Claire Danes | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hi everyone, Amy here. I'm recording. this the day before our new episode with. the great Claire Danes comes out and. it's an episode we recorded a few weeks. ago and since then so much has been. happening in our country and honestly it. felt strange not to address it. The. intention of GoodHang has always been to. bring levity and joy and laughs in these. tough times and we're going to keep. doing that. But before we start this. episode, I just want to send much love.

to the best people in the world, also. known as motans. What we are all. witnessing is terrifying and enraging. and illegal. But we are also seeing. neighbors helping neighbors. And if you. want to help, there is a directory of. local organizations and mutual aid. groups that you can check out at. standwithmininnesota.com. Minnesota, you're in our hearts. Okay, on with the show. Hello everyone. Welcome to another. episode of Good Hang. Very excited about.

our guest today. It is the incredible. Claire Danes. I cannot wait to talk to. Claire today. She is such a pro. She's. so good at so many things and I know. she's going to be a good hang. And we. are going to get into it today. We're. going to talk about her big brain. We. are going to talk about uh the lasting. effect of My So-Called Life and how. people still love it even to this day. We're going to talk about her stint on. Law and Order and what that was like. And we're going to hear about how she. met Bosiot in an elevator when she was a.

New York kid. So much to talk about, but. before we do, we always like to speak to. somebody who knows our guest, who has a. question for me to ask our guest. And we. talk well behind their back. And we have. a great one today, the incredible Mandy. Patin. Mandy, actor, singer, activist, now podcaster. Um, you can check out his. podcast, Don't Listen to Us, out now. with his wonderful wife Katherine and. his son Gideon and um, Mandy. Um, hi.

Can you hear me? [music]. This episode of Good Hang is presented. by Nespresso. For those who never. compromise on their morning rituals, especially their coffee ritual, Nespresso's new Virtuo Up makes your. first cup irresistible. With a 3-se. secondond start, easy open lever, and. dedicated coffee creations mode button, it's even easier to brew bold coffee. over ice or milk. It's your coffee your.

way. Nespresso. Shop now exclusively at. nespresso.com and use code Amy to. receive a set of Lumé coffee mugs when. you spend $50 or more while supplies. last. What do you say? I wanted. >> Hi, Amy. >> Hi, Mandy. >> Don't look Amy. I'm eating something. again. >> Yum. What are you eating? >> Um,

Murray's tuna. >> Perfect. >> And vegetarian chopped liver on Ezekiel. cinnamon raisin toast. >> Wow, that's a lot of flavors. Well, I. love the cinnamon raisin and and uh I I. eat that cuz my uh my [clears throat]. trainer tells me not to eat this other. bread that this is the one he wants me. to eat and I'm feeling good and so I do. what he says. >> You're a podcaster now? >> Yes, I'm a I'm a podcaster. [laughter]. >> Do you only talk to podcasters? Is that. the deal? >> I can't stand talking to someone who.

doesn't have a podcast. >> Oh, trust me, Amy. I know. >> Right. When you see you're like, "What. are you doing with your life?" It's. unconscionable to even think of doing. that. It's horrible. So, I wouldn't even. Even hearing you say it upsets me. [laughter]. >> So, that's not an option. >> You do a show with um uh Don't Listen to. us with Katherine, your wife, and your. son Gideon, and um congratulations on. that. >> And they and they don't listen to me. [laughter] So, it always the title is. always in operation.

>> How how has it been? What have you been. uh learning about yourself and uh in in. the process of meeting. >> great Amy it's just great being with. your family 24/7 never a break. [laughter] you know what more could you. ask you know be at home work with them. you know just like you know my son you. know just can't get enough of his. [laughter] parents it's just it's a. total joy 24/7 it's just like being in. paradise [laughter]. >> before we get to Claire just one more. time so because I know Gideon will want. me to get the log line how would you.

describe the podcast. >> Oh, Justin. And the the podcast to to. describe the podcast is just uh it's a. podcast. It's unescribable. It's. [laughter] just extraordinary podcast. Um it has my wife who I love. I've been. with her for seven 47 years. If I can. stay with her for 47 years, you can tune. in and stay with her for 47 minutes. And. my son, my glorious son, Gideon, he it's. all his. And then the one mistake is. having me at the table as well.

[laughter]. >> I am such a humongous fan of your work, Mandy. It meant so much to me that I was. talking to you today. And we're talking. today to Claire Danes, who I know you. absolutely love. >> I adore her. If I if I had a daughter, it would be Claire. >> Oh, can you tell me where you two first. met? >> We first met in the rehearsal room in. Winston Salem, North Carolina. I believe. that's where we met. I think that's. where we were where we had the first.

read through of Homeland. And I think. that's where I think that was the name. of the town where we shot the first. three seasons. Pretty sure it was. Winston Salem, but I could be wrong. I'm. at that age. I don't just look it. It's. the same thing inside my brain. [laughter]. It's just just wiry gray white mess up. [laughter] there. And uh I'm pretty sure. I know it was North Carolina. >> Charlotte? Oh, no. It was Charlotte, North Carolina. >> So, that's interesting. So, you met in. rehearsal for the first time and.

obviously you were I'm familiar. [clears throat] with each other's work. Um, what was your first impression of. her? >> Well, I knew uh she was of the highest. pedigree and so I just uh was thrilled. to be with her and um I knew that I. wanted more than anything for her both. as Mandy and the character Saul. Uh, I. wanted her to feel safe with me. >> and I wanted her to feel protected by me. and I wanted her to trust me and I knew.

that was a tall order. >> Uh, but we sat down uh with with our. director to just have our first read. through and she finished the first scene. and she said something that I never. forgot and I just love. She said, "Well, that was some of the worst schmacking. I've ever done." And I never I never. heard that word schmacking. And I loved. it. And uh I never heard her say it. again because uh I think she's. brilliant. I even thought she was.

brilliant when she thought she was. smacking. And so um she is uh she's as. good as they come, you know, in the. arena. She's a a thoroughbred. >> Uh which leads me to my second thought. that I had to offer you. Would you like. that or do you want to run this? No, I. love I don't think with you and I that. I'm ever going to run anything. I think. Mandy, whenever we're you're going to be. running it, but. >> I can I can shut up. I can. >> I know. I I love I I heard that you. wrote down a bunch of questions for her,

which I love because I too have so many. questions for her. How many you have on. that page? >> I have I wrote down no one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. >> Okay, [laughter]. great. >> No, no, eight. >> Perfect. I I I I I understand why. >> And you can you can buy these questions. [laughter] from me. >> Just go to your website. >> Everything I have is for sale, [laughter]. >> but I understand why you have all these. questions for her because she is to to. your point, thoroughbred is a perfect.

word. Like so incredibly gifted and also. your story tells uh tells me that she. also does not take herself too. seriously. It's that combination that's. incredible to be around. She was a kid. actor, you know, and and the thing is, as you've known from working with kids, the the magic of them, it's literally. magic. They sit there, they play, they. play with the other kids, and then the. director goes action and they're there. with a believability that if you worked. at this craft till the day you die, you.

would never get to be that good the way. these kids are. >> And she's one of the rare ones that took. it into adulthood. and uh and she has that she just. believes. She just believes in a way. that is I'm transfixed. I I had to do. the least work in my life. Uh because. all I would do is just sit and listen to. her. >> You can really feel the love between you. two. So, let's get to those eight eight. or nine questions.

>> You got it. So, the next one that I. wrote down, >> wait, what was the first one again? >> Uh oh god, I didn't know it was going to. be a challenge. [laughter]. The first one. I have no idea what the. first one was. What did I say? >> Okay. Okay. Forget it. >> Look at me, will you, Amy? Look. Don't. ask. Start in the middle. >> Don't even ask me my name anymore. Just. please have a little, you know. Sorry. >> Okay. [laughter] In Yiddish, it's called. Rakhmonus. Have some ramonus for what. you're dealing with here. re- regarding. uh her children.

>> Mhm. >> I'm very curious uh because she's. married to an exceptional uh young man. uh young in my book and um young in. everybody's book. Um I would like to. know who is better in the family at. setting boundaries for the children. >> Oo, is it is it Claire or Hugh? >> Hugh or Claire? Her great actor husband. Hugh Nancy. >> Now I would like you to ask her. something that only she would know. Uh, what is Mandy's father's. favorite chewing gum? [laughter].

>> That does, that question seems like what. you have to answer to get into an. exclusive private club. It. >> You are right on the money. And how did. she commemorate the answer to that gift. to me? Excellent. >> Which was one of the great gifts that. I've ever been given. >> Wow. >> Oh, here's a good one. How often uh does. she feel she pees? She needs to pee.

before every take or every scene. >> Love that. >> So, it's it's not a downside. It gives. everyone a chance to breathe. We all. know that, you know, there's a rest. period coming up [laughter]. every. >> So, okay. Um Okay, that was it. >> Okay, these are great. These are great. questions and they all speak to what I'm. learning about her and you know I I I've. known Claire over the years through. friends and loved my time spending my.

spending time with her. But what I've. learned about her is um she's a really. considerate person. She's a very. considerate person. She really considers. other people. I think it's what makes. her a good actress and human in the. world. You know, the gift of the one of. the great gifts of a television series. in my humble opinion is that you get to. be there for a long time and you really. get to know each other and you get to. know each other's strengths and also. each other's fragilities. And she. learned mine. I sort of wear them on my.

sleeve, but she learned them quickly. And she she just took care of me. She. knew how to take care of me when I. needed holding and when I needed, you. know, and and and she knew how to leave. me alone when I needed leave me alone. time. >> Beautiful. I know she's going to be so. excited that we talked. I don't know if. if she knows. This is might be a. surprise to her. >> I I didn't tell her. I I saw her. recently at a political event for Mom. Donnie, which I was thrilled that she. was there. Uh and uh but I didn't.

mention I I hadn't known about this at. that point. >> Oh, that's great. I think she's going to. be. >> no idea from me. happy that we talked. >> Please uh take my phone number. You have. it. >> I will. I'm going to take your phone. number and I'm going to call you for. advice on a lot basically on most things. in life. [laughter]. >> And you're welcome. Well, thank and. you're just the dumbest [ __ ] person. on [laughter] the planet. >> Thanks, Mandy. Take care. Bye. >> Have fun. Bye-bye. >> This episode is brought to you by.

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and get three free AG1 travel packs, three free AGZ travel packs, plus free. vitamin D3 plus K2 and an AG1 welcome. kit with your first AG1 subscription. order. >> [music]. [gasps]. >> And you do talk about this this being a. number eight business a lot. The n and. and. >> any. >> Wait, you're pretending. You don't know.

what the anagram is. >> I know now because of you. >> Do you know what your number is? >> I did it last night. >> Yes. >> Don't tell me what it is. I want to. guess. >> I do. >> You're an eight. >> I'm an eight. >> I'm an eight. I screamed. >> Oh my god. >> I yelled [laughter] out loud. >> Freaking out. >> Yes. Claire Dane just walked in with a. balloon. With a be by the way, thank you. These. are beautiful. >> Yeah, you're welcome. >> Um, a beautiful eight balloon. >> Yeah, >> I'm going to bring it into frame. Look. at that. A gorgeous eight balloon in in.

reference to the fact that we are the. same any number. >> Well, I didn't know that when I bought. the balloon. [laughter] I just I just. knew that you were an eight girl cuz you. do talk about it pretty much. [laughter]. This is an intervention and everyone's. like, "And now you've got the balloon. and now shut shut up about it.". [laughter]. >> It's it's an intervention. Um, but I. You're so welcome. But I was so excited. that I got to be your your twin eight. sister. >> Listen, if you're going to start with.

any, we're going to go [laughter]. because I'm very pleased that you're an. anagram eight. >> Okay, >> that makes perfect sense to me. >> Um, [clears throat] does it? I don't I'm. very new to this business. Did you learn. about Did you read the descriptions of. it and feel like it was you? >> Sure. But I also worry that I might just. be a little impressionable and, you. know, kind of absorb and accept and make. it work. Um, >> interesting. Well, that. >> that's not very eight-like, is it? >> It's not. But perhaps you've got a wing. You know, you can [laughter] you can get.

a wing. >> I just learned about I don't know. I. don't know what my. >> I'd love to see what your pie chart. looked like. >> Okay. like what you actually what were. your big I wish you had told me you were. taking the test because I [laughter]. I would have sent a text that said send. me your pie chart. Send me your. >> Okay, I'm sure I can find it again. What's your sign? >> Virgo. >> Okay. >> What are you? >> I'm Aries Virgo rising. >> Oh my god. [laughter]. >> Like Claire, run all of the things. Run.

all of the things. Do all the things. Be. in charge of [laughter] all of the. things. I mean, do you find yourself to. be like a. >> I mean, we know each other, but we don't. know know each other and I've had the. pleasure of being around you a lot a lot. and a humongous fan of your work, of. course. And thank you. And um we were. very excited that you said yes today. And uh do you think you're a organized. person? Like are you an organized. >> I've gotten much more organized.

>> over time, but I do love the Container. Store. I love a container so much. >> A good container will change your life. Jenna, why are you laughing? Jenna, [laughter]. >> why are you laughing so hard? Um, but uh. and what I love about the when when I. love the idea of figuring out what. things. what are what do things mean to you in. your life? >> Because they actually it's a paradox. Yeah. They don't mean anything and they.

mean a lot. They can be really valuable. tools and I think they do carry energy. Like I really do believe that. And they. can transport you. They can be little. tiny time machines. >> Yes. But okay, of course you're an. organizer. Of course you're Virgo. Of. course you're Aries. Of course you're an. eight. Claire Danes is here. [laughter]. >> I mean Claire, if I did not love you. already. I mean, the theme of I feel. like the theme of today is um. I've always felt like you and your work.

were ahead of its time. >> That's very nice. That's very, very. nice. >> You've always brought me as an artist. into worlds that I didn't know I was. ready for. You're an intellectually. curious person who's interested in. interesting things and therefore you. kind of. >> you're drawn to those things almost. like, you know, like the cartoon. character when the pie's on the window. sill. I feel that with you. You're drawn. to interesting things. >> I am. That's true. Thank you for saying. that. That's actually very very touching.

and meaningful that you say that. Really? Well, I can sense it from the. choices you made as an artist and um you. know, it is like My So-Called Life and. Homeland and Temple Grandon and um The. Beast in Me, like all these projects and. the way you you're kind of leading us. into some new territory always it feels. like and new territory for you too, which is very exciting. Of course, you're an enagram 8. You're a. challenger. You're incredible. Um but um. we're I'm sorry that we're the best, but. we are. [clears throat] And I'm sorry to. all the other numbers. [laughter].

Um, but but like it and and I just want. to say this as we like or as we get this. this thing started finally, which is you. have the ability to as an actor to stay. in your body and be in your brain. Those. are two very hard things to do. >> Oh my gosh, this is so nice. >> Claire, you're so smart. >> This is so nice. This is so [laughter]. nice. >> Like it's hard to balance those two. things, body and brain. And I that's why. I'm obsessed with the fact that you love. to dance. I do love to dance. I love to.

dance. >> And for me, it gets me out of. >> out of my brain. Yeah. Yeah. >> Jinx. >> Yes. Um and I don't dance as much as I I. don't dance enough anymore. I had a good. wiggle the other night all by myself in. my bathroom. I really needed it. Um it. was. >> And that's where I've seen you probably. the most is on the dance floor. >> Yeah. Well, where our friend Rashidita. is a pretty great dancer. She's had some. parties and we've danced in our pajamas. together and I feel like there's been.

some awards shows where we've been on. the floor like where dancing regulates. What does it do for you? How does it. What does it do for your body? >> Um Oh god, it's so funny. I Well, cuz. it's my son's birthday today, my eldest. son. He's turned 13 and. >> it's like a superpower I have. I to I. just like a little tiny wiggle in. public. He's He will cross the street. Like it's just But [laughter] yes, I I. can mortify him within a millisecond. Um.

>> and even worse is you stop and go, I'm a. good dancer. [laughter]. People think I'm a good dancer and. they're like, "Mom, please. Oh my god, mom. Mom, everyone's watching your. dance. >> Um [laughter] yeah. Uh but what does it. do for me?" Well, I mean, the best is. when you enter that like flow state. Um. when you Yeah. when it's when it's. there's no thought and you're just. totally synchronized with whatever sound. is coming into, you know, through your. ears. I love watching toddlers dance,

[laughter] you know, when they jump, they do that thing, they do the bouncing. thing. They all we all do it. And um Shay, my. my baby, she had she's very kind of in. her head and dreamy and sometimes she'll. do this kind of dance. I'm like, that's. fabulous. Anyway, >> how old is she? >> She's two and a half. >> Okay. I heard something that's amazing. which is that kids from three on like. from 3 to four, 3 to five are consider. them like on mushrooms like hallucenic.

mushrooms because they're like the floor. is lava and like [laughter] I'm feeling. the music and they're like why do we die. and you're like whoa you are tripping. [laughter] and it's so true that. >> Oh, she's really fun. >> You're a real dancer. Well, but never. not like a formally trained one. I had. this amazing teacher here in the city, a. woman named Ellen Robbins, [clears throat] and she was great. Um, and like from I from the age of four on, I worked.

>> with her. I say that like intentionally. It sounds ridiculous cuz I was a tiny. human, but she. >> really took every kid very seriously. And over the course of the year, you. would work towards choreographing your. own piece. And you would choose the. theme and and the music and. >> I was a moth to flame one year. Yes, I. was. >> There was a lot of it. [laughter] A lot. of a lot of that. >> Closing up and opening again. Finding. your light. >> Yes. >> Little Claire in dance class at 4. You. are a New York kid. Now I'm I'm really.

always interested in kids that grew up. in New York. What was Soho. What was. your version of Little Kid in New York? >> It was funky. >> Yeah. and uh you know a little rough. Um. I was born in 79. >> My parents were artists. They moved to. the Bowery in the late60s and my dad my. dad's uh mom Claire I'm named after. >> um died when he was a kid and then I.

guess he he kind of [clears throat] had. this money finally that uh and they. bought a loft building with another. couple that they still own on Crosby. Street where I was growing up. So it was. you know we had a swing, we had a. trapeze, I would roller skate, you know, >> it's kind of how we picture. living. I had some shame about it, too. And I had cousins who lived in the. suburbs and all I wanted was to be in a. culde-sac and have like a basement and. >> carpet on the floor.

>> We get that when we're little we don't. want to be different, interesting. We. want to be exactly the same. >> Um, but it, you know, it was it was it. was also very cool. And, you know, Boscot lived in our building and you. know, like Yes. It's like, >> did you meet him? >> I did. I remember him. I remember being. really little and he, you know, I he was. kind of he was very sweet. Like he was. very. >> charming. >> Charming and kind of tender. That's what. I remember about him in the elevator.

>> Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. >> You know, Keith Herring was just around. and. >> uh Yeah, but there was it was also. violent and the mafia still existed. So. we were on Crosby and Prince. So just on. the other side of Lafayette that was the. different world and felt quite active. And. >> did you become a vigilant? Are you a. vigilant person or a vigilant kid. because on the street? >> Oh no. In life like was there some. hypervigilance that was created because.

of that? >> Yes. Because of New York and also I have. very like [laughter]. >> funky. >> groovy art artist parents. >> Parents. >> Totally. So I there was a rigidity. [laughter] that developed um and. speaking my language. >> Yes. And [snorts] like a hyper. observance. Yes, for sure. >> And so you go and speaking of vigilance. and hyper observance. You were on Law. and Order as a young person. How old. were you? >> I was 12.

>> Can you tell me about. >> Sure. I played Yeah. It was amazing. It. was amazing. >> And I played a teenage murderer. [laughter]. >> Yeah. My mom was. a prostitute, like high-end, and her like pimp was. grooming me to basically do the same. thing, but he was kind of presenting. himself as a an modeling agent, and he. was, you know, and I took these photos.

of me, >> typical law and order. >> And my mom found out about it and she. inter, you know, intercepted and I was. furious. this and I took the scissors. from the dark room and stabbed him. I. think that's what it was. >> God, I would have killed to have been. that was what I wanted to do so bad is. be a teen murderer. Yeah. On Law and. Order. >> I then dated a boy by another guy, a. kid, another kid actor. We met an. audition who also had been a teen. murderer on Law and Order. [laughter].

Um, that was like our cute story. Um, and now Hugh is on Law and Order. >> I know. >> Which is wild. I know. And we have so. much good um like gear like swag, law. and order swag. We have a giant button. that goes d that [laughter]. the kids really really like and we do. have to hide sometimes. But. >> that show is in it's just inc. First of. all, it just employed so many actors. >> It still does. It's so I was also very.

sure the day after it aired there was. like a screening party. It was sweet. that like it was going to be a problem. for me to ride the subway like cuz. [laughter] I was going to be so famous. Um and um it was fine. [laughter]. >> Everybody was. No, it was it was pretty comfortable uh. still for me. Um. >> now you brought up so-called life when. How old were you when you auditioned for. that? >> I was 13 when I did the pilot. >> And I was and then it didn't get picked.

up. >> Yeah. Um, and I'd gone to public school. my whole life, but then like had made. money from these acting jobs and uh. could afford to send myself to private. school. So I went to Dalton and but yeah. then but in like the very start of my. freshman year we got this call saying, "Oh no, they are going to pick it up.". So I was only physically there for a. semester and then we were off to LA. Wow. >> And was kind of tutored from that point. on. Now, I mean, I know you've talked ad.

nauseium about the experience you had. making that show, and it is still so. zeitgeisty, that show. >> It's really It was a very special. thing. >> When you were making it, it felt like a. special sparkly thing. I I remember. reading the pilot um I guess before the. audition and and and and just having a. very profound, you know, experience. And. it was really powerful to have some.

woman, some writer person so perfectly. articulate my internal life. Um. >> and that was Winnie Holtzman. Holtzman. who who who's still a dear dear friend. and just a wildly inspired hilarious. >> people should know like wrote Wicked. >> Wicked. >> Yes. >> Just this little indie called Wicked. >> Yeah. Which is basically about like. teenage. >> girls, you know, and and their their.

intimacies and and their their. friendships. >> Um yeah, she's. >> and Winnie was Winnie was the creator of. the show. She was, yes, she was the. creator of the show. And uh and we were. both working so hard. We barely saw each. other, but [laughter] we were, you know, in this very deep relationship um in our. imaginations, you know. Uh yeah. >> Did you chemistry read with Jared Leto.

for. >> No. No. No. No. >> He just got hired and then you guys had. to kind of get find the chemistry there. >> He was like in the Noximma commercial. That was very exciting. >> Yeah, >> he was so hot. Oh my god, he was. ridiculous. >> You know, Jordan Catalano is like become. >> and it's also one of those names it's. always the full name. >> Yeah. >> Um and there was also a character in the. show called Tino that you never saw. Um. anyway, there were so many. >> But I But do you have a theory? cuz you. know now with perspective like what what.

do you think. >> resonates still with with Angela's like. >> well it's still radical I don't think I. think and it it remains ahead of this. time like I it shouldn't have been made. it no it it. >> almost wasn't made many times and um and. it just willed it wills itself into. existence [gasps] I don't know it's not. very often that we spend that much time,

intimate time. with a a a teenage girl. >> Not really. We're seeing the world from. her from inside of her. >> um and really through her vantage point. when she's and she's so earnestly. wrestling with big stuff, you know. Um, and she and it's I yeah, it's just so. well balanced and it's so it's so of.

her, you know, but it's. there are some zingers. There's some. really well-crafted lines. >> You know, I was rewatching that moment, the like beautiful moment where that is. played over and over again on TikTok. every day of my life because it's on my. FYP, but of um of when Jordan comes over. to Angela and says, "Can we go. somewhere?" And you say, "Sure." and you. walk off with him and he takes your hand. in front of everybody. And that feeling. of being.

>> chosen. >> publicly is a big. >> major. >> major deal for a young woman and young. man. >> But why the show I think separates. itself from others is also editorially. we know what all the other characters. are feeling in that moment. Like we got. to everyone else's feeling about not. being chosen or the wrong person being. chos like everyone's having a feeling. like. >> we're we're feeling everybody's pain,

psychic pain or joy in that moment. It's. so. >> that's a very wellstated. uh yeah well well analyzed scene. Um. I've watched it for many times. Um, no. it and yes it was it was I feel wildly. fortunate that that was my entry point. and you've worked with what I imagine.

only imagine are really [laughter] some. very. interesting complicated and maybe at. times difficult people at a young age I. I project on you that you have to like. figure out how to be self-possessed and. be your own artist and your own, you. know, like protect yourself and also be. among these like really. complicated adults. Do you feel like. there was some inner Claire thing that. helped you navigate all that early. stuff? >> I feel like kids are doing that all the. time anyway.

>> Not every kid. >> Okay. >> You know, I think this is. >> um I don't know. I also I remember. people I never felt like a kid and now. now that I am a parent and I have actual. children, I'm like, "Yeah, no. I for. sure was a kid. There's no way. >> Do you think you were going to I. sometimes think I I never felt like a. kid either. I when I was about eight or. nine, I was like, I'm in charge here. [laughter]. >> I did. I was like, these people were. like I just remember being like, no, I'm. in charge. >> My first memory. >> I don't know if it's real or not. Obviously, no idea, but was preverbal. I.

I was an infant. I remember where I. where I was. I was by my the windows on. our in our loft on Crosby Street. out. overlooking Lafayette Street and I had. been handed to some other adult that I. didn't know very well and they didn't. know how to hold a baby and I remember. having I was like, "Okay, this is one of those grown-ups who don't. know how to do this. They're. uncomfortable. >> Wow. >> There's nothing I can do about it. I'm.

just going to have to wait it out." Um. Yeah. And then I remember. Yeah. [laughter] Blue. Um, and then my. second memory was being on the a kitchen. island and I was just about I just was. starting to have some language but not. quite enough and I was kind of playing. charades with my mom and I wanted to get. to the to the counter like the other. side of the kitchen and she was really. frustrated and she and I and I felt such. empathy for both of us and I was like. this we I this cannot continue like I.

really really need to crack this. language thing because [laughter]. I mean, poor us. This is too hard. Amazing. So, yeah, it was like that. always. And people would say like, how. you know, you know, it's so remarkable. that you can deliver performances at. such a young age. I was like, what are. you talking about? Feel like I've been. here for this has been an eternity. Like. 11 years is so many years. And it felt.

very rich. I was like, I've got enough. material for four lifetimes. It makes. total sense to me because when you're in. Little Women and you're dying. [laughter]. >> I was like, she's been here before. >> We had to reshoot that scene. >> Just my side because apparently I got. too excited about the death rattle. >> cuz of course I read like five stages of. dying. I like and really studied. whatever illness Beth had. >> Sure. >> And [laughter] I got a little carried.

away. Um, you refer me to Matthew Reese. and he calls me um death rattle Danes. [laughter]. But. >> but Julian Anderson, the director, lied. to me. I only learned this like last. year literally. Then said that that Coke. had spilled on the negatives of the film. and that we needed to reshoot. really cuz she needed to like. >> like calm the death rattle down a little. bit. >> Yes. So that's a factoid. By the time.

you were 20, you were already in 13. movies. >> So that's a few mo that's a lot. >> I did not know that. Okay. >> Went to school, went to Yale. What did. you study there? >> I thought I was going to be a psychology. major and then it ended there ended up. being like a lot of lab work involved. with that. >> Um. >> that's not what I meant. Uh um. eventually I think I would have been I. didn't complete my time um and I never.

had to declare a major but if I had I. think I would have been an English major. which is what I meant you know I I. didn't. >> Yeah. >> um I didn't want to be the I the science. part was less interesting [laughter] to. me than the character studies. >> Do you have a bit of like a slidy doors. fantasy that you would be a therapist in. another life? My best friend in the. whole wide world from the age of nine on. is a therapist. >> Um, >> congrats. >> Thank you. >> I did pretty well. >> Best friend in therapist. I chose well.

at nine. [laughter]. Um, and and actually it's really fun. We. do kind of play Barbies together with my. characters. Like if I'm starting a. project, we'll think about it in those. kind of formal terms and she'll diagnose. her and. >> Yeah. Cool. It is. It's actually very. handy. Yeah. >> Um, and occasionally at lunch like I'll. see her kind of it'll be I see her shift. from Ariel, you know, into the and.

she'll ask she'll say, >> "Is it okay if I, you know, go into. actual formal therapy mode with you. now?" Be like, "A dream.". >> Yes, please. A dream. Um so so yeah I I. I mean that so so okay so I'd wanted to. be an actor from the age of five onwards. >> and then people would tell me you know. most actors actually don't make that. much money it's a fairly insecure career. choice. >> and continues to be.

>> and I had a practical side and I thought. okay all right fine I'm going to be a. therapist and I'm going to. >> live in the suburbs I was going to live. next door to Ariel. We were going to. share a pool and we would have two. slides in our respective yards that. would go into the same pool. I would be. a therapist and do acting workshops. Yes. To like nourish the soul. And that was my plan for a good year. And I made an actual announcement one. night at the dinner table and I said, >> "Look guys, like who am I kidding? There.

is no plan B. I am an actor. money or no. money, this is this is my calling. And. my parents like, "Uhuh, sure." Um, and. [laughter]. I was so serious. It's ridiculous. Um, and. >> but I love that person because that. person's making a declaration. >> and I and I really meant it. And I went. to, you know, I took Saturday acting. classes at Lee Strawber, which is in my. neighborhood and I pass almost every day.

and is a total trip. But yeah, anyway. Um, so yes, but actually my favorite. class was a graphic design class. >> Oo, >> my very favorite class. And then I. thought, oh, maybe if I weren't. [clears throat] an actor, I would be a a. that kind of person, a graphic designer. >> I can see I I can see all these things. What I what I like love about your work. is that it feels and again it just feels. like when you're watching you work that.

there's just real life that exists in. your life like you have a real life. You're a real person a sane real person. >> I'm trying. >> And then so then when we're watching you. play people when you're they feel like. real people. There's just a little bit. you just kind of can't explain it. people have it or they don't where they. feel like they've actually existed on. the earth [laughter]. >> and had a real life and people that are. kind of um in a just a different sphere.

of I don't know and there's something. that feels uh like you have taken care. of other parts of your life. >> It was it was good for me to do that. I. really needed a timeout. I needed to not. have so much responsibility. Uh, and I needed to like [ __ ] around a. little bit and like get stoned and play. Mario Kart, you know. Um, uh, [laughter]. that doesn't need to go away. >> That was that doesn't need to go away.

>> As important as, you know, the the work. I was doing in class, which was also. really really wonderful. And um and I. also felt like validated as a thinking. person. Um. >> I feel like you've spoken about like the. kind of wonderful things about. perspective and getting older. What's. the best thing about being the age you. are? >> That it's perfectly okay to have the. same breakfast every morning. >> Mhm. >> To [laughter]. exercise. >> for 45 minutes to an hour. Um.

>> how's your bone density? >> I don't know. And I should know. And I. don't lift enough weights. >> No. Nobody ever have to lift so many. weights. >> I'm I I like lifting my own body weight. I really like yoga these days, but it's. not enough. Apparently, you have to lift. actual iron. >> And you run. You're a big. [clears throat] runner. >> I used to run more. The third pregnancy. really kind of [laughter] put a dent. >> So, people that don't know, you had a. pregnancy uh a few years ago. Kind of a. surprise. [laughter].

>> Whoa. >> Out of the blue. >> That wa. >> did you um burst into tears like, "Oh. no, I have to be pregnant again.". >> Totally. Yeah, >> I called my my [laughter] OB/GYN in. convulsive tears. >> Um, yes. No, I it was it it was a pure. like it was all meltdown. Oh, no. >> Because you had what a what, like a. 12year-old or or like a 10year-old and a. six-year-old or something? >> Yes. I mean, he must have been around 11. 12. Yeah. I They're 5 years apart each.

kid. None of this was by design. [laughter] Um, but yeah, I didn't know. it was physically possible. I was 44 and. >> um and actually Rowan was very. hardearned. I had to do two rounds of. IVF. Like it just was so unlikely. So. this is a funny story that I'm going to. share about my best friend. Okay. >> So um. >> and this is Ariel. >> This is Ariel. >> Okay. Ariel. >> She gets name checked a lot in these. things. [laughter]. >> Well, she is your therapist. >> and she's and she's other people's.

therapist, too. I would like her to be I. just ruined her career. Um but uh yes, so we we had this like uh spa day. scheduled and and I admitted to her and. I wasn't I wasn't coping very well with. the heat. I kept I was like, "I'm sorry. I'm such a [ __ ] I got to get out of. here." Anyway, and so I wasn't going to. say anything and finally I admitted I. was like, you know, I I totally lost my. mind last night and just decided that I. was pregnant. I went down this crazy. rabbit hole and finally like looked up.

what are the odds of naturally. conceiving at 44 and they're like less. than 1%. And I was like so that. obviously is ridiculous and she said. whoa. that's really weird because I had this. dream last week. She said it was really. vivid. >> and I told people about it. I mean, I. didn't say it was you, but I had this. dream where I was pregnant and I looked. down and I saw my distended belly and I.

said, "Oh, I'm Wait, but this is a. really this isn't my torso. This is a. long torso. This is Claire's torso.". >> You have a great torso. >> Thank you. But um yeah, and. >> she was in she was. >> she had this dream where she looked down. and saw that she was pregnant, but she. wasn't pregnant. >> She was in my pregnant body. And then. the, you know, I had two strong. cocktails when we had dinner and then. first thing in the morning hit the CVS.

and it was just like bold cap locked, you know. >> Yeah. >> Pregnant. [laughter] And I burst into. tears. [gasps]. >> Because for for me the thing would just. be like you know what you know now. You. know what you're [laughter]. >> I Well, that was that was deeply. humbling. Yeah. >> Because I realized oh I am not authoring. this thing like. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. This is really this is the. illusion that I am.

>> like driving this thing. >> Um, so you had to surrender. >> I really did. >> And then this beautiful girl emerged and. she's the best and none of it was up to. me and I'm just delighted. >> Yeah. But. >> but she was disruptive. We had to move. It was a thing. [laughter]. >> It was a lot of work. Well, it's. interesting like her origin story will. be I bet will just like naturally be. like you really wanted to be here. >> She did and she's psyched like she is.

all about it. She's having a great time. Um unequivocally like into this living. business. Um yeah, I mean I I it is that's the thing about. I think about the best and worst thing. about late 40s for me mid50s is. >> you kind of know the deal. So it's like. okay that's going to be this. >> and okay this one's going to hurt or. >> you know there's still stuff to discover.

certainly but there is a sense of. >> it's amazing to have so much of your. life like established. and you know. >> yeah um. realized like and set. >> well you've experience it's basically. you've uh you've come through things. >> and you've and you've made it you made. it through something. >> Yeah. And there's a lot of um I don't. [clears throat] know power in that and.

joy in that. >> and it's also sad cuz I'm really really. aware of time now. >> Me too. It's really like the thing I I. crave I crave time is my time is a. thief. >> Yeah. And it's and it's it's it's. actually and I'm sure you're this way. too more and more with work or with any. project. It's the thing I care about the. most. How much. >> and you know it makes me think about. your work on Homeland which was a 10year.

>> commitment. A lot of time hard work. >> Yeah. It was and and we were all over. the planet. Like we were in so many. different countries. >> Um and I had two kids. >> Yes. And I was like fighting terrorists. while deeply pregnant. [laughter] It was. weird. >> Did you have a um a thing like you liked. to do on that show when you saw on the. call she were like today I get to do. this, >> you know, because like was it like. today? Oh, and you know, maybe it was.

like today I get to. >> It was cool that after a while, like, you know, a few seasons in, people knew. Carrie Mat and and every it was almost. like an anthology series, like we would. reimagine ourselves every year. But, you. know, so a new set of actors, you know, I'd walk into a room and they would like. get quiet and be chasened and I like had. this this power that, you know, I I had. earned over seasons, you know, and that. was pretty fun. [laughter]. I'm back.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You know, and never. have I ever had that experience in my. life, nor will I ever again, even in a. fictional realm, you know, [laughter]. but that was like amazing to have that. kind of swagger. >> Yes. >> Um Yeah. And. >> and what was what was hard to shoot like. was it like I mean just like balancing. life, I'm sure, and traveling all over. because it shot everywhere. It shot all. >> especially when Brody died. Oh god, that secret.

>> Spoiler alert, Claire. >> I remember. So we It was also like. really rough. Just really graphic. Like. they really went there over like. >> come on. Intense. >> It was so intense. But like he dies on a. crane, but then the crane when we were. filming broke. Oh no. >> So like we were really hung up by that. Um. [laughter] um but uh I don't know. It. was like landing in a new because that.

was in where did we shoot that? That was. in Morocco. But yeah, so the first three. seasons we were mostly in Charlotte, North Carolina, which was standing in. for DC and then we would make these jags. like we would shoot a month in Israel or. Morocco or something. Yeah. >> But then [snorts]. >> when we when we had to really redefine. the show in a more me, you know, macro. way, we then became this traveling, you. know, enterprise. So we were shooting in. >> in Cape Town for half a year which was.

standing in for Palestine and. Afghanistan. The next year we were where. were we? There was a year in Berlin, then a year in New York, which yeah, that was kind of that was actually very. strange to be home and weirdly stressful. because like people expected me to go to. dinner. Like my friends were like, "You're here. Let's hang out." And I was. like, "I am working." So. >> I had to get tied up and beat up. tomorrow and then I get to tie someone. else. >> I can't do this and live my life. There. was something nice about being on.

location and just being allowed to like. give myself entirely to it cuz I didn't. have any energy to spare. >> That was actually weird. That was the. weird almost the hardest season because. I kept like I you know. >> there was this illusion that I was. living my life and I I couldn't. >> And then where were we then? We were. >> I don't even Then it was a full year in. Morocco. Wow. There was. >> What was What's Morocco like? >> Pretty great. I was nervous about. spending so much time there and I I I.

grew to really love it. Cyrus went to. school in all these places, too. So, he. he still can't eat couscous because he. ate it at every meal [clears throat]. every day for 6 months at this school. [laughter]. >> Um Um. >> that must be very cool for him to have. his memories of traveling. >> Yeah. I wonder what he you know what can. what he can consciously recall. I think. that he was like five or six. that six. that he could.

>> He also his first school that he went to. was in Berlin and he was he was around. three. >> and uh and he started to have temper. tantrums like half in German and he was. going nine nine and he'd be like whoa. suddenly this like sounds this is a lot. scarier in this language. [laughter] Um. and and he would around that time like. when we would come home and we'd be at. the playground at Washington Square. Park, you know, he would toddle over to. other tiny people and say, "Hi, my name.

is Sus. I speak English." Because it was. like not a given that another person. >> speak another language. >> Nine. If I could, you know, put a chip. in my brain and be able to speak in a. different language. >> Oh, same. Bat and fly. >> Yeah. Fly. >> I mean, >> yeah. >> Yeah. But the langu almost feels like it. has the same thrill level. >> And you know what I love about speaking. other languages is you have to do like a. version like a funny you almost you have.

to move your body and your face in a. version that feels insulting. It feels. stereotypical but you have to to get the. language right. >> Well, there is that kind of. >> Yes. You have to and you or if you're. Italian, you have to justiciculate or. like there's all these different things. Like there's a reason why people move. the way they do. Getting back to. movement. >> Yes. I love learning dialects for this. reason. I look I think humans are humans. and you know it is mostly a universally.

shared experience whatever that is. But. it's also true. >> that there are real differences and we. go we do like see the world through. these slightly different these different. filters and it does shape us and inform. us and that is also kind of amazing. >> Well, I'm really into that those kinds. of differences again without. appropriating them or getting them wrong. but because we are in a monoculture now. everything is the same now. So now it's. like I'm like wa the way you express.

this thing or the way you like language. still feels sometimes like a way. >> of getting into some new little world. and it's so like it's I I'm delight in. the ways that we're not the same anymore. because everything is the same. Every. [ __ ] store is in the same. >> Yeah. >> city kind of sad that we're not I mean. that is what we do. You and I do and I. think a lot of. >> Well, I don't I don't do. >> Well, you do. You totally do. You. imagine yourself in a, you know, as.

being a different person. >> True. But dialects are their own real I. mean that's a real that's real acting. >> Now look, >> look, I can't just I can't just riff. though. Like I'm this ooey person. If I. have a good. coach, I'm all about it. >> Do you like to improvise when you act or. >> I haven't had that many opportunities to. >> Oh, interesting. I don't I guess in I. guess in more dramatic stuff it's hard. to do, right? >> They don't let you. They're very strict. about. >> because they're on the crane. They're.

like, "He's up on the crane. You can't.". And you're like, "Just [laughter] give. me I just want to riff.". >> Yeah. Uh crane [laughter] work is pretty. strict. Um uh but no, I don't know. I I. would be really intimidated by that. actually. >> I feel like you'd be so good. I feel. like. >> that's scary. I I did one episode of. Portlandia and um they did give me pages. and then they disappeared and they. [laughter] were like, "Don't look at. this.". >> Yeah. And I was like, "But wait, I. learned them." And they were like, "Oh,

sorry. [laughter]. I don't know." Um and they were like, "You know what? We're just going to like. do it as we want to do it in the. moment." And I wanted to vomit. Um. >> I have I have no I worked at SNL and. it's where I realized like oh. preparation is this this thing that. people do. No um it's [laughter] this. thing it's this thing that when people. bring it to the process and someone says. like and also let's try this. It's hard. to not feel like wait.

what what are we doing? Like it's a it's. it is a learned skill to just assume. that things aren't wrong if we are not. doing what we prepared. Yes. I mean, I. am I mean, I'm ridiculous. I mean, I'll. go to the writer and say, "Is it okay if. I like put the comma here rather than. there?" And they're like, "Don't come to. me with this bullshit." Like, I'm sorry. [laughter]. But I And I think actually because I. started at such a young age, my socks. are still up to my knees a little bit,

you know, like there's still that like. >> little girl who's just wanting to do a. good job. Um, I don't know if that's. because I was actually a little like a. literal little little girl. Say that. five times fast. Um, when I began or. maybe that's just in me and would have. been if I started at 30. But I don't. know. >> Yeah, you you do such a good job. >> Thank you. >> You're so You're so good at your job. >> You do. You are so good at your job. >> and your job. I love listening to your. show. I listen to it a lot. >> Thanks. I heard that you love podcasts.

>> I love podcasts, but you have one of the. very best ones. >> Oh my god. Thanks. And it's it's um it's. it's really wonderful. >> Thanks, Claire. >> Really, >> speaking of wonderful, we do a thing on. this podcast where we talk to someone. who knows our guest. We talked to Mandy. Patenkin. >> Mandy. Mandy who I saw the other night. I. hadn't seen him for a long time. >> You said you guys were celebrating. celebrating Donnie. >> I mean, he is his I mean, you could tell. in the show, but I also loved knowing.

that outside of the show the. relationship you two had. It was it felt. very paternal, very respectful. There. was a lot of love there. >> I love him madly, truly, deeply. And. also, he's just an amazing person to act. with. Um, and. >> how come, >> okay, >> he's very musical. >> Um, but that this was a weird thing. In. the first read through, we barely met. each other. >> and. >> it just like the music worked, you know?

my cadence and his cadence were in. really good harmony. >> with each other and that was like can't. can't nobody can take credit for that. That was just really good fortune. >> and you know I played this manic person. I'm almost like getting into it now that. you're saying I'm thinking about it. So. [clears throat] she's like a stone. skipping, you know, on the water and. he's, you know, has a much, you know, has this like low pulse rate. >> as Saul and is so steady and is her.

ballast and, you know, this. counterpoint. Um, >> yeah. >> Well, he adores you. He calls you a. thoroughbred. >> Oh, well, thanks. He's just a really, really, really good performer. Um, I. don't quite know how he does what he. does, but it was also always fun to see. him. >> at the gym, the hotel gym or whatever. weird apartment complex we were living. in, like singing his Yiddish songs, prepping for his tour, like on a. stairmaster, >> right? >> It's just it's.

>> also I just love a big man. >> Yes, >> I do. I love a big man. Um, sometimes I. love feeling small like in relationship. Do you know the like the idea of like. big and small? >> No. which is basically like some days. you want to feel big and some days you. want to feel small. So some days you. want to be like I'm going to take us get. us to the airport. I'm in charge of. whatever. I'm big today. >> And other times you're like I want to be. small today. And it's like being taken. care of but also can just kind of feel. physical. Like sometimes when you're. like at, you know, I don't know, you're. bossing it up all day at work. You want.

to come home and feel small and vice. versa. And being able to have someone. kind of do that with you. >> It's like CEOs who go to the doms. >> Exactly. It's a subdom thing. Um, so. those are all Mandy's question. No, I'm. just kidding. Um, so Mandy wants to. know, are you No. Um, okay. So he had 10. questions for for us. >> That's a lot of. >> We're not going to We can't get to. >> That's a lot of question. This is Mandy. had 10 questions. >> Yeah, he really overprepared, which is. very nice, but also he couldn't get on. the Zoom and he was eating when he was. on the Zoom, too. So was it was like. mixed messages, but um um [gasps] but he.

was so. >> He was eating the lacas that he had. made. He was eating a delicious. >> the mayor. >> cinnamon raisin bagel I believe with. some other stuff on it. >> Um. >> and it looked delicious and. >> he likes peanut butter and an apple too. >> Oh, that's a great snack. That's a great. sad snack. Um okay, so you had a couple. questions. Who is better at setting. boundaries for the kids? You or Hugh? >> Oh, goes back and forth. >> Okay, that's good. >> Um Um So Cyrus wants to wear shorts.

He's like a gaffer. all the time. >> There's a whole thing. Do you You're not. on TikTok, I'm sure. >> No. >> Oh, congratulations. But um there's a. whole thing about middle school kids. always wearing shorts. >> It's It makes me so upset. >> Let it go. I'm here to tell you my boys. are older. Let them freeze their. bunneroonies off. Don't say one thing. Don't ever don't mention a coat. >> Okay. So, I've said 50 or below [laughter]. you have to wear shorts. Hugh is more.

teen size. [laughter]. >> If you're below, you have to wear pants. >> Yeah, sorry. Pants. Sorry. Thank you. And sudden now Hugh is like kind of. being more permissive and that number uh. uh went down to 40. So. >> there's a whole literally a whole. scientific thing about middle school. kids waiting for the bus in by. scientific I mean it's on Tik Tok. [laughter]. >> Um about kids waiting for the bus with. shorts. They boys love shorts in middle. school. It's a whole thing.

>> What? Okay, whatever. >> And they run hot and they're not going. to get cold from the cold. You know. that. And just let them do it. But they. will grow out of it. I promise. Then. they'll become obsessed with like sweats. and sleeping and being warm and they'll. always be freezing. >> Uh yeah. Okay. All right. >> It's just a warm period. >> I got that. >> My family thanks you. Um but but I. actually think that Hugh and I are. pretty we're very lucky. like we're well. matched humans and I think our our. parenting styles are are pretty level.

and equal as well. So that. >> it's good. >> You guys are a really really special. couple. >> Thank you. >> He's a very He's a swell dude. >> Yeah, you can tell. And you can tell you. have a lot like a lot of love and a lot. of like for each other. Both those. things are important. >> We do. And so many children now. >> Yeah. [laughter] So many. You're. outnumbered. You're out. Um anyway. Okay, Mandy's next question. >> And this now, now Mandy's referring to. himself in the third person.

>> Sure. [laughter]. >> Um, what is Mandy's father's favorite. chewing gum? >> Oh, um, it's the, uh, black. licorice. Oh, I embroidered something. for him. >> That's what he was asking. How did you. commemorate? Um because he he used he. would chew it as Saul because and I. think he mentioned at one point that but. I'm I'm forgetting the name of the. brand. >> Did it come like in a tin? >> Blackjack. Blackjack. >> Blackjack was the gum. >> was the kind of gum. >> Okay. And um and you made and you.

embroidered something. >> I went I went hard on the embroidery for. a while. >> Let's talk about this embroidery. You. embroider. Do you. I don't really. >> There was a point when I embroidered. everything around me. I embroidered an. umbrella. That was weird. Um, so my mom. taught me and you know it started. because in my 30s I was away from my. friends and we were at the everybody was. having babies and I was really missing. them and so I embroidered onesies from. my friends babies that I embroidered.

their name and then an image that. related to the name somehow. Um, >> but it was really more about just. communing with them. >> Embroidery by hand. >> Yes. Okay. Um and and it we started with. the onesies and then it just then it. went haywire. It's a great onset. activity. Yes. And I did it a lot more. before I had children. Um and I also. found the contrast amusing and enjoyable. like that. I would be fighting. terrorists as Carrie and then I would go. back to my seat and embroider.

>> knitting or crocheting. Do you do that? >> I went on a knitting jag too and then. that didn't take. So, I I embroider. onesies for, of course, all of my kids. And I have one [clears throat] for Shay, this third child. She's She She's It's. not She doesn't wear onesies anymore. I've missed that chance. >> It's okay. >> I'm confessing. I'm I'm actually. confessing to you, >> you know. I mean, you're supposed to do, you know. >> Anyway, >> you've done it all. I mean, no more. You.

got to start giving us. >> um uh That's what I tell every woman. And then, um I want to talk about the. beast in me. >> Okay. Um because I love the fact that. you are producing on this and I want to. know what that experience has been like. producing. >> I loved it. It was just really fun to. >> like, >> you know, hire people who I admired and. trusted. And you have a I mean you like. you said you've been producing probably. you've been producing without credit for.

a long time and you've been producing. and seeing you've been on sets for a. long time and you're realizing like oh I. want to I want I want to bring my system. here. >> Yeah. And that first week I was just I. was I just was had a blast. I was really. like I like everybody here and I. realized all right because you know I. asked them to the dinner party right and. um yeah and it was so nice to like. I don't know, not be surprised by the. home that suddenly I was discovering on.

the first day of filming. Like I got to. have a say on what that house would. actually be. And um yeah, I I really. enjoyed it and it was just like. >> a lot of Zoom calls. That's okay. Um but. they were conversations I wanted to have. and be a part of and yeah, so it's on. this next gig, I'm more of an actor for. hire. So, you're playing a neurosurgeon. and can we talk about The Pit? >> Sure. >> Cuz you love it. >> I do love it. >> What do you love about it? >> I Well, Noah Wy. >> I mean Noah Wy.

>> Okay. Did you watch ER when it was on? >> No, but I would think I was a little too. little. Yeah, >> it was on maybe while I was shooting my. so-called life. Is that right? >> I don't know. Maybe maybe I'm getting. that timing wrong. But um. >> yeah, I was aware aware of it, but I. didn't watch it. But no, he feels so. credible and I really think all those. hours he put in as a TV doctor have. acrewed and he has a kind of. gravitational, you know, gravity now. >> Yeah, he does this. He he it feels like. he's doing he's doing his blocking.

without thinking. >> I am so convinced. Totally. >> Um and uh No, and I just think it's it's. also like feels a little throwbacky. Like it's so nice to watch excellent TV. >> Love. >> Love. You've made excellent TV. >> Thank you. But I enjoy watching. excellent TV. >> It's my favorite thing to watch. TV are. better than movies. Sorry. [snorts]. >> TV's better than movies. >> I love movies. Movies are very special. >> I'm a little worried about movies. I. really am a little bit worried about. movies. >> Well, they got to get their [ __ ]. together. No, I'm just kidding. [laughter] I love movies. I love movies.

I love it all. Is there anything that. you watch I know you are a big listen to. podcast. Is there anything you watch. like just for like kind of brain. checkout fun? >> You know what? Okay. I know you ask this. sometimes, so I had a prepared answer. Um, there is. >> You're the only person that's ever. prepared. I want you to know this, of. course, Claire. >> But is it okay? Tim Robinson. >> Yes. >> So, he's he has this there's this one. sketch. >> Yeah. >> From the show focus group.

>> Incredible. >> You just got a O you just got a O from. >> We watch this all the time in our. family. Do your kids watch it? >> Well, so so all the kids are allowed to. watch this. So Cyrus is so we tuck the. little guys in and then then we have. like special mature viewing hour and it. started with like the Simpsons and and. then it was. >> Simpsons is always gay only murderers in. the building. >> Omib which is basically Scooby-Doo for.

grown-ups and um and it's great and and. then and it's and then Hugh English. husband introduced him to Monty Python. stuff. He got really into that. >> Yes. Um but now we've been watching. mostly because of this focus group um. his latest show which is the chair. company. >> Yeah. Which there was a. >> so. >> not safe for work moment [laughter]. >> in that show. >> I mean the whole genius of the show is.

that it takes you in very quickly to. places that you are not prepared for. [laughter]. >> So totally we're all like cuddling in. bed. And then there is this giant erect penis. and Hugh says, "Close [laughter] your. eyes. Everybody close your eyes.". Close up your eyes. [laughter]. >> Everybody close your eyes. We all We Yeah, it was intense. [laughter]. We're still recovering.

>> It was intense. >> Yeah, but it was great. So, we do love. that show. I think that like what Claire. what I understand why you would like. this because number one I think you are. like I've known you to be a very fun and. like comedy. You love comedy. >> I do. >> Yeah. And you have good taste. >> Thanks. >> And there's a tiny bit of a disruptor in. you that I imagine is fun to watch. >> Yes. I think you're right. Speak and we. the other thing that we've been watching.

is the latest South Park. >> Oh yeah. What you talk about? >> Wild. >> What? They're just saying the thing. >> Just a chicken in a hen house. A fox? No, it's a fox in a hen house. [laughter]. >> I didn't get that right. >> That makes me feel Thank you for that. Um, well, thank you. This is This was. amazing. This was so This was really. nice. >> This is so fun. >> Um, birthday present to me. >> No one's ever brought me a balloon. Thank you for bringing a balloon. And. again, for people that are sick of me.

talking about the gram, I don't know. what to say. I but let me just read you. this as we wrap up and see if any of. these land. These are things that annoy. an enog. Are you ready? >> Sure. >> People who talk just to talk. >> That's very annoying. That is deeply. annoying. >> And I have a podcast. But um [laughter]. yes, people who talk just to talk. FAKE. PEOPLE. >> BEYOND. I mean I'm like I literally if. someone's like I'm a I'm a piece of [ __ ]. or whatever. I'm like okay great. But. fake no way. Uh people who aren't on.

time. >> Uh I have to have some tolerance for. that because I am not the. >> same. I was late today. >> That yeah Jenna's always on the. >> most punctual person. >> And then this one really scratches an. itch for me. >> Others asserting power in a situation. where they have none. [laughter]. >> Okay. Uh, so I went through a period in. junior high where I became like a. vigilante and I [laughter]. I would like rough I would like confront.

the bullies for. >> hate bullies. >> Yeah. Really? And and I went to the. principal's office one time because I. like slap like I hit a bully. [laughter]. I slapped a bully and. >> Yeah, >> that's exciting. and we talked through. it, the bully and I and [snorts]. um and actually we made some progress. and then he was so differential to me.

and so and he would open doors like he. was really, you know, >> but um I I had to stop that because. >> it was like going on my record. Um. [laughter]. but yes, I mean so I think I yes that. that. >> I that makes sense that that would be. >> fantasy that I stand up to bullies and. that everybody sees it [sighs]. >> like that's that's my like embarrassing. fantasy that I stick up for people in. public.

>> when I so there was a [laughter] there. was a bully in elementary school and I. admitted to my mother at one point that. like my self soothing um fantasy it. would I there'd be a circle of people. and this boy and I would were at the. center of it and I was just beating the. [ __ ] [laughter] out of him. >> Yeah. >> And I was like, "Is that okay to have. that bandage?" She was like, "Your. thoughts are your own. [laughter]. >> Enjoy them.". >> Um, [clears throat]. which was a nice a nice bit of mothering. there. >> A nice bit of mothering there. Really,

>> we've come full circle back to New York. Back to the apartment. >> It did help. It was nice. >> Yeah. I could talk to you forever, Claire. >> I could too. Thank [laughter] you. >> Thank you so [gasps] much. It was so. fun. [applause]. >> Thank you so much, Claire Danes. That. was so fun. I could have talked to you. forever and uh you're so interesting and. smart and funny. Um so, thanks so much. for that time and for for uh the Polar. Plunge today. I guess I just want to. remind everybody how good Law and Order.

is, especially the first 10 seasons. Okay, just go back and watch, find. Claire as the young, you know, child. maniac and um just go back and and. here's a little tip. Whoever you. recognize, they did it. [laughter]. So, it's a young actor just starting. out, they're the murderer. So, take that. tip with you and go check out a little. show called Law and Order. I can't get. enough of it. [laughter].

And you know, it's these kind of new. things that I'm going to fill you in on. when you uh take the time to listen to. the Polar Plunge. So, thanks so much for. listening and um see you soon. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The. executive producers for this show are. Bill Simmons, Jenna [music] Weiss. Berman, and me, Amy Polar. The show is. produced by The Ringer and Paperkite. For The Ringer, production by Jack. Wilson, Cat Spalain, [music]. Kaia McMullen, and Alia Xanerys. for. Paperkite production by Sam Green, Joel.

Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. >> Want [music] a really good Hey.