In a recent episode of his podcast, Seth Meyers recounted how John Malkovich embraced a memorable costume during his 2008 stint on Saturday Night Live. Malkovich, known for his unique roles, developed an unexpected fondness for his character in a sketch titled “The Lost Works of Judy Blume.” During the show, Malkovich portrayed Gertie, a girl from an undisclosed Judy Blume book who struggles with adolescence amid puberty challenges. The actor’s choice of a lavender turtleneck and purple overalls captured the essence of the 1980s, staying closely aligned with the Judy Blume style.
Meyers expressed amusement at how Malkovich remained in the costume all through the rehearsal phases, mingling in his lavender attire. The sketch, featuring other SNL stars like Abby Elliott, Michaela Watkins, and Casey Wilson, tackled a humorous yet relatable subject of a girl’s first awkward sleepover and her three-month-long period revelation. This setting allowed Malkovich to showcase his versatility as both a comedic and dramatic actor.
Further into the podcast, Meyers shared an insightful conversation with Malkovich referencing his portrayal in another sketch, “J’accuzzi,” a nod to his role in Dangerous Liaisons. Meyers was impressed by how Malkovich replicated his performance seamlessly, even within the confines of a hot tub. When Meyers inquired about how recently Malkovich had last seen Dangerous Liaisons, the revelation was surprising. Malkovich admitted to seeing it only at its premiere, relying purely on his memory to nail the SNL performance. “If you think it was accurate to the original, then I suppose you’re right,” the Oscar nominee responded, adding more depth to his craft’s mystique.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Malkovich divulged a humorous yet genuine memory lapse regarding his filmography. Meyers recounted how Malkovich, while waiting for a late friend, attempted to recall every movie he had been a part of, with “Being John Malkovich” surprisingly being his 58th recollection. Rather than presenting it as a jest, Malkovich found the scenario fascinating, a sentiment Meyers echoed, underscoring the actor’s intriguing perspective on his career.
Reflecting on iconic films, Meyers and podcast guests Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer admitted that, despite “Being John Malkovich” featuring the actor’s name, it isn’t their first mental association with him. Schaffer associated Malkovich first with 1993’s “In the Line of Fire,” while both Samberg and Meyers favored the action-packed “Con Air” from 1997.
As the podcast concluded, the dialogue highlighted the complex yet accessible charm that John Malkovich brings to every narrative he touches. His comedic turn on SNL, documented and reminisced by Meyers, offers a glimpse into the actor’s adept ability to entwine humor with depth, a quality that resonates even beyond the rehearsal rooms of NBC’s cherished sketch comedy show.
