Rachel Dratch | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hi everyone, welcome to another episode. of Good Hang. I am so excited about this. episode. It is the great Rachel Dratch, my friend for almost 30 years, and. America's favorite. And we are going to. talk about so much good stuff. We're. going to talk about growing up in. Massachusetts. We're going to talk about. the our love for the musical Annie, and. we're going to go behind the music and. do a deep dive into the world-famous. clip that kicked this podcast off and. that has kept us laughing ever since.

So, get ready for a great interview. And. before we start, we always like to talk. to someone who knows our guest, is a fan. of our guest, has a question that they. want to give me. And I'm very excited to. um talk to Kevin Cahoon today. Kevin is. a dear friend of Rachel. He is an. incredible actor, um musical theater pro, um Tony nominated for the great musical. Shucked, and you can catch him in a. million other things. And Kevin is um.

zooming in to get things started. Kevin, hi. [Music]. This episode is brought to you by. Palmolive. Some of the best memories. you'll ever make are around the dinner. table. You'll never regret trying out. those new recipes that may or may not go. sideways, or putting on a spread so big. that your in-laws are still talking. about it years later. Brownie points. So, when it comes to the dishes, it's. nice to know there's a product that. works as hard as you do. Palmolive Ultra.

removes up to 99%. of grease, leaving your dishes sparkling. clean. Visit palmolive.com. Shop now. [Music]. Hi. I feel so lucky. I feel so lucky. >> You're the luckiest. I get to see you on this too. I know. I.

wish we were having margaritas with. Dratch. Hey, listen. Wouldn't that be. great? That's a good hang right there. >> That is for listeners, um. I've had a few margaritas with Kevin and. Dratch over the years, pre-show, post-show, cuz both of you were on. Broadway. Well, listen. Anytime I can. hang out with you. >> Yeah, how are you? I'm so great. How are. you? >> Where are we talking to you from? I'm in. Texas at my mom's place, rural Texas,

outside of Houston. It's a sunny day. We've had four days of torrential rain, um and I'm dealing with these wild hogs. I know this is crazy. They're wild feral hogs that show up in. the middle of the night, and they tear. up your property. They travel in packs. of 30, and I've set up alarms all. around, and I think they're working. But. last night we had a few come, and um the. alarms went off in the middle of the. night, which there's nothing more. terrifying. Um and I'm good with. animals, and I grew up with a lot of.

animals, and I'm fine with animals. Not. these animals. Mhm. Not a fan. Almost It's worth a Google if anyone. wants to Google Texas wild feral hogs. Well, I mean, the the the thing that I'm. was so excited to talk to you about. today is that. you um like many of us. deeply love our guest Rachel Dratch. Beyond. Tell me tell me how you two. first met. >> We met doing a musical called Minsky's.

in LA, written by Charles Strouse and. Susan Birkenhead and Bob Martin. It was. coming to Broadway, a star-studded cast, and it closed in LA, which is, you know, the the great showbiz tale. But what you. take away from experiences like that are. the people, and you usually have one or. two from each show, and um I fell in. love with Rach immediately. What's not. to fall in love with? Um and she had.

told me she had gone to a psychic that I. think you had bought her this psychic. reading for her birthday. >> That's right. I should talk to her about. that cuz if she's open to it, cuz her. and I both went to the same psychic at. the same time when we were both. pregnant. Yes, that's right. And she had. gone to we had before the show, we would. go I would go to her dressing room, and. we would have a day catch-up. What'd you. do today? Who'd you see? Where'd you. lunch? Um and she had said I went to the. psychic, and the psychic told me that. our show was going to close out of town. And we were like, They're crazy. That'll never happen.

We're moving into the St. James Theatre. Well, the psychic was right. But anyway, it that was probably 15, 16, 17 years. ago, and it has just been the most. nourishing, fulfilling, steadfast. friendship that I could have ever ever. imagined. And then I've gotten to have. new friends like you that I have met. through Rach, and you know that they're. a good friend when you meet their. friends, and those friends become your. friends as well. So, it.

it's just been the most rewarding. friendship I could have ever imagined. I. hear you. I feel the same. I feel like. there's a few friends that and it's. proven to be true now that Rachel and. I've been friends for almost 30 years. There's a few people that you know. in in success and in quote failure, in. good times and in bad times, they're. going to weather that storm with you. And that's not always the case with. everyone. Sometimes people are better. when things are going badly, right?

They're like. they like that. And sometimes people. want to hear when you're succeeding. That's what they when they want to be. along for the ride. But Rachel Dratch. definitely is there for both if you're. lucky enough to have her as your friend. That is so true, and she's a wonderful. gift giver. She never forgets an. occasion where she's going to bring you. a little something. You know, I did a. Broadway show that ran 9 months, and she. was there opening night. She was there. closing night. She was there in between.

She came again. She brought friends. It's just she is a cheerleader for those. that she loves. She is a champion. Um she'll go to bat. It she's just life. is a little brighter when Rach is. around. Cahoon, let's talk about Shucked, which. is the show you're talking about. That's. true. Yes. >> I loved you in it and loved that show so. much. You were so dear to come. So it.

meant the world to me. And let me tell. you what, Amy Poehler, you're one of. those friends, because not only did you. come to Shucked, I did a production of. La Cage aux Folles in the fall, you came. to La Cage aux Folles. You are there. I mean, you're. you know, you birds of a feather fly. together. You guys are just exemplary. friends. Aw, friend. Thank you for. saying that. That means a lot. And I. love I mean, it's not hard work to go to. a really fun show and watch you. Before.

we get to your question, I do want to. I'm going to talk to Dratch a little bit. about her her Tony nom and her show. Potus and how I mean, cuz I know. from being her friend how. a positive an experience that was for. her. Like great women that she became. really good friends with, a Tony nom, a. hilarious part. Um do you remember that. time and what she said about that. experience when she was working on that. show? Well, here's the incredible thing, and it's so rare. She got a Tony nomination for her.

Broadway debut. Damn. ever happens. That. is like remarkable. And I've seen. Rachel on stage so many times at the. Public, Shakespeare in the Park, Manhattan Theatre Club. And she is always the standout. And when. you do a Broadway show, whether you want. to admit it or not, there's always a. part of you that thinks, maybe just. maybe that childhood dream would come. true, that show that I watch once a year.

in June, maybe I could be a part of that. show. And then when it happens, it is. just it's the most. it's the biggest embrace you could ever. imagine from a community that you've. always wanted to be a part of. And you know, a lot of people probably. um know Rachel from television and from. film, but her theater career is just as. sparkling and just as dynamic and. diverse as um her impact on TV and film.

Yeah, she's played so many different. types of characters. It's actually a. good question. She's played like men and. dogs and people and like mothers and. robots and whatever. She will she can do. it all. She can do everything. That's why you. hire Rachel Dratch, you know. >> It's so true. It's so true. Um we should all be as versatile as. Rachel Dratch, you know. >> Okay, so Kev, what do you think I mean, I could talk to Dratch and will probably.

today forever about so many things, the. past, the present, the future. Anything. you think I should ask her today? Yes. Um it was hard to pick one question. I. have two that I think are. uh. sparkly. One is about the theater, because I feel like a lot of people. don't realize that Rachel Dratch was a. theater kid, and she went to theater. camp, and her dream and ambition was to. be in plays and in musicals, and then. her career took a brilliant detour.

Um I would ask her, little Rachel Dratch going to theater. camp, what were her three beacons of. light in the American theater, a. musical, a performer, who was it that. filled her with I want to do that? That's what I want to be when I grow up. >> Such a good question. >> That was the one question. And then, this is something that. inspires me about Rachel. She brought us all Debbie Downer, one of.

the most iconic American comedic. characters. When Rachel Dratch is thinking about. feline AIDS and. North Korean train accidents and. insurrection, what is that catalyst that gets her out. of her doom and gloom and brings her. back to reality? That would be another. question. >> Debbie would want me to point out that. it is good that you brought up feline. AIDS cuz it is the number one killer of. domestic cats.

Well, that's true. Listen, we've talked. about feral hogs and feline AIDS. What's. next, baby? Texas, baby. Um. These are such good questions, Kevin. And she I don't think she knows that I'm. talking to you today. I did not tell. her. >> Okay, good. I didn't tell her either. I. We even had a little We had a little. kiki yesterday and I was zipped lips, so. >> Oh my god, I'm so happy cuz if she's. going to be so happy. These are really. good questions. And. I think nobody loves a a good question. more than Dratch. Like if you ask Dratch.

a good question, she's like, "That's. such a good question.". She will say that, I guarantee you. That's a. >> And I had told Blake Lee, who was on. who's a dear mutual friend of ours who. was on for Dakota. Uh. I told him not 5 days ago, Amy. I was. like, "You were so incredible on Amy's. podcast. It's so fabulous that you were. on there. It is so chic. What a cool. thing. I'm so proud of you." And then my. phone dinged and it was you. And.

I it just I can't thank you enough Are. you kidding me? Thank you for taking a break from. fighting the hogs and. And if you know, if you are eventually. eaten by them, just know that our time. together was so special to me. It was. and I cherish every single minute. All right, I can't wait to see you in. New York, friend. I love you so much. >> Thanks so much for doing this. This episode is brought to you by Voco.

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Rachel Dratch is here. Are we starting? Is it official? Yeah, and we need to talk about Wait, what. What do you got? Let's get started here. I'll get this. >> Rachel's pulling OUT THE WORLD-FAMOUS. YOU'VE SEEN IT. You've seen it before. THIS IS MY NEW TRADEMARK, EVERYBODY.

BY THE WAY, I DIDN'T I DIDN'T tangle. this. This is how it came out. Where I was storing it. This is the. These are the world-famous. >> state. World-famous Rachel Dratch. headphones. The shot fired heard round. the world. These headphones is where it. all began. The chaos. beginning. >> Oh my god, Oh, look at that. Now that. Now that I'm with Amy, everything's all right. Okay, we don't.

even use these, but I had to bring those. up. >> Dratch is a historical item. Okay. >> Of course Dratch brings a prop. And brings the prop. from home. For people that didn't see the our first. episode of Good Hang, Dratch was in the. group that was talking about our guest, Tina Fey, and boy did we have a Oh my. god, that was like probably my biggest. laugh of the year. >> I just watched it again on the way over. here and um we're going to get into it. today. The Of course we are. People need.

to hear. the behind the music. Where were you Where were you when you. saw the clip? I mean, I owe you money for that clip. I. owe you money for that clip. But it. really was like it started off the. entire vibe of the show. Like I'm so. grateful for it cuz it started off. exactly what I was hoping, which is I. was hoping that this would be like fun. and easy and a laugh. And that was the. deepest laugh, Dratch. It was such a. good laugh. Like I mean, imagine like your best.

laugh ever and then it's and then it's. like recorded for you to watch again. Like that that never happens. Cuz you. can't plan that. No, no. And also having. Fred and Seth and Zarna there and. there's really no better. I would say like partner than Seth when. Dratch is Dratching because he's so good. at keeping like like things moving in a. way Yeah. He was making me laugh so. much. He's like, "Dratch, we're probably.

going to cut all this out.". And then when I was like, "I'm holding. everything up." He's like, "No, this is. how she wanted to start.". Like. He was the perfect foil. The comedy foil. Also the thing that. gets me, which is such a like improv and. such a good example of what a good. listener you are, is that. at the very end you clap, which is what. we asked you to do 15 minutes before to. get started. God, that clap. >> End it with the beginning, people.

Comedy 101. Okay. Second prop use of this podcast is. Dratch is swirling her iced drink. Okay. No, but it is like that I I have to say. when I was thinking about what to talk. about today, I was like, "We have had. deep laughs." We have. >> Like the And you love you love to laugh. and the way Dratch has many kinds of. laughs. And you have Like I I know people have. done your laugh to you. Oh, yeah.

Also, when you go into like a level two. laugh, when you're going down deep, >> Yeah. Like you get very. old school. Oh my gosh. Wait, I just. need to say though that when that it was. happening, that I didn't know that was. going to be used for on camera. Which I didn't You did not tell me. You. did not tell me. I looked back at the. text. And. >> sorry. No, no, I don't mean that. I.

mean, it was the best thing ever. But I. just mean for people wondering like, "Why did she order food right when it. was there was a podcast happening?" Like. one could argue still with audio, why. did you? But. Cuz I thought it was like half hour of. time. True. And then it came very. quickly. And then my dog barked. And then. >> And your dog's name is. >> And then my dog's name is Ruffles. And Ruffles started barking. Anyway, sorry, go ahead. Do you remember. I think we talked about it There was a. hilarious whoever is the TikToker who.

did this. Somebody posted There were. many clips of it and then someone went. and looked at your chart. >> Yes, my my horoscope, whatever zodiac. Well, so I'm what's a Pisces I got I. didn't know this word. A stellium means. all your things are in the same sign, like every single thing. Wow. But I. guess there's one little thing. But this. woman, she did my chart on TikTok and. she was laughing really hard. She's. like, "How is this woman surviving with. everything in Pisces?" She's like, "She. is She somehow she's making it work.". But then I guess there's like one thing.

in Capricorn and she goes, "This. Capricorn is holding the whole rest of. it all together. It's doing the work of, you know, 10,000 men or something.". She's kind of Pisces final boss. Yes. And I have wondered if I Other people. were talking about ADHD, I guess. And I. have wondered if I have that as an. adult. I don't know. But that if you. look at that clip, you're going to be. like, "Yep." I I feel like it's like. Pisces I mean, we we talk about it like. in, you know, the Pisces being a. shorthand for.

like, you know, it's in its best. >> Chaos. I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. But. we're opposite Amy's Virgo sister sign. Amy's Virgo. By the way, I don't know. much about signs, but I just know about. that. I don't know. I I do like astrology. I. think it's cool. We like astrology. We. like enneagram. We like anything that. like is about personality stuff. But. what's fun about talking about Pisces. and Virgo is Pisces are kind of the fish. that are floating through life and Virgo. is the virgin setting the rules. I don't.

know. And um but I find like we do do I. mean, I I I feel like you do definitely. have a dream-like approach and a. adventurous approach to life. I would say that, yes. Yes, I think you. are like a curious traveler. And and you definitely don't um. [Laughter]. Did you see what happened? The curious.

traveler. [Music]. I'm trying to be myself. Okay. I can't. see. Dratch just It was like a cloud a. shy cloud came over. Yeah, you are kind. of shy. I am shy, yes. It goes without. saying we've been friends for 30 years. We are often mistaken for the being the. same person or like just the other day. someone we were in the public bathroom. and someone's like, "I saw your sister. in the bathroom." Like they think we're. sisters. But you and I do do definitely have like. if if life was like a rom-com, like we.

would be like growing up next to each. other. So walking by each other in the. mall, probably. So talk to people who. don't know your like early Dratch. Where. did she grow up? What was her life like? Early Dratch grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, next town over from Amy, but we didn't know each other. Although. if Well, we did work in the same ice. cream store, which we always have to. say. Called Chadwicks. And if you don't know that, you might. not even living under a rock. But. anyway, but yeah, grew up in Lexington and I. don't know. I was I was shy when I was.

little, but I was always. I mean, I watched SNL when I was in. third grade at someone else's house at a. sleepover like their older brother was. watching it and I was immediately like, what is this? But I definitely was I. mean, I don't know about you either. I. don't I wasn't like, I'm going to be an. actor when I grow at all. No, I didn't. even. know that was a job really. Yeah. It was. sort of like maybe a little dream about. like oh, when I saw Annie, you know, the musical I'm like, how are. they up there? What Where do I get one. of those buckets, you know, like Annie. Annie is there should be a documentary.

about women our age and how we were. affected by Annie. So, but yeah, and then I did school plays, but I definitely was not like the queen. of the drama club, you know, I just did. it for fun. >> You did get a superlative though and it. was. >> I did. I got class clown. Did you get class clown? Or did you guys. do those things? I got class clown, but. I didn't get it. I'd like to know who did. >> I I was a second runner up for most. casual. All right, most casual. It's like what.

did that even mean? I don't know if it's. in manner or dress. I didn't even get. close. >> Second runner up to superlative. Kind of. casual. Class Class clown. But. then, let's see. I don't know. I then. Oh, and then also well, my dad was very. funny as you know. >> Yeah, Paul Dratch. >> And. so, we just kind of had like, you know, he would do like kind of Oh, this is. funny. I I ran into someone. whose dad had gone to high school with. my dad back when I was in high school, you know, right there. Yeah. And then.

she said, oh, my dad said your dad used. to always do impressions of the teachers. when they left the room and have. everyone laughing cuz he was doing it. Yeah. So, like I I just sort of had that. it was in my blood. No, but I mean, it. was sort of like in the atmosphere. But. you did school plays. Getting class. clown, you got to be. funny in real I guess like in junior. high I started kind of like pipe up. one-liners from the back of the room. kind of thing. But. much to the chagrin of teachers, I'm.

sure. But but then when I got to college. then there was an improv group there and. then I was like I didn't even know what. improv was back then. Now it's like When. when you go to So, you're in high school. in Lexington, Massachusetts which a shot. heard around the world that we just. mentioned. like the the birthplace of democracy. Right next to it was Burlington, Massachusetts where I was from and let's. be honest, they were not different at. all. There was maybe right? She just blanched.

Well, I was going to say I exaggerated. for effect. Okay, okay. That's so funny. Okay, okay. But we shared them all. We. shared them all. I often hung out at the. Burlington Mall. We probably passed each. other. We did. I think we did. At the. Brigham's or something. Like we. definitely I felt like we had very. parallel lives like short blue-eyed. Massachusetts girls who. like we're good students but wanted to. be funny and. And the the Lexington I always used to.

joke that Lexington is like for Parks. and Rec fan like Parks and Rec fans, Lexington was the Eagleton and. Burlington was the Pawnee is how it. felt. Like we thought Lexington was. where the rich people were. And what did you think of Burlington? Burlington Oh, I didn't think about No, I'm just kidding. I LIKE HOW DO I HOW DO I GET AMY TO SEE? NO, first of all, I worked at Caldor's. Yes. which is in across the Burlington. line across town lines during Caldor's. with the Burlington bad girls. And our. teams played each other. Our teams.

played each other on Thanksgiving Day. and so since then we always call it. Well, now they don't anymore, but we. used to call each other up on. Thanksgiving. Chuck it, Burlington. Yeah. We used to. try to trash talk each other on. Thanksgiving. And then you go to. Dartmouth. >> to Dartmouth. Ivy League, Rachel. Yes. >> And very very like. What what was your experience there? Like did you like it? >> Well, great question. It was but I went back in the '80s and. it was it was very conservative back.

then. Which I didn't even really know. what that meant, but it was just like. it took me a while to find my people. there. Like you know, I had friends at. the beginning and everything, but then. the general ethos of it I didn't feel. like I really matched with. And then I saw the improv group like I. had some friend of mine from like acting. class or whatever was like, come check. this out. And as soon as I saw it I was. like, not like this is but I was kind of. like, oh, I feel like I could do this, you know. >> This is exactly This is we have very. similar stories because same thing I.

went to Boston College. I was trying to. figure out how I fit in big like big. sports school like and lots of like. private school kids prep school kids As. much as we joke about Lexington like we. didn't have like that prep school vibe. of like. And I was kind of like, what person is. the yeah. That was a big vibe there. I. can remember going into people's dorm. rooms and being like, how do you know. how to get your dorm room so ready so. fast? And they're like, I was living in. Deerfield.

I spent three years at Deerfield and. that's how. But I didn't know that you. felt that way too. Yeah. And so I saw an. improv group my freshman year. My. mother's flea bag. >> Yes, and yours was Said and Done. Oh my god, look at There was nothing. like those improv group names, yeah. Our. friend Brian Stack who was a performer. at Second City used to like love to talk. about good and bad improv names and like.

how they would either be really goofy. like pun filled or they would be very. like serious and pretentious. Oh, I. haven't heard the serious. >> one and and if if anyone's listening and. I as part of the group I I enjoy your. work and I respect you. But. one of them he said was called Society's. Mirror. No. [Music]. Is that real? Good question. I don't know. I There's no way to check. Okay, Society's Mirror, but. I think it's out of batteries.

Yeah. Okay, so you did you do Were you. in Said and Done? So then yeah, so then. I got into Said and Done and then I was. like, oh, like these are the fun people, you know. But you were theater kid. I. well, I mean, I don't know. I just did like you did. plays, right? Didn't you do plays? >> camp? I I did go to theater summer. theater camp. Yes. But not like one of. those like I'm not saying this to be. like it wasn't like those ones like the. real ones. It wasn't like professional.

like, you know, kids that were really It. was just like suburban Boston like, you. know, whatever. But. but yeah, then I that that that's where. I met our parallel like. But um Yes. But. yeah, I wasn't like like the star of. anything. Like I wasn't like rolling in. and then like the lead and everything. I. was started out like everything I. started out like the chorus and then you. move up a little bit the next year. Yeah, that kind of thing. Yeah, and and. I think like me and you like we didn't. really know anyone that were actors or. writers growing up. So, I just never. thought that would be a job. Right,

right, right. >> Did you have like an idea as a kid what. your job would be? I mean, like every kid in third grade I. wanted to be a marine biologist. Like. like like us all, right? But no, I mean, did that I don't I don't know. anyone that wants to be a marine. biologist. >> What do we think we're going to do. there? >> play with dolphins and save the nature. I I actually legitimately was like very. in and still I'm like nature like a a. career for in saving nature was like. something I actually when I was little.

Like then when I got And then as you. know, I wanted to be a therapist. But I. also like every time I'd see a movie I. was like, oh, like I was just really. intrigued, but I had no idea how you. ever did that. And I also to be really. like not self-deprecating, but it wasn't. like I had felt like I had special skill. in acting or anything. But I loved like. cracking So, you crack jokes and do. comedy, but yet you don't think you're. skilled. But like cuz it's like not. like, well, I'm an actor. Like not like. that, but just like I like comedy and I. like watching it and and like I had a. group of funny friends too. So, we would.

always like, you know, I mean, legit. funny friends. So, that was also sort of. like practice. You know what I mean? Yeah. Okay, so you get to Dartmouth. You graduate. And what was your degree. in? >> It was drama and then I minored in. psychology. Right. And then Oh, so my. improv group. sophomore summer we were on campus and. we took this little like trip cuz one of. the guys in the group was from Chicago. So, we went out to Chicago for a week. Just to like check out Second City. Improv Olympic and just like, you know,

go to all the little sites there. And. then I was like, okay, maybe when I. graduate I'll come back here and like. try this, you know. And I sort of just. wanted to. try it more to know that I'd given it a. shot. I don't know how you were about. this. But I was kind of you all you hear. is like you it's so hard, you're never. going to make it. Like that's all you. hear. So, then I was like buying into that and. then I was like, okay, I'm just going to. go out and try Chicago. and then I won't make it and then I'll. come back and be a therapist in suburban. Boston. And but then like very then like. I mean, I don't know how much detail I'm.

going to go into, but right when I got. there I did not get into classes at. Second City. Like I heard like everyone. auditions gets into classes and then I. didn't get into classes and then I was. like, like what did I do? But then I. just stuck it out and then I took class. like later. Like everything I did I kind. of didn't get the first time around sort. of. Oh, interesting. Interesting. Like. you had to Like that and then like. touring company audition didn't get in. and then like. well, SNL audition two times. Like just. but then you kind of get used to that, I. guess. I don't know. But.

but anyway, yeah, so then I eventually. got into the classes and then did like. little theater things there and. eventually got into the touring company. So, you get to Chicago and do you. remember when we first met? I do. Well, in my memory we're in the lobby of. Second City and you had just moved there. and you were in the touring company, I. guess. I don't know if you were in it. yet or were just coming around to check. it out or something. But anyway, I. remember meeting you and I remember you. being really friendly and like I would.

just say like sunshiny. Like it's not. you you don't always remember meeting. someone for the first time, but I do. remember at least in my mind this was. the first time. And I just remember you. were like very like like you are. You. were very friendly and smiley and you. know, cute little blondie. And I remember. meeting you, but I didn't meet you. I. saw you. So, I arrived and you were kind of the. junior to my freshman in Chicago, I. would say. And I saw you on stage. You were in Lois. Capps, an improv show, very like kind of famous.

improv show named after a woman that. worked in the office or something. I. don't Sketch and improv and comedy, it's. just like music, right? Like it's like, "Oh, go check out this cool band." Like, "Oh, these two people are singing. together.". Um, you know, you just were like. watching groups and trying to figure out. what was good, what did you like? And. Lois the show that you were in um was. just like, "Oh, these are the cool good. improvisers. Go see them." And I. remember so the first time I saw you. before we met, um I saw you on stage and.

I just remember, you know, I think like when you see someone on. stage for the first time, it's very it's. a very interesting dynamic. Like you're. just like forever looking up to them, like it feels like. And I just was like, "Oh, she's so funny." Like just loved. being. like watching you perform. Like just. and um. and you know, subsequently, like we got. to know each other in Chicago and I was. your understudy for. uh touring company for sure, yeah.

>> So, what is touring company for people. who don't know? >> Well, it's like your first step to. getting into Second City and you're not. out on the road like for big long times. You're just like you're going to Indiana. for the weekend, like that kind of. thing. And it's just sort of like. cutting your teeth and I mean you get. paid a minimal sum. So, you're like it's. your first like, "I'm a working actor.". You know. Yeah. >> And it's sort of your first step to. moving up the little ladder there. Yeah, and so we didn't get to tour together. cuz I was only filling in when you were. And then Amy struck out and moved to New.

York and started UCB, which I told you. before that I was always just like, "What are you guys doing?" Like I didn't. know you guys that well, but I was just. like, "What are they doing?" Like. they're on track to, you know, you were. already very successful in Chicago. Or. like. successful like. known to be good improvisers, whatever. But um but then like you definitely. would have moved up the ranks at Second. City, but you guys had this like pioneer. spirit of moving here and starting a. thing. >> is kind of like if if we're if the.

Dratch and Poehler rom-com is happening, this is where the we kind of separate. for a little bit to go find our own. Because I moved to New York, you're on. main stage in a very famous show at. Second City and then you meet Tina when? Oh, so then Tina joined them the next. show. Then they changed it to three men, three women, which was like. revolutionary. >> "What?". >> Three women together? >> I know. But then Tina came in for the. next show, my second show on main stage, called Citizen Gates, and uh.

she was of course hilarious from the. get-go. And then we did two shows. together and then and then I started to. get more comfortable up there and like. being better at creating characters and. all that. And then Tina went off to. write for SNL after the second her. second show. And then I stayed there. How many more years did you stay there? >> um well, I was four years on the main. stage. And uh and it was such a fun job. I mean, it might have been like my. favorite job ever because. >> take us back to what it was like a day.

when you were on the main stage in. Chicago. What was that day like? Well, I. mean, I remember like you'd sleep really. late, much later than I do now. But I. just but then you're writing the show. If you're rehearsing, you're writing the. show by day. So, you're in rehearsals. all day. So, and that but you never. wrote like how we did it at SNL where. you were like at a typewriter with a. typewriter. Okay. word processor. When you were at a. I think I GOT A GOOD one here. GIVE ME A. LITTLE PAPER. I'M ON A PAPER, SHULTZIE.

DING. OKAY. Computer is what they're. called now. But um. But uh no, like you it's not like SNL. when you're like, "Oh, let's think of. something. We're in an office." It was. Oh. on its feet and like just someone. had an idea and you just and then you'd. try it out in front of the audience. Or. the audience would give a suggestion and. then a scene would really hit from an. audience suggestion. They'd be like, "Let's try that again, but let's change. this." So, that's how we wrote the. thing. Um. and then eventually like the show would.

be done and it'd be set and then you'd. just do the show night after night. But. um but the show was like sketch like for. those that don't know, like SNL. And. then afterwards, you'd improvise. every night pretty much and um that's. how you get really good at improvising. by just. night after night after night. Cuz if I. had to improvise right now, I'd be like. like I'd wait, linger in the back line. I you know, if you keep doing it like. well-oiled machine.

So, talk to us about your on it you get. to SNL what year? 99 Right. >> Yeah, fall of '99. And uh I was the only. new person that year. Well, the only new. actor. Ali was the a new writer, but um. But yeah, so you just get like Who was. on the cast when you got in there? >> get to SNL, I just got a little tense. You know this show comes out on Tuesdays. and to me, I just realized I was like, "Oh, this is like a. a new way to.

change Tuesdays for me." Cuz Tuesdays. used to be writing night at SNL where it. was like the dread of Tuesdays. Like, "Oh, no. This is the night where I have. to try to get on the show." Cuz you. audition basically every week and I. haven't written anything yet and I'm I'm. so tired and. uh I'm going to let the host down. I'm. going to let every myself down. Now that. there's like this show comes out on. Tuesdays, I don't know. There's just. something like but yes, I think people are aware of the dread, but what what just came UP FOR YOU?

WHICH particular type of dread? >> know. I just thought of like walking in. there. And I pictured the hallway. And I think I thought you were going to. like go to the audition, but no. Then. I'm like right in that hallway. I'm in. the hallway, Amy. I'm in the hallway. Stay in the hallway. Stay in the. hallway. Stay there, Rachel. I can see. the office. I can. Put your feet on the ground. >> Here comes Lauren down the hallway. Um okay. Um. So, you're there. But that's hard being. the only new cast member.

>> That was hard. I can't I cannot tell a. lie. That was hard because. that place is like well, I think, you. know, some people like when Will Ferrell. came in, I think is the year that like a. whole bunch of new people they were like. the freshman class. And then you're all. like in it together. But when you come. in new, like no one's like you know, "Here's how this works and here's how. And it's just you're kind of just like. "Hey guys, what's you know, wandering. the halls" kind of. It definitely feels. like the the high school version of like. your tray in the lunchroom, like where.

do I sit? Yeah, for sure. Um I mean, Tina was there, so that was. good because she knew how already you. know, she knew the system, obviously. But like I had someone to write with. because some people come in there and. they're great, but if they if they don't. know how to write for like also, the. writing for SNL is very different from. writing for Second City. Like a scene. that killed at Second City, you couldn't. get it on SNL cuz it's just a different. like And at the time you're like, "But. this is awesome and why don't you But. now like with more wisdom, I'm like,

"Why wouldn't it work?" Just cuz like a. scene in a theater like could take. longer to get going. You didn't need to. have like laugh laugh laugh. Like it's. like people in the theater are just like. into seeing this character kind of Mhm. do their thing. But at SNL, it had to be. like you need laughs like off the bat. You need to know what this is right. away. And um. I don't know. Just this one thing that. >> Do you remember the first scene on SNL. that like you got were getting laughs in. you thought like, "It's working." Like. that felt like.

Um gosh. >> Like I don't remember the first cuz I. remember the first few times I got on, like I wasn't even I like left my body. So, I don't remember like, "This is. going really well." I was just like, "I'm on." Like that kind of thing, YOU. KNOW. UM. WELL, THE FIRST very first show I wasn't. in. Like the you know, season premiere, whatever. >> Right. And like you've told all your. friends like, "I'm on SNL." And like. everyone's watching and your scene gets. cut like it does. And then the next week. the same thing happened. Scene got cut. So, it was like the third week. Who was.

the host? Do you remember? >> that I got on was uh. I should know this. Oh my god. Well, I. know the first one was Jerry Seinfeld. Then it was Norm Macdonald. And then it. was. And does not compute. Oh my god. I don't. >> The brain remembers trauma. So, you. remember the two shows that. Dana Carvey? I don't I'm going to have. to go look. >> do those three guys in a row. Let's what. year was it, Dratch? >> 1999, third episode.

>> Okay, this will be a fun game. >> Dana Carvey? >> Okay, I'm going to and I'm going to have. you guess the musical guest because. that's always fun, too. >> Oh my god. See? 1999, I don't remember. anything. 1999 SNL. hosts. And don't worry. We're going to. keep. >> Oh, but let me tell you one cool thing. though. Let me tell. I just heard that. Wait, let me tell you. one cool thing though. >> Please. The. Please. Um the very first musical guest. was David Bowie. And when I was I've told this before,

but when I was getting my photo taken. for like the very first opening credits, like it was on the stage, you know, like. in 8H. And David Bowie was it was. Thursday. He was rehearsing with the. band. So like I'm getting my picture. taken and he's right over there singing. Rebel Rebel. I mean I have chills every time I think. about that because that was just like. I mean I don't even have words for like. the surrealness. That's very That's like. you have a soundtrack of that moment for.

your life and it's David Bowie playing. while. >> Bowie. Icon, yeah. So I remember that. Should we tell the Black Crowes story? >> time So I don't do DRUGS AT ALL. SO AND THEN ONE TIME THE BLACK CROWES. were the musical guest and someone in. the audience came up to me and said. like, "Hey, do you want. That's my drug offer voice. Hey, do you.

want. um whatever you call it? >> Joint. >> I Not a joint but just like a hit off a. joint. >> I see. And I was I don't know. I I get. tried in a couple times. It's never. really worked. I've never really dug it. And then I was like, "Okay, sure." So I. took like one puff off of this Black. Crowes Am I going to get sued? The Black. Crowes pot. The Black Crowes pot. I took a hit off. the Black Crowes pot. And my.

my cousin was visiting me, my cousin. Zach and. I came back to the table and I was like. Oh, I guess this is like I'm really high. right now. And I was so embarrassed cuz. like it was my little cousin. And I never ever ever get high and then. I came back and I was kind of like. I don't really remember if I told him or. not. You Oh, he didn't He might not even. know. >> even know but. that was my one like. >> I remember you telling me you couldn't.

get up from your chair. Oh, well I don't. remember that. But it's possible. It's. possible. >> kind of stuck. >> just like. really like Anyway, and that's why I. don't do drugs. I mean No, I'm just not into that. feeling I guess but. >> No, you're not into that feeling. >> Only if it's from the Black Crowes. And then Yes, Chris Chris Robinson, call. me. Call me. I just love that that was the particular.

>> it wasn't like it wasn't like I was like. partying with the Black Crowes. It was. like second handed being it down to the. music guy and I was told it was from the. Black Crowes. So. >> but it's so interesting that you took. the hit that you had used cuz you. >> I wonder if I was feeling a little. jaunty that night. I don't know. I don't. know. No, but drugs is not your thing. Never has been. No, you know I like a. margarita. I KNOW YOU. BUT YES. >> Or perhaps you like to sail to the Pinot. Grigio islands. Amy and I will occasionally sail to the.

Pinot Grigios. We'll text each other and. say, "Shall we take a trip?". >> To the to the Grigios. Yeah. Yeah. Um And then when you were at SNL like I. feel like we got it I was thinking today. about all the stuff we got to do. together and we got to do a lot of dumb. So fun. >> So fun stuff. >> And. But you know and I was thinking it was. like I I mean in many ways I wish we had. I wish we had more time together when I.

was more experienced there because I was. new and kind of stressed and you were. the again the junior to my senior and I. felt like I loosened up more and figured. out how to like just have more fun as as. I got older there. Um. But we did get to do some fun stuff. together. >> Well, first of all you were in the. original Debbie Downer and that was so. fun. I mean just to be laughing there. with you. Well, you bring this up and. you know I ask this question to people.

on this podcast and I truly feel like it. is because of Debbie Downer that I ask. this question. Again, I owe you a lot of. money and thank you for thank you for. building this podcast with me. But. Debbie Downer I've said it many times. before was and is the thing that I go to. um. uh also maybe now replaced by the clip. >> of this podcast. >> the clip a lot of times and I just. wanted to clarify I don't go like watch. my work. Like I don't go watch like a. movie I did cuz like I just like to have. it in my head. But that it's like I said.

it was like seeing your biggest crack. up. Yes. >> like I I have to laugh every time I. watch it. >> Me too. And Debbie Downer was like that. for me during very dark times because it. was the combination of. us all having fun. you. your. like the way in which you were. physically trying to hold it together. like the way like the laugh was like um. something you were trying to hold in. combined with the zooming.

>> and the sound effect. And we've watched it so many times like. Emily's probably knows every single show. like this is the part where your lip. starts quivering cuz there's one part at. the very beginning I'm going g g g g g g. g like. And then there's the part where you. something falls backstage and I look. away. My eyes dart over there. Like we. know every single moment. >> is it's like the Zapruder film like. frame by frame and it proves it just it. got me it's such a serotonin boost.

Before we move on talk talk to us about. the like who did you write Debbie Downer. with and how did it start? Like the. origin of it. >> Yes, the origin of People want to know. >> So um well it really started cuz I went. on a vacation by myself. That had been suggested to me BY A. THERAPIST. AND I ONLY LEAVE THAT DETAIL OUT BUT. SINCE I'M ON THIS one-on-one Amy. interview No, I said it like once or. twice but usually I leave that part out.

for the masses but um no not like this. number one podcast masses. But no, she was she just like she kept. saying like take a trip by herself and I. was like, "Why? Like I don't want to do. that. I could go with friends. I don't. want And I just kind of took it as like. doctor's orders. Like I just sort of. like I'm doing this. And I like. self-propelled myself to the jungles OF. COSTA RICA. NO, BUT I WANTED TO PICK SOMEWHERE THAT.

IT WASN'T going to be like honeymooners. and like I wanted to pick somewhere that. was like may just like I don't know. Somewhere kind of remote I guess. So it. was like very remote. It was in the Osa. Peninsula. You had to take like the big. plane then you take the smaller plane. then you take the two-hour Jeep drive. I. mean I was going deep out of society. And each time they were like. it was like Barbara Padilla one. Well, no so I picked this it was like. this eco lodge thing. So I went there. and um and then it was just like a It.

was so there was like these commune It. wasn't like a lot of people there and it. was actually really cool. Like and I did. meet really cool people. And I met these two sisters that like at. the like they were older but they're. like my age right now. But um I mean the. age I'm now. And they were sort of like. they sort of told me like the. rudimentary. fundamentals of what is later known as. the secret. Like did you Did I tell you. >> Yes. When I was on this trip People. should know Droch knew the secret before. anyone knew the secret. >> I from and I learned it from the jungles.

of Costa Rica from two white ladies that. were from Colorado. But anyway, so. So So they like they were just weird you. know cuz you're like chatting you And I. got to say like hats off to the. suggestion cuz I never would have talked. to strangers if I was with friends, you. know? Right. So I'm like having this. conversation and these women were. telling me about like you know basically. like what's the law of attraction I. guess but they put it like you know if. you if you think on positive things. positive and if you're if you're. focusing on lack you'll attract lack.

basically. But then it almost like the. whole thing got like sealed because then. we were on this like you know you could. do like nature walks or whatever and we. were on this like walk on the beach like. with the little like It wasn't like a. group it was like whoever's here and. wants to do this thing. And um this. woman was saying like there were these. like beautiful birds overhead these like. scarlet macaws and this like way up in. the sky and this woman goes, "I I want a. feather to bring home for my daughter.". And I swear like.

20 seconds later from like. way way up high this feather starts to. just go boop boop boop like falls down. We all like kind of see it like boop. boop boop and it and it lands like right. at her feet. Wow. Amy doesn't believe in any of this. stuff. I do. I That's cool. >> that's cool. That's cool. But I just. >> manifesting. >> That was cool though. So then I was just. like sold. I'll join your cult. No, but then Okay, this isn't anything. about Debbie Downer. This is just other.

stuff on that trip. But anyway, but then. the Debbie Downer story is that when. later it was like sitting at dinner like. you're with randos that are there and um. people just make chit-chat and someone. said like, "Where are you from?" And I. said New York and then they said like, "Oh, were you there for 9/11?". And it was like three years after 9/11. It wasn't like it just happened. It was. kind of I don't And then I was kind of. like, "Uh yeah." And then. like it's kind of like just like in. Debbie Downer you had to like get the.

conversation back cuz it was like. vacation times. And then like about a week later after I. got home. I was like out listening to some band. which isn't something I usually do but I. think that's kind of interesting cuz. like doing something you don't usually. do and then your brain is kind of like. I don't know. You're not on your usual. channels I guess. But then I just had. that idea of this. kind of based on that like some like. that a Debbie Downer popped into my head. of like. >> Yes. And then. which this is kind of just talking.

creativity. I found at SNL you couldn't. just go in there and like, "Okay, let's. think of a scene." Like it had to be. like, moments like that. Like, and to me, that only happened like once. or twice a year, which is why like, you. might sit there at home be like, "Why. isn't there a like like SNL like but. it's like thinking of really original. characters that kind of like hit on. something?" It's not something you can. like steer the ship on. It's like to me. like it has to like. vibe out with you. I don't know. >> Yes, you have to be like you have to to.

your point, you have to like keep the. channel open and be like find the muse. and like let it. find you. It just can't be like turned. out. >> Exactly. And how but then so then I then. I took it to Paula Pell, who we wrote. with often and is hilarious and everyone. knows Paula now cuz I love Paula's like. out there more in front of the camera. But um but anyway, and then we were on. writing night, we were trying to write. and we sat in an office and it just kind. of wasn't really flowing. We it just. wasn't really jiving and then we were. like, "Maybe we need to put her. somewhere really happy." So then we.

thought of Disney World, of course, happiest place on Earth. And then. and then while we were writing it, like. when like of course Paula was cracking. me up with these one-liners and. everything. And then we started just. going like. like just for ourselves and then we were. like, "What if we put that in the scene. with actual trombone sound?" So then for. read-through, we had I don't know. remember if we had like the live person. or someone just had done it. But then at. read-through like it killed but then you. never know cuz sometimes something can. kill at the table. And then when we were in dress. rehearsal, Jimmy and Horatio were kind.

of laughing and I was thinking like, "You guys like I feel like this could. work like Yeah, keep it. >> together, guys." And then like on air I. just flubbed one of the lines. And then. I don't even know I guess I was like so. nervous and. >> Sure. And then we all started laughing. >> you but thankfully you just like. like a like the good Pisces fish like. you just like you went along for the. like. it was it's so joyous watching it. because it is just the com- it's like. what real live TV is supposed to feel.

like. Like it just felt like a a special. moment in time. And also I'm I mean, you. are such a good performer that. you you're able you were able to like do. it and have and enjoy doing it at the. same time. It was like just it's very. Sometimes when people are stressed, it's. stressful Yes. That's what I feel. >> But you don't seem stressed in that. moment. >> Well, I love watching performers but. like this is what like you know, I feel.

like I've had it so much time now that. I'm older to like think of like what. makes a good comedian and everything. like that. And like I love watching. people like you can tell that underneath. it they're also like laughing inside. Like I mean, better to keep it inside. but I mean, like. >> Yeah. like. >> Yeah. And I feel like you have that. Like I was just talking about you um I. forget like in what context but like you. are always like you can see the joy of. per- like there's two levels happening. There's like what you're performing and. then. the sort of joyful like under bubbling.

that's also happening. Like I just like Steve Carell just. popped into my mind as like someone that. like you can see the fun Will Ferrell. Will Ferrell, oh my gosh. >> like dance underneath it where they're. having fun. Circling all the way back to. Debbie Downer and all the way back to. the question that I ask my guests. this brings up the person that I spoke. to earlier before this podcast. So you know we always like to talk well. behind people's backs. I talked to the.

great Kevin Cahoon about you today. >> You did? Oh my god, I was wondering who my person. was going to be. And um cuz I want him. to lead us into Broadway, which we're. going to next. Rachel, um this Virgo has. a plan, okay? And I'm taking you there, babe. I'm taking you there. I got notes, okay? I'm worth the time. Oh, okay. I could. hang all day but I'm just kidding. But but I talked to Kevin uh and uh. he he had a couple really good questions. for you and one was what what and it's.

and it's this it's the similar question. to what we ask on the podcast is like if. like. when you're feeling that. when Rachel is feeling like that Debbie. Downer feeling, what do you do to get. yourself up out of it? And that's a. question we ask here, which is what do. you watch, listen to how when when. you've got the blues as we like to call. it, how do you get up out of it? What makes. you laugh? You know, for me it is it is. a lot of Debbie Downer and clips I mean, it is a lot of you, Rachel.

That's so nice. >> It is you. Like you really get me out of. the dumps. You really do. You're like an elevator. that helps me get up out of there. Uh-oh. Tears. [Laughter]. Tears. But you really get you shooting. way up and it's cuz of the laughter. >> that for me. [Laughter]. Is there anything else that like you. like to go to to just like the bottom of. a tequila bottle.

I EAT. THE WORM. I EAT THE WORM. I EAT THE WORM. That was. such an '80s thing. Like she ate the. worm. >> now there's no worms anymore. >> No, there's no worms. Let's see. I forgot that you asked this. and like I I feel like I don't have like. healthy um. I mean, honestly the real thing that. always is like meeting like meeting with. friends out in New York. Like that's. like that's my honest answer. Yes, you. like to socialize.

>> Margs nights and um and like meeting. with my lady friends. That's like. >> Yes. Because like I feel like I have. this great you know, group of various. groups of people but they're all like. fun but then like I love a friend who is. really fun and like sees the joy in life. and like can laugh through like the. foibles and all that but also has the. side that's like. you know, the amateur psychologist. Like. you know, that we can help each other. out. And if you're if you like I like if.

you show up to a friend and you don't. have to be anything other than what. you're feeling cuz like there's certain. friends where you can just do that. You. can come in and you be like, "You know, I'm not going to be bringing my A game.". And like that's fine. And I like not. having to ex- exert extra energy to. pretend I'm like somewhere I'm not and I. hope that like. I'm that for other people, too. But um. That's exactly how I described you, by. the way, to Kevin. Exactly that, which. is you are a friend like in good times.

and bad, in sunny weather and stormy. weather and you just can always show up. as the version of yourself. That's. exactly how I described you. Well, that's what I like in others, too. So. >> Yeah. Yeah. This isn't like a joy thing. This is. more like a con- like mind set thing. >> Ooh. No, like a settle your mind. Like I. like doing those word puzzles in the New. York Times. Like I like that's my like. my like ritual is I do all those cuz it. sort of makes me like. forget all the. I you can't be like emotional when.

you're trying to think of the word. >> Well, I would say as a person that has. now known you for 30 years, has. vacationed with you, has you know, our. kids are friends, like we are in a lot. of different ways in life together that. those kind of like quiet puzzly moments. is a drach recharge. >> Yeah, that is a recharge, yeah. Because. you are a very interesting combo of. introvert, extrovert. Like you are very. extroverted and especially on stage but. your everyday like you definitely need. quiet time. I guess so. Would you say no?

>> Yeah, I don't know. I think I used to. need. um less of it. I think now I'm a little. more like I just need like the the. recharge moment, yeah. Um okay, Kevin. also had a question, too, that leads us. into Broadway. Okay. And um you were in. an incredible show called POTUS. Tell us. about that experience, what it was like. working with those women and what it was. like being nominated. Um well, I mean, it was a lot like it the mindset of It. was so it was this comedy with all women. and um I just got like called up to do.

this show with Susan Stroman, who I had. done a few readings for. And um. the part was very much like the clown in. the show. So I got to do a lot of like. physical just like make up your own bits. and all this stuff. And um it felt very. much like being back at Second City like. in the best way. And also I love like. just I mean, the theater schedule's no. joke as any Broadway person will tell. you but um cuz you know, you have to. kind of like sign your life away. Like. you're not going out on the weekends all.

all that stuff. But um the thing that I. love about theater is it's just you and. the audience. Like there's no one saying. like, "Um we think this should go this. way.". Like of course there's a director in. developing this part. But once you're up. and running, it's just like that feeling. that connection of you and the audience. Like and that was like harkens back to. Second City. Like, "Oh, how long am I. holding this laugh?" Or "Oh, if I do. this little tiny thing, it gets a. laugh." Like you don't even I love all. that stuff. So um it was just very. freeing and fun. Mm. Yeah. And and you. loved the women you did it with.

>> Yeah, yeah. We were a very. desperate group that was all like mashed. really well together. Yeah, it was Where. were you when you got your Tony nom for. your Broadway debut? Well, um you know, the the nominations come out like in the. morning and you can just like watch it. online. I was just like. "Okay, I'll check this out." You know? And then like they said my name and then. you know, your phone starts going off. talking. I mean, that was something like. you know, as a comedian like comedy. often doesn't get like award with stuff. But all that to say like I didn't expect.

like I getting nominated was never. anything that I thought would be. happening. Cuz like when you're in. comedy, you just don't really think like. that. >> are an exception, I think. The Tonys. often do give it up for good comedic. performances. I think they really are like they really. respect the craft. >> They do. The craft, yes. So Kevin had a. question about you um. being like young Rachel. Like what were. some theater performers, some musical, some shows that like what were he think.

his question was like what are the top. three. um. pieces of theater uh that you like. really inspired you when you were young. >> Ooh. You know, like maybe scratch some. little spark in you. >> as mentioned Annie. Can we just for one second talk more. about Annie? Because Annie. so many female parts, so many parts for. girls. Right. >> Like that alone. Like a lot of shows. just don't have a lot of parts. It's. like there was you know Rachel and I. were both in Once Once Upon a Mattress.

Amy had the lead and I had the boring. part. But we were in the same. production. We weren't in the same. production. >> Both of our schools I was in the sixth. grade production. Oh, this is funny. though. And Amy was in the high school. Yes, high school production, yeah. And. Amy, if you know Once Upon a Mattress, Amy played Winifred the princess, the. clown. The clown. >> Right? The clown. Carol Burnett. originated it on Broadway. And I played. this character Lady Larken who's the. boring part. But let me also say this. that. because it was in sixth grade the only.

comedic hook that Lady Larken has is. that she well she's pregnant and so. they're in a hurry to get married, you. know, cuz they're in the castle. So they. need Winifred to get married. Well, in. sixth grade they take out the pregnancy, of course. So I had nothing to play. THERE'S NO THERE THERE. I'm just a lady. in waiting. What am I. >> I wasn't pregnant by the way I don't. even think I knew that the original. character but they changed the lyrics. cuz the real lyrics were in a little in.

a little while you you and I will be 1 2. 3 4 like kids and they're just like you. and I will be together. That's what they changed it to. >> And you're like I got nothing to play. >> NOTHING TO PLAY. SO WHAT OKAY, SO ANNIE. >> OKAY Annie of course. Or also also. orphans, you know, Orphans like one of. the things is with Annie everyone's like. your age. Like literally like if you're. 10 and they're 10 she's like how do I. how do I get in this? Like that kind of. thing, right?

>> And and also a dog. A. A dog. We love a dog. We love a dog. We. love a dog. Did you have the album? Oh. my god I knew every knew every single. song. I wanted to play every part and I. loved it so much. Okay, so Annie was. one. >> Okay. So Annie um then also well of. course this is probably the same too. Um. like Gilda Radner, Carol Burnett, Lily. Tomlin. >> Yes. I mean just those and they were on. stage. Like they were they were also. >> only saw them I mean like I saw them. like I mean when I was really little my.

parents watched Laugh-In and I remember. Lily Tomlin being Edith Ann in the giant. chair. >> Mhm. And that's the truth. But sorry. Yes. Um and then um Carol. Burnett of course. >> Yes. And like often times we get asked. till we're blue in the face about women. in comedy like. >> Yes. And like I just think growing up. seeing them you're not thinking like. oh these are women in comedy. You're. just like this person's really funny and. they're being really brash and bold and.

they're you know, not afraid to look. weird and here she is with the curtains. as a dress and just like you know, she's. like the center of it all and um like. you know, Gilda Radner making all her. faces and everything. Like so I just. think you're just seeing that and you're. not delineating. You know, and then like. I mean the first season of SNL that cast. like I did watch like you know, John. Belushi, Steve Martin but that's why. like when Steve Martin hosted SNL I was. like oh my god Steve like I still have.

that when I'm when I see Steve Martin. I'm like when I'm hanging out with Steve. Martin no that never happened. Um Not. true. I've seen it. But anyway, I think like. seeing them um was an influence but not. knowing it at the time of course. Um Fame. Fame. Which of course we all. had played that on the piano. Well, you. did. You can you can play the piano. >> No, but I was like plunking it up but. out here on my own. Coco. >> When I'm down and feeling blue everyone. wants to hear this.

And then what was the third one? And. then I would say. Hair. Hair. Hair. I don't think enough people are talking. about Hair these days. No. >> The the musical. No. Hair is so big. >> Like the music and the I think like the. movie. >> Cuz that was the first like.

I mean I just remember like excuse me. That had like major like tragedy in it. and sadness and. but also like yes I remember seeing that. the Lexicon movie theater and um Must. have been nice. Must have been so nice. >> seats. We ate gold. We ate gold covered. popcorn. >> Each Each seat had a chandelier. You had your own butler. >> golden popcorn and we drank champagne. out of We We showed our movies on the. side of a barn.

Side of the mall. Side of the dress barn. At the mall. That's where we showed our movies. The. dress barn. Oh my god. No, but I remember Hair was like. like emotional and but also just the. music so good. So good. I and yeah, anyway I think they like they should do. a new production of Hair. But there's no parts in it for us like. that's all new young. Is there's going. to be some like old lady who tells the.

kids on the corner to get off the lawn. >> of my lawn. No, not Get off the lawn. Get out OF THE PARK. I'M WALKING MY DOG. You should cut your. hair. That could be us. >> Yeah, that could be us. Or like a a. business woman who comes in and goes. listen people Yeah. this this bunch of. hippies could really make us some money. and they go get out of here lady. That's. what I would play like a New Yorker who. comes in to ruin the vibe. Right. But you have played so many different.

things on on on and like you have played. like. like you played a man. You played a. you were we we love a Marco Polo cuz we. are women of a certain age and we love. to Marco Polo each other. You were Marco. Poloing me one time wearing a having a. mustache. A mustache. In a production of. Um Was it Anything Goes or or um no you. were playing Guys and Dolls. Guys and. Dolls. You played a dude. Yes, I played. a dude. Yes. And yet you did. Yeah. But. you've played a lot of different things. on stage. Um.

Well, I mean as have you. But we are. But the makers of Mary. [Laughter]. We are but clowns. for your pleasure. We are We don't win Oscars but we shall. make you laugh. No, we are here but to. BE THE FOOL. WE ARE BUT WE ARE BUT FOOLS. Rachel and I always say if we were back. in those times we would definitely be.

not only jesters but we'd be the We'd be. the maids. >> Yeah. We'd be the maids at the bottom of the. castle. >> maids like scrubbing things. I think that's the role that I think I'm. born to play is like some cuz I would. love to do I'm going to put this out. there a Broadway thing like a really a. secret like a like a really really funny. Broadway thing and maybe I'm playing. this person. Scrubbing. This is my aspiration. For listeners just making a face and. she's scrub on Broadway. Yeah.

I will scrub my way to A TONY. YOU LISTENING? YOU listen you big muckety mucks. I had. the Jonas Brothers on and we were. singing Les Mis. Oh. And they were like. you would be really good uh. in Master of the House. I was like I. know. I'm never since I was 20 years old. I'd be the old lady in Master of the. >> house. Oh by the way you can cut this. but but um. but I got to audition got to I made the. mistake of auditioning for Les Mis on.

Broadway. Woo. For that part and I'm. like you know, I can't sing, right? And. they're like just go in. And then I like. I even went to like a voice lesson to. but like that part is like you really. You really have to sing. And it's an. it's an incredible part and incredible. female actresses have played it. incredible. singers but it and it's definitely the. most comedic part of Les Mis. >> Yeah. But you have to have a good voice. and which I like just realized when I. was in front of these people in the. room. Just like I mean cuz they they. didn't just give me the Master of the. House song. There's another song that's.

like very complicated. I just like. like I skulked out. I will stick to making Mary without song. if it please you. If it please the king. >> be singing for the king again. Yes. Yes. Cut to her she's like how do you like. your potatoes? And we could do a duo. We. could do a We could do a duo.

>> play maids together. >> be a very funny idea for a show is like. you know, upstairs downstairs it should. be like called downstairs. And it's just us. Yeah. We're just washing clothes. And we have dirt on our faces for sure. I'd be having gruel this morning. Okay, and the last thing I just wanted. to talk about cuz we talked about it a. little bit is. your woo ness. Yes. Because we're going. to talk about your podcast your great. podcast woo woo And Amy was a guest on.

it and you one of my favorite episodes. You need to listen to Amy on woo woo my. podcast. >> great stories on there and you have you. are very open to psychic. experiences. You are not judgmental in. any way. I would say that. Oh that I'm. not just Okay, yeah yeah yeah. And you. have I would say you are also a little. bit psychic or you and like you have. that channel open speaking of channels. Um what is that woo woo world? So I started this podcast called Woo. Woo, and.

like I'm not I always say like I'm not. really woo-woo cuz I don't like I don't. live my life like I got to ask my. psychic guy. I don't have a psychic. But. But anyway, I was feeling the need to. say I know, but I was feeling the need. to say like I'm not like super woo, but. then I started doing this and it's. making me definitely making me more. woo-woo with the stories I'm hearing. But the reason I thought of doing it is. cuz I just had sort of collected these. stories from friends over the years and. I was like, "Oh, these stories are. really cool. Would you come on and tell. us?" So, that's kind of how it started. Um and then you came on, which was.

really fun. And you're not like a huge. woo believer, but you're not like. totally shut down. But Amy came on and. talked about the enneagram, which she. lives her life by. I mean For those who can't Rachel is an. enneagram nine if you haven't noticed. Yeah. The ultimate nine. The ultimate. nine. >> Peacekeeper. Woo. Peacemaker. Um but. But yeah, so I guess what else do I say. about it? >> Well, I was going to say that there's a. couple woo-woo things that have happened. with us. I feel like a little tiny woo. Most of my woo-woo things have happened. with you.

And we were pregnant at the same time. Our sons are close in age and I'm happy. to say like real friends, which is so. great. And we I can remember a very like. hot summer where you and I were waddling. around the city like both really. pregnant. And you can tell from our height like we. didn't. we carried out front. You know, there's. not a lot of So, I just remember us. being like going to movies like. watching movies cuz it was. so hot out.

and going to a psychic to talk about. our our our kids. And you brought me to. this really cool psychic who um. you know, like just you just have. introduced me to a lot of just like give. this. version of life a try, I guess is the. best way to say it. Yes. It's kind of. like, "Why not believe?" Yes. >> thing was not a coincidence. I don't. know. Yes.

>> Um. I think once you're It's almost like. what we're saying about writing. sketches. I think once you're kind of. open to it, then you start to. see like you just I don't know. I don't. want to say like you get messages or. whatever, but I just think the more open. you are, the more woo-woo you might. become. Do you think that like that have. has anything happened lately that has. felt a little like in the woo-woo world. for you? Well, first of all, as Amy said. with the pregnancy thing that a. a psychic told me that I was going to.

have a kid when I was. 43 and I wasn't even with anybody. And. then that happened. So, that was So, that was my first like little like, "This is really strange." But um. >> Yeah, and you write about it really well. in your memoir, um The Girl Walks Into a. Bar. And let's see. I don't know something. lately. >> I just like to hear your like like is. there any vibe you're getting right now? Like what's the vibe of this room, The. vibe of this room is great. >> It's good. Okay. Outside this room, not good.

Things are not good once you leave this. room. The vibes ARE NOT GOOD. [Laughter]. YES. BUT THIS room. is a good hang and it's fun and bright. and cheery just like you. >> you do that. I mean like you're really. fast at being like, "This isn't a good. vibe. This isn't a good hang." Like this. isn't a good Like you're really good at. reading people fast or or experience. like rooms or people. >> yeah. You're like, "I don't like that. I. don't get a good feeling from that.".

Yeah, and I'm and I start to like again, older I get, like listen to that. Like. if you're if you're if you get that. feeling of like uh like you're allowed. to. not hang there or whatever. I don't. know. And last question, are you afraid. of zombies? Would you in a zombie movie. what how would you This is my new. question. I'm just I'm thinking about it. right now, but maybe I'll ask people. moving forward cuz Dratch you're always. inspiring me. I might just freeze. Is. that what you're about to say? I think. you're about to say. >> was going to say it kind of gets into. like conflict styles.

>> Oh gosh, yeah. >> But it is Sometimes I think I think with. conflict I freeze. Mhm. Which isn't. always the bad choice. You don't like. you're not fanning the flames. >> noticed it about myself though. So, if zombies were coming, I I guess. I'd freeze. Yes. >> And you'd hope that they went by you. >> end on this note. We can't end on this. note. We can't end on this note. We can't end on this note. Let's end on. this note. Let's sing the song from. Chadwick's. Oh, okay. The chant? So, Chadwick's was.

an ice cream place that Dratch and I. worked at. Not at the same time. >> same time, but I I have to say probably. the highest percentage of SNL people. from any ice cream place. Two. Yeah. And. um It was a purple building. Okay, I'm. going to put I'm going to do a lip balm. break before we sing. Do you want Do you. need any? No, I think I'm okay. >> Okay. Um so, it was a purple building. >> building. You had to do ice cream. You. had to do a Styrofoam barbershop quartet. hat. You had to off We had Austin Powers We. often had a kazoo. We often had a kazoo. And I feel like we were both attracted. to the drama and the showmanship. The.

showmanship Not drama, the showmanship. of Chadwick's because when it was. someone's birthday, you got a free. sundae. And. they did not check. So, people came in a. lot That's right. >> with birthday sundaes. But then there. was a. a little. chant birthday chant. and it was something like this. Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to. have you here at Chadwick's today, but. we're especially happy to have Amy. because she came here to celebrate her. birthday today. So, with the sound of.

the drum, please join in singing Amy a. loud embarrassing. happy. Then they would order a giant ice cream. and it was called the belly buster. And. it was carried out by. two two men holding a stretcher thing. with a big bowl in the middle of it that. had Oh, and then they This was a. separate thing. If you ordered the belly. buster, there was an announcement for. the belly buster. And it went something. like this. Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to. have you here at Chadwick's today.

to introduce you to the. belly buster. 10 scoops of ice cream, five different. toppings, mounds and MOUNDS OF WHIPPED. CREAM, CHERRIES AND NUTS, CHADWICK'S own. belly buster. And then we'd like do like. jum jum. We go we go. a ooga booga. And then the two guys. would come out with the thing in the. stretcher like pretending to struggle. under its weight. And then. it would land at the table. And if you. ate rumor had it, the lore was that if.

you ate the belly buster by yourself, you got it for free. Do you remember. that? Yep, and there used to be like. teen boys vomiting vomiting in the. bathroom and drinking the ice cream. juice in an attempt to get it Okay. The vomit was separate from the ice. cream juice. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, the teen. boys were trying to get it done and I I. don't think I ever saw it happen. I. don't think I did either. >> Lore, but lore says it happened. Now. Chadwick's no longer exists. >> Nope, it's just a in a landfill filled. with ghosts. I'm going to interview the ghost of. Chadwick's for my podcast.

The ghost of Chadwick's. But that's a good ending. That's a good. ending. >> yeah. Love you, Drewche. >> Love you. This was fun. So fun. Thanks. for doing it, buddy. And thank you. again. I really do owe you a lot always. in my life and in on this show. So, come. back anytime and bring your headphones. always. Hold on. Oh, we're going to wrap. it up. Okay, there. Well, now they're all. clean. Oh, well, still we still can't. get them. >> This isn't a good ending. Okay. Well, it's it is still hard for you to get.

them on though. Okay. Here we go. And. What the Oh, here we go. Nailed it. Dratch out. [Music]. [Applause]. Thank you, Dratch. You are the best, my. baby Drewche, my little Ray Ray. Um. thank you for coming on. And um. you know, we talked a lot about a lot of. things, you know, the idea that, you.

know, life can. it can be really woo-woo if you let it. And so, um as part of this polar plunge, I do want to just remind everyone to. check out Rachel Dratch's podcast Woo. Woo. Um her and her co-host Irene, they. listen to people's. interesting ghosty spooky stories. They. get into that that um. those chills that you get when something. weird or unexplainable happens. And so,

check out that podcast. I. um have gone on the podcast and I have. said. that I've never seen a ghost. And I'd. like to keep it that way. So, I'm fine. with that. Um but if you have seen a. ghost, contact Woo Woo and not me. Okay? Um but good for you. And it's not a. competition, but I am glad I I didn't. Um Okay, thanks for listening. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The.

executive producers for this show are. Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Burman, and. me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by. The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The. Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Cat. Splaine, Kiah McMullen, and Alana. Zenares. For Paper Kite, production by. Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna. Weiss-Burman. Original music by Amy. Miles. All I ever wanted was a. really good hang.