Dana Carvey talks 'delicate' process of playing mentally 'compromised' Biden on 'SNL'
Dana Carvey is looking back on the "delicate" process of spoofing former President Joe Biden.
The comedian, 70, chatted with Julie Bowen in an episode his "Fly on the Wall" podcast released June 26 about impersonating Biden during the 50th season of "Saturday Night Live." The "Modern Family" star asked Carvey if he has any regrets about the impression "now that you know that Biden is severely diminished," referring to reports about the 46th president's alleged cognitive decline.
"I knew that he was compromised mentally," Carvey said. "I mean, it was obvious. But it was a delicate thing in the comedy world. A lot of people did not want to do anything that would ding him in an awkward way."
Bowen objected to that notion, shooting back, "But it's comedy!" The "Wayne's World" star agreed and defended the impression by explaining his approach. "If I can make Biden funny to everybody, then I am where I want to be, and to make it funny, it had to be recognizable," he said. Still, Carvey noted there are "certain things I did not include" in the impersonation.
He went on to add that it was a "real challenge" to make the Biden impression "acceptable."
Carvey's podcast cohost David Spade also argued that it was "easier to make fun of" Biden while he was in office, as opposed to if he were a private citizen. "Once he's president, then he's more fair game," Spade said.
Carvey debuted as Biden on "SNL" opposite Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris in September, two months after Biden exited the 2024 presidential race due to concerns about his mental fitness. He continued to play Biden on "SNL" during the lead-up to the election.
Carvey, who previously starred on "SNL" from 1986 to 1993, told Bowen he "fell in love" with his Biden impression, which took two years to perfect. The initial versions depicted him as "sweet," but the impression lacked "pop or energy," he explained. Then, Carvey added, "I heard him whisper and yell, and I thought, 'Oh, here we go.'"
Carvey also revealed that Biden's staff told him they loved the impression and even invited him to the White House for lunch, but the meeting never happened.
Carvey previously broke down his role as Biden on his "Superfly" podcast in September, saying he felt there was a lack of Biden impressions out there in comparison to impressions of Trump. "Biden is trickier," he said.