Mohr Stories 544: Michael McKean

The great Michael McKean joins Jay this week to talk about their time together on SNL, revisiting legends like Dave Thomas, Bob Hope, and even a wild General MacArthur story. They dig into Michael’s Broadway run in Glengarry Glen Ross with Bill Burr and Bob Odenkirk, and what it was like being directed by David Mamet. They also dive into the making of the classic Christopher Guest films — the improv, the chemistry with Fred Willard, and the art of being “a great hang.” Michael shares memories from Spinal Tap, Airheads, and working with icons like James Earl Jones, Laura Linney, and Bob Newhart. This episode is sponsored by LUCY. Let's level up your nicotine routine with Lucy! Go to http://Lucy.co/Jay and use promo code JAY for 20% off your first order. Lucy has a 30-day refund policy if you change your mind. ✅ Subscribe to Jay Mohr for Fresh Content:    / @jaymohr37   🌐 Follow Jay Mohr on all socials⁠⁠⁠⁠ @JayMohr37 ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   / jaymohr37   Facebook:   / jmohr37   TikTok:   / jaymohr37   Substack: https://substack.com/@jaymohr37 Jay Mohr Tour Dates: https://JayMohr.com Music: "Rise" by Lady Owl 0:00 Dave Thomas, Bob Hope, General McArthur peeing 2:42 Writing jokes for others, SNL, human xanax 7:47 Michael McKean is very kind. Get vaccinated. 9:30 Jay has no blood, hands are cold, rimming snowmen 11:00 Motivational Speaker in Spanish 12:33 Welcome to the show business 15:53 Spinal Tap, Sweden 17:46 Welcome Back Kotter by Tarantino 19:21 Sketch rewrites, Tony Bennett 21:37 Jay's son loves doorknobs 22:35 Comedy Troupe, Richard Beebe, Greatest Generation 23:48 Glengarry Glen Ross, David Mamet 25:04 Dave Thomas, The New Show 26:09 David Mamet directing, Bill Burr, Bob Odenkirk 28:56 Michael's Broadway career, Glengarry play casting 33:32 James Earl Jones, Laura Linney, Cynthia Nixon, Ian McShane 34:44 Airheads, Joe Mantegna, James Woods 38:27 Uncle Willy and the Wacky VHS tape 39:22 Lucy Commercial 40:36 Jeffery Richards, favorite president, favorite muppet 42:00 Milton Berle, Drew Carey, Bill Burr's Henry Winkler Impression, Pearl Jam, Dick Cheney, Tony Bennett, Lorne Michaels 45:27 Imposter Syndrome, relationship with David Mamet 47:28 Hardest bit of dialogue, Shakespeare 51:37 John Hancock, Stan Freberg 52:53 At Hollywood High, Elvis Costello, Rock Pile, Todd Rundgren, Genesis 57:26 Essential SNL sketches, Peter Boyle, Gilda Radner, Madeline Khan, Martin Short, Billy Crystal 1:02:10 Norm Macdonald 1:02:58 Pitching, Christopher Walken, John Travolta, Marissa Tomei, Roseanne, Kevin Nealon 1:06:21 Cut Bob Newhart sketch 1:08:12 Spinal Tap, Chris Guest, improv, Fred Willard, being a great hang, Vincent Price #MichaellMcKean #Actor #Comedian #SpinalTap