Dan Aykroyd Discusses His History Channel Show, Spirituality, and the Enduring Appeal of ‘SNL’
The show’s title is “The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd,” featuring such astonishing stories that the host sometimes questions their authenticity.
“I frequently pause the filming and ask the producer, ‘Is this for real?'” Aykroyd, 72, shared with YSL News. “That’s what makes it so compelling: these tales might sound unbelievable, yet they gain credibility through thorough research.”
The second season of Aykroyd’s show on the History Channel starts this Friday at 9 PM EST/PST, showcasing various true yet astonishing narratives, such as a Texas woman and her son who sought refuge in their bathtub during a tornado and were carried away half a mile, but managed to survive.
“It’s a refreshing change in contrast to the fake stories circulating today,” Aykroyd remarked. “Every story undergoes genuine vetting.”
Regarding his beliefs, the actor known for “Ghostbusters” identifies as a spiritualist and feels that a “divine force” plays a role in these extraordinary events.
“When I hear about people surviving when falling from planes or those who defy the odds at sea, or the bathtub story, I can’t help but think there’s some kind of divine intervention involved in their survival,” he expressed. “I truly want to believe this, and I think many of us do.”
Aykroyd Remains a Fan of ‘SNL’
Each episode of “UnBelievable” presents seven to nine different stories. Aykroyd explains that this pacing is intentional to captivate viewers’ attention, similar to the classic show he was part of: he was one of the original cast members on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” from 1975 to 1979. He continues to watch the current version of the late-night sketch show and appreciates anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost on “Weekend Update.”
“I believe ‘SNL’ fearlessly tackles politicians and bold topics without restraining themselves regarding political correctness,” he commented. “They are still pushing boundaries. The audience loves it because of the excellent writing, casting, and execution.”