Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
Book Recommendations

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Longtime pals David Spade and Dana Carvey take you behind the curtain of showbiz as they hang out and chat with friends (old and new) from all corners of the entertainment world. Be a “Fly on the Wall” every Thursday as the guys and their guests share stories, tell jokes, do impressions, and deep di...

Episodes 321
Books 61

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Sapiens [Tenth Anniversary Edition]: A Brief History of Humankind cover

Sapiens [Tenth Anniversary Edition]

Yuval Noah Harari

Mentioned 1 year ago

SUPERFLY #35 - Cookies & Hollywood

The podcasters discussed the book's thesis, which is that before humans invented agriculture, ancient humans would eat a variety of foods including bugs, turtles, and other things. They also mentioned that eating bugs might be healthier than a diet high in carbohydrates.

Here's the thesis of the movie, movie book, Sapiens is that before mankind invented agriculture and just silos of wheat, just eating all this wheat and all these carbohydrates that begat all these diseases, ancient man would eat bugs and turtles and shells and hooves of things and just everything fish trying stuff.

Buy on Amazon
10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less cover

10x Is Easier Than 2x

Dan Sullivan

Mentioned 1 year ago

SUPERFLY #30 - D*ck Jokes at the DNC

It was listed as one of seven albums released during a two-month period in 1991 that are considered to have had a significant impact on rock history.

August 27th, 1991, 10 from Pearl Jam.

Buy on Amazon
Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I and II (33 1/3) cover

Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I and II (33 1/3)

Eric Weisbard

Mentioned 1 year ago

SUPERFLY #30 - D*ck Jokes at the DNC

It was mentioned as part of a group of influential albums released within a short period in 1991, having a lasting impact on the rock music genre.

September 17th, 1991, Use Your Illusions 1 and 2 from Guns N' Roses.

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Nirvana - Nevermind Songbook: Revised Edition (Guitar Recorded Version) cover

Nirvana - Nevermind Songbook

Nirvana

Mentioned 1 year ago

SUPERFLY #30 - D*ck Jokes at the DNC

It was highlighted as one of seven albums released in a two-month period in 1991, which significantly shaped the trajectory of rock music.

September 24th, 1990, Nirvana, Nevermind, Line Nirvana, Blood Sugar Sex Magic, and Hot Chili's.

Buy on Amazon
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik Songbook: "Blood, Sugar Sex Magik" Guitar Recorded Versions cover

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik Songbook

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Mentioned 1 year ago

SUPERFLY #30 - D*ck Jokes at the DNC

It was listed amongst other significant rock albums released in a short time frame in 1991, having a lasting impact on the genre.

September 24th, 1990, Nirvana, Nevermind, Line Nirvana, Blood Sugar Sex Magic, and Hot Chili's.

Buy on Amazon
Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library) cover

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Mentioned 1 year ago

Whitney Cummings

It was mentioned as a diary written by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius discussing the philosophy of life, nature, and everything. The core principle of the book is to not create problems that don't exist and to ignore problems that you can't solve.

And part of it, the core thing is don't make problems where they don't exist. You go to therapists about that being neurotic. And if it is a problem you can't solve, don't worry about it.

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Bert Weedon's Play in a Day: Guide to Modern Guitar Playing (Faber Edition) cover

Bert Weedon's Play in a Day

Bert Weedon

Mentioned 1 year ago

Joe Elliott

Joe Elliott's mother was teaching herself to play guitar using a book or method by Burt Weedon, which sparked his interest in music.

Horizon cover

Horizon

Barry Lopez

Mentioned 2 years ago

SUPERFLY #24 - Billionaires and Candidates

It was about settlers coming in and making little tents and log cabins, and it upset the food chain for the Native Americans, so they couldn't hunt. It was violent, and Kevin Costner was quoted as saying he was tired of everyone treating Native Americans gently and delicately. It was well-crafted and three hours long.

I did see Horizon, which I really liked.

Buy on Amazon
Becoming Bulletproof: Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly cover

Becoming Bulletproof

Evy Poumpouras

Mentioned 2 years ago

SUPERFLY #23 - Lies, Debates, and Rawdogging Flights

Evy discussed her book "Becoming Bulletproof", which was inspired by people asking for advice on how to navigate various life situations. The book uses lessons learned from her experience as a Secret Service agent, focusing on personal and professional protection, reading people, and influencing others.

So it all dovetails into how to read the room, how to present yourself in a corporate setting. It's sort of a whole thing.

Buy on Amazon
The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir cover

The Friday Afternoon Club

Griffin Dunne

Mentioned 2 years ago

Griffin Dunne

The memoir covers the speaker's life and family history and includes many funny stories about his experiences in Hollywood, his friendship with Carrie Fisher, and his father's struggles. The speaker said he found writing about his family to be an exciting and immersive experience, bringing them back to life.

The book is the Friday afternoon club. It comes out June 11th.

Buy on Amazon
The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend cover

The Fund

Rob Copeland

Mentioned 2 years ago

SUPERFLY #19 - Cults, drugs, and p$rn

This book, which Sarah Edmondson did not write, is about Ray Dalio's hedge fund called Bridgewater, and how he runs the organization like a cult. It highlights the similarities between Dalio's management style and NXIVM, noting the lack of branding and sex in Dalio's approach.

And I was like, holy shit, he's basically... he set up his own little cult and calls it a bridge fund... a bridge... calls it a hedge fund.

Buy on Amazon
Great Singers on Great Singing cover

Great Singers on Great Singing

Jerome Hines

Mentioned 2 years ago

SUPERFLY #14 - Jon Lovitz Crashes the Party

Frank Sinatra wrote a book on singing, called "Tips on Popular Singing", which gives advice on how to sing, and it's been said that it actually works.

Frank Sinatra wrote a book on singing if anyone's listening called, uh, uh, "Tips on Popular Singing" and he tells you how to sing and it's it's fantastic.

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Most Recommended

Bert Weedon's Play in a Day: Guide to Modern Guitar Playing (Faber Edition) Cover

Bert Weedon

Bert Weedon's Play in a Day

Guide to Modern Guitar Playing (Faber Edition)

The book was referenced by Joe Elliott as the method his mother used to teach herself guitar, which sparked his own interest in music at age eight. He noted that it provided basic chords and songs that helped her learn quickly, and this early exposure motivated him to start playing. The discussion highlighted the book as a practical, beginner-friendly resource rather than a formal recommendation.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial
Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life Cover

Steve Martin

Born Standing Up

A Comic's Life

The book was mentioned in the context of Steve Martin's career and the mysterious picture on the album cover. The picture had been used on the book cover.

"

I've used it before on the cover of my book, Born Standing Up.

— Episode: Steve Martin and Martin Short

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Steve Martin and Martin Short

The book was mentioned in the context of Steve Martin's career and the mysterious picture on the album cover. The picture had been used on the book cover.

"

I've used it before on the cover of my book, Born Standing Up.

Slaughter on North Lasalle Cover

Robert L. Snow

Slaughter on North Lasalle

The book was written about a young boy who went around the world offering his services as a son to the highest bidding set of parents. It was adapted into a movie that was highly anticipated but received negative reviews.

"

I wrote a book about a little boy named North who didn't feel appreciated by his parents, declared himself a free agent and went all over the world offering his services as his son to the highest bidd...

— Episode: Alan Zweibel

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Alan Zweibel

The book was written about a young boy who went around the world offering his services as a son to the highest bidding set of parents. It was adapted into a movie that was highly anticipated but received negative reviews.

"

I wrote a book about a little boy named North who didn't feel appreciated by his parents, declared himself a free agent and went all over the world offering his services as his son to the highest bidding set of parents.

So I write the book for Random House and I got the manuscript. Now, Rob Reiner had hosted the third SNL ever. I send him the manuscript just for a blurb for the book jacket.

He said, you know, I'm a director now and I'm going, no kidding. He did. Harry would say when Harry met Sally, a few good men, few good. He said, I'd like to do this as a movie.

I hated this movie. Hated, hated, hated, hated this movie. Hated it, hated every simpering, stupid, vacant audience and so the moment of it, hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. Hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would actually be entertained by it.

Horizon Cover

Barry Lopez

Horizon

It was about settlers coming in and making little tents and log cabins, and it upset the food chain for the Native Americans, so they couldn't hunt. It was violent, and Kevin Costner was quoted as saying he was tired of everyone treating Native Americans gently and delicately. It was well-crafted and three hours long.

"

I did see Horizon, which I really liked.

— Episode: SUPERFLY #24 - Billionaires and Candidat...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: SUPERFLY #24 - Billionaires and Candidates

It was about settlers coming in and making little tents and log cabins, and it upset the food chain for the Native Americans, so they couldn't hunt. It was violent, and Kevin Costner was quoted as saying he was tired of everyone treating Native Americans gently and delicately. It was well-crafted and three hours long.

"

I did see Horizon, which I really liked.

I was going to see it, but I was sick that day.

It's three hours.

I love Kevin Costner. Yeah. Can't get enough.

It's pretty dark.

He was quoted as saying he was tired of everyone treating Native Americans like so gently, delicately.

It was violent, and they had legitimate worries and fears, but it was extraordinarily violent.

It's three hours.

It's expansive. I would recommend it.

It's four parts, supposedly. So the second chapter comes out in August.

Richard Dadd 15x17 Black Modern Framed Art Print Titled: Mercy,David Spareth Saul's Life (1854) Cover

Richard Dadd 15x17 Black Modern Framed Art Print Titled

Mercy,David Spareth Saul's Life (1854)

Dana Carvey recalled a joke written by a friend where a redneck comedian received a book on ADD from his mother, but he couldn't finish it because he couldn't stop thinking about crawdad stew.

"

Red red neck he's red neck comedian mom Mama gave me a book on ADD only red one page couldn't stop thinking about crawdad stew come on get some

— Episode: SUPERFLY #7 - Awards and Afterparties

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: SUPERFLY #7 - Awards and Afterparties

Dana Carvey recalled a joke written by a friend where a redneck comedian received a book on ADD from his mother, but he couldn't finish it because he couldn't stop thinking about crawdad stew.

"

Red red neck he's red neck comedian mom Mama gave me a book on ADD only red one page couldn't stop thinking about crawdad stew come on get some

Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical & Financial Destiny! Cover

Anthony Robbins

Awaken the Giant Within

How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical & Financial Destiny!

The podcast guest, Kyle Dunnigan, mentioned reading three books in his life, and this was one of them. He was excited to perform at Tony Robbins' birthday party and had been paid a significant amount for the gig.

"

I read like three books in my life.

— Episode: Kyle Dunnigan

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Kyle Dunnigan

The podcast guest, Kyle Dunnigan, mentioned reading three books in his life, and this was one of them. He was excited to perform at Tony Robbins' birthday party and had been paid a significant amount for the gig.

"

I read like three books in my life.

Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library) Cover

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations

A New Translation (Modern Library)

It was mentioned as a diary written by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius discussing the philosophy of life, nature, and everything. The core principle of the book is to not create problems that don't exist and to ignore problems that you can't solve.

"

And part of it, the core thing is don't make problems where they don't exist. You go to therapists about that being neurotic. And if it is a problem you can't solve, don't worry about it.

— Episode: Whitney Cummings

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Whitney Cummings

It was mentioned as a diary written by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius discussing the philosophy of life, nature, and everything. The core principle of the book is to not create problems that don't exist and to ignore problems that you can't solve.

"

And part of it, the core thing is don't make problems where they don't exist. You go to therapists about that being neurotic. And if it is a problem you can't solve, don't worry about it.

If you cannot worry, if you can go through life at peace and not worrying about things you can't control, that's a good thing.

But that's all that's the limit of my knowledge Whitney.

I just as a general rule I tend to not take advice from a thousand year ago Romans.

Sapiens [Tenth Anniversary Edition]: A Brief History of Humankind Cover

Yuval Noah Harari

Sapiens [Tenth Anniversary Edition]

A Brief History of Humankind

The podcasters discussed the book's thesis, which is that before humans invented agriculture, ancient humans would eat a variety of foods including bugs, turtles, and other things. They also mentioned that eating bugs might be healthier than a diet high in carbohydrates.

"

Here's the thesis of the movie, movie book, Sapiens is that before mankind invented agriculture and just silos of wheat, just eating all this wheat and all these carbohydrates that begat all these dis...

— Episode: SUPERFLY #35 - Cookies & Hollywood

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: SUPERFLY #35 - Cookies & Hollywood

The podcasters discussed the book's thesis, which is that before humans invented agriculture, ancient humans would eat a variety of foods including bugs, turtles, and other things. They also mentioned that eating bugs might be healthier than a diet high in carbohydrates.

"

Here's the thesis of the movie, movie book, Sapiens is that before mankind invented agriculture and just silos of wheat, just eating all this wheat and all these carbohydrates that begat all these diseases, ancient man would eat bugs and turtles and shells and hooves of things and just everything fish trying stuff.

Moby Dick (Chartwell Classics) Cover

Herman Melville

Moby Dick (Chartwell Classics)

It was mentioned that the podcast guest lived by a maxim from Moby Dick since his experience in Venice. The book's author, Herman Melville, was also referenced.

"

I lived by that since Venice and now a few other maxims and idioms along the way

— Episode: Brendan Fraser

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Brendan Fraser

It was mentioned that the podcast guest lived by a maxim from Moby Dick since his experience in Venice. The book's author, Herman Melville, was also referenced.

"

I lived by that since Venice and now a few other maxims and idioms along the way

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz Cover

Erik Larson

The Splendid and the Vile

A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

It was a brilliant book, about Churchill and the Blitz in London. It was said to help calm the speaker down, along with books about the plague or the middle ages, as they provide perspective.

"

When the pandemic hit, you know, I read a book, the Splendid in the Vial, it was a brilliant book, but it was a new one about Churchill and the Blitz in London. And, you know, it just helped calm me d...

— Episode: David Byrne

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: David Byrne

It was a brilliant book, about Churchill and the Blitz in London. It was said to help calm the speaker down, along with books about the plague or the middle ages, as they provide perspective.

"

When the pandemic hit, you know, I read a book, the Splendid in the Vial, it was a brilliant book, but it was a new one about Churchill and the Blitz in London. And, you know, it just helped calm me down or read about the plague or the middle ages.

The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend Cover

Rob Copeland

The Fund

Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend

This book, which Sarah Edmondson did not write, is about Ray Dalio's hedge fund called Bridgewater, and how he runs the organization like a cult. It highlights the similarities between Dalio's management style and NXIVM, noting the lack of branding and sex in Dalio's approach.

"

And I was like, holy shit, he's basically... he set up his own little cult and calls it a bridge fund... a bridge... calls it a hedge fund.

— Episode: SUPERFLY #19 - Cults, drugs, and p$rn

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: SUPERFLY #19 - Cults, drugs, and p$rn

This book, which Sarah Edmondson did not write, is about Ray Dalio's hedge fund called Bridgewater, and how he runs the organization like a cult. It highlights the similarities between Dalio's management style and NXIVM, noting the lack of branding and sex in Dalio's approach.

"

And I was like, holy shit, he's basically... he set up his own little cult and calls it a bridge fund... a bridge... calls it a hedge fund.

And he's just like... it's just a little game that he's playing every... all the textbook minus the branding and the sex, exactly the same as NXIVM.

I hope he doesn't sue me, this is from a book that I did not write called The Fund.

Gone Girl Cover

Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl

Jon Hamm mentioned that he was loosely attached to the film adaptation of this book at one point but could not participate due to scheduling conflicts with Mad Men. He also stated that he enjoyed the book and that the film's cast did a great job.

"

I was sort of loosely attached to Gone Girl at one point.

— Episode: Jon Hamm

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm mentioned that he was loosely attached to the film adaptation of this book at one point but could not participate due to scheduling conflicts with Mad Men. He also stated that he enjoyed the book and that the film's cast did a great job.

"

I was sort of loosely attached to Gone Girl at one point.

There was a, there was meant to be a situation.

And then it was cause Mad Men was shooting.

I can't do it.

But I really liked that book and like the guys from St. Louis.

And they did a good job with it.

Ben did a great job.

Ben's phenomenal.

I love Ben.

Ben's great.

The Giving Tree Cover

Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree

Donald Trump was asked to be in a sketch where he was dressed as The Giving Tree and did not believe that it was a real book. He insisted that he knew books and it wasn't a book.

"

And Jenna always tells the story, our stage manager, because he's like, that's not a real book.

— Episode: Cecily Strong

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Cecily Strong

Donald Trump was asked to be in a sketch where he was dressed as The Giving Tree and did not believe that it was a real book. He insisted that he knew books and it wasn't a book.

"

And Jenna always tells the story, our stage manager, because he's like, that's not a real book.

And he just did not believe that The Giving Tree as he was in a full tree costume.

And I do have a picture from my monitor, my dressing room from rehearsal of this face in this tree costume, The Giving Tree. Yes.

The rumor did not believe obviously was not brought up on The Giving Tree.

I know books. I read a lot of books.

And Then There Were None (Poirot) Cover

Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None (Poirot)

The podcasters talked about how 'And Then There Were None' was a book that they had read as a kid and how it had scared them. David Spade said it was one of his favorite books and that he had read it multiple times.

"

And Then There Were None. That's one of my favorite books, one of the books I've read, you know, many times, I can remember that and it was so scary. It's like the best mystery book.

— Episode: Kenan Thompson

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Kenan Thompson

The podcasters talked about how 'And Then There Were None' was a book that they had read as a kid and how it had scared them. David Spade said it was one of his favorite books and that he had read it multiple times.

"

And Then There Were None. That's one of my favorite books, one of the books I've read, you know, many times, I can remember that and it was so scary. It's like the best mystery book.

It's a book, you know, I read it as a kid, and that book, it really scared me.

Leslie F*cking Jones Cover

Leslie Jones

Leslie F*cking Jones

The book was described as a fast read, a fascinating story about her life, including her time on SNL. The speakers expressed their enjoyment of the book, particularly its rawness and honesty, finding it to be a compelling and incredibly great read. The book was described as a page-turner.

"

Leslie fucking Jones. I got addicted to the book. I read the book all the way through.

— Episode: Leslie Jones

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Leslie Jones

The book was described as a fast read, a fascinating story about her life, including her time on SNL. The speakers expressed their enjoyment of the book, particularly its rawness and honesty, finding it to be a compelling and incredibly great read. The book was described as a page-turner.

"

Leslie fucking Jones. I got addicted to the book. I read the book all the way through.

It was a fast read. I think it's a fascinating story. She is just, her story is amazing, her personality. Basketball star and she's just tells amazing stuff about SNL.

I read your book, so I feel like I know you.

I think as it was online, it was secretive, I think. Oh, it was secretive, so it must've been the latest version. Yeah. I hope it's the most edited version because some of that shit was crazy.

It's not boring, I'll tell you that much. I can tell you a thousand percent that it's an incredibly great read. It moves very quickly. It's very concise. I mean, it just blows by. It's a page turner. It's great, Leslie, it really is.

Becoming Bulletproof: Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly Cover

Evy Poumpouras

Becoming Bulletproof

Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly

Evy discussed her book "Becoming Bulletproof", which was inspired by people asking for advice on how to navigate various life situations. The book uses lessons learned from her experience as a Secret Service agent, focusing on personal and professional protection, reading people, and influencing others.

"

So it all dovetails into how to read the room, how to present yourself in a corporate setting. It's sort of a whole thing.

— Episode: SUPERFLY #23 - Lies, Debates, and Rawdog...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: SUPERFLY #23 - Lies, Debates, and Rawdogging Fligh...

Evy discussed her book "Becoming Bulletproof", which was inspired by people asking for advice on how to navigate various life situations. The book uses lessons learned from her experience as a Secret Service agent, focusing on personal and professional protection, reading people, and influencing others.

"

So it all dovetails into how to read the room, how to present yourself in a corporate setting. It's sort of a whole thing.

So Becoming Bulletproof, you know what happened is people would write into me, like, how do I this? How do I that? You know, it's hard to answer somebody in a text or a message.

And I found also using all the stuff that I learned in my day-to-day, even after I left. I use this stuff with my students. I use it when, you know, I'm doing a news deal with a network or something.

And so it helped me so much and it really helps. I don't want to say steady me, but it kind of did. I grew up in the service and I had, you go through this training and it really helps elevate the way you think and the way you problem solve.

And so I broke it down in the book. First part of the books, protection, Protection 101. It's everything you need, physical protection, mental protection, even shielding yourself from people.

The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir Cover

Griffin Dunne

The Friday Afternoon Club

A Family Memoir

The memoir covers the speaker's life and family history and includes many funny stories about his experiences in Hollywood, his friendship with Carrie Fisher, and his father's struggles. The speaker said he found writing about his family to be an exciting and immersive experience, bringing them back to life.

"

The book is The Friday Afternoon Club. It comes out June 11th.

— Episode: Griffin Dunne

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Griffin Dunne

The memoir covers the speaker's life and family history and includes many funny stories about his experiences in Hollywood, his friendship with Carrie Fisher, and his father's struggles. The speaker said he found writing about his family to be an exciting and immersive experience, bringing them back to life.

"

The book is The Friday Afternoon Club. It comes out June 11th.

I do bring it up.

And you have quite a story.

It was hysterical. I don't know if you want to just preview that a little bit.

Yeah, I'm assuming it didn't it change, but it didn't really change.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.