Maureen Callahan

It takes effort.

You have to give them a writing sample.

One would think you're working with an editor.

I'm going to bet this thing went through five to 10 drafts.

I'm going to bet her husband had eyes, if not edits on this piece, if not some rewrites.

It's a big deal to have your first piece of writing, which as far as I'm aware, this is her first piece of prose published in the effing New Yorker.

I think her goal is a book deal.

I think her goal is like, you know, seven-figure book deal.

All right.

So Amanda first.

She's also out publicizing.

And the timing of this is no accident because she's also starring in season two of Your Friends and Neighbors, playing Jon Hamm's ex-wife.

We took Jon Hamm to the woodshed, the very debut episode of The Nerve.

Inaugural, I should say.

You would all correct me.

Rightly so.

We're going to look at Amanda telling ET about her piece and the point of it.

Here we go.

I want to commend you on your beautiful, beautifully written New Yorker essay.

Right there, she's talking to a quote-unquote entertainment reporter named Cassie Deloria, who is about as exciting as lukewarm milk and as much of a presence on camera.