed eventually. But if you want to listen now, you can subscribe using the link below. https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Happy 2026! What did SNL have in store for its first episode back this year? Ryan and Mike will break it all down. We also share our thoughts on the new Matt Damon/Ben Affleck Netflix film "The Rip", and tease the next Patreon-only podcast topic! As a reminder: You can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we do non-SNL content for paid subscribers. All episodic recap pods are also on the Patreon, and Ryan has also started writing some SNL pieces for Patreons as well. Lots for you to enjoy! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back, this time talking about SNL's 2025 Christmas episode. When the week started, it was all about the excitement of Ariana Grande returning to host. By the end, it was a bittersweet and unexpected goodbye to Bowen Yang. For this one, we're joined by a special guest: Bill Kuchman. Bill writes about pop culture (including SNL) over at his newsletter The Omnicosm. Be sure to check out his thoughts on this week's episode and the larger pop-culture universe there! As a reminder: You can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. We will be posting several episodes during the holiday break there first, and Ryan has also started writing some SNL pieces for Patreons as well. https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

With the tragic news about the recent deaths of both Rob Reiner and his wife, we wanted to take some time to talk about his career in general and one movie in particular. It's not a movie many mention when talking about his career, and it may not be one many of you have even seen. But it's worth both a watch and a discussion all the same. As a reminder: You can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. We will be posting several episodes during the holiday break there first, and Ryan has also started writing some SNL pieces for Patreons as well. https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

We posted this last Friday over on Patreon, but are now sharing it here for all to enjoy! This is a non-spoiler look at the recent Rian Johnson film. We do get into themes and general character discussions, but nothing about the whodunit is revealed. As a reminder: You can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. We will be posting several episodes during the holiday break there first, and Ryan has also started writing some SNL pieces for Patreons as well. Enjoy! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back with some thoughts about this week's episode, including Ashley Padilla's continued ascendence into SNL greatness. As a reminder: You can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. We have an exclusive review of the new film "Wake Up Dead Man" available right now for download! These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place. https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back with some thoughts about this week's episode and a lot of thoughts from a recent documentary screening featuring one of the original Not Ready For Primetime Players. As a reminder: can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Mike and Ryan are back with a look at the latest episode, a whole host of "new" and "insider" terms Ryan has learned, and the discuss the art of a good bar trivia team name. While the summer tier is now closed, you can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Mike and Ryan are back with a look at the latest episode, Mike's favorite new musical artist Sombr, and some brief thoughts on other recent pop culture phenomena. While the summer tier is now closed, you can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Sorry for the delay on this one: Ryan was out of town last week, and he and Mike needed a little logistical help to finally record this one. As a bonus, we spend the second half of the episode looking at the recent Springsteen film "Deliver Me From Nowhere". While the summer tier is now closed, you can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back. We start talking about the show, and things go off the rails quickly. But this is definitely the only podcast released today that covers both Domingo _and_ Jimmy The Greek. So, you're welcome! While the summer tier is now closed, you can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back to discuss a strong Amy Poehler-hosted ep of the show. We also spend a little time at the end discussing the legacy of Diane Keaton, who passed away over the week. While the summer tier is now closed, you can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back covering the latest season of SNL! We didn't have a lot to say, until we had a lot to say. We also talk far more about Spike Jonze than you might reasonable expect. While the summer tier is now closed, you can still subscribe to our $5 tier on Patreon, where we will still be doing period non-SNL content for paid subscribers. These episodes will also exist there so you can get both in a single place! https://www.patreon.com/c/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back with their last "Check It Out" episode before the Start of Season 51 of Saturday Night Live this weekend! In this one, they look at the latest Paul Thomas Anderson film. Also, our summer promotion on Patreon is about to close: We are keeping a special $3/month rate through midnight, October 4th. After that, only the $5/tier will remain. Those that lock in at $3 will remain so even after the rate is removed for new subscribers. Subscribe to our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back with a look at....well, gestures at everything. We touch on the recent Jimmy Kimmel news, what it may or may not mean for SNL's upcoming season, and other related topics. Also, our summer promotion on Patreon is about to close: We are keeping a special $3/month rate through the start of the season, so if you'd like to get first listen to episodes like this, we've tried to make it even more affordable. Subscribe to our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back to discuss the announced departures of four cast members this past week, and speculate on whether or not there may be more announced ahead of next season. We once again want to highlight our summer promotion over on Patreon! We are keeping a special $3/month rate throughout the summer, so if you'd like to get first listen to episodes like this, we've tried to make it even more affordable. We will be ending this deal ahead of Season 51's first episode, so make sure to do it soon. Subscribe to our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. In this one, Mike found out Ryan hadn't watched this movie, insisted he did, and then they both talked about it! (If you're like Ryan, and haven't, you should: The last 30 minutes are some of the most bananas stuff you'll see, and isn't that better than films that play it safe?) As with many of our podcasts this summer, we are publishing this a few days after initially posting on our Patreon. We once again want to highlight our summer promotion over on said Patreon! We are keeping a special $3/month rate throughout the summer, so if you'd like to get first listen to episodes like this, we've tried to make it even more affordable. There's roughly a month left on this deal, so make sure to take advantage before it goes away. Subscribe to our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. As with many of our podcasts this summer, we are publishing this a few days after initially posting on our Patreon. We once again want to highlight our summer promotion over on said Patreon! We are keeping a special $3/month rate throughout the summer, so if you'd like to get first listen to episodes like this, we've tried to make it even more affordable. There's roughly a month left on this deal, so make sure to take advantage before it goes away. Subscribe to our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. As with our "Superman" podcast, we are publishing this simultaneously with our Patreon feed, rather than a few days after posting there first. Once again: We also wanted to highlight our summer promotion over on Patreon! We are keeping a special $3/month rate throughout the summer, so if you'd like to get first listen to our episodes this summer, we've tried to make it even more affordable. There's roughly a month left on this deal, so make sure to take advantage before it goes away. Subscribe to our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. This week: we are actually dropping our review of James Gunn's "Superman" simultaneously with our Patreon feed, rather than a few days after posting there first. Given the attention around the movie, this made sense. But we also wanted to highlight our summer promotion over on Patreon! We are keeping a special $3/month rate throughout the summer, so if you'd like to get first listen to our episodes this summer, we've tried to make it even more affordable. Subscribe to our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. This is an episode we posted on our Patreon last week, and are sharing here now. In this week's discussion, we look at the film F1 and the Disney+ show Ironheart. (Spoilers for both, but they have both been out for a bit at this point.)We are keeping a special $3/month rate throughout the summer, so if you'd like to get first listen to our episodes this summer, we've tried to make it even more affordable. Enjoy! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. This is an episode we posted on our Patreon last week, and are sharing here now. In this episode at least both of us eventually dub "freewheeling," we cover a lot of topics around 2025 movies that have already been released, just about to release, or those we're excited about watching later this year. Films covered include (but are not limited to) · 28 Years Later · Sinners · F1 We are keeping a special $3/month rate throughout the summer, so if you'd like to get first listen to our episodes this summer, we've tried to make it even more affordable. Enjoy! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. We published this immediately after it premiered on our Patreon, but we are sharing it now here on the free feed. We go deep on our thoughts on the final (?) installment of this long-running franchise. After a brief break, we'll be back soon producing episodes over there (with a new, cheaper entry level for new subscribers) on a more regular basis throughout the summer. "Check It Out" will be the umbrella under which we talk about lots of things between now and the start of SNL S51 later this year. Enjoy! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

We have reached the end of our season-long coverage! Thanks to all that have taken this season long journey with us. But fear not: We will be posting content throughout the summer on our Patreon. Those episodes may or may not not make it to this feed before the start of Season 51, but if you want the latest and greatest you should definitely consider signing up. We have a single $5 tier for those that are interested. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

"Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. In this one, we go deep on the final three episodes of this fairly stunning series for nearly an entire hour of analysis. We released this to our Patreon subscribers yesterday, but making it available for all of you now. If you seek content like this earlier, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! In the meantime, we will continue to drop SNL episodic recaps here the day after each episode airs and Patreon content on a staggered schedule. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back with a look at the second-to-last episode of the season. This was a strong, silly episode that among other things showed that SNL has finally cracked how to cover the current President after almost a decade. Also, Ryan gets approximately 35 names wrong in this episode, so enjoy the journey. If you seek additional entertainment, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We will be dropping reviews of the final six episodes of ANDOR over there this week, and will be continually posting content there after the SNL season ends. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

We posted this on our Patreon earlier this week, but are now sharing here on the main, free feed. "Check It Out" is our catch-all title for non-SNL topics that we discuss periodically. Movies, TV, music...it's all under that umbrella. If you seek content like this earlier, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! In the meantime, we will continue to drop SNL episodic recaps here the day after each episode airs and Patreon content on a staggered schedule. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back along with the show for its final stretch of Season 50 episodes. If you seek additional entertainment, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We will be posting both SNL and non-SNL content throughout the Spring over there. This week will feature both reviews of the 3rd batch of episodes of Andor S2 and thoughts on the latest MCU film Thunderbolts*. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

As promised, Ryan and Mike are covering each 3-episode installment of the fantastic STAR WARS show ANDOR over the next four weeks. "Check It Out" is our name for episodes that don't directly cover episodes of Saturday Night Live, and serves a sub-series within the feed. We released this installment last week on our Patreon, but are releasing it here each week the day before the new batch of episodes drops. If you want to hear these first, be sure to sign up for our $5/month Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back with a review of the final episode of the show before its final run this May! If you seek additional entertainment, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We will be posting both SNL and non-SNL content throughout the Spring over there. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back, belatedly, with a review of this week's episode. We had announced the delay, but we apologize all the same! In this episode: thoughts on a wild crowd, Jack Black's energy, and we finally learn how many days a week Billy Zane is actually Billy Zane. (That's not related to the episode but it's a fact you'll learn anyway.) If you seek additional entertainment, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We will be posting both SNL and non-SNL content throughout the Spring over there. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back along with the show in its second-to-last batch of episodes. We look at the surprising sidelining of this week's host, the increasingly high profile of Marcello Hernandez, and the proper technique for avoiding lines at events. If you seek additional entertainment, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We will be posting both SNL and non-SNL content throughout the Spring over there. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast We currently have a single, $5/month tier for now. The plan is to create 2-4 additional podcasts per month over there, provided there's enough audience for the upper end of that spectrum. Thanks to all that have already joined!

We are launching "Check It Out," a series within a series here on the podcast about topics outside of weekly reviews of SNL. We recorded this one last week and posted it exclusively on our Patreon, but now it's here for those that haven't signed up just yet. However, we would love it if you DID subscribe to get first access to content like this in the future. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast We currently have a single, $5/month tier for now. Thanks again to all that have already joined!

Ryan and Mike are back with a look at one of the more entertaining episodes of the season. We also get into more George C. Scott movies than either of us intended. If you seek additional entertainment, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We will be posting both SNL and non-SNL content throughout March over there as well. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast We currently have a single, $5/month tier for now. The plan is to create 2-4 additional podcasts per month over there, provided there's enough audience for the upper end of that spectrum. Thanks to all that have already joined!

Ryan and Mike are back after a long, post-SNL 50th Anniversary content hangover that may or may not have carried over into the content of this week's episode. This was a complicated one to unpack for sure! If you seek additional entertainment, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We will be posting both SNL and non-SNL content throughout March over there as well. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast We currently have a single, $5/month tier for now. The plan is to create 2-4 additional podcasts per month over there, provided there's enough audience for the upper end of that spectrum. Thanks to all that have already joined!

Our first on-the-go podcast features the two of us sharing our wildly out-of-order thoughts on an overstuffed special that was less of a celebration than we might have anticipated and more an "extra-stuff episode with every star you expected and also a half-dozen you definitely didn't". Listen to find out our favorite performance, stand-out jokes, and one to seven conspiracy theories about what certain sketches, songs, and notables absences might say about the state of the show. We also talk plans for the rest of the season and beyond for this podcast. Enjoy!

One of us was there! One of us watched from home! We both had thoughts! Hear what it was like to be in Radio City Music Hall, and what the performances there might suggest about what sketches appear in the 50th Anniversary Special.

Another drop from the vault, with a review of the excellent Questlove-directed documentary "Ladies & Gentlemen ... 50 Years of SNL Music". This was another awesome documentary and we have a lot of fun breaking it down. If you seek additional exclusive episodes ahead of their appearance here, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We have a lot of content already up for your listening pleasure, and we're only adding more as the weeks go on. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Another drop from the vault, with a review of the Peacock documentary "More Cowbell". It's about...well, you can guess. If you seek additional exclusive episodes ahead of their appearance here, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We have a lot of content already up for your listening pleasure, and we're only adding more as the weeks go on. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

Ryan and Mike are back to discuss the last episode before the big 50th Anniversary celebration in February! If you seek additional entertainment in the next few weeks, join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast We currently have a single, $5/month tier for now. The plan is to create 2-4 additional podcasts per month over there, provided there's enough audience for the upper end of that spectrum. Thanks to all that have already joined!

Another drop from the vault, this time with our review of our favorite of the four SNL documentaries currently streaming on Peacock If you seek additional episodes, including the already-up review of the documentary "More Cowbell", join the others that have already subscribed to our Patreon! We have a lot of content already up for your listening pleasure, and we're only adding more as the weeks go on. https://www.patreon.com/NotReadyForPrimetimeSNLPodcast

We are testing out the new feed with this episode! If everything goes correctly, you'll see this if you never stopped subcribing to the old feed. We'd love to hear if this is all working as expected! Eventually we'll get back down to one feed, whichever way that ends up being easier for all. We hope this reaches those of you that didn't know we were still doing this for Season 50!

HitFix's Ryan McGee and The Huffington Post's Mike Ryan return to discuss the latest episode of "Saturday Night Live". How "Louie" was this Louis C.K.-led installment? Listen and find out. Be sure to subscribe to us on iTunes for the latest and greatest talk about the show. Ryan and Mike will be breaking down every episode in both written and audio form this year.