The World Wide Web was in its infancy.
The Soviet Union was on the brink of collapse.
The idea turned out to be one of Farley’s signature bits.
Chris Farley with Paul McCartney on ‘Saturday Night Live’.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
“We submitted it, actually, as a joke at read-through.
“ButLorne [Michaels]liked it immediately.”
Even before things get underway, the first joke lands.
“The Chris Farley Show” feels like a predecessor toBetween Two Ferns.
Stammering through his questions, Farley is both hilarious and cripplingly uncomfortable to watch.
Daniels resists the urge to roll his eyes at the meandering and inane line of questioning.
Somehow, the conversation pivots to Farley’s love ofDie Hard.
Particularly in classic sketches like this, the audience’s energy is palpable.
you could tell they immediately get it.
“The Chris Farley Show” returned a few weeks later on Nov. 16, 1991.
“Was that your idea?”
“No, it’s from the New Testament,” deadpans Scorsese.
He then insists Scorsese reenact the famous De Niro scene fromTaxi Driver.
Even back in 1991, Scorsese was already a Mount Rushmore figure in American film.
But, for the Feb. 13, 1993 episode ofSNL, Farley insisted.
You.. you remember that?”
After McCartney replies yes, Farley pauses: “Uh, is that true?”
It’s such a simple and perfect follow up.
McCartney answers: “Yes, Chris.
In my experience, it is.
I find, the more you give, the more you get.”
It’s a perfect moment.
Somehow, through his sweetness and anxiety, Farley belts a rock journalism home run.
And then, it was over.
After all, Farley was playing himself.
Many of the classic “Farley Show” traits are present.
Would the lovable brake pad salesman inTommy Boyexist without this as a prototype?
And yet, decades later, the sketch also feels singular in its treatment of Farley as a person.
It was like being on the hot seat as you pitched your ideas.
In considering Farley’s legacy, any best-of reel must spotlight “The Chris Farley Show.”
