Cheryl Hines: Stories From “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and Sticking by RFK on His Way to the White House

Cheryl Hines, thank you for thank you for coming  all the way out here. You you we were talking at. breakfast. Your life the trajectory is like  pretty amazing. You are very far from where. you started. That is true. Where did you start? I  started in Florida in Orlando. Florida, you know, I I grew up in Orlando and Tallahassee. Um,  and then one day I drove my Toyota Tursel. across the country to Los Angeles by yourself.  No, I was dating a guy and I said, you know,

I'm moving to LA and when it came time to  move, he was very sad and I and he said, "Can I ride with you?" And I said, "Please  don't." And he said, "No, please, please. I. just want to get out of I want to see the country.  I've never seen the country." And so we broke up. and then we drove across the country together.  Well, that's awkward. It was very awkward.

Why did you move to LA? Why did I move to  LA? Yeah, because I knew I was going to move. to because I always wanted to be an actress  and I knew I was going to be New York or LA,

but I knew two people in LA. One guy from my  high school and another guy who was a family. friend. Um, one of my brother's best friends.  So, I knew two people. So, I thought, okay, then. that makes more sense. LA Were they like at CIA?  Were they like powerful agents, those two people? No. Uh, no. No, not at all. Well, actually,  um, so my one of my best friends, Paul Beckett,

he had he we went into high school together and  he moved out there and he was a professional, um, background actor. What's a background  actor? Like an extra? Is that what they. call him? Background actor. Yes. Yes. What is  that life like? He loved it because it was it. was you know daytoday you get a project you  don't have to prepare much you just show up. No lines to memorize. No lines to memorize.  You know what the hardest thing about doing.

background work? Have you ever done background  work? No. I've been in the background at a. lot of events but I never been paid for it.  It's harder than it seems because, you know, if you're if they're shooting a party scene and  you're background, you have to stand behind the. main actors and act like you're talking, but  you can never say anything. So, it's a lot of. Well, you can't actually speak out loud. No,  you can't speak out loud, but you just you just.

uh you act like you're talking and you make eye  contact with the person that you're talking to and. then you take turns. mouthing words, but try not  to look crazy doing it. That sounds really hard, actually. It's hard. I found it to be hard. Oh,  you did it. Oh, yeah. Because you have to do it as. an actor, too, because sometimes, you know, you're  shooting something and the per in somebody else's. coverage and so they ask you not to actually say  words out loud while they're doing their dialogue.

It's kind of like clapping. Usually when you see  people clapping, Yeah. they're not actually making. noise. Seriously? They put that in later. Yeah.  Do they have like hand muffs to keep it from No, you're just a professional and you know not to not  to touch. Not to touch. So, how did you go? So, you show up not knowing anybody except one  extra. I went to your high school and then. you wind up succeeding. How hard is that? It  was hard. Yeah, it was hard. Um, I, you know,

I got a bartending job, which actually was also  hard. You wouldn't Yeah, it's a hard job. It's. It's a hard job. And in LA was hard to get a  job as a bartender or as a waitress because. everybody's doing that because everybody is trying  to, you know, get a job as an actor or writer. So, even to get those jobs are hard in LA. But um but  I managed to get a job in this hotel in downtown.

LA. It was the Intercontinental. I think they've  changed it since then, but so that was good. I did. that. And then it just that it took a year for  me to work in that in that hotel, in that bar. to just sort of get used to LA. And at that time,  you would send out your headshot and resume to all. of the agents in town and hope that somebody would  be interested in just from looking at your picture.

be interested in meeting with you. And I didn't  do it. I wasn't ready for the rejection because. I thought, what if I send out a picture and resume  to every agent in this town and none of them want. me? I wasn't ready. I didn't have a pl what would  be the plan. So until I was ready with that that. form of rejection, I I couldn't bring myself to  do it. How did you get how do you prepare for that.

kind of rejection? Uh a lot of self pep talks, you  know, where you're I would just say, okay, what's. going to happen? This is probably going to happen.  Probably not one person is going to respond. and who who are you going to be? Is it going to  change you if nobody responds? And for the first. year of my life there, I thought, "Yeah, it'll  change me. It'll break me. It'll this is the only.

thing I've ever wanted to do." So, but but after  I was there for a while, I I realized, okay, my. self-worth doesn't depend on if somebody looks at  my picture and decides they want to um represent. me or not. I finally got to that place where I I  realized, okay, life is going to go on. I'm going. to be the same person. I'm still going to be an  actress. I'll just have to do it a different way.

And this was before you'd send a single headsh  shot to a single agent. That's pretty self-aware. Well, uh I guess I just didn't want to I didn't  want to even though was the only thing I wanted. to do. It's the only thing I've ever wanted to  accomplish. And I thought, well, is my life going. to be over at 25 if I can't am I going to let  them decide if I'm successful or not? These agents.

So yeah, I had to I had to get to that place. So  then how did you get in? Well, then I sent my I. sent them all out and I did get a response and  let's just say it wasn't one of the big agencies. But was it a legitimate agency? Uh I'll say yes.  There are so many agencies in Los Angeles and.

really there are a handful that are I mean there  are a lot that are legitimate but there are really. only a handful that are powerful. Yes. It wasn't  one of the powerful ones. As a matter of fact I. was I was re I wasn't getting any auditions. They  never sent me out on one audition but um remember.

the Tanya Harding and um Nancy Carrian. Yes. very  well. And Jeff Galuli. Yes. And Jeff Galuli. And. so there was a um you could you used to be able  to see the the breakdowns for what they were. casting. You they would come out on something.  So I would read the breakdowns to see what people. were casting for. And at the time people were  telling me I looked like Nancy Carrian. Yeah. So I thought, okay, well maybe I should There was  a a TV movie for this for Tanya Hardy and Nancy.

Carrian. So, I thought I should at least go in.  And so, I knew my agent was not submitting me or. if they did, nobody's opening that or I thought  they probably weren't. So, I I put my headshot. and resume in. I put a postit on my picture  that said, "Uh, you should see her for Nancy.".

exclamation point. I didn't sign it because  I didn't want anyone to think that that I was. uh doing anything underhanded. And then I for the  return address, I put my agent's address and I got. called in. Wait, you pitched yourself on behalf  of your agent? That's correct. Did your agent. get a cut of the fee? Well, I didn't book it, but  my but but my agent but my agent called was like, "Guess what? I've got an audition for you. I was  like, "Uh-huh." Well, Nancy Carrion actually,

but I did have a really good audition and I  may have been called back because it there. was a lot of talk about ice skating. Did I know  how to ice skate? And growing up in Tallahassee, probably a pretty good ice skater. You didn't play  hockey from a great ice skater. Uh, and I said, "Um, well, you know, you know, I know of course I  know how to ice skate." Mhm. And they were like, "Okay, I I think I I think I got called back  because when I got called back, I do remember.

there were four girls that looked a lot like uh  Tanya Harding and four girls that look like a a. lot like Nancy Carrian. And I was just sitting  in this room just looking around like, "Wow, this is weird." I think you'd rather be on the  Nancy Carrian side, I guess. Mhm. Hate to brag, but we're pretty confident this show is  the most vehemently pro- dog dog podcast.

you're ever going to see. We can take or leave  some people, but dogs are non-negotiable. They. are the best. They really are our best friends.  And so, for that reason, we're thrilled to have. a new partner called Dutch Pet. It's the fastest  growing pet teleaalth service. Dutch.com is on a. mission to create what you need, what you actually  need. Affordable quality veterinary care anytime, no matter where you are. They will get your dog  or cat what you need immediately. It's offering.

an exclusive discount. Dutch is for our listeners.  You get 50 bucks off your vet care per year. Visit. dutch.com/tucker to learn more. Use the code  Tucker for $50 off. That is an unlimited vet. visit. $82 a year. 82 bucks a year. We actually  use this. Dutch has vets who can handle any pet. under any circumstance in a 10-minute call. It's  pretty amazing, actually. You never have to leave. your house. You don't have to throw the dog in the  truck. No wasted time waiting for appointments. No.

wasted money on clinics or visit fees. Unlimited  visits and follow-ups for no extra cost. Plus, free shipping on all products for up to five  pets. It sounds amazing like it couldn't be real, but it actually is real. Visit dutch.com/tucker to  learn more. Use the code Tucker for 50 bucks off. your veterinary care per year. Your dogs, your  cats, and your wallet will thank you. So, what. was the first actual part that you got? Um, well,  that's when I was living in Orlando. I It was for.

It was for Swamp Thing, the TV show inspired by  the movie. Okay. Okay. Swamp Thing. Um, I missed. the whole Swamp Thing genre. Yeah, it's too bad.  It was Was it a straight to video at Enterprise. or what was it? What Swamp Thing? Yeah, the movie.  Yeah. No, it was a hit movie actually. Yes. Yes.

Wow. I'm embarrassed. You should be. And sorry, I  was in boarding school, I think. Yeah. No movies. You guys weren't allowed to watch that. And then  the TV show. I was uh an evil scientist and in. the sh in the show I am holding a gun. I'm like  about to shoot another scientist and um I hear a.

beeping sound because earlier in the episode I had  pulled the plug on my stepfather's uh life support. machine. Yeah. Um, and now I'm hearing a beeping  sound and it's driving me crazy. And then I I drop. the gun, I clutch my heart, and I die. And I said  I said to the director, I said before we shot it, I said, "Just so I'm clear, what exactly am  I dying of? I mean, I know, you know, we're.

talking about Telltale Heart where the beeping is  driving you crazy and can anybody else hear it?". All of that. I said, "But what is the thing that's  actually killing me?" And he said, "Cheryl, we. don't have time for this." Well, you you just need  to drop the gun. And then the the gun handler, who you know is somebody on set that's there for  gun safety and shows you how to handle the gun, he was like, "Please don't drop the gun." He said,  "If you could just can you can you lay down on the. couch on your way down to the floor?" I was like,  "Oh, okay." So, I had to He said the director was.

like, "Just clutch your heart. It's I said, "So, a  heart attack?" And he's like, "That's fine." Yeah, let's say that's fine. We got to go. So, that  was my So, I died. Big death scene. Exciting. Um, and that was my big first role. That's why I moved  to uh LA because Because you were hooked. Well, because I this was my springboard to stardom. No,  I'm not. I'm not mocking. Well, because I just got.

I just got this roll and there was nothing else  really shooting in Orlando. Probably not. So, I thought, okay, this is a good time to go to LA.  Swamp Thing is going to come out. The agents in LA. are going to see it and my phone will ring off the  hook. Um, and then I called my sister cuz she was.

still in Orlando uh when it came out and I said,  "So, did you did you watch it? How was it? Cuz. you know, we were 3 hours uh later earlier later.  And she said, "Um, you should start drinking now.". So, we did. Then we had a swamp thing watch  party. Um, and it was fun. Let me I mean, it was This was not like a Nobody got Golden  Globes from Swamp Thing. No one. No. No. No. Um,

and my phone didn't ring after. So, how  long did it take you from the day you got. to LA till you thought I'm successful now?  Uh, 10 years. 10 years. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. How predatory is LA? It feels that way to  me. In what way? It feels like there's a.

lot of ambitious people and then there are a  lot of people with power taking advantage of. those ambitious people. That's the way  it feels. Uh there is definitely that. there is definitely that I had one experience  that I actually talked about in my book unscripted. uh where there was a director that approached  me and said will you meet me in my hotel room?

I want to talk to you about a a film. And  at that point I had a different agent. and I had a a better agent. Um, and I and I  was on curb at the time and I said, "Well, I talked to my agent and I said, "You're on  curb your enthusiasm when he called you?" Uh, you know what? I think I I think we had  shot it, but it hadn't aired. Okay. Oh, because I met him in um at a drugstore in LA.  Yeah. I mean, he this this person has since been.

exposed, if you will. Um, and he came up to me and  said, "Oh, you know, I mean, I guess I could tell. you the name." Yeah, go ahead. Okay. It's James  Tobac. James. So, he wrote um, what did he write.

that at? Bugsy. He wrote the film Bugsy. He's  a successful director, writer, and I thought, well, this is a legitimate person. And my agent  said, I think you should meet him. And I said, even if it's at in his hotel room weird Friday  night, how about the polo lounge or Yeah. And he. said, you know, people do this all the time.  This was a while ago. This was a while ago. This all the time. This was this was probably  when I was This was probably uh how long ago?

uh 20 years ago. No, no, more than that. 25 years  ago at least. And um I felt strange going into a. man's hotel room on a Friday night. So I asked my  friends to come with me. I said, "Will you guys. wait in the polo lounge?" I said, "Did this is  Oh, it was in the Beverly Hills Hotel." Yes. Well, that's just perfect. Am I allowed to say that?  And then I I gave him the room number. I said,

"If you don't hear from me in whatever it was, 30  minutes, come knock on this room because I don't. know if I'm going to have phone reception. I  don't know what's going to happen. Probably. it's probably all going to be fine, but if you  don't hear from me, just come to the room." And. so when I got to his room, I said, "Uh, just so  you know, I have my friends are waiting for me. downstairs." And you know, he said, "Okay," or  whatever. I I did not get the vibe that it was. a weird situation. And then he starts talking and  then he's, you know, telling me you really have to.

um be willing to step out of your comfort zone  as an actor. You have to, you know, and he and. he's asking me, are do you feel like you can do  that? And I, well, of course I can. I'm a I'm an. actress. I'm I'm a trained actress is what I we do  all the time. And so then he then he starts asking.

me strange questions like what uh do I have a lot  of body hair? Do you have a lot of body hair? Mhm. Wow. And I that's not usually part of the woo.  It's really not. And I thought that's a lot of. body hair for an opening line. That doesn't seem  effective to me. Does that I'm not a woman though. Does that work? Oh, yeah. I fell madly in love  that night. We had tons of kids and we're happy.

Um, and you know, I I was like, "Okay, well uh I  can't say that I do. I'm like looking at the hair. on my arms. I'm like, you can't really see it.  I don't know. I don't know where this is going, you know." And then he says, "You you want to take  off your shoes and get comfortable?" I said, "Oh, I'm I'm comfortable." And he said, "You don't  want to take off your shoes?" And I said, "I I. don't. I'm I'm totally comfortable. Don't worry  about me." And I was wearing boots. And he said,

"Will you?" He said, "Why don't you take off  one boot?" Come on. And at this point, I'm like, "Men are so creepy. I'm I'm sorry." One boot. And  I'm thinking to myself, why one boot? Like, where. is this going? Why would it be one boot? But for  whatever reason, I was sort of intrigued. Like, why one boot? So, I took off one boot. I left  my sock on. And then he starts talking again.

And then my friends knock on the door. And I said,  "Oh, that must be my friends." And he looked at me. like, "What are you talking about?" And I I went  and I opened the door and they were all It was. like a It was like an episode of Friends where  they're all all their heads are in the doorway. like Cheryl and one of my friends looked at my  feet and he said, "Where's your boot?" I said, "Oh, it's over by the couch." And and he goes,  "Get your boot. We're going." And they were.

all like, "Yeah, get your boot. You're out  of here." And I said, "Yeah, it is weird, isn't it?" And they said, "Yeah, it's weird. It's  so weird." And then I left. Did you ever talk to. him again? No. But you know, he was sued by a lot  of women because he would uh this is what he'd do. He would because he is a successful person,  director, writer. He would go up to women in.

New York and in LA and say, "I'm James Tobac. You  must know me. Why don't you come over to my place? I want to work on something with you or show you a  script or what whatever. And um Oh, and his thing. was apparently that he liked feet. Yeah, that is a  thing. and and he would um manipulate these women,

overpower them, and um do sexually uh provocative  things. We did an interview with a woman called. Casey Means. She's a Stanford educated surgeon and  really one of the most remarkable people I have. ever met. In the interview, she explained how the  food that we eat produced by huge food companies, big food in conjunction with pharma is destroying  our health, making this a weak and sick country.

The levels of chronic disease are beyond belief.  Well, Casey Means, who we've not stopped thought. thinking about ever since, is the co-founder of  a healthcare technology company called Levels. And we are proud to announce today that we are  partnering with Levels. And by proud, I mean. sincerely proud. Levels is a really interesting  company and a great product. It gives you insight. into what's going on inside your body, your  metabolic health. It helps you understand how the.

food that you're eating, the things that you're  doing every single day are affecting your body in. real time. And you don't think about it. You have  no idea what you're putting in your mouth, and. you have no idea what it's doing to your body. But  over time, you feel weak and tired and spacey. And. over an even longer period of time, you can get  really sick. So, it's worth knowing what the food. you eat is doing to you. The Levels app works with  something called a continuous glucose monitor, a CGM. You can get one as part of the plan or you  can bring your own. It doesn't matter. But the.

bottom line is big tech, big pharma, and big food  combined together to form an incredibly malevolent. force pumping you full of garbage, unhealthy food  with artificial sugars and hurting you and hurting. the entire country. So, with levels, you'll be  able to see immediately what all this is doing. to you. You get access to real-time personalized  data, and that's a critical step to changing your. behavior. Those of us who like Oreos can tell  you firsthand. This isn't talking to your doctor,

an annual physical, looking backwards about  things you did in the past. This is up to. the second information on how your body is  responding to different foods and activities, the things that give you stress, your sleep,  etc., etc. It's easy to use. It gives you powerful. personalized health data and then you can make  much better choices about how you feel and over. time it'll have a huge effect. Right now you can  get an additional two free months when you go to. levels.link/tucker. That's levels.link/tucker.  This is the beginning of what we hope will be a.

long and happy partnership with levels and Dr.  Casey Means. Yeah. I don't see fetus sexually. provocative. Maybe I'm the weirdo. No, same. I  had and and in the moment I don't know. It never. occurred to me that this would it never occurred  to me that this is a weird guy who's trying to,

you know, do something sexual. I mean, it I guess it was a it's sort of a slow burn,  you know, because a lot of stuff you do as an. actor is weird. There there are a lot of  things that are not normal, that are odd, that are out of your comfort zone. You know,  you're showing up on a set and kissing a person.

that you just met, and that's that's part of  your job. If that's your role, that's the scene. So there are things that happen that are just  strange and also normal at the same time. So, you know, taking one boot off, I just didn't think  that that was that the script called for that. No, I didn't I didn't had no idea if the  script would call for that, but I didn't. um I can understand how a woman that's in a spot  like that, it's a very vulnerable place for them.

to be. even if I didn't have my friends on the  other side of the door. Um I don't know what. would I don't know what would have happened. I  don't know. Uh but anyway, what was your question? It was it was something about taking advantage.  Yeah. Are there predators in Hollywood? And I I. think and and that's my predator story. So,  how did you wind up on curb your enthusiasm?

Well, I started studying at the Groundlings  Theater in LA, which is um it's an improv and. sketch comedy theater. And I was studying improv  and performing. And uh at that point, I had gotten. a better agent and um and I started to go out on  auditions. I was auditioning for different pilots, different different TV shows, and I got called  in to do to audition for a 1-hour special. It was.

just they were just calling it the a Larry David  unscripted or untitled special. And so I I went. in and well I I was going to I was scheduled to  audition and then they called me and they said, "We're running behind because there's no script.  It's all improvised and it's taking longer than. we thought." So I don't know when you're going  to be able to go in. And then that night I was.

performing in an um in a sketch comedy show  and I was per I was performing a sketch that. I had written and the uh producer director  of the whatever uh show was in the audience. and really liked the sketch and thought that  my sense of humor and Larry's would match up.

You didn't know him? I had never met him. Did  you know who he was? Uh, you know, I knew that. he co-created Seinfeld with Jerry Seinfeld.  Yeah. That's all I knew. Yeah. He was not. a public figure. I didn't know what he I didn't  know what he looked like. I didn't know anything. about him. Um, and so I wasn't It was probably  good that I didn't cuz I wasn't intimidated cuz. I didn't know who he was. I knew he was a lot  older than me and I knew I was going in to play.

to audition for his wife and I felt like I'm I  don't know if I'm right for this part, but I'll go. in and try to have a great audition and see what  happens. Maybe there's a different part, you know? And then uh and then when I walked in, I mean  the sketch that sort of opened the door for me.

was about uh a a woman in in her workplace  and this guy comes in to do a safety. um like go deliver safety procedures in an  earthquake and everybody in the office seemed. to know what to do in case of an earthquake  and they were answering all the questions, right? Oh, if uh do you light a match after  an earthquake? And somebody said no cuz there.

could be a gas leak. And I'm thinking, wow,  how did they even know that? And you know, should you walk around without shoes on? No, cuz  there could be broken glass. And then they said, "What do you do if your um water supply runs  out?" And I said, "Well, if push comes to shove, you can drink your own urine." And my co-workers  were like, "That's gross." I said, "Well, no.

I mean, I don't." And they said, "That's really  gross." And so the rest of the sketch was they're. trying to move on, you know. Okay, let's Do you  call your friends? And I go, "Just to be clear, I don't drink my own urine. I'm not I never I'm  not going to come home and drink my own urine.". And they're like, "We we get it. We've got to  finish this seminar." And I and I won't let it go, you know? And at the And I said, "Look, I'm going  to say right now, I'm not going to drink my own. urine. Even Even if there's an apocalypse and  the only way to survive is to drink your urine,

I'm not drinking my urine. I want you guys to know  right now I'm not drinking my urine." So that was. the sketch that that Bob Whitey saw that and he  brought me in the next day to meet Larry. And. then when I walked in for the audition, he said,  "Oh, the urine girl is here." So that's the sketch. that you wrote. Yeah, that's a sketch. That does  sound like something from Kirp, your enthusiasm. So Rob thought that Larry would appreciate that  sort of sense of humor. Yeah. Well, that turns.

out to be a perfect match. Yeah. How long were  you on that show? The show was on for 24 years. 24 years. Well, it took 24 years. Yes. And there  were 12 seasons. So, there were some seasons when. there were some there was like a 4hour a 4 hour  a 4-year break between some seasons. It was it. wasn't consecutive like most TV shows. Like why?  Uh because it was Larry David and Larry wanted to.

only do shows when he felt inspired. Smart. Yeah.  So he felt like after even after the first season, I thought that was the end of the show cuz he  said that was the end of the show. And then I. get a call and say, "Oh, we're going to do another  season." I was like, "That's amazing." So every. season it was like that. And then one time I got a  call from him and he said, "Uh, I've I've got some.

bad news." I said, "Okay." And he said, "We're  going to do we're going to do another season, but you're not going to be in it." I said, "Okay."  I mean, that's okay. And uh and then they did a. season in New York that I wasn't in. And in the  show, Larry and I had gotten divorced. And then. the season after that, he brought me back into the  show as his ex-wife. But it it was over 24 years.

that all this took place. That's wild. So you got  to know him well, of course. What's he like? Um, well, of course he's very, very smart, very funny.  Um he he's very caring. I know it doesn't seem.

like it, but he's he's very caring about people  close to him. Uh and uh he's neurotic. Yeah. So. basically I'm not breaking news. So basically it's  real. It's a lot of it's real. Yeah. Yeah. Well, it wasn't that long ago that many Americans  thought they were inherently safe from the kinds. of disasters you hear about all the time in third  world countries. A total power loss, for example, or people freezing to death in their own homes.  That could never happen here. Obviously, it's.

America. People are recalculating, unfortunately,  cuz they have no choice. The last few years have. taught us that. Remember when the power grid  in Texas failed in the dead of winter? Yeah, it happened and it could happen again. So,  the government is not actually as reliable. as you hope they would be. And the truth is, the  future is unforeseeable. And things do seem to. be getting a little squirly. So, if the grid  does go down, you need power you can trust.

Last Country Supply newest product is designed  for exactly that. The Grid Doctor is a 3,300 W. battery backup system that will power full-size  appliances, medical devices, and tools with clean, reliable power. It's even protected. That means  it's shielded from lightning, solar flares, or an actual electromagnetic pulse event. There's  no gasoline, no noise, no emissions. You just. plug it in, charge it from the wall, from your  vehicle, or from the included 200 W solar panel,

and keep going day after day, taking care of  yourself and the people you love is solely. up to you. And the amazing thing is with these  new batteries, we use one at home, by the way, is they're super easy to use. There's no inverter  you need to figure out on the front of it or. anything like that. There's like three buttons.  It's very easy and totally reliable. Highly. recommended. We literally use one. As I said,  visit lastcountupply.com to shop the grid doctor. for power you can trust this winter. Lastount  supply.com. 24 years is a long time to spend.

with the same people. Yeah. Did you get along with  all of them? I did. Really? Yeah. I loved all of. them and I mean I still do and our crew we would  have we had a few crew members that were with us. from the beginning. Um you know and it was very  sweet too because there was so much time that. was passing and we all were we had kids and then  we watched our kids grow up and then we you know.

some cast members would have their kids as interns  on the show. So it was sweet, you know, they were. just a real part of my life. Yeah. It sounds like  that was a lot of your adult life. Yeah, it was. Yeah. And you met your husband through the show  or through Larry? Yeah, through Larry. I mean, I met Bobby, Robert Kennedy Jr. through I mean,  Larry just introduced us, you know. I Larry and.

I went to a watereper event and he just introduced  me to Bobby. not in any way like you guys should. um you know have anything to do with each other.  It was just like this is Cheryl, this is Bobby. Um. so that was the first time I met him. Yeah. What'  you think? I thought he I thought it was nice.

He you know he was a great speaker. Bobby was  a great speaker. I saw him speak at the event. And also I just remember oh that's a pleated  khakis guy. A pleated khakis guy. Yeah. You. know a guy that wears pleated khakis. Is that a  plus or a minus? Well h is it a plus or a minus? I think growing up in Tallahassee, I I had a  lot of guy friends that wore pleated khakis.

and it was kind of a it reminds me of a h like a  football coach type of a it's to me at the time. it felt like not a creative type person that I  was used to. I don't know if that makes sense. The pleated khakis are the n they're the  more non-creative. Yeah. Interesting. I. don't think pleated khakis exists anymore.  I'm glad. I I am too. That was a sad face.

in this country's history. I agree. I mean,  listen, they weren't good for guys or girls, right? I agree. I never fell for it. I'm not  bragging, but I never No, that's good. So, yeah. So, what I I forgot that even happened.  It was burned into my brain. It was. So, was part of the appeal I got to fix this? No. Oh,  I mean that part of the thing was just like, oh, he's a pleated khakis guy, you know? Okay,  that's nice. Yeah. So, but yes, then when. years later when we got together, I I was Oh,  it was years. Oh, yeah. Because when I met him,

he was he was married, I was married to different  people. So, it was not at all like there was no. spark or interest or anything like that. It was  just a casual acquaintance. And and then uh I. stayed involved with waterkeeper and I would see  Bobby once a year I think at a water keeper event.

and it was he was always pleasant, always nice,  but we I really never even spoke to him that. much because it was always a big event. And um  and then I got I got divorced, he got divorced, we were going through divorce and I was going to  see him and I thought, "Oh, this is interesting.". Like 6 years later or however long. Um it'll  be interesting to see him because it's hard.

It's hard going through a divorce and it's hard  even talking to somebody about it because nobody. unless you're going through it and nobody wants  to talk about it. No, that's right. And even if. you're going through it, you might want to not  want to talk about it. But anyway, when I saw him, I said, "How are you doing?" And he said, "Good."  I said, "How are you really doing?" And he said, "Good." "Well, we should talk." I said, "Okay."  And then and then we started talking and I just.

it was really the first time I talked  to him as a person as a and he was uh. very he very dynamic you know he's  a dynamic person and I just saw him. in a different way for for the first  time and I uh I was really taken with. What did your friends think? Uh, they, you know,

my friends, they thought it was  fun, but you know, at the time, Bobby was living in New York. I was living in  in LA. Bobby was an environmental attorney. And, um, everybody loved him. I remember, except for  the big corporations that he was suing. Yeah. Uh, so, you know, it was just a kind of a fun uh  situation and they wanted to hear the highlights,

you know, my friends. Um, but it wasn't it didn't  seem like it was going to be anything permanent. So, I don't know. But it was just uh wasn't  didn't seem like a big thing at first. Yeah. Well, a lot of things start that way. Yeah. So, then  you marry him. You're famous. He's famous. It's.

probably easier to marry someone who understands  what that is, I would think. Seems like it. I. understand why people I mean I it has its um its  pluses and minuses, right? Of course, cuz probably. two people that are known are, you know, well  known or whatever that looks like. They're only.

known in certain circles. Uh so I don't know.  there there probably was two famous people that. feel somebody feels left out while the other  person's shining or whatever that looks like. So there might be that. Um I know that should  be true with friends that are actors, you know, two actors together and sometimes if or a director  and an actor and their career is doing great and. the other one is, you know, at a different pocket  in their career, that can be tough. But it was.

good for me and Bobby because we were in different  worlds completely. Yeah. And I remember early on. when we were going through the airport together  and somebody stopped him and said, "You know, what you're doing is amazing. What you're doing is  so important for the environment, for our country, uh for people, for people's health. Thank you  so much." almost in tears. And I said, "Wow,

that was really nice." And then we keep going  through and then this guy said, "Oh my gosh, that diarrhea scene that you did in the car wash,  that killed me." And I was like, "Thank you." And. I look at Bobby like, "Haha, you're not the only  one." So, we had a It was fun getting together. with him in that way. And then he moved out to LA.  Well, then he asked me to marry him and I said, "I don't don't really want to get married if we're  going to live in different states." Fair, right?

And he said, "Okay, I'll come out there." Wow.  I mean, I'm making it sound easy. It wasn't an. easy decision, but yeah, that's what happened. And  just from the outside looking in, things go great. and and then co happens and Bobby goes from being  controversial to being really controversial. Yes,

you could say that. Yeah, fair. That's very fair  to say. And more love, too. Not just more hated, but but more also true. Also more prominent. and  um started really speaking to a lot of people. And. it was hard too being in LA or challenging perhaps  because the I would say the majority of the people.

in LA that I was encountering did not agree with  him. Mhm. Um, and they could not imagine anybody. agreeing with him, but the reality was there  were millions of people across the country that. did were agreeing with him. Oh, yeah. Um, but it  was hard to see that in LA, but that's what was. happening. Did anyone say anything to you about  it? Like at work? Yes. What did they say? Um,

I'm so impressed by how brave your husband is.  Actually, I did get some of those. I bet you did. Um, I got I did get some of those. Um, but I also  got Well, what is he doing? Um, you've got to stop. him. Um, you've got to stop him. I got a lot of  that. Really? Yeah. Yeah. Wow. like it's um you.

know the whole I can't believe I'm the first one  saying it the whole vaccine issue people were so. um passionate about it one way or the other  and the people and and there were a lot of. people that felt like uh if we don't all take  this vaccine we're all going to die and if you.

don't take it you're gonna kill us. So there so  people really felt like that and and would tell. me that actually. Yeah. You know, I didn't have  very strong feelings about vaccines one way or. the other my whole life. I never really thought  about it. I didn't realize that it was a religion. to a lot of people and political. Well, but that  you know it's religion because that doesn't make. any sense. If the vaccine is effective and you  take it, then you're good to go, right? Why does. it matter if I take it? Somebody else does it.  Absolutely. Did anyone I heard smart people make.

that case. People I thought were smart, but it  doesn't make any sense just on the face of it. No, it doesn't make any sense. And that and that  wasn't enough for people. It wasn't. No, it wasn't. enough for someone to be able to take the vaccine  and feel like, woo, I'm I'm okay now. I don't care. what you do. It wasn't enough. So, the my body,  my choice was not a real thing, it turned out.

No, no. It was like, and I want to I need to  get involved with your body. Yes. Your body, my choice. Your body, my choice. Yeah. Yeah.  And feminism is also obviously fake because. why would you hold a woman responsible for  her husband's views? If you were a feminist, you'd be like, well, you know, you're a a  human being like with autonomy and stuff, and you're responsible for your views,  but your husband is a different person, not the same as you, and he's got his views,  so they're not your fault, right? that one.

would think but that's it's also not the case.  Yeah. Interesting. How did So as but this went. on and on and on. It wasn't like a flu season. It  was like years and it got more intense. Yes. How. what was that like for you? Uh it was stressful.  It was stressful. Um and it was loud, you know. It felt like the conversation was loud and it  was you know what was really hard I thought was.

like I like I said both sides I felt like both  sides were pretty loud and so even if you would. find out that maybe somebody had passed away. Uh  it seemed like both sides wanted to know was that. was that person vaccinated? Was that the reason  they weren't or is that the reason? And it and. it made me sad because I I had several friends  that passed away during that time and it felt.

like we were talking about the wrong things at the  moment. Did you think it's like wow I this thought. why aren't we talking about the person that just  passed away and who who they were and how they. affected our lives, you know? So I I I hated it.  I hated it. How can I use other people's deaths. to score political points? Yeah, I hated it. Yeah.  Well, good. Um, so that was hard. That's a measure. of your decency that you hated that. Thank you.  No, it it is. Someone dies, you should take take.

them mourn the person's death, right? That's  is what it's all about. Who was that person? How did they remain in your life? Yes. And what  do they leave behind? Exactly. But when it goes. quickly from you skip over that conversation, it  was just hard. I think it was hard for people to. accept that vaccinated people ever die cuz it's  magic and you live forever when you get a vaccine.

And I think they were like, "Oh, there's got to  be some way to explain that." Like, how could a. vaccinated person die? Well, it felt like both it  it felt once again, it felt like both sides were. Well, yes, they got the vaccine and then they got  COVID, but they would have died if they did get. the vaccine or, you know, it's it's sort of like  they you could fit fit different scenarios into. your own narrative, which was also annoying. And  you know, studies, so many talks of studies. Well,

I can show you a study that shows this. I can show  you a study that shows that. And it's just a back. and forth and it's like being in a courtroom and  you're watching both sides. You have an expert and. the expert will say 100% you know if you pick  up this glass you will die and then the other.

experts say 100% that is not true. Here's a study  that shows something completely different. So, it just felt like there was a lot of that  going on, it still is a lot of that going. on instead of to me what I what I have a hard  time understanding is instead of always pointing. the finger and saying you're wrong, you better  listen to me. You're wrong. Instead of that and. two people saying okay, let's talk about this  because it is a problem, right? There's a huge.

problem here. It's a crisis. A lot of people are  are um suffering. How can we figure it out? Like, show me what you've got. I'll show you what I've  got. Let's Is there a cross-section? Why aren't. these two sides working together? That's what I  don't understand. Well, it's helpful to begin the. conversation with here's how I've been wrong. Then  everyone calms down, you know. Does anybody start.

with that? It works. It does work. Yeah. Because  it's the ultimate display of good faith. I've been. wrong and here's how. And then you deescalate  immediately. But when you begin with, you know, here are the eight things I don't like about you.  Yeah. It doesn't go very far. So, at this time, your husband is at home writing The Real Anthony  Fouchy. Mhm. Um, an amazing book, bestseller, uh, despite long odds. And what was that like? Did  you talk to him about it as he was writing it? Um,

There was a lot of Anthony Fouchy talk in our  house for good reason. Of course, pro or con. Um, and there was a, you know, he worked really  hard on it and he he spent a lot of time um, citing sources in that book.  Yeah, I noticed. So, you know, there were a lot of days that were just  filled with citing sources by, you know,

um this article, that study, this goes in page  two, this goes in. So, it was it took up a lot. of space in our lives. Yeah. I mean, there are  thousands of footnotes in that book and it's. a very long book. Yeah. So it was uh I you know  was it important? Yes. Was it joyful? No. Yeah.

Was it like No spouse of a writer is ever happy  about books. Yeah. I've had children cry to me. when uh I'm going to write a book. Another book.  Yeah. Everyone cries. Yeah. It's very unhappy. No, I know. It is hard to write a book, isn't it?  It's awful, but it's terrible for the people. around you. Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm very aware  of that. I've I've received that feedback. I hear you. Sitting alone in your office. I try  to do better. Chain smoking, feeling angry. Um, no. No. I Yeah. No, I know that. Well, so were  you ever worried that I mean, this is getting.

more and more and more controversial. You you  marry this man and you're in separate worlds, as you said, and that's a wonderful thing. He's  a star in his world, you're a star in your world. They don't really collide. They don't intersect.  No, they don't. And people in your world think. Bobby Kennedy's pretty cool cuz he's like a  Kennedy and they're like sort of, you know, Democratic Party royalty and he's liberal in a  wholesome way and like not not a scary liberal.

but like a dogooder liberal. Like everyone kind of  likes that. Yeah. Clean water. And you're on the. coolest show in America. And of course everyone  loves that. And all of a sudden everyone in LA. is pissed about co and there's your husband in his  office writing this book. accusing Fouchy of like. starting the pandemic like Yes. Were you worried  that that was going to affect your your life? Um.

I mean was I worried? Yes. But it was more than worry. It was  affecting my life. So it wasn't even like. But I I was concerned. I I was concerned.  I didn't know if this was going to be. um something that we move through that I moved  through that wa that was a crazy time and now.

things are back to normal. Did that happen? It did  not. No, there is no normal. No, we broke normal. a long time. Yes. This was the beginning of a of  a journey. Yeah. Well, as I said at the outset, you're in a place I doubt you anticipated  being. Yeah, I did not expect that. So, that was that was uh when I realized, oh, uh,  this is Yeah, this is changing everything. So,

I would It was publicly reported that people in  Los Angeles were like, "Maybe we shouldn't give. Cheryl Hines work because of her husband." Do you  think that's real? Uh, I do think that's real. I think I find that shocking. I do. Sorry. Well,  I mean, some people are just so they are so um.

taken with politics. They're so upset by politics  that even to see me is upsetting to them. Can I suggest something though that this is why  it matters? It's not just about getting parts in. TV shows or writing books about Fouchi. It's a  genocidal mindset. It's the mindset that says, well, you know, we hurt the guilty, but we also  hurt his family. And that's a genocidal mindset. And it's weirdly common in elite circles  in the United States. You know, it's like,

what do you have to do with this? Nothing. You  married the guy in, by the way, you were already. successful when you married him. You already  had your own thing. Yeah. And you're already. famous and you marry him. You're not writing a  book on Dr. Fouchy, but let's hurt her because. she's related to him. That's that's where genocide  comes from, that way of thinking. It is. It is. Uh. it is strange. It's very strange to me. And at  the same time, uh on the oppos opposite side,

yes, there are people that I'm probably not going  to work with again. And there are people that I. will be working with that have reached out to me.  Yeah. And that are in this business that are very. successful people that say, "Oh, I want to work  with you." Well, that's a great way that's a great. way to look at it. Yeah. So, it's But it was hard  because at the time, I mean, I've really loved all. the people I've worked with. I it sounds like you  did and I really have appreciated them and and I.

also know you know we're sort of generalizing. I  there are plenty of people that I have worked with. that have reached out to me and you know we'll say  I can't wait to work with you again. Um they're. not doing it publicly but the other people aren't  doing it publicly either. Nobody's, you know, besides Bradley Whitford. Nobody is going on, you  know. What did Bradley Woodford say? Oh gosh, you.

didn't hear that dumb tweet. I try and stay away  from all things Bradley Woodford related, but tell. me. I can't wait for the new outrage. What is it?  Oh my gosh. I don't know. Oh, I it's when Bobby. Oh, I guess it's when Bobby backed uh President  Trump and I just woke up. I woke up and I had. people texting me and I was trying to stay off  social media too because it's nothing good comes.

from it. You think? And I'm I'm looking at my  phone and I'm seeing texts from my friends saying. uh you know what an [ __ ] and I'm thinking who oh  who's the [ __ ] today? It's always somebody. Um, and then somebody sent me his something that  he posted on X and it was something like. uh I bet my nephew Jackson would know it by heart,  but it was something like, "Hey, Cheryl Hind um.

something like insulted Donald Trump and  then of course insulted Bobby and said, "Oh, you this is a real good um setting a great  example for the kids talking about me and. uh oh real profile and courage. I was like what  what first of all what kids what what kids am I.

setting an example for? And if the example that  I'm setting is that I'm supporting my husband, I'm glad that's the example for the kids. Best  example you could set. So that was strange. Uh. and then profile and courage just because that's  the name of the book that John F. Kennedy wrote,

but you know, no explanation other than just he  just uh sort of called me out uh for not like. it's your fault being out outraged at my husband.  I'm not even sure what he was hoping that I would. uh publicly denounce your husband. Yeah, I guess.  Right. I'm getting a divorce. You're right, Bradley. You know, it was a strange it was so  strange to me. I was I was just like, whoa, what? Yeah. Like Brad and I, you know, I know  Bradley and I he he's an acquaintance and if I saw.

him at a party, we'd hang out and laugh and talk.  But so for him to just suddenly come after me in a. tweet was just weird. Yeah. But kind of consistent  with the culture of the city that you live in, right? Well, there's not a lot of dis I mean, it's  so monochromatic. It's like everybody has the same. views on everything. You know what's interesting?  After the first um after the election with.

uh Trump and and Hillary, I remember going to work  and I remember we were I was in the it was in the. green room up somewhere and people were talking  about the election and everybody was saying, "I can't believe Trump won. Couldn't believe  who is who voted for this person." And there was. one actor that said, "Oh, I voted for him." And  everybody looked at him like, "What?" And and I,

you know, I love this actor. I'm not going to  say his name cuz Is he still working? Yes. And. he's still working. And I said, "Oh, that's so  interesting." And I said, "Why did why did you And. I wanted to hear I wanted to talk to him because I  felt like, oh, tell me why cuz what am I missing?". you know, and everybody else was just acted like  he was a leper in the moment. Just like what?

And I remember thinking at the time like this is  so strange. Yeah. Cuz that's not an environment. conducive to creativity. No. Creative people are  open-minded. Yeah. And willing to entertain all. kinds of wild notions, some of which are wrong.  Yeah. And curious about other people, especially. Exactly. Nicely put. They're curious about other  people. Exactly. So, it's it's odd to me. Well, yeah. And you know, maybe it has something to do  with a decline in creative output in Los Angeles.

I just guess. I can't speak to that. I don't  know. I don't know. I don't know. I know. Come. on. Listen, the the people in this country in the  entertainment business are the best in the world. They're the They're the best in the world. Yeah.  And um but a lot of it's being made outside of LA, right? I mean, yeah, that's the unfortunate part.  A lot of the industry has been driven out. Well,

yeah. I mean, I always defend Los Angeles.  I lived there as a child. I think it's the. most American of all cities. I love it. I was just  there. I I'm the probably the only person with my. voting record who defends LA, but I I always do.  But I just notice that it's when I was a child, it's it did seem open-minded. Yeah. Maybe too  much, probably famously too open-minded. Like. some things are not a good idea. Do whatever. Be  the person you want to be. Clearly. No, clearly. that's not the road to happiness. On the other  hand, it is the road to creativity, right? Well,

that that's why I find it odd. LA. I find it odd  that uh on the one hand you have a lot of people. saying um yeah, let people be people and love the  person no matter who they are. And that's that. was the feeling I always felt in LA. Unless you're  married to someone who writes a book I don't like, in which case cut them off to death. I was like,  "Oh, I didn't see the fine print." Okay. No,

I know. No, I know. No. Weird. weird. Yeah.  It sounds like you're It just by the way you. talked that you were not super political. No,  I wasn't political at all. I was uh you know, the only thing I had ever posted was to vote.  I didn't say who I think you should vote for. It was just like But personally, you weren't like  yelling about politics at dinner most nights. No.

Yeah. I can I can feel that. And by the way, I I  never knew what politics my friends or co-workers. had. Yeah. Uh cuz I would never be the person to  bring up politics unless they were talking about. it. I would chime in. But um it just was not I  would was not that person that was interested. I. was I was interested in entertainment and writing  and producing and directing and acting and to me. and so inspired by the people around me in LA. So  inspired by them. So yeah, politics was just for.

what other people do. Yeah. You know, I think most  people felt that way. So when your husband said, "Oh, by the way, uh just so you know, I may  run for president." What did you think of that? I was uh shocked. You were This is not something  you thought of before. No. No. Yeah. I said.

president of what? I was hoping it was like  a board or a company or something. Homeowners. association. The homeowners association. I can  support that. Uh, I was shocked and I I you know, I was like, well, I need a minute to think  about this. I mean, do I have to give you an. answer right now? Is this something that I have  to answer now? And he said, "No, I just I need to.

know how you feel about it cuz I can't do it. I  won't do it unless you're it's okay with you and. you're supportive of it." And uh I said, "I have  to really think about it, you know, because I knew. I knew that it would be life-changing." And it's  hard when Did you know how much? Uh, no. No. But.

I knew it would be big, you know? I knew it would  be. And I think what's really hard is I've always. been very independent in my life, right? I moved  to LA. I lived on my own. I sort of, you know, made my own path to do this and that, you know,  other things. And however I got there was not. the normal way. I was doing it my own way. So I  I was used to taking risks for myself and knowing.

well this might not work out this might work out  might not but I that's okay I'm taking the risk. but it's sort of a harder of course situation  and this is with everybody right anybody who's. in a relationship anybody who has kids anybody who  loves somebody else when they want to take a risk.

Um, and they're doing it because they they're they  want to accomplish something or do something. Um, it's harder when they're the ones making  the decision, but you know that it's going. to really change your life, too. Oh, yeah.  It's harder. So, what did was the show still. going? I can't remember. Yeah, the show is  still going. Mhm. What did they say when. you show up at work and you're like, "Hey  guys, um, didn't love it." Um, I bet um,

you know, they were always very um, loving  to me and and even to Bobby as, you know, as a person. So, I never felt hate coming at me  or towards Bobby. But definitely there was strong.

um opinions about should he be running  for president against Joe Biden. Well, that's how it all started, right?  Cuz because the fourth Kennedy to. run for president and the only one  not to get the support of Hollywood. Interesting. Yeah, it was it was an  interesting time. And I I did have.

um maybe one um discussion with someone  on the set where that person said, "Well, he Bobby has to drop out. He cannot be running  against Joe Biden on the set." Somebody said. this to you. Well, you know, it was Yeah,  but at work. Yeah. At work. And I said, well, um, I said, you know, I don't  know that Biden is a strong candidate.

Well, you are mis understatement, aren't you? I  don't know that Joe Biden's a strong candidate. Yeah, because because that that's what they asked  me. He's like asleep in his peas at this point. He's like a strong candidate. He said they said,  "Why why is Bobby running?" And I said, "Because. uh perhaps Joe Biden's not a strong candidate.  And um I mean that was probably as heated he. hated as it got. But it was clear that a lot  of people in town did not want Bobby running.

against Joe Biden. A lot of people in the  country, a lot of de Democrats Democrats. were not supportive of Bobby. Well, some  were, but yeah, some were. Some were. Yeah, definitely. on the margins, but the party  itself was adamantly opposed. Yes. Um. Wow. So, how long did you do the show during the  campaign? Oh, we just had our last season. So it w So I was probably um Bobby was probably  running for um maybe two months like a maybe a.

two-month overlap or something. What  did you think of that experience? I don't want to get emotional. Um I thought it was. It's all right. you. That stuff's  pretty heavy. Yeah. I mean,

it was hard cuz it it made me sad. Yeah. because I you know I had been working  on this show for a long time and.

and it was always pure joy. Yeah.  And I mean even when the vaccines. of it all were introduced, it there  started to be an element that um. made its way into conversations at  work that up until that moment had,

like I said, only been pure joy. So, and and  you know, not to say that people through the. years didn't have health issues, didn't have  relatives who passed away, and so, you know, we were there for each other. Um, so, but  it started to divide your friendships. Yeah.

And it's is that because you showed up and said  you have to vote for Bobby for president or else. I'm not going to be your friend or was it because  people were cruel to you because of your husband? Well, I I you know I don't know if I'd use the  word cruel, but um yeah, I never told anybody. they needed to vote for Bobby. Somehow I didn't  think you did. Um I uh so yeah so that part of it.

made me sad that that was how the show was ending  for me, you know, and it was just personal for. me. It was for for everybody else. It was it was  fine and it was normal. It was usual. They were. they they were ending the um the series and  you know going on late night talk shows and.

talking about the show and they could talk about  the show. They could talk about Curve without. without talking about politics without anybody  asking them questions about their spouses. Yeah. But that was not the world for me. And so that  was you couldn't go anywhere without having to. answer questions about your husband, right? Yep. I  still It's still It's still a conversation. Yeah.

I I'm for conversation. I'm not for punishing  the innocent cuz that again is the genocidal. mindset that I object to completely. And I just I  just can't imagine. I'm shocked to learn how many. people have that mindset and think it's okay to  torment people because of their relatives. Thank. God I'm not held accountable for my relatives  or I haven't been for most of my you know what. I mean? Like all of us I think feel that way. And  but the idea that you would attack someone for a.

relative is uh man that's so dark. I think I think  it's really strange. It's strange. You're a nice. person. I can tell you're restraining yourself.  You just see so much of this and that's the. same attitude, you know, like, well, let's kill  the tootsies because they're tootsies and their. parents are bad, so let's kill the kids. Like,  that's just not the way to think. That's not the. Christian way to think. It's not the humane way  to think. And it was never the American way to.

think. And it is all of a sudden. And I And you're  a victim of it. So, well, it's a it's an odd place. to be. It's a strange It's a very odd place. You  know what? something that stood out to me like. during all this time when when the tables were  sort of turning um after after the 2020 election. and Biden became president. I had a friend, a good  friend of mine who's who's no longer speaking to.

me, but uh she said, "I wonder what Melania is  going to do now this after the election." I said, "Oh, I don't know. She could probably do anything  she wants." She goes, "I hope she can't. I hope. she can't do anything." And I was like, "What  are you talking about?" And she said, 'Well,

if she is married to Donald Trump, I hope she  can't do anything. And I just was eye opening. to me. I thought, whoa. Uh, that's odd. What's  hate? That's actual hate. I said I said, "So,". and she said, Haven't you haven't you thought  that? And I said, uh, I have not. No. I said,

I have not spent one moment um hoping something  horrible for somebody else. It was so but just but. just to know like that's what's living on in her  mind. like she has spent even if it's two minutes. of her day but it clearly it sounded like it was  more than that must spend time like wishing and.

by by the way everything that I know about Melania  Trump is pretty amazing she only she does a lot of. work for children um and she does it quietly  and she doesn't need fanfare for it but she. really works hard uh to try to reunite children  with their parents for the um a lot of different.

programs that she works. But so for one of my  friends to be wishing something on somebody that. she doesn't even know this person I don't know it  was eye opening to me. Well again it's back to the. same mindset. So, she didn't say, "I hate Melania  because of these three things she did." It was. her connection to someone she doesn't like. Exact  that made her guilty. You know what? I don't know. why that brings such clarity to me because like I  said, now this friend does not talk to me. Yeah.

Cuz you're married to the wrong person. Oh my  gosh. I never Why did I never connect that? Well, this is like the root of like a lot of the world's  problems. It's like let's kill their families, too. It's what's happening in a lot of places in  the world right now. And and it's happening in Los. Angeles. It's pretty crazy. Yeah. And I thought it  was crazy at the time. It's like, well, you hate.

her be only because she's married to somebody else  you hate and she won't speak to you. Mm-m. This is. a co-orker friend from your business. I had been  friends with her since uh for 30 years. Oh gosh. Oh, I'm sorry. Well, thank you. And you know,  I've come to Then you have to ask yourself, well,

if that's who this person is, is that who I Well,  that's right. Yeah. Yeah. No, I I think that's. right. So, one more sore subject, but the security  thing I I that was very upsetting to me. I mean, I know your husband and I really love your  husband, so that was part of it. But even if. I didn't like your husband, I would um and I  very much do, but I would even if I didn't, I. would think, hm, presidential candidates ought to  have Secret Service protection. if there if it's. real candidacy traveling around the country with  staff which he was packing venues which he was.

very famous person and then of course the whole  his family backstory is like so unbelievable right. so we don't need to be reminded of what could  happen it's obvious and yet he did not have secret. service protection from the bid administration he  did not okay they wanted him out of the race one. way or the other I think that's the obvious  conclusion there that's so dark and sick but. here's my question I didn't see many prominent  people stand up, including people he's related to,

and say, "Whoa, wait a second. This man needs  Secret Service. His father was murdered. Are. you joking?" Like, what was that? Why was there  no outcry over that? I was with him in some city, New York, I think. Oh, it was at MSG. It was last  No, I don't know when it was. Whatever I traveled. to, but it was somewhere. And I was walking  down the street with him. No, it was in DC. And he had no Secret Service protection at all.  Yeah. And I was like, "What is going on?" Yeah.

Why didn't people say Why didn't prominent  people Isn't it crazy? It is crazy to me. that Do you notice this? Oh, yeah. Well, I do.  I talk about this in my book, too. Unscripted. Um because that was that was also part of um  what you know there were so many things that. were very surreal about it about Bobby running  but that was one of them where you know that was.

a big concern the the biggest concern about him  running is was security because I you I'm like, this is you're putting yourself out there and yes,  your father was assassinated while he was running.

for president. Your uncle was assassinated when he  was president. Um, that is this is so dangerous. And and then I thought at at the beginning I  I thought, okay, he's announcing he's running. for president. We'll we'll see what happens in the  primaries because in the primaries, we'll know if. he has support or not, and it'll go one way or the  other. So, I thought maybe this is going to go on,

maybe he'll be running for, I don't know, five or  six months or something. Um and we had a private. security. Um and he, you know, applied for  for a secret service and first first of all, they didn't even respond to him in a um in a um  normal timeline. So, it was just like, well, we'll.

wait. We'll see. We'll see. We'll see. And then  when Bobby switched to running as an independent, the Democrats came out basically and said on  TV, I watched an interview where they said, "No, we are going to make sure to that um RFK  Jr. spends all of his money on lawsuits. we're.

gonna keep suing him so he has no money for his  campaign. And then, you know, the what we could. hear people talk about not in front of the camera  was also he's we're going to make sure he has to. spend a lot of money on security so he doesn't  have money for his campaign. and also heard. um if he was given Secret Service then it would  legitimize him as a candidate and they didn't want.

that. So all of that was happening and then yes,  you had some family members who came out publicly. against Bobby and said, "But we but we love  him." But I never saw any of them publicly say.

even though we don't agree with him politically,  we are concerned about his safety. You didn't hear. any say that? I did not of his siblings. No, I  did not. Sick. It's the sickest thing. Sorry, you don't have to say that. It's your your They're  your in-laws, but I mean I can't imagine anything. more loathome than that. It was um hard to  believe. Really hard to believe. And then, you know, I I went down a rabbit hole when  I was writing this book because at the.

time people different um outlets would  give different reasons why, of course, Robert Kennedy didn't get Secret Service. It's too  early. But then you would look I would look up and. Barack Obama got it 300 and something days before  the election. You know, people people got it. 200 days before the election.  So that was not it. There. uh some people got it before they even  announced that they were running. So.

whatever they were whatever people were say  they always were trying to make Bobby look like. he's being ridiculous. You're being ridiculous  for asking. You're not even a real candidate. Um, and meanwhile, you know, he had someone show  up at one of his rallies, um, with loaded weapons,

uh, you know, uh, pretending to be a federal  agent, flashing badges, and and they arrested him. But then I was home watching when a guy came over  my back fence and was approaching the house. I was. on I was doing a Instagram live with my friend  from Tallahassee and I said I I see this guy out.

the window and I and she said, "Are you okay?" I  said, "I don't I think I have to go. Something's. happening." And then I see our security guard, you  know, take his weapon out. And I'm watching this. on Instagram live and I said, I I really do have  to wrap it up. So yeah, that guy was apprehended, was arrested by LAPD, was released, and then took  an Uber back to our house and was arrested again. the same day. And both of those both of both of  those events were publicized. People knew about.

it. I, you know, I was in LA when when it happened  when the one guy was arrested at the um rally. It. made the um local news. I don't know if it made  the national news, but people knew. Um people in. the administration knew, people in Bobby's family  knew. And and it's not everybody. I know that. there were a few members of the family that I know  that inquired um issuing a public statement and.

calling on Joe Biden to provide their brother with  secret service would have fixed that in about two. seconds. That's what President Trump did. Yeah.  Oh, I know. It's just crazy that it took Trump, right, to provide protection to Bobby Kenn. Hello.  A year and a half later, you know, Bobby had been. running for a year and a half by that point. So,  okay, the night Trump is shot in Butler, Bobby and.

Trump speak for the first time and start kind  of feeling each other out about maybe we could. team up. Maybe Bobby could endorse Trump, which  would be at the time seemed completely crazy, but uh was clearly possible from your perspective.  Like what? I mean, first your husband comes out. against vaccines, then he attacks Fouchy, then he  runs for president, and now he's thinking about.

endorsing Donald Trump. I mean, these are like,  how many more red lines are there in Hollywood? It's I think Yeah, that was the la that was  definitely the last um strike. Yeah, that was it, huh? Yeah. Yeah, that was beyond anything anybody  could take. some people some people but yeah it. was that was that it's all been uh a learning  process for me you know and to to it's been um.

it's it's sometimes it has tested me to take a  step back and get a different perspective, you. know, because like you said, that was something I  couldn't could not have ever imagined. Yeah. Well,

it was a big deal. I mean, the Trump people  who very much wanted um I know you know, Bobby's endorsement, wanted him to campaign with  them, wanted to bring him on the administration, knew that your opinion was really important to  him. Obviously, you're his wife, but he really. cared about what you thought and they were like  they were focused on that. So, when was your when. was the first time you met Donald Trump? I met  him he he was uh the the assassination attempt.

was on a Saturday and I met him on that Monday  morning. I don't remember the dates by any means, but that was July, mid July. Yeah. So, that  was right before the Republican convention. was starting. Yeah. It started Monday night,  right? So, so President Trump wanted to meet. with Bobby that morning in Milwaukee. They had  talked for the first time on Saturday and then by.

Monday you were out there. That's right. They work  fast. Well, we see that in this administration. They work fast. Yeah. So yeah, everything was  happening quickly. But you know there was a. there was a shift there was a huge shift  when there there was the assassination. attempt on Donald Trump. It was a [ __ ]  You know, so many people were a lot of.

Americans felt like that this is too  much. Yeah. And now we really have to. get behind Trump. This is too much. Um so there  was that shift going on and at the same time it. was um had to be emotional for President Trump and  his family. I mean the bullet came very close to.

killing him in inches. That's dramatic. Yeah. So  there was a lot there there was a lot going on and. a lot of um even emotions emotions happening.  So when they started talking on on Saturday.

they said they wanted to meet on Monday. I was  going to meet Bobby after this meeting. He was. going to sit down with the president. They were  going to talk and see what was what if anything. they if they wanted to work together if they  didn't if they agreed on things if they didn't. And I was going to meet with Bobby after the the  that um meeting. But when I landed in Milwaukee,

the the security said, "Oh, we're taking  you straight to the meeting." I said to. I'm going to the meeting. So, it was interesting.  That was the first time I I walked in and it was. it was Bobby and um Amarillis who was my uh  daughter-in-law. Yeah. Who's running who was. running Bobby's campaign at the time. Um Susie  Wilds who was running um Donald Trump's campaign.

and and Donald Trump. And that was the first time  I met him. And he shook my hand and you know he. he was a very genuine person and it was  I don't know I don't I don't want to say. surprising but maybe surprising out of body  experience. I mean here you you work on curb.

your enthusiasm. You live in LA for 30 years.  Donald Trump's the enemy and all of a sudden. you're like in a meeting with him. I know.  By the way, there's an episode of Curb where. Larry wears a MAGA hat to repel people in LA  so he doesn't have to have lunch with people, which is funny, but it's also true. Uh, which  is also funny. But, um, but yeah. So, I so I.

was I I don't know. I was expecting something  else. What were you expecting? Horns, sulfur. Um, I was expecting uh I think I was expecting  somebody who didn't listen to other people, wouldn't be interested in other people.  Uh, and that's not that's not who I met.

I met um somebody who was very interested  in in other people. Really wanted to hear. what somebody else had to say. I think  that was very surprising to me. Did you. call back to LA and say, "Hey guys,  he's actually cool." Good news, guys. Um I didn't even tell anybody at the time.  And and and it was so it was so stressful.

They were stressed for so many reasons at that  time. Security number one reason, right? I mean, this just happened with Donald Trump. Oh, yeah.  With Secret Service protection. And Bobby still. didn't have Secret Service protection. And um  during that meeting, um President Trump posted, "Bobby Kennedy should have Secret Service  protection. This is ridiculous." And that day,

Bobby got Secret Service protection. I mean,  were the wheels already in motion? Perhaps. But the but the other thing about So, he ended  up getting Secret Service protection. It was a. um presidential um an an executive order, which  was fine, but usually in uh when a presidential. um candidate gets Secret Service protection  when they're running, their spouse, their family.

also has protection. But because this was an  executive order, it was just for Bobby, which was. Also strange because suddenly I'm in the house.  I'm in my house now. We have secret ser Bobby has. secret service. So I will be in the house with the  kids for two days and then Bobb's coming into town. and then we have to evacuate the house so they can  do a bomb sweep before Bobby gets there. And I'm.

thinking Yeah. Yeah, I'm thinking, oh, the house  that we've just been in for 3 days, nobody cared. about the bomb then weird. Uh, but yeah, that's  how it was. So, so it was st I thought that was. strange, too. So, it was just a very it was a very  stressful time. So, after so during that meeting, right? So, I I mean stressful already that there  was an assassination attempt on on Donald Trump.

That's so stressful. That's so awful.  And what does that say about us? Um and. then now he's meeting with Bobby cuz they're  talking about perhaps working together. Oh, so stressful. And then um and then that day we  get Secret Service protection. So that's another,

you know, crazy thing that's happening. cuz now  you're talking about um police, you know, sheriffs. everywhere around your house and um motorcades  everywhere Bobby goes. Everywhere Bobby goes, just like motorcade, I'm sure the neighbors  didn't love it. Um and the dogs, you know, now we had bomb sniffing dogs and we already  had our crazy dogs. was just it was all of it.

was a lot happening at at once. Yeah, that's  what I Yeah, I was just telling you I broke. into hives and then later that day while I was in  Milwaukee um my lips started swelling. I mean a. crazy amount. It is a crazy amount. Uh so much so  that I had to go to the emergency room because I. was worried that my throat might close up. It was  all from stress. That's wild. It's crazy. So when.

was the first time you told people back home that  Trump was actually kind of normal in person? Well, I really didn't tell my friends. Um, I  told my I mean I'm very close to my my.

sister and my brother. So, they're really  the the you know, my sounding board. I one. of my best friends back in LA. I mean,  I have a few best friends back in LA, but I wouldn't even tell them that because I  didn't want them to be stressed about it. I. didn't want I didn't want people to know because  I don't I don't need them other people asking them. about it because I know that there are people  are already mad because I'm married to Bobby.

I don't need people being mad at my friends  because I'm married to Bobby and they're. friends with me. Well, so I wasn't even telling  people. I don't want to put them in a position of, "Oh my god, I can't believe your friend did  this." Does that make sense? Of course. Um, I mean, it makes sense if you live in a completely  insane world where talking to Donald Trump is a.

death penalty offense. I mean, it's so [ __ ]  nuts that it's hard to know how even to No, it's crazy. Yeah. Um, but you know, my family, my  my sister and my brother, they were like, "Yeah, that that makes sense. That's really interesting."  You know, they were very curious to hear hear. about it and how what I thought about it and what  I how I found Donald Trump to be. They were like.

that, wow, that's it. So interesting. But I guess  that makes sense cuz you do hear that about him. You hear that he's people say he's charming and  I understand why because somebody who is somebody. that you meet that feels completely comfortable  with who they are, completely comfortable in. their own skin, they come across as charming.  Of course, because it's like, oh, I'm I'm not I.

don't need to put on any errors. I don't need to  be anybody other than I am. Exactly. And that's. who I found him to be. I found him to be just a  genuine person. Did you ever meet Melania? Yes, I've met her a few times. What do you think?  I really like her. Did you call your friend. in LA and say, "Actually, she's pretty cool."  I did. Did you actually? Yeah. I mean, Melania, I haven't had I've I've definitely had more time  um with with President Trump than Melania. Just.

a few moments with Melanie. But she was so sweet  to me when I one of the first um um things that. we went to after the administration started  was the governor's dinner at the White House. It was it was very beautiful dinner with all the  governors. Um, and I just had one tiny moment with.

Melania and she asked me how I was finding DC and  how I was doing with everything. And she said, "You should really try to enjoy it." And  I and I took that in cuz I thought, "Yeah, you're right." Cuz up until that moment, I was  thinking, I don't know if I'm going to like this. I don't know if I am ready for this. I don't know.  And then when she said that, I thought, yeah,

why don't I try to enjoy it? Yeah, why not? And  then it really I don't know. It really like those. were the words I needed to hear at that moment.  Have you enjoyed it? Yeah. Really? Not all of it, but But I've enjoyed um I enjoy the people  that I spend time with in DC. I really like.

the people that Bobby works with. Yes. I  like their spouses. I like them as people, you know, as someone to hang out with and talk  to at the dinner party. I I really like them. you had an appearance in the view the other  day which I saw part of it and they immediately. started attacking you for your husband because  they're feminists you know that makes sense and. um but they they were the criticism of him and  then to direct it at you I guess I've said it.

eight times but I really mean it is insane but  it's all about the vaccines like what is that why. is it that someone because he has said many times  including to me not against vaccines on principle. but some of these vaccines are clearly dangerous  and they are and that's proven and why wouldn't. we try to make them safer like why would that be  a controversial statement I'm honestly confused.

so am I am honestly confused by that and I'm  confused by people attacking the parents who say, "My child is different since they received the  vaccine." It's very strange for other people. to say, "You are crazy. How dare you say that?  How dare you blame the vaccine?" And it these.

are parents who said, "Oh, I'm just telling you  my experience. My experience was my child was. hitting developmental markers. my child was was  hitting milestones and then they got the vaccine. and everything changed. Why are we yelling at  those parents? Why are I I that's that's what. I really don't understand either. Why are when  did that start? You know, I don't know anyone.

like that just because I shield myself from  anyone who would even even gives a hint of. having those attitudes because I can't deal with  it. So, I don't I don't I don't know the answer. But you're I mean, you know, a lot of these people  personally like what do you think the answer is? Uh there's something about vaccines that they've  made people have made very political in a way.

that's hard to understand because it's if you're  talking about cancer or you're talking about. um you know different different ways to treat  cancer, people don't get upset about it. That's. right. People don't yell at you about it. They  don't You're not taking chemo, just radiation. Damn you. Right. Uh so there's something about the  mindset of people. The mindset of some people is.

you are putting everybody in danger if you don't  get vaccinated. And once again, it goes back to. what you said. Well, if you have the vaccine,  you should feel pretty good that you're not. going to get it because that's why you got the  vaccine, right? But um it's like yelling at me. for not wearing a seat belt, right? What does that  have to do with you? Right. And somehow it it's I. don't it I really don't understand it. I I don't  understand. I don't understand how when people.

got mad at other people also women turning on each  other. I find motherhood is is challenging enough. parenthood. Uh if a m if another mother is telling  me, "Wow, this is what happened. This was my. experience with me and my child." Why would I be  judging that person? Cuz I did. Cuz I think she's.

lying to me. Why would she be lying? Who's lying  about this? Why does Why What? Why would somebody. lie about it? It doesn't make sense to me. No, it  doesn't. They're not Nobody's gaining anything. by sharing their story. Uh so it's I don't know  why they're so mad about vaccines. They're so. people are worried that if you if you question the  safety or if you like I said on the view I said.

you know can we do better? Can we make them safer  so there aren't as many injuries? There are a lot. of injuries. a lot. That's why there's the vaccine  injury um compensation program that's paid out. $5.4 billion. That's what I told him on the view  and no response. Like no nobody said anything like. oh wow. I mean no Whoopi asked me if it was just  CO. I said no. I I think it was for all vaccines. But can we just look at that without um thinking  about it in a political way and say, "Oh, well,

people are people are being paid compensated for  vaccine injuries. There's a whole service set up. for it. Can we just say can we can both sides  agree?" Oh, I you're right. Somebody has been. injured by it. They proved it in court. So, can we  start there? It's like you're saying, can we just. start at one place where we all agree on something  and then say, well, can we do a vaccine where.

less people are injured? Yeah. Why is that a same  vaccine, fewer deaths? Yeah. Is that crazy? Why is. that? Why is that Why does that make people mad? I  don't know. I really don't know. You really don't. I really don't. It does seem I mean I'm trying to  I've thought about this for years ever since your.

husband kind of blew up this topic. I've been  thinking about it many years ago when he wrote. that Rolling Stone piece 15 20 years ago and I  knew him and I and I admired him as a writer. He's a great writer and uh in addition to other  things and I watched him just like literally end. his career and all these friendships and Bobby  Kennedy was like he's a Kennedy that's so cool. It went from that to Bobby Kennedy's name may  not be spoken because he criticized vaccines.

and I've been trying to figure out what that's  about ever since. Yeah. What do you think it's. about? I I think there's a spiritual element to  it. I think there's a this is a religion. This is. not rational. That's the first thing I noticed.  Second, this is long-standing. Diego Rivera, the communist Mexican muralist, wrote or drew  painted a fairly famous mural of a child getting. vaccines. And it looks like the kind of classic  Christian Christmas image of Jesus in the manger, but instead of a cross, it's vaccines. And  that was painted in the 30s. It was like a.

WPA program or something. You can look it up  on the internet. really interesting for what it. reveals of of the mindset around vaccines, but  it's like a ritual. This is not because again, it's not a a question about like what's the most  effective oncology, right? Right. It's way deeper. and like pre- rational. So, that's religion.  That's not science. That's religion. Well, it's interesting when you're talking  about it that way. It is interesting.

because it's probably the the only thing  that people are asked to do as a group. regardless of who you are, regardless of  what your religion, what your um health is, you're asked to take the vaccine and don't  ask questions. Yes. So, I guess maybe.

that's where it started, right? They  had they had to convince people that no, this is for everybody and you can't ask questions.  Everybody's doing it. Just everybody's doing it. That's all you need to know. Well, yeah, but  I mean, for sure. People used to burn widows, you know, or or whatever. You know, people  had all kinds of ugly primitive rituals that.

they were ultimately talked out of that were once  compulsory which are now reviled. Like, I get it. But this one has been the same for 90 years. Like  there's something piercing the skin, injecting. something into somebody. I mean, there's a control  element, but there's also a ritualistic component. to this. That's so crazy. It is. Go look up the  Diego Rivera, and I hope I'm not screwing this up,

but I don't think that I am, mural. I mean, it's  wild. Like, he just lays it out there like this. is your new religion, vaccines. There's the baby  Jesus getting needles in him. That is so crazy, right? I mean, there's like ritual bloodletting.  I mean, look, I've arrived at this over many years. of thinking about it because I can't think of  another explanation. It is really hard. I mean, yeah, don't qu authority and then punish the  guy's relatives who questions it. That part.

there is that part. Um, but the other thing  too that I I have a hard time understanding. the people that are saying. the, you know, vaccines were tested however long  ago, 40 years ago, 20 years ago, and they were. tested to be fine. Yeah. So, stop asking questions  about it. Um there are drugs on the market all the.

time that are approved and then 10 years later,  20 years later, you see a lot of people have. been injured and they pulled a drug because  they're like this is not working. I mean they. used to x-ray women when they were pregnant at  in the 50s because gave them theomide. Yeah. No, because because they thought it was a great,  you know, new technology to Nilla wafers were.

considered a health food when I was a kid cuz they  had they had they had weed in them cuz they had. weed in them. Remember smoking like your parents  would be in a car with the windows rolled up and. 100% but they didn't know that at the time that  they were harmful or causing cancer to the kids. in the bag. No, it's delicious. And then at some  point, you know, there's a stop down. People say, "Oh, we just learned that this is not good for  you, that you shouldn't be taking this, that this.

drug isn't working." That you you learn things  all the time and everybody stops down and makes a. new choice, right? And says, "Oh, okay. Yeah, I'm  going to stop using that." So, it happens all the. time. So for people to say it can absolutely not  happen with vaccines, there's no way there is no. way to make them better or to because they're  great already. It's like so strange. No, no,

but it's a religious concept. Not one word can be  added or deleted. It's perfect. It's holy writ. It cannot be changed. It came from God himself.  These are the tablets right here. I mean th this. is I I know it's hard meditate on this. I know I'm  going to I'm going to think about this. No, I have. never connected. So I have met very few people who  have had a life with the trajectory that yours has. had. I don't even it's not really an arc. It's  more like as you described a hairpin turn in.

this direction the last you know so you grew up  in one world and are a completely different world. rise to the top of that world and then all of a  sudden you're in a completely different world. What? Like what are the conclusions you  draw from this? What have you learned? Um, and it's still ongoing by the way, so I can't I  don't expect So what so watch what you say. No, you know what? I've I've learned I mean I've  learned a lot of things. Of course I've learned.

um and I always felt like I knew what really  matters. My family has always been the most. important thing to me. That's why the best thing  about getting married is that you get to pick a. family member. It's the only time in your life  where you get to pick pick somebody to be a part. of your family and that's pretty amazing. Uh  I learned that that is really the only thing.

that matters. Yes, it's your family. So for me, I  mean, there have been times with Bobby that when. I get frustrated and I feel like, I can't believe  you said that or said it like that and I'm like, why would you do that? Um, and it doesn't matter  so little in the big scheme of things. Yes. What. matters is how you love people. And I think  too how you receive love. So even some of my.

friendships that have that did not survive this,  right? It's too emotional. It's too emotional. for them to be friends with me because of what  Bobby does. Um, I have learned to, you know, it's. that's okay. And I can still love who they are and  what we had together. I don't have to spend time.

missing it or being sad or whatever  that is. I can step back and say, "Oh, that person was the right time, the right  person at the right time, and I loved what what. we had." Yes. And I and I'm not angry or sad  about it. and and at the same time, you know,

I just turned 60 and I'm at a place where I  really have learned a lot just in terms of. learning brand new things in my life that I never  thought I would. I I and it's not this isn't like. we talked about politics. I never set out to  I can't wait to learn a lot about politics,

but I did, you know, even in the  election, I learned a lot about um. how to run a campaign, what it looks like  from the inside of a presidential campaign. um you learn about press and. and rumors and if somebody says something enough  times then it becomes the truth to people. So you.

I learned all of that and even when Bobby even  when Bobby switched to being um an independent. just learning every state you have to have a  certain amount of signatures from different. people and you turn them in at different times  in the calendar year. So even learning that stuff.

which I never wanted to learn but I know it now.  um fascinating to me that now being in DC and now. being being sitting where I am and seeing what I  see and being around the people that I I'm around, I can say that the the people in in the  cabinet, people in the administration.

really want what's best for this country. And. it may sound silly that I didn't recognize  that before because I felt like, well, I'm sure there are people that are in it  for themselves and that want, you know, but where I see it, that is not the case. the  case is that everybody sits at the table and.

they say what can we do to make the country  better to work together and that was that's. interesting to me and I keep I keep I'm  learning more now about politics about. uh how things what has to happen to change a  law or to or to get something done in DC or to.

um make a change in the nation. I'm I'm learning  all these, you know, sort of big concepts that I. otherwise would not have thought about. Um and I  and I find it fascinating. I find the people that. I'm sitting next to at dinner fascinating. They're  smart and they have hard jobs, very difficult. jobs. Yes. And I think a lot of people, you have  people people maybe in LA that sit around and say,

"Oh, I could do it so much better." It's like,  I don't think so. Otherwise, you'd be doing it. How long were you in LA? Over 30. Yeah, over  30 years. I mean, it just seems to me that. given how fast everything is changing, you're so  blessed to be in part doing something different,

learning new things. I agree with that. Yeah.  And I mean, sometimes the tra what we think are. tragedies turn out to be like the greatest  blessings. And yeah, I mean, I don't know, you're still interested in stuff, which is pretty  great at 60. Yeah. Listen, I have a lot of friends. who their kids have grown up and moved out and now  they're bored and they're trying to figure out how. to fill the day. Yes. Uh I don't have that. And  the business they were in is dying or changing.

really fast. Really hard. Yeah. It's very the the  entertainment industry is really a tough place to. be in right now. So I find Yeah. I'm like I  find it fascinating and maybe because because. I have been in the the entertainment industry  and you know I mean there are a lot of films, TV shows about politics and politicians because  it's fascinating and so we like to watch it. We.

like to watch it play out on the screen,  but then to now be in the middle of it, seeing it. It's pretty great. I love that.  Cheryl Hines, you're a deep person and I'm. grateful that you came. Thank you,  Tucker. I really like dug into your.

We've got a new website we hope you will visit.  It's called newcommissionnow.com and it refers. to a new 9/11 commission. So, we spent months  putting together our 9/11 documentary series. And if there's one thing we learned, it's that  in fact there was fornowledge of the attacks. People knew. The American public deserves to  know. We're shocked actually to learn that, to have that confirmed, but it's true. The  evidence is overwhelming. The CIA, for example,

knew the hijackers were here in the United States.  They knew they were planning an act of terror. In. his passport is a visa to go to United States of  America. A foreign national was caught celebrating. as the World Trade Center fell and later said he  was in New York quote to document the event. How. do you know there would be an event to document  in the first place? Because he had fornowledge. And maybe most amazingly, somebody, an unknown  investor, shorted American Airlines and United.

Airlines, the companies whose planes the attackers  used on 9/11, as well as the banks that were. inside the Twin Towers just before the attacks.  They made money on the 9/11 attacks, because they. knew they were coming. Who did that? You have to  look at the evidence. The US government learned. the name of that investor but never released it.  Maybe there's an instant explanation for all this, but there isn't actually. And by the way, it  doesn't matter whether there is or not. The. public deserve to know what the hell that was. How  did people know ahead of time? Why was no one ever.

punished for it? 9/11 Commission, the original  one, was a fraud. It was fake. Its conclusions. were written before the investigation. That's true  and it's outrageous. This country needs a new 9/11. commission. One that actually tells the truth and  tries to get to the bottom of the story. We can't. just move on like nothing happened. 911 commission  is a cover. Something did happen. We need to force.

a new investigation into 9/11 almost 25 years  later. Sorry, justice demands it. And if you. want that, go to newcommissionnow.com to add  your name to our petition. We're not getting. paid for this. We're doing this because  we really mean it. Newcommissionow.com.