Mindy Kaling | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hello everyone and welcome to another. episode of Good Hang. We have a great. one today. We are talking to Mindy. Kaling. Mindy, mogul, so good at so many. things. And we get into it today. We. talk about a lot of fun stuff. We talk. about acapella groups. We talk about. whether or not we think we can deliver a. baby. We talk about the fact that she has. written more episodes of The Office than. any other writer. And we get into her new show, Not.

Suitable for Work, which is on now on. Hulu. So, lots of great stuff to talk about and. like always, we we talk to someone who. knows our guest and has a question for. our guest. And speaking of Not Suitable. for Work, we have one of the stars from. that show, Avantika, joining us. Avantika, who you may know from the. movie musical of Mean Girls, a talented. young woman who is here to um. well, to grace our presence, really.

Avantika? Is my audio working? This episode is brought to you by. Hilton. Did you hear Paris Hilton has. like a billion Hilton Honors points? Well, she calls them Paris points and. Hilton is helping her give them all away. this summer. Use them for that wedding. or pleasure, that's business and. pleasure, or maybe book a stay just for. sleep. As Paris would say, that's. sliving. Just make sure you're a Hilton. Honors member and follow Paris and.

Hilton on the socials to see how Paris. points can be your points. When you want. points that actually make your summer. slay, it matters where you stay. >> [music and singing]. >> Hi, it's so nice to see you again. >> I know, it's so good to see you. >> Congratulations on all the good stuff. happening for you and no surprise. Where. are we talking to you from? >> Um I'm on set right now. This is why my.

makeup looks a little scary. >> Are you shooting not suitable for work. right now? Is that the set that you're. on? >> Can you imagine I'm soft launching. season 2? No, this is not the set. >> [laughter]. [gasps]. >> This is not the set I'm on. I'm on an. undisclosed set. >> Oh, exciting. >> I'm not at liberty to talk about it. >> busy, busy, busy. You know, we we first. met on the set of Moxie. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, how did. How do we How did we meet? Do you. remember? >> I don't remember like the first initial.

meeting. I just have a really vivid. memory of you of like walking out of. the school like the classroom and seeing. you and my dad like holding hands and. jumping up and down together because you. figured out you guys had the same. birthday because he loves talking. >> [laughter]. >> Are you both on your IDs? And I was. like, "Cool. Okay.". >> [laughter]. >> I'm glad everyone's getting along. >> [gasps]. >> Oh my god, he's a September 16th girly. >> That he is.

>> Sadly, I've learned it's a very common. September birthdays are very common, I. guess. Yeah, I guess people really get. down. >> What does it say about what does it say. about us? >> down in the holidays, I guess. >> I guess that we get bored. >> [laughter]. >> We get bored and we're bold. >> [gasps]. >> Well, I remember I directed a film for. Netflix called Moxie and it was filled. with an incredible cast and I remember. you came and joined us for a. a two brief scene, but a really fun day. And that's a real It's really cute that. your dad and I bonded.

>> [laughter]. >> I was reading up on you, Avantika, and. you're so impressive in the stuff that. you've done. And I didn't know that you. did a lot of Bollywood when you you were. younger. >> Yeah, it's how I It's how I started out. Um I think at the time I was 10 and any. parents like to make safe bets and it. was not a safe bet at the time to be. like, "Let's haul ass to LA and do this. for the rest of your life, but India was. a more prospective place if I wanted to. be in the film industry, and so we moved. there for like 4 years.

>> Oh, wow. They You moved there for your. career. >> Yeah. Yeah, my mom really like my mom. left her job. the day that I was born. She was like, I. want to spend all my time with my. daughter, and. she made a lot of sacrifices for me to. be in this industry, so I'm, you know, very grateful that now she gets to like. watch a TV show and then. like I'm my I hope she enjoys, and. yeah, she really is the reason that I'm. here, not to get all emo on everyone. But, [laughter] yeah. Um but, it's 7:00 in the morning for.

you. >> No, no, [clears throat] no. I'm ready to. cry anytime. Anytime. Okay, so let's. talk about your boss. So, we're. Okay, so I'm interviewing Mindy Kaling. today, whom I've known for a really long. time, and I'm really excited to talk to. her because. you know, we have a lot of similar. um experiences and paths, and one of the. things that I really want to talk to her. about is like what kind of boss is she. >> So, the first time I ever met Mindy was. in a parking lot um that she took me to. in LA because I had DM'd her when I was.

17 being like, I love you. I love you so. much. And she was like, okay. She was. like, yeah, like she was like, let me. have my assistant schedule lunch. And I. was like, oh my god. I was like, this is. the most exciting thing happening right. now. And she took me to a French. restaurant in a strip mall. in LA, and the seating is literally in a. parking lot, and my dad was like parked. 300 ft away. But, I love mentioning my. dad. My dad's like making a recurring. presence in every story. He's just. always proximate. And um he's actually.

in the room right now. Can you imagine? Um but, she [laughter]. took me to this French restaurant and. was like, we need to try escargot if you. haven't tried it already. So, my first. like one-on-one experience with Mindy. was like eating snails, and her being. this very She was like, tell me about. your career." She was like, "What do you. want in life?" And I I think the one. thing that always stood out to me about. her and. is one of Ever's favorite qualities. about her but having worked. on this set is that she's such a curious. person. Like she Mindy asks so many.

questions. She's just like down to. gossip. She's down to gab. Like she. knows about my love life. She knows. about all of our love lives. Like Mindy's just a really fun person to. be around. I really wish this time. around that she like we don't cuz we're. always scared of when we're going to. lose Mindy cuz like Mindy's first. priority are her kids and like her life. outside. And so this season we're hoping. that like we're going to get our claws. in her and like if we get renewed for a. next season, she won't let us go.

But she's best. I I think whether Mindy. knows it or like can really comprehend. it or not, she's like a present figure. in so many people's lives. That's like. sort of, you know, like a lot of people. view Mindy as a friend and a and a and a. role model or an idol whether it be. Kelly Kapoor or any of the characters. she's she's created. >> Yeah, and as an young Indian woman. watching her, what did it mean to see. her, you know, representing her life and on screen? Like what what what was that like as a. young person? >> I loved Never Have I Ever. I mean, when.

Never Have I Ever came out and trades. that it was getting made, I was like, "This is the most insane thing like I've. ever seen in my life." I was I was in. that when I so I would I auditioned for. Never Have I Ever and I was very young. when I went out for it. But I remember. being like in the waiting room looking. at the sign-in sheet for and being like, "Who are all the girl Like I want to be. friends with all of them.". remember telling my mom, like, "Can you. please memorize the latter half and I'll. memorize the top half and then we can go.

and like DM their moms on Facebook. because I really want to be friends with. all of you guys in the industry." And. >> And we all know how well DMs work for. you. >> I really really do. [laughter]. >> It always works. >> And my dream was perfect for that role. and she did like so so incredible. But. all that to say like she has a very odd. incredible way of bringing together. community and bringing together all. both off camera but also behind the. scenes as well. And I think watching her on screen meant.

the same thing as representation means. to more anybody which is that like oh. people like me exist and people like me. are deserving of being put on a big. platform. >> Very cool. Okay, so we. >> We have um We always do this thing where. we ask our guests a question from. somebody who knows them, respects them, works with them, loves and adores them. So what question do you have for Mindy. today? >> I'd like to know for someone who's. accomplished so much like what her. personal like EGO is. Like what her. four accomplishments that she wants to.

achieve in her life like spanning four. different categories. >> That's [laughter] such a big question. I. love. >> It's a big question. You'll get I'm. >> So wait. So the question is what like. which is like you've done so much what. more do you want to do? >> It's sort of like. like if I don't know like a personal EGO. would be like have four kids, get a PhD, spend like two years abroad, like you. know donating money and like the fourth. one is like I want to skydive. Like it. would like four things that you want to.

accomplish across like all sort of a. breadth of categories. Yeah, I guess. that is like I've sort of just like she. just does she's just done so much that. I'm like what more. >> That I mean it's it's an I bet she'll. have an answer. Um also there is a part. of me that's like or just rest. Rest now. darling. >> Right. Right. Right. Personal EGO. get put in a cryo chamber. >> Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay, I love that and um please. tell your dad. um.

that I can't wait to you know. psychically spend my birthday with him. again. And um it's so lovely to see you. and I know Mindy will be really happy. that we talked. Congratulations on your. new show, Not Suitable for Work, on. Hulu. And thank you so much for talking. to us. And and for all the great things ahead. for you. And um, such a pleasure to see. you again. >> So good to see you, Jill. >> You, too. Thanks so much for your time. Bye, honey. >> Bye. >> Bye. This episode is brought to you by. Allstate. Checking Allstate first could. save you hundreds on car insurance. Not.

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>> Mindy Kaling is here, everybody. Took. the red eye, which is I just got to say, that's that's brutal. >> Isn't it funny how in my 20s, it was the. only way I would do things? I'd shoot. The Office and then Friday night I was. like, take the red eye, get into I'd. >> [snorts]. >> I'd just be going back to Boston to see. my parents. And my dad would pick me up. at Logan at 6:00, we'd go to McDonald's, and I'd just sleep for 4 hours. >> Yes. It's so I was just talking to our. friend Rashida Jones about this. It's the lack of recovery. It's like we. can we can power through anything now,

you know, like you just suck it up and. power through, but it's there's no day. to sleep after. >> There's no day to sleep. >> No. >> So I just I just did a line of coke. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, and we're flying. >> And that's how I'm doing great. >> to brag about our careers and then we're. going to Yeah, we're going to crash out. in like 45 minutes. >> Um. >> Uh but you thank you for coming. Thank. you for being here. >> to be here. I know Remember when we used. to do David Letterman and the producers. would be like, "Do not compliment him.". >> [laughter].

>> He doesn't know what to do with it. >> That's right. >> And you were like, "Oh, so it's like an. insult to compliment a host.". >> [laughter]. >> And then now. I feel I felt like for other shows, too. I was like, "Don't do that." And then it. feeds into the whole thing of like, "It's not cool to compliment." It was. very formative when that producer was. like, "Don't compliment him.". >> true. You're right. >> act. And yet I love compliments. As a performer. And if someone came into. my show and was like, "I love the show.". I feel like. >> I love to give. I love to get. I mean, literally what are we doing? I mean, I.

>> I mean, like what are we going to be. like mean to each other? Like the world. is on fire. Like who. >> I love recognition. >> [laughter]. >> I love praise. So I just want to say. that I love the show. >> Thank you. I watch it with my nanny. >> [laughter]. >> On little perfect YouTube at night after. the children are down. And it's it's. like to it's such an intimate thing to. watch in the dark you talking to. like Baron Vaughn. Awesome. >> Our buddy. >> Kathryn Hahn. >> Oh, our buddy. >> Um and then and then have our little ads. on YouTube. >> You know, I was when I was getting ready. for today, first of all, congrats on.

being a mogul, straight-up mogul. Um mogul. Um. You don't have to explain. You take it in. You are a mogul, Mindy. Congratulations. >> Listen. Listen. I This is I know I'm. interrupting you now. >> No, please. >> Are you a mogul if you haven't invested. in a restaurant or sports team? >> That's a great question. >> Just cuz I want to accept. You know, I. love praise. >> [laughter]. >> We need to buy some kind of sports team. You're right. >> Kutcher. >> Yeah, you're right. know, like he owns. Uber and Geisha House, like. >> But I'm driven to call more women.

geniuses and moguls and all that stuff. cuz I think we just need to claim. >> Okay. >> So, let's claim that. Let's claim that. for you today. >> Thank you. >> And as a fellow Boston girl, >> Yes. >> I feel like when I was looking at, you. know, kind of like looking at all the. stuff you do and just thinking. thematically about. what to talk about today, I mean, we've had a lot of very similar. paths, you and I, and not just because. we were born like, you know, in in close. proximity of each other. Like, but but.

but we have really. I mean, we've been in this biz for a. minute. >> Been in this biz for a minute. >> And we've been together in a lot of it. So, it's very, very nice to see you and. to have you here. >> I love being here and to even be. someone that you would say is on a. similar journey because I you were a. little ahead. >> Yes, I was the I was 10 I'm like about. 10 years older. >> than you. For my generation, for anyone. who came up in New York and took classes. at the UCB and everything, it was like.

you were the one doing it. Like, you. were the one succeeding with all the. mean unaccepting friends in comedy. [laughter] Do you know what I mean? >> Well, yeah. I mean, I think both you and. I are used to, and I want to talk about. it. You and I are used to being one or. the only woman in a room full of men a. lot for a lot, especially in the. beginning of our career and what how. that shaped us. Cambridge, Massachusetts. You're born. and raised. Now, Cambridge was always. where smart people lived and their smart.

parents. >> Yes. >> Did you have Were you considered like a. smart kid in school? >> I was always considered a bright kid. Yeah. When I was younger, I think I was. like kind of silent and chubby and. friendly. >> Mhm. >> And that was my vibe and not funny. But, that was back I don't know if you felt. this way. That was back in the '80s when. like. girls weren't really supposed to be. funny. >> Right. They were kind of good laughers. >> Good laughers. And if you were funny or. tried to talk too much, it was kind of. like you were you had problems or you.

were like disruptive. [laughter]. >> You right. Like the mischievous girls. were the class clowns, which I look back. now and um. >> they were just like feisty, interesting. young women, but people thought they. were kind of troublemakers. >> Totally. >> in my school. Being Indian, too, so far. from the. But also like I felt like I was still. just like observing. >> Mhm. >> I noticed that like it wasn't until I. was like in middle school where I was. like the class clowns were guys were.

just like kind of outrageous. They. weren't really funny. But when you're 12. and 13, there is no difference between. someone who's like willing to like jump. off the side of the school building and. being someone who's funny. It was like. all just like one thing. >> Totally. >> No one was examining it, really. >> [laughter]. >> Right. Right. >> so for my parents, too, like at that. time being funny in school was so tied. to like kind of like an. again, disruptive, like non-academic. Like you don't have a good path if. you're like a funny kid. >> That's what I mean. Yeah, you're kind of.

like you're speaking out in class. You're kind of not paying attention. And. I bet you had the same thing. I mean, maybe maybe even more because your. parents, you know, moved to the US when. you when they your mom was pregnant with. you. >> Yes. Yes. >> And so like, you know, they're like, "We. don't need you to be the one that's. cracking jokes in class." And I I had. parents who were. uh teachers, so it was like, "Don't like. the funny kid is the one that's often. like the the teacher is having to deal. with." Yeah. >> But they but they call you Mindy.

They your nickname because from Mork &. Mindy. >> So it was a real like. >> That's a real. >> It's like a mixed message. >> my parents immigrated here in the 70s, and nobody in entertainment on either. side of the family. But they did like. love comedy. Loved it. Like and I think. for us too where it's like it wasn't. like we were coming home and having like. these you know always like these deep. chats. But we would just like sit in. front of the TV and watch messy TV. They. love Seinfeld.

They love Friends. They love The Cosby. Show. It was a great. >> Sure, I mean we all did at one point. We. all did at one point. >> Um but I remember so distinctly when I. was like 11 or 12 and I was of course. like obsessed with Saturday Night Live. >> Yeah. We would watch Chris Farley. >> That was that your like cast? >> Yes, it was like Sandler, Chris Farley. But honestly like from Dana Carvey to. Bill Hader feels like the time which is. a long span. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But we would see Is it Matt Foley? >> Yeah. >> Matt Foley.

>> Yeah. And that character, Chris Farley's. character down by the river. >> Down by the river. Classic iconic. character. And he's like I think one of. the funniest people of all time. >> And when he you know he'd fall on the. coffee table and I remember laughing at. it so. so much and showing it to my parents. like recording it. And I remember my mom. being very worried and [laughter] being. like cuz I was overweight and I think. she was like and so she was like I don't. she once sat me down when I was like 14. and was like I don't want you to be like.

that. >> Oh, that's really interesting. Right. like don't don't feel like you need to. be a clown. >> And I think she thought that like okay. my overweight daughter who's not fitting. into like the mainstream of culture will. feel like the way to be accepted and. funny is to be like Chris Farley. Now. the majesty of Chris Farley like I would. only be so lucky as to have been like. Chris Farley but as a girl in the. mid-90s that was like not a great path. >> I love that we're talking about this cuz. it's such a interesting. uh.

uh. point which is young women especially in. the late 80s and 90s they're way into. comedy. Like how you get in. was really fraught in a way that men. just did not have to worry about. They. didn't have to worry about being. physical and that seeming like it was. putting people off. They didn't have to. worry about like them being too. sexualized. They didn't have They didn't. have to worry about a ton of stuff. I. think that much like you, watching. comedy at a young age and being like, I.

don't know I wanted I want to live in. this world. I don't know how to get into. it. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And it was inhabited by really loud, physical men for the most part. And then. finding the women who I loved, who I. just kind of studied. And for me it was. like, okay, where did they study? Where. did these women start? So I was like, oh, I want to go to Chicago. Like I'm. just going to go there. And when you. were like, did you do comedy at. Dartmouth? >> Yeah, I did. >> improv? >> short form improv. We all did. You know,

[laughter] it's so funny. The two things. that brought me so much joy in college. are so mortifying to me now, but it's. where I made so many great friends. I. did short form improv with the Dog Day. Players at Dartmouth. >> And I was in Dog Day Players still. there? >> Dog Day Players is still there. >> Incredible. >> And they're so and every so often, like. every couple years, I'm sure you feel. this way, like they'll come to LA and. I'll meet them or I'll see them at. Dartmouth when I go up. And they're so. cool now and they do long form and they. they also have that like studying thing. where they've seen every episode of.

Parks and Arrested Development and Larry. Sanders. You know what I mean? Like they. know everything. A kinship to these. people that are 25 years younger than. me. Um but. the difference is that like the guys in. the troop are feminist, the women are. unafraid to be with to be who they are. They're all sort of activists. Like all. the stuff that I struggled with back. then to do because it wasn't um. appealing. >> Yeah, we also did. >> I wanted to be as like funny as Adam.

Sandler and do Operaman, but I also. wanted a boyfriend and to lose my. virginity. And in the late 90s, it was. like those two things were maybe like. did not they seem mutually exclusive at. the time. >> Acapella group you were also in. I love an acapella group. >> Yes. Yes, I was in an acapella group. >> And what song did you ever have a solo? >> I had a one solo. >> And what was the song? >> 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton. >> Yes. >> Um sang it badly. It was one of those. things. You know what's nice is like I.

[laughter] don't have a good voice, but. I have like a I can like carry a tune. I. think I have a good enough voice for a. comedy person. And it was like that nice. thing about being in a group of women. cuz they're like clearly one person. should have all the solos, but they're. like no, no, no. That's not nice. Like let me do you have. a solo. So, we would I would sing 9 to. 5. >> Yeah. And that acapella group's name. was? >> Hey man, it was called the Rockapellas. >> Okay. >> I mean I just I love a I love a pun. >> Um It's called the Rockapellas. At the. time it was considered to be the coolest.

the coolest group if you were a woman at. Dartmouth. >> Of course. >> And I mean I for my humble opinion it. was. >> I think acapella is very cool. And also. now I would say it is cool because. >> Baby, this is such a bunch of. Like you're being so nice here, but it's. so lame. >> No, no, I disagree. I don't Here's why. because even then, I don't even mean in. hindsight, anyone who tries something. >> Yeah, okay. >> that's cool. >> I guess if you apply like the golden. [laughter] rule of like we should all be.

putting ourselves out there, then it is. cool. But um. It's like when you have people being. like shooby dooby be bops. Like that's. not. >> I know. It was the same thing with. improv. Like like improv like you know. >> Short form improv And I again, all my. formative years, some of the all the. boys I had crushes on in college were. doing like short form improv. Terrible. Terrible. And yet um it's so lame. Long. form improv is cool though. Stand up is. the coolest. Back Back then like if you.

were in improv or sketch group, you'd. have your like costumes and wigs, or. you'd be warming up and stuff like that. You're right. A cappella and improv both. you have to warm up, like usually. outside. You're like zip zap zapping. That's not a cool art form. And I used. to be like, "We're cool." But then I'd. see like a stand-up who just literally. like throw their cigarette on the ground. with a leather jacket and go on stage. and I'd be like, "Oh, okay." After you. left Dartmouth, did you move to New. York? >> I lived in New York for 3 years. And you.

had some fun I always love to ask people. about their fun jobs, like their weird. jobs. You had some good weird jobs, right? What were some of your weird. jobs? Uh, the weirdest job I had was that I was a. PA at Crossing Over with John Edward, right? This psychic. The psychic. Right. And he would do. readings in the room and be able to tell. if someone had like a dead relative who. was trying to contact them. What was. weird about it? >> Um, all that. I can't believe you're. asking me [laughter] what's weird. Cuz.

you're like, "Now, do you believe in. Do you have Have you ever had a psychic. experience? Do you go to psychics?" I am. not I don't I don't go to psychics. psychics, but I would. Same. And I've. gotten As I've gotten older, even though. I know more, I've gotten more. superstitious than I used to be. To. quote Michael Scott, "I'm not. superstitious, but I am a little. stitious.". I kind of feel like. you know, there's there's all different levels of. like woo woo, as Rachel Dratch would.

say, like like and whether or not you're. open to it in your life. And it is kind of a funny catch-22 where. people are like, "You have to be really. open to it for it to Like you have to. open your channel for it." I have the. most illusory astrological sign and the. most illusory number on the enneagrams. >> Wow, I love to Cuz there's no loser. number in the enneagram, but what would. be your loser What would you think is a. loser number? And I'm six. Well, but I would say a six. is very sharp. Like a six is like.

>> Thank you, Amy. >> I but I but I have to say I don't know. that much about sixes. >> Yeah, because it's, you know, but it's. the most common number. >> It is? >> Yes. >> Yeah, I definitely think it's accurate. I feel seen. I haven't been able to use. it practically to make my life better. >> you some fun, um, gifts or gifs, however. you like to say. >> Please [laughter] send me some gifts or. gifs. >> to send you some fun Enneagram six gifts. or gifs. >> You're going to love. I think they're a. lot like, um, the Harry Potter homes, you know, that like where everyone's.

like I'm a Gryffindor Harry Potter. thing. >> Um. >> Right, everyone is. >> I'm straight up Slytherin. >> Dude, that's cool. Slytherin is cool. I. wish I was a Slytherin. >> you? >> I I want to be a Gryffindor, but no, I. think I'm a Hufflepuff, which is also. fine. >> I want to refute it, but listen. >> All right, see I'll I'll right back at. you, okay? But back to you, okay, so you. had some interesting jobs, but I want to. talk about Matt and Ben for a second. because. >> Ah. >> that show was I remember when that show. for people that don't know, what was.

Matt and Ben? >> Yes, okay, so I was babysitting at the. time. >> and my friend was a substitute teacher, and your public school substitute. teacher, my friend Brenda and we were. kind of miserable. >> Mhm. >> and I had applied to be a page at the. NBC page program, and I was certain I. was going to get it, and then I didn't. And so we were just kind of like. low-level depressed, like post-9/11, just like in jobs, like why am I even in. New York? Like I have no access. anything, and we started just. improvising, and I kind of adopted this.

character of like Ben Affleck in. quotations, cuz obviously we didn't know. them at all. And she did Matt Damon, and. then we were like, we'd just be doing. these characters for like 10-15 minutes, and we're like, could we do something. with this actually as opposed to just. like entertaining ourselves? And all of. our friends thought it was so stupid. >> Yeah, great. >> And we just said like let's write a. little play about the creative process. between friends and competition, which. has been interesting to me for a long. long time. And competition between.

friends who you dearly love each other, but you're also looking out for. yourself. And um we were we were 21 or 22 writing. about what we imagined Matt Damon and. Ben Affleck were when they were 21 22. It's so psychotic. Like if I was Matt. Damon and Ben Affleck, I'd be like this. is. >> Have you ever talked to them about it? >> I have not. Matt Damon once and Ben. Affleck like a handful of times. And um. I think they think it's weird. >> [laughter].

>> This is a real person. They've been been. nothing but gracious. >> Of course. >> for this very strange thing. I would not. be nice if someone was playing Mindy. Kaling in a play. I would try to destroy. them with my lawyers. >> [laughter]. >> My team of lawyers would descend upon. them and crush them. But to their credit. Matt Matt uh and Ben Affleck have been. >> Ben played What if Ben played you? That'd be pretty fun. >> I'd be I'd try to crush them with my. lawyers. >> Yeah. >> Cease and desist, babe. >> Just right away. Like they'll padlock. the theater door. >> I'm going to take all that good. [laughter] accountant money from you. >> Yeah. >> And the accountants, too.

>> I remember even at the time I was like. this is radical because it was exactly. it was like two young women kind of. assuming. what would be like in the heads of like. you know, they were. Matt and Ben were archetypes for just. like young men like working together and. figuring out life together. But I. remember you guys making that show and I. was like this is radical. This is like. we're just. >> so. >> It was. It was very cool. >> Well, thank you for saying that. I mean. it was so liberating to not have to.

worry about being pretty. Like we were. dressed as men. It was um obviously we. didn't invent camp, but we got to. discover how fun it was to just play. men, but really real. >> Yeah. >> Um and it was great to just uh we didn't. have to worry about any of the things. that our contemporaries were kind of. worrying about cuz we wrote the script, we directed it ourselves. >> Yeah. >> And um. >> It went to like Fringe, right, Edinburgh? >> did it at um the Fringe Festival. We got. into the Fringe Festival. We won the. Fringe Festival. Then it moved off.

Broadway. And that's when it started. getting like attention. That's when like. like a couple celebrities came and saw. it. And that's how. it moved to LA and how I got hired on. The Office. >> You go from Matt and Ben to basically. being the only woman in a writer's room. at The Office. >> Yeah. >> You are not the only woman and the only. woman of color in a incredibly smart, hyper-talented, and. nice group of men, but yes, who um but. still it is your first job. >> Yeah. I mean, you come from that world. It's competitive and it's like.

And so I think that going into that. room, like a lot of people now will be. like, "Wow, I can't believe you got. hired on The Office. You were so young. You must feel so great." When you were. like looking when I look at the people. who were I was working with, they had. been working since they were 21, you. know, and had already had Emmys. So I. still felt like I was behind. So I think. but I will say also like I was such a. workaholic. It helped that I was like. friendless in Los Angeles and had no. hobbies cuz I was just obsessed with.

work. I was dazzled by like Mike, B.J. Novak, Greg, you know, and. >> And who wouldn't be? Like I had never. been in a writer's room and then I'm. with these guys who are like even to. this day I consider some of the very. best. >> Yeah. >> comedy writers. Then later like Lee. Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky, like just as. dazzling. >> Yeah. >> And so I really wanted to impress them. I really wanted to date some of them. Yeah. Um and I was varying degrees of. successful in those in those aspects.

>> was that written like how did how did. you find out you were going to be on the. show? >> The way that I got the part was. I think B.J. had written this episode. called Diversity Day. And one of I think. one of the funniest episodes in The. Office ever incredible and [snorts] Greg. decided that it would be the second. episode and in order for it to be funny. that like Michael Scott was offending a. room of people it didn't it wasn't as. funny if it was just like all white like. you needed to be offending some people. and so I was so lucky to be in the.

writer's room and being Indian cuz he's. like would you play someone that he. offends and then slaps him and I was I. was just content to be a comedy writer. for the rest of my life that was like my. dream come true so to be on camera was. like just like outrageous the one thing. I think is so groundbreaking about The. Office was that at that time the odds. like. to be on a show where you didn't have to. be like a straightforwardly hot woman.

like the whole point is you know and. this is a real Greg Daniels thing it's. like what is beautiful is what is real. and that wasn't very many shows frankly. there was like I also like love and I'm. sure you feel this way too actually. maybe you don't but I love being a meme. it makes me feel young are you kidding. me it's my dream when people send me a. like I've actually been like can I send. people meet my own memes. >> Oh do it it's such a mic drop. >> but I. it is there's no higher compliment.

>> I send people memes of Kelly saying. [laughter] this day is bananas. [clears throat]. all day long to David and Ike. >> I mean Kelly Kapoor is the to me the. definition of what the young people. would say like someone who has main. character energy. She is in her own world her own show and. in that show. >> It's fun to be and nice I think to be a. the you know she is a tertiary character. but believes she's a main character. that's like a really nice she has one. line every three episodes.

>> Yeah but she's in her own very like. intense play and drama forever and then. the show does like I I would say like. any good character like the show like. you know and you know from writing like. you start to realize like what people's. strengths are and you start to write to. it. The show starts to realize like oh what. Kelly can do is like be in this kind of. fierce competitive fantasy world that. can allow us to like like you shoot a. lot of threes in that show because um. you like thank you they that that that.

character is able to go to some really. sharp and funny places. >> Well she thinks she's the hottest person. at the office and like feels bad for. Pam. >> she is. >> You know and thinks like Ryan's a huge. catch. Um and that she's like destined for you. know fame and so that is a fun I mean. it's so fun to play like delusional. characters and then to be able to then. be delusional on The Mindy Project with.

a different character was was fun. >> that's a good segue because you go from. you I just want to say you ended up. writing more Office episodes than. anybody else. >> Thank you for saying that. >> Okay so everybody needs to know that. >> [laughter]. >> So all your Office episodes that you. love that everybody's watching every. night there's high probability that. Mindy wrote it. >> my publicist was like this is a a. talking point that needs to come across. Amy. >> I mean I could talk about this with you. forever and maybe it's too kind of. inside baseball but the way you enter. the business you entered the business as. a writer.

and then. like. in that same time became a performer and. and you're also a producer and all those. things have like different pros and. cons. You really did do it for Mindy. You created you were like I'm going to. write create and star in this show and. there's there's nothing harder. >> That's so hard. >> Um and there's nothing more gratifying. Like I was so obsessed with it. I mean. and then coming from The Office where. I'd been there for eight years had like. a line every episode. You know I I I.

thinking about like recently just like. call sheets. >> Yeah. >> And to be like, the call sheet for. people who don't know, but they they. might know, is, you know, it's every day. it just announces the hierarchy of the. production. >> I uh I love a call sheet so much. Yeah. I could stare at it forever. For people. who don't know, it's one piece of paper. that tells you your entire day, week, >> month, and in many ways your life. You're exactly right. It tells you who. is number one, who is number two, who is. number three, who is number four. >> It lists the importance in descending. order of the [laughter] people that are.

there. And so for years on that show, as. is obvious and and should be like, Steve. is number one, playing Michael Scott. And Kelly is number 11. >> Mhm. >> And it's not like I, you know, to come. at the we just talked about the first. season when I was just lucky to have. that first, you know, in episode two, being able to be in that scene with. Steve, and to be able to be in SAG, and. be able to actually do all that, that's. huge. But eight years later, >> Yeah. >> I was like, number 11 gets a little old. And I was like, I really want to see.

what it's like to literally just have. more lines. >> Yeah. >> And to be able to take on the thing of. like, being the comedy engine of a show. >> Mhm. >> And I, you know, I talked to Ike a lot. about this, and I think you did this. with Parks, and probably on SNL, too, but like, it's a skill to be able to be. the star of a sitcom, and come in and. just be like, my engine is on from 7:00. in the morning until we wrap. >> Yeah. >> And I am just like, I had to bring the. best out of other people, >> Yeah. >> and wake them up first.

>> Yeah. And you're kind of like a constant. host. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And it's. >> Exactly. >> watching people leave all day. That was. the other thing that was so sad. >> You're just waving goodbye to everyone. you're wrapping. >> They're like, have a good weekend. You're like, you too. Like, it's just. the saddest goodbye. >> But at the same time, I felt like the. days were so much shorter than when I. had one line at The Office. >> Yeah. >> Like, the day flows by. >> Yeah. >> because it's just like funny scene after. funny scene. Entire departments who are. there to help you do your job the best, you know? And that was like such a joy.

I mean, it's so obvious to say this. about being a star of your own show, but. like that was It was what I was longing. for to assemble my own writing staff, so. many of whom like. Lang Fisher, Tracey Wigfield, Ike Barinholtz who are doing a great new. show right now, Four Seasons with Tina, yeah. And so to be able to work with all. these people that made me better, inspired me, and. >> Let's talk about our friend Ike. Barinholtz who was here and who you met. on that show and Dave Stassen. Those. guys are I mean,

let's just Ike is Ike is listening, so. we should say something nice about him. >> We should say something nice about him. Um. >> Look at us making sure that the white. guy is taken care of. >> Feel comfortable and seen. >> Look at us. >> It's just because, you know, his. personality is that like he would he. would do that for us. >> He would. The other thing is that I love that. you've spoken about with The Mindy. Project is like in many ways it is a.

tribute to your mom. >> Yeah. >> And because your mom is a. OB/GYN nurse doctor? >> Doctor, yeah. >> Yeah, sorry. OB/GYN doctor. >> people, that's a huge distinction. >> I. >> [clears throat]. >> was so disrespectful to your mom. Um okay, so she cuz she wasn't a doctor. doctor though, was she? Oh, she was a. doctor. She was a woman doctor. Um surely surely she was taking notes. and the male doctor was. >> Yeah, the male doctor would come in and. be part of it. >> No, but but your your character was kind. of a tribute to her and your mom.

Can you speak a little bit about your. mom? You spoke You speak about her all. the time and I she seems amazing. >> my mom. So the character on The Mindy. Project, I mean, she was she couldn't. have been more different than my mom's. personality. Um. but I loved the world of playing an. OB/GYN. My mom's had such a great. personality because she spent her entire. day with women telling who told her the. most personal things about their love. lives and reproductive hopes and just. everything and all their problems. It's.

such a personal relationship. And to. have a world like that, I it was like. honestly some of it was laziness. I. didn't have to research that much. I. just understood what the office looked. like and what the nurses were like and. so um but so that was that. I also think. it's nice for a lead character in a show. particularly when the character is so. out there and sort of selfish and flawed. have such a. selfless job. >> Yeah. >> helping women. You were like inherently. she's a good person.

Even [clears throat] if all she says all. day is that she wants to get married and. get railed by hot men. You know what I. mean? Like you're like, [laughter] okay, like she's helping women through their. the some of the hardest transitions of. their lives. >> feel like you could after doing that. show, do you feel like you could deliver. a baby? >> Do I feel like I could deliver a baby? >> Do you think you could? >> like I could affect the confidence that. could really put a woman at ease. >> Oh, yeah. >> Do you know what I mean? And I think. this is this is like a real stupid actor. overconfident talk. I feel like I could. feel.

>> I think you [laughter] could. >> I've had three kids. I feel like I was. watching. >> Yeah, I feel like you could deliver a. baby. Like I I I think I mean. I have a problem where I think I can do. things that I wouldn't be able to do. >> what? >> Deliver a baby. >> Deliver a baby. >> I feel like I could. I don't want to, but I feel like I feel there's a part of. me that's like, I could at least be. enthusiastic about like getting people. to push. >> I think there's some some parts that. would freak me out a little bit. >> Yeah. >> Sewing a lady back up? >> Yeah, we don't we don't need to do that.

>> Let the let the nurse do it. >> We'll we're going to get somebody to. come in and finish it up. >> I just mean the the delivery. >> Yeah, I don't think I could do a. C-section. >> Like I I have a Yeah, no C-section, forget it. >> No, I'm not going to do that. You know. what? I take it back. >> [laughter]. >> We shouldn't do it. Um we shouldn't do. it. We shouldn't be around anyone who's. pregnant. Um um oh and then before I. move on to your more TV stuff, I do want. to talk about we had a really fun trip. one time you and I where we went to. Canne together.

>> Yeah. >> For Inside Out and it was like I've. never been before or since. I've never. been back to Canne. >> glamorous. >> And it was very glamorous. It was the. first time I'd ever been on that kind of. like international like press tour like. on the steps of the. >> Amy, I think about that press tour so. much. >> too. I think about it a lot. >> One it was so hot and sweaty. Very hot and sweaty. Like we were always. like in the beating sun. >> Yeah. >> And.

like but beautiful. >> Yes. >> But like always like I was sweating. through my clothes constantly. And I. remember this distinctly and maybe this. is offensive that we would be doing like. an international junket and unlike an. American junket it would be like the. cushions would be like where I don't. know maybe cuz of I don't know. culturally it was just a. >> Ruder. Let's just say it. >> Why are you you are so fat smiling but. your your face is not nice to look at. If your face is not nice, why do you. think that people like to look at your. face? >> In America a fat and smiling woman can.

be starved. >> [laughter]. >> We've read you can you have your own. sitcom but you are fat. >> Yes. >> You are obviously Hufflepuff and yet you. believe you're a Gryffindor. >> Stuff [laughter] like that. >> You play Joy but you are not in your. 20s. >> Yes and you didn't smile at me when I. was asking you a question so I don't. find you joyful at all. >> And so okay, remember you know that. Javier Bardem clip when he's on a junket. that has gone viral where someone's like. he was working with Penelope Cruz and.

he's. a European journalist is like so you. work with your wife. You must be crazy. to work with a woman like that you're. married to. Most people would want to. kill themselves if they had to do such a. thing, and he's like, I find that very. offensive. >> [laughter]. >> And I was like, watch that. And I was. like, oh, like, it's only like, can you. I can never imagine sticking and being. having a spine in an international press. junket and being like, how dare you, sir? I was like, just laugh and just say. >> I feel Let me ask you, what are your.

generational. pronouns? How do you identify? Are you a. millennial? Do you identify as. millennial? >> Hey, this is a this is a very sore topic. for me because for a while I was. considered a xenial. >> Okay. >> Which was a I Have you heard of the. xenial? >> Zelen- zeleni xenial. Xenial. >> No, I don't I'm This is making you be a. millennial. >> This is making me feel millennial. >> But I was like, oh, thank god because. [laughter]. when I was growing up like when I was. like in middle school it was like the.

movie Singles was out. >> Yeah. >> And I was like, that's to me Gen X. That's Gen X. >> know, Ben Stiller. >> That's Gen X, right? And then now the. xenial went away and now they're just. like people are just like you're Gen X. Like I can never like we're all Gen X. together. >> have. That's not true. They they're making. themselves younger than they are. You. have a lot of Gen X qualities, I will. say, and I love Gen X, so I love Gen X, too. But you have but you're 10 years. younger, so you might be like. millennial. To your point about.

pleasing, like getting somebody's hard. to please, I I realize I have that with. boomer men. >> Interesting. >> They're just a little bit like in their. mid-65. I'm like, It's a little like boss. >> I You're saying. >> situation. >> that may it so resonates with me cuz I. felt that way about Greg Daniels. >> Yes. >> Greg and like Conan. >> Yes. >> You know, and then obviously all the. SNL people that were there when you were. there. Like I feel exactly the same way. But now I'm technically the same.

generation, which is breaking my heart. >> a little weird. >> But I do feel that way because. >> We're were. We didn't talk about Conan. You were You. were. You did get that page job. >> I was an intern at Conan. >> Oh, intern. >> didn't When I was still in college, I. applied to be an intern at Conan. That's. actually that job is what made me. thought that I maybe would get the page. job. >> Yeah, got it. >> Because those internships were like. considered hard to get. >> Mhm. >> Um, and that's where I first learned. what comedy writers did. Although, like.

a variety show comedy writer is like. such a different job than like a sitcom. comedy writer. >> And I actually think the personalities. of a variety show comedy writer is very. different than a sitcom guy. >> Wow, how how is it different? >> I think that there's. Well, I think of one is like a. quintessentially New York job. Although, of course there's variety shows on the. West Coast. And one is like an LA job. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I think they are both very funny, but. there's like a more. This is not true, but this is the way I. thought of it. But like there was more. of like a cerebral, darker energy to.

a New York variety show writers, right? Where it was like joke, joke, jokes. How. do we get the best jokes? Monologue, sketches, like it's got to be like quick. and funny and then you're done. If you. live or die by hard jokes. And then the. sitcom writers, which is like story and. let's think about the characters. And. And so, um, as someone who wanted to be in the New. York world, but was that was slammed The. door was slammed shut in my face. I kind. of came up in this other world. And so, I always thought like, "Oh my god,

that's so intimidating." That's why. That's why I guest wrote on SNL. >> Right. >> Which is where I I think that was the. first time I met you. >> Okay, we I was trying to remember the. first time we met. Was it when you were. guest writing? What year was that? >> 2005. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And that was when I met you and. Tina. And I remember this, and I don't. know why. I remember this story, and I'm. not proud of it. And I don't know why I. would possibly come up with two women. that I admire and just came up I don't. know, but we were somewhere and I was. like, "Yeah, I just want to lose 30 lb.".

And the two of you stopped and we're. like, what? That is too much weight. And. I remember. I was so happy for like three weeks. after that. I was like, wow, Amy and. Tina don't think I'm a fat load. Like I. was so. happy. Even in the odds, like you guys. are like, what? Are you crazy? But I was. thinking like, why would I have. told that to them? That's so weird. >> I I would say because if if if we're to. get real, it's because that's how women. talk to each other. Is that I think it. is. Like I think we all like.

>> Oh, Weight Watchers. It was cuz at the. time there was a conversation about. Weight Watchers. >> you know, we were like we just like. everybody else were like constantly. trying to figure out um everybody's. relationship to being on camera. And I do think that for better or for. worse, what women do for. each other and to each other is they. talk about their bodies to each other. Like We are we like you know, it's one. of the things I love so much and I I I'm. sure you're the same way. Like I love. about my female friends is I can really. say like I'm feeling this way and that.

way and it's kind of how we like say. hello. >> No, I mean, I think to be able to be. with two of my heroes and have them. acknowledge cuz you could have easily. been like, we don't ever think about it. We're naturally thin. >> Do you know what I mean? I can't. imagine. >> Yeah. People are like, I don't know what. you're mean. I don't understand. >> I It's I just eat whatever I want. >> I mean for you to say [laughter] that to. say that to that you weren't just like, we are naturally thin. We eat whatever. we want. You didn't And so I think that. that was an I think a really It was a.

kindness for you to acknowledge like, oh. yeah, that so I could I could see that. in my heroes. But it it is really It is. really fascinating and nice that culture. has changed so much. >> It has but I mean it hasn't and it. hasn't, right? Cuz we're still asking. people about their weight. We're still. asking people about their bodies. I. mean, I actually really try I I I have a. couple like rules that I never say out. loud on this podcast, but one of them is. I try not to talk about people's bodies. Cuz it's like. people's bodies are their own business. >> If you had the the male cast of Off.

Campus here. >> Yeah. >> I want him I just want him to throw me. against that bookshelf. >> Yeah, and they'd and they'd flex and. they'd be fine with it. I know, it's a. fine line. >> And you can't. >> Yeah. >> But you can't. >> Um but but you break it's good that you. can't. >> [laughter]. >> It's good that you. >> Okay, but this is a good segue into. the Okay, cuz you have to. >> Into into [laughter]. Well, into Not Suitable for Work. >> Okay. >> Yes. Yes. What you can't do. Yes. What. you can't do. >> Yeah. I'm so surprised. I was wondering, what is this a segue into?

>> But you're you're you have a new show. out on Hulu, Not Suitable for Work. And. it is you've called it kind of the third. in a trilogy. >> Can you. >> I'm really trying to get that I have a. trilogy that I'm like Peter Jackson. >> You have a trilogy. >> a trilogy. Just like me and. >> I mean, you One of the things about. being a mogul is you have to start. talking like everything you did was. like a perfect. you know. >> It's all part of a master plan that I. >> plan. >> I have to embody that more. That things.

are not just like accidental. >> No. It's not a series of a. >> Whatever's happening. >> No. You're right. >> This makes sense because this is the. third in the installment. But you have. made three TV shows. Never Have I Ever. um. >> Sex as a College Girl. >> Sex as a College Girl, thank you. And um. Not Suitable for Work, please. All three. are like I mean, I they're very very. different. But what would you say is a. unifying theme in all of them? >> I think I love writing for underdogs. >> Yeah. >> and ambitious people and people with.

lots of big wants and needs both like. romantically and professionally and who. feel like they don't have access to it. >> Mhm. >> And um that's sort of I think the thing. in common with all three of those shows. >> Yeah, and it's. >> A little of horniness. >> Working on Not Suitable for Work, I. mean, this cast is um they're so funny. They're so good and they were all None. of them were unknown. They had all had. like a lot of success, but I wouldn't. necessarily say that they were like. super super well-known yet. But Will.

Angus was in a very popular sketch. troop. Ella Hunt was on that wonderful. show Dickinson. Avantika was in Mean. Girls, but this is just a. a way to have them all together and. they're super funny. Um, they're super appealing and I loved. working with them. >> Avantika is who we spoke to today to get. the question for you. >> Really? >> And Avantika is uh. So we we did a. you know, we do the same at the. beginning where we we talk well behind. our guest's back. And I really wanted to.

speak to Avantika for a couple of. reasons. One is. she is like, you know, you. you are the example of what she watched. growing up. You were. representation in in real physical form. Somebody who wrote their own parts, who. who created their own stuff for. themselves and who also, like you said, like enjoy. like. you enjoy being entertained. Your shows. are not homework. >> No, I think I'm not writing shows for.

like television studies professors. >> Yes. >> know what I mean? Not that I don't think. that's an important job and things, but. I'm I want to do something that's like. when times are hard. >> That's right. >> You know, when like my mom was sick and. she we wanted to watch something, it's. like we watched Modern Family. It was. like, I want to watch something that's. like legitimately so funny. >> Yes. >> Um, yeah, and I like seeing people fall. in love and I love like. great costumes and doing something in. the city. I also love The Office where.

it has not those qualities, but it's. super funny. But I I do know what you're. saying and I take it as a compliment. >> And she spoke about um, being around you. and like your curiosity and also just. like your curiosity about other people's. lives and young lives and like really. like your support as a as a producer and. as a person. And also Mindy just I what. I think is so impressive about you is. you. you feel like you're working within the. system and you're also. um.

still a person. like. like the rest of us, I guess. So it's. like you are this mogul who also is like. just along for the ride like the rest of. us. Like it's very hard to do both of. those things. >> And I think you do it really really. well. >> Oh my gosh, [snorts] coming from you. >> she speaks about that. And. >> It's funny her question is so cute. It. was like, "What is your ego?" Like but. she was like, "What is a What are four. things that Mindy want?" Did I know I. said, "That's too many things.".

>> That's so many things. >> Do you feel this way where. if if you see a movie you love or you. listen to an album or you see a Broadway. musical, you're kind of like, "Should I. like try to write a Broadway [laughter]. musical?" Or should I. >> Like I'll listen. >> to it. I'll go to I'll go but which. you're nailing. So now you should do the. next thing. I I I feel you. I see. something and I'm like, "Should I try. it?". >> Should I try that? >> Yeah. >> Like I think notoriously how bad art is. formed, right? When people are do stuff. that they're not equipped to do that are. have this delusional feeling that they.

can. And I've done that many times. >> But. >> [laughter]. >> You know what I'm really impressed by is. like I always think about Jordan Peele. and Greta Gerwig. >> Oh yeah. >> And how as does the rest of the world, but I love that Jordan came from sketch. comedy. >> Yes. >> And um with Greta like coming from being. an actress and like the muse of Noah. Baumbach and then being like, "Well, I. want to direct.". >> Mhm. >> And then taking something like Barbie. and making it like this great movie. about feminism and so and now doing the.

Narnia stuff. Like so I'm always really. inspired by them. I think that that's. the thing is I'd love to be able to. write. and direct movies. >> Yes. >> Um another thing and this is not. creative, but like. I feel like my feed on Instagram is just. always about how fleeting our time with. our children is. It's just like It's. just like frightening post after. frightening post about how like you have. 18 summers with these people like. >> I didn't know it was the last time I. would pick him up. >> Exactly. It's like Jesus Christ. These.

haunting things about these wonderful. children that I love. And so I really. want to be able to um. hang with them and be with them in a. real way where they look back in it and. they're like, "How was mom able to do. that?" But then also do these other be. there for us so much of the time. And I. know I'll fail, but like I really want. to try to be there. My mom. really set the bar. She was so busy. Like we missed Thanksgivings cuz she was. delivering a baby. She wasn't there for. the school play. And I was the perfect.

match for her as a daughter cuz I just. thought it was like glamorous. >> Yeah. >> And I was like, "Wow, mom's like really. doing a lot." But I have three kids. I. don't know that they're going to think. maybe one of them will they be that way. and the other two won't. So I got to. really I got to really invest in being a. mom. So that's the second thing. What. else would I want to do? I don't want to. hold public office. No. I don't want to adopt like seven kids. I. love the people who do that. I can't. three is enough. >> Three is a lot.

>> I don't think I want to like teach at a. college. >> You don't know that. You don't know. that. Don't Don't rule that out. Think about. this. Okay, I like this. Think about. this future though like that you get to. come in like I I often think about you. know like the next decade. Think about. coming in like a beautiful sweater. like Dartmouth let's say. >> Yeah. >> Driving at 10:00 in the morning. You have your coffee. >> [laughter]. >> You you know you create the door creaks.

open and there's like 150 like kids. staring at you and you start your class. Nobody gets to interrupt. You're done in. an hour. >> You know. >> You write a book about it. Then you. write a movie about it. That's what I'm. saying. It's. >> I think that. >> That sounds That does sound good. That. does sound good. >> We don't have to grade papers. >> No papers. >> Nothing like that. That's not part of. >> be like robot There'll be no papers. >> AI will be doing it for you. >> Yeah, there'll be no papers. >> that or I also like when they you get to. a certain age and then like TV shows. just want like that kind of like.

decrepit grand dame Oh, yeah. to come. and you just say a couple lines and. everyone's like laughing. They just like lift you onto a seat. Yeah. >> Yeah. I want to get to the the point. where people are like, "She looks good.". >> She looks good. >> [laughter]. >> This has been so fun, Mindy. Has it. been? >> Yeah, do you. >> I'm so This is That's very Enneagram six. of you. >> It is. That's very Enneagram six. >> No, I'm just stressed. >> Tell me why. >> No, I just I love this so much. I I've. been very entertained. >> Okay, good. >> by previous episodes and I just I'm just.

fast forwarding to my to my nanny Jenny. sitting on the sofa. >> Yeah. >> and hoping that she doesn't click away. No, she's going to have. I mean, she's. going to be she's going to be she's. going to be wrapped. >> Okay. >> And and and also. my last question to you is like what are. you what because I [clears throat] know. you are like you're a pop culture. consumer. >> Yeah. >> What who is making you laugh these days? What What when you when you want to. Like you know, I know for me it's hard. for me to kind of watch comedy. Like. it's like Yeah. What what do you watch.

to check out, tune out, laugh like feel. like Is it a video? Is it Tik Tok? Is it. a [clears throat] show? Is it. >> I'm not on Tik Tok for no real reason. It's not like a decision, but I think. it's tied to some in some way like. productivity. Like I'm worried I'd I'd. be too into it. >> Damn, that's so true. >> But for me, the biggest thing that I'm. into I mean, I. I do like a lot of dramas. Um and like. your friend Emily Spivey love murder,

but I think for me I loved the curse. Is. that that's the right name? It was the. Nathan Fielder show with. >> Yes. >> Really strange and. >> Really let's talk about Nathan Fielder. >> and Nathan Fielder who is like. I think for people my age or women he's. a real heartthrob, too. >> He's a millennial heartthrob. >> He's a millennial heartthrob. He's a big. time heartthrob. >> And I'm happy for him. He's so funny and. talented. >> Um with Emma Stone, I loved that show. >> Yes. >> Um that was a really good weird show. >> Weird show. >> And I mean there it's honestly like it's.

like what don't I like? Like most of the. time I I like stuff. Like I like all the. things that you would expect. Like I. love Abbott and I love Hacks and I like. Um all the dramas. Like who doesn't like. The Pit? It's like I I like those things. and I that's like I love it's such a. delight to watch them and and see people. who are really good at their craft doing. things. Um. >> Yeah, you're able to enjoy still knowing. knowing how things work. You're able I. kind of like in the very beginning when. we started talking about it, which is. like you know how hard it is to make.

something good. >> Totally. >> Um Mindy Kaling, thank you for being. here. Thank you for taking the red eye. >> Only for Amy Poehler. >> I'm so happy you could do this. Thank. you so much for doing this. >> I it was such a it was such a good. thing. >> so good. THANKS, EVERYBODY. >> [applause]. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MINDY KALING. You're. always so honest and forthcoming and. funny and it was really great to have. you. And you know, Mindy and I got into. a lot of really interesting topics. including being a working mother and.

deciding to just do the things you love. and try to as best you can avoid the. things that you hate. And I have a. strong feeling about that. I feel like. in in motherhood there's things that you. like, you love, you feel neutral about, and you really don't like to do. And if. you can try to avoid the things that you. really don't like to do, then the rest. you know, the rest might come a little. easier. So some people are get stressed. around. you know, bath time. Some people don't. want to go to the park. Some moms hate.

taking their kids to get shots. I mean, who loves that? But, you know. what I mean. Either way, I would just. say give yourself a break. You're not. supposed to love everything, and it. doesn't make you a bad mom if you don't. Try to offload anything that you really, really, really have a hard time. handling, and. and don't ever feel guilty about it. because God, we just really beat. ourselves up, and enough's enough, you. know? So, I guess that's my polar plunge today. I.

don't know. I'm thinking about all all the ways in. which we make it harder for ourselves. and are harder on ourselves. Let's try. to. take some lessons from this interview. and do a better job this week. Do a better job of not doing a good job. OKAY. BYE. [laughter]. >> YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING to Good Hang. The. executive producers for this show are. Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, [music]. and me, Amy Poehler. The show is. produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack.

Wilson, Kat Spalane, [music] Kaila. McMullen, and Aleya Zenneris. For Paper. Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel. Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original. music by Amy Miles. >> And I have a wonderful. good hang.