Da'Vine Joy Randolph on Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hello everyone. Welcome to another

episode of Good Hang. We are going to

talk today to Davine Joy Randolph and I

am really, really excited. I'm such a

fan of her work and we are going to get

into it today. We're going to talk about

opera. We're going to talk about musical

theater. We're going to talk about how

to do a good Boston accent. And we're

going to hear how Aluccino made her cry

in a good way. So, uh, it's a great

convo. and I can't wait to get started.

But before we do, we always talk to

somebody who knows our guest and has a

question to ask our guest. And joining

me today is a director of the film

Eternity. Um, a film that Dave Mine is

in. And uh I I believe uh he is uh

calling from uh another country. He's

zooming from another country, another

time zone. So let's see. Uh it's David

Fra joining us. David, can you hear us?

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>> Hello.

>> Hi. How are you?

>> Hi. So nice to meet you.

>> So good to meet you.

>> We're talking to Davine today and um you

know it's it's it's it's

fun because Davine I have to say is one

of I I really don't know very much about

her. We've never met and we have

>> friends in common and people in common

and but I've only kind of watched her as

a fan and watched her stuff. Um

>> so I'm interested to get to know her

today and to talk about her today. But

um before we do that, I just wanted to

say congratulations on your film and

>> um it's you know I'm always looking for

um comedy in theaters and in film. It's

been not to be very honest like not

always the easiest genre the last decade

to get good things out in the world. And

comedy is like music. It's so

subjective. It's people have big strong

opinions about it. Um, how where did you

where were your comedic influences like

when you started writing and and

directing? Um, who were you looking to

at the time?

>> I grew up loving uh like Billy Wilder

was my idol. So,

>> um, and then like I mean 30 Rock and and

Parks and Wreck and those great iconic

kind of TV comedies were were where

where you get such a high joke rate per

minute which I think we don't get very

often. So, I always looked to that. I

think with Eternity, we wanted to make

sure it was like laden down with jokes,

just like joke after joke after joke.

Um, because I kind of I miss really hard

comedy. And I think that like segueing

to Devine and my incredible cast, that

just goes, you can write as good a

script as you want, but that's the

delivery. That's the actors. And

>> and you know, some some of the best

dramatic actors in the world cannot land

a joke. And I think that holy grail,

>> they better not. I mean, God is fair.

You can't do

>> you can't do it all. Before we get to

Dave, one last question and feel we can

always if it's too personal of course we

can lose it but um you shared a really

um personal and intense story about your

health journey after writing this film

that feels like it is in completely

attached to and tied to the bigger idea

that you're writing about.

>> Yeah. So in the summer like about six

months ago I had really bad headaches

which I had during the production as

well like I would work really hard and

then collapse on the weekends. Um, but I

got they found a an apples-ized tumor in

my head uh that had kind of kind of

broken through my brain and and

surrounded my optic nerves and um

corroted arteries and like it was it was

a really surreal devastating thing to go

through. And um at the start they didn't

know if it was going to be kind of

operable or or malignant or and my my

immediate thoughts were like I'm not

going to get to see eternity released

which is such a vain thing to say but

you know after so many years but um you

know the the I I've had incredible care

and doctors and incredible family and

and my partner and it's you know slowly

it's gotten better and I've had a great

great outcome from the surgery and I

will Having gone through that in the

last few months after making a film set

in the afterlife, I felt quite contented

like I felt

I felt I was looking at debt with a lot

more curiosity than fear. I think had

you know I think I would have been much

more afraid had it happened before the

film. And I think just the experience of

making the film was so fun and joyous.

And I think the the the things we spoke

about with with Devon and the cast and

and my Patton just like as well like

even just not just the work you want to

do but the people you want to spend your

time with and the people you want to

work with and working with good people,

kind people,

>> uh people that share your kind of

passions. I think that

>> that becomes much more important because

you don't really have time for

Um, I also don't have time for

either.

>> Yeah. Yeah. are

They're the worst.

>> So, um, tell me about working with

Davine.

>> What how does she like to work? Cuz I

we're talking to her today and she's

quite studied. I mean, she has done a

ton of she's like a student in voice and

acting. She has really knows her stuff.

>> Yeah, she's she's she's extraordinary. I

think um I think what really strike like

me firstly I was we were desperate to

work with her and I really wanted her

for the role and then she won her Oscar

and I was really bummed because I

thought now I won't get to work with her

but thankfully she still wanted to do

the film. Um but yeah she's she's had

the most incredibly varied career from

opera to theater to to then finding

acting and and it it does feel like she

can do anything. I mean, I you know, I

we knew even though The Holdover is such

a dramatic role, we knew she'd be really

funny, but like she might be the most

naturally gifted comedian I've ever

worked with. She's extraordinary and it

does feel effortless to her. Like, it

doesn't feel like she has like

annoyingly she seems to not have any of

the um anguish and anxiety that most

comedians I know have. Like, she just

she just is brilliant. And I think she

maybe kind of slightly knows she's

brilliant. Yes.

>> Yeah, she's she's extraordinary. She has

she comes to set and comes to everything

with such a weird level of calm. She's

completely unflapable, which I like. She

could come like the set could be on fire

and she'll just be like, "Okay, hey

Dave, what's going on? Are we going to

evacuate or are we going to shoot?" Like

she's just extraordinary. Like

>> I want to talk to her about that. That's

really interesting. like nothing seems

to either either she hides it very well

or nothing phases her or um which I find

fascinating because I'm phased by most

things. Um yeah, she's she is um like

she can kind of she's one of those

people that I would put no limits on. I

think she can do I think she can do

anything as as a performer, as an actor,

as as a comedian. Um, yeah, it's kind of

almost infuriating how good she is

>> to be that good of an actor and to also

be funny is it's not nice. It's not nice

for the rest of everybody, you know,

like

>> it's not fair. Um,

>> so I I would love to ask you as I as I

have Davine here today, is there a

question you think I should ask her? um

big or small um specific or

you know um existential something that

you a story that you think she might

want to tell or um something that you

have yet to know about her that you'd

like to have answered.

>> I mean I really want to know two things

is one is where did the comp the calm

she has come from because it's so it's

it's so admirable to me and I I I I

don't I don't think you can be born with

that. It's something else. And the other

thing is because she's had such a varied

career is when did she know how funny

she was? Like when did she discover she

was a comedian because it's not like she

didn't do sketch comedy really or

standup like when did she know she had

that gift? Was that later in life that

she was like, "Oh, I'm really funny.

Maybe I'll try that." So they're the two

things I'd love to know because I

haven't got that out of her.

>> Great questions both. I love to ask this

to people when I'm on Zoom with them and

they have books behind them. Will you

just randomly pick one book up out from

behind you

>> and tell us what the title is?

>> What the title is?

>> Yeah.

>> Um Oh, I'm gonna pick this one because

my uh my sister-in-law wrote it. The

Boldness of Betty.

>> Oh, The Boldness of Betty.

>> It's an amazing series of kind of YA

books. They're beautiful.

>> Always looking for a new book. Thank you

for that, Wreck.

>> Yeah. And also, I just got to check to

make sure those books are real.

>> No, I actually can't read. Uh,

>> yeah,

>> I can tell. It's just the covers and the

inside.

Yeah. Yeah.

>> Yeah. Perfect. Perfect. Thank you so

much, David. Such a pleasure talking to

you. Thanks for your time.

>> Thank you so much. Have a lovely day.

>> You, too. Bye-bye.

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>> Davine, we're talking about sparkling

water. We're talking about water. And

you love sparkling water.

>> I love sparkling water.

>> Me, too. And why can't we drink it

anymore?

>> You said we can't drink it anymore.

>> My doctor said I'm on the verge of

having a hernia

>> because of so much of the like

>> bubbles and the the alkaline salt and

stuff in it. But you said something that

you said that's my coffee.

>> That is my coffee in the morning.

>> It's my That's my cocktail. That's my

cocktail. Like a

>> when you open up the bottle and it's

like

>> I know

it does something lime in there.

>> And you know it's fascinating how in

Europe they have percentages

>> of fists. Don't even get me started.

>> Well, so how do you feel about your

sparkling water? is I get the big

bottles, but then I don't you only drink

like half of it and then it's done. It's

dead.

>> Mhm.

>> A dead sparkling water.

>> So, what I do is I pour it in a fancy

like wine glass. So, that's funny that

you say cocktails. I immediately twist

it up.

>> Cover it up real

like almost about to cut my fingers.

Super tight. Put that bad boy back in

the fridge.

>> I put my Selzer waters in a wine cooler

chest. I have a wine cooler chest. This

is how much I revere.

>> Me too. I I completely completely to me

in the same way one would be like, "Oh

no, I got to make sure that there's wine

in my fridge." I panic if there's not a

a sparkling water situation in my

fridge.

>> I know. And some brands are hard to get

the boxes of.

>> Right.

>> I have fought many clerks

in Bristol Farms cuz they're like, "No,

no, ma'am. You can't take that whole

box." And I'm like, "Then you shouldn't

have had it out here." Also, have you

ever been real bougie and ordered it

from uh oh, I don't know, like a

delivery service and then all a sudden

you get the heaviest box that you got to

carry in your house and you're it's

filled with sparkling water.

>> What pisses me off?

>> That's success is if you're on Postmates

and you tell them to get the water for

you and you want the 33.5 fluid ounces

>> and they'll show up with a 22 or a 16.

And I'm like, you should have called me

>> cuz then I would have said,

>> yeah,

>> don't get them. Mhm.

>> Or how many of the 33 did you have?

>> Four. Okay, just get those and then go

to the next Bristol Farms and get the

other ones.

>> I found out recently you can't get light

bulbs delivered anymore.

>> Why?

>> They won't take the risk. Like they're

like

>> they're like it's going to show. They're

like we it's going to break. And it's

like what

>> what

>> what do you mean?

>> People are getting soft down here. I

don't like that light bulbs.

It's not even on. I mean, I have to say

I do love ordering things and then like

putting it out of my mind and then when

a package comes I'm like, "What is

this?"

>> I And I think I'm like, "What is it?

What is it? What could it be?" And then

I open and it's like the best Christmas

ever cuz it's the best.

>> It's the spatula that I wanted that I

ordered

>> two days ago.

>> Yeah. And it shows up and you're like,

>> "Oh my gosh." I was literally in Costco

yesterday

>> and I was going past the the mixers

>> like right like the the mixers. What is

that? Like table wear. I don't know what

it's called.

>> I love kitchen wear table wear. I love

that. I could I could

>> So I went past and I was like gosh it's

on sale. I want one. And I literally

remembered

because life is lifing. No, no, no,

babes. You ordered one for Black Friday

already. And I literally almost cried

with excitement. I couldn't believe it.

I was like, I have one already. It was

crazy. That's how weird life is right

now.

>> I love kitchen gear so much.

>> So much.

>> It's like a treat. I sometimes I'll go

past the wall of gadgets. I'm like,

"Okay, I have a garlic press. I have a

wooden mallet. Okay, I have a zestester.

I have a" And I'm like, "What do I need

for my collection?"

>> And then I'm big on aesthetics.

>> So the mixer I got, have you seen it?

It's like the limited collection from

William and Sonoma.

>> Not a sponsor. Okay, talk me through

this. What you got?

>> Hunter Green

>> with a dark mahogany wood mixing bowl.

>> Holy

>> Mhm.

>> A wooden Oh, wow. So, we're talking

KitchenAid.

>> Yeah.

>> Oh, wow.

>> Yeah. And I forgot. And I was going to

just a stainless steel one or like the

red one in Costco like, "Oh, jeez. I

wish I had one."

>> Oh, this is very a very And I remember

that I have that bad boy on this way.

>> I can't believe you forgot that you

ordered this.

>> And do you see why I almost cried in

Costco? Cuz I was like, you're going to

get better than that.

>> You're winning.

>> Before we get into We haven't started

yet, but before

>> can I also So then I'm about to really

knock your socks off. I've been wanting

these pots and pans.

>> Stand by

>> for generations. And this is about good.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. William and Sonoma

now. You're crushing it at William and

Soma.

>> Just put in

Heritage Copper.

>> Oh, you got me right there.

>> Hands. I don't know.

>> You got me right there.

>> It's this Italian company. I think it

begins with an R.

>> Copper cookware.

I love cookware. I could talk

about cookware all day long. Um, let's

see. What do we got here? Rufoni.

>> Yes, baby.

>> Okay, for those who don't know, these

are We're looking at a copper pan with a

silver stainless steel inside.

>> Yep. Historical

hammered copper 11 piece set. Guess

what? Originally $2,000.

>> Babes, I got it.

>> Our price $15.49.

>> WHY WOULD YOU NOT BUY THAT?

>> And and the price is in red. So I got to

get it.

>> I have to get it cuz it's about to be

sold out and no more. Trust and believe

I got the 11 piece.

>> Absolutely.

>> I'm I'm I'm going to get

>> I'M GOING TO PASS THAT DOWN TO MY

CHILDREN. LIKE it's so beautiful. It's

made in Italy. Like what?

>> Anything that's Italian, forget if

someone's like, "This is an Italian

knife." It's like, I got to get it.

>> Okay, no problem.

>> Dave Joy Randolph is here.

>> Oh, we just got right into it. We

already have all our cookware for I'm

getting every and I trust your taste.

>> Please do. Text it to me

>> and I want to see like your first meal.

>> I want to see your first meal made and

I'm literally tearing up.

>> Do you love to cook?

>> I love to cook.

>> And I I talked about this on the podcast

a little bit. I came late to cooking. I

did not grow up cooking and my mom

always is like I cooked but my mom was a

working mom who um

>> Are your parents teachers? Yeah. So were

mine.

>> Yeah. So like she cooked

>> but Yeah. But it was like Yeah. She

didn't cook

>> like holidays maybe. Then she showed

out. Yeah.

>> Yeah. And she was busy working. But so I

didn't really know how to cook. And I

thought in my 40s I was like I'm just

not going to be able to cook.

>> Yeah.

>> And I learned and now I love it. M

>> well I actually this is going to

dovetail into the theme that I wanted to

talk to you about today because I'm I'm

really impressed. I I I think you're so

talented.

>> Thank you.

>> And so naturally talented and so such a

good actress and so funny

>> and those and and such a good singer

like you do so many things so well.

>> Thanks.

>> And your career is a lot of like

>> I'm going to try that. A lot of like

>> a lot of maybe I should try that. No,

hold on. What's over here? Maybe I

should try that.

>> Still.

>> Still.

>> Still cooking.

>> Yeah.

>> Why not?

>> Right.

>> Yeah.

>> So, a lot of people know you as an

actress, but I don't think as many

people know that you first kind of

entered the world of arts as a singer.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

>> And that was where that was kind of like

the door you walked through.

>> Yep.

>> I like to I like to ask this to people

who are have beautiful voices. When did

you when did you know you had a good

voice? When did you hear it for the

first time or someone say you have a

good voice? When was the first time you

>> I didn't know. I thought that's what

people sounded like. Right.

>> And it wasn't until like I started

getting training that I was like there's

people out here who can't sing.

>> When you say started getting trained,

what does that mean? Taking voice

lessons.

>> Yeah. Taking voice lessons. So when I

was younger, it was like right like

family and friends and I thought they're

just being nice or whatever because I

I'm a Gemini. Like I'm a Taurus Gemini.

So like I'm a very focused

>> Gemini that wants all the options. So

like even as a kid

>> it wasn't like and you are a singer like

I was the poster child for after school

programs. I did it all and I like I I so

appreciate that that my parents

instilled that and was never like stage

parents or like they were like whatever

you want lock in have fun. But even now,

I think that's why acting is fun to me

of like trying on these different people

and not staying one with one for too too

long. But that's also my life.

>> It's people telling me like, "No, no,

for real though, you really could." Like

I thought I've always thought like I'm

decent

>> and it's taken people

>> who I've really admired to be like, "No,

there's something there." um and keep

going or keep pushing.

>> That's amazing. I I hear what you mean.

Like it takes sometimes like a mentor or

someone to say you what you have isn't

the same as what everyone else has. Keep

working on it. Keep doing it. Like that

encouragement can really

>> But can I ask you a question? To me,

when I watch you work, to me it seems as

if there is a natural ease in what you

do.

>> Would you say that that's true?

>> Thank you for saying that. I think I

would hope that it it feels some version

of like

that I'm not trying or striving too

hard.

>> But it did take definitely like

directors and teachers and stuff to be

like, "No, you're funny. Keep going."

Like just the keep going part.

>> The keep going part. Yeah.

>> And and and as you know too, a lot of it

is like we know I know people way

funnier than me.

way better than me and better singers.

But half of the battle is just

>> not giving up.

>> Yep. And being ready when it presents

itself.

>> Not getting a regular job, not having

health insurance, not like just for a

long time and being like, I'm just going

to try to make it.

>> It's not easy.

>> No, no, no, no, no.

>> It's not easy at all.

>> So, you start you you're in Philly.

>> Mhm.

>> Where are you from?

>> I'm from Boston.

>> I felt the Northeast 100%. And I got to

talk to you about your Boston accent.

>> Okay, we'll get there. It was so good.

>> Oh, that means so much. Thank you.

>> It's a hard one. And we're we're tough.

So is Philly. I

>> And that was what was hard for me cuz I

was like, they're touching too close.

>> But Philly has that like um they like

the O's are real.

>> Yeah. Miles Teller does that.

>> He has a Philly accent.

>> Yeah. Hogy. And I'm like, what?

>> Hogy. Yeah.

>> Uhhuh. Yeah.

>> And and

guys, I can't even do it.

>> Yeah. So, Philly, you go to you start

studying music. Your parents are

teachers

>> and you decide to go to school for

opera.

>> So, I'm very competitive. So,

>> yeah. Are you

>> I love competitive people,

>> man. We are literally I love competitive

women.

>> Yeah. Respect all the way.

>> So, um my dad was like, it's

interesting. I I always think of this

and this is so random. My parents did

not for both of their children want to

know the gender in advance. I feel like

that was so cutting edge.

>> Yeah.

>> And my dad really was manifesting and

wishing for the first one to be a boy.

So, didn't happen. But he had a heavy

hand in like sports and competitive and

like not backing down. And so,

literally,

I was just a competitive. And so there

was this girl in like a new girl at my

high school that was like I went to this

performing arts school called

Interlockin and my brain went

and I went home that day.

>> I will dominate it. Interlocking I will

win it. I will win it.

>> That's literally what I said to my mom

and she was like okay. I had no idea

what this thing was

>> and I applied.

>> Explain what it was like that camp.

>> Oh my god. Interlocking is one of the

most magical places. I'm not even

kidding. I would recommend any parent

who has a child that has remote interest

in any form of the arts. They do

theater, music, they have a writing

department.

>> It is just like a safe haven for young

grade school artists

>> like budding. It taught me to respect

and revere

>> it. You know what I mean? Like in

everyday life, it's not I don't know.

Maybe now with these generations it's

cool to be an artist, but like me

growing up it was kind of like oh yeah,

you do that other stuff too. Do you know

what I mean?

>> It was kind of like have fun and then

find your real job.

>> Yes. And so that was a place that I

think is so intrical for high school age

kids particularly. I mean, you can

literally go at 4 years old, but for

high school kids to go to to like really

start to dip their toe into finding

themselves as an artist and it just so

such a beautiful place in my life. And

so that was a moment, a very strong

moment um cuz it was classical and I was

like, "Oh no, where's the R&B? Uh that's

for me." Uh and so it was all classical.

>> Wa. So you were singing classical and

did you do can you read music?

>> Now I can at the time I just had like a

really good ear.

>> You're a classically trained opera

singer

>> and it was because of that. It's that's

what started it and it was teachers

being like no you actually have

>> a natural gift. Keep going.

>> Had you seen any opera before that? No.

>> I know. I feel like opera is this thing

that you only see like what as like a

>> it just field trip.

>> It's a field trip. It's so funny. I I

like I I love how we when we grew up

like well you're younger than me but

when I was growing up like the genres

kind of crossed at times and it's where

you learned about people and I remember

I was thinking when I was doing

preparing for today I was like when did

I first know about opera and I think it

was from the Muppets

>> because Beverly Sills who was an famous

opera singer was sang opera on the

Muppets and um

>> I'm also obsessed with the Muppets so

that's why my whole face just dropped

when you said that

>> you love the Muppets

>> babes I wanted to on that show so bad

>> and they were like we're not doing

humans this year. I said

>> no humans.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN? THEY'RE LIKE going to

be like three humans but it's really

them. I was upset. I tried.

>> Who was your favorite muppet?

>> Piggy. Are you kidding?

>> Yeah, I know. She's

>> She That lady LITERALLY LADY

>> That lady That lady owes me a lot of

money.

>> I am who I am today because of her.

>> Yes. as a ch to imagine as a young age

that being like instilled in you like

you don't take from men, you do

your thing, be fabulous, you don't

change who you I was like, yep, yep,

yep, yep. I literally made my parents

buy me a tricycle. So, you know, she

does that skit where she's like with the

motorcycle pack and she's like, "Get

around, get I used to do it all the

time." And I used to make my mom give me

a leather jacket. Girl, it was a thing.

That's my girl. When they told me that

thing was coming back, I said, "Please."

I saidm

>> the other place that I saw opera was um

Queen in um Bohemian Rap City.

>> Sure.

>> Like I was like

>> I actually think that's a that's a

bridge like a a gateway for a lot of

people.

>> Yeah. I think a lot of people were like

what is he singing? How is he singing

that way? I was like oh no that's what

opera sounds like. So you when did you

see your first opera? immed like immed

once I went to the performing arts

school it was like they completely like

slapped me with the culture and I was

like whoa

>> and what what was your first feeling

about it like what did you like about it

having like what made you want to keep

pursuing it

>> the power in my voice

>> that I was like oh there's and also I'm

going to be really honest they really

sold me on the idea that it was a really

good life like

>> you're going to live in Europe

>> and men are going to drool over you And

you get to wear beautiful gowns,

>> roses at your feet,

>> and eat pasta all day. And you work

hard, but not that hard. Like cuz opera

singers, they don't how many like even

if you're at the top of your game, yeah,

if you have concerts, but they don't

like we can do 17 million shows in a

year,

>> they may do like two, three opera. So

>> I was like, this is a lifestyle.

>> Not a Broadway schedule.

>> No, ma'am. M

>> are you does opera is do you have to

kind of like pick like a like an

athlete? Do you have to pick your role

like uh

>> the voice part kind of dictates it?

>> So what is your voice? What are you?

>> So I'm considered a baby dramatic

soprano which means like I don't know

that's what they say

>> a baby

>> and I'm always like well I always have

the baby part even as I get older. I

don't know maybe but it it's like

basically it's like so Leantine Price I

don't think they would consider her a

baby but uh dramatic soprano basically

means you have the low notes but you can

also get up to the high notes but

instead of like traditionally a soprano

the high notes are very like soft and

airy like more like Ariana Grande like

right like really breathy and soft and

just like heavenly and like a dramatic

soprano is like you can get up there but

like with some heft

>> baby dramatic soprano.

>> And did you ever do an opera on stage?

>> I went to Temple University for the

teacher. Quinta went there. Uh we were

there at the same time, Quenta Bronson.

And

>> did you guys were you friends? Did you

know each other then?

>> We were in passing because she was like

so theater and I was still music.

>> Ah. And they were still felt separate.

>> Yeah. They were very at that time now

it's like a conservatory and there's a

musical theater department. Um and so so

anyways, I went to temple and we were

doing Aayita. Wow.

>> And uh you know my middle class parents,

teachers, like they're not dumb, but

it's like if you were to watch

Shakespeare for the first time, like

they don't know what's going on. And so

I remember my brain was just like, I

want to be able, it wasn't even acted. I

want to be able to portray this

character

>> and know this character very well so

that it can translate

>> for like my family and friends that come

see this. I remember that very clearly.

I don't even know where that came from.

>> Yeah.

>> And so I remember we used to go across

the street to the theater department,

what was like communications to copy

sheet music. And I literally was copying

sheet music and it sound like people

were dying in the room next door. And it

was a theater class. And so I went up to

this teacher afterwards and I was like,

"Hey, I'm working on an opera across the

street. Like could you help me? I want

to like bring this to life and it be

good." Wow. Very long story short, the

music department got ultra pissed and

they were like, "No, no, you can't do

that.

>> You can't cross over there."

>> And I was like, "I don't want to cross

over. I don't want to be an actor." But

I guess because it had happened so many

times, they were very like territorial

over it and they flunked me out.

>> Excuse me.

>> Yep. And it was my mom that I'm like

balling on the phone. This is like my

junior spring. I'm out of here. I'm

about to go be in Italy like living my

best life. And my mom was like, "Go

across the street." I'll never forget.

She talked. So, you know how moms are

when their child is like devastated.

>> Yeah.

>> And she was like, "Step one, go across

the street.

>> Go speak to the administration.

>> You're going to apply to the theater

program because most of your credits can

transfer."

>> Mhm.

>> And I actually think you might be good

at it. That's literally how she said. It

was like, but she knew I needed logic

first, like

>> cuz I kept thinking, oh my god, like I'm

about to graduate. I have now completely

find a new

>> right, you're pot committed to this

thing. And then

>> and I was like, okay.

I remember they tell me this to this day

that I went to the administration office

and I was like, I have to be an actor.

And they were like, what? And I was

like, I'm crying. And they were like,

you are. You are.

>> Exactly.

And then you got really into

Shakespeare, right? You did a lot of

Shakespeare

>> later. Yeah. Later. So when I got into

Yale, I faked it. I did Shakespeare, but

I think I did like Tatana when she sees

bottom and she's like in love. Sun the

ruler like you know

>> I don't

>> I had to really meaning like

>> is that more comedic? Is it usually

>> It is kind of more comedic. So

interesting that what you're saying is

like there's like there's Shakespeare

and then

>> Yeah. Like it wasn't me reciting like

Hamlet where it was like okay you're

just standing there and delivering this

speech. It was like this strong Tatana

is like kind of like a Michelle Obama,

like a tough girl that's like got it all

together

>> who now you see gets to be like she's

drunk the Kool-Aid and she's like

whimsically like this anjenu in love and

just being silly and in love with this

like you know having like a kind of like

teenage middle school moment of like oh

my god this guy is so cute. So it was

that but like I'm saying in the sense of

like I wasn't doing hair. you want to do

shake more shake.

>> So I went to after my first year I was

like I don't know this because I was

doing another classical art. I don't

know this one. And so uh I went to the

British Academy of Dramatic Arts

>> Holy

>> at Oxford which I couldn't believe it.

We literally ate lunch where Harry

Potter ate lunch. Like I remember

walking in there being like oh my god I

made it.

>> Yeah. And so I was it was just so cool

because I learned Shakespeare like

>> by the people who do it. Wow.

>> But I love that sense of command that

they have over language.

>> I love how much you have trained.

>> Thank you.

>> Like you are you really know your stuff.

>> Thank you. I really appreciate that.

>> I I I was fun.

>> I bet. And it gives to to your point

like it's supposed to be a journey like

fun. And when you get to try and fail

over and over again and then you get

stronger and better.

>> It is the best feeling to me. It's kind

of like freedom within form. Like as

long as I know the guard rails are up,

I'm going to bang up against those

guardrails. But like right to in order

for me to really

>> be loose and give all of myself even

with comedy, like I just need to know

the parameters.

>> Yeah.

>> And then I'm just going to go off and it

allows me to um so I guess in a way the

training is like the guard rails that

then when I work I'm like whatever. Like

have you ever

>> watched something back of yours? I don't

like to

>> I don't love to

>> don't like ADR is one of the most

traumatic.

>> Oh yeah. Also also ADR is for people who

don't know it's like that moment in the

film when you have to kind of go back

sometimes and re-record stuff

>> which for me is my first time of seeing

it ever.

>> Yes. It's often your first time seeing

it and it hasn't been like color

corrected or anything and so you're just

like

>> why do I look like that?

>> I guess I'm 100 years old. Like it just

it's seeing your face for the first time

in a thing that isn't finished

>> and you have to record new stuff and

it's br and it's brutal.

>> It's brutal. I always I used to call my

mom crying afterward. Mama looks so

ugly.

>> She was like go across the street to the

>> theater. You are okay. You are not the

character. You serve the character.

>> Your mom is really good and calming.

>> Yeah. She's the one.

>> When you were at Yale, was there anyone

else there that we would know at the

time? But were you Who were you? Who

else was there?

>> When I was there, when I was a second

year, Lupita was a first year. Then

after Lupita was Winston Duke, then

after that was I could be mixing this up

cuz I was now gone, but was then Yaya.

>> Then after that was Mama Duke. Like it

just was

>> Wow.

>> Yeah.

>> Wow.

>> That's intense.

>> That's intense. Mhm.

>> And then you go and you go from that to

talk about training being put to the

test. You have to open Ghost on in the

West End with about a week of rehearsal.

>> Yeah. Which made no sense. So, um I was

when I graduated I got an agent and like

you know I got to have a survival job.

Yeah. So, uh, I applied everywhere in

New York City and that little Yale

degree, even though it's in theater,

people were like, "You're

overqualified." No. And I was like, but

it was

>> you know more than the director and that

upsets him.

>> Yeah. And so I couldn't get any job. And

so I was like, "Okay, I'm going to

nanny." So I nannied for this amazing

family and it was amazing because I

worked the system

>> cuz I was broke. And I said, "Listen, as

a curator of arts, your children need to

go to fivestar hotels and experience

what that is like

dessert and really nice places and we

need to teach them how to eat at a five

literally." And they were like, "Okay."

And literally, can you imagine two

little white boys and me like at a table

and THEY'RE LIKE, "MR.

CUZ JUST IN CASE THEIR FRIENDS ARE HERE

WATCHING, I got to make this look

credible.

>> That's so smart.

>> Oh, it was so much fun.

>> So smart. And then you go,

>> I love that job.

>> How do you get the job?

>> So they were like, oh, this is an

audition for the like understudy,

understudy, a swing. And so they were

like, you'll if you get this, you'll

rarely go on. No big deal. I go in there

because I'm young and I had never

auditioned for anything before. Those

people told me, "So, you're going to do

the entire thing?"

>> They made me audition for 75%

of that musical.

>> Wow.

>> In the room. Like, I had my sides and

then they were like, "Here,

>> here's more."

>> Cold Reed.

>> Wow.

>> 75% of the musical.

>> And you nailed it.

>> It was just adrenaline.

>> Yes.

>> But one thing that was a blessing and a

curse, I was on a high. Like my body was

just

I Speaking of belting high, baby, I

belted high that day. Uh-oh.

>> Then they wrote it

because it was an original musical. SO

THEY WERE LIKE, "OH, she wants A BELT

AND A HALF.

>> Never be good at something you don't

want to do.

>> Pace yourself." Cuz eight shows a night

and they basically up there. I was like,

"No, we're going to have to bring it

down." So I did that audition in like

August. I didn't hear anything for two

days. I'm not thinking about it. It's

the understudies, understudy,

understudy. My team then hits me up and

like, "You booked." And I'm like, "Oh,

okay, cool." And I was bummed because I

was like, "I got to tell these kids. I

got to leave them."

>> And my team was like, "Are you crazy?"

It was the lifestyle. I was saying

goodbye to the lifestyle. And so they

literally they were like days later.

They're like, "Why are you not more

excited, my team?" And I was like, "It

cuz you it's just whatever. Like if

everyone gets sick, then maybe I'll go

on." They were like, "Yeah, we lied. Um,

you are playing Whoopi Goldberg's part."

And I was like, "Come on, what? Why

would you do this?" So then I'm

terrified. And it was literally the like

the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. And so

I had never done a job of that

magnitude, but I had never done a like

seasonal job. Yeah.

>> And I really love the holidays. So I

started crying and I was like, "But do I

get to spend Thanksgiving with my

parents?" And you know, agents, are you

done? You made it. YOU'RE GOING TO

>> you've worked with so many great people

and you talk about them a lot and you

talk about Robin Williams

>> and I

>> I can't believe that was my first movie.

>> That's amazing. And

>> I cannot believe that sadly that was my

first movie and that was his last movie.

I cannot believe it.

>> What was it like to be with him?

>> So grateful.

>> There's something that I notice in

legendary comedians specifically.

Robin had it.

Eddie had it. I had that experience.

It's different, but they have a similar

trait. Eddie shows up in Steve Martin

for sure. Martin Short. And there's this

thing when we talk about when people tap

me on my shoulder and be like, "Hey,

>> and I never would think it would be

those people." In my mind growing up, I

thought, you know, like they either

really stay to themselves or they're

distant or like

>> their egos won't ever give you the

satisfaction. And Robin was the complete

opposite. And he actually talked to me

more than anybody else. We just talked

for we I literally just sat there and

listened to everything that that man

said to me. And I will even in the

moment while he was talking to me, I was

like,

>> "This is crazy. No one's going to

believe you, so don't even tell anyone."

Like maybe later you can share a great

anecdote. But

>> it was unbelievable. And he just poured

into me

>> and it would just be like in between the

takes.

>> He would just be like and then, you

know, immediately just

>> go into

>> this thing. But yeah, he would, if I

would say career-wise, he was the first

person

>> that was like,

>> you've got it.

>> What an anointing from someone like

that. And then you worked with Eddie on

Dolomite and and and same thing. Eddie

really took you under his wing.

>> He really did. He really did. And

something that was interesting so like

difference is Robin was so explosive. It

felt like I when people ask the only

thing I can think of is like you know

how in pinstation

the ticker thing.

>> Yeah. It's like you can't his thoughts

are so loud when he's not talking that

even when you stand next to him, it's

like and I'm just like I can feel like

almost like having coffee like you just

feel this buzz being next to him and

just was like

um

>> and with Eddie something that I learned

>> and it was interesting to work with him

at that stage of his life and that point

of his career, there is a stillness

>> and a quietness when he's not working or

in between scenes and then there's the

action and this whole thing comes to

life.

>> Yeah.

>> And it was something that in the first

again supporting actor being like, "Oh,

okay. This is your rhythm and this is

how you work that I then like adjusted

and then I was like, okay, so I'm not

>> Well, that feels like your musical

training comes in there cuz you're

picking exactly what you said, rhythm

and breath and energy, like the dynamics

>> 100% of the day. The the rhythm is the

biggest thing I think especially with

comedy and especially with legends at

that right you want to learn quickly not

ask any questions and observe and like

feels like jump rope of like I'm jumping

in and I'm jumping out you know what I

mean learning that kind of pacing and

but it was after

um that he really kind of prepared me

for the industry in that when we did

prep like we had a full-blown own press

tour and he was like, "She's come

whatever I'm going to, she's coming to

all of it." And so like

>> 100% it prepared me for holdovers. I

think if I didn't have that, I would be

like, "What is this crazy machine of of

things?" And so in a more chill way, I

got to experience it. I got to see what

insane fame

>> looks like.

>> Yeah.

>> Which is scary to me.

>> Yeah.

>> That's really intense.

>> Get ready for it. Sorry. But no, I You

you mentioned the holdovers. It I just

have to to say to you that film.

>> Thanks.

>> It it is in it is now forever in

rotation in as a Christmas film

>> because not only is it beautifully acted

and beautifully directed by Alexander

Payne and

>> Paul Giamotti and Dominic. They're

amazing. You're the three of you

together are just it's

>> but it also captures this melancholy.

Like you say, you love the holidays and

>> it's this holiday salty, sweet, sour

sadness that happens to all of us where

>> all of us. Even if you have a house full

of people or whatever you consider like

>> a traditional happy Christmas

>> cuz like the loneliness finds its way in

>> every time. I know. Even with a full

house, the way you depicted that mother

in that movie is one of my favorite

cinematic performances. I love you in

that movie. Congratulations on winning

the Academy Award.

>> Thanks, babes.

>> And um so deserved.

>> Thank you.

>> And just so first of all, Paul Giamotti,

>> love him. Always loved him. Always loved

him. And like similarly, he's so good at

so many things.

>> Yeah, he is.

>> He's really good at playing like that

underdog that can't quite figure it out

and just like keeps hitting their head

against the I He's so good.

>> I had a fun moment when he hosted SNL

when I was there and you know, you're

like down under the um bleachers like

changing clothes really fast. And at one

point I turned to him and I was like,

"Are you having fun?" And he was like,

"THIS IS A NIGHTMARE."

>> YEAH. Inside everything is painful and

he's dying inside. So funny.

>> Yeah. even while we're filming and I'M

LIKE, "WOW, WE'RE REALLY DOING IT." He's

like, "I hate it." Not he hates like

acting, but do you know what I mean?

Like

>> that's why he's so funny.

>> That's why he's so good at it

>> because he doesn't

>> he'll put himself in like risky like

inside his anxiety is through the roof.

>> YES. AND AND WE FEEL IT. We feel it with

him. And the the the trio of you three

like unexpected friends like you know

like a random family.

>> Yeah. Yeah.

>> So good. What kind of prep did you do

for that role?

>> So it was interesting when because I

love cooking.

>> Um I was like uh so listen contractually

I have to cook for real

>> and for many reasons and due to that

time period I wanted it to be clear that

this was actually her job

>> and that she was good at it versus like

I I first asked Alexander I said

>> is she the help or is she a learned

chef? and he was like, "I actually want

her to be a learned." He said, "Cook."

And I said, "We're not going to say that

word. We're going to say chef.

>> If you're saying she has an education in

it, she's a chef."

>> Um, and so

>> once I knew that's where he was going

with it, I was like, "Okay, so then

you're going to have to establish scenes

and moments where I'm dealing with the

food and facilitating the kitchen to

show my um prow over this area."

>> Yeah.

>> Right. And so and I remember there was

like there was and he was so down which

was so cool for someone that acclaimed

and lauded to have that much flexibility

and collaboration which I think is

another huge reason why that movie just

did so well because he trusted us

>> and we really got to work together. And

so, like, there was a moment where I was

like, you know, to be honest, he had a

lineup of extras for people that were

going to be in my kitchen, and they were

all women of color. And I was like,

you're going to have to put some white

ladies in there, too. And he was like,

"Really? Why?" And I said, "Because it

>> the other ones look like it's my friends

>> that I just brought in." And then this

other version makes it again look like,

"Oh, no. I'm in charge and these are the

cooks." So I adlib this line in the

movie where I'm like to the white lady

too much paprika cuz in my mind I was

like no no no she can taste it and be

like

>> too much paprika cuz I wanted to show a

lot of it had to do with the time period

that I was like I want if you're saying

she's a chef I don't want those lines to

be blurred but in regards to prep the

the f the thing that Alexander was the

most

>> Thank you for sharing that with me. I

just have to say totally just to take a

minute. I love knowing that because

you're ex I couldn't capture

>> the what you're exactly what you're

saying which is a

>> there's a regalness to her.

>> Yes. There's a pride.

>> Yes. Even if that lady has two cents in

her pocket, which is another thing cuz

he understandably uh he wanted her to be

in hot pink rollers and that cozy warm

purple moo

>> the entire most of the movie

>> cuz he was like it's the holidays and I

was like no she has so much she's

working.

>> Yes,

>> she may be you know they might be in

like living shared living quarters but

she's working. she wakes up, this is her

job. And so it was something that he we

had to like negotiate for him to realize

>> no this isn't just auntie with the you

know what I mean with uncle Buck and

whatever.

>> It gives such incredible um tension

>> because that is her space and in the

scene when she's serving and when when

she she when everyone is eating her food

that she's good at cooking and um Paul's

character standing up for her and like

>> it's beautiful. That's one of my

favorite moments.

>> Same.

>> Yeah. And it's just a look. She just

looks at the kid.

>> Yes.

>> But she But you know, the volume in

which Paul yelled, she heard it.

>> Yes.

>> And you know what I mean? Like she

wasn't there for it, but she heard that

he had his back. And so the main prep

was uh Alexander was very keen on

smoking. It was almost like an audition

question. Do you smoke? And I was like,

"No, I don't." And he was like, and I

was like, you can send a pack on over

and we can figure it out. Part of the

prep was learning how to smoke, making

it look realistic. I It was great that I

was in Boston. There's so many smokers

in Boston, but I would just watch like

there is a science. You can tell the

level of addiction or how many years.

I'm not going to say addiction. Level

>> addiction. Let's say it.

>> How long you've been in the game.

>> Ooh. Tell me what you noticed about how

people looser, the more that it feels

like it is literally another finger,

they've been doing it for a while.

>> Right.

>> Right. Or like the person is usually

like older men

>> that like it's hanging. How? I don't

even know. It's like that one beat of

saliva.

>> So, right. Because a person that has

their like one cigarette a week, it's

tight and they're like enjoying every

minute. I'm I'm thinking about like the

girls outside the club like buming it

from someone else and and but someone

who's like, "Oh, there's a hundred more

where that came from. It'll fall out.

They like it. I'm going to light another

one right away."

>> Yeah. And so part of my process was

like,

>> so interesting.

>> What's her level of addiction and in

certain

>> times and what she's going through, I

wanted the the smoking to signify what

like psychologically was going on for

her. So, and then the big the biggest

most difficult the two difficult things

most difficult things about filming and

smoking timing of knowing when to like

how to pace of the between the talking

and when to pull,

>> right?

>> Um,

>> yeah.

>> And blowing that smoke so it's not in

your face for the camera unless there's

some moments where you want it to get in

or not like directing that smoke was

tricky.

I cannot I'm I'm I'm gonna be

re-watching this movie again. That was

the hardest part and I'm gonna watch all

of it literally we could have a

beautifully acted scene

>> and be like that smoke went in Paul's

pace Paul's face. Do it again. And then

the last thing was the dialect which he

was like

it was fine. He was like you're from

Philadelphia. It's cool. And I was like

>> Alexander

>> respectfully

>> respectfully how dare you.

>> No sir. And he was adamant about it. And

you worked I can tell cuz it was so

good.

>> Yeah. I went with Nicole Kimman's

dialect coach

>> who's the best and so down to earth but

yeah I said no no no no no more so for

me

>> like we said I'm from Philadelphia. It

it's so close but yet it's not the same

thing. And also it was technically it's

a period piece. And so the biggest

reason why I wanted to do the dialect

not only because that is what is the

world. I needed something to

differentiate and to separate from me.

>> Yeah.

>> And so, um, Right. I needed that

dialect. The smoking, yeah, clothes

helps, the hair helped a lot, but the

dialect was the thing that really

allowed me to lock in.

>> Were there words that helped you lock

in? Like

>> Mr. H, what was his name? Ha. Hav

Mr. Hunnham. I heard you at that first

scene.

>> Mr. Hum

>> when they meet and then she's like, "Mr.

Hunham," I'm paraphrasing. She's like,

"Mr. Hunum, I heard you had babysitting

duty. How'd you manage that?" And that

was like my key phrase.

>> Yes.

>> That I would I could get right in.

>> Babysitting

babysitting. How'd you manage that? What

was helpful was the crew was all Boston.

>> Oh, yeah.

>> So, I would literally

>> They're like,

>> "Yeah, no shame." I was like, "Did I say

that right?"

>> Like, you didn't get it. Cuz the Boston

in me, you know, is our ears are

attuned. It's to me it's like the

Australian accent is like you when it's

wrong it is rough.

>> Yeah. And so what I basically said to

myself is I I worked on it and prepped

it a lot and I told myself you're going

to have the first day of filming. If you

get a lot of feedback on this dialect

either being distracting or too much or

not right, we're going to leave it

alone.

>> Yeah. Smart.

>> And and and

>> smart.

>> Yeah. It worked. And I was like, "Okay."

But in between still, I literally in

between takes the gaffer, I'm like, "Is

it smart? Sm" and they be like, "SM."

And I'm like, "Okay, smart, smart,

smart."

>> Speaking of films, we're talking about

Eternity, the romcom that you're in with

the hilarious John Early, who we love.

>> I think he was one of the last people

that they cast. And I knew from the

script that I would have quite a bit of

stuff with this character. And I kept

saying who I kind of didn't want to sign

on the dotted line until I knew who that

person was. and it just didn't work out

that way. And I never forget, we were um

in like what do they call it? Camera

testing. We were camera testing and I

was ear hustling and I heard them say

and I GO, "AH,

>> YES." AND THEY were like, "What is

wrong?" And I'm like, "Oh, my job just

got way better."

>> So funny.

>> Easy. Really easy.

>> You guys are great together. He

has

the stuff that's up there in that brain.

>> Mhm.

>> And it's so much. Do you know? You

obviously know what I mean. And you know

what I was a little worried about? Cuz

he's so so good that I was like, "Oh,

he's going to be doing the button

thing." You know the button thing when

you're around funny hahas

>> and it's like the scene is done and now

every funny person in that room is like

and then that person goes back and I'm

like wow

>> oh my god I've never heard it said like

that that's I'm really I'm really

sweating because I I so it's infectious

so right though there's an instinct for

comedy people to be like and one more

thing

>> button button button now person A's got

to second button seen. I feel seen

>> and then it goes and it just go and my

always I'm like

>> very present but and that's usually when

the camera cuts to me.

>> Oh, that's so real. And you're right.

And then once someone does a button,

someone's like, I got to button that

button

>> and it never ends.

>> I just sit there.

>> But yeah, he didn't have any of that.

>> Yeah.

>> But so I don't think he ever repeated a

joke. And I'm just so so impressed by

him.

>> What is your relationship to romcoms?

What romcoms? Are you a romcom person?

Do you like romcoms?

>> I was when I was in high school, what I

feel like was Let me tell you something.

How was a guy in 10 days?

>> Oh, yeah.

>> It's perfect.

>> And if you tell me different, I'll fight

you. That

>> I like how you whispered that

>> best cuz it's so funny.

>> It's so emotional,

baby. that scene when they're OUT IN

STATEN ISLAND IN LONG ISLAND PLAYING

THAT CARD GAME. I'M balling

>> cuz you're really making me want to

watch that again. So,

>> and I like it too because it's like it's

a relatable New York couple. You know,

some of those New York romcoms you're

LIKE, "WELL, I'M NEVER GOING TO BE IN

THAT PENTHOUSE." SO,

>> or the boss and the I love how it was

like they were regular New Yorkers. Um,

and that like Staten Island, I forget

which one it is. Stat line Long Island

uh family was a really good touch. Um my

best friend's wedding.

>> Yes.

>> It's so good. I think it's the ones that

are really relatable.

>> I know. And and and and they just dig in

in some like they're like rainy day

delicious treats.

>> Yeah.

>> And Okay. So, we have this thing where

we talk to people who know our guest. We

talk well behind their back.

>> We get a question for them. So, we

talked to the director of fraternity,

David Fra, and we got to talk about how

incredible it was working with you. And

he and he was explaining which I'm I'm

now getting to see in real time the

feeling of there was like a there's a

calmness to you when you work

>> and a confidence

>> that is he says like it just as a

director just makes you feel like

everything is going to work out like

every you know

>> oh that's and he he had two questions

for you. One was

>> where do you think you find the calm or

as he said the cam? Yeah, the C.

>> He had a great to find the C.

>> But um the um so that was his first

question is like is that true? Are are

you feeling like when you step and work

that there's a calmness to you? Is do

people project that on you? Is that

real? What

>> I think it's um uh how do I say it's a

little projected. It's all of it. Right.

So number one, yes. It's part of that

like preparing to then like have so much

fun like right like within the

boundaries like I know I did the work.

Yeah.

>> But then I'm very open to what is the

direction? What are you giving me? What

you know I mean what is it going to be

in this? I know her.

>> Um and you could tell me we're going to

go on Mars. Great. We're going on Mars.

What's that going to be?

>> So there's that. There's also too I'm

very well aware of like it's interesting

how leads speak of like their role of

leadership and da da da. I am aware that

part of my role is to not say anything

out loud but to reassure and to like um

nurture a little but like create a

foundation.

>> That's really interesting

>> as Yeah.

>> Um not to name drop but I will I've been

name dropping a lot today. Um, Gwyneith

Paltro was in the seat and she I she

said something that I thought was really

interesting which is

>> you know we were talking in terms of

like codependency and trying to figure

out and when you're in a supporting role

in any aspect of life you have to

balance what you talked about which is

>> knowing what is needed for the room and

she used the term thermometer like is

the room too hot do I need same with

every scene that's a giving supportive

collaborative person and then also

taking care of yourself.

>> That's right.

>> It's a It's a hard balance.

>> Mhm. And I think I've gotten really good

at that. And I think that's also why

I've been able to work with the type of

people I've gotten to work with because

I think it's that mixed in with they

then feel a reassurance to then be them

their bestelves.

>> Yeah.

>> Right. And so then I'll have like It's

so cute and I can't believe I'm even

saying this. Steve Martin will literally

be like because I normally when I film

for Only Murders, they're so kind and

with my schedule, they allow me to like

shoot out. So, I'm doing like in two

weeks like five episodes. And so, we get

like this kind of like intense

>> two weeks with one another and and then

I'll be like gone for a year and then

we'll catch up for like press and then

do the next year. And he always is like,

"God, I forgot about this. Feels good.

I'm feeling good." And that to me is the

greatest greatest compliment that I can

think of. And so

>> yeah,

>> I think it is a bit of that. And then I

think also

there is like

I do still suffer with imposttor

syndrome

>> in this format

>> like when we have to talk about it

>> but I don't when we're doing it if that

makes sense. But it's a but it's but

it's a quiet maybe that's what we mean

about that calmness reassuredness. It's

a quiet confidence.

>> Yeah.

>> But also at the same time there's a lot

of adrenaline and excitement buzzing

through me. And do you ever find

sometimes when you perform this kind of

like sometimes I'll have this moment of

like zoom in zoom out where I'm like

kind of up overhead.

>> Yeah. Dissociating.

>> Yeah.

>> It's great. I highly recommend it.

>> I love it.

>> You're like I'm on the ceiling babe.

Nothing can touch me.

>> Nope. I'm not here

>> and we're doing it.

>> I wasn't even there.

>> Yeah. Yeah. And I have that sometimes.

>> Me, too. And when I'm performing and

it's and it's a um what you're saying is

like a technique to get past Exactly

what you said, the fear and adrenaline.

And I don't know if you're like this,

but I can get nervous after I do

something like I get through it and then

like an hour later I'm like,

>> "Yeah, did we do it? Did we?"

>> And it all starts to shake out because

Yeah. I wasn't really there.

>> Yeah.

>> I want to finish with a very quick speed

round. if you can give me a sentence or

two about this about some of these

people or things.

>> Sure. Sure. Sure.

>> And number one is Zoe Kraitz.

>> The best. And I knew she was extremely

talented when I first met her. She was

an executive producer. I think that was

her first executive producer role. And

she went above and beyond. And so when

she began starting to direct, I was

like, "Duh, we saw that." I remember one

time she literally and it was so cool

cuz we were the same age. We're like the

youngest people on set and she was

literally like it was a coffee cup. We

were doing a scene in a bodega and it

was a coffee cup and she was like that's

not what real coffee cups look like

>> in New York like why is it I think it

was like red and you know supposed to

like be blue with the blue and the white

and they were like no Zo cuz we're young

and she's a woman. So they're like no no

Zoe it's fine. And she's like, "No, no,

get it right and we'll wait in a very

polite but professional and stern way."

And I was like, "She's got it."

>> Okay. Speed round.

>> Yeah. I'm talking monologue.

>> Aluccino.

>> Yeah. So, Aluccino, I was You're getting

good ones and you're like, "Speed

round." Aluccino

on Broadway, stressed out, voice tired,

eating soup in like this little French

beastro. He randomly is there. Uh he

goes to check out and he backs back and

like comes and sits down at my table and

we have this like beautiful heartfelt

thing and I share with a stranger like

it's really hard. I can't talk like you

know I mean I have no life the amount

that is required for this. Um, and he

gave me the most beautiful advice ever.

And he used this metaphor of a ladder

and said like, as you continue to go up

a ladder, you have to let go of more and

more weight and kind of was like, it's

na what you're feeling is natural.

Another moment of someone being like,

you've got it, keep going. And it was

like, I'll see you at the top of the

ladder. Cut two. We do Dolomite. Netflix

decides they're now gonna start doing

magazines, like their own magazines.

We get to the shoot and there's a ladder

there and I'm like, "Oh my god, oh my

god." Cuz I knew he was going to be in

this shoot cuz it was like the Irishman

all and I was like, "Yo, if they put me

on THIS LADDER, I'M LOSING." And they're

like placing everyone.

>> So they place Al.

>> He's next to the ladder. And I said,

"Please, please, please." cuz he's still

got to put like Laura Durn and Scarlett

Johansson. So I was like, "Yo, I want

the ladder." And they put me in the

ladder. I'm balling the entire photo

shoot. And I'm like looking down at him

and I'm like, "How do you remember the

letter?"

>> Did you ask him? And did he?

>> No. Why would he remember the But I'm

like, "It's the

all right honey." Like whatever. But in

my mind, I was like full circle. I'm on

the ladder and I'm looking at you and

you said it was going to happen.

>> Oh my god. The perfect story. And then

Steven Sonheim,

>> I miss him. I know that sounds so crazy,

>> doesn't it?

>> But it's like he was like the modern.

>> He Okay, sometimes that musical theater

stuff is a lot for me. Like I was never

kid. I was like

but cuz I came into it late and I just

like well I'm a vocalist and this is

theater and I had to like find my way

into musicals which is funny that my

first gig was a musical but I just vibed

with him so much because it felt like

strong story

>> really good acting and we just so

happened to sing beautiful songs. To me,

it's like the purest for me and my

taste, one of the purest ways of

expressing musical theater. And in

college, we did Into the Woods and I

played the witch.

>> Oh.

>> And I was like, "Okay, I think I like

this stuff."

>> Can you sing a little bit of it,

>> girl? I sound so crazy.

>> You don't? You sound so crazy. This is

>> Wait, but what's the song when she's

like,

>> "Sing a little Steven." Anything from

Steven.

>> What is the one? The one that the witch

>> want me to get it on my laptop?

>> But what? I'm going to look up the

lyrics. This is crazy. I sing for Nova

>> and I'm going to order that William

Soba.

>> Please do it. Please do it. Please order

immediately.

>> I'm not kidding you. I thought about it

the entire time. You guys, you didn't

see it, but it has a wooden bowl

>> with a hunter green

>> and the hopper. Okay. Um Um What are we

looking up?

>> Where are the clones?

Sending the clones.

Tinks, babe.

That is

>> only for you. Literally.

>> Thank you. Thank you.

>> For years.

>> Oh. Oh,

>> no. Years.

>> Okay. I appreciate you.

>> I appreciate you.

>> And um the the world like needs to hear

your voice.

>> Oh, I know. I got to work through the

stuff. And so that's why I'm going to

figure out

I think honestly I talk about this a

little bit but I think honestly um

because the classical thing like I feel

like there's a lot of people that can

like sing like pop and R&B but I do feel

like that's like one of my special

little tricks like you said how singing

is a trick but like classical I think I

want to do a biopic on Le and Team Price

>> and just like okay we're doing it.

>> Oh yeah.

>> Break the band-aid off.

>> Back into singing listen everybody

listening. Let's make that happen.

>> Yeah. God, that would be amazing.

>> I think that'd be fun.

>> And then our my last question is because

you're so funny

>> times and times are stressful. We ask a

lot of our guests

>> um what they listen to, read, go to to

laugh. What like is there anything right

now that you're watching, consuming

like a vid, like a dumb video, a TV

show? What's

>> really makes me I did a podcast with

Royal Court. Oh, Britney,

>> I to the point where I had to tell my

publicist like

>> go back and take some things cuz I just

felt so comfortable and we were just

>> I saw you on that and you guys were

hilarious.

>> We were cracking up and I was like, "Oh,

she's God." So, I think what her podcast

is giving people right now is really,

really nice. I watch a lot of old stuff.

I don't Do you Are you like that? Do you

sometimes sometimes I'm like I don't

want to be

>> tainted or like watchd jokes and

>> in fact I mean one of the reasons why

the the kind of intention behind this

podcast is to me the way for my own

mental health was like feeling like

chatting and laughing with people

>> connection was getting me up out of

things

>> but the actual like watching comedy at

home and like sometimes it feels like if

it's good I'm like damn

>> I can't because I'm judging it.

>> I can't watch contemporary stuff cuz I'm

like my friend's in that. Her hair looks

crazy. You know what I mean? Like why

did they do So I like to watch older

things and so I mean you can't beat a

'90s com which I feel like is a lot of

stuff that you've done, but like a '9s

comedy is just so good.

>> Like what what would you put on like to

like run as you were like are you

talking friends? Are you talking

>> I love Rush Hour. Yes, it that's a one

of one of the best buddy duos that you

would never think of and it is oh so

good.

>> Let's watch a rush hour scene for you.

>> What scene?

>> Um,

>> they don't give a damn about you. They

don't like you. I don't like you.

>> I'm here for the girl.

>> The girl don't like you. Nobody likes

you. You came all be for nothing.

And isn't it funny how people get so

like you touch the radio? This is not

even your car. Don't touch the radio.

>> I mean, also I love when people are give

it to give it to somebody straight and

they're like, I don't like you. It

really makes me laugh.

>> Nobody gets to say that in real life.

You never get to say comedy lets you say

stuff you could never say.

>> Yeah. Just dead pants.

>> Like I don't like you. She doesn't like

you.

just not into you. Sorry.

>> Well, Davine, I love you and I think we

should be friends.

>> Yes, please.

>> And I think we should buy um various

things together.

>> I'm going to give you my number. I want

you to text me when you get the mixer.

>> Great.

>> I think you should get a Just get one of

the pots.

>> I got to get all the box.

>> Okay, good. That's what I was hoping

for.

>> And then like when you cook something in

there, text it to me and I'm going to

text it to you, too. Yes.

>> I mean, what are we Why are we working

so hard if we can't buy ourselves

discounted copper pots?

>> Mhm. Black Friday sale. We deserve it in

this economy.

>> We saw what the price used to be.

>> Why would you? It's the But it's that

red ink that you speak about. There's

that urgency of

>> There's only five.

>> Such a lie. It gets me five left.

>> There's 50,000 in inventory in the back.

Yeah. But I'mma get it and I'mma go pick

it up. Um, do you have pasta thingies?

>> Pasta what thingy? Which which thing?

>> Like, so when you get that, you can then

also for I think it's like $99.99

get the attachment heads to then make

fresh pasta.

>> What?

>> A pasta making machine or the thing?

>> So, you get the Kitchen.

>> Thank you for coming. We're going to get

end this podcast and we're going to go

shopping.

>> Kitchen made. You just take the head off

and then attach the pasta different

things on. So you could do the one where

it's like so lasagna then taste that off

macaroni and then you got endless

possibilities.

>> I've never made pasta and I've always

wanted to. I'm going to do it because

>> I will do it with you.

>> Yeah, I would love to. Let's do it.

>> Mhm.

>> Let's hire a guy

>> just to super.

>> Thank you so much, Davine Joy Randolph.

you are so fun and uh I love talking to

you and and um it I'm so blown away by

your talent and your training and um so

thanks for joining me on the pod. And

speaking of talent and training, I just

want to use this polar plunge because we

were talking a little bit about

Shakespeare and there's a person that I

discovered in my phone where I discover

everything, read everything and learn

everything. um a a a performer named

Michelle Terry and um she is I believe

she ran uh uh the Shakespeare uh Globe

Theater or member of the Royal

Shakespeare Company um and then Royal

National Theater. She performed at all

those places. She's really good. She's a

really good actress. She uh is a person

who continually amazes me and translates

Shakespeare to me in a way that feels

like no one has for me. So, I don't know

if you're on your phone right now and

you want to type her name in. Uh and

you're going to see videos of her

playing Hamlet and Richard III.

Incredible. Okay, so if you never liked

Shakespeare before, Michelle Terry is

going to get you there. Um so that's my

plunge. Thank you um uh for listening

and uh see you next time. Bye.

You've been listening to Good Hang. The

executive producers for this show are

Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and me

Amy Polar. The show is produced by The

Ringer and Paperkite. For The Ringer,

production by Jack Wilson, Cat Spalain,

Ka McMullen, and Alia Xanerys. For

Paperkite, production by Sam Green, Joel

Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman.

Original music by Amy Miles.

kind of wasn't really good. Hey