Paula Pell | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hello everyone. Welcome to another. episode of Good Hang. So excited about. our guest today. It is Paula Pel, the. great performer, writer, actress. She. wrote on SNL. You may have seen her on. AP Bio and Girls Five ever and the BBS. out now. Um, but uh Paula and I have. loved and known each other for a very. long time. And we are going to talk. about so much good stuff. We're going to. talk about how fun it is to harmonize. We're going to talk about Paula's years.

performing at Disney's Pleasure Island. and we're going to talk about um how she. really enjoys writing Joyful Losers and. how that got her through some real um. complicated times at SNL. So, we are. going to get into it, but before we do, there's so many people that want to talk. about how great Paula is. I could. interview 12 of them right now. But we. have someone who is kind of a new friend. and a new fan of Paula's and who is. working with her currently now in a new.

film. And that person is Kimberly Diane. Kardashian, otherwise known as Kim. Kardashian. Kim Kim Kardashian, can you. hear me? [music]. This episode is presented by Hilton. Guys, you know what vacation. perfectionism is? It's the pressure to. get your family's summer vacation booked. and make it perfect and memorable. Stressful, right? Don't worry, cuz the. team at Hilton takes care of what.

matters so you can exhale and. disconnect. They've got over 9,000. hotels around the world, including. amazing resorts and all-inclusive. options, so you'll definitely find the. stay that you're looking for. When you. want your summer vacation to feel like a. vacation, it matters where you stay. Book now at hilton.com. Hilton for the. stay. [music]. >> Hi, Kim.

>> Nice to see you. >> It's really nice to see you. Thank you. so much for doing this on a Saturday. >> Of course. I just left the gym, so I. look a little bit of a mess, but it is. what it is. >> What did you do in your workout? I do uh. strength training. So I have this like. crazy bodybuilder trainer and we do lots. of like today we did lower body so. >> squats and walking lunges and. >> I'm feeling you because I know I have to. up my weight stuff for like bone.

density. >> Do you ever get a Dex Dexus DEXA scan? >> No. Tell me about it. I actually know a. portable DEXA scan. person and it comes in a in a van. [laughter]. and you lay down and each one of my. sisters and my mom, we all live in the. same gated community. So, we have um the. van drive by and we all jump in the van. and you just lay down and it scans your. body maybe like 3 minutes and um it.

tells you all about your bone density. >> Ooh, I love that. you know, over we do. it once a year and just to make sure. that you're still got it going on and. you still have all of the bone density. that is necessary. >> I mean, it it feels like something that. our moms did not know about or talk. about. >> at all. >> I know. I feel like. >> creatine intake. >> I know. There's so much stuff that we. have to now take. It's a lot.

>> Supplements. I take probably 35. supplements a day. camera. I spread them. out three times a day and I thought, "Okay, I can't do this fish oil right. now like anymore. I have like pill. fatigue. I have to stop these. >> fish oil." And I got my blood work and. it was so evident that I stopped and I. had to start again. >> But it is tough to take fish oil cuz you. when you take it, you you like taste it. for a long time. >> The pills are just so big. >> I know. I wish there was like an IV drip.

I could do every day and I would just do. it on my way to work. >> I'm sure there is a port. Another guy in. a van can follow your car. [laughter]. >> Um, well, you are on your way to work on. the fifth wheel, which is the movie that. you're in starring in that Paula Pel. wrote. And I'm so I was Thank you so. much for talking about her today because. to me. people that love Paula. um are people that love comedy.

>> I have been fascinated by the comedy. world and the people that I've been so. blessed to meet over the last few years. And Paula, anytime I mention her name, I. get a text back just genius. >> Yes. you know, just how we met was so. funny and it was so quick and fast and. it was maybe a year and a half ago, maybe two years ago, and we're here. filming. a movie that we had an idea like the.

first time we spoke and it was really. crazy that someone wanted to connect us. and thought this would be a really fun. project. Would you guys ever want to. Kim, would you want to do a comedy? And. Paula, would you want to write it? And. we got on the phone and she hung up, called right back within an hour with. the whole idea. >> Wow. >> And [laughter]. >> she's incredible. >> We had the funniest day yesterday on. set. >> What happened?

>> So, it's like Nikki Glazer, Fortune. themester, and I in this one scene, and. I won't say what's going on, but Kristen. Wig is doing something. >> perfect. >> So funny. >> Perfect. and we're supposed to be. laughing and reacting. I couldn't control myself. [laughter]. Like almost peed my pants. Like just. every single time just being in a room. with people that you want to be. professional, you want to get the job. done and you just can't control yourself.

because it's so funny. I can tell you. are a big comedy fan. I've now gotten to. meet some of the people that I've always. looked up to and thought were so. amazing. And. it's just such a it's such a community. where everyone supports each other so. much. And I experienced that for my the. first time when I hosted SNL. It was like this group chat of so many. comedians. trying to help with my bit and with my.

my monologue. And it was so fascinating. just to see everyone's minds and to see. how supportive everyone was and showed. up that night when I was doing that and. rooting for you. Like everyone genuinely. roots for each other and it I've never. seen that kind of connection and bond in. any other genre in the entertainment. business. >> Okay. So, you said you had a couple. questions for Paula today. What are your.

thoughts for what we should ask her? I. wanted to know. when she was coming up with this idea. for this film, >> is this everything that she thought it. would be? To me, it feels like one of. those magical. like there's a little extra magic in it. that like we all knew and I think this. is how it was envisioned, but I feel. like there's just a little extra fairy. dust over this. >> project. >> And it feels really good. And does she.

feel that fairy dust too? >> And why is it important to you to ask. that question to her? Why why do you. want her to Why do you wonder if she's. feeling that too? >> Because it's such a. exciting time and an exciting feeling. and it just feels like I just want to. know if she feels the same way that I. feel about it because I am really. excited and passionate about it. And um. I don't know, maybe this maybe she's so.

accomplished and there's so many. projects and this is just one of those. and like. >> I I think the exact opposite. Like I. think the best thing about Paula is that. she has this she creates momentum. She. has energy which is what like you're. talking about you as you know you need. to get stuff started but she also I. think one of the best things about her. is she doesn't forget the people in any. process like people are as important to. her as outcome and she's a people person.

you know she really wants to connect in. that way like with through the stuff. that she makes and so that magicy. sparkly stuff that you're feeling among. each other Like I think that's kind of. if I was to say something about her like. she is I think she loves that stuff. I. think that's why she's still doing it. >> Yeah. Yeah. I just I I hope she feels. the magic cuz I feel it. >> Um and then anything else? >> I always wanted to know is there ever.

someone that you just can't control. yourself? you just see them in action. and you just can't stop laughing. Like. you physically. can't get through a scene or something. because you find them so hysterical. And. I love I love watching SNL and when. you're trying to get through, you know, a a bit and you just they break and they. just start laughing. Like to me that's.

when I really start laughing cuz I can. feel how much fun it is and I can see. that they're having such a hard time. getting through it cuz they just want to. laugh so so hard and I just wonder like. who is that person for you for her? >> You know like I said when we started I. feel like anybody who loves Paula's. comedy to me means that they know. comedy. So um I re it really means a lot. that you got on a Zoom today. Thank you. >> Of course. Of course,

>> she's going to be so thrilled and. excited that we talked. >> Oh, good. I can't wait to watch it. >> Okay. Thanks so much. >> Have fun this weekend. >> Thank you. Nice talking to you. Bye. >> This episode is brought to you by. Visible. Ah, spring is in the air, which. means it's time for some spring. cleaning. We're decluttering the closets. and finally tossing those mystery cords. But while you're cleaning out the junk. drawer, take a look at your wireless. bill. Don't fall for wireless traps, surprise fees, confusing bills, and.

empty promises. Join Visible and cut out. the nonsense. With Visible, you get. unlimited 5G data and hotspot on. Verizon's network for one flat cost. Just $25 a month. Taxes and fees. included. It's everything you need and. nothing you don't. Finish your spring. cleaning by ditching the carrier. clutter. Head to visible.com and get. started. Terms apply. Acvisible.com for. plan features and network management. details.

>> All right, listen up. Ralph's, King. Supers, Harris ter, Food for Less, Kroger, and more are now on Uber Eats. And you get 40% off your order of $30 or. more. Maybe you're trying a new recipe. and need some lastminute ingredients. Or. maybe the kids made a mess and you're. lower on cleaning supplies than you. thought. Whatever you need, you can get. it delivered in as little as 25 minutes. So, order now on Uber Eats and get 40%. off your order of $30 or more with code. Kroger 2026. Plus, Uber 1 members get $0.

delivery fees. Orders of $30 or more, save up to $25. Ends May 31st, 2026. See. app for details. Woohoo! >> Paula Pel, you look fantastic. >> Thank you. I've got a full denim suit. on. Is that. >> a power lesbian move or what? >> Paula, you're probably one of the guests. that we've talked about the most with. other guests. Like I was thinking today. about us talking and it was like oh.

we've brought up I mean I'm so lucky. that we just get to talk to our friends. on this. >> Um it's the dream job, isn't it? >> It is. [sighs] It is. It's a dream job. [gasps] and the hours. >> And wouldn't it be fun to have two. people doing it? you know, [laughter]. the two two blondes. It could be called. two blondes having a good hang. I. [laughter] mean, I'm not trying to. infiltrate your good your good thing. Um, but we'll talk. >> We've we've talked about Well, we've. talked to you the Anna Gastire episode.

You very nicely gave Anna a question. Thank you for that. >> And [snorts] I feel like anybody who. knows comedy knows you. Anybody who is. paying attention to who has done what. over the past 25 years, they know you. And I just want to say I want to start. by saying something I say to people all. the time, which is Paul Appel is. the funniest people's favorite person. and you are often in a room of hugely. funny people. You are usually the. funniest. >> Thank you. I'm very competitive that.

way. >> I know. I like that. I like You are a. little competitive. I like that. And um. and in a good way. And also anybody who. likes you and likes your comedy to me is. like an indicator that they know comedy, you know. >> That's really nice, Amy. >> Well, it's true, Paula, because. >> really nice. >> You know, >> I'm going to pretend to drink a little. >> embarrassed about that. >> I um. >> What do you got going on in there? A. delicious water. Los Angeles water.

>> You can taste the tap. Mhm. Um, I really appreciate that. I love I. love cracking up hard to crack up. people. That was always Well, that was. always our fun. And obviously with. Lauren, I used to like to I like. breaking through someone who's. >> tough a tough like someone's like I'm a. hard l like it's hard to amuse me. I. love to find the the little crack. >> You do. And you you want to keep working.

it. And that's why like with like. especially like quote unquote like. alphas, you're really really good at at. getting them to laugh. >> Getting well I I was new a few times. when I was little in school and I hated. people that were on immediately when. they were new of like, "Hi, I'm so and. so." And yeah, what do you like? Oh, I. like this too. And my [clears throat]. biggest fear was that I would be that. kind of person. And so I because I never. like inauthentic love coming towards me. I don't like when people are, you know,

I I just like to believe that it's it's. real, that it's not going to hurt me on. the other end [laughter] or they're. making fun of me or something. So, >> answering your question um that I. created in my head. >> Hey, I did I ask one? >> You didn't. But it's. >> that feeling like with Lauren is is just. like I want to feel more comfortable. with him, so I'm going to sit on him. Yeah, >> which is what I used to do. >> I was going to talk about this later,

but let's talk about it now. >> We can talk about it later. You used to. go in. >> This is three hours, right? You. guaranteed me [laughter]. >> contractually because I said I'm not. driving over here. Not getting on the. 405 for an hour. I know how fast that. goes with. >> Well, we all know that pods need to be. [laughter]. >> I know it's. important. >> Um, you are a mid You do you consider. yourself a Midwest girl? Even. >> Oh, God. Yes. I am. What would you how. would you describe a a true. Midwesterner? Like what are they what.

are they like? >> A a pleasant liar, a deep liar. Um just. like southern women. >> Uh Midwestern women usually are big. liars. And they my grandma used to. always uh go to she loved to go have a. little diner food with me and I would. take her to the pine cone and over by. the interstate in Lasel Peru and she. would start eating the soup and I have a. big Midwesterners love soup too. Midwestern [laughter] women and she oh.

and is this soup ever good? Oh and how. oh I love this soup. Oh god. And then. the guy would come by this soup is. fantastic. She would talk about the soup. and then as we're walking out she would. go, "I didn't care for that soup.". [laughter]. And I would look at her like, "Why the. did you I didn't say why the. to her, but I'm like, why didn't you. just tell him you didn't like the soup. and get a different soup?" Oh, I'm not. going to do that. You know, I came from. that kind of people that you don't tell. >> the truth because that's not And what I.

like about it is based in kindness that. you don't want to hurt people's. feelings. But. >> yes, you grew up where specifically for. most of you Juliet. >> Yeah, Juliet. For people who don't know. Joliet, Illinois, what's that what's. that town like? >> Um, I haven't been there in a long, long. time. I know they have a casino. I. haven't been there since they have a. casino, which really revived, I think, revived uh Juliet, but it was a, you. know, kind of a suburban town outside of. Chicago, probably about 45 minutes. outside of Chicago. And there's a prison. nearby, so my quit was always like, you.

know, where are you from, Joliet? Not. the prison. >> I always had it loaded up. Was that was. the Juliet prison the um where Blues. Brothers did they go to Juliet? >> So Joliet Jake was Akroyd's name I think. in Blues Brothers and when I came into. my meeting with Lauren uh he said so. where are you from? Or he said tell me. about you yourself. And I said well I'm. from Joliet. And he said whether that's. true or not. And he thought I was doing. a Juliet Jake reference maybe.

>> And I [laughter] I didn't even know his. name was Juliet Jake at the time. And I. was like, "Well, it is true." I mean, I'll have to. send them some [laughter] proof of that. cuz they're really raking me over the. coals. >> Yeah, that that's a little bit of a mind. to be like, "Nice try when it isn't. even anything that you thought you were. snowing them on.". >> But we've talked about this a lot and I. love this and I'm I'm curious now as. we're getting older if like you've you. always say that you felt as and I know. from you letting me read your journals.

[laughter]. I got to read Polish journals and um uh. is you always felt kind of like wiser. than your years as a young person. >> I was a very. uh caretaker. I I always say born at 50. [laughter] very I remember I started my. period at nine and I remember telling. all my friends how it works and like how. to put a you know how to put a pad on. and how to and and they gather around me.

[laughter] like I was like Julie Andrew. Sound of Music and I'd be let's start at. the very big there's a string and an. applicator. I I just would always have. the the inn of like I'm an older, you. know, and I had an older sister who. taught me to read. Patty was like. incredible. She always was very. nurturing to me. But to them, to my. friends, I was the wise one. I had a. very old soul. And I think it was cuz it. was withering from lack of any sexual.

attra. >> [laughter]. >> uh interest from anyone. So I I by the. time I was 15, I was like, "Well, I'll. never be touched." So I um but I was. also silently and quietly looking at. women and feeling weird. >> You grew up in So you grew up in the. 80s. You were you you were lesbian. You. knew it but you couldn't. >> I knew it but I didn't really know it in. quotes until I was just out of high. school. And so my best friend and I were. >> basically madly in love with each other. and we ended up always like sleeping.

over each other's house during the week. for the last couple years of high school. in the same bed like just it it was a. very um Florida high school was like so. affectionate like the public school and. I came from like a Catholic girl school. that was so not I mean we'd hug each. other if you know somebody died or. something but it [laughter] was just. like or if you had something on your. coat you know let me do that and get it. off but like it was I got to Florida and. I was like, did what is going on? Why is.

everyone hugging each other? And but it. was perfect for a closeted lesbian. because we'd go to like a choir trip and. we'd be just like, you know, >> 69 each other on the bus just sleeping. like I'm sleeping on her ankles and. she's sleeping [laughter] on my ankles. and it's just But we didn't know at the. time. We did know, but we didn't know. It was like your your soul knows, but. you are not saying it. You're not. acknowledging it. And then we started. having all these fights at the end of. high school, like a lot of dramatic. drunken fights. We'd drink like a lot of.

white wine and big football cups. And. we'd be like, I don't know. WELL, WHAT. DO YOU WANT? WELL, WHAT DID I DO? And. just like [laughter] fights and then it. was like and then it just the world. broke open. And I was like, but it was a. world you couldn't do that. >> That's what I was going to say is I. think people did don't really remember. or understand that in our generation, I. mean, I had I had no openly gay students. in my high school. Not one. Not one. >> Not even the super gay ones. >> Exactly. >> Like the super gay guys where you're. like, there is no doubt.

>> Like I was saying to my kids, there was. no gay and lesbian alliance in my high. school. >> Oh, hell no. >> There was no openly gay teachers or. students. Everything was, you know, nothing was spoken of. And it was this. time where you really did have to live. this secret double life that you could. not share with most people that you. loved. >> Yeah. And I mean the most heartbreaking. thing about it was that when we we went. to college and we ended up together for. a few years in college and then there. was a big heartbreak. The most.

heartbreaking thing is to go home and. not be able to be heartbroken young. person with in front of your family. >> Yes. >> So you have to manipulate all the reason. you're heartbroken of like oh she's gone. away to school and I'm not and it's just. I miss a having a friend. I miss someone. to hang around with and go troll for. dick. You have to like You just have to. get you don't get the afterare. >> It's so heartbreaking because you just. want to look at your Oh, >> I'm crying already, GUYS. [laughter]. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIGHT-HEARTED,

RIGHT? >> But like you want to look at your mom. and go like, >> it's my first time I have my heart. broken, you know? And my parents were. very kind, sweet, wonderful, supportive. people. And at the time, if I would have. had the balls to do it, I could have. maybe explained it to them and they. would have been loving to me. And you. know, I know your family so well and you. know, you talk about your sister and. your parents. You come from such a funny. like your parents are hilarious. Your. sister's hilarious. You guys tease each. other. You love a good joke. Like comedy.

was so important to you. No growing up. >> All of them. My father is truly. genuinely like in his next life will be. a a comedy writer. He he is a comedy. writer. like he is still he's he's 87. and he is still so ungodly funny. My. mother was having gastro problems. recently when she got [laughter] really. sick. And I said to I texted my dad and. I said um uh is she still having.

diarrhea? And he said not since Saturday. and spelled it t u r d. Saturday. [laughter]. >> like immediately. But he does it. He does it without being. desperate for you to laugh at. Sure. Sure. He just does it and waits. >> And that's you, too. >> I also have a really good skill of. freezing and pretending I'm freezing. You want me to do it? >> Yeah. >> Okay, I'll just do it while we're. talking. >> Okay. So, I know that um uh there was a. lot of uh musical theater that you were.

into when you were a kid. >> Yes. I love. >> [laughter]. >> The only reason I HAD TO STOP IS THAT I. was just joking [laughter] on my spit. During the pandemic, I used to do it all. the time on Zoom and it and I would go. so long and just be but like, you know, [laughter] it has to be in the middle of. something. You can't just like So, it's. just like when you.

[laughter]. >> people are going to think their YouTube. is [laughter]. and then they'll be like, "No, I'm gonna. I'll watch that later.". >> You were a musical theater per like you. were doing all your plays in high. school. You were like, "I want to be a. performer." Like, did you know anyone. that was an actor? Did you think that. was going to be your job? >> One of my biggest gifts in life was I. grew up in the Midwest where I had a. little teeny Catholic high school. They. had the most glorious theater and music. department. Always. All my schools. always had the most glorious. And nobody.

had money. It wasn't like these rich. schools at all. And I I was in full with. orchestra Oklahoma when I was like in. fifth grade. [laughter] Full orchestra. music man where like a full band comes. in at the end with 76 trump like but. really talented people but like and when. I was in 8th grade infamously with all. my friends I was mother superior born at. 50. Mother superior in the sound of.

music. [laughter] And I have video and. like many photos of me looking into the. shaft of light like Maria, you shall be. led forth with peace. [laughter]. Climb every mountain. And it's like my. pubes have not come in. And I'm like the. [laughter] oldest woman. I am the oldest. woman. And I'm looking like this. earthy matron just singing in my non. outfit. >> I hear that you claim you should. Yeah,

you do have like great. >> in other areas for sure. >> But you're too you you love sex too. much, babe. [laughter] Can't do it. You. can't. >> I should have done the nun thing. Oh, wait. I did. [laughter]. Hi, Sister Christine. She's not a sister. anymore. >> Wait, >> I was going to try to drink that like a. cat. You claim you claim that um you're. an alto, but I are you not an alto? >> I'm an alto. And then I can do like. soprano as a joke voice, >> but I I was talking to Anna about Anna.

Gastire about this at some point. What. is joke voice? Like joke voice is voice. like you know. [clears throat]. >> Well, I mean when you sing high. like elto I'm a big blender. I love. harmony. I love harmonizing those new. things where you can go and just for the. day harmonize with a bunch of people. I. I weep when I watch them like where you. can go in different cities and they have. that group that you learn it in one day. and then you go and they're all singing. like the song from Rent and everyone is.

just walking around with their parts and. they're singing. That's my joy of all. like I grew up with a lot of choirs, a. lot of show choirs, a lot of groups. >> and I love to harmonize. So when I did. Girls Fava and I was with these like. insane singers like Sarah Bareilles and. Renee Goldsbury and then Bizzy Phillips. was a great singer like secretly. >> and [snorts] then we would sing it was. just like to blend and sing with them. >> What have you been listening to lately? >> Um I'll just every so often I'll listen. to you know I'll listen to company cuz I.

did a parody of that. >> Oh my god. Let's talk about that for a. second. We're all over the place but it. doesn't matter. >> You did a documentary now. Um, for. people who don't know, documentary now. was a like a was was a bunch of fake. documentaries that um, Bill her and Fred. Armison and Seth Meyers did brilliantly. did and John Malany was in some and. wrote uh, some and there was a very. famous one based off of the film and. musical company the making of the. Broadway album.

>> Yes. >> And you guys did one called Co-op. >> Co-op co-op the musical. and [laughter]. and it was a a of the era. We were in. that era and I was in a lane stretch. type and it was based on an actual. documentary that was very uh iconic. black and white documentary about the. night that they recorded company uh cast. album which was a hot mess but then it. turned out incredible and I listened to. that and when I got to do that with them. cuz they were all fictional songs but.

like Sanheim actually heard them and. talked to Melanie about them and was. like I love you know cuz it was. >> Oh he did. >> Yeah. He watched that he went to some. screening of it and then talked to them. and they they all I think met him. >> like kind of he kind of gave his. blessing like these are good. >> Yes, he gave his blessing cuz they were. such well done songs. Eli Eli Bolan was. so good at writing the the music and and. the. >> they're so and you know Seth wrote some. of those songs but they're they're all.

so funny and just I I just love being. able to sing and emote at the same time. like any musicals that I grew up with I. loved the ones that you could just be in. the you know one of my favorites I'm not. going to I I know you probably do you. have to pay for songs? Well, I mean, I. feel like we should. >> I could do what we used to call it as a. sound alike. >> Let's do a sound, but but you can sing. the radio. >> The song Losing My Mind from Folly's. It's It's like It's those kind of songs. that like Liza Minnelli would.

>> So, can you sing the sing part of it, the real thing, and then show people. what a soundike would be? >> It's It's the sad It's one of the. saddest songs on earth. The sun comes. up, I think about you. the coffee cup. I think about you. You. said you loved me. Or were you just. being kind. or am I losing my mind? >> Damn.

>> Gunshot. [laughter] Um, sound effect. >> Okay. Now, can we get a sound alike, please? >> And then they were like, we can't do. that. you're gonna have to do. So, it. would be like, "When I wake up, you're in my mind. When I wake up, you're not here. My. heart's cracking. You're in my mind.". [laughter] And we just. >> just off enough. Okay. Florida.

Affectionate Florida. You get there as a. high schooler. You go to Disney. >> Yes. >> You work at Disney. I work at Disney. >> How did you get the job at Disney, which. is a job everyone must want? >> I I got my degree in theater. I left. University of Tennessee because I barely. finished. I did finish. Um, >> but that's really interesting because. you're such a good student and you're so. smart and studious. I was also a theater. student and I it was the 80s and my best.

friend James Anderson who. >> wrote at SNL for 20 years and wrote. every funny thing you've ever seen. >> He and I were classmates and we were gay. and we used to go to the gay bars and. dance all night and then we would do. plays constantly that rehearsed all. night. >> and then we would have like a 7:00. biology class in the morning with no. parking. So [laughter] I was always. making up incompletes all the time. And my parents came for my graduation.

and I looked for my final I went to the. hall of science to look at my final my. final grade the night before they all. got there with my grandparents and. everything and it was an F. And I called. James crying and it was pouring rain in. a phone booth and he goes, "Call the. teacher. IT'S 11:00 AT NIGHT BUT CALL. THE TEACH." called the teacher and I. just blubbered and he ended up giving me. like a D or a C and I could graduate. I. had to write a a a paper that night. Had.

no sleep the night before my graduation. I wrote a pla paper called that I still. look for in boxes called plagiarized. 100% from [laughter] a bunch of stuff. cobbled together on microfich and it was. called Galileo the courage to wonder. [laughter]. and I came up with this theory cuz I. read one line that he said he had a. fraught relationship with his dad or. [laughter] something and I was like and. it was just all about his internal world. with his father and all this Oh my.

god, Paula. I did not know that. That. you graduated by the skin of your teeth. Would never have guessed that. >> But I got to I got to Florida, you know, was broke as hell. A lot of my friends. went to New York like James to to have. the dream. And I went back to Florida. and then they built Pleasure Island and. it was this nighttime crazy8s. giant like phallic island of clubs for. the adults. It was brilliant. It's like.

your kids are here and you're sick of. them and you want to go out and let it. rip and get drunk with your wife and. make out. And every night was New Year's. Eve. So every night at like right before. midnight, all the drunks from all the. clubs and the theaters and the comedy. warehouse, which was improv, all of them. came out and then there'd be these hot. dancers and then they'd have confetti. They'd do a big countdown. It was like. Time Square. And it was so 80s and so. good. And so I ended up being in the. original cast of the Adventurers Club.

So I was Pamelia Perkins once again, a. matron, [laughter] a comedy matron. I. was 22. Pamelia Perkins, the president. of the Adventurers Club. CONGALOO. [applause]. OH, the other fun thing about Pleasure. Island was all these guys would come. Now, this is when after I got my heart. broken, I wanted to have a baby and I. was like, never really been with a man. I've been a little bit here and there,

little sneaky waky, whatever. >> Touchy, wety, pokey wokey, but like. nothing. >> Haven't had the full girth, >> right? >> And so I was like, >> you know, maybe I need to go down Penis. Avenue. So I at that club, >> they'd let the employees party after. work. >> Oh my god, that's two hours. >> Yeah. So when the club would close, we. had like at least an hour and a half to. go to these other great bars right. there. So we'd be with these cute ass.

boys. >> and we'd just be like, you know, a bunch. of cute Brits or cute like Irish boy and. now I looked literally like be, you. know, like I mean I had like a buff and. I'm like, "You want to meet us over at. the thing?" And then I would go in the. bathroom and I would like blow out my. long hair. I'd take all my hair done. I. put a bunch of make I'd put a bunch of. makeup. I'd come out. I was still fat. But I would put all the other stuff on, bring the eye up, put earrings, lots. [laughter] of stuff up here. Look at me. up here.

And and uh and then I'd show up and then. I started fooling around with these guys. that were like these fun like there to. have fun, you know? >> And they were like, "She's so cool. She. doesn't even really seem into me." I'm. like, "So, [laughter]. >> and I would fold her out of nothing. stuck.". >> Yeah. >> Except the semen. [laughter] No, I'm. kidding. But like nothing, you know. Um, >> and so Disney was like a felt like a. training ground for you. >> Yeah. Disney was every night you got to. have a large group of people laugh at.

what you did. Even if it was like stupid. that night or you weren't feeling it or. you weren't it it's that energy that we. all love that we loved at SNL that we we. all craved since we were little that we. dot stick in front of our parents on a. couch. You got to hear humans look at. you and go, "Oh, she's really funny. She's They'd laugh at you. And then I I. went over to um work at Murder She Wrote. the post-prouction show during the day. for my next job. I moved out of Disney.

and I just did part-time there. And I. pretended I was a like in this wheel in. these wheels. I pretended I in some of. it you're an editor and it was all about. the making of murder she wrote. And I. would talk to Jessica Fletcher on the. screen. So I'd go, you know, it was all. timed. So it was like fake, but you. know, she'd come and go, "Oh dear, >> I think we're going to do. >> this episode. YOU WE BETTER GO. THERE'S. MURDERS TO AND I GO, I know, Jessica. Well, we're going to make sure that.

we're going to" And you'd have to talk. And one one day I was so hung over that. I looked up at her and I turned. [laughter] and I went, "Let's see what. big." And I said, "Big old Jessica." I. go, "Let's [snorts] see what big old. Jessica has to say." And then I turned. like this and it was just like I could. not stop laughing like my whole I missed. like three cues. So she was just talking. with like 10 seconds [snorts] in between. because I was like hangover church this. [laughter]. >> um. >> so that felt like. >> that's where I got my SNL job. >> Okay. So that how do you go from talking.

to Jessica Fletcher to get auditioning. for SNL? >> Because I that year all those talented. people that worked for Sack Theater that. also performed at Disney were great. writers, great performers and I they had. a theater and I would go and do. characters at their theater sometimes on. sketch night. I wasn't an improviser. I. was you know I never really have had. improv training ever in my life except. theater. Sure. >> Um, >> and every day at Disney. [laughter].

>> That's true. So, I did these characters. and then that got to SNL. >> Wow. >> And then I'm sitting in the dressing I. mean green room with all the people that. worked at Murder She Wrote. post-production and I was sitting there. waiting for the next them to load the. next audience and and everything was a. corded phone of course and it was like. somebody's calling you and I answered. the phone. It was my local agent that I. had done commercials for and stuff and. she was like, "Are you sitting down?". And I said, "Yeah." And and she said,

"Um, Lauren Michaels wants you to come. to New York and and meet him." And I was. like, "Is it what is it?" Like, "Is it. an audition?" Cuz I mean, spent my whole. life, you know, tape recording SNL doing. Rosanne Rosanna Dana in high school for. my school assemblies. Like, I was so. SNL. And they were like, "No, it's not. an audition." And I was like, "What? what is it? And I just got off the phone. and they flew me there that week for two. nights or one night and I just got there.

and was terrified and I went in. He was. like two hours late and I sat down with. him and he started talking like we had. been talking already like he started in. the middle of a sentence like that's why. the show is uh you know a phoenix rising. and this year we're going to rise again. and blah blah blah [laughter] and I'm. like [clears throat]. rising above my body and at one point I. remember saying to him and Steve Higgins. >> I am a lot more boring here than I. usually am. I just remember like calling. out cuz I was so scared and so and he.

[snorts] had already dissed my you know. telling him I'm from Joliet so I was a. little off. >> You were basically hired without knowing. and no one told you you were hired which. is what SNL does. >> So then they just said I think. >> I think we and then [laughter] I left. >> Lauren notoriously does not hire or. fire. >> And then I c and then they you know. Steve Higgins was like okay we'll figure. you know we'll call you. do a test to be. in about 4 days, 5 days. I went and gave.

my cats and my dog to my mom and dad. I. ran and called like it was the most I. remember crying in a closet and calling. my nieces and nephews and crying and. being like, "I know." And they're like, "Can you take US TO THE OPERA?". [laughter] Like they didn't know New. York City. Like it was so exciting, but. it was terrifying. And I remember my mom. just finally looking at me and going, "What is the worst case scenario?" And. I'm like, I fail at a place that I've. woripped my whole life. And she's like, but then you do and you had the. experience. You got to go there.

>> Wow. Paula, so they saw your characters. and they were like, we want her as a. writer. They didn't really make it clear. why you were coming in, but you knew you. were coming in for writing and not. performing, but you were a performer. What is it like to like and obviously. you're a performer who is writing all. the time. You're creating these. characters, but back then especially, I. feel like the lines are way more blurred. now. >> Yes. But when when when you get to SNL, you kind of get like put into a. category. >> Absolutely. >> And you were put into the writer.

category even though you not and and you. are this super strong performer who's. been performing. Yes. So, what was that. adjustment like? >> Well, I don't want to assume uh you. know, I've heard here and there little. things and I who knows cuz we've all. been in there when they're picking. people and it's like so random. I mean, not random, but like there's reasons. that you don't think are the reasons and. all this, but I do suspect that I was a. big lady. I was a big plus-sized person. There would there was there was just not.

that. >> in any TV anything like there wasn't, you know, there were starting to be. Rosanne Bar, like people that had more. real looking bodies, but I was just not. of the aesthetic of that place. whatsoever. >> This was late '9s. mids mid90s. So it. was 95 and I just I do suspect that it. wasn't even like oh. >> no like but her writing like I like her. writing cuz that fits with us. Did you. ever talk to anyone at the show about.

that specifically or like. >> I mean I you know I really was such a. good Catholic girl [laughter] of of a. rule follower when it comes to when when. an when a actor who cuz I had only acted. I got there and told them I'm not a. writer. I even though I'd written like. short stories and different I don't know. how to do I don't know how to do any of. this. >> Yeah. I I really. I I was so afraid to ever show any.

desire to perform. And it's why I'm so. gloriously happy to be able to perform. in later in my life because I finally. let that out of the cage of that. shame. The shame and it also the shame. and the shine right next to each other. >> Yes. Oh, I like that. The shame and the. shine. >> The shame and the shine because you. might have been feeling that, right? like I just want to be grateful for what. I have. But your shine just it. >> without you even trying like it could. not be dimmed. Like you there you became.

the performer that you are now because. it was such a strong undeniable thing. People put you in sketches because they. knew how funny you were. You were funny. in the room. You just like without to. your point you didn't say this. I'm. not going to write. I only want this. You took the opportunity. You did an incredible job writing for. other people and you slowly. knew and believed in yourself and others. saw what.

>> kind of performer you were. >> Well, I fel I felt like everything and. it was it was a bigger picture of. codependency and caretaking that in my. life in my whole life. >> I was making the pie and then giving all. the pie away. >> Okay. So for people who don't know who. are listening and we talked about this a. little bit with Anna and we've talked. about it with Rachel and we've talked. about with Tina and we talked about it. with Seth and we talked about but like. Paul has written some of your favorite. sketches including Bobby and Marty the. culps including Debbie Downer including.

the cheerleaders including. >> with those actors. >> of course of course but the actors get. all the credit they do. They always it's. like whoever is saying the lines people. assume that they've written the lines. and as we I mean people understand that. there are writers on that show but the. public facing cast always gets the first. kind of love amount of love. emergency room Tony Bennett talk show. all this stuff when you're writing what. was the first time you wrote something. and you were there where that terror. went away a little bit where you thought.

okay I might not get fired okay. >> well there's two kinds of terror because. I was in that era of recurring. characters and I was lucky enough to. >> get in that first year with Will and. Sherry for cheerleaders and with Anna. and Will for um for Bobby and Marty and. they were so up my alley. I was the. person that tried out every year for. cheerleading, never ever made it. worked. on my backhand springs in the [laughter]. summer and then I would because I was. fat and I would stand with holding.

everyone's purses during the basketball. games and I knew every chair and all my. friends were cheerleaders like all of. them were on the squad and then [snorts]. I'd be up there like a dance mom like. but once again matron at. >> 12 going and gathering them around to. talk to them about life. >> cough drop do you need a cough drop do. you need a cough and so the idea of I. loved writing joyful losers that was my. favorite thing is someone who is. joyfully living their life what they. want to do and that because when I read.

that journal that's what I was you know. I I got a new I got my rock tumbler and. I have I changed the grit and my. AMETHYST IS LOOKING [laughter] GORGEOUS. MY GOD AND I WAS LIKE A VICTORI like a. crazy broad as this little person like. talking about what lights me up my. plants my stuffed animals all those. things and when I got there and met them. they were my people like I would cry. laughing till 5 in the morning writing. those things with them.

>> But the other thing you have to get. there is to prove that you're actually. good by yourself. And that is a. terrifying thing because you can always. hide behind those characters that once. they're hit, you got that to ride on. It's the best thing ever, right? >> And [snorts] my very first one I. remember was doing Wilfford Brimley with. John Goodman [laughter]. >> and I wrote it. I used to do this thing. where I was the last one almost always. at riding night. So it was like. >> Paula stayed the latest. >> So one night I wrote John Goodman as.

Wilfr Brimley and he was on a fake. course and because it always used to. make me laugh when he was a big guy and. he would I mean Wilfred Brimley was a. big guy but then he'd do this commercial. for this this like health stuff and he'd. be like I take care of my blood sugar. and I was like no you don't. And so I I. had him say like you know I take care of. my blood sugar. Well, I don't. And it. was just this slowly descending. conversation in this commercial and John. was so funny,

but it killed at the table. It. absolutely killed. And it was the first. time I could really look and go, I. deserve to be here because I didn't feel. like I deserve to be there. I didn't. think, you know, I And then if I was. writing with other actors, it's like, yeah, but they're so funny and they're. so good. And that was the first time I. said, "You are a writer." Like, you sat. down and you wrote words that no one. else saw because they all went home and. they could they could read this. I mean, they they read this and they laughed.

>> How long did you write for SNL? >> I wrote full-time for like 18 years and. then I started slow, you know, I did. that slow uh exiting out where I did. like I came to Lauren and was like, I'm. going to do half the season spread out. So I would do like one or two shows, then I would have a break for a while. It was really trying to get away from. the tea, but it was it was slow. And. Lauren, you know, the one of the things. I love the most about him is he he. doesn't want people to he doesn't want. his family to leave, you know,

>> and then. >> you are the long do you know that you. are the longest tenur. female writer in SNL history? >> Female. Oh yeah, because I was going to. say James beat me by two years on the. writing side, but yeah, female. Um I. that's that's really nice. >> Cool. >> Why haven't I gotten a plaque for. [laughter] that? >> And before I get off SNL, um two things. One is Debbie Downer. >> Yes. Most fun ever. I mean that first. Debbie Downer is. we've talked about it the.

anti-depressant of all anti-depressants. I remember us all standing in one of the. dressing rooms just looking up at the. screen and just we could not believe it. was like a house of cards falling down, but it was the best house of cards. And. when we just wanted it to go on and on. and on. >> and I mean you created a cultural. language like people use the term Debbie. Downer now as if it was just. >> it was on my soaps the other day and I. was like good lord. >> it was what soap are you watching right. now. >> all the CBS soaps. Love them all. If you.

ever want me on there would love. >> you should definitely soap opera. >> That would be so fun. That would be so. fun. >> Okay. So we've worked together on so. many things after SNL. We work together. on Sisters, an incredible movie that you. wrote that is like kind of you guys were. incredible. >> And me and Tina got to play some. versions of you and your sister and and. >> and read my actual journal in a bathtub. They were in the bathtub reading pages. from my actual journal. >> Beautiful and so fun. And that shoot was. so fun with Ike and John Cena, your.

buddy who loves John Cena. >> He loves you. >> I love John Cena. I know. >> I see him to this day. I have a couple. ideas for John Cena. I'm going to hit. him up for I have some. >> He is He just And that shoot was just um. and Kate there were so many fun people. that came in on that. Diane Whis and. James Brolan. >> James Brolan playing my parents. And. >> do you want to tell the story about when. Barbara came by set? >> So my mom has lived to like worship. Barbara Stysan her whole life. I took. her to the Millennial Millennium concert.

that was supposed to be Barbara's last. concert and that was at the Millenn That. was like 2000 whatever. 2000, right? >> Yeah. Yes. >> And I spent all this money to fly her to. Vegas to go to that concert at like New. Year's Eve. It was this huge surprise. and I took her and then she comes to. sisters married to James Roland. She. comes to sisters the day before my. parents came to set to visit from. Florida. And if I would have known, I. would have like immediately flown her. there. But um you know, I sent pictures,

which is like great. She looks cute from. this blurry picture. >> I don't know if you remember, my parents. happened to be there. And in a different. way, you're flying my par you're flying. your par your mom out to Vegas. [clears throat] I'm always telling my. parents, I'm not going to fly you out to. Vegas. [laughter]. Okay. I'm doing the opposite. >> This is their stan. Well, they're always. like, "Why don't you take me to the. Academy Awards?" And I'm like, "Relax.". Right. >> So, my parents arrived on the set and my.

mom was like, "Oh, James Brerland is. here. I wonder if Barbara Stysan's going. to show up." And I go, "Brabber Stryand. is not going to come to our set. Mom, >> give it a break. Like, let it go." And. she just came to visit. >> She is. And she was the cutest. So cute. >> So cute. And she I just remember Lee. whenever I would get up to go to. anything, she'd go, "Are you going to. the you going to the craft services?". She go, "Just give me a little plate of. some. Just give me just give me a little. something. I don't care what it is. Just. a little something." And I'm like, "That's power." [laughter].

I mean, A Star is Born with. Kristofferson and her is like I know. every moment of that movie. I used to. lay on the shag carpeting and ball and. sing to that movie and not ball. sexually, like ball. >> b. um but we worked together on Wine. Country, on Parks and Rec on Sisters. You have been more and more like you. said in front of the camera. You got a. new show on Peacock called the BBS. >> Yes. So excited. >> Yes. Which looks so fun. It's. >> so fun and creepy.

>> Tell me like what you you love to be. part of an ensemble. I mean you're you. are you you are a leading lady in every. way, but you also love that juicy. ensemble thing. And Kiki Palmer. >> Kiki Palmer leads the pack. Julia Duffy, Mark Proach, >> uh, Capil Tallw Walker, and, um, Jack. Whiteall, who is also in the movie I'm. shoot we're shooting that Janine and I. wrote. And they are so funny and so. weird. Like, their characters have so.

many twisty weird secrets. I've never. done this kind of genre. I've never done. a mystery murdery like some things are. serious, some things are funny, you. know, because that we grew up with. comedy or drama, you know, you were. either watching er or you were watching. There was no like in between. >> Can we talk about Kiki for a second? >> So unbelievable. We just did the press. press for it and the premiere for it and. she can just she can just lead anything. and just be the kindest, funniest, most.

energetic. And then she's like in hair. and makeup getting like elaborate stuff. done while she's doing like a podcast. thing. Also [laughter] talking to a. choreographer about a music choreography. for the music uh video she's doing for. her album that's coming out the next. week. Like I would just look at her and. go like I get exhaust and a two-year-old. child. >> I know. She's a pro. >> She's so great. I was getting my hair. blown out. Um and I a couple weeks ago.

and I just looked up at the TV and they. play the you know they play the movies. on the screen at the hair place and it. was her and Akquila and the bee and she. just had little braces and she was just. and she was such a great actor. I was. just watching her do this whole. monologue and I'm like, "Oh my god, she. was just cooked when she was born.". Like, it was just came out. >> I don't want [clears throat] to skip. over the fact that you were getting your. hair blown out because I would say that. next to Tina Fay and not a competition, but I'd love to have you both in here. and we can touch your hair.

>> You have the best hair. >> You have incredible hair. >> That Thank you very much. >> You should know this is all your hair. >> I It's all my hair. I took very good. care of my hair because when I was. plus-size and in in that era, this is. not like a pathetic fact, it's a true. fact. If you had good hair, >> it was like something that you could use. because there were there was no good. clothes. It was like big shirts and. leggings, that was all you had. When I. was young, all the pictures of me, if I.

ever felt good about how I looked, it. was always just right right here, you. know, because everything else I wanted. to forget about. What is your. relationship now to neck down? >> Um, it's good. I lost some weight this. year for health reasons a little bit. like 25 lbs and it made me feel a lot. better cuz I have knee replacements. So, it it was much better for that. But I I. lost 100 close to 100 lbs three times in. my 20s and it really devastated me. because I gained it back each time. I. gained it back more. It was such a.

racket. All those diet things were such. a racket. I would go into deep. depression, which I'd always struggled. with. I would go into that cycle of like. suddenly people want to talk to me. because I'm skinny and prettyl looking. and then like and I'm not funny. I was. not funny at all when I was skinny, right? >> Um and so that's the only reason that I. eat cream cheese on Pop-Tarts now to. stay funny. [laughter]. >> But but now I feel like. >> Yeah. I mean, well, I think you speak to.

you're speaking to a lot of people who. are listening who understand and you're. really honest and very [clears throat]. compassionate about how that can be a. lifelong struggle. >> Yeah. And I have been on the the the. shot. >> I I've been on the shot this year on a. very micro dosed way that helped me a. lot with inflammation, pain, everything. And it got me I had kept gaining again. and it got me down to this kind of like. I just want to live a long life and so.

I'm now it's not about because I have a. younger wife. She's 22. She's [laughter]. not. >> she's 42. >> Gorgeous sexy wife and you're so in. love. Janine Breurto a hilarious writer, actress, >> incredible writer, incredible person. Incredible. >> You guys are the best. I mean Paula, your relationship. for most of us that know you felt like. not only a miracle to come into your. life, but just like aspirational for us. to think about wanting to have a party. >> It was a miracle. And it taught me truly.

to to stop always, you know, not. believing that the happy ending can. happen. And that's why I'm the world is. dark right now. And I still, no matter. how sad it makes me, I I wake up and I. go, it will write itself. it will write. itself because that's the nature of. life. It's you look at nature doing it, you know, there's a disaster and then. there's the green coming up. And I. really do believe that and that I saw it. in real time with with finding her. >> Well, when we were trying to figure out.

who to talk to about this podcast, who. who we should have talked to about. Paula, like. >> is it Michelle Obama? [laughter]. >> Close. Um, but no, but we were like we. we have so many I want you to know I. know you know this, but I just want to. say out loud like I can think of a dozen. people that would in five minutes notice. get on a Zoom to talk to me about you. But we decided to go with your newest. best friend and that was Kim Kardashian. [laughter].

and the new spokesperson for Skiims. She. [laughter] She's size inclusive. >> She is. She really is. >> And she's a sweetheart. boy. What a. >> enjoying the hell out of her. >> I know. And I really wanted to talk to. Kim because two things. I don't know. Kim, but I her her wanting to talk to us. about you. I was like, I love this lady. because people who love Paula and people. I'm speaking about you in the third. person. People who love you and know the. how funny and talented you are. To me,

I'm like, okay, that's that's a a smart. person who's paying attention. That's a. smart person. And I remember you saying. that you worked with her or you you you. started to work with her and her mom and. you were like she's really fun and easy. to work with. >> Yes. >> You guys are doing a movie together. >> We're doing a movie together. We're mid. mid shoot. We're like about two weeks in. >> and it's with a bunch of other comedy. It's bunch of comedy ladies that we all. know and love. >> Um Fortune Feer, Nikki Glazer, Casey.

Wilson, Brenda Song. Um uh and she is so. blending in with them in this group and. it just her existing was like an. inspiration for it cuz we knew that she. wanted to do this kind of idea and we. were like what would if Kim was. >> just a normal person with a normal life. and normal you know living situation. um and and she was around girls that she.

grew up with like what would be that. thing and anyone I talked to including. Lauren Michaels when she hosted were. like she's really nice and you know. there's the fame is always equated with. someone's an. >> right. >> and that is often true. >> and our [laughter] next episode. >> which is only available. >> yes. >> on another [snorts] website um the two. of us will list those to you [laughter]. but what I love the most about her is. she's an extremely.

kind. gent gentle person, really doing a great. job, playing her part. Um, what I love. the most about her after all those years. at SNL, having all those hosts, >> is that she is always aware of what. she's really good at and what she wants. you to be great at that she knows you're. good at. >> And it's like, let's meet, let's meet. and do something fun. Um, and that is so. valuable to me at this age because I.

just can't be with people that think. they can do my job better than me. >> Oh, Paula, say. Paula. >> I cannot. I'm going to put the chair around while. you say it. Say it again. >> I CANNOT YO YO YO YO YO. [laughter] I. cannot be with people who think they can. do a better job than I can in the. situation that we're doing right then. Now, they might be just as good at. something that I'm doing. I'm not saying. I'm better than them, but when people.

come in, when a host would come in and. they have never written something in. their life and they're telling you how. to write the sketch, I I have done that. so many times in my life with people and. I'm so spiritually exhausted with it. And the first time we met with her, Janine and I wrote this movie together. We came up with it together, drinking, eating soup on a winter day. And Janine. and I just started like spinning it. like, "Wait, what if this and what if. this?" And then we really loved it. because it had a lot of heart and it was.

about female friendship and it was we. were like, "Oh my god, I love this." We. ended up like zooming with her. She came. there. I thought she'd have like a. entourage of people with her on the. Zoom, a lot of squares. [laughter] It. was just one square of beautiful Kim. Kardashian just going, "Hey guys," you. know, just being a lovely person. And. she's been so great on the set. We have. had so much fun. >> You're absolutely right. People who know. what they're good at and also like. working with people who are good at what. they do. That is a skill and also you.

know it is when we were talking to her. one of the questions she has which is. such a sweet question is. also told me a lot about. uh maybe what I sometimes forget or. hopefully don't take for granted but. sometimes do which is she was basically. saying do you think Paula is feeling the. magic the sparkly magic of what we have. like I am you know it was basically like. I'm and she basically said I'm having.

such a good time. I'm like I can't. believe I'm there. I'm a I'm new to. doing comedy, but I've loved it forever. and I'm having fun. Is Paula having fun? Like it was such a sweet. and the answer is hell yeah. And I am in. a no zone of joy now. This is. our only weapon is joy. That's the only. thing we can do now. >> Okay. And so the other question that Kim. had was who is someone that you like. >> you like you know is so hilarious that. you can't barely get through a scene.

with them like who really tickles you? >> I like that old time true classic like. without the meanness under it. Well, I. feel like I saw you do versions of that. all the time and and what comes to mind. is especially in Lauren's office where. we would have this big meeting where. between dress and air or after a. readthrough where all of us would be. packed in and Paula would come in and. you just do some version of that with. Lauren and he would he would just he.

he's kind of a quiet laugher. He would. laugh like this and you don't see Lauren. laughing at I mean when you're in comedy. you almost can't laugh anymore. >> You're tired of it. [laughter] You're. almost And he No one would make him. laugh harder than you. And Paula would. You'd put two oranges in your bra. >> Yes. I would always He had oranges. always in a bowl at his little. tangerines and I would always put. oranges in my bra or I would um. [laughter] I've done a lot of things. >> And there's a picture in Lauren's. office. Do you want to describe what. that picture? >> It's my It's my 1980s head shot and I.

think it's one of the times that I lost. a lot of weight and it's just that. dreamy. It almost looks like a 80s soap. soap star. It is very. >> And I have my hair flipped and I have a. very metallic almost like um alligator. print like which now would probably be a. like a a beautiful outfit and cuz. everything has come back but it's very. 80s. >> And I gave it to him um I framed it in a. very heavy like crystal frame and I.

wrote on it I'll never forget our time. in San Tropé. And it's just this woman. heavily filtered looking off. And he has. it over by when everyone's sitting there. picking the show getting. the faces. It looks a little like a. corpse. It's just like this. [laughter]. But um. >> when you're new to the show and Paulo. would do that, it was like watching. I mean it was like it was like watching. uh.

how would I how do I describe this? It. was like, honestly, it was thrilling. Honestly, it [laughter] was thrilling to. watch a woman come in and just make the. big honcho laugh. It honestly, Paula, it. made you feel like, "Oh, maybe he will. think I'm funny." Like it it you being. fearless in those moments and earning. all of the laughs and being the funniest. made everybody else feel like, "Oh,

there might be room for me here." like. there might be space for me. >> I mean, if I analyzed it, I probably was. always trying to get him to. >> know that I was performatively funny. because I that was something I hid. >> Sure. >> And so, for years, it was very painful. for me to be in rooms and just be very. serious with him. And well, we worked on. that and I put the joke in. Okay, great. Thanks. Thanks, Lord. And just walking. out, always very contained. And once I. broke through that with him, I felt much. better about that.

>> You know what? I didn't get to be in the. cast here, but like I he knows that I'm. a funny person. >> And Paula, it's really interesting as we. started this interview like Midwestern. girl doing the right thing. You broke. you keep breaking social protocol and. you did it in that office at a time when. we were all watching. You really did. keep breaking barriers for us that did. make it feel really safer and safer for. us in every way. And you still do that? I hope so because now it feels so much.

better and it I mean all of it is some. some's worse, some's better, but I do. feel like in comedy the the women in. rooms when I go to SNL now and I see the. writing staff. >> like oh my god so much more diverse and. like there's queer people and thank god. like it just makes you. >> feel so much better and and um. >> and one last thing I just wanted to say. about who makes me laugh is Janine is. one of those people that I never thought. in a million years I would ever be with. a comedy person. I My ex was not a.

comedy person. Lovely person and funny, but like not a not by trade, >> but she makes me laugh in that stealthy. way that I enjoy so much. >> I mean, the two of you guys are so e so. matched comedically. I've never I've. never cuz sometimes, you know, like. people are like, "My partner is so. funny." And you're like, "Oh my god, when?". >> Um, [laughter]. >> now we are at three hours, okay, as you. requested. So, I have two last quick. questions for you. Um, one is, how are. the dogs? >> The dogs are great. I haven't seen them.

in a in a month and a half. Janine just. went home to see them. Um, we have a uh. an old donkey, a very big white horse. that I used to ride Verbina and uh five. dogs, one in a wheel cart, and um who. hauls ass, little tiny uh paralyzed dog. >> and um three cats. >> And and and they're all. >> two snakes. I'm not done. Um, [laughter]. two. >> two snakes. I was like, when did you get. those snakes? >> I can't get other other classes of. animals because they'll start eating. each other.

>> Reptiles are a whole thing. They're a. whole. >> Well, I couldn't feed them the live. animals. >> Exactly. You have to start. >> and birds. I hate cages. I love birds, but I can't unless I can afford someday. an aviary of rescue birds where I can. walk in and they can all land on me like. >> And you don't want something that's. going to outlive you. Like a parrot will. outlive you. >> That's true. Well, our donkey could live. to be like. >> 50. He's old. He's older now, but like I. we we were like our old horse. We're. like, "Let's get her." She lost her. partner horse. Let's get her a little. donkey. We'll adopt an old older donkey.

And then the donkeyy's like 18. Oh, how. long do they 50 years? Oh, 50 years. We. get the rescue old dogs all the time. And they'll they'll call and they'll go, you know, we did bring her to the. cardiologist and um Non is, you know, Nino is actually gonna probably not make. it for a few weeks. Do you still want. him? Of course we want him a thousand. good days in one day. Like let's just. give him a great end of his life. He. lives like seven years. >> because he's too much. >> of expensive medications.

>> Too much love. >> Too much love and medication, >> which is the name of my book. >> Too much love. [laughter]. >> And then the last thing is let I want to. find a um public domain song that we can. harmonize to. >> Yes, >> cuz you're so good at it. Okay. >> Oh my god, I love. >> What's a good public domain song? Let's. see. that we we don't have that that. >> is amazing grace. >> Yes, it is amazing [clears throat]. grace. Okay, >> I have a good one in that good harmony. That's a high Amazing.

>> What one should I sing? >> I'll do the higher. So, you just sing. the melo melody. Amazing [clears throat]. [singing]. grace, how sweet [singing]. the sound. that. saved [singing]. a wretch. [gasps]. like [singing] me.

[gasps]. I [singing] once. was lost [singing]. but now. I am found. >> Was blind [singing]. but now. I see.

was great. I. [screaming]. >> We did not rehearse that. >> We did not. >> It's not PUBLIC DOMAIN. GREAT. IT'S. GETTING CUT. >> WHAT IS IT? It costs $150,000. [laughter]. Okay, great. We're going to cut it. >> I will put $20 towards it. >> Paul, I love you so much. >> Thank you. I love you so much. I love. this show. It's such an honor to be at the at the. table with you. No kidding. Paula, you're the best at the table. >> [laughter].

>> This is like I love watching this and. hearing a very expensive table. >> It's a big honor. It's a big honor. >> Paula, I love you so much for. everything. >> Paula Pel, you're just so fun to be around. Thank. you for doing that. And um you know, for. this Polar Plunge, there's just so many. things that Paula mentioned that she. wrote on great sketches that you should. check out at SNL if you're looking to. laugh. But but I I want to uh remind you. about a a little YouTube um show that.

she did, not little, big, a a big. YouTube show called Hudson Valley. Ballers that her and James Anderson, another writer at SNL who was mentioned. in this interview, worked on. And Paula. and James just play two jerks, two. funny, lovable jerks who live in the. Hudson Valley. And um there's a lot of. really funny cameos. um stupid people being with other stupid. people doing stupid things. So check out. Hudson Valley Ballers if you haven't. checked that out and check out Paula on.

the BBS and um keep uh uh listening to. Good Hang. We love that you're here. Thanks for being here and see you soon. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The. executive producers for this show are. Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and me. Amy Polar. [music] The show is produced. by The Ringer and Paperkite. For the. Ringer production by Jack Wilson, Cat. Spalain, Kaia McMullen, and Aalia. [music] Xanerys. For Paperkite. production by Sam Green, Joel Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music.

by Amy Miles. Good. [music and singing] Hey.