Amy Poehler
👤 PersonPodcast Appearances
It's true. I mean, it takes two. You really do figure out where your identity is. What I didn't like at that point was marriage because people fuse and fusion is very bad because once you start losing yourself and engage in someone else's everything and become too dependent. When you have
Exactly. Then there's a loss of respect. There's expectation. And then a lot of people actually shift mentally when they feel tied up.
I always said, if I'm in a cage and I'm a bird and you leave the door open, I'll probably never fly out.
No, does that mean I'll come back?
If you close the door to the cage, my feathers will be gone and I won't look like a bird anymore and I wouldn't survive. So we have to find out who we are and fly with it.
That was our first date. And it could have been our first kiss. I don't know.
And ultimately, when you look back on it, I've never asked that question of myself, because what I like is waking up in the morning, and I've said this many times, and actually making a choice to be with someone. But, you know, as we go in repartnerships, there's time when you don't want to be with them. It's normal.
And people that say, oh, we have the most loving relationship, and everything he does is the greatest thing ever.
Yes, I'm so blessed. And every day. And I'm thinking, you know, I love you. I know that you're living in a fantasy world now. That's not fair. I mean, certainly people have good relationships. But it's the friction also that makes it interesting. Otherwise, it could be quite boring. So the idea is to be able to establish what you want in your life. I got a wild guy here.
Yes, I picked him. Yeah.
I like that guy. We don't agree on certain things. He was tougher than me as a parent. And, you know, I got, why did you do that? But we have a very, very strong family because of it. That was one of the things that gave us things to talk about. But I think that if we were married, there probably could have been times when you go, oh, come on, I'm done.
It is absolutely possible. The only thing I could say is that I met, meet, still a lot of men. Nobody came up to who he is.
It's weird. It's different here in California.
And then you say, oh, can you help me change my tire? And they're like, we can't. I'm so sorry.
My my my fun name drop of that weekend, which was really fun, was there were so many people that people to share dressing rooms. So I was sharing my dressing room with Meryl Streep. Oh, my God. And I'm like, you know, just like a fan, I took a picture of the door that said my name and Meryl Streep. She was, you know, getting ready for her sketch and really rehearsing it.
And I remember thinking, I never rehearsed as hard as Meryl Streep has in this one moment.
Be loud. That's what I wanted to say. Just be loud. Yes. And then in the seats, which, you know, is a night of all famous alumni and people. I sat down and I turned to my left and it was Jack Nicholson. Yes. And I was like, of course, my old friend, my dear friend, Jack Nicholson.
I feel like that's what success is, is being able to perform at an event in front of your comedy heroes and, you know, give like a B minus performance and not want to die. That's success. Yes. It is because it's happened so many times in my life now where I've had to do the AFI tribute or something in front of Steve Martin and I walk away and go, well, that was a B minus.
You might be being a little hard on yourself. I can think of hard, hard B minuses.
I don't. You can't call me up.
It was cool. Sharna Halpern, who was this woman running that theater at the time, said to both of us, oh, I know a woman that you would like. And she just put us on an improv team together. And I knew Tina was from Philly. And I knew she had written a really funny play about Catherine the Great and her intimate relationship with her horse. I knew she was really smart and funny.
But when we met, we just kind of, we don't actually, we were on the road doing a show and we kind of talk about how we don't actually remember the exact moment we met. Right. Because we didn't know we'd be married for so long. Right. And so in love. But but we just got put in an improv team and we just instantly and I think this is the case today, just worked together so well.
Like we like we like to work the same way, which, you know, when you work with people, there's a language that you have and how you like to work and you either kind of have it or you don't. And if you do have it, it's it's the best.
You know, because I feel like I've given you credit for this. So tell me if you've said this. Yes, I did. You did. But we talk about this and you saying this a lot, which is, you know, when you're doing comedy, you have to have good jokes all the time and new jokes all the time. And then you see musicians go up and sing their song. Yes.
Man, if I could just go up and sing a hit over and over again.
That is a good marriage. Their marriage has lasted all these years. Dorothea. I know everything about her. Yeah, she's very cool. Yes, Dorothea. Yes, well aware of Dorothea. Looked her up all the time. She's very cool.
So cool. Yes, high school sweetheart.
I mean, Dorothea has seen a lot, probably a lot more threatening people throwing themselves at John than me. But their marriage is strong. I believe it is. And I love Jon Bon Jovi. I mean, I went to Bon Jovi when I was in high school. I even wrote a sketch about it at SNL where when he hosted, Jon Bon Jovi came out of the poster in my...
childhood bedroom and i dressed up like i looked when i was 13 and john bon jovi the musician went into his storage and wore the same outfit that was on the poster is still fit so he keeps it really tight and that's why dorothea is still interested
Well, I would say in response to you saying about good jokes, I think you and I could probably say that we both came up at a time when the writer was king and writers were really important at SNL and they were really important on your show.
And not only do I like some of them are here in the building and I work with some of them forever, but they were also writer performers and had a bunch of them on the show and same at SNL. Like it just was you just can't go in with flimsy material. You have to just keep trying jokes, which I'm sure you're getting ready to do for the Oscars and everything like over and over again.
Yeah, you have to wait and see, though.
You would have a what? A knife? Well, I mean, if it was, I carried a knife back then. You always bring, yeah, you always were flashing your knife.
Yeah, a Brookline knife. You're a knife guy.
But it's Brookline, so it's a cheese knife. It's for cutting cheese and having parties and stuff.
And then a beautiful slice of a brie.
It's a good jump. It's a good jump.
I don't know what you're going to say. I know.
Yeah, well, you bring up my dad, but I do think it's true. Like your family of origin helps you kind of decide the boundaries of your life, right? Like what you're allowed to do. And I had a kind of like a paper moon relationship with my dad where he was very like on the move and took me with him kind of vibe. So he definitely instilled a lot of confidence and almost like a hustle.
that didn't feel very gendered at the time. It wasn't like I was supposed to be this or, you know, he kind of, both my parents were very funny. There was a lot of encouragement to speak my mind, to kind of be a little bit of a challenger, which I didn't think was unusual until I did learn other people's systems.
Like every family is a country with its own set of rules and you don't know that that's true until you leave your country and you're like, oh, your family, you know, your dad is the one that you know, everybody ignores or you're the older brother is right.
The older brother's moods dictate the house, you know, dictate the mood of the house or, oh, in your family, you have to be polite and never tell the truth. Whatever is everyone's version of their thing. And I came from a family, I have to say, that really encouraged joking and teasing, which is a very Boston thing.
And I it wasn't until I left that and went to other, like went to college that I realized that's not everybody's way of life.
Or have you ever seen families, I'm thinking of a specific family, when it would be their birthday, they would stand up and they'd give the most heartfelt toast. Like, you are my sister. You're the person who, and it's so heartfelt. And you're like, this happens once and it happens at somebody's funeral when everybody's left. Yeah. Like this is so intense to like the eye contact.
And like teasing for me is a love language. Like the more I like you, the more I'll tease. And manners are for people that I don't know or don't even really like. Like, hi, how are you? But the tease to me shows that there's a familiar way and it's just the ultimate sign of love. But that's not the case with a lot. No, I've learned the hard way.
But the Irish in me loves laughing and crying right next to each other. That's my favorite thing is being sad. And then someone saying something truly ridiculous or out of pocket in the moment that makes everybody laugh. That's, I think, very Irish.
Just getting as low as you can and going to the lowest basement and then finding the joke there and like shooting it up so that everybody can drink more. Yeah.
Big time. Yeah, every year we thought we were gone. For maybe the first four or five out of the seven seasons we were on. Because our show was on the table, hooked up to machines. And then a new show would come wheeling in next to us.
Parks and Rec's still here. Totally. We had about five upfronts where it was like, this is the next new big show. And we would watch it come in so hot with tons of marketing and then it would die. And we would just be like, beep, beep, beep. And so we hung in there and long enough until finally, like season five started.
like your show like critically we were very loved but we were always worried we were going to get canceled and although we would all give anything to have those numbers now whatever yes um it was like you know we have a 3.8 or whatever and i was like this is a disaster you know um but uh then streaming happened started to happen um it all started to like dovetail at the same time i
Yeah. That's for sure. Yeah. That's sketch in a nutshell, too. So much of it is just like, how are you? What's your batting average? Like it's you're going to you're going to you're going to get one out of three good sketches if you're lucky. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I feel like Parks was like that, the trajectory of that.
And getting back to your show for a second, what was so exciting about being there at the beginning? Not only was one of our own, like Andy was our, was an improviser that we knew who suddenly could. Yeah, from Chicago who could buy an apartment and we could go over to it. Yeah.
Yes. And it was just right. New York, like, you know, early 90s, like David Rakoff and Amy Sedaris. And, you know, all these like people that were kind of coming through and just starting out as well in different ways. It was it felt very chic. And then also, truly, your show allowed me to pay my rent, get health insurance, tell my parents that I was going to be on TV, all the beginnings of that.
It got me so many jobs. People saw, I think, my first movie, which was the world-famous Deuce Bigelow. Very, very proud of my performance in that. But I remember I killed it, killed it. But Rob Schneider, I think, saw me like on your show. And I think that stuff helped me when we were selling UCB the sketch show. It was it was just such a huge deal. And I can remember, you know, under six.
And remember that, like, you know, if you had under six lines on on Conan show, you got paid a certain amount of money. And then if you got over six.
You got paid like 100 bucks more, you know, because of SAG minimums and stuff. It was a huge deal. We did a ton of staring contests. Yeah, yeah. A ton of bits. I think my first thing was I was under a giant, me and John Benjamin were under giant foam rubber Conan and Andy outfits. Yeah. And we had to run around a track all day or something.
No sense. And I was like, I made it.
I learned so much on that show. I learned how to like, you know, get ready for a bit, how to not peak too early, how to figure out what the audience, like, you know, just basically how to play the rhythm of the audience. Like I, it, Camera blocking, all that stuff I knew nothing about.
I think I was I don't think I was ever hesitant. But at the time I had auditioned for a couple of things that were and I and I had this stress of almost like this good girl stress of like, I can't say no to these other things that might happen. And they were all L.A. jobs because it was during pilot season.
And I remember thinking, what if I tell the people I told them yes and I have to tell them no. Like I was very stressed about that. But I don't remember waiting very long. And, you know, I had the privilege of Tina really vouching for me. She was already there. And Dratch and Horatio and people that were there who kind of were able to say, like, she might be a good hire. Take a look at her.
But, yeah, I'm so glad. And then you guys did.
No, it must have been four, I think, because then, but I'm not sure. Well, I need to know. I know.
Three, four, I don't know. It's all a blur.
It's all a blur. It doesn't help me. I'm so sorry. Six, five, four.
I'm sorry, Conan. Two, one. Great. It was 15 years that you did it. Yeah, but I came in after Jimmy left. And, you know, like, the fun thing about that show is people leave and people think, how is this show going to go on? And it just does. It keeps going on.
Like, you know. I started in 2001, two weeks after September 11th, when the whole country was like, we're never going to laugh again. Right. Comedy's over. That's it. That's a wrap. And I remember thinking, um...
Well, that's why I'm happy to be here today and why I'm starting a podcast, too, is because all I want to do now is laugh. That's it. Like I need I want to be around people who like up regulate me. I want to find joy in things. It's been a rough and rowdy 10 years. And I just feel like it's I just need to find for my own mental health that kind of thing.
What's been the best part of doing this? Like, what have you found?
It is fun. And I would say I would posit a deeper thing there is that it's connection, like it's actual intimacy and connection, which I do think we're very hungry for. Yes. Everything feels very front facing and very external and like out into the world. And I do think we're lonelier than ever.
I love that she loves Below Deck. That's a sign of a smart lady. I do not watch a lot of reality TV. I don't like people getting embarrassed. And people get embarrassed on every reality show. But I don't like fake drama. But what I like about Below Deck, and I wonder if your wife feels the same, is when they clean the boat. I'm sure that's it. They have to turn over the boat.
They have to get it clean. And every time it's like, are they going to make it? So there's some weird thing where your brain, it's almost like watching a set be reset. You're watching it get reset. Yes. And I like clear delineations of power, who is in charge. So there is a captain. Like whether or not you like the captain, you know, that's your problem. But the chain of command is very clear.
And there's the head, you know, there's the head of the, I should know all these names having watched it.
Exactly. And so people have to report to each other. And that kind of status stuff really makes me laugh. Yeah.
It's the cleaning of the boat.
And then what do you have to do at the end? You've got to clean the boat. Yeah. You've got to turn it over. You've got to get the sheets done. You've got to spray the deck and the aft. You can't just, you've got to clean it.
Oh, my God. By the way, I would watch the shit out of that. If you ASMR'd this table and you put soap on it and then you washed it. Wiped it down. And then spilled marbles on it. And then the sound of the marbles and you had to pick the marbles up.
Yeah, and if these mics could be made out of kinetic sand, I would appreciate that.
Because it's so good for podcasts.
Yeah, there's, I mean, I don't, but I can't, I don't really watch any other, I don't like any, I don't like people being embarrassed or stressed on TV. It gets me very stressed.
Yeah, pranks feel very Gen X. Like, we grew up with a lot of pranks, like Candid Camera and then later on, you know, Knoxville and... Ashton Kutcher and Jackass. And Jackass and Punch. So we had a lot of pranks in our life and maybe we just got pranked out. Pranked out. But I don't like pranks. And if someone did a prank to me, I would feel like they hate me. Yes. Like, I would feel super sad.
Yeah. Like, I've never, I don't even, I've never had a surprise birthday thrown for me. The one time, I think it was going to happen. I found out and I kind of put a kibosh on it. Because to me, a surprise party is an evil, evil act of treachery.
Please. Thank you for saying that. I would love to have you on.
I do, too. And I have to say, like, the beginnings of things are the most tender time where everybody's the most tender.
And you were so kind to not only me, but UCB and everybody during that time. You gave a lot of us our start. So thank you very much. I'm glad I get to say that to you.
Yes. And you did make me sign something that I regret. I really regret. You're like Simon Cowell. Yeah, I am. Conan owns half of my house.
Thank you so much for having me. It was so fun, guys. Thank you so much.
Hi, my name is Amy Poehler, and I feel nostalgic about being Conan O'Brien's friend.
You paid my rent. Yeah. I mean, are you kidding? I would have done it. I mean, it's funny that you say it that way, because isn't it funny when you look back at, I mean, what must be almost 30 years now?
Yeah, because I moved to New York when I was in 96. Is I never remember a time when you were like a fledgling new show. I mean, you were just always like the hit show. That's so funny. I know. I don't remember it being like we have to practice and get things ready because I knew Andy Richter from Chicago. But in my mind, I don't have a memory of it ever not being a successful show.
And honestly, let's play F. Mary Kill with Masturbating Bear, Pimp, Bot, and Andy's little sister.
See how we do. Yeah. Let's fuck them all. Yeah. That's right.
Did your house have books in it?
yes we had some books and my butterfly collection but I think you told me once I could be wrong that you worked at the Chestnut Hill Mall yeah I worked at a bunch of different places in high school I always had a summer job but I worked at the Chestnut Hill Mall at a restaurant called Paparazzi yeah which was you know a very like it was probably one of the fancier restaurants I had worked at up until that point breadsticks yes
Ooh. And, you know, I learned words like cavatappi. I still don't know what that means.
That's a type of pasta. Or, you know, yeah, I learned mise en place.
I worked. There used to be a pewter pot in my town. A pewter pot. But I worked at Chadwick's, which was an ice cream place on the border of Lexington and Waltham. And very famously, an ice cream, like old-fashioned ice cream place. You bang a drum when it's someone's birthday. Oh. And you wear old timey outfits. Yes, yes. And Rachel Dratch worked at Chadwick's a few years ahead of me.
We never met because then the, you know, simulation wouldn't have worked out.
I did, and I still think you do have one. You think I do have one? And I still think I have one. I mean, just, it's super slight, but don't you feel like you can pinpoint people from Boston?
Even just saying Boston, the way you say Boston. But every once in a while I hear it, and every once in a while I hear it on my, for me, and for me it's usually when I'm angry. That's when it comes out. Yeah. Which makes sense.
Well, I'm going to say Rhode Island.
That does not sound like Rachel Dratch.
I blame Brookline for this because, I mean, there is a way to dig into the accent that once you get in there, it's almost like you can never get out.
It's like a comfy chair to get in there.
The best and worst thing about Boston is there's a feeling of like, you're not better than me. You know, like, we're all the same. We're all in this together. Boston Strong. Hi, how are you?
But it's like, you're doing well, Amy, huh? Like, it's very, it's aggressive love.
And it's very nice to feel. And also, it's sometimes scary. Well, I told you.
No. Yeah. It's very. I mean, I look, I all my relatives still live in in Boston. I love going back there. It is it is this thing where Boston really doesn't want you to forget. No. And also Boston is the thing where they talk about neighboring towns as if anyone would know what they're talking about. Like Boston feels like the center of their own world.
So they'll throw out towns and stuff happening to people that are from Michigan. And it's like, no one knows what you're talking about. But Boston is, they are their own center.
Totally. I feel like and also there's just a there's something about the the vibe there that you I mean, this is something I really like about it. And New York is very similar to which is there's a directness to how people talk to each other and how what they expect of each other. So they're kind of like kind, but not nice. Yes. And California is nice, but not always kind.
So it's confusing here because people are friendly, but they're not really nice. But there, they're like, I got to go. I can't help you. You got to keep walking. Everyone's telling you to hurry up, but they're very kind.
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang with me, Amy Poehler. Very excited about our guests today, Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner, two great women who make up the podcast Giggly Squad. You may have listened to them on there. You may have seen them all over your social media. You might have met them in the Bravo reality show Summer House, which is great.
To me, that takes you from the basement. It's the fastest. If you can find a way to go from crying to laughing, it's hard. But it's a huge... It feels kind of like the fastest way to remember that life is a dream and that nothing matters if you can get there. And it's with people that you can do it with people that you trust.
And it's kind of what we've been talking about in this podcast is it's so dark right now. Everything is really tough. And I just want... to do for my own mental health and for others to do what I do in my personal life, which is to talk to my friends and laugh. And have a good hang. And have a good hang.
I bet you get asked a question like Tina and I used to get asked this all the time, which is, what do you two fight about? Yeah.
I'm so thrilled you guys are talking to me today. Thank you so much. We do this thing on Good Hang where we check in with people who know the guest or who are fans of the guest or who want to tell me questions they think I should ask the guest. And we thought there was no better people to talk about Paige and Hannah than their moms. I would say that's probably true. Yeah. They played Radio City.
Also, I don't know this song. I'm so sorry.
I do know Akon. I know who they are.
I disagree. Thank you, Amy.
There's a little dysmorphia going on there. There is a little dysmorphia. But I know what you mean, though. A woman knows what her side is.
Well, that's the thing about comedy is you have to decide how much you're going to care all the time.
I think that what you're saying is really important because so much of being funny is being relaxed. And it's like less about content.
It's like when you're in a comic club. She's like, okay, get out of here. This is an important part of Amy Poehler. I'm mortified. But when you go backstage and all the men, it's usually men, sometimes women, but with their headphones on, pacing, going over their set, and it's like, I saw your set. It's okay. It's not that great.
They're like pre-gaming to M&S. It's pretty tough to talk to stand-ups in general.
Because they are just always performing at you, and they're also either having...
It feels like you have to be aware that sometimes people feel like your audience rather than... But what is your relationship to being funny? Because you're very funny. Yeah.
What is it like to see your kids playing Radio City? I still don't believe it.
I think you could. I just have to say, I don't think women should say anymore, I could never do... Anything. Yourself. Yourself, right. I could do it. I don't want to. She doesn't want to stand.
That's exactly right. A jewel. A mango jewel. Just get an IV while you do it and sit there and just get other things done.
Actually, that would be amazing if you got your nails done. That would be amazing. That is stand-up.
It takes a while. I really relate because Tina and I are on tour and I want to talk about your tour and I pushed her. I was like, let's do stand-up. And Tina was like, we don't really, and I was like, but we do, and also we can, and also let's just keep trying it and try new material and use this section to try new stuff.
I'm always so suspicious of when people start gatekeeping stuff as being really hard. I mean, with the exception of like science.
Like real hard stuff. Like math. Things that you have to go to school for more than five years. That was controversial. Are we respecting science on this pod? We believe in science. We believe in science. And I said it for the first time today.
It's so funny you say that. Your mom's brought that up. Really? That, like, Kim being on tour, she was saying the best part, I always tell people the best part is before you are on stage and it's just the two of you getting hair and makeup, just, like, getting ready.
Well, that is true. We never even had the word anxiety. And you did SNL. I had a high school boyfriend who used to get stomach aches, and we were like, huh, I wonder why.
and he would just be up all night and now you realize it was because of you the second you broke up he's like my stomach feels great he's like he totally went away i was like okay i wonder what it was and he used to be up all night worried about the future yeah get stomach aches and everyone was just like huh shoot i guess i don't know i hope you fix that there was no
I've never taken a beta blocker, and a lot of people have told me about this. I would be worried it would slow me down.
She's a drug pusher.
What was it like being on tour? Kimberly, you went on tour with the girls. Where did you go? How long were you there? And what was it like?
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like my anxiety tends to come after I do something. I get a little, I get a little kind of zony before and then after I get very fluttery and nervous and it's a little bit like, was that good? Did I do it? I kind of check out. I disassociate, which our Jen is really good at.
Just don't be there.
You're trying to be too in the moment.
Well, I think, and I'm sure from your athlete days, there is a thing about your brain, and everyone has different capacities for this, so I realize that, but there is something about your brain where if you start to tell your brain something, you can trick your brain for a short amount of time to get the thing done.
And, yes, if you start labeling the different, like, anxiety, OCD, this is this, this is this, it's happening again, you're starting to tell your brain, like, we're doing it again. We're here, we're doing it again. There is a little trick, sometimes it works for me, where being excited and being anxious are the same physical symptoms. Mm-hmm.
You're right. Everyone on TikTok tells me that I have it or that they have it or we all have it. Yeah, it is. I mean, but that is how I diagnose most things.
And I was like, no one told me this whole time? You know, Kim from Paper Kite, she had a really, one of our producers, she had a really great thing where she said, you can tell you have ADHD if someone says, we have to leave in five minutes or we're going to miss the flight. And someone says, all right, let me just take a shower. That's her.
We have to leave in five minutes. It's like, great, let me take a shower. It's like, what? That's a good indication that maybe time is more of a concept.
Absolutely. Absolutely special and beautiful. And then is there anything that you have, Paige, when I make a mistake?
have you heard that saying what other people think of you is none of your business I was about to say our new thing is saying it's none of my business it's a fantastic way but when you're on a show like you're still on Summer House it's hard because you have to talk about people in real time you have to hear
Yeah, but being misunderstood is tough. It's painful.
Do you ever talk about, do you ever clarify things about the show on your podcast? Never.
So it's actually better that way. Yeah. I mean, it definitely does. You're practicing what you're saying, which is you're just kind of letting go of things that you can't have control over.
You didn't do a Jordan quote.
And people looked me in the eye and went. You missed 100% of the shots you don't take was Wayne Gretzky and not Jordan. But I bet Jordan did say something about shots.
I agree. I feel like their genuine friendship is really nice to be around. I think that's what you like so much about them is how genuine they are as people. But then their friendship and bond with each other is why you keep coming back.
And one of them is still on it. And the other one is long gone. But we are going to talk about really fun things today. We're going to talk about stand-up comedy. We're going to talk about female friendship. We're going to talk about pimple patches. We're going to decide what is the best medication for anxiety. So keep listening. Check it out.
That's his quote.
We didn't write it that easy.
Did you not think it? Okay, you talk about pop culture on your podcast.
Because of that, I want to just throw things out to you.
Speed round. Yes. Tell me your thoughts and opinions. Okay. There's no wrong answers here. Okay. Like the last thing I did.
Incredible. Okay. Veneers.
Too big. Too white. Too big. When did you get them? Well, I guess they're considered veneers. I had a chipped tooth. Okay. That's the story you're going with. She goes, I was in a bar fight. Yeah, I broke my nose in a car accident. And I have a sinus infection. I hit a tear, and I had a sinus infection in it.
I had a chipped tooth when I got on SNL and I thought no big deal whatever like a small chip yeah exactly like who cares and then I saw myself on camera and I gasped I was like oh no like I look and so I got my teeth fixed I got veneers when I was on SNL you would never know just two but I have them if you didn't get into Hollywood do you think you would have gotten veneers
Wow, that's a good question. Maybe not. I don't think so. I think like, you know, where I came from in Massachusetts and like, I don't know if I think I would just wouldn't mind my chip. But seeing yourself on camera is a different.
You know, and and Lenore, what was it like to have your daughter be on reality TV? Oh, yeah.
I think that that doesn't happen as much anymore. I think they've really taken it back. They don't go such a shit. We don't know the science behind that. We don't know anything about veneers. Okay, look into it. We like to do hot takes. We don't know anything about it, but we hate them. And I also have to say, both of you, if I may, you both have great teeth.
So that's crazy. I have a doctor. I'd like to talk to somebody who does... Dr. Keene, Beverly Hills. You both have great teeth. So talking about veneers with great teeth isn't really fair. Yeah. True. Okay. Because some of us don't have great teeth. Gel nails.
We never take it off. We just re-go. Okay. Okay. Okay. How do you feel about running? From what? What problems are you running from?
Okay, how do you feel about people who love dogs?
They get paid for every person that goes through. They go, Minneapolis? They go, you know everything about me.
That's really important.
Do you have like a baby palate? Like a little kid palate? No, don't listen to her. I...
Look, I don't recommend it before a show. That's all I'm going to say. What is your favorite kind of sandwich? If you could have a perfect sandwich.
I can bite into that. Can you not bite into stuff? Well, you have to be careful when you have an ear. You have to cut. You have to go a little slower. Like, you don't want to get, you don't want to come up on an apple too fast. Got it. Because they do, they can pop off. Yeah, they can pop off anywhere. Okay, and the last one is women who ask men to marry them.
Yes, and the bigger thing of what do we expect? Expecting to be chosen and waiting to be chosen rather than choosing. It's complicated. But also, I do think there's a thing sometimes where, I mean, straight cis marriage is a whole other conversation. Like, who cares? Boring. No, it's very boring.
Well, I do feel like what you two speak about a lot, and I feel like that's kind of what I mean about the freedom that comes from the women that are coming up behind me, is that the discussion about how gaslit we are all the time, that's it. The discussion in real time about how we get these crazy mixed messages all the time. And it's like,
push and pull back and be this way, but say what you want.
Yeah, get out of my house. And I'm taking the money that we never share. Period. Okay, speaking of laugh, before you leave, I'm asking people what they're laughing at these days. What do you, like, look at, read, go see?
Can you share a text message with us?
This is when I know. I thought that was a boomer thing.
But they disappear. And then you can never love a voice note.
But that's invasive.
I don't like to talk on the phone. No. And I don't like when people FaceTime me out of the blue. Yeah, that's aggressive. But I think you guys don't mind it as much. We don't, but we are respectful of each other's boundaries.
life is sad so if you don't have a friend making you laugh what are you here for 100% so what do you okay so Paige gets Hannah's text to make her laugh what makes you laugh Paige doesn't really make me laugh that much but
Yes, like what do you do at night?
So that you couldn't take away from her. I'm wondering if there's a question that either one of you think I should ask them. Anything you want to know. It doesn't have to be big or deep. It can be, is there anything you think I should ask them today? Are you pregnant?
Same. I said this many times, but especially in the pandemic, wrapping back around in the pandemic, that really saved me because there was lots of good comedy on TikTok. You've been on TikTok.
You're doing great. Also, it was that hilarious moment where it was like everyone was leaving. Before we leave, I'm going to just tell a couple people that I think they're great. You're so cute. That was so nice. But there's so many funny people.
Yeah, I love it. And I feel like. I just was on it for so long and really liked it that I feel like there's a way... I mean, my biggest fear was to come on as some old lady being like... The thing that drives me nuts are people that are like, I guess I should be doing this ticket. And you're like...
beat it yeah it is actually like yeah a culture of people that work really hard it's a lot of creators and it's it's all just comedy in a different form yeah yeah yeah and having your stamp of approval legitimizes it yeah well i don't know about that but i love it i do love it and it is like it is cheeky and it is cringy like if i get it wrong but whatever who cares like
Amy, you've never made a mistake in your life.
Well, she doesn't love to do them.
Okay, I'll start the podcast by asking them both that.
And then it stood on the right side and it looked gorgeous. It took my job. It took your job. Thank you guys so much for doing this. This was so, so fun.
You know, I love you back, and I can't wait for all the big things ahead for both of you in all different areas of the business that you're working.
Oh, my God. That would be such a great fake title for this podcast. Like, just getting started. Just getting started? Question mark? Amy Poehler, just getting started? Wait, why? Your face has to be like that for the joke. Just getting started. And then I'm like at Scales of Justice and I'm holding like... like a baby bottle and like a tiny little gravestone and I'm like, let's get outside.
i'm hooked up to an iv one of those sand clocks that just slowly there's a guy i'm going like this i'm like in a i'm in a i'm in a baby doll dress and i'm going just getting started and behind me is um the grim reaper just waiting for me and botox getting injected look And I'm wearing pigtails and I'm in like overalls. And I'm like, just getting started. Way at the Grim Reaper. All right.
Well, I am so thankful that you guys gave time today. I think they're going to be thrilled that we got to talk today. I mean, now you're making me think I should always talk to everybody's mom because you really do get a sense. It really get a sense really fast. I'm sure you feel this way, too. When you meet somebody's parents.
We renamed the podcast. We have fun here. All right. Thank you guys so much. That was an awesome, super fun episode of Good Hang. I loved having the ladies here. It was a blast. And we talked a lot about a lot of things. And I love stand-up comedy, despite maybe some of the things I said on the podcast. No, but I have great respect for it. And it made me think about the people that I'm watching.
And I would encourage everybody to check out Jordan Jensen, if they haven't seen her work. She's a touring comedian right now.
and really specific funny voice just great with crowds improvises all the time deeply interesting funny woman who um yeah i just wanted to give a shout out to because i think she's great so uh that's all i never know how to finish these things i never know how to end the podcast so okay bye You've been listening to Good Hang.
The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alea Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.
And the only you get when you meet somebody's parents, you're like, oh, now I get it. And it's either a now I get it. I understand why they're so great. Or sometimes it's a now I get it why they're so fucked up. Well, right. Maybe you should have the dads on. No, it really means a lot that you both gave time. And I'm excited to talk to them. I think they're so great.
And the stuff that they've built together, I think, is an indication of the strength of female friendship. I think it's a natural resource, female friendship, and the way it drives the world. And the way they talk about it and model it is really, really cool and special. So thank you both. It's really nice to meet you both.
And you both sound exactly like your daughters, and you look like they're older sisters. Look, Gen X all the way, babe.
And we always want to start every episode with people that know our guests or is a fan of our guests or has an idea of what they think I should ask our guests. And who better to talk about two young, wonderful women than the mothers of these wonderful women? So we've got Lenore and Kimberly, Hannah and Paige's mothers joining us today, who were so delightful.
They're the mom giggly squad. Thank you so much. Thanks, Amy. Bye. Bye. We'll be right back. and it's in Walmart, Target, and other stores now for under $4. Just look for the light blue one. Degree Cool Rush is back, and it smells like victory for everyone. Hi, Hannah and Paige. Hi, Amy. It's so good to have you guys here.
We're thumbing through your book, How to Giggle, which we're going to talk about.
You know, I have so many things I want to talk to you about today. I am huge fans of both of you, and I love your podcast, and I love your friendship, and I love you individually and together as a unit.
I'll tell you it is. We're going to talk about that. About how life goes downhill. No, but I talk to your moms. And, you know, so we have this thing on Good Hang where we talk kind of about people behind their back in a good way. I... Oh, that's very different for us.
But they... are so great. They, of course, love you so much.
They changed a lot recently. And they had questions that I wanted to start our interview with because I thought they were really important pertinent questions for the both of you. Hannah, Lenore wanted to know, are you pregnant? That's a wild question. And Paige, Kim wanted to know, are you enjoying yourself?
OK, so for people listening like my mom who might not know Giggly Squad. Yeah. Who can you guys quickly tell us how you came together, who you're doing your podcast Giggly Squad. But how did you first meet and how are you a team?
And I could have talked to them all day, so let's hear what they have to say. This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Whether you're welcoming a new family member, starting fresh in a new city, or embarking on ambitious adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander provides versatility for embracing life's grand challenges.
Well, I'm a weird, like I have weird blind spots about all that stuff because I just started doing social media like a couple years ago because I was on, I know it's.
When I saw you on Instagram, I was like, oh no.
Say goodbye to your innocence. It's so true. But I know about Instagram Live. I think I've done a few, but I never. It was a weird time.
Like how you can effortlessly tuck away the fold-flat rear seats for up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Perfect if your cargo is baby elephant sized. From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every Grand Challenge. Learn more at Toyota.com slash Grand Highlander. Toyota, let's go places.
Well, it's funny. When I started this podcast, I'm like, oh, we have to shoot it now? Like, now? Yeah. I just had somebody come up the other day and say, oh, I just watched your podcast.
Which is like.
These are not my glasses, by the way.
But when you went back on Summer House after all that talk, you must have felt psyched that you knew each other so well. Like you had gone from... You know, you had had a season, right? And then you shut down because of COVID. Two seasons. Two seasons. Then you shut down. And then during that time, your friendship grew. So you came back in knowing like, oh, I'm with my friend.
And I've never stopped you and hugged you.
Like, I feel like I just, I adore you and I'm such a huge fan and I feel like I know you so well because I think Parks and Rec probably saved my life during COVID. So like, I feel like I know you. So if I'd seen you, I would have run up to you and Probably kissed your feet, if I'm going to be real with you.
I just got back from work, so I'm just getting into my hotel room, and then I will sit down.
I'm talking to Amy Poehler. I'm on her podcast. My girlfriend's a big fan. She's freaked out. She doesn't understand it. I would tell the camera, but she's naked.
I literally don't even think we know each other that long, but, uh, through my old manager was like, you know, I'm, always want to be behind the camera in as many ways possible. And I think music videos is a great way of doing that. And he was like, would you be interested in directing a video for Renee Rapp? And I was like, yeah, obviously. Let's talk, though. Let's get on the phone.
And what I realized about Renee, again, for someone who is nearly 10 years younger than me, she is, I mean, a consummate professional. Her voice can... just like break me to the floor while also like lift my spirits but also when you've worked with someone who's a musician who's also an actor and who's so brilliant and just can like take direction take notes be spontaneous um
I had so many questions that I wanted to ask, and then I realized a lot of people won't understand the question. So for everyone, the questions that I wanted to ask her, number one was, if she was a drag king... So not a drag queen for the people that don't know that drag kings are dressed in drag as a man. What would her drag name be? Great. Very important. What would yours be?
Disciplinarian. Professor Algonquin. I can't claim this one, but someone, a drag king is called Clit Eastwood, which I just think is just... Come on. Incredible. I wish I'd made that up. It's not mine. I don't know what mine would be, but I'm not the one being asked questions.
And the other question would be, oh, oh, if Renee had to be in a girl band, like the Spice Girls, it doesn't matter how many people of female... singers, rappers, whoever, dead or alive, who would it be? Honestly, that's the hardest question, I think.
So fuck Renee. Any excuse to talk to you, Emmy. Good night. Thank you. You're the best. Oh my gosh. No, I love Renee. I'm so glad.
Hi, welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I cannot wait to have you hear this episode with the great Rashida Jones, the Anne to my Leslie, my wife for life. Rashida is just... One of my best friends, and she's just an incredible person and interview, and she's so deep and smart and funny.
I mean, like, a real genuine... Our friend Catherine Hahn has had to do a lot of sex scenes. Yes. Intimate. Genuine, like baby girl, five orgasm sex scene is so intense. It is.
I will be your father figure. That makes me stressed.
Also, I did hear an actor's tip one time that I thought was interesting, which is if you want to get chemistry with someone. And actually, Parks and Rec did this really well, which is the camera. became the gaze, right? So like, you know, it caught me looking at Ben when, played by Adam Scott, when Adam wasn't looking and it created this vibe and vice versa.
It was so much easier than direct eye contact. But I heard some trick that if you wanna get chemistry with an actor, Look at them when they're not looking at you. Ooh. Like don't try to do it with them at all. Just project all this fantasy stuff on them when they're not paying attention to you. Does that work in real life? I've tried. And the answer is no. The answer is a hell no. Okay. Okay.
So do you think some of your best acting was in Parks and Rec when you had to pretend that you didn't know who Genuine was? No.
You know, it only takes three people to make a hang gang.
I just want to talk for a second about your relationship to music because it's so – it's an amazing combination of deeply familiar and personal because of your – family and the work you've done since you were a little kid, like the way music has surrounded your life. And then as an adult, knowing your relationship to music, you kind of come in as like
I don't know how else to explain it other than a deep appreciator of it. Like you know it and can do it, and also you deeply appreciate it. It's kind of closest to like an art historian or something. You know how art historians love art and they know it and they also know how it's important? I feel that you are that way about music. That's really nice.
We're talking about and to the great Rashida Jones today.
Well, do you think then you're like an oral, a URAL learner more than a visual learner?
Oral. Oral. Oral Roberts. Remember him? I feel like we've had some hard-ass laughs. And I was trying to think the other day, like... Places that we've laughed. Deep laughs. And it really does add years to my life. I know that. And I wonder if you could tell the story about when we were on Parks and it was – because we talk about it. We've talked about it before.
Honestly. It's kind of overwhelming because she does so many things well.
When we were on Parks and it was the first season, it was the hunting episode. And just to kind of set up, we were shooting – that whole week, way far away, somewhere in California. You know, I don't even remember where. And we had to do a scene with Nick Offerman. And that, I think about it sometimes, the way that laugh came, it was like... Giggles. It was giggle, giggle, orgasm city. But...
But don't worry, we'll cut that. But what do you remember about it? Well, I remember we were, he maybe ate something weird and we were trying to give him Ipecac. Isn't that what it was? So Nick Offerman playing Ron Swanson ate something weird. Yeah, I don't remember actually what happened in the show.
She's, what is it called? A polymath? Is that the word? But what's the math? Yes.
One of us, we each had one arm. Yeah. And he would, it felt like just the flick of a wrist.
No. And we could not get him to stay down. Could not. Could not. And I remember that feeling. Also, I think there's something fun about wrestling. There is. It's so good. It's so good. And being thrown around is so fun. Yes. And he was throwing us around. And I feel like I just, like if I was to picture it in my mind, you were just like, whee!
And I think, too, because Nick is such a lovely, gentle guy in general, we knew there was something about us that knew we weren't going to get hurt. It was safe, yeah. But he was making, like, grunting bear sounds. Yeah.
That was a really – I mean, I'm trying to think of like there were so many good crack-up moments. Crack-up moments. I'm 100 years old.
But I'm just like, I was like.
There's a dead spot. Yeah. Yeah. It was haunted.
Yeah. I'm sorry I said that. No, it was late. A couple times I would see bloopers for the show and I'd be like, hey. No, but those days were so long.
I know. There was a scene for people that care. There was a spot in that set where anyone who stood there couldn't get their lines. And then, of course, it became self-fulfilling prophecy in many ways. Yeah. But there was just a lot of deep laughs and deep laughs off camera. Like one of the things I treasure, and there's so many things I treasure about my friendship with you,
was that we would be talking like this. And we'd be just talking and talking and just like talking about our day and talking about life. And then they would just go, action. And then we would just talk like Leslie and Anne. And we'd do our scene and be like, we kind of, I'll speak for myself, kind of knew it, kind of didn't. Right.
And then they'd cut, they'd work on it and we would just go back to talking.
Duh. No kidding. What do you mean? I mean, they really did base the entire show at the end of the day on the fact that Leslie and Anne were, you know, each other's number one. Yeah. Yeah. Not hard to do. No.
And what – I mean, we've talked about this before, but we – when we first started the show, I think it was like – it was kind of like we were trying to figure out who was going to play what part and who was going to come on board. And kind of like the beginnings of that show were – I'll say a little clumsy.
Because I think for—I don't think a lot of people know this. For the beginning, I think we both were worried that we had taken each other's part. Like, yes.
You had such a tough job there because everybody wanted Jim and Pam. Totally. And then guess who shows up a very likable, cool, and everyone was like, oh, no, wait.
Pastis. Yes, I do. In New York City. I do. Oh, God. And I said, let's talk about something. Oh, dear.
And I was like, I want you to raise this baby with me.
What a mean part of yourself to be.
And that's what execs do. That's what a powerful person does, is they get on a plane.
My phone was off. But I have to say, you were very good. And you've taught me a lot about handling feedback. Because, like, you, you know, even recently, like, you reached out to friends about giving, give me some feedback on something. Yeah. And... I thought about, wow, I mean, I'm always trying to process taking, like we talked about, like just figuring out who I can get feedback from.
And I love your feedback. I trust it. I respect it. The way you give it is very caring and loving. But feedback from the wrong person. Oh, yeah.
A hundred percent. And what do you do when you're, cause you're writing all the time, producing, directing, when you get a note that you deeply disagree with, how do you handle it in real time? Do you push back? Do you, Say, let me think about it.
It's so true. It's the advice I always try to give people that are starting out, which is don't fight every battle in real time because... execs want to feel creative and they want to feel like they're part of it. And if you, they get embarrassed. Yes. If you're like, what a dumb ass note. Yeah. Why would you say it's just such a stupid thing?
Yeah. No, that's really well said. What makes Rashida a good hang?
When I gave you some feedback recently, one of the things that I said that you love to do is dance.
I want to talk about dancing. Okay. The importance of dancing in your life. Yeah. And our lives. And our lives. And I want to tell you something fun about this show. So we do this thing, like a little secret, like talking behind people's backs, but in a good way, which is before I interview you, I do a little Zoom with people and ask them what I should ask you. Thank you. Thank you.
And we're going to talk about what it's like working together, and we're going to talk about our relationship to work and what makes a good gift giver and how much we both love music. We're going to go deep. and then stay real shallow all at the same time. So it's going to be a lot of fun.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
It's a lot. But she somehow doesn't make me feel shitty. Again, like never, but I do, but I make myself feel shit. Cause sometimes I'm just like, damn it. Like what we're wearing Japanese pants now.
But all of a sudden I'm like, oh, all my clothes are small. They're supposed to be big. Like, do we have bangs? We don't have bangs. We don't. Big coats, little coats. Okay.
She's a young – or, like, she's, like, a young – Defense attorney or, like – Yeah, something, yeah. And there's a bunch of scenes where you object to things and you throw things down. Not in the courtroom. Yeah, you're not in the courtroom. And you – I think you and Han have, like, a – Rivalry? No, I think you're in love. Oh, we are?
I think you guys – maybe you yell at each other and then you kiss at some point. I forget. I forget. I've got to get that out there on the internet so people can see it.
But it's so fun. And there is a side of you that 100% I could see going in and putting a briefcase down.
Yeah, we had time for a whole other show that no one ever saw. Okay, and then the last question. Good hang. So we're trying to figure out how to like continually self-regulate here and find joy in all different places. And like I'm asking everybody to talk about what gives them relief. What is the thing they go to and they want to like laugh, check out, tune in? Take a load off.
It's small or big, but I feel like we learn a lot about somebody by what they laugh at. What's yours?
People that know that they're doing a bad job?
Have you ever seen that Domingo sketch on SNL? Totally. They do a great job. When they come in so off.
When you do karaoke or see people sing karaoke, do you like it when they're off?
So just to get it down to the nitty gritty, it's like being with friends, watching on TV, someone that comes in and is like, buckle up. And then they just start singing Roar by Katy Perry and they get it way wrong.
Yes. Like I don't feel a stressy vibe from her when she's hosting, for example. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's good. That makes me want to watch old American Idol.
Oh. You sure? Yeah. Oh, my God, it's her. Okay, okay, oh, my God. It's her. Sorry, we've got to listen to this before we go. Oh, yeah, she said she looks like Mariah Carey. She doesn't not look like Mariah Carey. No, she does.
She's cute. You've got to turn her way up. You would not think that this is going to go badly. That's what I mean.
She's wearing a shawl. She has really cute hair. She's, like, she definitely, like, she wears cute jeans. She's a little too close to the judges, which is already making me nervous. Like, she's standing too close to the table, which she doesn't have a good, like.
Like I I'm always working out on my, I'm always working out my own stuff, which is wanting to get things like wanting it to be good and fun and being, and people coming over and saying like, hi.
Here she goes. Okay, hold on. Stand by. That's what I've got to face.
That's very, very satisfying to watch because you're right. She's kind of good. She just not – she's –
She's also doing something that I like when singers do. She's holding her throat as if that. Like, she's like, I'll get it.
I'm going to send that to myself so I can watch it again. Because that's so good. Also.
She gives a little shout, too. She didn't seem to be feeling like it was going badly, though. Really?
And me saying just a second, like making them feel, making them feel stressed, even though I had the party.
All right, love you, Bones. Thanks for doing this.
All right. Thank you so much, Rashida Jones. You were the best. I love you. Thank you for doing this for me. I don't think you had much of a choice, but thank you for doing it anyway, and I will do anything for you. We talked a lot about music, and it makes me think that before this episode is over, I feel like I need to just ask Chapel Roan if she'll come on again. Chapel? Chapel, are you there?
Are you listening? We've been reaching out to your team and I'm assuming that no answer means a maybe. And I'm excited about having you on. I just think you're the best. I just love your music and everything that you're doing for the music industry. And I kind of started this podcast to talk to you. And when you come on, I'm going to end it.
So I haven't told Spotify that yet, but you will be my last guest. So Chapel, come on soon because I'm tired, and I'd love to wrap it up. So thank you, everybody, for listening. Thanks for hanging, and we'll catch you next time. Original music by Amy Miles. Oh!
Or when someone's like, can I give you a hand? And you just go, no, that's okay. I just have a lot of things right now that I'm dealing with. Everyone looks at you and says, you did not have to invite us. You did not have to invite us. The other, the other question I had is, um, I want to talk to her about dancing because we dance a lot together.
She's had a lot of dance parties for her birthday parties. And you two are big dancers. You both like to dance. I know why I like to dance at parties. Yes. Why do you like to dance at parties?
And, you know, we've been trying to do this thing where before I interview a guest, I get to talk to people who know them, who are fans of them, or who want to just, you know, give me some ideas for what to ask them. So we have gathered two great comedic actresses, Retta from Parks and Rec, who played Donna Meagle, and Darcy Carden from The Good Place. So they're going to help me get started.
We just kind of pointed at each other.
Yeah, I feel like if a good song comes on, both of you and Rashida would be the people I would look at, point at, and be like, oh.
Okay, well, we're going to – okay, this is perfect. We'll wrap it up with – is there any question you think – like anything you want me to ask Rashida?
That's probably going to be hard to pick. I know. Because she was straight up.
Like partying with E.T. and stuff. Well, love you guys. Thank you for checking in. I know it means a lot to squeeze this time in and Rashida is going to be so grateful when I tell her that we chatted today. So come, come on this podcast and be a guest soon, please. And thank you.
Love you guys. This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Uber Eats is delivering game day deals because you can't watch eight hours of basketball a day on an empty stomach. I love to watch TV on my couch and then never get back up. And so once I'm down. it's hard to, uh, to stand. And I definitely don't want to drive and get food. So Uber Eats delivers my food to me.
And then I shuffle over to my door in my pajamas and I grab the food. So whatever you're craving, Uber Eats has deals on all your game day favorites. You never have to miss a single buzzer beater. Get game day deals on all your favorites only on Uber Eats. Order now. Rashida Jones is here. Hi, Rashida. Hi, Amy. I mean, people should know that I call you Bones.
So maybe if I call you Bones during the interview. They'll know.
And I call you Poles. Polos. Polos. So Poles or Polos and Bones. Polos and Bones. The new detective series.
Yeah. On Paramount Minus. Okay. Phones, I'm so happy you're here. I'm so happy to be here. Thank you for doing this. Please. On the way over, you just told me you were listening to something in your car.
This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Life's journey brings constant change filled with exciting surprises, new chapters, and grand challenges. And the Toyota Grand Highlander is more than a vehicle. It's your partner in embracing all life throws at you. Blinked and the kids have grown up? The third row can fit three adults.
Because you have road rage? I do. I've seen it in action. Yeah. Because we leave each other Marco Polos and I've seen you in real time get mad. Yeah. For people that are listening that don't know, Rashida and I have been friends for... Many years. It's got to be over 20 now. 20 plus. Over 20 plus. And whenever we see each other, we just jump in.
Like we talk a lot about we just kind of jump into the deep end.
We get into feelings. We get into what we're trying to work on, what we're excited about. We just get right in there. We don't do a lot of small talk, you and I. Not a lot of small talk. I feel like you are that way or I can speak for myself.
I feel like I'm more and more that way with the people that I'm closest to and the people that I'm not particularly close to are the people that I say like, what movies do you like? Right.
What's your love language? What's your attachment style? Tina and I had a good convo about, we were laughing, talking about Harvard. Fuck Harvard. Yeah, fuck Harvard. Fuck Harvard. So for people that don't know, what is your relationship with Harvard, and what was your relationship with Hasty Pudding?
Wow. We need to correct that, whoever's listening. Yeah.
From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every grand challenge. Learn more at Toyota.com slash Grand Highlander. Toyota. Let's go places.
And you, I know from us being friends, you started- You started going to raves.
I was raving. Rashida was raving during Harvard. I was.
acapella saved my life um but i i would say the most surprising thing is is probably that what what i have left from the whole experience is the people including mike sure including mike sure for those people who don't know who created parks and rec and um the american office he was mose and uh good place good place good hand good place um and he um wow do you think he's gonna sue me for that good hand good place yeah yeah he's very litigious
And he's working on a million other things. And you and Mike met at Harvard.
He must have been like the day when they were like, and here's your makeout partner. It could have been anybody. He must have done a quiet fist pump.
I'm having these like memories of when we were in, All of us were in high school and college, and we'd have to do, like, make-out scenes with just people on stage.
And how, I guess, exciting it was. Yeah. It was kind of exciting. So fun. I know. I mean, you've had to do quite a few love scenes in TV and film. I have, yeah. And any tips or thoughts about that?
Hey everyone, this is Amy Poehler. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. Man, we have a great guest today. I'm very, very excited to tell you that we are talking to Jack Black, who I think is the biggest movie star in the world. And the box office agrees. Jack and I talk about a lot of great things. We're gonna talk about
Also, you had done it four times.
So, you know, maybe it was like we have had you a few times. But I know what you mean. It's a funny club.
that you watch and you think you feel like you're part of even being a cast member, but then you also sometimes always feel a little outside.
Well, you could have been a cast member.
I don't think I could handle it week in and week out. 100% disagree.
But you could have, I mean, did you ever audition or want to audition?
What do you mean you had an idea?
Like, did you get an audition and you just didn't do it? I'm fascinated by it because also I'm interested in that story because that is a little bit of sabotage.
Maybe there was a party that didn't want to be on it.
A hundred percent. I wanted to ask you about auditioning. Cause I don't know about you, but I'm not a great auditioner. Like I don't really get a lot of jobs from auditions. I don't think I've gotten many. And I, I remember I auditioned for the Coen brothers and who I love, you know, and it was good. And I just felt like it wasn't going well.
I'm sure they have no memory of it and they had no, probably no opinion of it, but I felt like it wasn't going well. And so I started to like, Kind of sabotage it. Because it was like, basically like, you can't reject me. I'm going to reject you.
Before we get to Jack, where are we talking to you? We're talking to you from Los Angeles today?
And how are you? What's going on? How's your Thursday?
You're like, but no eyebrows now?
Okay, so you started, I mean, people might know this about you, but you were doing commercials when you were a kid.
How old were you when you joined the actors team?
Yeah, it got in there early. What was the Actors Gang for people that don't know?
In the actors gang. You were like the, the young team.
Well, I had a half of a breakfast burrito. Nice. Yeah. Yeah.
And you didn't learn guitar until a little bit later, right? Correct.
You can take it, you can, because I, well, I guess because I didn't say specific, but I've had things written specifically about me that really, really hurt my feelings. Like, it's really hard for me, embarrassingly so, to even- Like, I remember when my book came out, there was a really bad review.
Yeah, exactly. It kind of feels like I'm at work when I have a breakfast burrito.
Del Close. Del Close. Improv Olympics.
Like you're on set. And I had my favorite tea, Barry's tea. Oh, nice. Are you a tea or coffee drinker?
You would have loved him and you would have shared a lot and he would have loved you. He was like this guru, very misanthropic guy when, you know, we were all young upstarts and we were catching him at the end of his life. But he started-
back with elaine may and mike nichols and the compass players and all that like and he was kind of the one that stayed behind to be the teacher while everyone else became very famous he just made you feel like you were like that improv was its own art form that it wasn't some step to because you're bringing up the actors gang and i have to say like improv and sketch there was when i was in chicago there was like steppenwolf yeah you know the goodman yeah and then there were like
Oh, the dumb asses that do this. Like that was the feeling, like we were like the makers of Mary over here and they were like the real actors. Right. And you started out with like in the real actors category.
Did you ever do Groundlings then?
Do you remember her in high school? What was she like?
That makes sense because when Maya talks to me about you, you have a very older brother vibe to her. Like she looks up to you. And also, you know, it is kind of like how old were you when you met everybody? Like you just will never – that will never change. Like you'll probably always think of Maya as like younger. Yep. And she definitely gives you an older brother vibe. Like that's so funny.
When did we first meet? Do you remember? Yeah.
So no caffeine in the morning and no breakfast?
Totally. Yeah. Conan was huge in the beginning of my career. And yeah, and that, and also so many people were watching the same thing back then. Like everybody was watching Conan. Everyone was watching Letterman. Like anyone who was in comedy was watching the same thing at the same time.
Yeah. And that, when I would do that Andy's Little Sister thing that Brian Stack wrote. I got a ton of jobs from that. I got my first movie from that. Yeah.
What do you do? You just go run a 5K? What's happening over there?
They were like, we want you to be weird like that forever. We want you to yell like that forever.
Yeah, those were so fun. But we met, didn't we meet?
I feel like I might have, one of my, my first famous person that I ever knew was Janine Garofalo. She was like my first famous friend. And Janine's a real connector. Yes. And I feel like I might have gone to a party in Los Angeles. And I think you might have been there.
And then we did a movie together, which was thrilling. Yeah. And that movie was called.
Not only did it whiff, but it opened the same day as Mean Girls. Do you know that?
And I remember being like, I'm in two movies. Like, I had not been in a lot of movies. And they were open on the same day. And I remember thinking, this is going to be great.
Two movies, same day. And then one didn't really survive. And for people that don't know this movie, Envy, directed by the great Barry Levinson. Yes. Ben Stiller. Yes. Rachel Weisz.
I should explain for maybe the five or six people that haven't seen Envy that Jack and I play a couple who get like nouveau riche because you invent this way to get rid of dog poo. Yes. Where you vaporize it. Yes. Vaporize. Yeah. And Ben Stiller plays the irritated and then obsessive neighbor. Yes. Who starts to like be overwhelmed by our success. And I think I've told this story before, but
His hit movie, his giant Minecraft movie and all the amazing projects he's done. We harmonize together. We talk about the not so successful movie that we did together. We get into life and love and sleeping and dancing. And as always, it's just the best ride to be with Jack. And he's just the absolute best.
This was an example of, I was like, oh, I need to be a better actor. Rachel Weisz, incredible actress. And played like my friend in the movie, Ben's wife. And we were all friends in the movie. I remember she took a ton of notes and she was like writing in her script. Oh, yeah. And I remember thinking, oh, I haven't prepared enough.
And at one point she said, I sort of feel like we're best friends. And I thought she was talking about me. And I said, oh. was like week two i said oh my god thank you and she was like oh and i was like of course oh my god and i um and i looked back at my script like uh-huh yep i think let me see what notes i've taken i did not prep enough And she was so good. Such a great actress. Oh, my God.
But I didn't. I was maybe. I was inexperienced on that set, I have to say. I didn't really know what I was doing.
Well, it's kind of like what we were talking about before, though, because I find and hear and know that the way you like to work is very – I appreciate it and I feel similarly. Like, I do think you're supposed to be having fun.
Are you being held against your will? What's going on over there?
You do a lot of movies with, like, a ton of months, like, a long time to shoot. Technical movies, like, big movies. Like, how do you, like, green screen, you're way away. Like, I know you just shot Anaconda in Australia. Like, you're, like, it's not, like, three weeks long. you know, small lighting set up and you're out. Three months. Three months.
How do you stay, like, how do you manage that long day?
How much sleep do you want to get a night? What's your ideal number?
Okay. Let's get to Jack. So you guys have worked together a lot and you've done a lot of press together and you've toured together. I mean, everybody knows he's the greatest guy, but what makes him the greatest guy? What's so great about Jack?
Let's talk about our CPAP machines.
I wish we could bring out our sleep things, our sleep apps right now.
I know. I put mine in a movie in wine country. I used my CPAP.
Because I wanted to make sure I never got laid again.
And how about your partner? You have to be like, sorry, dude.
But think about this. You've been married for a long time. When you're not married, you're like, I got something to tell you.
Right before I go to sleep, I got to tell you something. And you're going to hear it first. That's love. That's love.
Your choice, babe. Air coming in, air coming out. Mouth tape? No. Butt tape? Yes. Tape up that butt.
Butt tape. Wait, Jack, can I talk to you about Kelly Clarkson, Tanner moment? I texted you. I loved that moment so much for those people who don't know.
You were doing Kelly Clarkson, Tanner from Love on the Spectrum. Amazing show. You're a fan of that show.
Love him. He talked about wanting to meet you and then you ran out and greeted him and-
It's so good. And also, okay, so this leads us in many ways to what you're working on now, which by the way, congrats on this monster movie.
I love that. They love it. They're right in the sweet spot. They're 14 and 16 and they grew up with Minecraft and they love it.
There's people going apeshit out there. You're the biggest movie star. Jack Black.
You're the biggest fucking movie star in the world. You are in so many hits, Jack! Hit after hit after hit! Oh, have you heard of Jumanji? Have you heard of School of Rock? Have you heard of Mario?
Have you heard of Minecraft? Kung Fu Panda!
Oh my God. And that movie looks so like, like I got to tell you that Minecraft, if I just may, like was so huge in my house, especially during COVID.
Cause you have boys. I have boys. Like building was like their, their way. They really, that's how they got through the pandemic is I'm going to go build something.
I've heard you have a t-shirt collection. I do.
I will say, I know I get a little stressed on set when I have tight things around my shape. Yes. Did you have to get used to that?
Tell us, tell me what I should ask him about the leg thing. What, what is it and how would you explain it?
I know. You're so physical. So we do this thing on our show where we have people talk about the guest before they come on. So I get somebody to come on in the beginning. So we got Nora- Awkwafina. Awkwafina in the house. And Nora and I were talking before you came in just about you and what she thinks I should ask you. And she mentioned a bunch of things.
And we just talked a lot about your physicality, like how much you like to move, how funny it is, how cool it is to be around. And she was saying when you guys were doing press that you were doing a lot of kicks and
You love to do that, especially like on the red carpet. Like you – I really admire it. You take over. Like you take over that thing so it's your fun time and like people are invited to it. It's not the other way around. Like you have a really good time promoting stuff. You refuse to – have it be boring for you.
Like when you recorded that for Mario, when you recorded the Britney song on the red carpet.
When you recorded Kung Fu Panda, you recorded, tell me, you recorded a video on the red carpet during the premiere.
And he would do it during press or just behind the scenes?
It's so good. Jack, you are my favorite singer. Your voice is incredible. Everything you sing is so good. Peaches is... My favorite song. It should be everyone's wedding song. And every Tenacious D song, every song you cover, every song you sing, I got to sing with you once. We sang The Rose. Remember we sang The Rose for Festival Supreme?
God, I love singing with you. I love your voice. And we rehearsed. And there was the great.
Awesome. And I was kind of geeking out a little bit. I had to play it really cool because I love your voice and love singing with you. But, like, do you ever feel.
Did we harmonize? Yeah, it was...
We're getting applause. Wait, Jack, do you hear that? Do you hear that, Jack? Someone's clapping for us.
So good. You can see it online. You can see it online.
The lyrics are a little stressful because lyrics in general are stressful when they repeat, but they're the same but not the same. Oh, man. Man. Weed and leaf or like love and light, whatever.
Do you use a prompter when you perform lyrics?
Like, I mean, there's nobody better than Elton John, but Bernie's lyrics sometimes I'm like, wow.
I thought it was don't be alarmed now.
And every time I hear that song, I get a feeling I'm in an eighth grade gym.
that song's coming on. And I'm like, I got to dance with, uh, whoever I dance with is good. It's going to be like nine minutes of dancing with them. You're just panicked. I'm like, I got to find a boy and it's going to go slow and then fast and then slow again. Like it's asking a lot.
I remember dancing school dances, stairway to heaven came on and the feeling of this is going to be 10 minutes of my life. I can't choose wrong. And I, so
Then you separate. You go, one on down the road.
You play your leg like an air guitar.
Yeah, but what if you point? But if you point, you're good. You go, hey.
Like walking and going, Hey, right. But you don't want to be.
No, it looks great. But I know what you mean. Right. And the eye contact is a little weird. Because maybe it's different for a guy. But I know what you mean. You have to kind of be like, hey, but not keep on there too long.
You just have to go, Jack! But you can't, if I stay any longer than that, it's weird. Because then the person feels like they have to point back at you and dance.
Yeah, and I like closing my eyes too.
Okay, but this is really interesting because you're such a physical person and you're very, very comfortable physically.
I don't. I take that pressure away.
Because no one expects that of you. Everyone expects, and you are a good dancer, so you could just be dancing and not have to feel like you have to perform while you're dancing. Like dance for yourself.
Wait, his, you know who, I know who Gallagher 2 is. Oh, I didn't know that. It's Gallagher's brother.
Have you seen Footloose? Amy's not going to teach you how to dance. Have you seen Footloose? That's exactly how it works. He teaches them to dance.
Remember that when he's like, come on, man.
We have a few more things before we finish. So Nora asked about the Chop Kicks. She also asked me to ask you about Gallagher, too.
It was make me laugh. I remember make me laugh.
Oh my God, I'm going to ask Jack about Gallagher 2.
I'm obsessed with that story. There should be, Ryan Murphy should do the story of Gallagher 2.
The fact that Little Carrot Top is the heir apparent to those. Can you believe it? And that Gallagher 2, the moment when Gallagher 2 says, maybe I'm Gallagher 1, is like.
It's like Game of Thrones or something.
You don't want the House of Gallagher coming in.
No, you don't want that. Um, okay. Two last things. Do you remember, um, uh, boys night out?
Sarah Paulson will play Gallagher. She's incredible. Okay, I'm going to ask him about that. That's hilarious.
Yes. Emily Spivey and I wrote a sketch called boys night out and it was Jack waiting for the boys to arrive and he, they never showed up and just kept ordering more wings, but there was a song. Do you remember the song to it?
Thank you so much. That's all I needed to hear. Okay. And then the last thing I've been asking my guests is what do you do? What do you watch go to what song, what video, what... comedy clip? What old show? What's your comfort? When you're not working and when you want to just like peace out and chill out, where do you go?
Okay, Nora, thank you so much for jumping on. You're the best. I hope you can come and do this someday.
And you go in complete order. I've heard all of them now.
Oh, I love that. That's amazing. That's awesome. That's great.
So how many steps a day do you try to get?
20,000 steps is hard to get. It's hard.
You're the coolest. Have fun with Jack. I do want you to eat a little something though. It's getting to be like 10.30 and I'm feeling nervous.
Where do you watch your old movie?
That's what I'm saying. Like you're creating a little school for yourself.
Oh my God, Jack, I love you so much. I love you, Amy. Thank you for having me. Thank you for doing this. Are you kidding me? This was so fun. I think I asked you everything I needed to ask you. I mean, I love you. I hope we get to see each other more.
You're the best. Thanks for coming by. Thanks for doing this. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Apple Card is a no fee credit card that gives you daily cash back every day. That's 3% back at Apple and 2% back on every purchase made with Apple Card using Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card in the wallet app on your iPhone today.
Subject to credit approval, variable APRs for Apple Card range from 18.24% to 28.49% based on credit worthiness. Rates as of January 1st, 2025. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank, USA, Salt Lake City branch. Terms and more at applecard.com. What do I say about the great Jack Black? He's just the best. And I'm so grateful that he came by. I love him so much. So does America.
So does the world. And, you know, we always like to end these episodes with a little polar plunge. We'd like to go in a little bit deeper, jump in somewhere that we maybe talked about earlier in the interview. And so I just want to remind everybody to listen to the song Peaches from the Super Mario movie that Jack Black I'm assuming wrote. I didn't check it out.
All right, thank you so much. Okay, bye. Woo!
I'm sure him and other people wrote that song, maybe just himself. His performance in Peaches is, like most of his vocal performances, exquisite. And I would say that to me it is the most romantic song I've heard in the past 10 years, and it should be everybody's wedding song. Peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches. Stop this podcast.
Listen to Peaches. Listen to it over and over again. Learn the words. Sing it to someone when you propose to them. I promise they will say yes. Okay, that's been another episode of Good Hang. Thanks for checking us out. See you soon. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler.
The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alea Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.
Oh, my God. I just had a memory the other day. Do you remember? This is a name droppy, but I'm going to do it. Where we went, we did karaoke together.
And I always start these podcasts by talking to people who know Jack or his work or are fans or colleagues. And we're very excited today to talk to Nora Lum, a.k.a. Awkwafina, the great actress and comedian and musician and voiceover artist who has worked with Jack on Kung Fu Panda and Jumanji. So, Nora, thank you for joining us today. Hi, how are you? Woohoo!
You're absolutely right, because Urge Overkill was a band that was in Chicago when I was in Chicago. Yes. And Nash used to be at bars with, like, Liz Phair and other goinks. Oh, yeah. And Smashing Pumpkins. Dude. And you'd just kind of walk in and pretend, like, order a beer and be cool.
I don't remember that. I just remember him being at the bar. I never talked to him.
Little fun fact, Steve Albini died. recorded and wrote the theme song to upright citizens brigade. Yeah. Wow. He went under the name, the welders. That's the, the, that is how he was credited. But Steve wrote it. And cause Steve was a big, like sketch comedy fan and Matt Besser, who was,
in UCB was friends with Steve and like loved, like I learned a ton of music from Matt and in Chicago it was all like lo-fi. Like you said, urge overkill and Liz fair and all this like production that was very cool. And then he produced which Nirvana record. Yeah.
I do really like all those stories about people in the studio that, you know, especially when the record is like a classic, incredible record about how tough it was and how everyone was like, we don't have it. Like, I love when they're like, this is we don't have it. We didn't do it. And it's like, well, best record of all time.
I don't know because I have to say, I kind of want to talk to you about this today. We have Jack Black with us. I'm so excited. We'll just jump right in.
But why I would say that you and I, I think something we share is that we don't think things have to be terrible- I don't think we like things to be- I don't. I don't either.
Me too. And it doesn't have to feel bad for it to be a good product.
Don't you feel like that's a good lesson to learn?
And do you get like I get, which is I get really sleepy. I'm just like, I think I should go to sleep.
Yeah, I want to escape. When I get really nervous, I get quiet and I get really sleepy. Don't play.
And I'm like, I think maybe instead of doing the show, I should go to bed.
Tina and I gave her a little shout out on the 50th. Yes. With Momoa, your buddy.
This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Whether you're welcoming a new family member, starting fresh in a new city or embarking on ambitious adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander provides versatility for embracing life's grand challenges. Like how you can effortlessly tuck away the fold-flat rear seats for up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Donna Richards, uh, been working there for a really long time at SNL. She also works at Seth Meyers. She has this really specific job. It's like part nurse, part coach, where she kind of grabs you and dresses you from scene to scene, but she has your whole show in her hand.
And she makes sure that you're, you can do it. She's the one that if you passed out or if you forgot something, or if you turned to her and said like, I don't remember Donna would, would, would have you. She's your, like, wrangler.
She's seen every star naked. And she could write a book.
About the... Your request for the chopped salad?
I always say people always ask me, what was your favorite SNL host and show? And it is always you, Jack. Black.
You don't need my praises, sir. It's for billion-dollar movies. I don't think I do. The, someone asked me because I was reminiscing about, cause that was a very special time for me too. I was, it was like 2000 and.
Yes. And we were like just a few years away from that, from the terrible beginning of SNL for me, which is like nine 11. We were like, we were a few years away where it was like, things had settled down a little bit. Did you have kids yet? No. Yeah, me neither. No kids, so party on. And then we did so many sketches together. That was such a fun week. The Strokes were the musical guests.
Perfect if your cargo is baby elephant-sized. From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every Grand Challenge. Learn more at Toyota.com slash Grand Highlander. Toyota. Let's go places. very excited to have you, Nora, today to talk about Jack Black.
the after party after, after was at UCB theater with that, that night. I don't know if you remember that, but we were like, yeah, we burned the midnight oil.
We went to the dawn. And then there was a sketch in there that I think about as one of my favorite sketches, which was I think Kenan Thompson just reposted recently, which was written by Emily Spivey when we're in the Sparrow and it's wintertime and the door opens and we keep flying away.
That was such a good sketch. Dratch was like an old woman on a wire getting blown away. And I have a moment of remembering like reaching out for her and she looked like my – Dratch and I could probably be like in the same family.
And we – she looked like my grandmother with like a white wig and it was like my grandmother going up to heaven.
How was it this last time? How was it to –
We share publicist. Yes. We share managers.
Welcome everyone to a very special episode of Good Hang. This is kind of an episode for our listeners, for fans of Parks and Rec, for fans of Good Hang. We have been kind of teasing this thing called Philly Justice, which is a fake idea of a TV show that was created on the set of Parks and Rec that we made a one and a half minute trailer for.
I am very, it's painful for you. Congratulations on the success of hacks and the success of good place. And congratulations on second season of a man inside. But right now you are with your family and I need, and this is Thanksgiving and we are going to put on nice sweaters and God damn it.
And I'm fine with her. And I'm very happy for you. But so we're going to talk about parks. But to do that, let's talk about. So you went to Harvard.
Which, by the way, a great, great month for Harvard. You know, I've talked some shit about Harvard on here already, but I'm a big flip flopper. Now I love Harvard.
We're going to talk about Philly Justice, the creation of it, and we're going to all watch it together. We're also going to talk about other things. We're going to talk about the beginning of Parks and Recreation. We're going to talk about meeting at SNL. We're going to talk about systems and how important they are to both of us, that work is a place of joy.
It's exciting. But you came from Harvard and we met. Do you remember when we first met? Yeah.
I'd love to go in depth. Cause we don't get, we, we're, we're going to talk Philly justice, but we have some time.
So he gave you that money to go away.
Yeah. He was like, you're making me nervous. Please go away.
We're going to talk about all the crazy names he likes to come up with for his characters. And we're going to be visited by... by some very special actors, Rashida Jones, Adam Scott.
Yep. That year was what year did you start?
Oh, remember cigarettes? Let's just take a minute. I mean, I know they're bad for you.
And like, you know, they truly are bad for you. They shorten your life. They make your skin terrible. But they're, oh, remember them?
They're so terrible. And I looked so cool doing that terrible thing. And we would smoke cigarettes, and we would—you know, at 30 Rock, you could just kind of open your window and look at the Empire State Building.
And it was terrible. And then you were eventually, when did you start running Update, Weekend Update?
We're going to hear from a bunch of people who were in Parks and Recreation and in Philly Justice who are telling us about how we made it, including the great Morgan Sackett, who is a producer on a lot of the shows Mike and I work on. He's an incredible producer, and he's going to remind us how we got away with making this dumb trailer. So there's a lot of things going on.
That's right. So, gosh, I forget that.
That's right. And so, right. So I was this new cast member and you were running Weekend Update at a time when comedy was declared over.
And when We'll Never Laugh Again.
And by the way, I was not Britney Spears. You were the snake wrangler. I was the very sapphic snake wrangler.
Was it Reese Witherspoon? Oh, Reese Witherspoon. She was the host, yeah.
So then Mike says to us, I'm going to go work on a show. I'm really excited. I'm going to leave SNL. I'm going to move. And, you know, everyone always wants to kind of like launch away from SNL, hopefully with some kind of project or something. And you told us the idea and we were like, Oh, this is a bad idea.
And we had watched, we had all watched The British Office together, including the very special Christmas episodes that we watched in your office.
Yeah. And we, and I remember us thinking like, Oh no, this is never going to work.
We were really like, Oh, this is, this is terrible.
Perfect show. How can you redo it? And then of course we heard a couple of things. We heard Steve Carell, who was a second city guy that we knew in Chicago. We were like, that's a good idea. That's a, That's a good pick. And we were like, we knew that you were working on it and others who are genius writers. And Greg Daniels, we thought, well, look, you got a good team.
You're going to go down in flames, but it's going to be fun.
And then on that show you are on for how many years?
and then decide with greg to create a new show and it might be fun to talk about just the like the all the kind of i think it's always a good reminder i think you and i are very much like this like i think it's kind of important to show your work like i think people think that ideas are these like fully formed things that are just realized instantly and in my opinion people that are
But basically, interview with Mike Schur. We're going to talk to the cast of Philly Justice. We're going to watch this minute and a half trailer for hopefully the first and only time here on Good Hang. And this one is for the fans. This one is for the fans. We heard you loud and clear. We're giving it to you. We don't like to tease around here. We like to please. And we like to squeeze.
Less secure, tend to pretend that they are, but secure people, I think, tend to kind of talk about all the ways that they approach something and how they had to re-approach, I guess. But in the very, very beginning, the idea for the spinoff of The Office, or was it even an idea for spinoff, was what?
Prego. I sent you a telegraph. I said prego, stop. Show's off, stop.
Well, you guys, I'm so appreciative you did that.
And we like to do it with ease. Is this sounding any less gross? Okay. All right. Let's get started. Welcome to Good Hang. Welcome. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Calculators make complicated things simple, like finding the square root of pi, figuring out how long you should tan, whether or not you should cosign for a car, and whatever those other buttons mean.
And it, proved to be the most satisfying creative experience I've ever had. And I like- More than this podcast? No, this is my number one.
3,000 Action-Filialen in Europe and we celebrate with extremely low prices. For example, our Superfin Waschmittelpots, 18 pieces, only 2,99. And our Spectrum Sprühfarbe for perfect coverage, only 2,33. For even more extremely low prices, visit our Filialen or check out the Action app. Small prices, great fun.
Now, one of the ways, like very concrete ways, that is I feel like an example of what I'm talking about, which is like the joy in the details, is the way you like to name characters.
And I think you gave me, I think you allowed me to use this in my book actually, but you gave me like a list of possible names instead of Leslie Knope, the character I played on Parks and Rec. Like you gave me like a bunch of different alternative names. But you also love to name characters left and right. What is it, what is fun about names for you and naming?
Our buddy Ted Danson gave me the best line, which is acting is embarrassing.
What's not complicated? Earning daily cash back with Apple Card. You earn up to 3% daily cash on products at Apple, 2% on all other Apple Card with Apple Pay purchases, and 1% on anything you buy with your titanium Apple Card. See? Simple as 3, 2, 1. And Apple Card made it even easier by building a calculator. Love a good calculator.
A lot of people don't know that. You have to get names cleared.
Okay. With that in mind, will you please read some of these names that you have invented?
Like just a few here on the bottom of this page.
Yes. Do you remember all these? Yeah. Amazing.
Another name, and also there's no way that someone's going to have this name.
Visit apple.co slash cardcalculator today and see how much daily cash you can earn with Apple Card. Subject to credit approval, Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch. Terms and more at applecard.com. I'm sure I realize I'm with probably the most accomplished podcaster I've interviewed yet is you.
And we've been talking about the existence of it for a while and we've been listening to you, your comments, have been saying things like, Amy, you cannot be gatekeeping comedy at a time like this. Or, the entire world is in shambles, Amy. Please give us Philly justice so we have a reason to live. Or, in the name of Lil Sebastian, please. So people are asking to see this dumb thing that we did.
Great one. Yeah. And then this one, do you have, are you involved with this one with hacks?
Homo. I thought that wasn't sure.
And you know what? I don't want to talk about hacks. That's fine.
Yes, but spelled differently than it said.
Okay. Oh, and you know, let's get into Philly Justice because we have some special guests that are going to be joining us to talk about Philly Justice. For those listening, stand by because we have very, very exciting guests.
Well, we do record. We often record the beginning first. After the interview, so I can talk about what we talked about.
And a lot of people don't know that we record the interview after the person leaves. Oh. So, yeah. So, this is just us talking. So, this is not being recorded? No.
Of course. I mean, it's just so hard.
AI is a relief. I keep saying that. It really is. And we might also want to do a little teaser, too, to say that you and I are thinking when this comes out, we will have announced that we're working together again on something exciting. Yes.
So we're back together again. We are renewing our vows, if you will.
Yoko knew that John needed a break, okay? And she let him wander, and he came back. So... you know, everyone needs a break sometimes, but you're back, back, we're back. And we're very, very excited to work together again.
I think it is. I think it is, but it's just a little teaser. Okay. So we will do another episode on parks. We promise for those listening, but in the meantime, we need to get to, I think a more important TV show by far. And, and that is called Philly justice. Yeah. Now, to explain to people listening, what the heck is this? I don't know about a show called Philly Justice. Well, you shouldn't.
It's not real. But I'll just set it up, and then I need you to tell us the history. Okay. Very briefly, Philly Justice is a fake TV show that we made up, a few cast members made up on the set of Parks and Rec one day because we looked at a picture of ourselves and we laughed and we said, oh, we look like we're in a TV show called Philly Justice. That small inside joke on set laugh is...
grew into a beast that is still discussed today. So what do you remember about the beginnings of Philly Justice?
And we'll put the picture up here, but we're just kind of nailing it, drama style.
Because I realize on the way over here, I'm like, you've had a podcast. The Paws cast.
Yes, like a 20-page script.
Of course. Writing is the worst.
While we were making another show.
I mean, you were ahead of the game.
Yep. Who we're going to talk to today.
Well, I think this might be a good time to jump onto our Zoom. Perfect time, actually, because we're going to be joined on our Zoom with the cast of Philly Justice, basically. And what we'll discuss when we get everybody is there was a casting change. Yeah.
Who's the we that you speak of?
Okay. And also, what we'll talk about is this small joke became hours of emails, character descriptions, tons of scripts, an actual shoot day, a trailer that we're going to show at the end. And nobody has seen this particular trailer.
Now, we did put on the end of one of the blooper reels like a small kind of like fake trailer of Philly Justice. That's right. We did, yes. But we never showed the real deal. And not only are we going to show it on this podcast, but also a lot of the people here today have never seen it. And we're going to watch them watch it in real time.
And just like those video games, and we're going to play video games over them watching the video.
Yeah, and then me and Kai Snatt are going to go out and give out Nintendo. We're going to Philly Justice Nintendo.
When he jumps out of the helicopter. Okay, so let's see. Do we have anyone on yet? Oh my gosh, this is exciting. This episode is brought to you by Degree Cool Rush deodorant. I'm a big fan of people owning their mistakes, like how last year Degree changed their Cool Rush formula and men were mad. One guy even started a petition.
So Degree listened, admitted they messed up, and they're now bringing the OG Cool Rush scent back. It's clean, crisp, and fresh. No wonder it's been the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. And it's in Walmart, Target, and other stores now for under $4. Just look for the light blue one. Degree Cool Rush is back, and it smells like victory for everyone.
So joining us now, Rashida Jones, Morgan Sackett, and Adam Scott. Welcome, everybody. Thank you so much.
Where is everyone Zooming from? I'm upstairs at a barbecue, a family barbecue. Great. In L.A. Morgan?
Dang, whose barbecue is this?
The word extant really lets us know that we're with Mike Schur, Harvard-educated writer and creator.
I guess we wanted to just start, Morgan, if we could. We were talking about how this picture on set then became a private joke that then became a show that then was written by the writers while we were actually doing a real show. So what do you remember about the first time you heard about it? And could you talk to us about the email that you sent? Sure.
Like actors do. We were like, look at how cool we look. Let's take another photo. We were like, we've been photographed all day, but yet it's still not enough.
I'm so thrilled to have you here. And we're going to talk about something very exciting today. But I do have you in the studio. So I do want to talk about us a little bit and our work together before. I love us. I do love us. Oh, this is us. One of another great show from NBC. But before I do that, when I plug this thing into my laptop, it goes weird. Nothing happens.
Yeah, we were like, Rashida, somebody take a picture with Rashida's camera, how cool we look.
Well, if you pay attention, everybody is facing one way except for Adam. And that really did end up informing his character. Yeah.
Everybody. Yeah. So Adam is the rebel. nick something right yeah nick yeah we'll get it we'll get to nick so morgan you are busy working on a show and you hear this stupid thing and you're like you just hear us talking about it when did you realize that you wanted to be part of making it into a trailer
Morgan, can you read us the email?
Well, like, so, you know, I don't know if you know, Bill Simmons told me in the very beginning, we love Bill.
Boston, one of Boston's greatest.
Right. That should be clear that Paul Rudd was not available. So instead of killing the fake show within the real show, we said, let's recast with Dylan McDermott, who very, very... Paul nicely said, yes, I'm in. He didn't even, he said, I don't even think he said, what is this? He just said, I'm game, I'm in.
And during that time, we started talking about our characters. And if we have a second, because I know I don't have everybody for very long, if we could, Read the character descriptions of our characters. Bones, now you're in a car. I see you're in a car.
Okay, I'm sending you the character description. Are you actually driving or is someone driving?
That's very true. I mean, and... I think of you as a Boston person. You're not. You're a Connecticut person.
Okay, so if I may, have our actors here, and then we'll fill in with Hans and Rudd slash McDermott's character. Sure. Rashida, would you mind telling us the character you came up with for Philly Justice? So when we watch the trailer, we know what kind of stuff you were working with.
And Holly was my character and it was fun for us to play enemies.
All right. Adam, you want to talk to us about your character?
Wow. Unbelievable backstory. This is quite a backstory.
Yeah, and you're a huge Red Sox fan.
So I'll blaze through the other fast ones. So then we had Catherine Hahn, who was Valerie McNeil, partner, criminal prosecutor, a machine. And no kid's never married. She isn't here. She also is very tough. She cares about the case over everyone else. And in the trailer, there's a moment where you and Catherine kiss, Adam.
And I do want to talk about sports because this is a podcast.
I'm not sure why, but I always remembered it like, what's the Mandela effect? I always remembered it as Rashida and Catherine kissing.
But before I do, so Bill told me not to.
Okay, I remembered it as such, and I even said it on the pod, and a lot of people were excited to see that. And I just want to let everybody know that doesn't happen in the trailer.
And very quickly, mine is Holly...
Holly McIntyre, junior partner, head prosecutor, stiff and quick to anger, doesn't make friends easily. Everybody doesn't make friends.
Her dad is Cameron McIntyre, owner of the firm. Oh, she's the daddy's girl. Yeah. And she's really worked her butt off to be taken seriously. She's a tough litigator. Her father, played by Corbin Bernson, thinks that she cares too much. She does.
Holly became a lawyer after a bunch of kids in her town died from lead poisoning.
She's hard on Joey Martinez, but only because she sees a lot of herself in her. Yeah. And she tends to go for married men who are older and a little mean. And then we also have Shane Chains.
Also, let's not forget Nick Offerman played the judge.
Nick, he says he remembers nothing other than he was just hanging around and someone said, can you play the judge? Do you remember that, Morgan? Yeah.
Yeah, you have to. You do have to do 10% of sports talk or you get fired.
All right, well, we are very excited. We're going to have a world premiere.
And, you know, it's really exciting. I mean, there's not a lot of things that we've just kept in a vault for all this time.
Rashida, Philly has never needed more justice than now. I mean, justice is needed. So I think it's time to make it.
I will say that people that are listening to Good Hang, we hear you. You have been demanding to see this. It is release Philly Justice now. That has been many of the comments. The comments are like, the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards Philly Justice. Yes. Show it to me, Amy, parentheses Rachel.
But Bill said, maybe not. Don't use the laptop. And I kind of have fought to keep it. And what's happening now is it's going cuckoo when I plug this thing in.
Release the tape or accidentally group text it to all of us, which is another great one. Please, please, please, please. In the words of Leslie Knope, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please. So we are listening. We're learning. We're sharing. We are going to play. And will they be able to see it on the Zoom? Okay, you guys ready to watch it?
Oh, I'm supposed to play it. I'm supposed to play it. Here we go.
I'm in charge. Oh, no. Oh, no.
Okay, so sorry about that, guys. Thank you for waiting. Here we go.
Keep your history in your pants, boys.
He was like, why do you need the laptop? And I was like, hey- you know, what's it to you? You know? And he was like, I'm just giving you a suggestion.
She can't. She's already married. To her job.
Welcome to Philly, bitch. Wow.
You know, it really is shorter and less exciting than we really built it up to be.
And you bring your motorcycle helmet to court.
Also, I'm confused as to who is able to object. There's a lot of objecting.
Well, I mean, I feel like It, as Mike said, it was an example of how much fun we were having and how much fun we were allowed to have. So thank you, Mike and Morgan for making Philly justice a reality. I mean, thank you for naming the show. Oh, my pleasure. And Adam, thank you for your work in Afghanistan. It seems like. Yeah. Yeah.
I got to get Bill on the podcast because you're right. It is like...
And I know, I'm sure Aziz is right off frame, out of frame there. So tell Aziz, I'm sorry he wasn't in it.
All right. Thank you guys so much for jumping on. It means a lot. And I think this will be a very special episode.
Love you guys. Love all of you. Bye, guys.
Love you. Morgan, let's get Philly Justice back together. Let's get a call sheet, Morgies. All right. Thanks, all. And thank you, Mike, for joining and talking about this. It was the best.
Bye, all. That was amazing. We got to see the trailer of Philly Justice, which really was the only thing we ended up making. And we got to talk to the great Mike Schur, who we need to have back to talk more about Parks and Rec because there's just so much to talk to him about. And if you're listening to this podcast and you want to watch it, you can go to Spotify or YouTube and see it there.
It's only there on our podcast. But, you know, also it might just be fun hearing it described and never watch it. But either way, thank you to everybody who joined us. And I think there's one person that's just joining our Zoom right now that we were trying to get. Let's see if we can... There she is. Catherine Hahn. Catherine. Catherine, you missed it. Catherine, I'm sorry.
Remember this? Must be nice.
We did talk about your character, though, and we're... Thanks. Catch it on. Zooming in. Zooming in. I love you so much. Zooming in. Okay. Thank you so much, man. I love my friends. Okay. Better late than never. I'll take her any way I can get her. Okay. Thanks, everybody. See you soon. You've been listening to Good Hang.
The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alea Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.
You know what they say about Boston? You don't even have to put a net over the traps when you catch the lobsters. Because with Boston lobsters, if one tries to crawl out, the other one will just pull them back down.
But I love my city. I do love my city.
Oh, exciting. Is this breaking news?
And we thought, why not premiere it only on Good Hangs? The only place you can see it slash hear it is on this podcast. And who better to talk about the creation of this particular little inside joke that was on Parks and Rec than the creator of Parks and Recreation, the wonderful, amazing Mike Schur. Mike Schur is a producer of all the shows that you love.
You can tell me off the air.
That is so cute. Isn't that adorable? That's really, that's a really nice story.
Yeah, my father, Bill Poehler, he'll want me to say his first and last name. And you should say your mother's first and last name.
Yep. So Ann, Bill and Ann, thank you for Keeping your hair tidy, number one.
And two, for raising us. Yeah. We appreciate that. But my dad likes to start most conversations in the Boston area with going up to random people and saying, do you like TV and movies? And they go, yeah. And he goes, oh, well, my daughter is Amy Poehler.
Yeah. My daughter. And they go, oh, because they're like, okay.
My dad used to rent apartments as like a side hustle. You know, he was in real estate renting because he was a public school teacher. Both my parents were, and they would have summer jobs. And he used to ask me for a stack of headshots so he could hand them out when he was renting apartments. And after many years of therapy, I realized that was a boundary that maybe I should set. So...
I did at first, yeah. Because it's Boston, you know, like, it must be nice.
Your father's proud of you. Oh, boo-hoo. Mike Schur is here, and...
All this will be cut. I mean, literally, all it will be is just very slow typing on this laptop. That's all this will be.
Oh, can I ask you, though? Because you like organizing. You like systems.
And I would say overall... Being in your simulation, and I know I can speak for many people, is kind of the best feeling in the world. You have great systems. Thank you. You take pride in them. People that are in your systems are very well taken care of, very well considered. And in my case, it changed my life to be in your system. And I love a good system, too.
And what I love about your systems is you think long and hard about what would be the best way. way or approach to do things. Like you're not, you're not a, you are not a strict person who doesn't take feedback about your system, but you like your systems.
Mike helped work on the American version of The Office. He went on to create Parks and Recreation. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place. He's in his second season of A Man on the Inside at Netflix. He is just an incredible writer, friend, person in the world. And I love him dearly and owe a lot to him. Nothing pleases Mike more than this kind of dumb joke and idea. So Mike is my guest today.
God, so well said. Thank you for setting that up. I often and always speak about you and our experience on Parks and Rec as the perfect example of what it's like to be creative and not chaotic. And I think you and I both have worked in all kinds of different areas where chaos was kind of part of the deal.
And, you know, there is certainly an energy that comes from that, but one does not have to have a chaotic or dysfunctional experience to have a creative experience.
I think so. I think it's just like there's a little bit more... Like diverse gatekeepers and a little bit more, you know, push from, frankly, generations behind us.
Who have just like reminded us that we don't need to put up with behavior that we were used to putting up with. Yeah. And just a little bit more quality of life stuff where people are just a little bit less okay with having their lives ruined at work. Yeah.
Well, my bad standup about it is boomers are all about money. Gen X is like, is it all about money? Millennials are like, where is the money? And Gen Z is like, what is money? That's my bad standup about it.
It's good. Thanks. I have been doing that on stage. Okay. So we could talk forever. I mean, we could do two, three, four podcasts. Maybe someday we will. And I'd love to have you back as a guest to talk, to dig in even deeper about with like park super fans and all the other projects that you do. But those to me are like other wives that you have. And I'd rather not discuss them. I understand.
Hi, everyone. Welcome to Good Hang. I'm Amy Poehler, and we have a great guest today. It is Martin Short, the hilarious and kind and generous and just deeply talented person who I grew up loving and love even more now as a grown adult. We're going to talk to Marty, as his friends call him, about Canada and the SNL 50th and Only Murders in the Building and...
It's so smart. And I'm just curious, maybe I can have her on here and ask, what is the... Bob Balaban, that was the third guy. Oh, yeah, Bob Balaban. I love Bob Balaban.
He's such a good actor. I'd be so curious about what made Selena sign on for another TV show. It must have been you and Steve. She must have known she was signing on to something premier and funny.
Yeah, we need the CVV. We need the DVD. Jost, I don't know if you know, but I already did a podcast with Tina, who nicely came in to be interviewed. I look forward to doing one with you. Maya, I look forward to doing one with you. Yes. And Jost, you were name dropped in the interview that Tina and I did. We were talking about... How much we love going to the Lampoon.
Interesting. Well, maybe we have that in common because I feel like people are afraid of Tina and not afraid of me. And I want them to be more afraid of me.
But do you want people to be more afraid of you or do you like that they're afraid of Steve?
I know why. Oh, you do? I think it's because Steve just doesn't talk as, I think the power move is to not talk as much. The quieter you are... So that's my big problem.
And we're like, hey, this is us. This is me. This is me. This is me. And you just have to stay quiet. And everybody projects everything on you.
There were a few women at that SNL 50th that I was really missing that I really wish I could meet because I have never met. One of them was Gilda and the other was Jan. Never met either one. Never met Jan. And she was the Kristen Wiig or Kate McKinnon of the cast when I was growing up. Jan was so talented, such a good actress, so funny.
Yeah. I missed her, and I loved Lorraine and Jane holding up Gilda's picture.
I had a great moment with Lorraine and Jane where I didn't know Lorraine that well. I've just kind of seen her at events over the years, and I felt very...
She was like, I wish she was quieter.
Totally. Yeah. Damn, and I felt that. I felt that. But her and Jane, she shared two things with me that I loved. One was just a small detail, but I loved it. She's like, Jane and I are getting ready together. Which I just love. That's a very girl thing. Like who are you doing hair and makeup with for the party? And Jane and Lorraine were getting ready together, which just warmed my heart.
So we're doing this thing where we're asking people to kind of talk behind people's back in a good way. So I've got the great Martin Short on today. Never heard of him. And you've all worked with, yeah.
Like I love that. And also they just both seemed great. And I was like, I said, you two look great. You seem great. And we kind of had a moment where we said, you know, women know how to age. Like they do better with aging than men.
But that's, I think, I think we get a little confused that, well, maybe I'm wrong, but we live in Los Angeles and we see that a lot. But the rest of, like your average people in the country.
I'm sure. Women, like look at women, look at men and women when they turn 50. It's, it can be difficult. It's, I don't know. Every school reunion, high school reunion I went to, the women look pretty great. And the men.
That I don't even mind. Who's the most handsome bald person?
Paul Schaefer. Most handsome bald person. Fabulous. Yes.
Anna and Will killed as Bobby and Marty at that music thing. Oh, my God.
Today. And Anna was doing a great impression of Paul playing them the part because it was like he was playing, yeah, 45 songs at once. And it was a complete chaos and they crushed it. And to me... Tina and I were talking about this after. To me, there was something very proud of... I felt very proud of all of us.
I don't know why, but it felt like a win for all of us that these two great sketch comedians came out. I mean, I feel this way when I watch you work and when you and Steve are together. Like, can come out and just settle a crowd and just... It just... Own the room. There's a joy when people are not nervous.
Yeah, I like him. I think you should check him out. I think he's funny. I found him on TikTok. Oh. So I guess my question is what, yeah, you know, how much do you love Martin short? What do you love about him? What do you think I should ask him?
Yeah, everybody was incredible.
Incredible. Like, Fred can do these physical things the slightest.
Fred used to send me long texts about his flight schedule, like when he was arriving, what airport, what time to get picked up as if I was picking him up from the airport.
He is so deeply funny. He also does a bit that I love where, if you haven't seen him for a long time at a party, and you go, hey, Freddie, he goes, hi, how are you? He pretends you're just a fan bothering him. He's so funny. He loves a bit.
Yeah. But people feel that way about you. People feel... Like, the way... even we were talking earlier with Maya and Tina and Joe. So like people feel that way about you, Marty, of all the funny people, people think you're the funniest.
I agree that I think Fred is like genuinely one of the funniest people I know, but, I think you are too. The thing that I love about watching you is, and I don't know, maybe you're faking it, but I feel like the lesson I learned at SNL and beyond is if you are enjoying yourself, people will enjoy themselves.
But people don't really apply that often into the work that they do and even into the comedy that they do.
Yeah, that's deep. I remember Lauren telling me when I was doing Update, You have to do a version of yourself for update. Yeah. Yeah, a removed version of yourself. Are you doing lip balm? Yeah, it's dry.
I get them constantly. It's actually a problem of mine.
Yeah, I mean, I can't do it. That's too rude. But if my guest pulls out lip balm.
I love a lip balm. It's one of the things about L.A. that really crushes me is how dry it is here.
Is this your home base, L.A.? Like, this is home?
I've been to some of those lakes you talk about outside of Toronto, and it does not get warm ever. Oh, it does?
How dare you? You motherfucker. I do a cold plunge, motherfucker, every day.
A girl thing to be cold? No, no one's going to be mad about that.
Yeah, I mean, when I say cold plunge, I mean, yeah.
Like I sleep without my socks on.
No, I have a high tolerance for cold. I proudly got into cold plunging like five years ago, and I do it all the time now.
No, I slowly built up. It was during COVID, and I was genuinely, I was so anxious.
Truthfully, I was so anxious and depressed during COVID that I was trying all these different things. And so I would do the sauna, and the cold plunge was about 48, 49 degrees.
Same. I don't do it any colder. Maybe the coldest is like 47.
It's cold. And I started by just like going in and out, in and out for years and then building up. And now I can do a couple of minutes. And it is, I cannot recommend it enough.
I want to talk about your tour because Tina and I are on tour. I know. And we asked you for advice. I don't know if you remember or maybe.
You did. Well, you said you gave good advice. You gave a lot of good advice. But because we've been doing a show on tour, it's been the best. Oh, it's the most fun. It's a dream come true.
And I know this sounds silly, but because I was never a touring stand-up or a musician, I don't think I ever sold tickets where people knew they were going to get me. You know, I was either part of an ensemble, part of a sketch group, part of an improv show, or I was hosting something that it wasn't. So the...
The fact that people show up already knowing that you are who they want to see, it just gets so much out of the way.
I know it's, it's the silliest, most obvious thing, but I realized our first show, Oh, people knew it was going to be just us.
And they paid to see us. And there's a, like a, a, an honest exchange between your performance and their ticket. Like, I do the show for you. You come and pay for it. Like, it feels very honest, whereas I feel... Well, see, that's the other thing.
We have, like, tons of women who come with their friends or mothers who are bringing their daughters.
This is their night out for the month.
And... We're the same. When we're done with the show, we look at each other and we're like, we gave them a good show. Oh, absolutely. That's what we feel good about. Yeah. I know.
What was it like? Like a lot of people in comedy, I I obsess about those early Toronto days and you all together.
Crazy. I mean, one of the questions Jost wanted me to ask you was, who was sleeping together that we didn't know about? You don't have to answer. But he wanted me to ask you.
Yes, it's so good. I mean, that period of time with all the people that you were there with, because you were there with who? Paul?
I mean, can I ask you a little bit about Gilda? Because we talked about Jam, but the things I hear about Gilda... and it just might be my projection, but I just feel like I would really love her.
What I can't always balance is like how, like you said something about her one time about like she just was so comfortable with her own, just the story you told, her own weirdness and strangeness, like her own, like she really knew.
Because it's just like, it's just so sweet.
How old were you when you guys fell for each other?
What kind of attachment styles did you have?
Do you have an hour? But were you anxiously attached? Were you an avoidant?
Wow, I've got to look at the image of that. Is it just him or one of his characters? I wonder.
You say something really beautiful, which is you did have, you had a lot of loss early in your life and you learned that lesson that some people learn and take away, which is, you know, we are here once you've got to figure, you know, like we have to enjoy life.
And you just might have been built that way. There's just like your nervous system was.
But don't you feel like that's the, I mean, for me anyway, that is the thing about getting older is realizing, oh, the simple lesson over and over again that we all process differently. Like I cannot. get someone to be happy if they're not. Or I can't get myself.
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, there's some kind of version of what you talk about, that joy of being alive that does come out in the stuff that you do. And also what I love about you is you also play very, how do I say this, like sharp and biting characters. Like you're also really funny at playing people who are not rooting for you. But we love, like, okay, Jiminy.
Yes, that's a better way to say it.
And Jiminy, to me, is a very familiar person in the world in the past 20, 30 years of, like, press that I've had to do.
That kind of person who, to your point, king of his kingdom.
And you come to them, and this is how we do things, and they're inquisitive but, like, mean, and they hate women.
Like, I think that's what I'm getting to is, do you think you are meaner than people think you are?
So I'm going to ask him about a stamp. Tina, Jost, anything you feel like I should ask him or anything you want to say about Marty?
But teasing is a love language.
This is a great, great moment, though. I mean, Jiminy is the videos that people watch, that my people watch to – Check, like to just get a huge serotonin boost. Like it is Jiminy videos all the way. We, Tina and I, all of us send each other those videos almost every week. Still.
And the guests, it was completely, like they didn't know our questions.
Now... God, Jiminy forever. Jiminy forever. You have a stamp in Canada.
Is it a picture of you or one of your characters?
So it's a many-character stamp?
Did they have a ceremony and everything?
They did. They had a guy except for you.
All heroes of mine. I was 12 in 82. Were you on SNL? What year were you on SNL?
So how many years were you on SNL?
When I started 2001, I started two weeks after 9-11. Wow. That was the time when it was like, you know, will we ever laugh again? Comedy is dead.
And I remember thinking, but maybe not. Maybe it's, you know, maybe we should still laugh. Yeah, my first show was the Giuliani show with the first responders on stage.
Reese Witherspoon, musical guest Alicia Keys. Wow. And that was September 29th or something, 2001. God. And it was like the beginning of any job. It's like, where are the bathrooms? How does this work? How do you get anything on? And we're not going to do anything political for three years. Comedy is over. New York is hurting. There's anthrax in the building.
But isn't it interesting that that happened then? COVID happens. over and over again, this idea that how can we get through this? People have personal tragedies in their life. It's like over and over again, we think, how can I get by And for me, and maybe for you, comedy just continues to be the thing that I think pushes people through.
That is... The fact that somebody feels like you can take the tease is the highest compliment.
And Tina and I have a different dynamic. We don't really insult each other.
No, we're really, we usually are the same temperatures.
I don't think everyone's thinking it.
I don't know if any, if you notice this at all, but there's a lot of, this is my personal fake food, some of my personal fake food collection. So we've been trying to figure out how to make the studio feel homey.
Well, let's talk about it for a second while we just have a second.
So this is a, for people who might be watching this rather than listening to it, there's a tiny little paper box of Cheez-Its.
And you think, oh, it's just a teeny tiny miniature box of Cheez-Its. There can't be anything in there.
It does have an icy. You know what? When I have a tiny box of Nutri-Grain bars.
No, it's just a silly little box. It couldn't be an actual Nutri-Grain bar with an anthropomorphic face that's winking at you. Let's see if we can see that, right?
And not to make it a big deal, but this isn't real. This is a candle. It's fake bread, and it looks like a candle.
I've brought all my men through my fake food museum.
And I put it, yeah, and I go, let's go.
Put it in your mouth and tell me what's fake. That's how I get them.
But look, a simple felt fake garlic. This isn't garlic. This is felt.
Listeners, Marty is putting a fake felt tomato in one of his eyes and pretending he's a pirate. It's this kind of prop stuff that's great for podcasts.
This is a fake egg. ASMR. Listen to this.
People make so much money doing clickety-click things with microphones, but not with a fake egg.
No, we will definitely finish this week.
We will definitely finish, yeah. And they've been very nice. Yeah.
Big pancakes. They just said, someone just said to me, great job and let's finish the week. That's what someone said to me. And I take that as a good sign.
So my last question to you is, and I'm asking a lot of people this, what is the thing you, like, where do you get your serotonin? What do you look at, watch, listen to? Where do you go? Who do you hang with? I mean, you're very funny friends, but, you know, what is something that you, like, genuinely laugh at, that you watch or consume?
Do you have anything you like now that you're watching – Anything that's making you laugh.
Elsewhere. God, I loved St. Elsewhere.
Elsewhere. But that St. Elsewhere was so.
The last time you watched TV is St.
In Dogecatcoin. Well, that was an awesome interview with Martin Short. He is the best. And now it's time for something we're calling the Polar Plunge, which is basically how do you get how do you change your day? How do you make yourself feel better? I do like to jump into cold water. I know it's weird, but I have a podcast, so I have to do it.
But I think one way to like change the molecules in your brain and give you a serotonin boost is to laugh. And There is no better laugh for me than Jiminy Glick. So do yourself a favor and watch that character played by Martin Short in a variety of videos online. Jiminy Glick interviewing Bill Hader when he stepped in for Jimmy Kimmel is so funny.
Hader cannot stop laughing and he just loves getting teased. And that kind of teasing between people who are mutually respectful of each other is like my favorite kind of love language. Um, so yeah, Martin Short, thank you for Jiminy Glick, the gift that keeps on giving. And, um, if you have never watched that character, please binge it now. Thanks so much for listening to Good Hang.
Thanks for hanging with us. We will see you next time. Original music by Amy Miles.
But do you think, okay, this is a good question. Do you think I should be asking these kinds of questions on this podcast?
Yes, dude. So Jost, your questions are, who was your biggest enemy and who did you hook up with? Okay, those are great. I'll start with those. Maya, thanks for taking a break in the middle of your show.
It does sound better. This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Uber Eats is delivering game day deals because you can't watch eight hours of basketball a day on an empty stomach. I love to watch TV on my couch and then never get back up. And so once I'm down... It's hard to stand. And I definitely don't want to drive and get food. So Uber Eats delivers my food to me.
And then I shuffle over to my door in my pajamas and I grab the food. So whatever you're craving, Uber Eats has deals on all your game day favorites. You never have to miss a single buzzer beater. Get game day deals on all your favorites only on Uber Eats. Order now. I want you to know you're one of the first three.
This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Life's journey brings constant change filled with exciting surprises, new chapters, and grand challenges. And the Toyota Grand Highlander is more than a vehicle. It's your partner in embracing all life throws at you. Blinked and the kids have grown up? The third row can fit three adults.
I don't feel like I got any time with you at the SNL 50.
Okay. Not only do I know that everyone got it, but so we were doing this thing on this podcast where we're asking, I'm reaching out to people who know you or like friends of yours or ours to ask them what I should ask you. So I just did a Zoom with Tina, Maya, and Jost. And all three of them have or had SNL COVID.
Now, I've done scenes with all of those people, and I shared a dressing room with Meryl. I did a scene with Mike Myers and Maya.
But did you have a good time? Like, how was the experience?
But do you go on the road and try out your stuff before the tour?
Yeah, I feel like it's not a genuine, you just can't.
And I kind of, I think it's hard to get like an honest laugh from like, to your point, the audience is too hot.
I wanted to talk to you about the congratulations on winning the SAG Award.
You are nominated all the time, and you don't win. I never win. And then the time that you win, you're not there.
Was that a bug? Is that a bummer?
Uh-huh. Sure. You watch it every night.
So you always put on The Brutalist.
Well, I, I, I related not to front door brag, but I have been nominated often and never win. Never.
From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every grand challenge. Learn more at toyota.com slash grandhighlander. Toyota. Let's go places. Maya and Colin, I'm being asked, would you mind flipping your phones to the side? Yeah. And I know this seems weird, but can you hold your credit cards up to the screen too?
Only one, but I think I've been nominated. Let me pretend to not know the number. Um, No, but it is something in the 20s.
But I was thinking about you because I know for me, every single time, no matter how much I've... tricked my brain into knowing who cares. It doesn't matter. Like there's this weird physiological moment that happens when you're just the split second where you're thinking, maybe I'll have to go up there. Maybe I'll have to give a speech. Does that happen to you?
The gold derby races or whatever.
So how did you win the SAG? Who did you sleep with?
Give it to the actors and they'll vote for anybody.
No, but I mean, I was bummed to see you not be up there, but I was wondering if you cared.
Totally. He killed it. He was so good.
And I agree. You either have to kind of free ball it and just be, you know. off the top of your head and just talk about how you're feeling or you have to have really good jokes. The in-between is stressful.
Yeah, right. That would be, would that be the kind of thing that would keep you up at night?
How did you guys, I mean, I'm sure you've told this story many times in other places, but never to me.
Mike Myers here. Yeah. I like to not settle in until I find the alpha in the room.
But the only murders, how did Selena get, like, how did you guys get her? Was she attached with you at the same time?
Hey everyone, this is Amy Poehler. This is the first episode of my podcast. Thank you for being here. I like to be five or six years late to any trend. It only gets better from here, or it only goes down from here. I don't know. We'll see. I just want to make it clear. I am not an expert. I'm not a therapist. I'm not here to change your life. I don't care if you get any better.
And we're lucky enough to still like each other and want to tour together. So we're going to talk and hang out. And like any good hang, you want to make sure that anyone's invited. So without further ado, here are some of my fave people, Seth Meyers,
You were like, you're not going to reject me.
I traveled 45 minutes each way. I mean, we talk about work a lot in when we're together. I think we work together really well. What is your relationship to work and has it changed?
Right, that's a luxury. Is getting to realize I only, if I can, want to work with people who I know will not think that... Chaos is how to be creative.
Fred Armisen, Rachel Dratch, and Zarna Garg, a great stand-up and friend who's been joining Tina and I on the road, and see if they have any questions for Tina, anything they think I should ask her. And honestly, I just want to check in and see if they think this is a good idea. This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander.
And we have seen and worked at places, and this is no big scoop, like SNL is one of them, where people come in with their system of how they like to work. And they're like people when they're nervous or insecure are often not at their best. And the way they act is wild because they're nervous or insecure.
like where I'm being directed by someone who doesn't quite know what they're doing or there's but there's no one telling us what to do there's no one in control I have that grouchiness where I feel like I'm going to I'm either going to have to take over here or I'm going to have to check out and I've been in a couple projects where like week one I'm like oh no like we don't have a captain like this ship is going down and you can see months ahead yep
How do you, yeah, I don't know, how do you, you just kind of, I guess you just watch funny videos in your trailer?
But, like, hold on. I'm going to take a lip balm break. Do it up. Because I need, my lips are dry.
I mean, I guess this is friendship is letting your friend use their. Laneige, I know about this because I have a middle schooler. I love Laneige. I mean, the question is, like, how well do you have to know someone to let them stick their finger in your lip?
Okay, you don't want to? I don't want to. Interesting. Well, I'll think about that all day.
Like a man who's worried about like, I don't shake hands. It's like, you're a man.
Yeah, you're the one with poop on your hands. You're the one. Like who said anything about poop on their hands until you did? I don't know. But we know a couple of people that are germaphobes. We have to watch out. That's the thing we have to watch out for in our 50s is the thing that was like our cute eccentricity becomes our genuine mental illness.
Life's journey brings constant change filled with exciting surprises, new chapters, and grand challenges. And the Toyota Grand Highlander is more than a vehicle. It's your partner in embracing all life throws at you. Blinked and the kids have grown up? The third row can fit three adults. From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every grand challenge.
The thing that's like, you know how they don't like to drive?
You you. I do. You do. You're good at driving.
And I said this before, which is I feel like Amy came this close to being... A Karen.
The woman that called the guy that was birdwatching was named Amy. At the same time, Amy Coney Barrett was up and running or getting up and running. There was a lot going on with Amy. We missed it by an inch. Yeah.
yeah but is there anything you feel like you see me doing that you should like i should be careful about warn you about that's a good question i think that is what women do for each other is they say like hey you know like you know the pills that you take for your for flying you shouldn't take them when you're not flying well my chair made a fart sound that wasn't me um uh
Well, I know that I like I play this game with my friends. It's be fun game to play together, which is like, what is the version of you? That's like your biggest fear you will turn into.
I want to write it down and show it to you. By the way, I have my computer here, you know, because that's what people do with podcasts is they have their computer.
Yeah, I know. And you have one window open with porn. I wish we could do the whole podcast where I say really, like, the wrong information about everything and then I pretend to look it up and I verify it in front of you. Oh, also, I wish I was just smoking weed the whole time. What if I just start lit up a joint? Okay. Okay.
Learn more at toyota.com slash grandhighlander. Toyota. Let's go places.
And it's like, turn up my hairbrush.
And people go, we don't need it. And you go, we do need it. We do need it. But you have incredible hair. I feel like you should have a hair campaign. And also, I always am pushing you to have a glasses line. Why do you not have a glasses line?
Yeah. You mean like a podcast or something?
Yeah, I know what you mean. Like, if I had a rosé... If you... Yeah.
And we have to. They don't care. They don't judge it.
Well, get... You should stop because this is the thing that you have to have a million. You have to have glasses.
To give to my child. Yeah. You're saying you worry about turning into a woman as you get older that is like a strident, opinionated, here's how it works, babe.
And just— Because I just think as an exercise, it's fun to think about our personalities. Like, the thing that, like, got us here, that we're here sitting in front— Like, you and I are lucky enough to have a lot of years behind us, hopefully more years in front of us, working, getting to try all this different stuff. Yeah.
Money only can fix your 80s and 90s so much. That is the thing. We've hung around a lot of wealthy older people, and the thing that they cannot get over is that they're going to die. Yeah. Like that's the thing. They can't believe it. But who's your guy? Who do I call? Yeah. Yeah. And it's like no one. You call God. Yeah. You call him on the phone and say. Yeah. But sorry.
He says welcome to hell. And God says welcome to hell. Okay. But do you want to talk about Four Seasons for a second, by the way? Sure. Because it is coming out. And Coleman Domingo is a prince on this earth. Oof.
They only did it once? I think they only did it once. And was it bigger than a regular interview?
I know, this is a very typical Dratch entry. Dratch's headphones look like, hmm, you know when you're trying to untangle Christmas lights?
That's exactly, truly what we're trying to do here because I can't, my nervous system cannot take me. Well, two things. My nervous system cannot take it compared to the rest of the world. Yes. And also I feel like there's this weird sometimes – I mean you are the exact – you're the example of not doing this I think.
You like – everything you make is hard jokes and hard comedy and always really, really funny. But a lot of times women specifically are asked to like – Be, like, nurturing caretakers in spaces. Like, be teachers. And when we were thinking about this podcast, it was like, all the guys get to just, like, goof around and have fun. And it'd be, like, straight comedy escapism.
I don't have advice for you. I just want us to have fun and lighten up a little. And I don't know. I want us to feel like there's a way to have laughs amid all of the craziness that is life. So if you're listening to this while you're working out or folding laundry or maybe you're sitting in your car avoiding your kids –
And our stuff has to be, I don't know, about menopause. Which also is important.
But TV doesn't really, like there's no TV anymore, right? It's all just like articles about TV. Like TV itself isn't on.
It's TikTok about TV shows that aren't on. So what is the thing that you do? Where do you go to escape? What is like the video that you watch, the person that you watch?
Just the sound of untangling headphones is great for like a first podcast and stuff.
Yeah. Paul Meskel started that. Like, he's the ultimate famous rugby bill.
And then have you seen in rugby where they have to pick each other up with their underwear? No, so in rugby, there's a move where the men, to get the other one taller... You know, like to basically, it's almost like if you're hoisting somebody up. Yeah. They grab basically their shorts and underwear.
And then that's how they get it up. And there's videos. And I'm not saying that my algorithm has necessarily taken up on this. But I have seen them enough to now I do get them. Where men grab each other by the waist. It's very feminine. It's actually like. Balletic. Yes, it looks like a lift. Yeah.
Maybe I should reintroduce everybody since we're all on mic here. Zarna Garg, Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, Rachel Dratch. Welcome to Good Hang. Thank you for being. It's great to be here.
But they grab each other and lift each other up and then their penis, their dicks are right in the line of their face. But it's totally fine. I mean, it's fine either way. Of course it is. I just mean that everyone's happy. There's no, everyone's doing exactly what they want to do.
Tina, that makes total sense to me that that is your like fun.
Can we just go down the line and have everyone clap? We really need you guys to clap.
We're right now not... He's not thinking about us at all. No. He doesn't know what we call each other. In private? Jost, who... Talk about a narc. Jost, when we met Jost... Did you say a narc or an arc? An arc. Okay. Talk about a narc. What a narc. I was smoking weed and Jost called the police and I was like, fucking narc. No. Talk about having an arc.
Baby Jost, as we used to call him, we met him... We went up to the Harvard Lampoon. Oh, see? That's where we met him? That's, I think, where I met him.
Maybe we should just tell the story. So the Harvard Lampoon invites you up, and they kind of roast you.
But you and I, many times over the years, many times have had this moment where we've turned to each other and loved or hated something at the same time. And this was definitely an example where we both were like, we're not, we don't like this. and they make you go through this kind of initiation. And, I mean, I wasn't in a sorority in college. No, me neither. And I don't get it.
But they made you go through a whole thing, and then they brought us into a big, giant room, and they kind of roasted us. Yeah. And... We had – I think we had a lot of fun in how much we, like, did not engage. We all didn't like it. Didn't like it. But baby Jost was there.
We really need to get this clap right, guys. Okay, set.
I don't remember him – we didn't get a Jost roast, but – No, he was always a – But he went on to –
Yeah. Since then, you know, because you and I both have like blue collar. Yeah. I guess rage. What would you call it? Like or at worst chip on our shoulder.
I remember having two more Harvard experiences and both involved what I felt like, like like sniveling guys roasting me because one was the hasty pudding where you really do kind of, you know, you know what you're getting into and they kind of come out and roast you.
Why does anyone go? I don't know. But I really did my homework on that one, and I had really good jokes that I was proud of. Oh, that's good. And I really crushed them. And then I was asked to give one of those speeches at Harvard, and one of the kids... I mean, I've gotten this more than once, and I hope this isn't awkward for you, for me to say it in front of you, but...
Definitely, like, people like to say, like, you're the poor man's Tina Fey. Oh, God. I know. And so... But this kid said it right before I went up, so I gave him the finger. Which... Everyone was shocked about it. And I don't know who is the right... I mean, I did it, I guess. But I go, fuck you. And again, I was like, you're on a dais, Amy. Like, this is a... But then, fuck Harvard.
Fuck Harvard. I mean, those fucking assholes. But thank you for inviting me. It was a real honor.
Yeah, definitely is the kind of thing where, like, people go to award shows and they get mad that they're getting the award. It's like, if you really don't like it, don't go. Don't go. But I did go and was happy to give a speech. Okay. Lastly. Yeah. Just to kind of get started on this podcast, I had on Zoom, I had Dratch, Seth, and Fred, and Zarna. Uh-huh. And they all got into Zoom.
And I said, I'm interviewing Tina. What should I ask her? Oh, my gosh. And it was great because everyone was very excited. And, of course, I just want you to know the most hilarious thing was Dratch could not get her laptop to turn on or her headphones to work. And then while we were recording, the doorbell rang and her dog started barking because she had ordered food.
So there wasn't much content that we can use. So were there questions for that? But there were a couple questions, which is what makes you laugh. We went into that.
You can make that, get that audio. You should trademark that audio and make merch. And then the other thing that Zarna had, Zarna was like, you never get asked, Tina never gets asked girly questions, which is so funny. I mean, do you feel like you don't get asked girly questions? I don't know.
Fred wanted to know... Fred's like, oh, also, by the way, you know, Fred does a great Tina impression.
You've never seen his impression? No, I've never seen it. What do you mean? I feel like he's done it to you. He does a thing where he mumbles, but when he comes up, the thing about Fred Armisen, his impressions are never, like, they never make you feel bad. Yes. At least in my experience. Like, they just feel like they're kind. Yeah. Which is hard to do. But he comes up with, like, a script. Yeah.
It's more physicality than anything else where he comes up with a script and he goes, hey, buddy, I just want to look at it. And you're giving a thought with the script, holding the script to your body, and you can't hear what you're saying.
Well, remember Shy Ronnie, Andy Samberg's character on that? Maybe there's a little Shy Ronnie. Anyway, Fred wanted to know, last question maybe we can talk about.
Really cool guy. And coming back around, if Fred has Don Faye originals, I have in my children's bedrooms, I have paintings done by Barbara Jost, Colin Jost's grandmother. That's awesome. That's cool.
If you are listening to this, when it comes out, Tina and I are going to be on the road. Yes, look for us at a theatrical venue near you. We have a bunch of dates all over the U.S., and it's been so fun, and we're going to have our buddies out there with us. Is it TinaAmy.com? TinaAndAmy.com? You would think I would know. We would know. I think so. I think it is TinaAndAmy.com. I think so.
But go check it out. Check out our dates. Come see us. And hopefully we'll continue to work together for another 30 years. I hope so. Me too. Love you. I love you too. Thank you. So, you know, that's our first episode of Good Hang. Thank you, Tina, for coming. I did actually learn. I did learn that she learned things that I didn't know after 30 years.
That she obviously is in an emotional affair with her local newscasters. And that's a problem. And I should let her husband know. We are at a point in the show, the end of the show, where we're going to do something called the Polar Plunge, which is really simply I'm going to talk about stuff that makes me laugh and like where we're finding joy and lightness these days.
And so to add to that before we go. I just want to say that check out my favorite sketch on SNL, the one that I returned to over and over again during COVID, during tough times in my life, when I was feeling especially down.
The first Debbie Downer, the Lindsay Lohan episode when they're at Disneyland, that sketch to me is the perfect example of how a good laugh can completely change your day, your week, your life. And why it is so funny to me,
is that the great Rachel Dratch, whose comedic stylings and physical comedy we experienced at the beginning of this episode, when she couldn't get her headphones on, when Rachel is trying to stick the landing and get those jokes out, and we know that it's going to be followed by the sound effect, and the audience has this moment where we're all in it together, that moment is still thrilling to watch.
So do yourself a favor, because... Yes, Rachel cracks up. And, you know, when people crack up, it can be funny or sometimes it can be annoying or whatever. And, you know, I grew up with Carol Burnett and, like, loved watching the play that they all had and how they were all trying to kind of get each other to laugh. But what's so funny about Debbie Downer in that scene and why...
I truly watch it for serotonin boost is because Rachel knows what's coming and she tries her best to keep a straight face. And that she's like bursting like a silent film star. And anyway, that's what's making me laugh today. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler.
The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alea Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.
Oh, my God. Okay. So my first guest is Tina. Tina Fey. And you all know Tina really well. So I guess my question to you is, what would you want to hear her talk about on this podcast or any podcast? She doesn't do a lot of them.
Maybe you're listening to this, I don't know, in your in-law's basement next to the Bowflex machine and it's Christmas and you're questioning the choices you've made in life. Whatever it is, this is a show here to have fun and make you laugh and I'm not here to judge. Okay, so my guest today is Tina Fey. Tina is my wife, really, in life.
Ask her the dress question, Seth. I'll ask her. And can you do it? Can you whisper it in like a phone call late at night?
I know you guys, your time is limited, so I won't keep you much longer. But just before we go, you are all doing tons of podcasts, hosting them, in them. What advice do you have for me as I launch?
Is it is it that sounds kind of leading the witness a little bit?
Yeah, go, go. I love you. Thank you for doing this, Seth.
Everyone's got to go. It means the world that you guys did this. Thank you for letting me start. This is like the ground floor. Thanks for being there for me with this and so many other things. I can't wait to see you all in person very soon. I really love you guys. Thanks so much for doing it.
This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Uber Eats is delivering game day deals because you can't watch eight hours of basketball a day on an empty stomach. I love to watch TV on my couch and then never get back up. And so once I'm down. It's hard to stand. And I definitely don't want to drive and get food. So Uber Eats delivers my food to me.
And then I shuffle over to my door in my pajamas and I grab the food. So whatever you're craving, Uber Eats has deals on all your game day favorites. You never have to miss a single buzzer beater. Get game day deals on all your favorites only on Uber Eats. Order now. All right, we're going to officially start.
Tina, thank you for being on the first official podcast that I have ever done for Good Hang. It is my absolute pleasure. I really, really appreciate it, buddy. You have done many things for me over the years, including getting most of the jobs that I have, helping me get most of the jobs that I have and the career that I have. But this means the most.
But I am kind of nervous. Why? Well, I mean, I guess it's funny to talk to your friends that you've known for so long and then interview them, I guess. We should probably I guess we should probably picture this as like I'm going to picture that there's a room full of like I'm going to picture like there's an audience. OK, because I'm not just Jenna.
Hmm. Do you remember the character that Kenan did on SNL where he was a guy saying, just fix it? Remember he was like a New Yorker that just kept going, fix it.
She is my comedy partner in many ways, and she has... You know, I talk about it in the podcast a little bit, but she has been... Along this journey with me, we've really experienced a lot of things together at the same time in life. Sometimes I feel like Tina and I are kind of a group with two members. And we've had a lot of parallel things happen at the same time. kids and TV shows and career.
I appreciate that. And you were so good on Bowen and Matt's.
Oh, God. Have you ever? I mean, I think I know the answer to this, but I feel like I've never got really gotten a job from an audition ever. Ooh. You feel like you've gone into an audition for something and nailed it and been like, I got it.
There was a casting director in Chicago, who shall not be named, who was a commercial casting director, and I had kind of wonky teeth. So it was this kind of thing where we'd go out for this, remember the term bite and smile? Yes. So you'd pretend a bite into a hamburger, and then you'd smile. Yeah. Yeah, and it could change your life. You could pay for like three years of your low rent. Yeah.
And I knew right away that with my teeth, I was never going to get a bite and smile. Like, there's no way a brand would be associated with my teeth. And this casting director, just to get to know people, would ask them, what's your most embarrassing moment?
Yes, yeah. And I had a full, like, I got probably nervous in that moment. But I was like, no, thank you. I, like, didn't want to tell her my most embarrassing moment.
Hi, everyone. This is Amy Poehler. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I'm very, very excited to introduce my next guest, the great Katherine Hahn. What can I say about Katherine? She's a legend. She's so talented, funny, smart. She can do it all. And people love working with her. And I loved working with her. And today we talked about... What is her relationship to work?
I think, you know, when you're in your 40s, there's this feeling that you've pretty much, you have your old friends, your high school friends, you have maybe a partner and their friends, you have your... kid, mom, friends, college, college. Yeah. You have like this, all these different groups of friends and you think, I think I've met everybody. That's going to be my close friends.
Yeah. We have. Yeah. We have like, we've been through a lot of tough times together. We've been very honest with each other. Yeah. We've like, I think we've really... like taken great pains to see each other. Yeah. Yeah.
And I mean, I know how I feel about, how important that is for me, but what, what, how, what, how are female friendships important to you? What do they do for you?
Yes. The Witch's Road. The Witch's Road.
Yes. That's why, I mean, that is why when I watched that show, when I watched Agatha all along, that was so moving. Basically, you must hold hands with someone to go into the next step. And let's be honest, our female... friendships and relationships are going to, you know, with the exception of maybe our sibling relationships will probably last the longest.
Patty, are you there? Have you joined us? She's not. She's not there. She's still not there. Okay, so just to give you guys an update, Patty just checked in and said, got it. I'll have to be on my phone, okay? Putting on slap now. Uh, I don't know what that means. I'm going to say, okay. Ha ha ha. Okay. Thanks so much. Okay. This is fun. So I don't know what putting on slap means.
I know. I feel you. Speaking of other women.
So we do this thing where we ask people before we have a guest to chat about the guest. So like, I kind of like want to like, and we got Patti LuPone. No, you did not. Yes, I did. Oh, my God.
No, she's so great. Isn't she? I know. Uh, talk about, you know, a new friend that I want to, I mean, I feel like I keep, I have to stop telling her or I have to stop asking her if we're friends. I just have to start believing that we are. But, um, anyway. Oh, doll. Call everyone doll.
I don't know about you, but I get very comfortable around older women who are very bossy. Yeah. Because I get very relaxed. Yeah. We're in good hands. We're in good hands. And the few times that I've hung out with Patty, she's like, we're going for a walk. And she tells me what to buy. And it's just... Okay, so tell me about how you... Was Agatha the first time you met her? Oh, yeah. Okay.
She did. She told us that. She did. She said, well, I don't know anything about Marvel, which I love.
And also... And she said you guys met at the table, Reed.
And Agatha was a really big circus to lead. Oh, yes. And you had to do a lot of big stuff on there. A lot of swinging. Oh, my gosh. So much, you know, if one is to believe that acting is a little embarrassing. Oh, right. You had to do so much stuff.
incredible birthing scenes and crazy stuff and holding hands and singing yes so much fine lines incredible stuff yes but like walking in the razor's edge because we knew if it went one way or the other it could be like oh wow and america voted and it worked america voted for if tiktok voted tiktok is my government okay i know and i gotta get on tiktok it's it's so i think it's wrapping up oh i know it's my perfect timing as usual
That's like me in podcasts. I'm like, let me get in there. And everyone's like, now? And I'm like, yep, right before the door closes. But just for a second, what was it like to be on such a big show, having to make really big choices with all these incredibly big personalities and people? It was just, it must have been something.
So Patty wanted me to ask you two questions. First she said she loves your snort and we already got it. We already got it once.
I've been described as a raven when a raven, when someone runs over a raven's foot. That's how somebody described my laugh one time.
It's just, I have a very witchy laugh too. You have a very witchy laugh and a very, you do.
It either means she's slapping on makeup or that's some kind of Broadway term.
There she goes. But I really do. I do. I love a good laugh. God, me too. Have you always been that way? Was that... Where did... Like have you always been that kind of person that loved a good laugh?
This proves my theory that Catholic school girls were A, so bad.
Oh, yeah. Boxers were a big deal. Wait, it was just an all-girls school? Yeah. And they were pantsing you? Pantsing me.
And they would just flip up your skirt. And back then we were like, the price of being a girl. It is. We were like, oh, we better get prepared. We were like, maybe someone will flip up my skirt today. So fucked up. So fucked up. So fucked up. And the teachers were like, if you guys are doing the flip up. Keep it outside of class.
Oh no, because of that stupid boy. It was that stupid boy. I know. I had a stupid boy tell me one time that I look like a frog, that my face looked like a frog. And I just, I still think about it. I mean, I still remember it. I just remember being like,
Yeah, but you just get that thing where you're like, well, I guess I'll live the life of a frog then. Like you just immediately are like, well, if one boy thinks it, then it shall be so. Then it shall be so. Yeah, I guess they'll just flip up my skirt and I'll wear my boxers and shave my legs in the bathtub and have a face like a frog.
So what are you doing these days? Singing. Yeah. Do you have a show tonight?
I just think people should know that you have never gotten any plastic surgery. Not that there's anything wrong with that. No. But I just think.
But now you're, now you've gotten into mother phase, your mother Han.
You're attending it or you're singing it?
That's what I'm saying is there's this amazing moment that's happening for you in general where, you know, people that have loved your work now for 20 years are seeing you get this kind of next level of recognition and, you know, all that comes with like the Marvel machine. Yes. And there is this also celebration at the same time led primarily by gay men, but not just gay men. And young gay women.
Young gay women who love the lesbian kiss that you had on Agatha with her beautiful Aubrey Plaza.
Amazing Aubrey. That are deciding to just be like, mother. I know. And that feels like you're being anointed.
I think it's like a way, yes. Like a guide. I think it's like a way to compliment someone's, Wisdom and fortitude without making them, while still making them feel sexy. Yeah. There's something that feels sexy about it because it's very Dom. It's very like, she will crush you. Like it's a little bit of like mother. Right. Yeah. Maybe you should have done Instagram.
You should have tried to spell it out. But also there's a reverence to it, like a respect. There's like a loving respect. Again, someone else could probably break down the etymology and what it really means. And we all know where it goes back to like the houses and, you know, like all the – Queer culture back. Yes. Who are creating their own community and family. I love it. I know.
Me too. And it's just, there's something that's happening right now I'm noticing in real time where women our age and our 50s and our business used to kind of just be on the way out. Yeah. For the most part, there were a few. Yeah. A lot of them were not really regarded by young people as being vital. Yes. Producers of things. Yeah.
I never liked MILF. I hated MILF. Me too. Why do we hate it?
Yeah, and also I didn't like it because it was like, oh, you'll still fuck them? Yes. Let me check. Yeah. They don't want to fuck you. I just checked. Gut check. Gut check.
Yeah, mother feels a little bit more... You respect it. And it feels more gay-adjacent, queer-adjacent, so it feels a little... Yeah.
I mean, you were the first gay Marvel kiss, right? I queer Marvel kiss. I don't know. I think so. I have a piece of paper. Let me see. Yep. It's not on the. Yeah. Oh, yes. Yeah. The first Marvel lesbian kiss, according to this paper. Oh, That just flew in. Hold on. It just floated down. From the sky. It's coming from the sky. Here we go. But yeah, it's pretty cool.
I know. I know. Our beautiful baby Plaza. What's going on? I'm aware of it. As a therapist, I'm aware of the time. It's 1148. I am so fine with going. Okay, just letting you know because I want to respect your boundaries. You have a long press day. And so I know you have to do a lot of talking. And you have to eat wings. You have to eat hot wings. I'm so sorry I don't have wings.
I know for no reason. What do we have to do? We have to line our stomach? How did this happen?
But the way in which we're like, I guess- Yeah. I guess for this show, I got to have diarrhea for four days. For four days, ring a fire.
This is a really good example of what we were talking about earlier. Like, you're like, this is going to be fun. I'm into it. You're into the lack of control. Yeah. And man.
Show business, baby. Show business. That's why we got into show business, to do stuff like that, to just eat weird hot stuff. On camera. For free. For free. But we were talking a little bit about the way in which you're getting received when you're out in public that's a little overwhelming.
sometimes because of the fandom of it all like there's you're in a machine now that's bigger than maybe some other ones and we were kind of talking about that feeling of like having to take on other people's energy and how do you balance the introversion and extroversion part of what we do well uh
My thing is when people go, can I tell you who you look like? And I'm always like, please don't.
It is never – No, it's never going to be great. It's never going to be great.
Unless it's Scar Jo or something. Like, it's never. And it's also so – it's always someone who is a hard 30 years older than who I am, which is fine, but – OK, so let's talk about Philly Justice before we talk about the studio and then we'll be done.
OK, can you explain to people what we're talking about?
And is that it? Yeah, me. We the original picture that Philly Justice was born out of was me, you, Rashida, Adam and Rudd.
We pretended we were on a fake TV show in the 90s called Philly Justice or the early 2000s. Yes. All crossed our arms. Yes. Then that became a text chain where we started pretending that we were just pretending we had been texting each other.
Okay. Let's talk about Catherine. So today's episode, we're talking to Catherine. We're doing this fun thing where we're kind of talking behind people's backs before they come in just to kind of hear more perspective about them and what, what you think I should ask her or, you know, what you'd be interested in hearing her talk about. And tell me how, like you, how you met and,
Right. Catherine is playing like a lawyer, question mark? Question mark. We don't know. And who has a very tempestuous relationship with Angie Martinez, played by Rashida Jones. Yes. We're not sure. Yeah. A lot of past. I mean, I think you guys are lovers. Yeah.
Sorry. Every time I bring up being your lesbian tendencies, you start burping and we're like, hmm. Okay. But I mean, I remember thinking, I can't believe how lucky I am that I'm working with people who want to also do this dumb thing.
Like fun, dumb things to me are a love language. That's a way like it's like proves like safety, I guess, that if you're relaxed enough to do fun, dumb things and you're in the right place.
Yeah, like nothing is that important. Yeah, right. Great transition into your new show. And the studio. But the studio is fun, though. It is fun. And you mentioned Catherine O'Hara. Talk to us about the show and the cast.
And is it a weekly thing or can we? It's weekly. Okay, great. I have to say overall, I'm enjoying a more weekly thing because I feel like we binged too hard.
I just swallowed. It's the rule of threes. You have to do one more burp for comedy.
There are people I know that listen to these things and they have a hard time like with whatever it's called. What's the word when you don't like mouth sounds?
Where they don't like the milky mouth sounds of people, which I understand.
If there's an adult diaper or just a bucket. No, you just pee. The thing, people don't tell you about podcasting, which I learned when I first started. Yeah. You pee anytime. You just pee in your seat. All of the men you're watching, they're constantly peeing. It's underneath their table.
My friend gave it to me. It's like a funnel because we can be like, meh. It isn't like a straight shot. Okay. Keep it in my car. Okay. I thought you were like, keep it in my pants. I keep it in my bed. No, it's a funnel that you, I suggest getting it. You're supposed to use it for camping, but I have it for my car because sometimes you're in traffic and it's, oh no. Like what?
Can you get that going while you're driving a car? Well, I have never, to be fair, I've never actually used it. Oh, okay. But knowing it's there.
I would rather cop a squat. I would rather pull over and pee than go to a gas station.
I've just pulled over and opened up my car door and just peed.
men are so fucking disgusting but i have to tell you okay last thing i'm so sorry sometimes i'm like women lift up the freaking seat a hundred percent like i've sat so many times on other women's urine women you cannot pee on a seat to protect your own germs like i know you can't not sit on a toilet seat so that i have to sit on it yes well lift it up it's disgusting
What is her process? How important is it for her to feel connected to the stuff that she does? How is she dealing with this new version of fame and popularity and how is it changing your life and also how important female friendships are and how you really haven't met everyone you're supposed to meet even at my age of 53.
Also, if you're really that weird about it, put toilet paper on the seat. They have things for you. They have things. Don't squat on the seat, pee on it, and then leave. And then leave. You know what? Women are disgusting too.
You're talking to a gal who left signs in a... I think it must have been when I was at SNL. I was like... who is peeing on this seat?
I was like, hey, newsflash. This is a disaster for those that follow.
There's a lot of people that just have to squat. If someone ran for like Congress and their whole thing was sit on the seat, they'd win. They'd win. They'd win. They would win. Sit on the seat. I'm going to start making bumper stickers. Okay. I'm asking a bunch of people, because you love to laugh. You have a great laugh.
I'm asking a bunch of people, what are they doing right now to make themselves laugh? Like, what is the thing you're watching or doing or listening to? What cracks you up? Um...
She's a big laugher. She's a big laugher.
I mean, honestly, it's a young Leo is really what it is.
It's a young Leo. It is. It's like a... Yes. Maybe it's the kid from Baby Girl. What's his name? Yes. Right? His... I don't know his name. Fuck, we'll never know. The two of us. We have a laptop. We can't figure it out. Harris Dickinson. Harris Dickinson. Maybe it's a Harris Dickinson. Yeah, with a little more like...
Good news. We just got, we just heard that Austin Butler is excited to read for banjo. Oh, okay. So, okay. Maybe I'll put him out.
Thank you to Catherine Hahn, our great hilarious friend, man. That was so fun. She's so funny. And she was reminding us about dance parties, which we used to have on the set of parks and rec. And I want to remind you, you can always have your own. All you need is three songs, one other person. And, uh, and, and, the want and need to have fun. So do it now. Let's start with...
Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders. Take it slow. Warm up and stretch. Then go to Red Wine Supernova, Chapel Rowan. Sing all the lyrics really loudly and point to each other. And then finish by going to the club with a little Rihanna. We Found Love in a Hopeless Place. And pretend that you've lost your purse on the dance floor. And run around. Three songs is all you need to change your day.
She is a real mix of a very poised and serious dramatic actor and deeply goofy.
Thank you guys so much for listening to another episode. Thanks for hanging. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alea Zanaris.
I'm going to ask her about this, but I want to ask you too. I mean, the response has been huge for Agatha. It's everywhere. It's viral TikToks. It's people waiting for you at the airport. Like the way you get this giant buzz huge new group of people who know you and know your work. What has that been like?
Any ideas of what I could ask Catherine today? Like any questions?
Agree. All right. Love you, Patty. Thank you so much. My pleasure. Talk to you soon. Bye. Okay. Bye. This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Summer is almost here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. What do I mean by almost? Well, you can't get a summer blockbuster delivered, but you can get a block of cheese. A cabana? That's a no.
A banana? That's a yes. A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. I'm very excited to use Uber Eats this summer. I'm going to order grapes. And then I'm going to put them in the freezer. And then I'm going to have frozen grapes. And I'm going to feel very classy and very refreshed. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now.
For alcohol, you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details. Everyone, this is Katherine. Hi, everyone. Thank you for having me. Catherine, I love you so much. Thank you for being on Good Hang. So happy to be here. I love you. You know, I've only done a few episodes so far. This is very new.
And I got a note recently from the great Bill Simmons, who is kind of like, I guess my boss. But he is so good at podcasting and has created an empire and has allowed me to come do it. And he said, lose the ringer. And he said, lose the laptop.
Before I do, I just want to audition it one more time.
So I'm really excited for you to hear what Catherine and I talked about today. It was a really good hang. It always is with her. So check it out. But before we start, guess who we have as a special guest today? Talking about Katherine Hahn and hanging in the studio, oh, only Patti LuPone, if her Zoom ever works. This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander.
Well, I want to say to you and Bill that I like to look things up on here. It does take me a long time. You're fact-checking as it's going on. I think that's good. Well, I kind of was joking that I had it to just make it seem like I was fact-checking, but I'm fact-checking. Have you ever used it? Yeah, I did.
What if I was just watching? While I'm talking to you, I just have to catch up on the pit.
Okay, I got to get into it. And that's what I want to talk about. Okay, good. Just kidding. Okay. I want to talk about paradise. Dr. Carter, a.k.a. Noah Wiley, is now in a new show, which is nothing like ER, but I'm a huge ER fan. But the pit is so good. The pit. So because Bill told me to get rid of the laptop, I'm going to put it at half mass. Oh, good. Okay.
And then if I need it, I do feel like I want to watch something with you today. Yes, keep it there. Okay. Yeah. Half-masked. Okay. Don't close it. But I, but Bill, I hear you and I appreciate the, the, because I'm love and I, I have to say, I'm still trying to figure out the process of this. So I so appreciate you coming in mid process. I am so happy. I love mid process. You do. I do.
Ooh. Yeah. Tell me more about that. Cause you're so, you do, you, I love that about you is you love the, the, the messy middle of stuff.
You're so good at them. You're really, really good at hanging in. Uh, yeah. It's what makes you such a good person and friend, but, and also such a good actor is you, you can like tolerate the in-between, which few, I don't know if I can, I'm learning. I'm learning.
Did you know that? Let me see if you can guess how many times, how many episodes of parks you did. Do you, do you, would you know to guess?
I have such, I don't have the greatest memory. That's where we kind of fell in love. But that's really, Catherine, where we, I think, actually met. My first kind of real memory is in the trailer of Parks and Rec, and... We used to, Catherine is talking about dance parties and we used to do a thing where just like after lunch, we would play three songs. Best.
The great Autumn Butler, our makeup artist, had great taste in music and we would just kind of dance around for two or three songs. Yeah. The best. I think for me, a way to honestly just keep my energy up. Yeah. But it became a way to meet people in the trailer. Yeah. And I remember two things I loved about you right away. How much you love to laugh. People that know you know that. I do.
Whether you're welcoming a new family member, starting fresh in a new city, or embarking on ambitious adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander provides versatility for embracing life's grand challenges. Like how you can effortlessly tuck away the fold-flat rear seats for up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Perfect if your cargo is baby elephant-sized.
But you, I have seen you in bloopers and you're hanging in. Yeah, I do hang in. You hang in.
Yeah. You, in fact, go in harder, I think. I think I have to.
I feel like every time I've done a scene with you, you are so good at improvising. In fact, like a lot of your character on Parks and Rec, Jen Barkley's moments were improvised. Were they really? Well, one of the favorites, one of TikTok and memes and GIFs is Poncho. Yeah, Poncho was very surreal. So let's talk about what happened. For people that have never seen that, tell us what that scene was.
Well, for people that aren't watching, she just transformed. I just transformed. Her eyes turned dark and she's a completely different person.
Well, you know how like we were on set a lot and I would watch you work. And I would say the same thing about Adam. And I wonder too if it's because of both of your training. But I would watch the way you two worked. And you would have a moment where... you'd stay really, really loose.
But just right before the scene, and I can think of a couple of scenes, the great scene where Jen Barkley is telling Leslie, no, basically, you know, you have to start thinking bigger, which is a huge moment in the show. I love the writing in that scene.
Mike Schur and the writers, like, I just love how they slowly took care of Leslie and they sent people in to give her these messages. And Jen Barkley is just this like Gen X ball buster who kind of sees something that Leslie doesn't. Anyway, in that moment when you're giving that speech, I remember very clearly right before the scene, you just took a moment.
From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every Grand Challenge. Learn more at toyota.com slash grandhighlander. Toyota, let's go places.
Just staying one more second on Parks because I do think that it was such a formative time in my life, obviously, for many reasons. And one of them was meeting you. Mm-hmm. What I always use that us as an example of is that you never know who you have yet to meet. Yeah.
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I am Amy Poehler and I'm very excited to introduce our guest today. It is Michelle Obama. Wow, we talk about some really cool stuff today. We talk about HGTV and how much we love it. We talk about the time that I drooled in front of her. We talk about bedtime.
So I remember doing that to you just to make you feel better. Well, you did. You did.
Yeah, I know. I want you to always associate that with me now. But it was such a fun—that was such a fun time because not only was I getting to do the job that I loved, but it was a time when it felt like everybody wanted to stop by and be part of the show that was about public service.
And it was a different time where there was this ability or lightness, I think, in many ways to just put a bunch of different people together in a room. Yeah. And they don't agree and they still find a way to work together. Do you remember those times? I don't. That's a long time ago. But I was thinking about that because there is a – there's a –
Everyone, I'm very, very excited to have Craig here, who is Mrs. Obama, Michelle Obama's brother. Do you call her Mrs. Obama?
there's a, you, you just said you're not an actor, but you are constantly speaking and performing. And with the podcast, it's a completely different way of performing. It's almost like unraveling. That's right. Getting like almost unlearning.
What are you unlearning about all this stuff that you're trying to kind of like jettison and let go of that you, you know, so if you had to learn or put on, now you're unlearning.
I think women should stop improving themselves. I think we did it. You know, like when you're in a race and you're really, really far ahead and you just want to just pause for a second to let people catch up. Enough. Enough with the improving.
We'll just take a break. We're going to walk a little slower, catch up, and then let's keep running. But it's so real. I mean, we do this to ourselves all the time, which is just like, I got to get more efficient, more, more, more, more. And I think sometimes, like, we should try less.
Yeah, exactly. Or yes, when there's a formal request.
That's awesome. I mean, do you agree? I wouldn't go back in time. I would not. No. You know?
I would trade the stomach and the collagen and a little bit of the ability to stay up late.
Are you sleepy? Do you love bedtime? I love bedtime. It's the best time.
I'm thinking about bed right now.
That's right. I heard that, Mish.
Can't be higher than that. 68 degrees.
You can handle it. Do you like a Tempur-Pedic mattress? And what kind of pillow situation are you doing? I like.
We need to know that for your podcast. You need to get yourself a free mattress. If you mention it, you can get a free mattress. I didn't even think of that. Just say it once.
What do you have on the bedside table?
Are you a book reader or are you a Kindle?
And you guys are close in age.
No, no. Even like a ginger tea, a melatonin?
The change in temperature is wild. For any woman, any time, but especially at this age.
Do you wear an eye shade or earplugs? No, no, no, no. Fantastic.
I don't want to. Are you a light sleeper? No. Do you talk in your sleep or snore? No, let's just say that. I don't know. You're a really good sleeper. I don't know. Side sleeper, back sleeper? Side sleeper. Okay, got it.
Don't get me started. I had frozen shoulder a couple years ago.
And guess what? Nobody knows what causes it. And there's nothing you can do about it. You know? Like every ailment for women in their 50s.
They're like, yeah, I guess it just hurts. And it's like, how long is it going to hurt? And they're like, I guess forever maybe.
I do yoga. Does that help? It did unfreeze. It goes through like a period, you know? But are you, I'm doing this. Can you do push-ups?
But you can do regular push-ups too.
I was just talking to Craig about this, that smaller people, I mean.
well basically like this idea it is true in fact i heard you talking to kylie kelsey about it two tall women it was like it is she and i was talking to quinta recently about being smaller she's a she's a little and she's tiny we're tiny and yeah you make noise when you move oh We do not make noise, okay? We don't live in the woods. I thought I heard squeaking.
Nope, we don't squeak like squirrels, okay? We don't gather nuts. We don't wear funny hats and do dances in the woods. We're regular people. But being a tall woman is different than being a tall man. Were your parents tall? They were not.
No way. Where's the height coming from?
We talk about allergies, which is what I currently have right now, which is why I'm sounding so sexy and sophisticated. But before we start this episode, we do what we always do, which was we ask someone that knows our guests really well or is a fan of our guests or is familiar with our guests' work to give me a question to ask them.
It's funny though. You know what, what it, what that brings up for me is in an interesting way is, and kind of what you guys do in your podcast, which I love so much is there's like the public version of everyone. Everyone has a front facing version of themselves. And then they have the family version of themselves. And like, Doesn't matter what changes in your life.
What I like about you and what I feel like is your family is like teasing is your love language.
Can you explain how important it is to be able to tease people that you love?
It is, but it's kind of true. It's like the more you know someone, the more safe you feel around them, the more you can poke. And manners are for people we don't really know. Yeah, that's right. And it's just like, for me and my family, when people are being nice, it's like, what's wrong?
Marion is coming with the pranks.
Can I say something about what I've read about your family, which is, and why, if I may, like, you know, I didn't have the pleasure to meet your mom, but she seemed like such a loving mom.
And you're a very loving mom. Yeah. And I come from a very loving mom. And I talk about it a lot. It's a blessing.
Not everybody gets a loving mom.
And a loving mom is like this warm place to keep coming back to that it almost is like if you have a loving mom, you're 90% ahead of the game. And it's tough when you don't. And you have to find your love other places, which you do. And you can certainly be a loving mom if you don't have one. But it feels like your mom was so loving. Yeah. Yeah. And what did she teach you about being a mom?
You're the family version pretty much your whole life.
Like, I know she just passed. Yeah, so much. And she was really with you during a lot of mothering and in the White House.
Like, what did you learn from her about being a mom?
Okay, so you were your mom. Yeah, the boy is the favorite.
I always say this with my kids, too. Like, your kids one day are like, you know the guy, you know, like, what did my kids say the other day that made me laugh? He's like, you met Tim Robinson? I was like, yes. They're like, you know him, Mom. I'm like, yeah, I've met him.
I'm just going to spit into a cup.
I mean, this, I just want it because it's a special day. What's the decision here? Why the food? Because it's a special day, I brought two new fake foods, and thanks for asking. Those are new? This is a roll that opens up, and you can put coins inside. Oh, wow.
So as the eldest child, we know the responsibility we have. I have a younger brother.
And Michelle, we're definitely not going to cut this out. This is important. The reason why I pick these things, they're all, it's very willy nilly, but it's about texture. It's about hand feel. And now that one is a candle. Yeah. But squeeze this. I brought this for you. You are a strange creature. Yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. No, it's a thing. Right? It's a squishy thing.
It's a squishy, but it's a cheeseburger.
I have a guy whose source is, no, I'm just kidding.
I have a gentleman who goes across the world and he sources these for me. Your travels. Yes. Right.
And he's three years younger. And you guys have the same situation I have, which is just, like, boy-girl, you know? So you grew up together but apart. Like, you know, you were together all the time, but you probably had different friends, different interests. Like, you didn't have to share a lot, did you?
I guess it gives joy. It brings joy. Okay. I didn't know if they all had secondary uses. Well, one of them—here, I'll show you this. And this is a crocheted donut. In fact, I think Cheez-It, the company Cheez-It, sent—maybe they'll send me more. I bet they will. This is like your— You should get a little mattress. This is like your mattress.
You know what you should do is you and Craig should just have a mattress behind you the whole time. That would be okay. Never mention it. You hear that too. And be like, I guess. But Cheez-Its sent me free Cheez-Its because I talked about this. But this is a box of Cheez-Its and there's a Cheez-It inside. It's a little fake Cheez-It. It's a fake Cheez-It. Wow.
And then I just let it go. Yeah, it's okay. I'll make sure you see it. So Craig, we asked Craig what to ask you, and it's kind of in the area of what we're talking about, which is he said, what is the one thing that our parents— you know, gave us like, what is the one thing that you think about when you think about what our parents, you know, passed on to us that you.
He said you would give more than one thing.
Sorry, I have more than one thing.
Not only does nobody mean it, but you're really good at this, and I believe this. I don't ever think you have to answer the question that was asked. Did I answer the question, though? I did answer the question.
But like even just in your everyday when someone's like, you know, if someone goes like, you know, do you come, you know, do you come here often? You don't have to answer that.
Tell me about it. What are you? Okay. So we're, your podcast is, is, is a place where you're connecting, um, It sounds like you're listening to a bunch of podcasts too and stuff like that. But what is something that you're listening to, watching, reading, going to when you really want to kind of disconnect, check out, and just have fun?
I know, and it's tough to stay in. It's tough to stay in. So what are you doing when you want to zoom out?
I love HGTV. Let's talk about it.
You're at the bottom of House Mountain.
Okay, I'm obsessed with House Hunters International. First of all, every place looks so, I'm like, wow, you can get that for that money? Like, I'm always blown away by what you can get. No, I think about that, too. I'm like, wow, what are we doing here? Should I move to Morocco, I guess? But you're like, they're never going to get anything with that budget.
And then you see like a nice apartment in Italy. They get something with the budget.
Do you like when people get what they want? Or do you like when you watch them have to slowly come to the realization that they've overreached? Oh, yeah. I love that. That's what I love. Yeah. So they go in too low. They want too many things. And you're like, it's going to be tough.
And then do you like any HGTV makeover stuff?
I love a reno. Yeah. I love those kind of shows. I love the— Why do you think we like it? I know—I like that there's— Yeah, why?
Just a completion. Like it's— Yeah, yeah. There's an end where something is done.
No, my boys are 14 and 16. So we're just at that, they're freshmen and sophomore. Okay. Just at that age where we're thinking about college, but they're still teen boys. And I'll tell you something, no one's more tired than a teen boy. They're exhausted.
They eat like three dinners a day. I was just saying to someone- Having teen boys is like living with bears because when you wake up the next morning, there's just crumbs everywhere and your cabinets are open and everything's out in the floor and there's like a big chunk out of cheese and you're like, what happened? And they woke up in the middle of the night and they ate again. Yeah.
We're coming back around. Head and shoulders above.
Yeah, I know. I mean, literally. I have a lot of moms who are, you know, the cost of living is so high, especially here in California, a lot of places. And they're like, my kids are truly eating more than ever as teens. And it's like, what are we going to do about it? Do you cook? I love to cook. I know you don't cook. I do not. I do not. But you know, I didn't start cooking until my 40s.
But you can't go down and make an egg.
Right. If you were cooking an egg, they'd be standing next to you and it would be stressful. Exactly.
I've done it. And now, are you cooking now? Nope.
And what are you doing now that you couldn't do before that you get to do now? Or that you had to pause doing, I should say.
Is it tough being so tall? Because I feel like you have to be nicer than maybe you want to be sometimes.
Well, now you don't have to. Now you just use Apple Pay.
I do. Do you have a regular phone?
Well, that's a little boomery, Michelle.
I don't want people to— Okay, this is a boomer attitude. Tell me more about it so that I don't— We're done. We're all cooked. We're tracked. It's happening. Really? There's no like way to not be where everyone knows everything. So what does this mean? So you can, I mean, and this is, you know, I'm not that far behind you. So this is the blind leading the blind. Yeah.
But you don't even need a credit card anymore. You just go beep, beep, beep. I don't know. And it's like you're not even spending money. It's just like beep. It just goes beep.
It just didn't even happen. I don't want it to be like beep.
Everyone's going to have their identity stolen 15 times in their lifetime. Yeah, you know, that's the more part of me. That doesn't matter anymore. And nobody worries about that. Yeah, we're all very worried. Yeah, it's a disaster. Like, we're in real trouble. Yeah, we're really in big trouble.
My dad always taught me that. He was always like, always have cash on you.
Your wallet is in your phone. I don't need it. I know. Okay. But continuing with what we're talking about, you know, I think it doesn't matter what kind of life you live. I think any person can have the feeling like their life is kind of a dream.
like our lives are a dream things happen to us we don't imagine could have happened to us good and bad and sometimes we just feel like how did i get here where am i going all that stuff what do your friendships specifically your female friends your friendships do to keep you from like keep your feet on the ground basically because your life has been a dream oh it's been crazy yeah um
Yeah, I think what you're doing, I just speak for myself that You know, the word authenticity is kind of thrown around a lot, but I do think especially young people, they're really looking for some version of yourself and myself and their selves that, like, feels real because the world is so crazy. We are in this simulation that just a lot of people want to get out of.
And I think that is what's cool about young people is they keep – Reminding us, like, be real. Like, we want you, we want realness. Yeah. Because everything feels so strange.
Yeah. They're like, come on. They're like, finally, a real leader is here.
Do we have an hour? I don't know. Community, jokes, laughs. No, but I hear what you're saying. Yeah, you got to balance with real... You got to balance with real people, real things.
Yeah. And I also think laughter. I think, like, you got to laugh.
You got to laugh. And you got to laugh at your friends. You have to laugh. And laugh at yourself. And what makes you laugh?
That's my training. It's my training. That's where my training comes in. Well, thank you so much for doing this. Oh, my gosh. This was so much fun. Yeah, it's been the best. Thank you. Really, really great. Congrats on your podcast. You as well and on all your food choices. Thank you so much.
You're going to get all the mattresses you want. Wow, that was an amazing episode. So exciting to have her here. And, you know, we talked about so many good things, but we talked a lot about sibling relationships. And that is what her podcast, you know, a lot of it is about. And I have a younger brother, Greg.
I should have asked Craig if he is ever called Greg, because I know my brother Greg is often called Craig. But I guess I just wanted to take this Polar Plunge moment to... speak directly to my brother, Greg, and say, don't go in my room and don't touch my stuff. It's my stuff. Get out of my room. Mom and dad said I'm in charge and I'm so sick of it. You have to go to bed. I love you, Greg.
And who better to ask about Michelle than her older brother, Craig? So Craig Robinson is joining us, the co-host of their new podcast, IMO, in my opinion. So let's welcome Craig Robinson to the studio. This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Life is going to throw grand challenges your way, and the Toyota Grand Highlander is ready for them.
You're the best sibling ever. I don't want another sibling. to talk about you with, I was just saying that to Michelle to be a good host, but, but seriously, it's so great to be your big sister. And, you know, As the eldest daughter, we know our work is never done. And so we'll just forge ahead. And I love you, baby bro. I got your back. Sorry, this has gone off the rails.
Okay, thank you for listening. Thank you for listening to this episode. Sorry about my voice. And we'll be back soon. Bye. Original music by Amy Miles.
You should have like a business card that says, I'm all legs, baby. People would be like, oh, wow.
Well, he's all legs, you know, so, you know, those kind of people.
I've got what I would give to be all legs. If I was all legs, it would just be legs up to my neck and then a head and that's it. Okay, so we have this—we're doing—we do this thing here where we kind of talk to somebody before we talk to our guest about any questions that you think I would be, you know, the right person to ask today. Anything big or small that you think I should ask your sister.
And if she starts to do two things, I go, eh.
Did you ever coach Michelle on any team?
Yeah. Does she, you know, sometimes as the oldest, sometimes I have a younger brother and he doesn't always want to hear my ideas.
And he'll listen to my idea if it comes out of someone else's mouth.
But if it's not said by me, he'll... But sometimes he doesn't want me to tell him anything.
That's nice to have a big brother. I always wanted an older sibling. Didn't you? Don't you wish you had an older sibling to take care of you, Craig?
You can choose from three different powertrains, gas, hybrid, and the available 362 horsepower hybrid max, all with available all-wheel drive and towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. But what you really want to know is how good will it look. Well, the Toyota Grand Highlander is now available in a hybrid nightshade special edition with with gloss black accents and 20-inch black alloy wheels.
And also, don't you wish, and the last thing I'll finish up with is, You're a two-kid family. I am too. Don't you wish there was one more sibling so you could talk about the other sibling too? Just one more. Just occasionally you could go. That's funny.
I'm sure my younger brother wants that. Just one more person?
And you can get a dud. The third one can be a dud. We know that, you know, you're playing with fire. Like, you guys did really well. Two successful and interesting, smart, curious people. The third one could have been. You never know. But we'll see. We'll ask. We'll see. Okay. I so appreciate you coming here. Thank you so much. And congrats on your podcast. Thank you.
In my opinion, which we're going to talk about today. And I think we got everything we need, right? Are we going to do our switcheroo? Woo! This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Summer is almost here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. What do I mean by almost?
Well, you can't get a summer blockbuster delivered, but you can get a block of cheese. A cabana? That's a no. A banana? That's a yes. A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. I'm very excited to use Uber Eats this summer. I'm going to order grapes. And then I'm going to put them in the freezer. And then I'm going to have frozen grapes.
And I'm going to feel very classy and very refreshed. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. For alcohol, you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details.
Bad out here in Los Angeles. Yeah, yeah.
It's funny that we're talking about allergies because I lost my voice a couple days ago. And I had a real, it was like a living stress dream that I would not have my voice for this podcast. And now you and I are both doing podcasts. That's crazy. First of all, thank you for being here.
Michelle Obama. And also, you look incredible.
Okay. Okay. I know it's early in the day. But yeah, we're both doing jobs now where we have to talk a lot. Lots of talking. How's it going?
where I'm sharing my opinion. Well, when we saw each other, I mean, I have such many, many memories, of course, of getting to do, luckily getting to do a bunch of things with you. And one of the most fun things is when you came into Parks and Recreation.
So it'll look pretty sweet in your driveway. From daily routines to life-changing adventures, it's up for every Grand Challenge. Learn more at toyota.com slash Grand Highlander. Toyota, let's go places.
I mean, okay, do you have a memory of that day? I'm sure you didn't because you were probably in the middle of your work day, but I have a very strong memory about something.
Well, God is fair. I mean, you can't be a good actress on top of everything else.
Okay, well, I do remember the very first take.
So yeah, we were busy. We were like hitting a bunch of places that day. You were perfect. You got your line. You hit your mark. You said your line. And my character, Leslie Knope, is supposed to be overwhelmed by seeing you. And I, Amy Poehler, was also very jazzed. And I went to say my line and I drooled.
Total pro. You just were like, you just looked like, okay, maybe this is a choice. And then director yelled cut. Mike Schur, whoever, Morgan Sackett, whoever was director yelled cut. And I was like, did I just drool? And you were like, you did. You did. That happened.
Well, I have very active salivary glands. Do you really? I do. Okay. Like when I go to the dentist. That's real active. Not to brag, Michelle.
They're booming right now. And so, yeah, when I go to the dentist, they're always like. Whoa, easy. Yeah.
Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I'm so excited about our guest today. It is the incredible Quinta Brunson, who is not only funny and smart and gracious and a seemingly great boss, but is a mogul, is kind of... just an incredible driving force in an industry and in many ways saving it from extinction. No pressure.
She does that trick where she turns to the... You know. And she takes one accessory off too much.
Zach Evans, also writer, creative director in LA, founder of Create Repeat, an online community for creatives, and also a BuzzFeed alum with Quinta. Hi, Zach. We have Ash Perez. Hi, Ash. Ash, also a BuzzFeed, I guess like you could say a BuzzFeed alum, right?
Yeah, I think it's always the interesting struggle about playing comedic characters is you want them to be flawed and have stuff to learn. And the minute people... either yourself or other people start to get in your head about what they should be representing.
What it often does is limit the way, honestly, that men get to play characters, which is they get to play these like really flawed people with a lot. And I think it's often the burden that women are made to carry, which is we're supposed to be a lot of things at once, which few people are. So it's kind of, it's hard to do both. It's hard to play somebody funny
who's also, like, really got it together.
And is very, you know, like, on Chapter 10 when you meet them. Yes. And I think Janine, it was, like, one of the most exciting things about that show was you could see, oh, we're really going to go on this ride with her.
Yeah, and you're like, oh, thank you so much for caring. You're caring all over me. Thank you so much.
Well, I tried to get in touch with you and I wanted you to know that I don't like what you're doing with Gregory's character.
I was just like... Aren't those times where you wish you were, like, the enigmatic film actress who people feel nervous to approach? I do. I do. I very much do. Because television people feel, like, really, really... You're part of their family. You're part of their family, and we love that. Well, you have this incredible...
I don't think it's spoken of enough that you took advantage of the window kind of, you know, 10 years after I was coming up, which was basically that there was this BuzzFeed video window where people were producing stuff online, early online.
BuzzFeeder, okay, welcome. And then we have the big boss, Andrew Gauthier, French name, congratulations. Andrew, you were the head of BuzzFeed video when Quinta and Zach and a lot of you and Kate and Ashley were all making content together. This is not a deposition. Nothing you say will be used. But welcome to Good Hang. How's everyone doing?
But you were kind of ahead of your time because there was this feeling, to your point, like, where that content didn't count. Yeah. Like, it almost felt... Yeah, like a side gig while you were trying to get the gig. But now, however many years later, you look at it now and it's like the way that everybody is discovered.
And also it's a way to just practice writing.
I think you're right. And I think what improv and sketch teaches you is just like picking your battles. Like you find people that write stuff and they don't want to change it and they want to kind of lock it in. And there's the one thing with sketch and improv is your ideas, they just are thrown away over and over and over again. And you get this muscle that you haven't had your last good idea.
You're like, I don't know what you're talking about.
I was like, what's going to come from under the table? Speaking of BuzzFeed, check out my new glasses from BuzzFeed. Oh, actually, I'm going to take a lip balm break if you want to take one, too. Quinta and I brought our lip balm. Lip balm and water. And kept it close. And I'd love just to take a moment. Oh, this is my camera? Mm-hmm. Get in there. Hold on.
Yours looks better because it has a little wand. Mine has my grubby little finger.
She does it with her finger? Yeah. What else are you going to do with it? I'd just love once again to ask Laneige if they ever want to sponsor. Yeah, I'll sponsor Amy. This is a lip sleeping mask. For now, I'll turn it to the side so I won't sully your brand, but I want you to know that I've stuck my disgusting finger in that pot many times, and it's always- And not just at night. Right.
Not just at night, baby. It's a lip sleeping mask. It's not just for night. It's not just for night. Okay, so we do this fun surprise thing where before I talk to you, I get on a Zoom with some people that know you.
I know, and just to talk about you and really to get some perspective on what I think I should ask. So earlier today, I was on a Zoom with Kate.
She was very cool. Everyone was very cool.
Okay, I was on a Zoom with Kate. So it was like a BuzzFeed reunion. It was Kate, it was Ash. Oh man.
Andrew, do you like to do performance reviews? Speaking of performance reviews?
So we were talking about – It was really cute. And it's kind of like talking well behind someone's back is the goal. I love this. And they were so happy to do it. And we were just kind of talking about that time there and your time there. And it was really cute because everyone was –
you know, kind of going back to when exactly what you were saying, when you were producing a lot of stuff and trying to, everyone was trying to figure out where to live. And it's a very tender time and the people that were there and a lot of,
you know like Kate especially are people that you still work with and who kind of Kate told this amazing story about like the one of the first days on set and how she can remember you saying I want to I think I want to do this show you know about teachers like and then you know smash cut to crazy it happening yeah I have such a random weird so someone this is so fast someone tried to sue me to say they me WB ABC and say that they came up with
I think we shared this in common, too. Your female friendships are super important to you. Super important. Like, why? What do they do for you?
Well, you just said something that I feel like, if I may, I feel like a lot of women in my life would testify for me. Yes. They really do. Yes. They experience life with me and they, we all kind of remember for each other.
Kate. Wanted me to ask you this. KP. Are you aware now that Bon Jovi and Jon Bon Jovi are- Shut up, Kate.
You don't need to know. You feel me?
I actually think that's also a wonderful way, like almost a gentle form of rebellion, which is, I have to say, my generation was told that we had to know a lot of these people. For sure, for sure. And now we don't really need to know them. It's okay.
Andrew, I can say that's a lot of corporate speak you just threw at me. You said incubator. You said it. Let's go around before we start and say some of our most fun corporate slang.
I'm going to blow your mind even more. His original name. Come on. Was John Bon Jovi. And then he changed. The band name was Bon Jovi. A shortened version of his real name. So then he started going by John Bon Jovi. But true fans know that it was Bon Jovi.
Band. I'm trying to think of a band name. Like, who could I compare it to that had a band that was named after their last name? Oh, well, there's another bunch of white boys. Remember Hanson?
You might have a little bit of face blindness.
I like that. I'm glad that you... Yeah, you absolutely do not need to know.
Okay. Okay, Ash. Ash has three sitcoms who have influenced you. We talked about that. And then Andrew asked, what would 2014 Quinta think of Quinta now?
I know. And such a managerial question, too.
You know what I love that you're doing too? And from here on out, I guess we would call it like the Chalamet in terms of like, I want to be the greatest. Yeah, that kid. Go ahead. Yeah, what did you think of that moment? I loved it.
I just want to ping that plus one real quick. Do you guys know the comedian Lisa Beasley? She does a corporate character. That's so funny. She does, on TikTok, she does a character called Corporate Aaron.
At the very least, it was the example of someone paying attention. And I think I... I think that, you know, not to gender it, it happens to men too, but women are especially required to be very surprised by their success and really be, they're asked all the time, can you believe it? Can you believe it? Yes. Like, how does it feel?
And you and I, I think, share this similar thing, which is, it feels good. I've been working really hard. I imagined it would happen for me. I've been there. Along the way, I've watched it slowly grow. It hasn't been overnight. And it was, you know, and yes, of course, luck. And yes, of course, privilege. And yes, of course, time. Totally. All of that stuff. And also, I believed it could happen.
And so now there's sometimes an expectation that people want. The kind of ingenue vibe of, how did I get here? Oh, my God.
You're not like, I mean, this is kind of honestly why I'm doing this is because it's kind of like, I want to talk to people. I have a good time. I listen to a ton of podcasts. Yeah. I don't think that because you get to a certain level of something that you're supposed to get really tight. and get worried about trying new things.
You're supposed to do the opposite because you're lucky enough to be confident. You're lucky enough to have some currency or some people who believe in you. So that's when you're supposed to keep staying flexible, trying and failing over and over again. And I think you are similar. Like we learned it early. We learned it with Improv and Sketch. You're just supposed to keep trying things.
She did it during COVID, that incredibly long, nasally... beginning of a meeting where she's like it's 9 29 and i guess we'll get started and she has like tons of vocal fry and she's definitely trying to get the meeting started she's really upset and she has a lot of stuff to get through It's not easy. It's not easy. Anyway, okay. Kate, why don't we start with you? Tell me how you and Quinta met.
I'd love to hear that you did, like I did, very nerdy improv stuff, because I think sometimes in comedy, there are two types of people. There are the Cool people. And then there are people that did improv. And you write for Abbott. How long have you been writing for the show and what's that like? Since the first season.
But anyway, I'm so excited to have Quinta here to talk about all of those things and to hang. And we always like to do something at the beginning of our shows where we gather people together that know Quinta, that have worked with her, that know stuff about her that we would never know, and ask them how they feel about her and what they think I should ask her.
I don't like it either. Well, you heard it here first. Don't go up to Quinta and pick her up. And do not point and give any thoughts. And try to not say who she reminds you of.
Oh, that's a me thing. That's a me thing. Okay. You can say it. I might not like it. All right, that's just me. So before we wrap up, I'm doing something, you know, I'm asking because, again, we're attempting to have a good hang here. And I'm asking people, like, what are you going to right now that's making you laugh?
You know, what is the thing that you go, you look up, or a place you go, or a person you talk to, or a thing that, you know, is kind of the way that you escape?
Okay. I don't like it. Look, this isn't a shame-based. I mean, there's no shame here.
from asia okay and he hsin cat yeah do you see him h uh okay let's see oh hsin yeah cat it's a breed of cat look can i yeah let's let's look at it no you're gonna have to search for him in tiktok okay very good standby
Wait. Okay, this is a whole story.
I hate how much they're wearing it. Also, I know what you mean. Yeah. As I'm watching it, what is weird about it is it's, like, the cat is, like, giving another cat a bath. Yeah. The cat is a human. Yes. Like, it has human qualities. It has human qualities. But it looks like a cat and now is eating a chicken that it made. Yes, that he made. And it's a really fat cat. He's...
That's how you escape from working too hard. But I get why you like this because it's storytelling.
I'm interviewing Quinta today. I'm going to ask her a bunch of, you know, stuff that maybe we, you know, one would expect me to ask. But is there anything you think I should ask or or or any anything you think she'd like to even talk about or something you think people would want to hear from her?
Yeah. And also I like that that's the kind of thing that an expert would say on a podcast, but— And I'd be like, what? I heard it from a friend who heard it from an expert. I heard it from a friend who said. That's hilarious. Okay, I feel like I have to go. Quinta, I love you. Thank you so much for doing this. Love you too, Amy. Bye. Thank you so much, Quinta Brunson.
You are amazing and so talented, and it means a lot that you came, and you're the best, Quinta. And, yeah, you know, this is the end of the show where we go a little deeper on something that – brings me joy or changes my brain. And so... We mentioned Lisa Beasley at the very top of the show when we were talking to some of Quinta's friends who worked at BuzzFeed.
And I just want to mention her again. Lisa Beasley Experience is where you can find – Lisa B Experience is where you can find her. And she's just a hilarious comedian, does a ton of characters, and she did that really funny character, Corporate Erin. Check that out if you haven't seen it. It's just corporate speak at its best and the maddening pace in which people deliver non-news.
in, in workspaces. Um, it's a really funny and so is she. And, um, yeah. So if you have not seen her comedy, check it out and always check out the great Quinta on Abbott and check us out always here at Good Hang. Thanks for hanging. Okay. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler.
The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alea Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.
Okay. That's a great one. Okay. Zach, moving on. How do you and Quinta meet each other?
Thank you, Zach. That was awesome. Okay, Ash.
Tell me your origin story and your question.
Do you have confirmation of that?
Oh, the popcorn and the Skittles. A large. Right.
Great. Okay. Thanks, Ash. And Andrew?
All right. Well, thank you so much for your time. It was really nice to see all of you again and to meet some of you for the first time.
This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Life's journey brings constant change filled with exciting surprises, new chapters, and grand challenges. And the Toyota Grand Highlander is more than a vehicle. It's your partner in embracing all life throws at you. Blinked and the kids have grown up? The third row can fit three adults.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Okay, Quinta Brunson is here. Quinta, I'm so grateful you're here. Thank you for doing this.
I feel like there is a total mogul vibe that I get from you. I know.
Okay. Okay. Let's talk about this because you kind of are already. So it's... You're not? What do you think classifies a mogul? Well, this is a really good question. I feel like you are the captain of a huge ship. Mm-hmm. One ship, though. That's true, but, you know, that's just because you're acting.
Once you get off set and have to do those hours, you're going to be the captain of, like, four ships. We've talked about this, Amy.
I just so relate to this question. Grind that you're on, and also Quinta, here to say... It is phenomenal what you are doing. That show is, number one, saving and has saved sitcoms. Thank you. It is proof. It is what everybody points to.
Yep. As a spec, as a comp for how comedy can still work on broadcast TV. And there's not many left.
From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every grand challenge. Learn more at toyota.com slash grandhighlander. Toyota. Let's go places. Let me just tell you who I have here with me. I have Kate Peterman. Kate's a writer on Avid Elementary. Hi, Kate. Hi.
Totally. And I know you're a big student of the sitcom. Yeah. You're a big comedy student in general. What were the shows that you cared about growing up? What were the sitcoms that you think about and what were the ones you thought about when you were making Abbott?
I know. You're a big 30 Rock fan. I know that about you.
Well, I'm sure you're asked this question, but what do you think? I always thought that for me, what drew me to a sitcom was the fact that I could picture in my mind what the characters were doing when I wasn't watching them. Yep.
I read something that really struck me, felt so familiar when you were talking about Janine, your character on the show, that you wanted her and her look to feel appropriate with her job and her town, which – and I – I felt that because I remember when we were first starting to build Leslie Knope's character, like I really wanted her hair to be very blonde.
And because, because she's getting her hair done in Indiana, no offense to the great stylist in Indiana. I bet there are many now, but you know, like she's not going to get low lights at the best salon. She's trying what she can do. She's like, she's not quite getting it right.
And you're doing that. You've talked about that with Janine. How are you doing it with Janine?
Hi, everyone. This is Amy Poehler. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We're going to talk to the great Paul Rudd today. I've known Paul for a million years, and I love him. You love him. America loves him. The world loves him. We're going to talk about some cool stuff today. We're going to talk about how he almost lost the part in Clueless because he had— a bad haircut.
The bar was so low then. It was like, hey, he's gay and nice.
That's an amazing story because what it says to me too, though, and I find this about you as a person, is like you do not have a grasping energy when it comes to work. Like you care about it very much. It's really important. You choose things wisely. You work really hard when you're there. But I don't get a sense from you that you are – I don't know.
There's a way – there's a vibe with you and work that feels like a healthy attachment. It doesn't feel like you're – what the kids would say, very thirsty, and therefore I think people really lean into that and like that. Would you say that's true? I...
Cam, please explain to me what we're seeing right now.
Agree. What do you do when you're on a project and you – someone's either – like what's your conflict style? Because like do you get quiet when you're mad? Do you yell?
No, stop. Okay, you've yelled. Okay.
If I just get in this bed and just go to sleep.
Get in one of those pods and just deep freeze myself until this gets fixed.
Okay. I do want to ask you about our working together. Because we did it quite a bit. We worked together quite a bit. We've been so lucky to work together on so many things. And we worked on the most, one of the most fun movies, Wet Hot American Summer. And I think it was fun for a million reasons. It was fun because we were all in our 30s and we were at a summer camp.
It was fun because a lot of us were, myself included, were like in the beginnings of things.
So you're telling me you got off a hot air balloon and you got on the phone so you could talk to us on good hang.
We were. And we had great leaders in Michael Showalter and David Wayne who were kind of like goofing around and And setting the tone, but also serious writers and filmmakers. We also met a bunch of lifelong friends on that movie. And it felt very, you know, pre 9-11, frankly, it was like before the those times just felt like of another era.
There were no cell phones. Remember there was a pay phone?
And everybody would call home to their significant others and be like, yeah, I guess I'm up here for another three weeks. I know. They changed the schedule.
Now, it's kind of legendary. People know that it rained. The whole time. 25 of the 28 days or whatever the shoot was. And we had to pretend it was sunny.
Well, I assume you're always wearing a tuxedo.
What do you remember about staying warm or the weather when we were shooting Wet Hot?
I remember being really grateful and this isn't the first time that I'm grateful that like I didn't have to wear – You know, like Liz Banks was kind of playing like the the girl who was a little bit more free. Let's put it that way. And she had to wear like bikini tops and stuff.
And I remember many times in my life I had this feeling where I'd be like, I'm so happy that I get to wear like a members only jacket. I'm so cold. Whereas now I run very hot. But back then I was so cold. I mean, and I remember being really grateful that she, I remember her having to dance and it being really cold. Yeah. Yeah. And I remember going to Salvation Army. Do you remember that?
We would all head out to Salvation Army.
Because the thing that people didn't know is we worked very little.
I don't even think it was Target. I think it was just like Walmart.
Um, do you remember David Hyde Pierce? Yes. Coming out to tell us to, can you be a little quieter?
But a reminder, we were not kids. We were in our 30s.
Yeah, he was the nicest, most loveliest guy.
But he definitely was like, what's happening here?
What's going on? And we were like, oh, none of us are working.
We don't have anything to shoot tomorrow.
Yeah, it was. It really was. I'm having a Ken Marino memory. He was watching the, he was, he was watching ER. On a little, like, there used to be these TVs you could hang around your neck. Do you remember these? It was almost like a portable TV, but it almost looked like a monitor, like what Flava Flav would wear, like a big giant clock, but it's a TV, and you have the strap around your neck.
That is my memory. And again, I don't remember things well. But he was watching on a small TV. And he came running through the hallway saying she went back to Clooney. It was a big moment where you remember this, where Julianne Margulies, Nurse Hathaway, Carol Hathaway went back to Clooney, like, you know, met him on at his boat. Spoiler alert. Met him at his boat in Seattle and.
he came running with like tears streaming down his face saying she went back to Clooney. And we were all like, we really did live together for many weeks. It probably was only like three weeks.
I mean, it's ridiculous for how little we worked.
Yeah. And that was Bradley Cooper's first movie.
Maybe, yeah. And that was just so, there were so many great people.
You're like, let's go to my white tuxedo closet.
And I would go, I'd say go back out there, do it again.
Okay. Then we made a movie called They Came Together. Such a fun movie. So fun. For people that haven't seen it, which is probably a lot of people because it was kind of a small movie.
It was like a fake rom-com. Yeah. And it was taking all the tropes, a David Wayne special, taking all the tropes of like what is funny about those movies. Yeah. I would say we just screened it again and we just had like an anniversary.
And watching it again, it was like you are perfectly cast. I would probably not cast – I would not be cast in a rom-com in that part. I would be the friend in a rom-com. I don't think I would be able to pull off the rom-com. I don't have the symmetry for it. But – What is so— I disagree, but go ahead. Okay, thank you. But I'm a little slow on that.
So you're wearing your own personal tuxedo.
We're going to talk about how dumb comedy is our favorite kind of comedy, and maybe it's not as dumb as you think. And we're going to get into the absurdity of existence, because that's what we do here. We go deep and then we get really shallow. And we're also going to talk about his film Friendship with the great Tim Robinson, which is coming out soon. So check it out.
Okay, thanks. But what is so fun about it is it is so stupid.
And don't forget, in the middle of that movie, there's a—it stops to have a music video. With Nora Jones, who sang the song from that movie that Adam Scott and John Stamos show up and do cameos in because they come to the studio.
Well, thank you, because I would expect nothing less. How much time do you have? Five minutes?
And then Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler, the actors, show up to be like, what's happening here? Yeah. And we're wearing sunglasses.
In our street clothes. And then our buddies also come to, like, play with some of the buttons.
So dumb. It's so fun to watch again. It is so dumb. I mean, and I know we share that, like, that feeling of dumb. It's hard to explain that feeling of, I mean, well, I guess everyone understands it. That feeling that you have with your friends when something is so stupid and so funny. I think it is truly, like, the... Opposite of your own mortality.
For those that don't know, turning around is a movie term that means... Shooting the other way from what you just shot.
Like it feels like you'll live forever when you're laughing at dumb. Does that make sense?
Yeah. What are you listening to, watching? What makes you laugh right now?
I feel that way about Bernie Mac, too.
Oh, God. Let's just watch. Hold on. Let's just watch a few.
Do you have any that you remember that, like, I can Google?
There's a hot air balloon. There's a hot air balloon. Listeners, if you're listening, let me just describe that John Hamm is in a beautiful... I really hope there's a video component to this because... Beautiful. There is. There is a video component. He's in a beautiful white tuxedo, and behind him is a hot air balloon that he just got off of.
Oh, I don't even think to look for that. I'm going –
Like global news bloopers. That's what I'm finding right now.
I love it so much. It's the greatest. Me too. Speaking of laughing really hard and speaking, I think, of a show that did help a lot of people during hard times. You were on Parks and Rec. You only did five episodes. Do you know that?
But you played a character that stood the test of time. I mean, if only. If only we had Bobby Newport, just a guy who wants to be liked.
He wants to go to the after party. Bobby Newport, played by you, was like the rich son of the Sweetums family, the family, the Newports that owned the big factory in the fictional town of Pawnee that Parks and Rec took place. And Bobby Newport ran against Leslie. And it was like what Bobby had that Leslie could never get was that. Gee whiz, like, I can't believe I fell into this.
Like, I just want to have a good time, you guys.
I mean, come on, guys. What? And Bobby kept getting flustered by Leslie wanting it because he wants it. Like, there's that great scene where he's like, can you just drop out of the race because I want it. Yeah, yeah. Because I want it.
And people are like, I don't know. I love the guy. He's great. And he doesn't seem to want it. Yeah. And he doesn't know anything. But neither do I. That's, you know.
No. And Bobby was, I think, was thinking, like, maybe I'll just get it. And then Leslie, you can do it.
What are your memories of doing that character? It was such a funny character. You were so great.
Okay, we're talking to Paul Rudd today.
It was. And it was – those scenes were so funny. Like he got – you got to do the stupidest – talk about fun, stupid. The stupidest stuff.
We do this thing where we kind of talk behind their back before we talk about them. We talk to people that know them. Can you tell me where you first met Paul?
Yeah, he wanted to have a good time.
Would we describe him as, like, guy-less? Is that the word?
Fucking great word. Goddamn. You know, it also was really cool to watch you and Adam in scenes together because you—have you been in a lot of stuff together before?
Would you ever do a movie together?
I mean, I used to say that to him in real time when he was acting. I'd be like, you're acting so good. And he'd be like, shut up. We're in the middle of the scene. But I'd be like, you're acting so good.
And you can do that too. To be a movie star, you have to be able to,
I just watched the Severance finale and I texted him. I was like, you are so good at acting. And then he was like, oh, thanks. I'm glad you watch it. And I was like, there was so much running.
That's why you can't be on TikTok. If you're on TikTok, you've got about an hour. Yeah. And then there's audios made of what he said at the end.
And you're just edging. You're not going to watch the finale.
Well, this is a perfect segue to male friendship.
Because... You have so... Let's chug. Hold on. Let's chug our tea. Chug it. I mean... That is such a good... I think I'm out. Let's get six more teas.
You can't, no. The inside of my mug is filled with labels.
And then, by the way, this is some... I should say this is my... Oh, my God. Paul's peeing under the desk.
Have you ever done that, like, on a trip, peed in a bottle?
I have. Really? That's great to hear. Because, you know, you are, I mean, there's not a lot of straight men. Like, you're the first. There's a few. Well, I guess there's a few. But you are a straight white male. I mean, so.
So how's that going for you? Because it's, you know, it's not easy out there.
You do. You get to pee in bottles. You get to do a lot of, like, you know.
A straight white man gets to pee in bottles. And up until just five minutes ago, that was okay. Now people are like, maybe don't throw your pee bottles out on the street. And straight white males are like, fine.
But straight, you have a movie about two men and the friendship between them with the great Tim Robinson. And it's called Friendship. Yeah. And it is—I got to watch it.
Yes, I watched a screener. I'm trying to do my homework as a podcast person.
And it's so tiring. Oh, movies are so long. They're like two hours long.
Yeah. But I did really want to watch the movie, I have to say, because— I love you. I love Tim. I loved Tim. And Andy DeYoung is awesome.
And the director and writer. And, um, uh, It is a movie—it is such a good movie about the loneliness epidemic of men and the attempt at making a friend and then, like, what goes wrong.
Like, how—I mean, it's about missing—I mean, it's Tim at his Timmest, which is, like, he's missing the clues and he's getting them wrong.
And you play this really, really funny—like, he's kind of a—
Well, we tried to cultivate it by talking to your friend John Hamm today.
And it sounds like you were a big brother to both. Like you're a couple years older than both, right? So we do this thing where we kind of talk well behind somebody's back and try to figure out stuff that they think I should ask you. So we talked to Hamm before you came in today. And John Hamm from – From Mad Men. And for those five people that don't know who I'm talking about.
And let me just explain what he was doing when we spoke to him. He was wearing a white tuxedo, his own.
He was on the set of a movie, which I think you might also have a part in at some point.
He was working on a film. And he was getting off of a hot air balloon that he had just been on. And he spoke to us in the 10 minutes before he had to go do another take. And so he spoke to us as he got on the hot air balloon about you.
And he was really sweetly talking about the first time you met. Long hair. You had your long hair. You had your jean jacket. And you remember what was painted on it?
Beautiful. He remembers that. He was like, he was the coolest guy ever. And he was talking about how you guys met, and it was very sweet because it made me think about both Adam and John and you have known each other a really long time.
What was a 16-year-old? Little ham, although was he ever short.
And you're like, I'm going to grow my hair.
And I'm going to get her away from that jock.
It's funny that you say that because Ham described you as Michael Hutchence.
But I like what you're doing. You're like, I'm going to go the other way. I'm going to be the art guy.
Then he goes over to green like a real asshole.
To know about the world, to know where countries are.
And was, I probably, was he, you were dating?
That's so – and I want to get this girl on. Oh, my gosh.
Yes. I mean, I think he has also told it a lot, too. But Jon Hamm was the host, and you hosted like two weeks after, right?
That was the first time. In 2008, I was pregnant with my son, Archie. Hamm was the host. I was supposed to deliver the baby on Sunday, so I thought I was going to do the show on Saturday and then deliver the baby the next day. Which, wow. True psycho. Like I just thought like, well, this makes sense and I'll have the baby on Sunday.
And I learned my first of many lessons of like your kids are on their own schedule and they don't work with you. But we rehearsed all day on Friday. I was in nine sketches or something that week. Six days before I had done the Palin rap, I was still feeling pretty good. John was the host for the first time. Friday, we're shooting like a Mad Men pre-tape. I get a call that my OBGYN has passed away.
A wonderful doctor who was in his 80s who was this incredible doctor. He passed away and I burst out crying on the phone. And when you see a very, very pregnant person hysterically crying, it's very scary. And the whole crew gets really quiet and I go behind a partition to talk. And I find out the news, and I come out, and everyone's like, are you okay? And I said, oh, my God, my OBGYN just died.
And did you become friends instantly? Like you really connected fast?
He just died, passed away of a heart attack last night. And it gets really quiet, and Ham leans in and says to me, this is a really big deal, and I need you to get your shit together. This is the first time I'm hosting, and I need you to fucking— It's a big week for me.
And I go from crying to laughing so hard that, you know, like squirts, like squirt tears come out. And I start laughing, like clapping and laughing. And it was so fun and funny. Yeah. And, again, a great example of, like, life is what you say it is, right? Yeah. Life is what you make it and what you say it is. And he made me laugh so hard. And I went into labor that night.
Yeah, I mean he was so great in that episode. In fact, Seth Meyers and Lonely Island have a great podcast about – you should check that out – about that ham episode. It's really good. And they talk about all that stuff happening and how everyone had to fill in and Seth had to do update alone.
Incredible night. Yeah. And kind of a big day for me too. Yeah. because I delivered a baby.
Yeah. Not to brag. Not to brag. But Ham wanted me to ask you this before we go. Do you still worry about doing a good job every time you're acting? Like... You know, and I think the deeper question there was like when you get to a point where you can approach a job without that worry about whether or not it's going to go well or you're going to do well. Are you there?
And if so, how and when did you get there?
Do you ever watch a scene and think, oh, I wish I did that differently?
And we're going to start this episode the way we always like to, which is a fan or a friend or someone who knows our guest so they can tell me what they think I should ask.
I have a scene in Wet Hot that makes me think of that is when the scene where we're like out in the town. I remember like we're all supposed to be like, you know, it's that joke that we go out in the town for one day.
That's right. We go out for the hour and then we all turn into – you know, drug addicts, basically.
And we're smoking crack at the end of the hour. And I sometimes, especially early on, and maybe still, there's just times when I went pretty big. And, you know, I think back and I just think, like, I wish I just, like, dialed things down a little bit. I made some choices.
Sometimes they worked, but sometimes they just – it would have been maybe – that's one scene that I look at and I'm like, I wish I had just gone a little smaller and I think it would have been funnier. Is there anything that comes to mind that you – Yes.
I'm right? What are you going to say?
But it's a little big. It's a little big.
It's like something's off, but you don't really know.
When I get tired, my eye gets a little... It gets a little wonky.
I love you, Paul. Thank you for doing this so much. It means so much. Thank you for doing it.
Check out Friendship coming out in theaters? No. There's no theaters.
Remember, like, I still love this, too, when you watch previews and there's always some joker that's like, no thanks.
You know, it's like, ha, ha, ha. You know, like, oh, God, I love that. Even just someone going like, whoo.
Oh, I saw that in the theater seven or eight times.
Footloose is so- Well, Ren McCormick in the- Jump back.
Just in jean jackets and like a bunch of cool guys.
That's what, Paul and I want to encourage people to shout out at the movie theater.
Say whatever you want. You know what? Yeah, yeah. You know, the fabric of society is fraying. That's exactly right. Just say, do it.
It looks scroll. Or put your flashlight on and try to find somebody else who's enjoying the movie.
Yes. Or, you know, if you really like something, run up to the front.
And stand in front of the screen and go, I really like this.
Oh, my God. Okay. I can't wait to go to the movies. All right. Love you, Paul. Love you, Amy. You're the best. Thank you for doing this. You know, I realized with both Jon Hamm and Paul Rudd, I mentioned Janine Garofalo, who was one of my first friends in New York. And like I said, kind of the first person that I met who I had seen on TV first.
And, you know, I just want to remind everybody to take a listen and a watch. Janine has done so much great comedy and remains such a sharp and funny, deeply... interesting, curious person who's, you know, still performing and still, you know, she's just like a Gen X legend, Janine. We used to care about selling out and she never did.
And you were all like auditioning at that point.
And Janine was always so kind and so helpful to a lot of young comedians and actors and people, myself included. She was instrumental for a I don't know, feeling cool and feeling like we were part of a club. So watch truth about cats and dogs, watch Romy and Michelle, um, you know, uh, reality bites, um, watch the Larry Sanders show.
Janine is just consistently good and such a good actor and so funny. And, um, I just, I'm just feeling nostalgic for our times together and maybe hope she wants to come here and talk to me. So thank you for listening to another episode and we will see you soon. All I ever wanted was a really good hang.
That, what was that like to have a, like, I know, I remember my first friend who was famous, like when I moved to New York. Janine Garofalo was my first famous friend. And it was a trip.
We have a very special guest, another member of the Handsome Man Club, and that is Jon Hamm, who has known Paul Rudd forever and I believe is calling in from the set of a film right now where he is about to get on a hot air balloon. This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Life is going to throw grand challenges your way, and the Toyota Grand Highlander is ready for them.
You literally look like you own this town. John is now walking through the fake town in his tuxedo getting ready to get back on the hot air balloon.
Wow. You look like a billionaire who's just having like a day out.
Okay, so what question do you think I should ask Paul? We're asking people what I should ask him.
John's getting in the hot air balloon right now.
so exciting guys listeners john is about he's rolling i think are you rolling up going up yeah we're about to roll okay that's that's what i would ask him okay when did he stop freaking out about doing a good job like is he settled in maybe he maybe he still hasn't maybe still hasn't and i want to know when did that nickel drop when you come on i want to ask you that question can you keep your phone on while you go up in the balloon i can't because i'm on camera
Oh, I hate Hollywood. I hate acting.
Okay. I love you so much. Thank you so much for this.
All right, bud. Okay. Talk to you soon. Bye. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Apple Card is a no fee credit card that gives you daily cash back every day. That's 3% back at Apple and 2% back on every purchase made with Apple Card using Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card in the wallet app on your iPhone today.
Subject to credit approval, variable APRs for Apple Card range from 18.24% to 28.49% based on credit worthiness. Rates as of January 1st, 2025. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank, USA, Salt Lake City branch. Terms and more at applecard.com. I don't even know where to start. Paul Rudd is here. So exciting. Rudd, you and I have known each other a very long time.
I would say over 25 years now, maybe. Yeah.
Do you remember the first time we met?
Not only is it not a test, but I can't remember anything.
You can choose from three different powertrains, gas, hybrid, and the available 362 horsepower hybrid max, all with available all-wheel drive and towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. But what you really want to know is how good will it look. Well, the Toyota Grand Highlander is now available in a hybrid nightshade special edition with with gloss black accents and 20-inch black alloy wheels.
It sounds like... What do they call it? What's the shortened version?
And what did you do there? Did you do, like, constant plays?
Oh, so much talking about theater. You know, a lot of... Let's have our tea before we talk about theater.
You know, the thing about theater is... The thing is, you know, Pinter said once... You know, I remember Godot...
When I was understudying for Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, I remember thinking, if we could have done crimes this way of the heart.
I was in Once Upon a Mattress in high school.
What was your high school musical or play?
Buzz was just created... Is Buzz in the show?
Yeah. And what were you doing to make a living during that time? What was your jobs? So many jobs.
Right. What was the party pumping song? What was the song that would get people on the floor? C&C Music Factory?
So then you go to school. You come to New York.
Tell us how you met Adam. You're really cute.
So it'll look pretty sweet in your driveway. From daily routines to life-changing adventures, it's up for every Grand Challenge. Learn more at toyota.com slash Grand Highlander. Toyota, let's go places.
You did? Yeah. Do you have any recording of that or anything?
Yeah. And it's the two of you playing Byron and Shelley?
Did you audition for any John Hughes stuff?
It's like, Mush. Hey, remember me?
Okay. Okay. If you get nervous, just talk into these bananas. Okay. But what do you think Shoemaker and I... What do you think we saw in you?
I don't know why it's making that noise. So wait.
How many times you cry? And you're like, three. And he's like, three.
He's like, we've been working on one, bro. You get one cry a day, bro.
Hi, everyone. This is Amy Poehler. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We have the great Ike Barinholtz joining us today. Ike is a hilarious, warm, funny mountain of a man that I met back in Chicago many years ago. And I work with him on the movie Sisters. You might know him from The Mindy Project.
Do you ever think about finishing college?
Yeah. You know, I mean, I just find your brain, your brain so huge. You're super, super smart guy. I mean, we'll get to it. But you basically won. I mean, you won Jeopardy.
So when you were first in Chicago, and by the way, I'm wearing Chicago Wall Street.
We love Dave Stassen. We love Dave Stassen, folks. Your writing partner, co-creator. Wonderful man. With you of Running Point. Yes. Great show that's coming out, or out, is out. It's out. It's out with Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling also producing on that. And you guys are huge basketball fans. We've talked a lot about basketball. Can we talk about the Bulls?
I mean, I don't know where to start, but-
Do you remember the first time you saw Michael Jordan and did you ever meet Michael Jordan?
That's creep territory. That's not pervert. That's creep. That's creep. That's true.
Well, as we continue to talk about sports, I just want to say that underneath my Chicago Bulls sweatshirt is this guy. It's going to be a Boston Celtics shirt. Yeah, it is going to be a Boston Celtics shirt. Look at this.
That was the 80s Celtics wore the 90s Bulls for us. Yes. Yeah, yeah. They kept us going for a really long time.
Bill Simmons. Bill Simmons. Bill, we cannot wait to see this documentary. Do you know he's from Boston, Bill Simmons? Yes, of course. I'm joking.
Bostonians are like Canadians. Bostonians are like, love to say they're from Boston and they know everyone from Boston. Canadians are the same way.
They're like, you know, Brian Adams is Canadian. It's like, okay.
Can you tell us a little bit about running point?
For those people who are just listening, we just dabbed.
A little dab will not do you. A little dab will do you in.
Oh, my God. You do a lot of things really well. You write. You produce. You write. act and they're all like you you have a lot of skills that you can do really well how do you I guess the question is like which one right now is the one that's like
turning you on the most which is the one that like because you just were in as an actor my erotic photography and it's a problem i can't believe i said turning you on why did i say that i'm i'm so bad at this i've just started i i seriously don't know how to ask questions like what are questions Hey, there's one. That's a question. What are questions?
Because on it, but, but I guess what I'm trying to get at is people, I don't think enough people know how much you write. I'll say that.
You have so much time until they're teenagers. Yeah. They're still little.
Yeah, I don't think, you know, maybe for people that aren't too aware, when you're on set filming something, it's kind of when you have the least amount of control of your time. You have to surrender completely. And you're looking at a 12-hour... hour day.
I remember with Parks, I mean, the best thing about it was the immersion into the world. And the worst thing about it was just so much time away. Like I really had to figure out how to, Um, balance having little kids and being on set. It is not easy.
All right, well, we'll get to Ike because you both have worked with him in various ways, and I'm going to talk to him and interview him in just a few minutes. He's going to be so happy, by the way, that you did this, so thank you.
Okay, and then to get to the other thing that you're doing, because I'm very excited to watch this. The studio.
Katherine Hahn is, she's a good example of someone I met in my 40s. You know, you think you've kind of met your friends for life, and Katherine and I, we just kept hearing about each other, and I was a big fan of her work, and I knew her work, and then She came on Parks and Paul Rudd was like, you don't know Katherine Hahn? And he said, oh, you two are going to.
And we just immediately, and she is one of my dearest friends and so funny and so talented.
You know why? Because her applause into the kissy kissy. Yes.
It did a little bit of witches, witches, kissy kissy witches.
Kissy kissy witches. The original show was. It was like.
Who would be the guy that we would like to see you kiss in wizard kiss?
I'm going to say, who would we want to see you kiss in Wizard Kiss? It would be like.
Oh, my God. I would binge. He's adorable. If you and Timothee Chalamet kissed in a new show called Wizard Kiss.
We did a satirical podcast together called The Chris Chapman Do-Over, where he played a podcast host that, well, is not great. He wasn't great, but he was trying his best. He's the co-creator of a great new show called Running Point with Mindy Kaling. And he is the star of The Studio, which is out now on Apple. And we're going to talk to him about that.
And it's like, you guys are casting spells. And every once in a while you go.
Okay, and I promise we'll cut this part because I could talk about it forever. But, you know, I'm kind of into the Enneagram, which is this, like, thing that tells what personality you are. And Ike is at Enneagram 3. So is Jenna, our producer. So is Tina. So is Seth. Achiever, right? Threes are like, get it. Win.
I would say that Timmy's speech is ultimate Enneagram three energy. He recently gave a speech at the SAG Awards where he basically said, I want to be the greatest. Yeah. I loved it.
And Viola Davis. Viola Davis, yeah.
Have you ever grown a full beard? Have you ever?
beard and I'm like too bad yeah did Erica like it your wife I think at first it was kind of like oh this is nice she's like oh there's a stranger in the house she's like oh no don't chase me don't chase me don't chase me the money's in the safe leave me alone Oh, fine. I'll take off clothes. Fine. For every five minutes. She says some long, complicated thing.
For every five minutes, I don't tell you the code to the safe. I'll take off one article of clothing. Bearded man that doesn't live here that's not my husband. And you're like, wait, what's the rule?
Okay, but she liked it. She didn't mind it.
You brought up Katherine Hahn. And we do this fun thing on Good Hang where – Before we have our guest in, we do a little Zoom, a little fun Zoom with people that know them. Wow. And we talk well behind their back.
It's a little bit like, you know, the idea is that you don't really know who's going to show up and who's going to pop in. And so we did a Zoom with Katherine Hahn and- Michelle Obama. And Michelle Obama.
With your first wife, Michelle Obama. Oh, yes, yes. And we did it with Katherine Hahn and Emily Spivey. Oh, my God. And we got to talk about you.
I know. God, I love Spivey. And they had questions for you. Oh. And Hahn, Spivey's question was about your daughters. Like, what is it like to be the dad of three girls? You know, you're a girl dad, as they would say.
But I have a vision of like, you know, Peyton Foster getting married.
Sorry, no, not to each other. And you, first of all, you love to cry. You're a big crier.
And that might, I don't know if that's a girl dad thing, but it's definitely an Ike thing. Yeah, yeah. You love to cry. Yeah. I feel like, and I have this vision of you dancing with one of them and then the other sisters tapping out. Like that's.
That's the part about girl dads, which I know.
And I'm like, that would be good. I think we're similar in this way, which is you, you live very big, you take big swings and you love that about people. And you are definitely that kind of person. You're a party pumper. I think we both are. I'd like to say we share that in common. We like a good time. We like trying to, like get, get the party going, the energy going.
Like I've been to a million parties with you, small and big. And when Ike shows up, like, it's like, we're, we're getting started.
Yeah. And have you always been like that? Do you think that just like, that was your from day one vibe?
You really are. I really am. And let me just ask anybody under the age of 53 about Ronnie Dangerfield. Okay, let's take a water break.
I wish Stanley was a sponsor.
I love my Stanley so much. I know it's basic. Well, maybe not. Stanley, if you're a sponsor, it's not basic. It's not basic. It's the opposite. It's a wonderful way to drink. But if you're not a sponsor, I know it's kind of basic bitch Stanley stuff, but there's something about the weird like baby bird gerbil thing you have to do where you have to go. That's so satisfying. It's strange.
So I feel like you're like you're Emily and Han and I were talking about this about you, about your. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hansi, by the way, if you have in any way turned off your AC, feel free to turn it on.
Yeah, we're just using context clues like from her window to try to figure out where she is.
I just got a lot of hot takes. Yeah. Yeah, I'm just a dumbass. And I would say also with women, women are asked to also give tons of supportive advice and life advice in a way that if you missed it, you'd be like, well, I imagine they're a certified therapist. Yes. And you look at them and you're like, oh, no, they used to own a gym.
I like the ones that are like, and by the way, I'm the biggest sucker for this too. I am the audience, but I like people that are like top five ways to, To, you know, top five ways to forgive your partner. It's like, number one, take a moment and realize they didn't mean to do what they did. Number two, make a decision to forgive your partner. You're just like, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. You're listening.
This is good. This is so good. And it's just, it's so surface level stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's just so like, the only way to be happy is to choose to be happy and say to yourself, I'm a happy person. And you're like, yeah, yeah.
But I am a sucker for, I love a list. I love a list.
But then you do research and the spine doctor is actually an actor. Yeah. Who played a spine doctor on TV. And he added the word doctor. And if you look a little closely. His last name is doctor. Yeah, it's spelled a little differently. John doctor. John doctor. And yeah, yeah.
One of the things we're doing on Good Hang is we're just kind of like figuring out, you know, these conversations are an attempt to like feel fun and an escape from a lot of stuff. What do you do? Where do you go? What do you watch? Who do you listen to? What kind of video do you put on? What do you watch to laugh?
Steve Coogan, the great Steve Coogan.
Yes. His height and his father. He's a tall gentleman. And he also has a dad who is new to the biz that we're going to talk about today. I just want to clarify, you're talking about a show called The Chris Chapman Do-Over, which is on Odyssey, a podcast that we produced, as well as a great podcast that Emily Spivey is the star of called Women Talking About Murder.
Do you watch TikTok? I do watch TikTok. You do? I do watch Instagram. Are you a secret TikTok person?
Who do you like on TikTok or Instagram?
Do you like all that macho chef stuff where the guy, like, cooks in the woods and the meat?
Thank you so much, Ike Barinholtz, Isaac Barinholtz, your legal name. Thank you so much for being on the podcast. I love you. And you're so hilarious. And check out the studio, which is coming out soon or already out, depending on when this is out.
But I just want to end by saying, you know, when we do the polar plunge, we want to dip into something that changes the chemistry in our brain and makes us Come alive. And I wore my Chicago Bulls sweatshirt today, but really at the end of the day, I'm a Celtics girl. Grew up watching the Celtics and love them.
And if you have not checked out the great documentary, it's Bird vs. Magic, about Larry Bird and Magic Johnson and their incredible friendship, rivalry, competitive relationship, whatever you want to call it, highly suggest it. It's excellent storytelling, and it's about the two greatest players ever. I know, Michael Jordan. Okay, thank you so much for listening to Good Hang.
We love that you're here, and we'll catch you next time. All I ever wanted was a really good hang.
And they were both with the great Liz Kukowski. And Liz and I also made The Chris Chapman Do-Over with our producer Jenna here. And Those are two great examples of like our love of podcasts and us trying to do comedic versions of styles that we love. And in the one that Ike did, Ike plays one of those guys who can't, get it right.
And so he has to keep apologizing for the thing he said the week before. And Ike was so good at playing a guy who was trying to learn from his mistakes, but who had hot takes and he had to save them.
Okay. So the last question I'll ask and let you guys go. Thank you so much for this is I'm talking to Ike and what do you think I should ask him?
Yes. Which I think is so cute. Yes. Him and his wife, Erica, are awesome and awesome parents. And yeah, Spivey, you and I have boys. So it feels very different.
Ike is amazing, and as always, we like to take a minute before we start to talk about people that know Ike or might know Ike's work and want to talk to me about questions they think I should ask him. So let's get on Zoom, and let's talk to two queens, Emily Spivey, writer at SNL, and Katherine Hahn, actress and hot bitch extraordinaire. Woo!
Wait, what is everyone's birth order on this call? Where are you and your fam? I'm oldest of three and I have two younger brothers.
Amy, you always seem like the oldest in your family. I am the oldest. So I have to say, because I am. I'm older than my parents. I know.
But Ike is the oldest in his family. I know that. And his younger brother is also an actor. So it's just two brothers. And his dad. And now his dad.
I love a man who likes to eat. I don't trust a man who, who doesn't eat. It's weird.
Thanks. And I can't wait. We can't wait to have you guys on this too. And so that we get to talk well about you behind your backs too. So, okay. Love y'all. Miss you. All right. Love you guys. Good to see you, Han.
Oh, no. She wowed. I'm not her. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Apple Card is a no-fee credit card that gives you daily cash back every day. That's 3% back at Apple and 2% back on every purchase made with Apple Card using Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app on your iPhone today.
Subject to credit approval, variable APRs for Apple Card range from 18.24% to 28.49% based on credit worthiness. Rates as of January 1st, 2025. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank, USA, Salt Lake City branch. Terms and more at applecard.com. Wait, Ike, look at the, um, the, um... The fake food? Fake food. This is all my personal collection.
Wait, this is the fake food. This is fake food from my house. Oh, my God. Look at the garlic.
Oh, really? Why don't you open it up? Wow, there's actually a... There's a weird Japanese Nutri-Grain thing in there.
Oh, you know what? Can we talk about that? You know that we have a theory that there's a difference between pervert and creep.
This is exactly why I wanted you here. We've got Ike Bernholtz, and we're off to the races.
Yeah. And perverts, you know, people are so afraid of creeps that I think they can overcorrect and they can scoop up perverts.
When they should just scoop up the creep.
When I hear the word pervert, I go like this. Like, for those people that are listening and not watching, I just get a little smile on my face. Like, a little pervert.
You know, someone who's just like, I don't know, doing their thing. Again, consensual adults.
This episode is presented by the Toyota Grand Highlander. Life's journey brings constant change filled with exciting surprises, new chapters, and grand challenges. And the Toyota Grand Highlander is more than a vehicle. It's your partner in embracing all life throws at you. Blinked and the kids have grown up? The third row can fit three adults.
Sitting on cakes, and they all like whatever they like to do. No cake shame. I do not cake shame.
Okay, that's right, because you love food.
No thank you. And it's kind of like good art. Like, you know it when you see it. You know the difference between a pervert and a creep. Do you think that we have a higher tolerance for perverts because of our age?
I think what you're trying to say is that every creep started as a pervert, but not every pervert becomes a creep.
You said that to me at the Mark Twain Awards. When you gave When we gave each other awards at the Mark Twain Awards.
What kind of glue do you use on that?
Do you like wearing wigs, by the way?
You worry. Yeah. I have so much fake hair in my head right now. And it's wild. Like if I took it all out right now and laid it on the table, it would look like... a regular person's hair, but I need so much fake hair to look like I have even normal hair.
Well, let's get really get started.
Okay. Let's be real and get this interview started.
Ike Barinholtz is here. Ike, we met when and where?
From daily routines to life-changing adventures, the Toyota Grand Highlander is up for every grand challenge. Learn more at toyota.com slash grandhighlander. Toyota. Let's go places. So how is your day going? What's going on with you? Where are you right now and how has your day been so far?
And I was like – I did? Yeah. So unprofessional.
He said it out loud. That's never a good sign when your teacher says out loud.
Oh, my God. How much – you started when you were 18? I was 18.
Hey, everyone. I'm Amy Poehler, and I'm launching a new podcast called Good Hang. And in preparation, I asked some of my friends to send me some videos and give me some advice.
Well, everybody has an opinion and a podcast. So join me for Good Hang. It's rough out there. We're just trying to lighten it up a little.
We did not drink water growing up. No one talked about water. And ever. Are you being serious? Yes. In school, no one made us drink water. No one talked about water. Water was not a thing. You would go to the water fountain and you would drink and drink and drink. Because you were so thirsty.
you didn't realize no water bottles no you didn't have like maybe at a soccer game they would have water maybe but it was like or like Gatorade or Powerade which is poison your parents never checked right never said did you drink water they never brought water there was never now I'm obsessed with water yes do you have one of those those jugs that says the time of day I did have that.
That's good. And it was positive reinforcement. Like, you're doing it. You're doing great. You're almost there or whatever.
You know what I'm saying? No, I have a basic bitch, like white girl Stanley that I love because I like to sip it like a gerbil. Like I like the straw and I like to be like...
Don't forget about milk, babe.
You would chug a glass of milk. At least. Once a day.
Not only have we not forgotten about it, but as a woman of that age, all my friends are getting bone density tests.
And we are, and everything is coming home to roost because a couple of things you get, I didn't know this. You get all your calcium before the age of 30. Number one. Number two, if you are fair skin, like myself, you don't get enough sun. You don't get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D, you should be taking it. You're pretty screwed.
You guys might be okay.
But, and also there's these things in LA that I'm obsessed with that I want to go to, which are like, they're like salons for people who have osteopenia, which is pre-osteoporosis, where you just, you know, you have to do heavy lifting now. Like now I have to lift weights.
Yes. And so you have to take your calcium and you have to do weights. And so there's like programs where it's like you do leg presses, you do whatever. And it's just designed for women my age who are smart enough to get their bone density tests. And they're like, I have a little bit of, you know, osteopenia in my hips. I need to do leg presses.
So I know a lot about osteoporosis.
There's penia and osis, or penia and porosis. So one is pre, one is you got it. And there's things you can do. But you kind of like, you know, our bones stopped growing at like 18.
It is wild that as a woman, you go through being like a sex object and then maybe a mother and then maybe like menopause. And then they're like, and on your way out, you need to eat 45 grams of protein a day and lift very heavy weights or all your bones will break.
And you're like, what?
You're like, this can't be true. I have to go to the gym and lift the heaviest I've ever lifted?
That would be incredible. That would be incredible. I mean, things are changing, but you know, can you do, I'm sure you can do pushups, right? So they say women need to be able to do like 10 or 11 pushups, real pushups a day. And you got, you're just like, okay.
I'll try. It's hard.
Yeah, they're like physical therapy places.
I agree because my age, I'm the youngest, oldest person.
I think 30s and 40s, yes.
30s and 40s are a little tricky because you're like, I'm not as young as I used to be, but I don't feel old. And nobody, like old people dismiss you. They're like, you're 30, whatever. Like, you know, but when you're in your 50s, You're not young, right? And young people do not think you're young. No way. 50 is like a nightmare to them that wakes them up in the middle of the night.
But you feel young and old people are like, so you're the youngest, oldest person.
I'm here to tell you that if you enjoy that now, the future is very bright.
Because best decade yet for me, 50s by far best decade. Way better. And also, I have to say to your point, Bowen, like women my age or the age in our 50s, it used to be kind of like maiden mother crone. Those were the maiden mother crone, right?
And now I think that we've managed to carve out our generation. My generation has carved out a step before Crown.
And it's kind of like, I'm calling it like boss or something. But at some stage before you become like the wise witch.
Where you are allowed to actually like, you know, enjoy the fruits of your labor, not be so beholden to like external validation and you still like feel good.
Like, well, there is, I kind of, what crone means is like wisdom and, you know, like medicine woman, but it's a tough word.
And they were like- Is it Shakespeare's crone?
Yeah, we should rename crone. We should call it like-
Like a medicine woman.
Yes.
But I didn't have kids when I was at SNL and I cannot believe the way I socialize. Like SNL is such crazy extroverted social job. You see hundreds of people like during the week and then you have to. do the show. And then you have to host the host. You're hosting the host. Exactly. Then you have to go to the party, which I know is like, oh, go to a party.
But it is still a work function, even as fun as it is. And I cannot believe like it is so much energy.
That I can't believe I did it. I really and I'm glad that I was younger when I did it.
Thank you. That was really fun. Really fun. It had to be. And very exciting. And just kind of felt... Yeah. It felt like... There was a feeling during that whole time. Remember when we thought that was a crazy election? Yeah. But there was a feeling that whole time of just... The audience was really paying attention. Everything was... And...
when you're really pregnant, giant pregnant, you have a ton of power because people are a little worried for you, but you also, you know, and so we had a lot of fun with it. Like me and Emily Spivey, we wrote a scene about me knocking things over. Emily was also pregnant during the, during that time too. And there was just this feeling, you know, it's kind of like Chekhov's gun.
Like, is she going to give birth? Like, yeah.
It was just Amy pregnant as fuck.
Yes, and he was really into me. He's so sweet. Here comes little lady making her way. That was the same episode. That was the Josh Brolin episode. And Sarah Palin just came on Update. And she was a really good sport. And she was like, okay, sure, I'll just dance next to you. And I remember thinking... I wonder if her team has really told her what this is, but that's okay. We're going to do it.
And I think my pregnancy helped. Like it was like, how can you say no to the lady? And it was so, it was thrilling at the moment. It was really fun. It was really fun. And then I gave birth like, let's see, maybe like four or five days later.
Yes. Full circle. That's right. He was just at the show. And him was the host.
Oh, like Chasing Pavement?
And you were at that show.
So nice. Thank you for saying that.
Well, thank you for saying that. I sometimes feel like I have more gay women that I get that feedback from, which I appreciate. But that's nice of you to say gay men.
Wow, that means a lot. That's a high compliment. I mean, I feel like for me, the biggest thing that, culturally, that I get a lot of feedback from, especially from gay men, is Mean Girls.
That feels like, especially for the millennials, felt like their version of how to interact with me. More, I think, than SNL and Parks. I don't know.
You're right. The outfit, the outfit.
Yeah, that was really fun. Those were like when movies, like when they were just like money, money, money, money, movies, movies, movies.
And here's a fun story about that. Will and Arnett and I played brother and sister, but we were actually married in real life. And we, they tested that movie and the testing, they were like, we hate Strawns and Fairchild. They're the villains. What do you mean? They're the villains.
And I remember the info coming back like, a lot of people don't really like the, and we were like, well, we're the villains, you know, but, but to, to the director's credit, they, I think they kept a lot of it in, but that was really, but yeah, we did tons of auto shoots and that was really big extras.
It's a work in progress.
Also, first of all, I was walking in today. I was like, who am I dressed like? And I was like, I'm dressed like Will in Night of the Roxbury.
Yes, I'm paying homage. Funny story about that movie. We had to learn how to ice skate. Right. And I knew enough to know. I'm not going to be doing a ton of ice skating in this movie. You know, they had incredible body doubles and face switcheroo technology. And they had really good ice skaters having to do things.
And I knew, I was like, I think if I could just fake it from the waist up, I'll be fine.
But they had an incredible professional, like ex-Olympian ice dancer, coach, performer coaching me. Again, it was a time when movies were like, you're going to have to, we're going to, And I was on SNL. And so on the weekends and in the mornings, I would have to go to Chelsea Piers and ice skate. And I remember she was this really, I'm sorry, I forget her name.
Okay.
And I'd be like, wait, what's going on with you? And she'd go, well, we have to get out on the ice. And I go, I know, I know, I know. We have to, we have to train. I'd be like, but how is your daughter? And I would try to get her to talk and the clock would just tick away. And I'd be like, geez, because I, it was so hard to learn.
Bone tired. And also, um, I knew it. I knew I didn't have to know it that well.
We're going to be on wires.
And I'm never going to get it. And at one point she said to me, you know, if at any point something's hurting, make sure you tell me to stop. We were like practicing. You were like, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. Well, I was like, I will.
I am not trying to get a medal here. So I can kind of ice skate, but not that well.
I was, I was like, did a bunch of sports moderately well. Like good trash talker, like out on the field, played softball, played soccer, like a little basketball, like just kind of was like, like the mouth.
Thank you. I was really good at keeping the team up.
And really good at like knowing where the play is. Like a lot of like plays at second, you know, like that. But not, didn't really have the skill. Small. Didn't really have an arm.
Yes. And it's amazing that I'm not gay because every picture of me during that time.
like baby lesbian. But we all did back then. We all did in many ways. But like not a jock. And then was a cheerleader sometimes too. Just kind of a floater to use a mean girl's term.
I just think, I don't know, it was a different time where you could be okay at softball and play in your local softball league for a long time. But now you have to be like on a traveling team and it's very intense. And parents are involved. Parents have ruined a lot of things. Like when parents show up, they kind of ruin things.
And my generation, my parents, no one went to anyone's, like occasionally went to a game, but there were no like adults taking things over. Everything was a little less stressful. You could try a bunch of things and it wasn't necessarily your identity.
I feel like I'm trying not to be.
Some people, it's their identity, right? Like they're living through their kids, I guess. But, which I mean, you have to be supportive.
They're 14 and 16.
Yeah. I love teens.
Okay.
Stop.
I love teens. I'm here to say the teen years are my favorite years.
They're just like interesting people. And also their friends are kind of interesting. And you're like, this is like the black diamond of parenting. This is where it's coming in and you're having big conversations. They're making choices. You're trying to keep them safe. People like focus on the little, the youngins, like the baby stuff and the youngins. But I don't know. There's something.
I think I'm good with teens.
But I feel like you were on TikTok- almost first when you were lip syncing. And then you came in, you dominated, and then you like left.
Oh my God.
And you can't find that? You can't put that back out on TikTok?
And you know, Las Culturistas is huge on TikTok.
I think- I feel like more and more, I mean, even starting this podcast is a good example of that. I'm getting a little less worried about whether or not my timing is right. It's okay.
I feel like if you want to do it, I feel like you can do whatever you want. If you want to, if you don't want to do it, certainly don't.
Do whatever you want. Anytime you want.
Yeah. It should only be fun.
Oh, yeah. I mean, that's where the power lies is post cringe. I mean, you learn that with comedy a lot. You know, you have to just you can't be embarrassed.
Yeah. Cringe Mountain is far behind me.
I don't worry about that at all. Because basically you survive a ton of embarrassments, like death by a thousand cuts. You just realize, I'm okay. It's okay. And then you realize that like, actually the longer in your career, you should be taking more risks and trying new things. And you should be like a little nervous and a little excited.
And the minute you are afraid about being cool, you're screwed.
It does. And, and everyone is so obsessed with themselves. I would so much rather somebody be a little tender Roney and make a cringy mistake than the opposite. Like when people are really cool, I'm like, Oh honey, like when they're trying to be very cool, I get so, I get so stressed for them.
It's not easy out there.
But it's the same way with like hosted SNL, like a host that will come in and we'll be like kind of open face sandwich. You'd be like, I'm nervous or whatever, like I'm gonna try. And they give your sketch their all and you're like, I love you forever. But when someone is trying to be cool, you're like, hmm.
And the coolness, you know, it's so, it's a protective shell. So you kind of feel for them. We've all been there, but it is, it's so fleeting. Like what is, what is cool?
I mean, you guys do kind of define it. Guys, you do kind of define it. And why I'm going to say this, the reason why you define it is because your list is about not being cool.
But it is the coolest list in the world.
And it reminds you that like, we're all like, we're all... like dumb humans. We're dumb.
That's a love language.
Well, I think it's a very East Coast thing too.
It's a very East Coast thing. Like the more I like you, the more I'll tease you.
It's like, it is like a safety thing. I mean, within reason, like you don't want to be bullied.
Manners are for people we don't know.
Yeah. There's nothing more satisfying than when you can tease someone with love.
And they tease you back and you're like, oh, we're sick. Like we're, this is intimacy.
Like hard, like, because when you tease someone the right way, it also means that you see them.
Right. Like the most delightful thing when someone can like, you know, you know, you're like talking about someone, you're like, I'm so tired. And someone's like, you are? We couldn't tell, you know, like, you're like, like, you just feel so like delighted.
I'm trying to like, I think I'm trying to just kind of, but you know, here's the thing about teens.
No downloading.
You go from producer to consultant. Oh. And that is not my line. That is someone else's line. Someone else said that. But you go from handling your kid's life over like, and scheduling their play dates and getting their stuff and getting like, and making their lunch, all this stuff. It's like, you're in charge to being like,
I know you didn't ask me, but what I would do is you have to just stand back. You can't you almost can't tell them anything.
Just think about it. When your parents would say something at that age, it would just be like, shut up. So you do the, I don't know, there's a really good technique. I'm super into it. It works for people too. But where you just repeat back to them what they said to you. So I hate my teacher. You hate your teacher.
Yeah, because she doesn't listen to us and she's always like giving us assignments we don't like. She's always giving you assignments you don't like. Yeah, you just don't say.
It keeps pulling the thread and they... talk to you and they're not looking for you to fix it and certainly not to give advice. No. Barf. Like, you know, what you should do or, you know, teachers are really like, they're working really hard these days or whatever. They just want to say it to you.
Agree. I did it for a year. I was trying a thing where I would only give advice to people that asked for it. And no one ever asks.
And the other side of that is I'm really egotistical about my advice. I think I have great advice. So I not only don't want advice that I don't ask for, but I like to offer advice that nobody asked for. And then I get a little butthurt when they don't take it. I see. I'm like, you didn't take my advice? Like that's solid gold advice. Yeah.
And then my therapist was like, why are you giving advice to people that don't ask for it? That's precious advice that you can't just... give out willy nilly. Like be respectful of your own advice. And you can value it. And you can even say like, Are you open to advice? And if they say yes, you go, you know, if I give it, do you think you'll... This advice means something to me. It's like a lot.
My God, I have such little advice for you.
Okay, in what area? Can you ask something specifically about... Or just life advice?
Yes.
Also, you're so ahead of the game by realizing it's something that you want.
Life is an arrow pointing you to what you want. So, like, by not getting it, you're like, oh, I'm really missing that. I want that. That's interesting. That's, oh, thank you, SNL, for pointing the arrow to what I want.
And... I think my advice would be try to imagine that it's not binary. It's not like you either have it or you don't. You can't have it there. You can't. The can'ts and shouldn'ts and maybe nots. There's a lot of space in between that not being a place where you could have it and a place where you could have it.
Very good. So my advice there would be don't lift a finger.
We're right here. You're doing well. You have enough money. You know, thank God. Very lucky. Take your privilege and get somebody... We ran through my bank account before we started.
And get somebody to pack everything up for you.
But do one pass and go through and grab anything... a document, anything that you would sob over if it was lost. Yeah. I mean, sob, not like, I love this chair. I love this bait, whatever. Like go through and go, if this got thrown in the ocean by accident, would it ruin my life? Right. Get those things out. Everything else, let them pack it for you.
But that's good. You might not be attached to things. That's very healthy.
There's a thing called Swedish death cleaning. I produced a show about it, which is all about that.
The gentle art of Swedish death cleaning, which is the Swedes believe one of the things that you can do for your family is you can clear out your stuff before you die. Like, you know, they want less stuff.
And why not give your stuff away while you're still alive?
vital and alive and tell people why it means something to you so they can get to know you because what happens in the states is people die they leave all the stuff then you go through your like grandfather's papers and you're like he was you know he he played the tuba like i didn't even know or whatever and so let people know you while you're alive but it's all about minimizing and getting rid of stuff and so maybe you're kind of doing that along the way
Yeah, he lives in Sweden.
Yeah, my brother is the coolest. He's a really funny writer and performer. And he moved to Sweden. He met a woman who lived in Sweden. They got married, they had a kid. And now he's been there forever. God, it must be almost 20 years. He's like a full expat. He lives outside of Stockholm and like speaks Swedish. You know, it's so cool.
What country would you like to, let's just put it out there.
Okay.
I just, we were in London and it was so great. Right. But be careful with that London weather. That's all I got to say. That London weather is like Sweden. It is dark. It is a dark, cold country. So just be aware.
I love a UK guy for you. I think so. With a scarf and everything?
You don't like the scarf?
Like a scarf and like an overcoat?
That's okay. That's like a winter, like a Jude Law winter look like a, like a, what's the guy's name?
You know, the guy that did all the movies, like a Richard Curtis, like coming in from the cold.
Just a gentleman like shaking off the snow, his overcoat.
What I project upon you that I want for you is a gentleman who's maybe a little sober or whatever. Just like not, he's just like, he's not the main character.
He's the one that's like, he's just like, look at him go.
I think that's interesting because I would say for you, you're extroverted person, right? Probably secretly more introverted than we think. Yeah. But an extroverted person who I think it would be nice for you to have like a British Jude law looking gentleman who has the taxi waiting while you work the room. Oh, Has the taxi waiting.
He's like, ready to go, love.
Yes. There's actually nothing less sexy than someone who doesn't know when to leave a party. Oh, yeah. It's a problem. When someone can't leave a party because they're just kind of waiting for this thing that hasn't happened yet to happen.
And also, I'm the part. Yeah, hello. Like, what are you waiting for? Exactly.
Okay, well, you know, you are my favorite podcast. So I've thought about this a lot.
I love this podcast. And I thought about it a lot. And, you know, I didn't want to overthink it. But I have to say, for me, growing up, there was a woman who... I just related to, she just felt very strong. She had a really specific POV. She kind of asked her what she wanted. She always had good jokes. And that woman was Miss Piggy.
She, at a time when women were told to be, you know, seen and not heard, she took up space. She was very body positive. She was, yes, at times a little violent. We would, we'd maybe correct that now.
I completely agree. She often saved the day.
She said what she wanted. She was like one big intrusive thought. And if you suffered from those, like I did as a kid, you were like, I can't believe she said that out loud. She was always funny. Always. She had really good jokes.
Kermie loved her.
If you say so. I'm here to tell you.
Okay. I'm happy to hear it.
She was such a funny character.
Look, it was the 70s, right? It wasn't perfect. So at times, Miss Piggy almost felt like, oh, she's a cautionary tale of someone who's too... But the audience did not feel that from her. The Muppet Show, when it would come on, and the, it's time to get things started, and the song would start, as a kid, I was like, this is Hollywood.
This felt like, this was, you know, I didn't know anyone that was an actor or writer. I'd never seen anyone famous. Something about the Muppet Show was like, there is a place where my jokes and what I like is going to live. And it was get ready for the show. It's like very SNL.
Because my generation of SNL, the people I like, I was like 10 when Eddie Murphy joined SNL. And I was like 14 when it was like Dana Carvey and Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman. So that was, but the Muppet Show was the first thing
feeling of there's a show about to be put on yes yes and miss piggy was the star of the muppet show yes she was she was the star she was the she she told everyone what to do and kermie couldn't resist no i mean he he was a little shy and you know she kind of probably spoke for him in a
Yeah, they flipped. He was kind of a soft boy. Also though, during that time, we also had people like Alan Alda and MASH, right? Who was like so nice. Even though he was so sweet. We had some sweetie pies. It wasn't as masculine all the time as people think.
Like the 70s, there was some like groovy, like, you know, dads or even like Michael Landon, who was like tough, but like loved his daughter and was kind of sweet. But Kermie... Kermit was very in touch with his feminine side.
You know why I love Kermit?
Yes. Kermit was a peacemaker. And as I get older, I'm drawn to people, men especially, who are looking for peace.
Me too. I want to feel calm. I want to feel safe. And I don't, conflict used to be the way, I'm an Enneagram eight. Do you care about your Enneagram? Oh, I'm a seven. That's right. You're seven. That makes sense. What are you? Four.
Oh, this is so hard. No one understands you. You're very, it's very hard to, no, fours are like, they're like special romantic. Yeah, fours are dream maker. Like that makes artists.
Challenger.
So I used to think conflict was how I, and it was often how I got intimate with people. Like, and now I want more peace. I see. And sevens are so much fun.
But they're so fun.
And also you're just going to be kind of like, what's the next thing? Like you're definitely for the adventure.
That, I have a lot of sevens in my life. I love them. For those of you who don't care about enneagrams, whatever, but they're enthusiasts. They're- Enthusiasts, yes. They love things and they love having fun. But a seven's always like, you're like, let's go do this thing. And they're like, is it going to be fun? And you're like, I mean, I guess, I- Fun. Fun is important. Newness is important.
same I always thought like that my thing was to challenge and buck the system and kind of like push and push and now I'm really I really feel lucky that I'm surrounded by a lot of people who are not that way who are like more peaceful and peacemakers and kind of like a little bit like it could be this it could be that like for the longest time being definitive and like certain and decisive yeah was like safety and now I'm like luckily a little bit more like I don't
I don't know.
Hi! That was like being at my own funeral.
Yeah, pretty fast. Yeah.
I'm all about practicing my backhand. That's my new phrase, which is my forehand has served me so well. It is, I've made a lot of shots. I feel really confident. It's, I'm very, very grateful for what it's gotten me. And now it's time to practice my backhand. What is the thing that I don't really always give as much attention to or practice to? And it's exactly that. It's not...
Yes, I was dissociating.
depending on my energy to be the way that people connect with me or like, or that like sparring or conflict is going to be the way in which I can get something done, but just like be a little bit more watery.
It's something like this where it's like, well, this is a very four answer you're giving right now because
No, because you're right. You're saying like, you're coming from a feeling place.
And I'm coming from an action place.
That's an eight. So the four is like, how can I express my feelings or have these feelings differently? And it's like, what can I do differently? And our work is to like, And I'm so sorry if this is boring for anybody. But our work is to feel more. And your work is to do more. Less feelings, more doing. And mine is more feelings, less doing.
Oh my gosh, I don't know.
I think she is definitely an eight. Miss Piggy is kind of an island. She is definitely an Enneagram. That would be fun to do that with all the Muppets.
I think Kermit's a nine. He's a peacemaker.
Yeah. He's like, hey guys.
She never stood a chance against Miss Piggy. I gotta watch this. I did not know that. And do you also remember how public television is so great? Sesame Street. Do you remember when Sesame Street, when I was growing up, there was a character called Snuffleupagus?
But then they took Snuffleupagus away because it was frustrating kids.
Like, on the show, yeah, a kid didn't feel believed.
I did. I got to do something with Elmo, which is really cool.
We did like a word of the day or something.
Yeah. And then, you know, and when I like and I loved growing up, I loved we had an Oscar the Grouch alarm clock. Oh, I like Oscar the Grouch.
Larry David owes a lot to Oscar.
The alarm clock used to start with, it's going to be a lousy day. Wake up. It's got to. And it was such a Gen X alarm clock. Like you could never do that now. But yeah, I love him. That whole Jim Henson world, I have to say. It has permeated most of my life. Cause you know, also was in the beginning of SNL, but just like those Muppets and puppets are everywhere in my psyche. Yeah. Absolutely.
That's, that is stressful though because have you ever been with someone who's working a puppet?
It's stressful.
I mean, God bless everyone who works puppets. It's amazing. It's intense.
Where do you look?
You'll be great.
And I'm- She's modeled after like Peggy Lee, right?
Yes. Yeah. And she was also kind of like in drag a little bit. She had like a real vibe of like costumes and, and you always were going into her world and it was like satin and she was very like, she was very feminine. She was a show girl.
Yeah.
Oh really? And a lot of cultures pigs are really, really revered.
Are they one of the smart ones?
Those arms can put up so much shiplap so fast.
It's hard. And also there is something about, I love interior design. Do you? I love it. It's kind of like a, I don't want to say a hobby, but I love working with people and making spaces and looking at- Making it. I love it.
And I love looking at like magazines and looking at stuff online. And I find just like what people think is comfortable is so subjective. It's just so subjective. And for me, the eye must rest. My eye must rest.
So there's like, there was like an organizing show where it was like, what kind of organizer are you? Are you, so let me ask you this. There's four different ways and I'm gonna butcher this, but do you like a room where there's a open shelf and like, you know, your plates and cups and everything, you can see them.
So there's one where you're like floating shelf and cups and organized well, but visible. One where they're behind a cabinet, organized behind a cabinet. Those are two options. And then also, do you like to have, let's say you're putting away your important piece of paper.
Do you want to have it in a drawer where you throw it in in a drawer and it's worth all the important papers and you'll organize it later? Or do you want to have a place that it lives every time?
She's like Dom energy. Like I got it covered and then she's in over her head.
Some people like to see their stuff and some people like to not see theirs. I think it could be interesting to see my stuff.
Yes. And what about countertops, tables? Do they need to be clear?
Get a product line going, Bowen.
Would love to do that.
Well, you know what? I'm going to take my own advice. It's never too late. It's never too late. Wait, to do what? To just have a housewares line.
I've been trying to get Tina to make money off of eyeglasses for her entire life. But she refuses the side hustle.
I understand. I respect it. Only do what you want to do.
But you could do it too, Bowen.
I'm of the same mind as Tina.
I'm just a sweatshirt with my face. Put my name on the plastic water bottles, whatever. No, yeah, only if you'd be into the design and into the aesthetic of it. But something aesthetic would be interesting and fun to work on.
Mm-hmm.
I completely agree.
I completely agree. But at least get AD into that house and get them to walk around and put your bowl of limes. Show them your bowl of limes.
We wanted to know from you. Should women be in charge? That's what we're here to talk about.
Dakota Johnson.
I actually do.
Limes are so good. Or how about this? A bowl of artichokes.
If you put artichokes in a bowl, you're a billionaire.
If you put three artichokes in a silver bowl, you're Elon Musk. You're done.
Of course you can do that.
I can do that.
Very seven. Okay. Right. We need to root it down.
Like where can I go next? Coachella again this weekend.
Living out of a suitcase.
Maybe.
Your space has to be, your space is important.
I love, well, I love right now, my house is a California ranch. So I do like that kind of a tiny bit of Quaker.
There's a tiny bit of Quaker craft. Like I like a wood, like I like a wood bench with like a patterned cushion. I like like a nice pattern rug with like a black sofa. I like a warm tone chairs that match a warm tone table with like an amber light fixture. I like a bit more masculine.
Masculine can sometimes be like too much like steel.
And I'm leaning lately less mid-century and more like a little bit like worn and waspy. I'm trying to do more antique and flea pieces than new pieces.
I know you guys are big theme park people. I am not.
My masculine is Al-Anon. Like a very groovy 70s, sweet, loves his wife.
Once like Dwell came out, like and everything was very like weird table and like, yeah, everything got a little too mid-century and it's very LA.
In fact, I just did a show in Orlando and she was very excited to get me to go on the rides. And I did not want to go on the rides. I'm not a theme park person.
I think you're telling an old story about yourself. I think you do have a sense of style.
I know a lot of men are. A lot of men are.
Yeah. But do you like, like, I like things to feel nice. Yeah. I love texture. So I have these two chairs in my living room that are upholstered with like that really fuzzy, like.
And why I like is when I walk by them, I like always touch them.
But they're a nightmare to clean. Oh, but you know, that's okay. You're not going to be worried about cleaning.
Sorry. I know it's lame.
You know what you should do? Just do one room. Just do one room. Like what would be your version of a nice room? Yeah. One room. Yeah, that's great. Just one room.
I know. You know? And there's seashells. Well, I always say people's houses, people either want to tell you where they've been or where they are. Oh.
So exactly. So it's like, where have I been? I've like have African masks and I have, you know, saris and I have like all this stuff that I've collected or we are in Denver, baby. And you're going to know it. You're going to know that we are in Colorado. Like it's one or the other.
Our guide was talking about you too.
And never sleep on a plant and a mirror.
And there's like AI now that you can put your room in and it'll tell you all this stuff. It's incredible. Damn, AI.
People should know that. Have you already spoken about it on the pod?
And he had the best time with you.
I think it's she. This is a really interesting experiment about how we see ourselves and how do we want people to see us.
But you know, don't you deserve to be in focus?
Absolutely. Doesn't one deserve to be in focus?
And also, it's an incredible picture of you.
And it's a great picture of you too. But I mean, I would try to get in focus. You had said maybe AI can get you in focus. And you were saying, I don't know if I want that.
This is all AI. Everything is all made of AI.
Disney World is overwhelming.
And too many, like too far away.
You lost the teens at the end with the video game.
Yeah, it's okay. It's okay.
And I agree with you about trampolines.
Broken bones. You know where you're going to end up? The pit.
Yeah.
Well, you know what? I think we are. We're giving.
That was incredible.
This is hard to do this third. I just have to say because you guys are so good at this.
Have you ever done someone's than they if you've done what they were going to do?
I was sweating on yours because I have a little bit of crossover. Tiny Matt.
I'm also at an age where I don't want to be shook anymore. Like I don't want to be so sure.
Nothing bad, nothing bad.
I don't like being nauseous. I don't like the lack of control. It definitely feels like I never get to the, it's like when people say when you get a runner's high and you never happen. That's what it feels like at those theme parks, which is like, aren't you feeling it? Yeah. And you're like, I'm so sorry. I'm not. I don't know.
And I'm going to say NBC, I think you can monetize this.
Why don't you have a competition? And people can vote like American Idol as to which cast member gets to say the shit. Oh my God. So you can be like, if you want Bowen to say it, you know, text 0032 on your phone and let Bowen say it.
Well, you could treat it like vacation days. You don't use it and it rolls over to the next year. And then you get to say 10 of them. Yes, exactly.
May I offer one small counterpoint? Yes, please. I do think there's something fun about not being able to say it that causes comedic tension.
That's fun. So the air may be let out of that balloon when you do and you might not get the juice that you wanted to squeeze. You want it because you can't have it.
Unless the musical guest is named Gooch. And then you can say, ladies and gentlemen, Gooch. Once again, Gooch.
That's a good one.
Okay. Is that okay?
The greats have taken notes. Let me see.
Okay, I don't think so, honey. Horror movies, okay? Life is scary enough. I do not need to unlock a new fear. I have a very active amygdala. I have a decent amount of empathy. I do not want to watch a young couple have to eat their own eyeballs to get out of a locked room, okay? And don't tell me that it's about the rush of being in the same room with people and feeling social.
There's three things that shorten your life. Motorcycle. Agree with you. Smoking. And violent images. And then lastly, this also means pranks. No pranks. A jump scare and a prank is a hate crime. Five seconds. If you prank me, that means you hate me. The only devil that I want to see on the screen is the one that wears Prada. Thank you.
I don't like any kind of scare. No scare.
It's sad. The world is too scary. The news is rough. I cannot handle it. My nervous system cannot handle it. And I could never handle it. And I just want to say this. I did participate in pranks at one point in my life. The patriarchy comes for all of us. Yeah. We all... But I apologize and I have listened and learned and no more pranks for me.
Ship it out. Right now, we can't afford it.
But like when you look at the movies, it's like, what do you want to see? The gorge or a baby in the basket? There's a whole- It's like, am I- Like, is this a punishment?
We can read about it. We can listen to podcasts about it.
Okay. So I had a moment, a true crime moment, you know, cause I'm a white lady of a certain age. So I did have a true crime moment, but I can't watch anything.
I see.
I can read or listen, but I can't watch anything that's about true crime. Like any of those dates, any, even softy stuff, like softball stuff. Like I cannot watch it.
Cult?
Well, that one isn't as bad, but I don't understand people that join cults. Right. I can't relate.
Yeah, I was going to say, you have a high cult susceptibility.
I did like the one where the- Love is One. Yeah, because Mother is Resting is, when she asked for the chicken parmesan.
wingdings. Right. And everyone is sitting by her bed and it's like, I don't get it.
It's tough.
Yeah. Culture tough. But when a woman is in charge, it's a little bit more fun.
Also, when I was a kid, no spooky stories. I didn't like being scared. I do not like that feeling.
Oh, I guess not. And Dratch and Tina and I were all together and they went and had dinner at Epcot, Mexico. And I was supposed to meet them and they texted me and they were like, you would hate it here. Don't come. And I was like, that's a real friend.
Oh, my God.
Did you get goosebumps when you came in?
It was a good hang.
Thank you. I hope someday you'll want to do it.
It would be my absolute joy if I could.
Any advice? You know, we talked about advice before we leave. Any advice for me?
Don't overthink it. That's the- Don't overthink it.
Is it a Doogie Howser cocktail?
Stay true to yourself.
No, but it's true. Listen to your instinct. What is your space? Redford.
And Alan Alda. 70s queens.
That's okay.
Yeah, we're pretty, we do like very similar things. We go to Bloomingdale's. We like get us by a sweater. We like have, you know, we watch like, we got to watch the White Lotus finale in our hotel room together. And that was really fun. And yeah, we do like simple, like we're like, ooh, like, did you see there's like a place for croissants around the corner? We'll go get one. That's about it.
But yeah, this one, we were not aligned.
Don't go here. Don't you feel like a real friend knows don't come here.
Yeah, I feel like TikTok loves the pit. My TikTok loves the pit. But I mean, look, Noah Wiley, I've been a Noah Wiley fan for 20. I mean, I watched the entirety of ER three times.
I watched it again during the pandemic. And then I watched it when it came on. I used to be doing like improv at night and waiting tables. That was it. And I would smoke a bong at like seven o'clock and watch ER reruns. Cause they used to be on like TNT and then like go to work or go to a comedy show. And so I feel like I've known Noah forever.
Yeah, and you know, Dr. Robbie's not in scrubs.
I have to know what's up. Yeah, but it's so good.
I used to, yeah, that was back, you know, God, let's see, 90. I was living in the East Village. So I was 26, maybe. Very similar life.
Actually, when I was coming up here in the elevator, there was a gentleman, a gentleman, a nice young gentleman and a young lady. It was Mady Patinkin. And he had a chart with all this red string. And it smelled so much like weed. They really, really reeked of weed. And I was like, oh, I thought to myself, oh, weed. Remember that? It's been so long. And I just had that. It was like nostalgic.
Oh, yeah. You were at Coachella. No.
Yeah. Yeah. I'm... Yeah. That was a different time when I felt like I had no real responsibilities, even though I felt like my life was overwhelming. I didn't have a lot of responsibilities. So it was like, okay, if I was a little stoned. But now, I don't think I could handle it. Not anymore.
I know it sounds super cheesy, but actually being conscious, like actually just being in the moment is like a high, is a win. Because I'm always future tripping or I'm always thinking about what I just said or did. And I just feel such less personality hangover in general when I'm not altered. So I'm not that into being altered right now. Wow.
And also I'm older and you need a lot of time to recover. And I stopped drinking right before the pandemic and was really grateful that I didn't really do it during it.
It's not a, it's not, I'm not in a program or anything, but just like every once in a while, maybe have a thing, but I don't really need it. And it just feels very good.
Alcohol is poison.
So, but it's okay. You know, you can have a little poison. Like just like sugar is poison. You can have a like, it can't sugar. It's all poison.
But I think especially as a woman of a certain age, you do start to feel the poison a little bit more. The poison really turns on you.
And just you don't get the same kind of thing anymore.
Are you worried about microplastics?
I was asked to leave. I was making people uncomfortable. That's why.
Well, I had a very gentle HR meeting where a man in a suit put me on an elevator, Severin style, and I don't remember what happened since.
Well, they do. They do have an HR and they do, like all of the shows that we've all worked on, you know, I mean, do you remember? And do we still have to go through the, you know, all that training every time, which is very good to do.
But yeah, it is. I believe... I believe that they do that still and should. It's probably a very different environment than I was there 20 plus years ago for all of us.
Yeah, robust after party at the Plaza Hotel. Whoa.
I didn't hang that long. I love bedtime. Yeah. I used to be a vampire and now I love bedtime. I think about bedtime all day.
I feel like one of the things that was different is, you know, things are texted and emailed. And, you know, I didn't have any of that when I was there wildly. We didn't even have phones that we carried around on the floor. I mean, maybe we did occasionally, but we would kind of leave them in the dressing room. But now everything is texted. So I imagine maybe it's a text.
Maybe it's a Snapchat or some kind of YouTube channel people subscribe to. Maybe it's probably a podcast that tells you where the after after is.
And I'm very excited. It's been really fun. We've been recording and getting ready for our launch. I don't know when this show is going to come on, when this one drops. How far ahead are you guys?
So it's been going for about a year, and it's been good.
Go back how? Like, what do you mean? Like, do a sketch show? That's a lot of work.
It just feels like... I know what you mean, Sean. I love doing it. I just don't know if I could launch back into an actual full-time sketch show. It's so much work. And creating the material, generating the material is so... It's so time consuming, but I love it.
No improv. But Tina and I have been on tour. We've done our show a bunch of cities last year. We're going back out again in March, April, and May for a bunch of dates.
Yeah, we have Orlando. We have Detroit. We have Chicago, Boston. We're playing Red Rocks.
Yeah, so it's written. It's like a long variety show. We have special guests come in. We kind of go through the history of our 30-year friendship. But there's a section in it where we talk about Chicago and how we met, and so we improvise there, which is really fun.
Yeah, people think I'm from the Midwest a lot, because also with Parks and Rec, their head goes to Indiana, so they think I'm like a Chicago... Would you consider yourself like a Boston homegirl? I mean, I'm definitely a homie. LAUGHTER
Oh, God, he'd love it. He'd like us to talk for an hour.
But he's so proud. I don't think that's changed. He will get on the elevator with people and say, do you like TV and movies? That's his question. Like, has anyone said no?
My parents are, like, Boston strong. The best. Very proud. They, like, came to almost... Retired teachers. Yeah, they watched every SNL. They came to every early improv show I ever did live. They, like, had a big... watch party for me when our show launched in 1998 on Comedy Central, UCB. They just are very, very big fans.
Well, I throw this back out to you guys because I think that you probably have families like this too. You know, you have to kind of keep up. Like for me, teasing is a love language. Of course. If I like you, I can tease you. And manners are kind of for people you don't know or you don't like.
So like the idea that you could – bust each other was a was a way in which to sharpen your skills and so we would we would tease each other there was a lot of laughs at the table like it's very like Boston Irish um and some families I learned as I went to college and like are not that which is always so shocking to me when families are families don't get to like poke each other it's like oh okay
Well, let's be honest, it's sitting around the TV.
You know how they call things a love tap? You guys are a love shove.
That's what it's like. You love shove. I love it.
It's good. So it depends on the mood, you know?
Yeah, I mean, but some people have a higher and lower tolerance. Like, you know, you have to just be a little gentle.
Yeah, my parents were young. And don't you feel that way? Like, I don't know – I don't know, but don't you feel, and this might be just our generation too, just feel like we felt very old really fast. Like we felt we had freedom, which gave us a sense of, you know, agency. And then we had jobs really early and we just, it just felt like we grew up fast.
I don't know if that's a generational thing, but. Yeah.
Like with a little briefcase and a little security number.
Yeah. That actually, you could sell a whole bunch of like a series of tapes just talking about bundling other people's questions. Let me bundle that for you. You could be so successful talking about bundling. If you jumped on a mini trampoline and did a cold dip at the same time, you'd be a bundle king. I think parenting is a constant thing. Ever-changing, like, thing, right?
It's like, somebody said this to me once that I always loved, which was... Parenting is like a series of short stories. So a short story starts and you think, I don't know how this story is going to go. I don't know the characters. I don't even know what's going to happen. And then you're in the middle of the short story and you think, man, I never want this to end. I love this. I love this.
I got it. I'm in the groove. I know what I'm doing. And then the short story is over and you think, oh, no, there's no way the next one could be better. It's just like a series of – your kid is changing so much, and the world is changing so much, and you have to stay kind of flexible, pliable, learn from your mistakes.
Yeah, I'm the same. It doesn't always feel natural. Your instinct is to want to give them advice or tell them what to be aware of or afraid of or share your own personal stuff. That's so instinctual, of course, because we want the best for our kids. And I remember reading somewhere that –
When your kid tells you something, you just repeat it back to them like you're doing a headline of a news story.
It actually works really well with people, too. I bet it happens on this podcast, too. They say, oh, I had a bad day in math. And then you go, you had a bad day in math. That's all you say. Period.
And don't you feel like this happens as adults too? When someone talks about like, well, when I used to, you're just like, oh boy. You know, even in your 50s, it still happens where someone talks about, well, I, you know, in the business I used to be in, we would be able, and you're like, that's not the way it is anymore, old man. Right.
I think what you're trying to say, yeah. Let's bundle.
I think the bundle here is how can I be best of... service to my kids. At this point, they're teens.
I read something, and by read something, I mean I saw it on TikTok. Supposedly, when your kids become teens, you go from producer to consultant. That's the difference. You're no longer producing their lives. You're there for them to consult. You have to let them start producing their own lives, which is not easy.
She's so lucky to have you. You're so funny, Sean.
I sent Sean a bunch of needlepoint pillows with a bunch of stuff on it and took credit for it.
Yeah, I think improv was really helpful with that. Like you had to stay super present just to be, I mean, I imagine you guys feel that with this podcast too, right? Like you're actually where you are. Yeah. As opposed to being ahead or behind, which is really hard. Yeah. Yeah, I'm still searching for that. Still every day trying to stay in the present moment.
It's not easy for me, like, to not, you know, jump ahead.
But you go in there and your brain is like— I go like, I got plans, you know?
And then a little plan flies by like a bird, like pop. Yeah.
I don't know. It's a great question, actually. I don't know because I'm struggling with that all the time. How much can I be prepared? Because that calms me down. Preparation calms me down. But, you know, life, you cannot control. You cannot control things in life. I mean, it's just like you have to let go.
Oh, wait, Will, you're going. That's great. And you are 54. 54. Okay.
No. Yeah. What if you guys find out you see Jason's license one of these days and you find out he's 62?
Well, like, Jason, for example, your mic hasn't been working this whole time, and the audio hasn't recorded, and you should be fine with that. Like, just let that go. It's going to be great. It's a great episode, and just let go of the outcome of that.
I feel like I finally have a better sense of who I am, kind of what we've been talking about. Some of my priorities are... I just feel like I'm a little kinder to myself. I definitely care less about how I'm perceived by other people as long as I feel like my side of the street is clean. Yeah, yeah, nice. And I have a lot of wise people... younger and older than me.
Like I'm in this sandwich of experience. So I learn a lot from people who are younger than me. And I learn a lot from people that are older than me. And knock on wood, I still feel healthy. Like being in your 50s, you're like the youngest old person you know. You're the youngest of the old people. You're the freshman of old people.
And so we'll never be this young again in our 50s because... You know, I'm looking to people in their 60s and 70s to seeing like how they're living life, how they're doing it, how they're keeping healthy. And then I still feel connected to people in their 20s and 30s. Like it doesn't feel so far away.
You're that guy who does all those crazy things to like... Stay in super shape.
Great theme, Intervention, what a great show. I know, that show made me so uneasy. I wanted to tell the story, or for you to tell the story, about remember the time that you told your friend that the TV was voice activated?
It was, Sean was with a bunch of friends, right?
And you guys were really like... We would get stoned after... Get really stoned.
Me and Meredith Walker, we and Meredith Walker say cast away into our remote control a lot.
Is she still in Austin? Yep, living in Austin. She's so great.
I love telling someone something is voice activated when it isn't. I don't like a prank. I'm not a prank person at all.
You might know this, but that is a harmless funny prank.
Well, I mean, I'll bundle it because it is important as a storyteller to discuss my craft.
I love telling a story and I love crafting a story and I love my story craft to be about telling craft. Oh, my God.
Started out in Chicago and arrived at Second City in 93. And the seniors to my freshmen were on the main stage of Chicago, Amy Sedaris, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert. Amazing.
Mike Myers and Chris Farley had just left to go to like stardom at SNL. I rented Chris Farley's old apartment. In Chicago? In Chicago. I didn't know I was renting it, but you know.
No, it was another earlier one. Yeah, you know, back then in the 20s, when we were in our 20s and we moved every year. Like, remember moving every year? Yeah, yeah.
And I think the apartment was probably like $390 a month.
And hard to make that rent. Yeah, yeah. And then, yeah, studied and met Tina there very early on and met Rachel Dratch, who I was the understudy for at Second City. And it was just, the place was lousy with talent. Everyone was so great and... And then moved with, and then UCB, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts, Ali Farinakian.
Adam McKay, all those guys. Neil Flynn, they were all part of a big improv group called The Family that we would go and watch, and they were incredible. And then they also had UCB. I joined in 93, and then in 96, which is not that much time now that I think about it. It was only three years, but we left and moved to New York. Drove to the city, did a show, and just started... Who's we?
Well, at the time, it was... And, Will, I don't want this to be uncomfortable for you, but I was dating Matt Besser at the time, so it was a different relationship.
Yeah, then we were there just slogging away. And like Will said, and we remember this too, right? Like people had to come see you live. They had to go actually see you. We didn't have any... Now you can really deep dive on someone really fast on the internet, but we didn't have that. So you had to like go see people live.
We had a... Solo Arts was the name of a... Yeah, was like the walk-up theater where we would improvise there and stuff. So we just kind of... you know, slogged for a while in New York and handed out flyers in Washington Square Park and everyone, I was a waitress and just thinking like, okay, you know, and then I started getting some bits on Conan because of Andy Richter.
And that's where I got like my SAG card. That's where I got my, you know, I got paid like an under five.
That's such a good question. I think you're right. I didn't really put that together, but you're right.
Like walking in a 30 rock, you are, I always feel like with jobs and stuff, like Chicago felt like where I was getting my training, but New York and Los Angeles, it's almost like, you know, when you're having like a pickup game of basketball and someone's just standing around and you're like, hey, come play.
Your proximity to the game can be very helpful. Like getting closer to the game, just being around. So that's what happened. When we moved to New York, we were just a little closer to the game. So we got asked to do things.
Yeah, my decision to move to Chicago was probably the best decision for me in my career because it allowed me to meet all these people really fast who then went on to do things that I got to be a part of. They remembered me for things. They put me in small things. They wrote things for me. And it was just this concentrated feeling of comedy at the time that then everybody went to L.A.
and New York and Chicago. And McKay was the head writer of SNL. And then Tina got a job there.
We all just started. It was really, really cool. And I depended on the kindness of a lot of those people for a long time to have a job.
Well, you know what? It remains to be seen. It remains to be seen. But no, no. But honestly, it is kind of why I'm excited to do a podcast. Because I'm actually, Jason, to genuinely answer your question, I am excited about what is the next. I like thinking about what is the next thing to do. Like, I like trying new things. That's what keeps me feeling engaged in the world and in podcasting.
are like creative. So I'm very excited about this new podcast because I really like, I'm a huge fan of podcasts in general.
I listen to them all the time and they're really replaced a lot of like, media for me and I'm into the idea of exploring it because I really like talking to people and I'm curious about people and I learn a lot about myself.
And I like to have fun. Like, I think what's happened in the space, especially for women, is that women are being asked to be like teachers and wise leaders and like a lot of, and they don't get to fuck around and, and like do very little research like you guys.
You guys do not know who the guest is, which is the wildest con in the world.
When we'd get into a fight, she'd say, you're so serious for a comedian.
This episode is the one with the lady and the other one with the guy. I love the one with the guy.
I guess it's just kind of figuring out what feels challenging. I like a challenge. So I like mixing things up to feel challenging. And also a big part of my 50s has been balancing my relationship to work in general. Right. And how do I make sure that there's real balance in my life? Like the last five, you guys were talking about being in your podcast.
Stuff that's not challenging, potentially, right? It's relaxing, yeah.
Yes, like basically how to find ease and... and enjoy, you know, the past five years have been wild, wild. And, you know, what you guys do here, what I've been doing is just like trying to just genuinely laugh with my friends. It's been actually, you know, how I've been keeping sane. And so I want to just do whatever feels... Like that, which feels kind of fun and a little bit challenging.
And so I'm always trying to figure it out. I don't know. It's a long-winded answer. No, I love it. I don't know.
And women, I think, especially have often a burden to really pay attention to what everybody is doing and feeling. if you have the luxury of turning it around and trying to figure out yourself, it's like, that is what can be great about getting older. And women do really well, I think, when they give themselves time to do that.
Oh, I would say all of the women in my life have been like really, really helpful mentors and teachers and friends and stuff. Like, you know, the women in my life that have been through it with me, I think, is really the biggest resource for me. You know, people who have kids and people who, you know, who understand what it's like to feel overwhelmed and stuff.
And especially the past five years, which has just been a complete... insane hit after hit of sci-fi nightmares.
I know. I haven't really – but kind of in the short story metaphor, I haven't – I'm like – I don't feel like the story – I'm there yet, so I'm not quite – I don't know. I mean, it feels so – I don't even know. It sucks.
Well, raise your hand if you think you're going to live to 100 and if you want to live to 100.
Okay, three of us are raising our hands. Sean is not raising. It's that ankle. Sean's like, I can't go on with that ankle. I can't. With this ankle?
Yeah, Sean, I hear you. Like as long as it feels like a fruitful life. But, you know, imagine if you were like a little dude in a cute little suit.
And they're like, Marjorie, Marjorie, what advice do you have for people to live this long? She's like, make sure that you're... She's got cake falling out of her mouth.
And I have great guests coming out. Tina Fey is my first guest.
Yep. Because, you know, give America what they want.
Can't wait. Yeah, any pointers, guys, now that you're five years in?
If you guys have taught me anything, individually and collectively, you've taught me so much. It's don't overthink it. Don't overthink it.
Thanks for having me on. It was so fun. Thank you, Amy. Okay, glad it was a fun surprise.
Not a glimpse of recognition on Will's face when you said all of those things.
You know what? It was really easy to hide it. Nobody was asking if I was doing that.
Well, I think one of them knew. One of them knew. One of them saw, our youngest saw my schedule on the kitchen table and said, you're doing Smartless?
Sean, I'm so honored to be your guest, Sean, of all three.
Well, I wanted to wait until you had done 250 episodes to see if this thing was real.
I usually give something five years before I try it.
Yeah, I think so, yeah. But, you know, I just was waiting for my buddy, Sean, to give me the go-ahead.
What are you guys talking about? Why do you have to float anything past anybody?
Guys, nice—by the way, great welcome. Nice to see you all. I mean, Jesus. You're all talking about how weird it is that I'm here. Hi, I'm your guest.
It's unbearable if the guest doesn't because you make us sit and listen to you in the beginning anyway.
It's torturous. It's unbelievable. What do you think about how— And every single time I hear you guys talk about how much you miss each other. And am I wrong that you talk to each other every week?
Thank you, thank you. We're 17 minutes in, but thank you for that.
And great crickets joke, by the way, Will. That was a really good one. That was a good one. Very, very smart. Very smart.
Bateman's really having, it's so fascinating that he's having microphone problems.
It was not all right, all right, all right, is what you're trying to say.
Oh, Lord. You guys with your questions, they're so good. First of all, your questions are always so good.
It was so fun. It was kind of... You were so great on it. It was kind of out of body. Like, it was kind of too... It was almost too big. Like, celeb fatigue almost. Yeah. But it was so fun. And I think it was a... Big success.
You want me to give you a scoop? You want me to give you a smart list scoop? Making news. Breaking news. People had to share dressing rooms and I shared mine with Meryl Streep. How cool is that?
Well, SNL, you don't have your own bathroom. You have like a, you know, it is a straight up, everyone uses like a hall bathroom. You don't have your own bathroom in your own dressing room at SNL.
No, I don't see anybody smoking. Maybe vaping, but yeah. But yeah, maybe you could if you just did it. I bet no one would stop you.
The loveliest. We were kind of two ships, but I took a picture of the door, because it was nice to have my... I love that sketch she did.
But it was so fun. It felt like a high school reunion. Everybody regressed a little bit back into their old roles.
And it was fun. It was, you know, I can't believe I was there, to be very honest.
Oh, yeah. The story of that is there's an amazing... uh, hair, uh, the head of the hair department, Jodi Mancuso is from the Bronx and she has that accent and she would just work with us in the hair and makeup room. And, um, we just started talking like her. So there's a real Jodi. So when we do the show, we always go into the hair room and just have Jodi be like our vocal dialect coach. Yeah.
Yeah, but, you know, it's funny that we, you know, we brought Donna, the dresser, on for that moment. And those, the crew, like, they're so, you know, real professionals, like, don't care about being on camera.
Like, a really actual good professional could give a shit if they're, like, if they're acting.
But I said professional. I said professional. Exactly.
Being able to do over 140 shows with my friends and my family has been a dream come true. And from the bottom of my heart, I really... That's right.
Totally.
In some ways, I can't help but feel responsible.
I will remind the students that this is a commencement exercise and not an occasion for childish pranks.
Hi, everyone. It's Amy Poehler, and I'm launching a new podcast called Good Hang. In preparation for that, I asked some of my friends to send in some videos and give me some advice.
I love true crime and cooking podcasts. Is there any way you could combine the two? Well, everyone has an opinion and a podcast. So, join me for Good Hang. It's rough out there. We're just trying to lighten it up a little.
Oh my God.
Aww.
Hi, everyone. It's Amy Poehler, and I'm launching a new podcast called Good Hang. In preparation for that, I asked some of my friends to send in some videos and give me some advice.
I love true crime and cooking podcasts. Is there any way you could combine the two? Well, everyone has an opinion and a podcast. So, join me for Good Hang. It's rough out there. We're just trying to lighten it up a little.
Right.