Jen Psaki in conversation with actor and author Billy Eichner
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Finally! It's time to make summer memories. Save the best moments of the summer in your video products easily. Order before the 19th of May and you'll get the free service for over 10 euros. Ifolor.fi Is this a show or something? This event was hosted by Sixth and I, a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, D.C.,
Well, if you're here, you probably are a huge Billy Eichner fan. Maybe you've listened to the audiobook. Maybe you're going to listen to it again. Maybe you love Billy on the Street. Maybe you love other things he's done, like his SNL appearance when he was a kid, which we will talk about and show you. But just in case, we pulled together just a little reminder for you guys before we bring him out.
I've got cash in hand and I'm ready to give it away if I can find anyone who knows anything. Here's how it's going to work. If you get too... What? Obama. I didn't ask about that. Okay, let's go, Mr. Singh. Take my hand. Okay, we got to find a stranger. I want her to go this way. Well, unfortunately, we're going this way. Do you care about John Oliver? I don't even know who that is. Oh, okay. What about Wendy Williams? Of course I do. It's La La Land. A lot of Oscar buzz. Could be Emma Stone's year.
Four kids. I'm not watching TV.
Dan Patrick, how are you? Why are you yelling? Question two. Are you screaming at me? Are you some guy? Are you like one of those? Yeah, exactly. Apparently it's only a half hour more until Madonna. Just gotta get through some of this first. You're a Republican. I'm not a Republican. I'm like the gayest person alive. Katy Perry. Oh my God. Oh my God. Chris Tucker's back.
Ah!
I did not say a hug. I know. No. Stop. Stop. Name a woman. Name a woman. Yes, go. Any. Yes. Oh, my God. This is so hard. Name a woman. Name a woman.
Okay, everyone. Without further ado, Billy Eichner.
Okay. Here we are. This is when I just grill you about really detailed things.
Please grill me. I like that.
Okay. I loved the audiobook. It was not what I thought it was going to be in some ways. And that was one of the things I loved about it. Thank you. But I want to start by asking you just about... The public person we just showed that a lot of people here know and have watched for years, probably got them through some difficult times. And the private Billy Eichner, because I've had you on my show before and I was like, he's so much. Normal. Yeah.
Yes.
He's lower key.
I am a normal person.
Tell us about the difference that people will hear in this audio book.
Yeah, and that was one of the reasons that I did the book. And one of the reasons it's only an audiobook, which is obviously a question that I get a lot. Why an audiobook? And, you know, the publisher really wanted me to release it in print. That's still how they do most books these days, even though audio has blown up, obviously. And I thought about it. because it would be cool to have a book to hold in your hand. But it was important to me that people really hear my real voice, because there's the person and there's the persona. And those are two different things. And I've done a lot of coming off of Billy on the Street, which people loved and I'm very grateful for. It obviously changed my life, but it is a character.
And I then did variations on that character in other projects, because once people like something in Hollywood, they kind of want you to keep doing it. which was great too. But I, you know, I'm 47 years old. I know I look great, but I'm 40. I am 47. Thank you. Thank you. That's the first time I got applause saying that. I appreciate it.
It's a very supportive town.
Very supportive. There you go. Yes. But you get to an age where you think, all right, I've been doing this a long time, and people really are familiar and love that version of me, but it is a character. And I got to the point where I wanted people to get to know the real me. And also, the book, it is a Billy on the Street origin story, and there's a lot of stuff about the show and about my career. But really, as you know... from listening to it, it ultimately is about my childhood.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–10:09
2
Why did Billy Eichner choose to release his memoir only as an audiobook?
10:09–13:29
3
How does Billy distinguish his public 'Billy on the Street' persona from his private self?
13:29–16:14
4
What childhood moments does Billy credit for building his confidence and chutzpah?
16:14–52:17
5
How did Billy’s parents and Madonna shape his identity and career trajectory?
52:17–1:16:03
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from The Briefing with Jen Psaki
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