Hans and Franz (Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon)

What we love about these characters is how they’re almost making fun of arrogance itself – and how it slowly becomes clear that their big talk masks a lot of insecurities. They have a surprising amount of depth.

Kevin Nealon has said the Hans and Franz originated while he was watching an Arnold Schwarzenegger interview on TV and called Dana Carvey to tune in. They nailed the characters when they realized that despite their commitment to avoiding flab, they would never, ever touch a piece of fitness equipment.

Conan O’Brien, Robert Smigel, Carvey and Nealon once had plans for a Hans and Franz movie that would have prominently featured Schwarzenegger, but the action star’s packed schedule made it impossible. Fortunately, they gathered together to re-enact it for the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast.