The SF Sketchfest Comedy Writing Award: Robert Smigel in conversation with Dana Carvey January 17, 2009

The SF Sketchfest Comedy Writing Award:

Robert Smigel in conversation with Dana Carvey

SF Sketchfest is honored to present it’s first ever Comedy Writing Award to Saturday Night Live, TV Funhouse and Dana Carvey Show scribe Robert Smigel, who will be joined by frequent collaborator Dana Carvey for a conversation and Q&A.
Smigel first established himself as a writer on Saturday Night Live by joining the writing staff when Lorne Michaels returned as executive producer for the 1985-1986 season. Smigel wrote many memorable sketches, including Bill Swerkski’s Superfans (Da Bears!) and one where host William Shatner urged worshipful attendees at a Star Trek convention to "get a life."
Smigel later became the first head writer at Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where he created numerous successful comedy bits, including one where Smigel performed only the lips of public figures which were superimposed on photos of the actual people (Bill Clinton and Arnold Swarzenegger proving the most fertile go-to characters). Smigel's most famous creation, however, is the foul-mouthed puppet Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog, who mercilessly mocks celebrities and others in the style of a Borscht Belt comedian. Smigel also wrote and performed on the short-lived Dana Carvey Show.
Smigel continued to establish himself on Saturday Night Live by producing infamous, provocative, short animated segments under the title TV Funhouse, which usually satirizes public figures and popular culture. It spawned a TV show on Comedy Central featuring a mix of puppets, animation, and short sketches. Although only eight episodes were aired (during the winter of 2000 - 2001) Smigel continued to create TV Funhouse segments for Saturday Night Live and occasionally appears in films (usually alongside SNL veterans such as Adam Sandler).

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