Chris Parnell Dishes on Rooming with Kristen Wiig and Never Breaking Character on SNL

Chris Parnell talks about working with Rebel Wilson in his film Senior Year, being nicknamed the Ice Man for never breaking character on Saturday Night Live and doing voiceover work for Archer and Rick and Morty.
Late Night with Seth Meyers. Stream now on Peacock: bit.ly/3erP2gX
Subscribe to Late Night: bit.ly/LateNigh...
Watch Late Night with Seth Meyers Weeknights 12:35/11:35c on NBC.
Get more Late Night with Seth Meyers: www.nbc.com/lat...
LATE NIGHT ON SOCIAL
Follow Late Night on Twitter: / latenightseth
Like Late Night on Facebook: / latenightseth
Follow Late Night Instagram: / latenightseth
Late Night on Tumblr: / latenightseth
Late Night with Seth Meyers on KZbin features A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy, and topical monologue jokes.
GET MORE NBC
Like NBC: / nbc
Follow NBC: / nbc
NBC Tumblr: / nbctv
KZbin: / nbc
NBC Instagram: / nbc
Chris Parnell Dishes on Rooming with Kristen Wiig and Never Breaking Character on SNL - Late Night with Seth Meyers
• Chris Parnell Dishes o...
Late Night with Seth Meyers
/ latenightseth

[@aliciakwong1149]

The hair. His hair is gorgeous.

[@JenniferBrown-hm4sx]

I knew Chris when he was in college, and he was always very down to earth. One of the more sane of the drama students. I’m so happy for his success.

[@Kelo7]

Now I need to know about the rest of the students

[@lostshady5005]

I don’t like him

[@georgehgordy1690]

@@lostshady5005 you left that reply looking for one so I'll give you what you want. Why?

[@georgehgordy1690]

@@lostshady5005 I knew if I worded it like that you would think replying to me would be proving me right and to prove me wrong you would just not answer me at all. It's called reverse psychology. :-) Want me to tell you what you'll do next?

[@BeMoreFunny]

Excuse me, Miss, I think you dropped something.

[@steveconn]

Parnell a small guy but was underrated on SNL as a utility player; great as Tom Brokaw (he segments the students demographics pretty accurately).

[@GalinDray]

Parnell is a proffessional to the core. Even here you can tell he's not trying to be whacky or over the top.

[@GalinDray]

@@zonian1966 preesh 🙏

[@disappointingdbdclips]

@@zonian1966 Gootube

[@darkfact3137]

That’s because he’s Ice man!!

[@felipew6716]

The audience isn’t giving Parnell enough love here. The guy makes every project he’s in better and has a great sense of irony.

[@termsofusepolice]

The guy is great playing funny characters when paired with a good writer but let's face it... He's sleep-inducingly low key in actual interviews.

[@joedy3957]

Actually you get the feeling the audience is listening engaged. CP has that voice which comes off as someone with something interesting to share. Like you don’t want to miss anything so you’d better shush.

[@ursidae97]

​@@joedy3957bro don't call him that. Call him Chris.

[@mnchls]

Massively underrated cast member and comedian overall. And a total babe, let's not mince words.

[@sweeperchick]

Dude's a fox.

[@bea4156]

🥵💯💯💯

[@barefootlovers]

Amen

[@specialkali]

I bet he could pull any chick ever. And possibly some dudes too.

[@simonfea2]

Adorable.

[@Cancun771]

Utterly underrated. Dr. Leo Spaceman, PhD will stand in eternity. "She's so funny." What a massive compliment for a comedic actor coming from this guy.

[@tyrant-den884]

His finest work.

[@cashington5756]

@@tyrant-den884 You clearly don't watch enough Archer

[@rwmorey71]

Yes, loved him in 30 Rock

[@zorthecruel6558]

@@cashington5756 It is different. The thing about his 30-rock character was the combo with Tracy Morgan. Both of them saying bonkers off the wall things to each other and keeping a straight face. It killed me every time. I love Archer too, but Dr Spaceman was a roundhouse kick to the funny bone ... every .... single .....time that he appeared

[@cashington5756]

@@zorthecruel6558 Leo Spaceman is the only reason I know him outside of Archer, so I'll give you that. 30 rock is overrated and I had to force myself through that show, didn't even remember he was in it.

[@pineconey]

The Chronicles (What!) of Parnia!

[@HellocarlyK]

His speaking voice is so distinct, I love it.

[@Matt_Villines]

Parnell is only underrated if you only know him from SNL. Guy’s been well on the radar for over 20 years. People who appreciate a straight shooting comedic delivery know CP is high on the list, even for people like Samberg, Hader, Fallon.

[@Obiter3]

Parnell did this sketch where he was stranded on a desert island alone, running for mayor and giving a speech to a coconut. Funniest thing I ever saw him do

[@alexcarlon8673]

One of the most underrated SNL cast members of all time. There's a reason the show fought so hard to bring him back after NBC fired him.

[@hongkongcantonese501]

Chris is so underrated. Lazy Sunday for life!

[@RVCfilm]

Chris Parnell's vibe here is that he IS the stepdad that Seth is aiming all his 90s jokes towards.

[@adamwhite2364]

I don't think that's just the vibe; Chris Parnell is the archetype of the person Seth targets

[@da8675]

I always, ALWAYS thought Mr. Parnell was extremely hilarious . His sense humor was very unique and always very silly. No matter how successful he became after SNL he was always worthy of even more.

[@hamburgerhelperflick]

Both men graying very nicely.

[@richardwb1]

Seth has embarrassingly obvy toop. Cringe inducing...

[@MS-hg7ip]

Cowbell correction: watch closely in the background of the sketch at 2:16, and you can see Christopher Walken through the dark glass of the booth is clearly smiling/laughing at Ferrell’s dancing, out of character …… which leaves only Parnell….. and then there was one that was unbreakable…. the Iceman

[@jckrell]

Chris's dad was a dj in Memphis and a Memphis legend. He was on the radio for many years and also did voiceover work nationally. You've more than likely heard his dad and never knew it.

[@NewMessage]

Better to be the Iceman of SNL, than the Goose... and die halfway through.

[@riparianlife97701]

GOOSE DIES??? SPOILERS!!!

[@Ottophil]

@@riparianlife97701 his ghost comes back in 2

[@riparianlife97701]

@@Ottophil Dexter did it.

[@weezadam]

Arguably the most underrated Not Ready for Prime Time Player ever

[@tyrant-den884]

I love hearing how they never feel like they need extra takes with him on Rick and Morty.

[@Knickerson]

One of my favorite cast members.

[@rodney6045]

My lab work is in the field of sleep research, mostly because I checked the wrong box on a form once.

[@EyeballOrigami]

Everything about screams "NPR Morning News Show host." Though scream is probably not the right word.

[@TheCheat420]

Chris Parnell was great in Senior Year.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

If you haven't seen SNL "Cork Soakers," Chris Parnell is the straight man and is a riot

[@secheclare]

The best!

[@in4merATP]

The reason I keep watching Seth's clips on youtube is because this show's writing on its own tends towards really dense and clever, and sometimes it feels like a nice, comfortably warm blanket of intellectual snobbery just all snuggled around the dumb bits once in a while

[@primis82]

What up Parns?

[@Admjoh]

I Love Chris Parnell. Such a gem 💎

[@lgolem09l]

He was also very authentic as a doctor, and after all, medicine is not a science

[@Matt_Villines]

Dude grew up to be Richard Gere. Looks good

[@previnsnaidu1]

Immediately going to watch cowbell for the 5,739th time after this 😂

[@Welcometotheclipshow]

Dr Spaceman!

[@izzyboy1259]

Chris Parnell really does it for me 🤤

[@bernlin2000]

I mean...always thought Parnell was more of a professor than a comedic actor 🤣 obviously he does the later brilliantly but man...does he have the aura of an academic lol

[@JoeO.]

Chris Parnell balances the universe for Ted Koppel.

[@route99]

Chris Parnell is the guy from the Sensible Chuckle gif IRL. He's always a pro's pro.

[@andreitorres5503]

I love his work in Archer, he's got an amazing voice.

[@isaberabera_]

Wow I'm so disappointed this audience had no response for Archer wtf

[@liveokmusic9042]

I got to meet him today & he's such a kind & down to earth guy. He'll sit there & talk to you for a good while. Such a kind guy.

[@villanessa]

He's very underrated. Super funny

[@JonnyDIY]

Senior Year is a great movie and Parnell's serious acting is getting better! 💕👍

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

I've always loved Chris. Such a funny and creative guy.

[@C2C.]

What a delight to see Parnell reviewing his past work with Seth. He's just reliably hilarious.

[@katherinemcintosh7247]

How funny it was to hear Holly Mandel’s name! 😂 exciting and odd…the same feeling I got as when, over 20 years ago, I was working in the Gulf of Mexico oilfield, walked into the tv room on the boat where the guys were watching stand up and, after a few minutes, coming to the realization that it was Greg Warren on the screen!😂🤣😂🤷🏻‍♀️

[@amybillings9062]

What a talented guy.

[@rax816]

S/o to Cyril fans ..🗽

[@vargaso]

Criminally underrated. One of the most consistently funny SNL performers of all time. You knew when he was on you'd get at least one or two laughs.

[@DodongoManoof]

Was he ever in the californians? That would make me giggle hehe

[@shivavision8223]

Nope

[@feverpa]

Absolutely an underrated cast member. One of the funniest "straight men" that show has ever seen. He doesn't do a lot of talk shows - because he's honestly not a great guest. He's just such a straight-laced guy. If you spent some time with him and didn't know what he did, it might not occur to you that he's a comedian. I absolutely love what he did on that show - but he's just so dry and "professional." He was a perfect change of pace for that cast.

[@keren.icehand]

Chris is awesome. Love his voice acting.💜👍

[@timafiggy]

I used to a crush on him back in 2007

[@jdm1039]

On the cowbell sketch. Christopher Walken did break when he was in the sound room behind the glass looking out at the studio. You had to be really focused to see him. When he left the sound room and entered the stage with the rest of the cast he held it together.

[@Craigs_Cartoon_Capers]

No love for WORD GIRL?

[@wecontrolitnow1]

It's interesting - Parnell is always crazy funny in character. But every time I see him in an interview, he's kind of wooden and really makes the host work in order to fill time.

[@outrageouscreation6865]

Well, people who can contain laughter as well as he does are usually quite stoic in their normal, day to day interactions, and I think that he exhibits that perfectly.

[@scottbaxendale323]

That’s why he never broke during his SNL days.

[@cherylanderson3340]

He didn't seem like that to me.

[@wecontrolitnow1]

@@outrageouscreation6865 He very obviously has world-class command of humor but then takes the interview seriously and doesn't ham it up. I was also thinking of this appearance kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqW9oYibi6mcbNk

[@Naxhus2]

I couldn't put my finger on what was bugging me about this interview, and you said it. It's like he doesn't want to be there.

[@paradoxproductions]

Still waiting for a 30 Rock “Dr. Leo Spaceman” spin-off

[@johna1427]

I think there’s no one I want to spend time with than Chris Parnell

[@McCarthyJohn100]

I know him well from SNL, but every time he talks I can't help but picture Cyril from Archer (a top animated show) up there with F is for family

[@mlewandowska85]

Love him In everything, Leo spaceman, rock and Morty, lazy Sunday, cowbell. Everything is better with Chris in it ❤

[@cynthiarowley719]

A great voice. Love when he shows up in another new job

[@mjwaldrep]

I just watched the Steve Baxter sketch and maybe it could've been toned down a bit, but I don't think it took anything away from the sketch.

[@jennyonthespectrum4581]

Merve the Perv 🤓. . . .He never breaks AND he and Tim Meadows aged the best of the SNL men . . .sorry Seth.

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

After Phil Hartman left us he was the glue at Saturday Night Live. Even though they kept firing him

[@DpuckFishingandOutdoors]

One of the best SNL cast members ever.

[@blackscreenstories3704]

Way back when before I had money I used to watch SNL off of the outside antenna.. I remember laughing my ass off at the cowbell skit what it was live on the air for the first time ever. Those were some great years at SNL

[@MicJaguar]

I couldnt help imagineing alternate universe Jerry Smith in that seat the whole interview. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

His voice is a diamond between the many of actors

[@21GeeOff21]

Another short anecdote that further confirms Lorne Michaels as the smartest comedy mind in any room he's in.

[@HlifeRomania91]

Parnell is a treasure and so underrated

[@eidetecker]

Walken only ever broke (slightly) during one of The Continental sketches.

[@pelnarius2446]

People whine about how school doesn't teach kids anything, but then those same people talk about their wonderful film classes in high school. You just didn't want to have to learn real things like math and science.

[@milk_bath]

Film making isn’t real?

[@ohhaimaia]

Not everyone is good at math and science?? Do you not understand what the human experience is?? And that it is different for everyone???? And that it is generally harder to teach math and science due to its complex nature??? Shall I go on?????????

[@kid_eh]

I LOVED that he mugged for the camera while singing the theme to Steve Baxter, Hollywood Gynaecologist. What, that's an issue, but no problem that he sings, "Drive by... show your pie"?

[@JessTheory]

What a legend

[@GenerallyTyler]

I love Parnell in the video game Maneater. It's already a fun game where you get to eat everything and everyone in sight, and having him as the narrator of the reality TV framing used for the game is so good.

[@charlessmith829]

Playing Maneater: Holy crap is that Chris Parnell?!

[@georgehgordy1690]

My favorite Chris Parnell scene was in Walk Hard, when he tells Dewey every year you give me those stupid Siamese Glass cats for Christmas, I don't want anymore Siamese Glass cat's... Lol.. The cheapest gift That's worse than socks and underwear

[@globalruckus2174]

Wait... they are still putting out Archers? I have some catching up to do.

[@abc-bu7nr]

He had the best line in Walk Hard. His delivery was from the very bottom of his soul: "F*** you Dewey!"

[@marcgw496]

I just hear Jerry lol

[@adammanuelpm]

Chris Parnell is the Heir Apparent to Leslie Nielsen

[@alisonwilks302]

Dr Spaceman !!! You were so brilliant on 30 rock xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@joolenka]

I find him very attractive, always have

[@jruedas81]

Dr. Spaceman! Loved him on 30 Rock!

[@JordanBergPowers]

Chris Parnell is one of the hardest working artists. under appreciated is how many amazing things he is in

[@SlickbACkE]

All I hear is Jerry 😂” shut up Jerry “

[@moncorp1]

Can't believe Meyers show is still on the air. What does he get, 200k viewers a night?

[@TheBlackbars]

Anyone noticed he started Instagram account

[@andypanda4756]

My favorite voice actor, along with Stephen Colbert. EDIT : aaand H. Jon Benjamin of course.

[@greenbarat]

Maybe I am just grumpy but, Seth just seems to be blowing though the set of questions for his quest. He could allow at least 1 heart beat after the guest "completes" his answer and shoots the next question.

[@myztik5716]

You are just grumpy, Parnell is giving curt answers with no follow ups

[@ellicel]

I truly don’t get the hype around Rebel Wilson. To me, she’s rather a one-note actor and that note is “over the top, obnoxious” girl.

[@hamsandwichson]

I'm here after searching for Merv the Perv sketches. Which there are none. 😢 Everybody chug wang tonight!

[@arlichar11]

another snl guy who was always underwelming.. never thought this guy was funny.. like he was tag a long trying fit in always... like he didnt realize he wasnt funny

[@pjkammer6801]

I would have liked to see Parnell as the Hollywood gynecologist and Bill Murray as the lounge singer. Am I the only one?

[@zordakAU]

Is he wearing a wig?

[@marksike8701]

OMG it's Jerry Smith :)

[@Raymantico]

Cowbell is good but almost any Debbie Downer is funnier- it’s the live wah-wah on trombone

[@Moviesmusicfun345]

I love this guy's voice on Maneater video game he's got an amazing speaking voice that's for sure

[@הדרגסנר]

I love Chris parnell

[@JD_Cool]

Sorry, Chris Parnell, you're soooo wrong about your head-bobbing! Your singing and bobbing in "Hollywood Gynecologist" has always been my favorite thing you ever did on SNL! It's a quasi-impression of Tom Jones, and it's brilliantly, quirkily funny.

[@jonathanross149]

Parns!

[@emsulich]

Dr. Spaceman!