Four Inane Questions with Big Slick host (and SNL comic) Heidi Gardner
Photo Courtesy of Big Slick
Big Slick—Kansas City’s most star-studded philanthropic event—is happening this weekend and Saturday Night Live‘s hometown maven Heidi Gardner is, once again, taking center stage. This year, however, she’s got plenty of girl power backing her up—many of whom are new to the annual Children’s Mercy fundraiser bonanza. “I was so excited to see how many amazing women we got, starting with my friends, Punky Johnson coming back and Ego Nwodim as well,” Gardner says. “But Laura Marano and Bitsie Tulloch—they’re going to be new to the whole experience. And Beth Dover, I think it’s her first year.”
In fact, Big Slick has become such a draw for celebs that they’re throwing their proverbial hats in the ring. Case in point, comedian Fortune Feimster is also new to the mix this year. “Yeah, that was a huge get. She was backstage at SNL a couple of months ago, and she had just come from a show she was doing in New York,” Gardner says. “I was talking to her, and she was like, ‘Hey, you’re part of that charity event in Kansas City, right? I’ve been wanting to do it!’ It was just kismet and perfect, and it’s so cool to have her on board.”
Photo Courtesy of Beth Barden
Gardner quipped that she’s got a birthday coming up in July, and it’s safe to say you’ll probably see her at some of her favorite haunts in town. “I’m still religiously obsessed with Jalapenos’ chips and salsa. I love Foo’s Custard and Succotash is one of my favorite restaurants,” she says. “Beth Barden is my go-to whenever I’m in for Big Slick. I’m like, ‘Could I utilize your services for snacks and energy all day?’ Like, she hooked me up—she’s the ultimate caterer extraordinaire.”
When we finally started dishing on this past season of SNL, Gardner candidly joked about her viral “Beavis & Butthead” sketch where she broke character and chortled uproariously for nearly sixty seconds at castmate Mikey Day’s antics. “The next week we were back on live TV, I’d reverted back to my old self. I’m like, ‘You can never break again! You did it once!’ And even in that episode, Mikey made me laugh a little, but I caught myself,” Gardner says. “I think, if it’s going to be anyone, it’s usually Mikey that gets me for some reason. We sit next to each other at the table read, so it’s a lot of messing with each other and making fun of each other. So, I think that night was just the ultimate revenge—probably for me being an annoying little sister to him for the last like six years.”
When asked who’s on Gardner’s must-have host list, there was one clear-cut choice. “Obviously, Mahomes would be incredible to get. Just the fact that a Kansas City Chief hosted SNL is so cool. I’m probably pressing my luck trying to get another one,” she says. “And, you know, Beetlejuice comes out in the fall, and I think Catherine O’Hara or Winona Ryder would be really cool to get on. Oh, and LeBron James!”
Ahead of her upcoming Big Slick rehearsals, we pinged Gardner with our mindless questionnaire. Her rapid-fire responses were sheer perfection. We’re guessing all those years studying improv finally paid off. Bless.
Photo Courtesy of Big Slick
The Pitch: The ice cream truck pulls up. What are you ordering from the curb?
Heidi Gardner: Oh, a Push Pop! An old-school Flintstones’ Push Pop. Yeah, Orange Creamsicle Push Pop. So good!
If you were a salad dressing, what salad dressing would you be?
I’m gonna go with a creamy Caesar because although it’s not the most ordered, I think when you do have it, it’s just extremely delicious. So maybe I’m trying to say, ‘You might not prefer me, but once you have me, you’ll think I’m great.’ Also, I’m cool with anchovies. I don’t really want to know they’re there, but I do know that they enhance the flavor.
Photo Courtesy of Big Slick
What’s the best worst celebrity memoir you’ve ever read?
Corey Feldman. Oh, and I will say mostly just best! Really, really good—but probably pretty random that I did it. It was nostalgic. He was in Lost Boys and Goonies and License to Drive—so, getting to hear all his stories from the set was just awesome.
In a zombie apocalypse, who would survive longer—you or Bowen Yang?
Oh, I think Bowen. I think I’d end up falling for a zombie. A zombie would need help, and he’d be like, ‘Heidi, get away from that,’ and I would hug it or something.
Bonus 5th Question: What song that you immediately—and I mean immediately—change the channel when it comes on the radio?
“What I Got” by Sublime. I really like “Santeria,” but “What I Got” I can’t—I cannot stand. Just no.
