Zach Galifianakis, the renowned comedian and actor, has expressed his reservations about reviving his beloved satirical talk show, “Between Two Ferns,” a project he began in 2008. During a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show, the 56-year-old pondered the show’s potential return amid what he perceives as increasingly harsh cultural sentiments.
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Galifianakis’ unique series created a space where awkward, humorous interviews with celebrities became the norm. The show featured an array of high-profile guests, including Hollywood giants such as Brad Pitt and even former President Barack Obama. Despite its popularity, Galifianakis feels that the current climate may not be conducive to the show’s satirical style. “I feel like we’re kind of living in meaner times right now and I’m not sure that that tonally might work at this moment,” he remarked, reflecting on the present social landscape.
Rich Eisen, the podcast host, noted that audiences might have become familiar with the show’s unconventional humour. He suggested that perhaps the time was ripe for a revival. Galifianakis seemed to consider this perspective, acknowledging the possibility while still weighing the risks. “I guess so. Maybe that is the reason to do one,” he responded, hinting at an openness to the idea despite his initial hesitations.
Responding to Eisen, Galifianakis shared a fond memory of the show’s blooper reels, stating, “I always say my career is a blooper.” He went on to clarify that while humour was the overarching goal, he never intended to prank his guests. Instead, he wanted to foster a collaborative atmosphere, even though revealing bloopers somewhat shifted that intention.
“Between Two Ferns” started as a quirky web series and garnered a significant following between 2008 and 2018. During its run, the show expanded to include a Comedy Central special and a feature film titled “Between Two Ferns: The Movie,” released in 2019. With its uncomfortable yet hilarious interviews, the show cemented its place in comedy history, particularly for its irreverent take on celebrity culture.
Galifianakis recounted memorable moments from the show, particularly an incident with Brad Pitt, who playfully spat chewing gum in Galifianakis’ face during an episode. “I asked him to do that,” Galifianakis revealed, adding, “I think he just put my gum in his mouth and spat it in my face.” This playful exchange highlights the rapport Galifianakis managed to establish with his guests, who often came prepared for the unexpected.
Despite the comedic tone, Galifianakis emphasised that his guests rarely saw the questions in advance, maintaining an air of spontaneity. However, there was one notable exception when interviewing President Obama. Galifianakis admitted that the team had to provide the questions beforehand due to time constraints, but he maintained that Obama was well-equipped for the comedic format. “It’s like Obama’s from The Second City. He’s really good at comedy,” he stated, recalling how nervous he felt before their encounter.
Reflecting on the experience of filming in the White House, Galifianakis shared his surprise at receiving a phone call from the former president after their episode aired. “I was at a construction site…we chat and then I hang up,” he reminisced, emotional about the unexpected interaction. To commemorate the call, he snapped a picture of the empty chair he was sitting on, surrounded by traffic cones, a quirky memento of a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
As fans of the show ponder the possibility of a revival, Galifianakis’ insights provide a glimpse into the complexities of returning to a format that thrived on humour in an era that now feels a bit more unforgiving. Although Galifianakis expresses doubts, there may still be a space for the light-hearted satire that “Between Two Ferns” once offered.