Ana Gasteyer | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hello everyone. Welcome to another. episode of Good Hang. This is our. holiday episode. It's our Christmas. episode and we have an incredible guest. today who's going to celebrate Christmas. with us. Um and and you should know we. are off next week and then we are right. back. So don't be scared. We just have. one week down to give everybody a. genuine break and then we're back in the. new year. But um we are with Anna. Gastire today and Anna Gasty, writer,

singer, Broadway star, sketch comedian, um does so many things well and a a. sweet dear friend who um went through. the same SNL. sausage factory as we all did. And we. talk about that. We talk about being on. the show and how fun it was to bomb. We. talk about Christmas and our favorite. Christmas songs. And we talk about. Annie. Annie comes up. Thank God. As. does Once Upon a Mattress. Um and uh and.

and Anna's story about being in the. White House. And and we also uh we talk. about her record, Sugar and Booze, a. Christmas classic. So um it's a great. episode. And we're starting this episode. with another titan, like a genius, comedic legend, a a woman who has. written some of your favorite sketches. at SNL. You know her from AP Bio, from. the Maple Worth Murders, from Wine. Country, from Girls 5 Eva. She is the. one, the only Paula Pel. Paula, I.

believe we're getting you in a car. >> [music]. >> This episode of Good Hang is presented. by Walmart Express Delivery. Getting. gifts to your doorstep in as fast as an. hour. Who needs elves when Walmart. Express Delivery can make Nespresso. machines magically appear on your. doorstep? And if you do happen to forget. something, no judgment, you can even. order gifts up until 5:00 p.m. on.

December 24th. Santa, you might want to. take notes. Download the Walmart app or. head to walmart.com and get your gifts. delivered fast. Subject to availability, terms and fees apply. [music]. Hi. >> Paula. Can you see me and hear me? >> Yes, I can see you and hear you. >> Oh, hold on. >> I need to Can you hear me? I think I.

need. >> I hear you, but I don't see you. >> I think I need to hit the. >> I thought I hit the camera. Oh, hold on. Why isn't it working? Elaine, try. >> Yeah, handing it to Janine to see if she. can. Janine. >> Janine Breurto, Paula's beautiful wife. >> And we're trying to Oh, >> there we go. >> There my beautiful wife with a new.

haircut. >> Hi, Janine. >> Amy, >> it's Paula. It's so great that your. beautiful wife is also your it for a. person who just got off an airplane. You. look beautiful. Well, I just did a which. Tina Fay is very familiar with in a in a. in a car a full face makeup in about two. seconds cuz I did that in the cabs on. the way to work all the time. >> Yep. We we are all pretty good at I mean. most women are at like getting throwing. it on.

>> Yeah. Throwing it on. I've gotten really. good at just the feel. Like I can almost. It's a It's like It's like love is. blind, but it's makeup is blind. And you. just have people do a full makeover. without by just feel. [laughter]. >> Well, it looks great. >> I'm also wearing my lesbian uniform. in Los Angeles. >> I love having you in lo in Los Angeles, Paula. >> It's so nice. It's so beautiful here. We. left so much snow. Well, you know, this. episode with Anna Guestire is going to.

be technically our holiday episode. It's. going to air before Christmas. >> Yay. >> And we are going to talk. >> You guys better carol. You better sing a. carol. >> I was like, I wish we could have you in. stewed. You love to carol though. >> I do. I love to carol. I love to. harmonize more than anything on earth. If I could, if someone said to me, "This. is your job for the rest of your life is. just to throw in that alto line and just. walk from group to group and throw in. that alto line, lay down that bass. I.

would do it and be the happiest human. being on earth.". >> Although I have also heard you have a. very fierce soprano. You can also hit. those high notes. >> Well, sometimes. I do think lately in my. 60s I have had experiences where I. thought I was nailing it and then I. listened to it back on a video. Very. mortified. Just a little sharp. And I I. like to sing a certain kind of sharp for. Janine that really makes her put her. face down in the cereal in the morning. because it's just a little bit. It's.

just just a little overshoot. >> Um could you give us an example of it? >> It's just the nearness of you. It's like finding it. You're just. [laughter]. It's like a level and you're always just. finding it and then you finally get it. >> Only a good as good of a singer as you, Paula Pal, can do good bad singing. >> That's such a thing in comedy. You're. always like, "Don't try to sing bad. Don't try to sing bad.".

>> It's It's funny. I want to talk to Anna. about it. Like, what is the difference. between good singing and comedy singing? >> Yes. It's it's a it's very it's a very. fine line. Um so we're talking to Anna. Gastire today. What's great about Anna? Let's let's talk well behind her back. >> Anna is. so many things at once. Speaking of and. she's such a multi- multi multihyenate. It's like every time you turn she's.

doing a new job. It's something where. it's like, oh my god, like just Broadway. and writing and movies and you know, she. and Rachel writing that hilarious. Christmas movie and then she's on really. funny television shows as really funny. characters. and then she's like playing the violin. in a video she sends us to crack us up. that's like incredibly skilled violin. Um, so I just I admire that so much in.

her, but I also she came and stayed with. us to write this Bobby and Marty. recently for the 50th and we sat in our. pajamas at my house at our house and we. just sat and just really broke it down. She's so good at sitting and just really. asking question. She's a curious present. friend. She's really uh such pure. medicine to my soul to just really talk.

about everything. >> We should talk. We've been on many trips. together. A bunch of the SNL ladies have. gone together uh on um girl trips. Maya, you, me, Dr. Tina, Anna, um Spivey, and. >> the wine country gang. >> The wine country gang. And we have been. we're kind of overdue for a trip. very. overdue. >> Yeah, we need to. >> We're going to all bring our. grandchildren [laughter]. >> next time. It's just going to be a play.

date. >> We'll all be there with our. grandchildren. And I'll have Janine and. I'll have our granddogs because we. cloned Barbara Stryen style. >> How are all the doggies doing? Can you. name all the doggies names while we have. you? >> Yes, we have Ernie who used to have four. buck teeth and now he has nothing and no. chin. Ernie is a very obnoxious little. um Chihuahua with a penis the size of. his legs. And then um Gary is. perfection. He's a poodle mix. He's. perfect. Perfect child. And then we have.

Dolly who's like a Shih Tzu mix who. looks like she's wearing a wig and she's. very tender and gives a lot of side eye. And then we have um our only young dogs. because we always adopt old dogs and now. we've adopted a younger dog who makes us. say about 30 [ __ ] before 10:00 in the. morning cuz she's so obnoxious. Is Bunny. a Beagle Basset? And she starts at about. 5:30 and stares at you in the dark and. you see her silhouette. She goes.

and just does that until you just go. just get up and she you get up and feed. them. >> And then who's who am I missing? And. then Tula is in a wheelchair, a little. wheel cart, and she's an 8B tiny tiny. little mix. She looks kind of like a. smooth-haired pecanese a little bit. and. she has um no feeling in her back half. [clears throat] of her body and is. faster than any of the dogs even without. her wheels. She flies through the air.

just running on her front two legs and. she used to despise me the first year. and then I left for four months to shoot. something and I came back and she loves. me now. >> Okay, so any question you think we. should ask Ala today? I have I have a a. legit one and then I have just one quick. little funny one if you want to ask her. this. The funny one is um her dog. Gloria, speaking of dogs, eats things. all the time that she's not supposed to. I just wanted to know I think we should.

all be updated on what the latest thing. that she devoured and then has it come. out yet. >> Great. >> And when it came out, was it. recognizable? >> Great. And then um and then my real. question. is because she's such a multi-hyphenate. between writing when she's writing or. when she's singing or when she's doing. comedy, which one of those makes her feel the.

most free? Just glorious. untethered. euphoria. Which one gives her the. biggest should that way? Perfect. Thank. you so much, Paula. Love you. I can't. wait to talk to you in in length one day. and so happy you're here. Love you. Love. you. Bye. Bye. [music]. >> This episode is brought to you by. Hotels.com. Make your next trip work for. you. Hotels.com just rolled out a. gamechanging feature called Save Your. Way. And it's as simple as it sounds.

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Other terms apply. See site for details. You've got what are you wearing? >> I have a I have my tartan I have a tart. Oh, it's it's a bad angle. >> There it is. Tartan shoe. >> Does that look natural? [laughter]. THAT'S I WORE MY holiday pumps. >> Yeah, because I do try I try to think. about what the guest season. >> This is our Christmas episode. >> I know. I got excited. So, I How many. times a year you think I can wear this. sucker? >> Those are cute. >> Yeah. Aren't they cute? >> There. Isn't it weird to wear it in like. sunny Los Angeles? It does feel weird.

>> And it's a sweatery texture. It's a. sweatery tartan. I don't know if you can. see the texture. So, it's very holiday. Anyway, >> we are gonna This is gonna be our. Christmas episode. >> and I I have so many things I want to. talk to you about today. >> Very excited that you're here. Thank you. for doing it. >> Never enough time. Always so much to. talk about. >> Never enough time. >> I know. >> And um but it's [clears throat] it's. it's very exciting that you are the. Christmas episode cuz I do associate you. with Christmas in many ways. You have a. Christmas album. You go on tour at. Christmas. And you yourself love. Christmas. >> Yes, I do.

>> What do you love about Christmas? Well, I call myself the Duchess of Christmas. Um, actually a nice gay called me that. and I took it obviously. Um, I love the. It's so weird. It's like but it's uh a I. love the holidays. B I mean like the the. resume sort of leans in that direction. cuz I my my like legacy moments at SNL. were uh you know Balls and um the Martha. Stewart Topless Christmas which was my. first like thing that succeeded there. and they run every year on the Christmas. episode on that special. So, um, it. comes up for people and then DR and I.

wrote that Christmas movie which is a. parody of the. >> Hallmark films. Tell everybody what it. is again. >> It's called A Cluster Funk Christmas and. it is a. >> a parody. It's a perfect parody. The. goal was to make the perfect parody of. the for the ultimate Hallmark lover, >> right? >> Um, >> of which you are. You are movies. >> I love a Hallmark movie and I love the. holidays. I love the holidays. I love. >> So, what kind of decorations? because we. are on a we're on a text chain. We send. each other like our prep.

>> Yeah. >> What decorations do you have up right. now? What are you looking forward to for. like in the levels of what's going on? >> Right. So, it's all sort of contingent. upon how much I'm traveling and how. exhausted I am by visual clutter that. year. So, which is fair, right? So, um. I'm actually going full tilt thunder. hump on Friday. The boxes are out. I'm. going to do New York for the first time. in a really long time. I haven't done it. in a long, long time. I I've worked on. Christmas a lot because during the. Broadway shows that. >> because you're a pro babe and pros work. on Christmas.

>> Christmas. Yeah. So you end up a lot of. my things are which are so up your. alley. I know like they're sort of. >> um hacks. They're like hacks to still be. festive and still enjoy it and still be. present in it but maybe have it not be. sort of enslaved by it. Do you know what. I mean? for example, I can go full Tilt Thunder, which I'm going to [laughter]. >> trees and the lights and the garland and. the swag and the the you know, all the. Tik Tok hacks like with the with the um.

curtain rod and the you know garland. going across it and let's slow down. woodland woodland forests. >> Let's slow down. I just heard my one of. my favorite Tik Tok hacks. >> Tik Tok hack and the garland goes where? So, you get yourself some like uh. Walmart or you know um the the tension. rod and you can put it like in um a. doorway like where you would hang. mistletoe and you can basically go to. Trader Joe's or Costco or whatever and. get your garland and you can make a. really beautiful archway. Um if you use.

that tension. >> if you So you get what you would put. curtains, right? So you have to go buy. that hardware. >> but that's like $4. >> and wrap it in garland. >> Yeah. And you just put it in a door and. then hang it down. Put a little um tea. tea cup hooks. Do you know those little. teacup hooks that people you can buy. them at the five and dime also at the. Walmart? You know the five and dime. >> Um and you screw them into Worth Pat. down at Woolworth when you're doing your. stocking stocking stuffers. >> And you can put your garland down it and.

you can do lights. You can pre IKEA has. um or everybody now has but I do an IKEA. run every holiday cuz they real cute. >> Anna Ger is here and she is telling us. about Christmas. I knew you would to. give me. >> I love a craft brown paper. Just brown. paper packages tied up in strings. >> That's That's brown paper packages tied. up in strings. >> That's how you wrap. That's how I wrap. >> I have a question about the brown paper. I find it a little heavy sometimes for. tape. >> because of the gauge. You've got to get. a thinner gauge. >> A thinner gauge paper.

>> Craft paper. >> It's called craft paper. >> What are we talking tree? >> I have a feather table top tabletop. I. have a tinsel like sort of medium and. then I finally am just gonna do live or. bust. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. And the one thing I'll say about. live, I I usually do a a real Christmas. tree. I like that we're calling it a. live live from live from Christmas. Bring it alive. Um is and I know there's. ones where you can even have ones that. they repot. >> in California. You can't really find. that on the East Coast. I've tried.

>> What? Well, the thing that I always. bamboozles me about a real Christmas. tree, which I still do, is I think it's. going to smell so good and it never does. anymore. >> cuz they're they've been cut so long. ago. >> Christmas trees used to smell better. Now, they don't smell like they used to. >> Well, that's you know, that's G that's. genetic modification. >> Oh, god. >> Right there. >> They should be true. >> And I mean, sometimes you just got to do. Well, I use the Do you ever do like. aromatherapy or a pine? >> I'll put in a pine candle. >> Pine candle. [laughter] You know who's.

got a nice pine candle this year? >> Who? >> Trader Joe. >> I [laughter] stopped by yesterday cuz. again, California Trader Joe's are like. he said it's singular. Trader Joe. >> Trader Joe has invested and it's at his. his um aonomous shop. [laughter]. >> Um I I love Trader Joe. but I like I like I do love Christmas, but again I will not be overrun by it. So, I love I like this is why I made a.

holiday album. I love my holiday album. It's very old-fashioned. It's a little. winky. You've seen my show. It's very. like throwbacky. >> Your holiday album, Sugar and Booze, is. so great. >> Thank you. >> And your shows that that you do to. support it are so fun. >> It's a holiday spectacular. >> Yes. Tell us about them. >> Well, I like to do we Well, I like to. perform with a horn section. So, that's. for starters cuz I have a loud voice. And I like to wear a tartan and get. dressed up. And I like um it feels very. like so the my how do I answer this.

succinctly? Um I. >> do you have to. >> I don't do we want to spend the whole. hour on this. >> but but I mean this is this is a real. this is a good this is a real good. question which is like talk however you. want babe. >> Okay you're right. It's called good. hang. >> Yeah good hanging. >> We don't have to get it right. We don't. have to be you don't even have to be. succinct. >> No we don't. You're right. We can cut. it. >> Yeah we can cut the [ __ ] out of it. >> We can cut it. Just cut the [ __ ]. >> We can make this podcast six minutes. >> You know what in the name of this this p. the podcast should be called? Cut the. [ __ ].

>> Cut [laughter] the. Cut the [ __ ] with Amy Polar and Friends. >> We should do a clip show where we call. it Cut the [ __ ] And it's all the stuff. that we [laughter] cut. Um and so kind. of in the. the 1959 early60s entertainers era. really spoke to me because it was a time. when a gal, you know, Rosemary Clooney. would probably be like the idol. like a. gal who could tell a good story, >> could could, you know, belt to the. rafters, play in front of a big band,

carry a band, an an evening of. entertainment. So, when we set out to. make the holiday album, it was really to. create a record that, you know, wasn't. kitschy or like um. >> you know, >> it's not a it's not a comedy. >> It's not a comedy record. It's not a. campy record, but has you know, it's me, so it's there's fun to it. But really, I. wanted it, the goal was to have it play. seamlessly with, you know, a Frank. Sinatra Christmas record or, you know, a. classic Christmas record while you're.

making cocktails and wrapping presents. And. >> it's a perfect record for that. >> Tree tree tree trimming. >> Tree trimming. It is so good. Tree. trimming a live tree. >> Is it tree trimming a live tree? A live. tree or Balsam Hill. >> Or Balsam Hill. >> I don't want to, you Um, it is it's such. a good record and it it is it's just the. right amount of like whimsy combined. with really really good singing and many. original Christmas songs which is hard. to do to make an original Christmas. song. >> Really hard. And I'm I love Christmas. I.

love Christmas songs, but they're really. hard. >> What do you love? >> Well, I like a lot of the ones that are. on the record. I love Slayigh Ride. I. love um Man with a Bag, which I just. think is a structurally it's um. >> Oh, it's on your record. >> Yeah, it's on the record. Um there's. there's some bad Christmas songs that we. listen to every year just because. they're out there over and over again. Um. >> there's I have to say Deck the Hall is. not my fave. >> No. >> And wish and We Wish You Merry Christmas. is not my favorite. >> It's boring. They're boring. There's a. lot of a lot of them. I mean, even. Rocking Around a Christmas the Christmas.

tree is kind of a boring song. Structurally. >> in the kind of carol cannon. I think God. resty merry gentleman has a really great. rhythm. We actually have a new. arrangement of it this year which we're. doing on page. God rest ye. dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was. born on Christmas day. Okay. You can. hear it right. >> It's kind of nice. Who save us [singing]. all from Satan's power when he was gone. astray. Oh tidings of comfort and joy.

[singing]. >> Yeah. It's a good song. It's a good. tune. But also um I so we tried to write. a few songs that would fit into that and. so that was I wrote the title track show. Gmboos with that in in mind because I. wanted it to feel like an oldfashioned. song. >> When you were when you were growing up. and and now what are your like Christmas. albums that are on rotation? >> My parents are classical music people. remember. So there's a lot of Messiah. jam a lot of Messiah jams. >> Um you know a lot of uh ceremony.

[laughter] of the carols you know. Oh, wait. If you do that, I remember my. part from choir. If you do the dun. ready, [laughter]. >> I was the I was the. parting. [singing]. ding. [laughter]. >> I was the bells. So many bells.

Ding. dong. ding dong. Here come the bells. So many. bells. Here come the bells. Here come. the bells. Here come the bells. >> Can you rock a desk? >> Um. Oh yeah. Um, rock a desk. >> What's the hallelujah one? Um, >> that Oh, come all you faithful is what I. was just doing. That's the Okay, start. singing. Oh, come and I'll do the desk. count. >> Oh, come all ye. >> You can go up a little higher. Oh, come. Oh, come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.

[laughter]. >> Keep going. Let's do the Oh, come let us. adore him. Okay. Sorry. Do you want. Come, come, let that come, let us adore. him. >> Oh, come let us adore [singing]. him. Oh, come let us adore him. Oh, come. let us adore. CHRISTAL. [singing].

>> ACED IT. >> YOU REMEMBER IT. >> IT'S ALL IN THERE. >> It's like your movie in uh Inside Out. Those music things are all trapped in. your brain. I know. >> They're all in there. They're in the. deep gray matter. >> and they are so nostalgic. >> They're so beautiful. >> They're so melancholy. They're so sad. See? Okay. So, I find Christmas sad. >> Yes, I know. I know. But, and by the way, a lot of. people do. >> I find it sad. And I get now I've gotten. into now I get into the sadness of.

Christmas like a cozy blanket. I used to. fight it fight it cuz sad is not my. favorite state. No, >> it's often um not where I want to like. like I'm uncomfortable sometimes in. sadness, but Christmas allows. >> Well, some people are just like a little. bit more um uh they can just tolerate it. or. >> they know it comes and goes a bit, >> you know, like it's like sadness and. anger. I'd much rather be angry than. sad. >> Same. And mostly am. [laughter]. >> Totally. Totally. So, I get into the sadness of.

Christmas. Like I'm like I'm just like. looking like you know when you're in. your own music video and you look in the. in the window. I love. >> Yeah, that's your jam. [laughter]. >> Merry Christmas. >> But let's talk about your classical. music parents and your. >> be little Anna's beginning into music. cuz I'm very interested in that very. like that early time. >> So, thank you. So, I played the violin.

very seriously. >> It's so lonely. It's the funniest thing. And by the way, I'm grateful. I'm very. grateful for obviously the sacrifice. that I mean, you know, we spend all this. time resenting them and then you realize. the things that they've done as you get. older and they get older and it's kind. of a relief. But um I mean the schleing. alone like just the amount of times to. like p you to to lessons. >> Why did you choose the violin? Do you. remember? Was it chosen for you? >> I think it was probably chosen for me. I. had an aunt that played and I like I I.

love her so I think I thought it was. cool. And the violin I still play to. this day was my aunt's violin that my. grandfather was given in the depression. >> in lie of a payment. >> for legal services at some point. So. it's like a 150-y old violin, but it's. it's not like fancy. It's not like a. >> It's not a stratavarious. >> It's not a strat. Um but I have had it. like looked at because it's kind of. interesting and as an instrument and I. still play that instrument to this day. and I um I took it to fiddle camp with. me last summer.

>> Oh yeah, Anna went to fiddle camp. >> Fiddle camp. I did. It's a real. conversation starter. Um. >> yeah, >> then by that everybody everybody flees. the area. [laughter] Um my Yes. Anyway, I played violin as a little kid. I I. started and I played until I was about. 17. >> and I I was good and lazy. I was a. Gryffindor. >> Um uh which set up a lifetime of. talented laziness and uh sort of landing. on your feet. So I could fake it for a.

long long time. And then there becomes a. breakage point, >> right? >> In classical music, >> it feels that way with music and. athletics, those two things especially. where you are like loving it and you're. good at it and then there's a moment. where it's like, okay, now you have to. decide, am I going to the next level? Am. I playing in college? Am I going to join. an orchestra? >> First of all, it's so solitary and and. it is it's two things. It's deeply. solitary and it is I have I am a. perfectionist and it is um torture for.

perfectionists because even though I was. lazy, I was a perfectionist. So, it's a. weird I mean that I mean that I'm I'm. not lazy. I'm going to read. >> Yeah, I Let's cut Let's cut the [ __ ]. Let's cut the [ __ ] Let's cut the cut. the [ __ ] We'll be right back. Um. [laughter]. >> No, I reframe, lady. >> I want to reframe. is that what I wasn't. passionate about violin so I didn't want. to lock myself in a room because truly. like athletics like you said it's. suddenly it is 8 hours a day 6 hours a.

day like going to school like you know. it's not going to school late or leaving. early in the afternoon to practice. practice practice practice so your hands. fall off and it's lonely it's really. lonely and unbelievably sad it is a sad. instrument. >> violin is the saddest instrument ever. and that's I I do kind of love that. about it. >> I mean it's Beautiful. >> I'm realizing now that Christmas and. violins are both the way I get into my. sad state. I love that. >> Well, I It's funny cuz I'm writing a. song called Sad Violin at Christmas. >> Really?

>> Yeah. I mean, you just made me come off. the title, but [laughter] that is I've. been thinking about a sad violin cuz. it's sad. It's a lonely, wistful, melancholic instrument, and I there's. something incredibly powerful about it, obviously. But, um, so then what I in. seventh grade, >> don't laugh, I had my first star turn. I. was legally blind also as a kid. So I I. mean I still am legally blind. technically. So I also had an eye patch. a lot of my childhood and I had a. violin. So just put all that together. Hot stuff. >> Put it through the comedy Play-Doh.

machine. [laughter]. >> That's why hot stuff. >> And were we wearing the patch during the. day? >> We were rocking the patch. >> Not not at all. >> We were rocking the patch. So um right. around um I didn't went to camp for the. violin. But around seventh grade, I got. cast, wait for it, as um Helen Keller. and The Miracle Worker. So, I was able to pull a lot of my story. into the part. [laughter]. >> And that's what I was like,

>> I mean, by the way, >> and you put that on your Tinder profile. Yes. When you were Yeah. >> Yes, I do. Yes, I do. [laughter] And my. Grinder. >> Yeah. And your Grinder. Tinder and. Grinder. You're on both. And you're very. unsuccessful on Grindr. Very. unsuccessful on Grinder. >> so far. [laughter]. >> You're right. Not today. Fingers. crossed. >> So, [gasps]. um, hilariously, Helen Keller and the. Miracle Worker was like my aha of I. think this is really fun. >> Right. You were you got to perform. You.

found passion there. >> Yes. And so then and then it became. clear I could sing and I so I did all. the parts and everything in in high. school. I'm sure you did too. Um, >> as a kid though, you know, because you. you have you're you you're an exuberant. kind of upregulated kid. Like you're. you're you're more extroverted than what. than the patch in violin would make me. think. But were you an introverted kid? What kind of kid were you? >> I don't think of myself as an outgoing. kid at all. Or even as an outgoing. person to be honest or upregulated or. exuberant. On stage I am. >> Interesting.

>> And with you maybe I am. >> Interesting. >> But I I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong. But. I don't know. I sees you feel how you. feel about yourself. I mean, I was I. everyone in my high school was super. super funny. >> Yes. >> And I was always friends with funny. people. >> Yes. >> Um but I always like SNL and people like. you're the class clown. Like I was I was. not the class clown. I was the person in. the back row. >> who snickered. >> and made jokes. >> You've told this on many podcasts and. things, but I still think it's just. fascinating that you were among many. people that were your friends during.

that time. You were friends with Amy. Carter. >> Crazy. >> Amy Carter, the daughter of President. Jimmy Carter. Correct. who for people. who are not our age, Jimmy Carter was a. president. No, [laughter] but also and. the best ex-president we've ever had. Um, for sure. >> And Amy was so exciting as a as the. presidential kid. She was like our Sasha. and Malia. >> Yes. >> Because he had young kids, Chip and Amy, and was that. >> Yeah. And she was much younger. >> I mean, my name was Amy, so I was like.

blown away. And she was just like this. girl in the White House. It was very. exciting. And she was norm well probably. for you too. I imagine you you I know. you are a reader now. You were probably. a child a childhood reader. I was too. >> She was a violinist. I mean boom. And um. she's a violinist. >> She Yeah. We were in an after school. like GT program together. >> and became friends. I mean it was just. an instant like whatever books books. books glasses and violins. Am I right? [laughter]. Um and come on guys. >> Come on let's party.

>> Let's party. And um everybody would get. invited to these, you know, group events. at the White House. Um many of which. were in the beautiful East Ballroom, which has now been leveled by. >> or made more beautiful depending on who. you are. >> Great point. Great point. Um [laughter]. >> it's going to be gorgeous. Anna, >> you know what? I stand corrected. >> Let's wait and see how it comes out. I. stand corrected. I have a feeling it's. going to be gorgeous. >> And I just saw the [laughter] Christmas. decor and you're right. >> And it's gorgeous. Warm as always. >> It's always so warm. So warm init. You. know, I wonder if it smells like French.

onion soup [laughter]. or wasle when you walk in. >> Gorgeous. Okay. Um, >> so but you're going you go like multiple. parties and things and one of my early. memories this was such an extra double. brain blow of like early synaptic. development. >> The cast, the original Broadway cast of. Annie was performing at the White House. Christmas party. [laughter]. Exactly. Exactly. Like the whole It was too many. things. It was too many things.

>> I don't think I knew that. >> Like 4t away from us. It was like her. little friends from her, you know, gift. and talented program and her friends. from school and various White House of. people's children. And then like Andrea. Mardle and actual Sandy right over there. and buckets hard knock life in it. >> Buckets. And then I did Annie at the. Hollywood Bowl like five or six years. ago. What? And. >> it was either. >> it was during um it was right after wine. country. I think you were probably. buried in Ed who were you Miss Anigan. >> Natch Who else? [laughter].

>> What a. >> I was I was Andy. >> I thought why not? >> Well, there is that other part the we've. got you know this and ranking part. Um. oh yeah. but the my mind is blowing. So, mind-blowing wise, when I did Annie at. the Bowl, the same animal there's one. animal trainer on Broadway. He. [laughter] does all of all animal. training for. >> we've probably done played her or him on. SNL. >> He's the most delightful person. His. name is Bill Berlon and he does he he.

adopted the original Sandy from Animal. Control and he trained her for the Good. Speed production and then like traveled. with every Annie production ever and. then now has become like sort of the. Broadway he does all Broadway animals. but he's a wonderful person and he and. he's a big advocate for animal um rights. and you know whatever. He's not the type. that we had at SNL that would be like I. got a gecko in the van if you need it. you know like be like you got to hit it. with a stick to let have him let you go. >> [laughter]. >> I mean, uh, can a llama do that? I don't.

know. But you hit it with a 17 out of. her, so I don't know if it's going to. happen today. [laughter]. >> This tortoise is going to bite you if. you hold it the wrong way. >> What's the right way? Hell if I know. [laughter]. [snorts]. >> There was a donkey sketch. Were you. there for the donkey sketch? No. >> No, I wasn't there yet. You know, like. the donkeys like going down those floors. like it's just the worst. >> Oh my god. And then they doped him and. then like by live they're LIKE.

[laughter]. >> he's not moving. It was nightmare. nightmare. Anyway, Bill Bologoney has. these beautifully trained show dogs. All. things show like it's funny even even. like show children who I'm afraid of and. we all should be are [laughter]. wonderful on Broadway because again it's. all work ethic on Broadway. Everything. is routine and work ethic and so a lot. of the sort of like. >> crazy. There's a different kind of crazy. but it's different. It's more like a. proper OCD crazy, which I'm comfortable. with. >> So, but just getting back, you're in the.

White House. Annie's performing. >> So, Bill Berlon had a picture. That's. what I That's why I brought Bill Berlin. up because he he had a picture from the. 1977 White House Christmas party with. me, all these people. It's mind-blowing. You're in the picture. >> It's insane with the original. >> Do you have a copy of it? >> No, but you should. >> You didn't even take it with your phone. >> No, I shouldn't have brought it up now. that I think about it. [laughter]. I also got a picture once with Paul. McCartney and then lost my phone and. don't have it. Um, oh well.

>> So, yeah. So, Amy Carter, here's the Amy. Carter story. Okay, that's the most my. So, all of it gets munched together into. this kind of crazy. >> like there was a movie theater in the. White House and you would go and be. like, "Please join us, you know, and the. president to for a viewing of Pete's. Dragon with Helen Ready, you know, like. Yeah. things like that that would be. like cuz nobody we didn't have VHS or. anything back then was like the olden. times. >> Yep. >> Um. >> sure was. >> and then that's the crazy crazy story is. that I went to the Camp David for the.

Camp David Accords. >> with um the Carters and we played the. violin which was crazy and for for the. very first United States Middle East. treaty. >> that so you played violin for. >> for Anar Sadat and Manakim Bean and. Jimmy Carter. >> Wow. and me and Amy and it was all in. just one one room and we played. >> we played Suzuki violin. >> Do you remember we played. >> she um. >> got. >> I mean it was literally like [laughter]. yeah lightly row or something you know.

minuette and g or I don't know. something. Oh, that must have been so. tender, >> right? >> Maybe, [laughter] as I've said before, >> maybe that worked a little harder to. make Middle East peace. >> Yep. Didn't get on the right road. It. didn't work. >> It didn't work. >> Um, and then you, Am I right that you. watched Star Wars there, too? >> Yeah, we watched it with the Sedats. [laughter]. >> True story. >> Star Wars with the Sedats. Yep. >> And then you also uh watched SNL in the.

White House. That is the most. interesting of all of the stories. because so President Carter was the. president. You rarely saw him. Um there. were, >> you know, a little bit, but we were. there a lot though. Kids were at that. house a lot. You know, her various. friends. So, um I have a very very. That's my first memory of Saturday Night. Live because we went to get a snack in. the middle of the night. >> and it felt like the middle of night. It. was probably 11:45. Yeah. And um we went. to and we walked by and the president. who we hadn't seen very much was sitting.

in a chair uh with a I remember he had. like a snack and a beer and Akroyd was. playing him on. >> TV live on Saturday night and he was. laughing hysterically at the impression. of him. And to me, that was the most. powerful. um whatever you call that early building. block or core memory of putting in place. the power of parody and the power of. comedy and the importance of being able. to laugh at yourself, you know, all of. those things which obviously we're in a.

really different time around, but um. >> super super super impactful. And so you get to Northwestern, we talk, you're a voice major. What makes you go. from Northwestern after you graduate to. LA? >> A very bossy gay. >> Great. >> I mean, >> yeah. Follow. [laughter]. >> wherever you tell me to go. >> My my friend Peter was like, "You're.

going to So I knew um I mean the other I. went to go see The Second City.". >> Mhm. And there were two women in that. cast and they both played Girlfriends at. the time. And I remember being like, I. want to see the girls like do something. fun. >> And then I came out here to LA and I. went to a Growling show and it was like. literally uh uh Koolage, >> Jennifer Koolage, >> Jennifer Koolage, Kathy Griffin, Lisa. Kudro, this girl Heather Morgan. I mean,

there were so many crazy funny women. wearing like wigs and glasses. And I, you know, I was in the improv scene in. Chicago and like those or you know at. Northwestern it was same as it ever is. which is just a bunch of smart Quickwitz. guys that were like I remember the like. >> main big improv guy was you know star. guy was like you're more character. That's what he said to me. You do more. like characters. And I knew that that. was an insult. >> like that they thought of that as an. insult. And then I came out here and I. saw all these like wigs and glasses. I. was like that seems really fun. And who.

did you meet in your early years at. ground? >> Um, we had an insanely talented group. It was um, so I was right behind Will. and Sherry. >> Will Frell, Sher Otter. >> Yeah. And Will is who suggested me for. SNL. Um, and I had uh, in my group I had. um, Steven Craig, Chris Parnell, Scott. Wayio, >> um, a lot of writers that came from our. era as well. And then right behind me. was Maya Forte, Will Forte, married my.

off like Yeah. I mean, it was, you know, and and and then I I befriended a bigger. collective of, you know, Tim Bagley and. my Hitchcock and. >> Sterling. We always love to talk about. SNL audition stories on this show. >> I know we like to. >> I know we don't have to, but it is it is. interesting like, you know, with the. 50th anniversary and like us looking. back and all of it. >> [snorts]. >> How do you feel any differently about. that? Like the story that you tell. yourself about your audition? Like do.

you feel badly about your audition? >> You know what? I didn't even ever feel. bad about it. Um I'll tell you why that. because there have been a couple of. times in my life and um Wicked was one. of them and Saturday Night Live was. another. were both incredibly. challenging jobs in their and difficult. workplaces in their own ways both just. in terms of. >> physical demand and artistic demand and. just complicated. >> uh creative workplaces as you know um. >> both times SNL being one of them I left. no stone unturned because I felt.

>> and I I really believe this to this day. if you so sort of to totally double back. on the lazy thing like if you give. everything your all. If you give. something your all, >> you don't have regret. And if you don't. have regret, you can face any. consequence. >> for me. So, I knew that if I did the. best audition I could, I would feel fine. if I didn't get the job. >> Um because I I wouldn't have left. something on the table, you know. And.

so, Will Frell had told me famously that. they don't laugh. And we always people. whisper that to one another in advance. Did you know that? Yeah, I knew that. they there's it would be absolutely. silent, which it was. >> Which it was. Yeah, me too. And um I. told Parnell and so Charlie, my now. husband, and I were engaged at the time. I got the job. And he I would I wrote my. I wrote the whole thing out as a. monologue and I would just run it. relentlessly and he would sit like Mount. Rushmore. >> Oh. And practice not laughing. [laughter].

repeatedly because it was all stuff I. had been doing at the ground. So, I I. needed to know what it felt like. The. cadence is so different if you have a. character that you're used to landing in. a certain way. >> Yeah, that's actually a really good. point. I think a lot of people don't. know. A lot of stand-ups and um uh. sketch performers when they come and. audition, they're doing stuff that has. succeeded somewhere else and there's a. rhythm to it and laughs that you're used. to. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Exactly. Right. >> I just rehearsed it in front of him and. I knew it, you know, six different.

directions. as well. >> What characters and or people did you do. in your audition? Do you remember? >> Yes, I did the NPR lady. >> who I ended up doing on the show and I. end I did kind of a ridiculous panty. hosew wearing woman and I did who did. not end up on the show [laughter] in a. shocking twist. >> She was she ended up on Cut the [ __ ]. >> She she was on Cut the [ __ ]. >> Did you do any impressions? >> Well, so somebody of course was like. they're going to ask you in the 11th. hour to do impressions, but I didn't do. impressions and Right. But I kind of. knew that it might come because I'd. heard that the people that were involved. were never particularly organized around.

the. >> Yeah. >> advanced prep, shall we say? >> Yeah. >> So, I just had it up my sleeve. So, I. went and I I knew that I I I liked. Martha Stewart. I thought she was funny. and interesting, even though The Ground. Links doesn't really do impression-based. comedy. And so, I wrote. um an introduction as Martha Stewart. And I got a Martha Stewart wig. Um, and. this is so funny to me. I did Ki. Roberts. >> Oh yeah, I remember her. >> But like nobody It was like an NPR. reference at literally but she was on.

ABC News and so I did Kokei Roberts. >> Lauren is good friends with K. >> Literally I like. >> he had I had dinner with her last night. and it's very it's sounds just like. >> I think Ki liked the talked to Ki. >> I talked to K. [laughter]. >> K. K was a little mean. >> Martha, your Martha impression is so. good. >> Thank you. What do you do vocally to get. into Martha? How do we do a Martha? >> So much of Martha,

it still is. She's so rehe's so. rehearsed in front of the camera. There's You'll never have her do this. >> Martha Stewart does stuff with Miss. Piggy and she's a little thrown by Miss. Piggy. >> because Piggy Miss Piggy is improvising. and Martha doesn't love to improvise. >> No. And they've I've had a few. situations with her in fact where I've. had to dress up as her and be with her. Yeah. Which is. >> that's a very unique thing about SNL. I. had that with Hillary Clinton. >> Hillary Clinton where you are dressed. exactly like them standing next to them.

So, I have had a few events with um. Martha and recently I did the Drew. Barrymore show and showed up as her and. [laughter] she. it's just the worst. And you're just. sitting there fully dressed like a. person and. >> Well, that's why listen, this is why I. love our people. This is why I love. sketch comedy. Sketch comedy is. embarrassing. >> So embarrassing. >> Standup is cool. >> Yes. >> You get you you go outside, you wear a. leather jacket, you smoke a cigarette, you put it out, you go and do your set. Yep. >> Sketch. You have a freaking wig and.

you're slept in a box with a weird bow. tie. >> and you got. >> And it never ends. >> And it never ends. >> And don't think that I'm not still doing. that. Like there are days where I'm. like, I still have a wig area in. [laughter] my house. >> Yep. >> I one time got pulled over for speeding. and had a wig in my glove compartment. >> That could be considered dangerous. >> It could be. It could be. >> Do you remember what the wig was? Was. it? >> No, it was like during growling days in. fairness. But um just to have one. around. >> It's just you the schleing is the amount.

of props. It's so uncool. And that's why. I love people who do it because they're. to me the coolest people because they. sit in the embarrassment and the. commitment of it. You have to be really. committed. >> Which is why the bombing is the funniest. thing in the whole world. Which is why. Will Ferrell sitting into a bomb. >> Yeah. >> Is one of my favorite things I've ever. seen in in the world. >> It is. Um, at SNL we used to watch old. sketches that bombed and just like love. it in a way. It's what the kids would. call cringe, but it's even post cringe.

It's like beyond cringe. It's almost. like a delicious. >> Yeah. >> What would you call It's not a serotonin. boost. It's like a um I don't know. It's. the closest you feel to. >> It's like a community therapy experience. [laughter] really is what it is. I mean, >> it's like a primal scream. >> Yeah. Sketch sketch performers. >> What are some fun sketches that you used. to watch that you loved watching that. bombed or So, we did a Zoo Crew sketch. once, >> which is like a DJ morning DJs and we. wrote I mean, it was the loudest sketch.

ever. I mean, it was just literally like. like every single thing was JUST LIKE. EVERY LIKE ME HORNY GO GET HIM ROCK LIKE. nonstop everybody. It was me and Parnell. and. >> oh my god. >> somebody and the host I can't remember. and Will and it was this [laughter]. basic premise really loud zuc. the the weather chopper goes down like. crashes okay [laughter] really basic and. then everyone's like we lost wither. chopper 5 like just anyway people at the.

table were screaming with laughter so. funny and then we set it up at home base. the I mean a dramatic play, a Tony. [laughter]. winning, Pulitzer Prizewinning dramatic. play about a zoo crew. I mean, deathly. silent like a wall like the audience and. ah looked like a painting and the whole. time you're you're like screaming in. their It was a the wall of sound. >> Did you get giggles in in. >> I mean, yes, cuz it was so embarrassing.

and it was also just hilarious cuz it. was like the whole time you're like they. don't think this is funny. They listen. to morning zoos like there's nothing. This is what it sounds like. If you like. driving to work and listening to that, then that's just kind of a pleasant. thing for you. >> Um, [laughter]. >> that was embarrassing. Do you remember. the stuff that we called [ __ ] Can Alley? >> Yeah. So, there's there's all these. little areas at SNL like where you get. to perform. Home base is like right in. the middle and it's kind of a prime. spot. It's where update is. And then. there's some areas that like where. sketches go to die, >> right? Cuz you have the audience and you. have the balcony and so the main three.

sets, you know, where the the uh musical. guest plays and whatever, you usually. are going to play things. Okay. There's. one that's like way in the back that has. no immediate audience in front of it. And really, sketches go there to die. I. mean, nothing ever comes out. >> It's also a real a vote of no. confidence. When your [laughter] sk when. your sketch is put there, you're like, I. see, I see. This isn't going to make the. show. [laughter]. >> [gasps]. >> the sort of quietness of like it's in.

[ __ ] can ali we're not going to I'm. going to call my parents [laughter]. >> it's not going to make it. >> but you had so many hits and and NPR. that NPR that sketch remains. >> there was no confidence in that sketch. that sketch was supposed to bomb and I. knew because I'd played at the. groundlings that the quietness of it. that was the comedy of it you know. >> yeah it's it was it's so so funny and I. should circle Back just quickly to. Martha. When we're doing Martha, what.

are we doing with our lips and how do we. talk? >> Well, one of the things she does. [laughter]. so many of what the things that she says. and does are things that she has. learned. [laughter]. >> Yes. Yes, she do. >> on camera. and. she is uh very aware. [laughter]. of how the camera is going to look. on her. [laughter].

>> It's a very. barely moving mouth. >> Almost nothing moves. [laughter]. >> Why should it? >> And nor should it. We're going to make a Christmas meal and. barely nothing is nothing's going to. move. >> She She's I am obsessed with her. >> Me too. I'm obsessed with her. I mean. >> I mean Martha is um Martha I. >> She said. >> I'm not going to buy you on the show. because [laughter]. I'm too scared. But um but please listen.

and know that you're something else. >> She also says [laughter] I love her. rules, Amy. Her rules are so comforting. Her rules are so comforting when you. talk to her about rules. Her rules she's. just got. She's like, "I don't take I. don't take alcohol alone. >> I don't take drinks if I'm alone.". That's what she told me. I don't take. [laughter]. >> Do you remember when she briefly took. over The Apprentice and it was the We. were both We're so obsessed with this. She She would And the Zoom at the end, but but she was always handwriting a. termination note. [laughter].

It's a little touch of class. You're. fired. >> Mhm. I so enjoyed. your contributions [laughter] to The. Apprentice, >> but I'm here to tell you. >> I sent her flowers. >> I sent her flowers, one of her. birthdays, many of the years. Anyway, >> um, cut it. Cut the [ __ ] We'll cut the. [ __ ]. >> Cut the [ __ ]. >> Um, I want to talk about Bobby and Marty. for a second, the Culps. >> because um th those two characters that. you and Will did, I think, are perfect. example of like kind of combining all of.

your talents. And before we get into. them, what is the difference between. good singing like singing and then. comedy singing? >> Oo. >> And is there one? I guess. >> Um, well, it is interesting. It's an. interesting question. I definitely think. the training informs what's fun about. the characters, meaning she's, you know, they're quintessential choir teachers. So, her technique is very important to. her. So, I probably lean more into that.

that quality of the of the of the voice. And I've met people over the years that. are like music people, >> I hit notes. >> as her that I would be very worried. about trying to hit as me. [snorts] And. I know this is true because my friend. Seth Rudetski, who has the SiriusXM. radio Broadway show, who I met because. he wrote for the Rosie O'Donnell show at. the same time as I was in 8G. A lot of. people don't know when we were doing. SNL, Rosie was in her studio right next. door. Right next door. Yeah. So, we met. in the NBC gym and he was like of a.

certain part of my life, like I. instantly recognized him as a person who. understood what that music part of me. that I didn't even talk about was. And. he he said he was like, "Oh, you I love. how consistently you go from a B flat to. a C." Like again, I wouldn't have. thought about it and I wouldn't have. even thought that Bobby sings that high, but she does all the time, which is kind. of wild. Like if you wanted to tell ask. me to hit a C, I would get like my. butthole would tighten up and I probably. wouldn't be able to do it. So there's. something really fun about that. And I. think there's uh for me, I can't speak.

for other people, like I would never. >> there's a freedom around it and a chance. taking that I will play in character any. day of the week. Till very recently, I. wouldn't have done it as a vocalist. >> So cool. Absolutely. And that is what. you guys do as those characters. Also, I. just love Bobby and Marty's look. >> Their looks are excellent. >> Their looks are fantastic. And we knew. early on, oh, so they were um disparaged. by some of the men, by the the cool. guys. People thought it was a medley bit. and thought it was dumb and hacky.

>> Um, but we had so much fun writing their. passive aggression as characters, like. the the dynamic of the two of them, the. people giving them the finger all the. time, and just the the the inherent. bummer of having those people perform at. your prom or [laughter] whatever, like. that. We always loved we always that's. what was so joyful about it. The music. was fine. Like the music was a super fun. component of it, but it wasn't the point. ever. The point was. >> why are these people performing at my, you know, sobriety birthday, [laughter].

>> you know, it was always like finding the. premise. And so that's what made it so. fun. I have to say, honestly, like at. the 50th, which was so. >> special because that was always my. favorite thing to do at SNL. It was the. most fun writing it with Will and with. Paula. We would we were infamous. Infamous is the term because we would, as you know, not start writing until. 4:00 in the morning. Yeah. And we would. finish at 10:00 a.m. And it was always. like a a laugh fest that was. that so heavily featured. procrastination. It was extraordinary.

And well, it's um it's very very funny. that you say that because we do a thing. on the show where we talk about we we. talk to people who know our guest. We. talk well behind their back and we get a. question to ask them. And so I spoke to. Paula Pel. Uh. >> oh. And for people that didn't see the. the SNL 50th music special, which was. amazing, you there was like sketches in. between acts. >> and a lot of musical sketches and Bobby. and Marty came out and crushed.

That was not an easy audience. It was an. audience of truly every single person. was either performing or a performer or. like it was a cynical audience. >> Yeah, [snorts]. >> you guys crushed. What was that feeling. to do that that night? >> It was so fun for lack of a better word. Like it was so for there was something, you know, as we go back to all these. reunions and you bring all of your kind. of history and baggage and whatever with.

you. >> Um, >> again, kind of speaking to your point of. the fact that this is all just so. embarrassing because first of all, like. it's Radio City Music Hall. It's 6,000. seats. I mean it's it's a huge epic. space. >> Yeah. >> We followed Lauren Hill. >> Sure. >> That's who you want to follow. >> So you have to understand that in the. wings there are like thousands of cool. music people. I mean like I my dressing.

room is next to Jack White and his band. and I'm dressed as Bobby Mohan Culp. Okay. I've got the giant glasses and my. like striped dress and Will's got his. bald paint and his you know we. rehearsing in the keyboard. So already. we're like the losers in the wings. Do. you know what I mean? >> Oh yeah. I mean the winners for me but. >> it was it was fantastic. >> I mean actually you're like you got the. violin and you've got the eye patch. >> 100%. And so we're already just like. what is happening? What is happening? Why are we here? And who invited us? You.

know, and then we just started to giggle. cuz we we it was so cute cuz we doing. the sketch and doing the we just it was. very easy to imagine how excited. [laughter]. >> Bobby and Marty would have been. >> The people would have been to be at. Radio City. >> And what was it like back? What was it. like back then? Did you see Jack White? Who else are you seeing? >> I mean, mayhem like posies and people. with like, you know, music people. So. they got like big cool hair and glasses. and fur like Lauren Hills has a fur coat.

and an afro and like everybody's got. like floral pants that come up to here. and there's posies and you know weed. everywhere you know Chris Martins's in. the corner like cool people actual cool. people who just looked right past us. like they [laughter] they were they did. not know that we used to be on Saturday. Night Live. They were just like who. brought Granny and Gramps? Like just. right past us. >> That actually probably was fun. It was. so fun and then going and then we like. you know going out there and the all. that stuff just suddenly worked. You're.

right. Now that I'm remembering, Lauren. Hill had had a surprise. Incredible. performance. >> Insane. >> And then. [laughter]. there's like smoke. >> And then it was like [clears throat]. test test and you guys crush and that's. what I mean. I did I knew it was. streaming and I also knew I mean it was. really funny cuz we were like they just. and all of their stuff was about how. they'd come to New York for an. opthalmology appointment, you know, they. were just lucky to slip in and and just. everything about it was so fun. And so. we're sitting there and uh yeah and I I.

did have the feeling I was like this is. streaming because one thing about SNL. for me again I don't know if you ever. had this but it's a little bit of an A. student girl you know nerd girl thing I. was always my greatest regret about this. show not that you would go back in time. is that I could I never like settled. into it and enjoyed it cuz I was always. so aware of the time. >> and of running somebody running down the. clock somebody else's sketch is going to. get cut like I was always and when we. were there it was such a. >> you know like explo explosive surfate of. of talent that there were always three.

sketches a night that might not make it, you know. So, I always felt like I had. to like keep it moving, keep it moving. So, I was suddenly very aware that it. was streaming [snorts]. >> and that I was not going to be rushed. >> and I was like, I'm going to be Bobby. Mo. The funniest thing in the world to. me is this woman and this man, these. these choir teachers getting people to. settle [laughter]. >> cuz there's just nothing funnier than. high school teachers. They just kept. telling people to settle. I need you to. settle. [laughter]. I need quiet in the back. Hand goes up,

mouth goes shut. Hand goes up, mouth. goes shut. Just this idea. I was like, I'm going to keep going until they. settle. I'm not going to worry about it. And if I had been at 8H, we never would. have done that. >> Right. Very good point. >> We just we took a full probably 45. seconds to, you know, get people to pipe. it. David Spade pipe down. [laughter]. >> That's right. You guys called him out by. >> I don't want to hear it. Pierce Brosman. [laughter]. So stupid. Okay, [gasps]. we [snorts] have so much more to talk. about.

>> I'm sorry, but Paula Paula had two great. questions. Uh. >> oh. >> One was a um a funny one, which was your. dog Gloria loves to eat things. >> Yes. >> Um and you often keep us updated as to. what she eats. >> What has she eaten lately? And has it. come out already? And was it intact when. it came out? >> It never comes out. I don't know where. it goes. [laughter]. It's upsetting. Like you're like, it was. a full hairbrush. Where did it go?

>> Where did it go? >> And honestly, cuz she's also like many. dogs, like it's the more personal the. better, you know? So, it's a retainer or. she would eat my IUD if she could. >> pull it out. >> She could get in there. >> Yeah. Sorry, but it's true. >> Dogs are gross. >> It's gross. Bras, um, all that kind of. thing. Most recently, to answer the. question, um, it was an a massive thing. of cheese. I mean, it was a manego. It. was a Costco manego wedge. You know, those are big ones for a party. And.

Charlie Charlie sent it to me. I was out. here and he sent he he taken out the. cheese. He was going to have himself a. little snack. Came back, the cheese was. gone. He felt crazy. That's always part. of the story that he's [laughter]. walking around like, I swear to God, I. brought the cheese out. Where's the. cheese? And then hours later there was. like this much left which also I find. upsetting because it means that she has. eaten to the point of physical. discomfort which for a dog is a long. time. >> Yeah. >> I just I want to know what happens in. her dog brain. >> Maybe there's some kind of evolutionary. thing where they show you just a little.

to be like [laughter]. >> just to be like and I just just like. just a tiny bit of like a trophy of like. and here's what I did. >> She's such an [ __ ]. >> Um okay. And then Paula's um real. question was and it's kind of what the. theme of of our interview today which is. basically like um it's such a sweet. Paula question which is um you know. between writing and singing and acting. uh which one makes you feel the most. free.

>> It's an interesting word. >> It's a great question. Um. I think that inherently. I'm the most natural singer. I mean, I. think that's like my first gift, meaning. like that it's just sort of beyond me. And as I've gotten older and more into. it, like. >> even in the last couple of years, I feel. I feel more comfortable just accepting. that it's something that came from. somewhere besides me and I got lucky to. have a career that kind of nurtured the. muscles of it all. Literally,

>> writing is the most in the flow I. probably feel. But I hate writing. >> and I hate having to write. I love. having written. >> Yes. Having had written is the best. feeling in the world. >> I feel like you're a more confident. writer than I am. >> Oh god, no. >> No, that's not true. You're very good. about it. >> I've got I've got to um No, I've. [laughter] got to um. >> Your Uber's here. >> My Uber I'm so sorry. My Uber's here. First of all, you are a member of the. Wicked verse. You You opened Wicked in. Chicago. >> Yeah, I was the you know, fourth overall.

alphaba. So fifth, you know, so now when. you go like last year, two years ago was. the 20th. And um again, I have people in. my wicked life that like I'm not going. back. It was torture cuz it is trauma. bonding. It's a really hard job. It's a. really, really, really, really hard job. It's a hard role to play. It is a. physically demanding heart and it is. incredibly hard to sing. So I'm I'm. actually in retrospect I was so I want. to actually take a minute to tell a. story if that's okay. >> Of course. >> Um because I actually think it's so.

lifeless and important. I. am so hard on myself. And again, I. realized this about myself recently. I'm. not. >> competitive. I'm a perfectionist. >> So, I actually hate competition, but I. want to be really good at things. So, it's a weird mix, but. >> when you do a Broadway show, everybody. comes at the end because all your. friends or whatever. People want to see. you before it closes or you leave or. whatever. And you know, whatever. Here's. a Dina Menzel, the most incredible. vocalist, originated this incredibly.

demanding vocal score. >> Yeah. >> You're when you take over in a role, you. you're thrown into their track. So, there's a lot of things that were. designed around Adena's instrument that. other people have a harder time with, her phrasing, her lung capacity, things. like that. >> So, I was sort of mercilessly hard on. myself. And I also just didn't have the. Broadway credits that other people did. So, I felt like I was proving myself. And especially then on Broadway, I think. people felt like who's this TV [ __ ] who. just thought she could show up and sing.

Alphaba? You know, there was not like a. >> um I didn't feel like warmly welcomed. into the Broadway community. I felt like. I was proving it, you know, so every. day. >> Yeah. >> Um and I, you know, that role is you. very very challenging. So my last like. three weeks cuz I did Chicago and then I. came and I did the three penny opera on. Broadway and then I did Wicked It Up on. Broadway. So my last like 2 3 weeks. wicked um all these people you know come. out of the woodworks composers I admired.

people I admired people to see who want. to see me in the world before I left and. I was so mercilessly cruel to myself. every day I would come backstage and I. messed up the bridge on defying gravity. or oh my god I hate way I you know I. didn't I didn't like the my upper. register here there I was I was. screaming in this part it was such an. interesting experience because the sound. engineer gave me. like snuck me I hope I'm not getting him. fired.

recordings of my last 12 shows. He had. just like stuck in a thing and recorded. them. I didn't listen to them for 15. years because I was so mortified. I was. like I don't want to hear myself. >> And then I cracked one open one day and. I started I wanted to listen to Defying. Gravity to see like if I could like. Frankenstein [snorts]. the perfect version together whatever. And it was so. chilling how similar they were. >> Oh wow, Anna, that's wild.

>> To listen to them in a row. >> Mhm. >> It was like it took my breath away. because I and I tell my kids this all. the time now cuz you know Ulyses, my son. is such a he's such a perfectionist. I'm. like the difference. >> Yeah. >> between 98% and 100 is imperceptible to. anyone but you. And if you're hitting. the general ballpark. >> of being able to, oh, I don't know, sing. alphaba, you're probably cool, >> you know, so you are not a reliable.

witness about yourself. >> Oh, never. And that's why I give 75%. I. don't even get [laughter]. >> But honestly, most of it could apply to. anything. Oh, absolutely. And making. that decision of being like, did you. show up? Were you nice to people? You. know, did you know your lines? Okay. the. the way that and and also the way the. lovely way in which you circled back and. you were able to kind of like go back to. that younger version of yourself and be. like, >> "Oh my god, I can't believe how. unnecessarily relentlessly mean I was to.

myself.". >> Yes. >> I mean, I don't know if I'm able to take. it now in everyday life, but it's such. an important I don't know. It felt like. such an important lesson. And um. obviously like that's the SNL wisdom. pearl and like I wish I could have. enjoyed it. Just enjoyed it. It was a. great experience, you know. >> Yeah. I mean, the fact that you had. physical evidence that they weren't that. different. >> It was mind-blowing. >> Is something else, isn't it? The mind is. a um terrible place. >> A real dick. >> Um it's a terrible terrible place. >> Yeah, the mind is a dick. >> The mind is a raging dick. Okay. Mean.

Girls. What are your memories about us. doing Mean Girls together? >> I remember being on the plane with you. >> Yep. We were on the plane. We got in. Yeah, you got in a fight with a guy. Um. and the baby with baby Francis. This. early empowering baby Francis was on the. plane with us. Do you remember that? your baby Francis who is now in her 20s. >> 23. Yeah. >> She was on the plane and I still got in. a fight with the guy with the baby. around. >> Yeah. I hope so. >> I because the guy got mad that you were. swearing in front of the baby. >> Yeah. Right. I was Yeah. It's a long. story, but what happened was a very uh.

stress a guy who like a first class guy. Well, we were in first class, too. He. was like, "Excuse me, I'm trying to. You're being too loud in first class.". And I uh my Boston came out. Let's the. best thing I've ever seen. Okay. But but. but the shooting of of Mean Girls, what. do you remember of it? >> I remember hanging out with you in that. hotel one night and having drinks. I. remember um I remember when Tina I have. a memory of her sitting at the table on. 17 and saying, "I think I'm going to try. to option this book.". >> Me, too. I I have an image of her. sitting at her computer and being like,

"Oh." And having the book. >> Yeah. >> um near her and and just like working on. it, being like, "I'm writing this. movie.". >> It's incredible. >> And I was like, "Good luck with that. [laughter]. I'm going to go write a sketch about a. lady who has a snake around her neck. [laughter]. >> I heard a fart mouth. [snorts]. >> And last question is, what are you. listening to watching? Where do you go. to laugh these days? >> I am like I am not very for for all my.

quiet comedy like I I am like Mel Brooks. is what makes me laugh like big. >> Okay. What's your favorite Mel Brooks? >> I mean, >> let's Google it. Well, I mean, should we. go to the producers? >> Young Frankenstein producers. I mean, when Drach and I write together, it. feels like Mel Brooks is, you know, the. the. >> D is has you. Yeah. Drach is of the Mel. Brooks world. >> Yeah. So, writing with her is very goofy. and very fun. >> You know what I love and I know it's. underrated. I love me a space balls.

>> Oh, not deeply underrated. >> Yeah. >> God, space balls made me laugh. My. friend Philip Taratula is doing does. this character called um Official Pam. Goldberg on Instagram. Uh he plays an a member of Actors Equity. since 1968. >> I know my Uber is here, but I have to. see this. >> Yeah, you do. >> Official Pam Goldberg. >> Yeah, >> Pam Goldberg here and I'm recommending. one to bring with you to tech. So, here. we go. Snacks. [cough] Don't rely on. other people's snacks or anyone else.

bringing snacks for you. These are. Crayale peanuts. [laughter] I don't. think they're organic. >> Pam's telling us what to bring to a good. coffee. I like this from Fairway. [laughter]. coffee themselves, but life's too short. for folders. Again, I recommend. bananagrams because they're short and. [laughter]. we'll find out. >> Bananagrams are short and cordial. Also, um Pam has got a real severe haircut. >> Real severe. >> and and a real squinty eye. >> She's been a regional theater actress. for a long time.

>> Um but anyway, merry Christmas. [laughter]. Thank you, friend. Thank you, friend. Merry Christmas to you. >> Uh, Anna Gastire, thank you so much. That was so fun. And, um, that time went. by so fast and I love talking to you. And, um, you know, this is our holiday. episode. And, uh, for those of you uh, celebrating the holiday in all different. ways, I just want to say thank you for. um, giving us the gift of listening to. this show. It's meant a lot to us. And.

this is the this has been an amazing. year that we've launched it. So, uh. thank you. We cannot wait to make more. of which we will be doing for you. Um. and it has been a real gift to do it. So, um I'm going to do uh end end this. episode and uh dive into the polar. plunge by sharing my favorite Christmas. movie with you. And that is a little. known classic, Emtt Otter's Jug Band. Christmas. I don't know a lot of people. that that know it, but it's um it was um.

look, I don't love puppets all the time, but this one has the the Muppet puppet. family. Um uh Jim Henson's Workshop made. it and it is the cutest, most tender, best music movie. EMTT Otter's Jug Band. Christmas. Check it out. It is basically. The Gift of the Magi. Um, there is an. incredible uh bunch of villains called. the Riverbottom Nightmare Band that is. basically a snake and a weasel and they.

are incredible. Um, so do yourself a. favor and I don't even know where to. find it. I I think I have it on VHS, [laughter]. but um but um merry Christmas, happy. Hanukkah. Um whatever you celebrate, thank you uh uh for uh listening and um. we can't wait to uh see you in the new. year. Bye. You've been listening [music] to Good. Hang. The executive producers for this. show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss. Berman, and me, Amy Per. [music] The.

show is produced by The Ringer, and. Paperkite. For The Ringer, production by. Jack Wilson, Cat Spalain, [music] Kaia. McMullen, and Aia Xanerys. For. Paperkite, production by Sam Green, Joel. Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. >> [music].