During a recent appearance on the Fly on the Wall podcast with David Spade and Dana Carvey, actress Christina Applegate recounted her experience trying to hold back laughter during the iconic Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Chris Farley as motivational speaker Matt Foley. Three decades after the sketch first aired, Applegate and Spade still laugh about it, with Spade admitting that he is still recognized for the fan-favorite “Van Down by the River” sketch. Although viewers love seeing the actors break character and laugh on screen, the SNL crew did not appreciate it, considering it “trouble” if the actors couldn’t keep a straight face.
Applegate recounted how she was already struggling to contain her laughter during the sketch, especially after seeing Spade come down the stairs with remnants of purple eyeshadow from a previous sketch. When Farley entered as Matt Foley and took the character to an extreme level of craziness, both Applegate and Spade found it impossible to keep from breaking character. Despite trying their best to hold it together, they both eventually gave in to laughter, especially during moments when they were supposed to deliver lines.
The sketch features Applegate and Spade as siblings whose parents hire Matt Foley to motivate them after discovering drugs in the house. Instead of empowering the kids, Foley screams in their faces, crushes their dreams, and warns them that they will end up “living in a van down by the river.” Applegate recalled that both she and Spade broke character at the same time during the over-the-top performance by Farley, even though they were trying their hardest to stay focused and deliver their lines.
Applegate believes that fellow SNL cast members Julia Sweeney and Phil Hartman, who played their parents in the sketch, were upset with them for laughing during the performance. Sweeney has admitted to breaking character and laughing frequently during sketches, including the one featuring Matt Foley. Despite the pressure to maintain professionalism, the humor and energy brought by Farley’s character were too much for the actors to resist, leading to memorable moments on screen that fans continue to enjoy and remember years later.
The infectious laughter caused by Matt Foley extended beyond the show, with Farley reprising the character seven more times during his time on SNL. Applegate’s recollection of the sketch serves as a reminder of the joy and camaraderie shared by the cast members during their time on the show, despite the challenges of maintaining composure and professionalism. The enduring popularity of the sketch highlights how moments of genuine laughter and improvisation can elevate a performance and leave a lasting impact on audiences.
The podcast interview with Applegate provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the iconic SNL sketch and the challenges of trying to keep a straight face while performing with comedic legends like Farley. The shared memories and laughter between the actors serve as a tribute to the talent and creativity that defined the golden age of Saturday Night Live, with Matt Foley remaining a beloved character that continues to entertain audiences and bring joy to fans of the show.
