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Hi everyone, welcome to another episode
of Good Hang. I am so excited about this
episode. It is the great Rachel Drach,
my friend for almost 30 years and uh
America's favorite. And we are going to
talk about so much good stuff. We're
going to talk about growing up in
Massachusetts. We're going to talk about
the uh our love for the musical Annie.
And we're going to go behind the music
and uh do a deep dive into the world
famous clip that kicked this podcast
off. and that has kept us laughing ever
since. So, um, get ready for a great
interview. Um, before we start, we
always like to talk to someone who knows
our guest, is a fan of our guest, has a
question that they want to give me. And
I'm very excited to, um, talk to Kevin
Kahun today. Kevin is a dear friend of
Rachel. He is an incredible actor, um,
musical theater pro, um, Tony nominated
for the great musical Shucked, and you
can catch him in a million other things.
And Kevin is um zooming in to get things
started. Kevin, hi.
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[Music]
>> Hi. I feel so lucky.
>> I feel so lucky.
>> I'm the luckiest.
I get to see you on this Tuesday.
>> I know. I wish we were having margaritas
with Dra.
>> Hey, listen. Wouldn't that be great?
That's a good hang right there.
>> That is for listeners. Um I've had a few
margaritas with Kevin and Dr. Pre-show,
postshow, cuz both of you were on
Broadway. Well, listen. Anytime I can
hang out with you,
>> how are you?
>> I'm so great. How are you?
>> Where are we talking to you from?
>> I am in Texas at my mom's place, rural
Texas, outside of Houston. It's a sunny
day. We've had four days of torrential
rain. Um, and I'm dealing with these
wild hogs. I know this is crazy, but
they're wild feral hogs that show up in
the middle of the night and they tear up
your property. They travel in packs of
30. And I've set up alarms all around
and I think they're working. But last
night we had a few come and um the
alarms went off in the middle of the
night which there's nothing more
terrifying. Um and I'm good with animals
and I grew up with a lot of animals and
I'm fine with animals. Not these
animals.
>> Not a fan.
>> It's worth a Google if anyone wants to
Google Texas wild feral hogs.
Well, I mean the the the thing that I'm
was so excited to talk to you about
today is that you um like many of us
deeply love our guest Rachel
>> Beyond.
>> Tell me tell me how you two first met.
>> We met doing a musical called Minsky's
in LA written by Charles Strauss and
Susan Burkenhead and Bob Martin. It was
coming to Broadway, a star-studded cast,
and it closed in LA, which is, you know,
the the great showbiz tale. But what you
take away from experiences like that are
the people, and you usually have one or
two from each show. And um I fell in
love with RA immediately. What's not to
fall in love with? Um and she had told
me she had gone to a psychic that I
think you had bought her this psychic
reading for her birthday. That's right.
I should talk to her about that because
if she's open to it because her and I
both went to the same psychic at the
same time when we were both pregnant.
>> Yes, that's right. And she had gone to
we had before the show we would go I
would go to her dressing room and we
would have a day catch up. What'd you do
today? Who'd you see? Where'd you lunch?
Um and she had said I went to this
psychic and the psychic told me that our
show was going to close out of town. And
we were like they're crazy. That'll
never happen. We're moving into the St.
James Theater. Well, the psychic was
right. But anyway, it that was probably
15, 16, 17 years ago, and it has just
been the most nourishing, fulfilling,
steadfast
friendship that I could have ever, ever
imagined. And then I've gotten to have
new friends like you that I have met
through RA. And you know that they're a
good friend when you meet their friends
and those friends become your friends as
well. So, it um it's just been the most
rewarding friendship I could have ever
imagined.
>> I hear you. I feel the same. I feel like
there's a few friends that and it's
proven to be true now that Rachel and I
have been friends for almost 30 years.
There's a few people that, you know, in
in success and in quote failure, in good
times and in bad times, they're going to
weather that storm with you. And that's
not always the case with everyone.
Sometimes people are better when things
are going badly, right? They're like
they like that. And sometimes people
want to hear when you're succeeding.
That's what they when they want to be
along for the ride. But Rachel Drach
definitely is there for both if you're
lucky enough to have her as your friend.
>> That is so true. And she's a wonderful
giftgiver. She never forgets an occasion
where she's going to bring you a little
something. You know, I did a Broadway
show that ran nine months and she was
there opening night, she was there
closing night, she was there in between.
She came again, she brought friends.
It's just she is a cheerleader for those
that she loves. She is a champion. Um
she'll go to bat. She's just life is a
little brighter when Ra is around.
>> Cocoon, let's talk about Shucked, which
is the show you're talking about. That's
true. Yes.
>> I loved you in it and loved that show so
much.
>> You were so dear to come. So, it meant
the world to me. And let me tell you
what, Amy Polar, you're one of those
friends because not only did you come to
Shuck, I did a production of Lasha Fall
in the fall. You came to Lasha.
>> You are there. I mean, you're, you know,
you birds of a feather fly together. You
guys are just exemplary friends.
>> Oh, friend. Thank you for saying that.
That means a lot. And I love I mean,
it's not hard work to go to a really fun
show and watch you. Before we get to
your question, I do want to I'm going to
talk to Drach a little bit about her her
Tony nom and her show PUS and how I mean
because I know from being her friend,
how how positive an experience that was
for her. like great women that she
became really good friends with, a Tony
nom, a hilarious part. Um, do you
remember that time and what she said
about that experience when she was
working on that show?
>> Well, here's the incredible thing and
it's so rare. She got a Tony nomination
for her Broadway debut.
>> Damn.
>> Never happens. That is like remarkable.
And I've seen Rachel on stage so many
times at the public. Shakespeare in the
Park, Manhattan Theater Club,
she is always the standout. And when you
do a Broadway show, whether you want to
admit it or not, there's always a part
of you that thinks maybe, just maybe,
that childhood dream would come true.
That show that I watch once a year in
June, maybe I could be a part of that
show. And then when it happens, it is
just it's the most uh it's the biggest
embrace you could ever imagine from a
community that you've always wanted to
be a part of. And you know, a lot of
people probably um know Rachel from
television and from film, but her
theater career is just as sparkling and
just as dynamic and diverse as um her
impact on TV and film.
>> Yeah. She's played so many different
types of characters. It's actually a
good question. She's played like men and
dogs and people and like mothers and
robots and whatever. She will she can do
it all.
>> She can do everything. That's why you
hire Rachel D, you know.
>> It's so true.
>> It's so true. Um we should all be as
versatile as Rachel Drach, you know.
>> Okay, so Kev, what do you think? I mean,
I could talk to Dr. and will probably
today forever about so many things. The
past, the present, the future. Anything
you think I should ask her today?
>> Yes. Um, it was hard to pick one
question. I have two that I think are uh
sparkly. One is about the theater
because I feel like a lot of people
don't realize that Rachel D was a
theater kid and she went to theater camp
and her dream and ambition was to be in
plays and in musicals. and then her
career took a brilliant detour. Um, I
would ask her, little Rachel Drash going
to theater camp, what were her three
beacons of light in the American
theater? A musical, a performer. Who was
it that filled her with I want to do
that. That's what I want to be when I
grow up.
>> Such a good question.
>> That was the one question. And then this
is something that inspires me about
Rachel.
She brought us all Debbie Downer, one of
the most iconic American comedic
characters.
When Rachel DR is thinking about feline
AIDS and North Korean train accidents
and insurrection,
what is that catalyst that gets her out
of her doom and gloom and brings her
back to reality? That would be another
question.
>> Debbie would want me to point out that
it is good that you brought up feline
AIDS because it is the number one killer
of domestic cats.
>> Well, that's true. Listen, we've talked
about feral hogs and feline AIDS. What's
next, baby?
Texas, baby. Um, these are such good
questions, Kevin. And she I don't think
she knows that I'm talking to you today.
>> I did not tell her.
>> Okay, good. I didn't tell her either.
>> We even had a little We had a little
Kiki yesterday and I was zipped lipped.
So,
>> oh my god, I'm so happy because she's
going to be so happy. These are really
good questions. And
I think nobody loves a a good question
more than Dra. Like, if you ask Dra a
good question, she's like, "THAT'S SUCH
A GOOD QUESTION. She will say that. I
guarantee you that's
>> and I had told Blake Lee who was on
who's a dear mutual friend of ours who
was on for um I told him not five days
ago Amy I was like you were so
incredible on Amy's podcast. It's so
fabulous that you were on there. It is
so chic. What a cool thing. I'm so proud
of you. And then my phone dinged and it
was you and
>> it just I can't thank you enough. Are
you kidding me? Thank you.
>> Thank you for taking a break from
fighting the hogs. And
>> and if you know if you are eventually
eaten by them, just know that our time
together was so special to me.
>> It was. And I cherish every single
minute.
>> All right. I can't wait to see you in
New York, friend.
>> I love you so much.
>> Thanks so much for doing this.
>> This episode is brought to you by Voco
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>> Rachel Dr is here.
>> Are we starting? Is it official?
>> Yeah. And we need to talk about Wait,
what?
>> I want to do a podcast. I just need
>> What do you got?
>> Let's get started here. I'll get this.
>> Pulling out the world famous.
You've seen it. You've seen them before.
THIS THIS IS MY NEW TRADEMARK,
EVERYBODY.
>> Smithsonian
Smithsonian.
>> Academy of TV.
>> This is my By the way, I didn't I didn't
tangle this. This is how it came out
where I was storing it. This is the
>> These are the in their natural state.
World famous Rachel DR headphones. It
was shot fired around the world. These
headphones is where it all began. The
chaos
beginning.
>> Oh my. Now look at that. Now,
>> now that I'm with Amy,
>> everything's all right.
>> Okay, we don't even use these, but I had
to bring those up.
>> God, Dr. Historical item. Okay,
>> of course, DR brings a prop.
>> Brings the prop from home. For people
that didn't see our first episode of
Good Hang, Drach was in the group that
was talking about our guest, Tina Fay.
And boy, did we have a good laugh.
>> Oh my god, that was like probably my
biggest laugh of the year. I just
watched it again on the way over here
and um we're going to get into it today.
The
>> Of course we are. People need to hear
the behind the music.
Where were you when
>> Where were you when you saw the clip?
>> I mean I owe you money for that clip. I
owe you money for that clip. But it
really was like it started off the
entire vibe of this show. Like I'm so
grateful for it cuz it started off
exactly what I was hoping which is I was
hoping that this would be like fun and
easy and a laugh and that was the
deepest laugh.
It was such a good laugh.
>> Like I mean imagine like your best laugh
ever and then it's and then it's like
recorded for you to watch again. Like
that that never happens because you
can't plan that.
>> No. No. And also having Fred and Seth
and Zarna there and there's really no
better I would say like partner than
Seth when DR is draing because he's so
good at keeping like like things moving
in a way or something like
>> he was making me laugh so much so hard
>> when he's like Dret we're probably going
to cut all this out and then when I was
like I'm holding everything up and he's
like no this is how she wanted to start
like
he was the perfect foil,
a comedy foil.
>> Also, the thing that gets me, which is
such a like improv and such a good
example of what a good listener you are,
is that at the very end you clap, which
is what we asked you to do 15 minutes
before to get started. God, that clap.
>> End it with the beginning, people.
>> Let's just comedy 101.
>> Okay.
>> Second prop use of this podcast is
stretch swirling her ice drink.
Okay.
No, but it is like that. I I have to say
when I was thinking about what to talk
about today, I was like we have had
deep laughs.
>> We have.
>> It's like the heart and you love you
love to laugh and the way Dr. Dash has
many kinds of laughs
and you have like I I know people have
done your laugh to you.
>> Oh yeah. You go.
>> Also, when you go into like a level two
laugh, when you're going down deep, you
go
like you get very old school.
>> Oh my gosh.
>> Wait, I just need to say though that
when that was happening that I didn't
know that was going to be used for on
camera,
>> which I didn't tell you.
>> You did not tell me. I looked back at
the text and I'm very sorry.
>> No, no, I don't mean that. I mean it was
the best thing ever. But I just mean for
people wondering like why'd she order
food right when I was there was my
podcast like
>> we could argue still with audio. Why did
you
>> Well, cuz I thought it was like a half
hour of time.
>> True.
>> And then it came very quickly
>> and then my dog barked
>> and then and your dog's name and then my
dog's name is Ruffles
>> and Ruffles started barking. Anyway,
sorry. Go ahead.
>> Do you remember I think we talked about
it. There was a hilarious whoever is the
Tik Tocker who did this. Somebody
posted. There were many clips of it and
then someone went and looked at your
chart.
>> Yes. My my horoscope. Whatever. Zodiac.
Well, so I'm What's a Pisces? I I didn't
know this word. Stellium means all your
things are in the same sign like every
single thing. But I guess there's one
little thing. But this woman, she did my
chart on TikTok and she was laughing
really hard. She's like, "How is this
woman surviving with everything in
Pisces?" She like she's she's somehow
she's making it work. But then I guess
there's like one thing in Capricorn. She
goes this Capricorn is holding the whole
rest of it all together. It's doing the
work of you know 10,000 men or
something. And that kind of
>> Pisces final boss. Yes. And I have
wondered if I other people were talking
about a ADHD I guess and I have wondered
if I have that as an adult. I don't
know.
>> But that if you look at that clip you're
going to be like yep. I feel like it's
like pis I mean we we talk about it like
in you know the Pisces being a
shortorthhand for
>> like you know it's in its best
>> chaos
I'm saying that's what I'm saying but
we're opposite
signs
>> Amy's Virgo by the way I don't know much
about signs but I just know about this I
just know about this
>> I don't know I I do like astrology I
think it's cool we like astrology we
like an enagram we like anything that
like is about personality stuff but
what's fun about talking about
>> Pisces in Virgo is Pisces are kind of
the fish that are floating through life
and Virgo is the virgin setting the
rules. I don't know. And um but I find
like we do do I mean I I I feel like you
do definitely have a dreamlike approach
and a adventurous approach to life.
>> I would say that. Yes.
>> Yes. I think you are like a curious
traveler
>> and and you definitely don't um
>> feel shy.
>> Shy
shy.
>> She got shy.
>> Did you see what happened? The curious
traveler.
>> I'm trying to be myself.
>> I can't see. Dash just It was like a
cloud. A shy cloud came over.
>> But you are kind of shy.
>> I am shy. Yes. It goes without saying,
we've been friends for 30 years. We are
often mistaken for being the same person
or like just the other day someone we
were in the a public bathroom and
someone's like, "I saw your sister in
the bathroom." Like they think we're
sisters.
>> But you and I did do definitely have
like if if life was like a romcom like
we would be like growing up next to each
other.
>> So
>> walking by each other in the mall
probably.
>> So talk to people who don't know your
like early Dra. Where did she grow up?
What was her life? Early Dr. uh grew up
in Lexon, Massachusetts, next town over
from Amy, but we didn't know each other.
Although if well we did work in the same
ice cream store, which we always have to
say called Chadwick. And if you don't
know that, I know you've been living
under a rock. But anyway, um but yeah,
grew up in Lexon and uh I don't know. I
was I was shy when I was little, but I
was always I mean I watched SNL when I
was in third grade at someone else's
house at a sleepover like their older
brother was watching it and I was
immediately like what is this? But I
definitely was I mean I don't know about
you either. I don't I wasn't like I'm
going to be an actor when I grow at all.
It was just for fun. Knew that was a job
really. Yeah.
>> It was sort of like maybe a little dream
with like when I saw Annie you know the
musical. I'm like how are they up there?
Where where do I get one of those
buckets? You know like
>> Annie Annie is there should be a
documentary about women our age and how
we were affected by Annie.
>> Yeah. So, um, but yeah, and then I did
school plays, but I definitely was not
like the queen of the drama club, you
know? I just did it for fun.
>> You did get a superlative, though, and
it was
>> I did I got class clown.
>> Did you get class or did you guys do
those two?
>> We had class clown, but I didn't get it.
>> What? I'd like to know who did
>> I I was the second runner up for most
casual.
>> You know, I most casual. It's like, what
did that even mean?
>> I don't know if it's in manner or dress,
but didn't even get close. just super
>> kind of casual
>> class clown but um then let's see I
don't know I then
>> uh oh and then also well my dad was very
funny as you know Paul D
>> Paul D um and uh so we just kind of had
like you know he would do like kind of
oh this is funny I I ran into someone um
whose dad had gone to high school with
my dad back when I was in high school
you know we were at the house and then
she said oh my dad said your dad used
always do impressions of the teachers
when they left the room and have
everyone laughing cuz he was doing Yeah.
So like I I just sort of had that it was
in my blood. No, but I mean it was sort
of like in the atmosphere. And then
>> but you did school plays. I mean getting
class clown you got to be funny in real
>> I guess like in junior high I started to
kind of like pipe up oneliners from the
back of the room kind of thing. But um
much to the chagrin of teachers I'm
sure. But um but then when I got to
college then there was an improv group
there and then I was cut like I didn't
even know what improv was back then. Now
it's like
>> when when you go to So you're in high
school in Lexington, Massachusetts which
a shot heard around the world like we
just mentioned. Um uh like the the
birthplace of democracy. Um right next
to it was Burlington, Massachusetts
where I was from. And let's be honest,
they were not different at all. There
was maybe Right. Oh my god. Look at she
just last time she said it. Well, I was
gonna say I exaggerated for a fact.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> I exaggerated for shared them all.
>> We shared them all.
>> Well, we I often hung out at the
Burlington Mall. We probably passed each
other.
>> We did. I think we did
>> at the Bighgams or something.
>> Like we definitely I felt like we had
very parallel lives, like short,
blue-eyed Massachusetts girls who um
like were good students but wanted to be
funny. And um and the the Lexington I
always used to joke that Lexington is
like for Parks and Rex fan like Parks
and Rec fans Lexington was the Eagleton
and Burlington was the Ponty is how it
felt like we thought Lexington was where
the rich people were. And what did you
think of Burlington?
>> Burlington. Oh, I didn't think about No,
I'm just kidding.
I'M LIKE, how do I how do I get Amy to
see? Um no, first of all, I worked at
Cowdors. Yes.
>> Which is in across the Burlington. I
crossed town lives during Cowdors with
the Burlington Bad Girls and our teams
played each other.
>> Our teams PLAYED EACH OTHER ON
Thanksgiving Day. And so since then we
always call Well, now they don't
anymore, but we used to call each other
up on Thanksgiving.
>> Yeah, we used to Burlington. Yeah,
>> we used to try trash talk each other on
on Thanksgiving. And then you go to
Dartmouth.
>> I went to Dartmouth Ivy League, Rachel.
>> Yes.
>> And very very like uh what was your
experience there? Like did you like it?
Well, great question. Um, it was, but I
went back in the 80s and it was it was
very conservative back then. Um, which I
didn't even really know what that meant,
but it was just like um it took me a
while to find my people there. Like, you
know, I had friends at the beginning and
everything, but then the the general
ethos of it, I didn't feel like I really
matched with, right? Um, and then I saw
the improv group like I've some friend
of mine from like acting class or
whatever is like, come check this out.
And as soon as I saw it, I was like, not
like this is, but I was kind of like, I
feel like I could do this, you know.
>> This is exact. This is We have very
similar stories because same thing. I
went to Boston College. I was trying to
figure out how I fit in. Big
>> I didn't know that part.
>> Big sports school like and lots of um
like uh uh private school kids, which as
much as we joke with Lex like we didn't
have like that prep school vibe of like
>> No, we were kids.
>> What person is the Yeah, that was a big
vibe. I remember going into people's
dorm rooms and being like, "How do you
know how to get your dorm room so ready
so fast?"
>> And they're like, "I was living in
Deerfield.
I spent three years at Deerfield." And
that's how. But I didn't know that you
felt that way, too.
>> Yeah. And so I saw an improv group my
freshman year.
>> My mother's flea bag.
>> Yes. And yours was
>> said and done.
>> Oh my god. This looks nothing like those
improv
>> improv group names. Yeah. Um, our friend
Brian Stack, who is a performer at
Tekken City, used to like love to talk
about good and bad improv names and like
how they would either be really goofy,
like punfilled, or they would be very
like serious and pretentious.
>> Oh, I haven't heard this.
>> There was one and and if if anyone's
listening and I as part of the group, I
I enjoy your work and I respect your
work,
>> but um one of them he said was called
Society's Mirror. No.
>> Is that real?
>> Good question.
>> I don't know. I There's no way to check.
>> Like I could look at it on my laptop,
but
>> it I think it's out of batteries.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Okay. So, you did you do Were you
in S and Done?
>> So, then Yeah. So, then I got into Set
and Done and then I was like, "Oh, like
these are the fun people, you know."
>> But you were a theater kid.
>> I Well, I mean, I don't know. No, I just
did like you did plays, right? Did you
do plays
>> theater camp?
>> I I did go to theater summer theater
camp. Yes. But not like one of those
like I'm not saying this to be like it
wasn't like those ones like the real
ones. It wasn't like professional like
you know kids that were really it was
just like suburban Boston like you know
whatever. But um but yeah then I that's
where I met our pal Alec. But um
>> but yeah, I wasn't like like the star of
anything like I wasn't like rolling in
and then like the lead and everything. I
started out like everything I started
out like the chorus and then you move up
a little bit the next year. Yeah. That
kind of thing.
>> Yeah. And and I think like me and you
like we didn't really know anyone that
were actors or writers growing up. So I
just never thought that would be a job.
>> Right. Right. Right.
>> Did you have like an idea as a kid what
your job would be?
>> I mean like every kid in third grade I
wanted to be a marine biologist. like
like like us all, right? Um but no,
they're like I mean I don't everyone
wants to be a marine biologist.
>> What do we think we're going to do here?
>> Like play with dolphins and save the
nature. I Well, actually legitimately
was like very in and still am like
nature like a a career for in saving
nature was like something I actually
when I was little like then when I go
then as you know I wanted to be a
therapist. Um, but I also like every
time I'd see a movie I was like, "Oo."
Like I was just really intrigued, but I
had no idea how you ever did that. And I
also to be really like not
self-deprecating, but it wasn't like I
had felt like I had special skill in
acting or anything, but I loved like
cracking jokes,
but yet you don't think you're
>> like, cuz it's like not like, well, I'm
an actor. Like, not like that, but just
like I like comedy and I like watching
it and like I had a group of funny
friends, too. So we would always like,
you know, I legit funny friends. So that
was also sort of like practice, you know
what I mean?
>> Yeah. Okay. So you get to Dartmouth, you
graduate and what was your degree in?
>> It was drama and then I minored in
psychology,
>> right?
>> And then Oh, so my improv group
sophomore summer were on campus. We took
this little like trip cuz one of the
guys from the group was from Chicago.
So, we went out to Chicago for a week
just to like check out Second City
Improv Olympic and just like, you know,
go to all the little sites there. And
then I was like, "Okay, maybe when I
graduate, I'll come back here and like
try this, you know." And I sort of just
wanted to try it more to know that I'd
given it a shot. I don't know how you
were about this, but I was kind of you
all you hear is like it's so hard you're
never going to make it. like that's all
you hear when so then I was like buying
into that and then I was like okay I'm
just going to go out and try Chicago and
then I won't make it and then I'll come
back and be a therapist in suburban
Boston and um but then like very then
like I mean I don't know how much
detaile go but right when I got there I
did not get into classes at Second City
like I heard like everyone auditions
gets into classes and then I didn't get
into classes and then I was like oh like
what did I do you know but then I just
stuck it out and then I took class like
later like everything I did I kind of
didn't get the first time around sort
of. Um
>> Oh, interesting. Interesting.
>> Well, like that and then like touring
company I auditioned didn't get in and
then like
>> um well SNL I auditioned two times like
just but then you kind of get used to
that I guess. I don't know. But um but
anyway uh yeah so then I eventually got
into the classes and then did like
little theater things there and
eventually got into the touring company.
>> So you get to Chicago and do you
remember when we first met?
>> I do. Well, in my memory, we were in the
lobby of Second City and you had just
moved there and you were in the touring
company, I guess. I don't know if you
were in it yet or just coming around to
check it out or something, but anyway, I
remember meeting you and I remember you
being really friendly and like I would
just say like sunshiny. Like it's not
you you don't always remember meeting
someone for the first time, but I do
remember at least in my mind this was
the first time. And I just remember you
were like very like like you are you
were very friendly and smiley and you
know cute little blondie.
>> I remember meeting you but I didn't see
you. I saw you. So
>> I arrived and you were kind of the
junior to my freshman in Chicago I would
say. And I saw you on stage. You were in
Lois Cass an improv show. Very like kind
of famous improv show named after
>> a woman
>> the woman that worked in the office or
something. I don't
>> Yeah, sketch and improv and comedy, it's
just like music, right? Like it's like,
"Oh, go check out this cool band." Like,
"Oh, these two people are singing
together." Um, you know, you just were
like watching groups and trying to
figure out what was good. What did you
like? And Lois, the show that you were
in, um, was just like, "Oh, these are
the cool good improvisers. Go see them."
And I remember so the first time I saw
you before we met um I saw you on stage
and I just remember you know
I think like when you see someone on
stage for the first time it's very it's
a very interesting dynamic like you're
just like forever looking up to them
like it feels like and I just was like
oh she's so funny like just loved being
like watching you perform like just and
um and you know subsequently like we got
to know each other in Chicago and I was
your understudy for uh
>> touring company for sure. Yeah.
>> So, what is touring company for people
who don't know?
>> Well, it's like your first step to
getting into Second City and you're not
out on the road like for big long times.
You're just like you're going to Indiana
for the weekend like that kind of thing.
Yeah. And it's just sort of like cutting
your teeth and I mean you get paid a
minimal sums. You're like it's your
first like I'm a working actor, you
know? And it's sort of your first step
to moving up the little ladder there.
>> Yeah. So, we didn't get to tour together
cuz I was only filling in when you were
>> and then Amy struck out and moved to New
York and started UCB, which I told you
before that I was always just like, what
are you guys? Like, I didn't know you
guys that well, but I was just like,
what are they doing? Like, they're on
track to, you know, you were already
very successful in Chicago or like
successful like
>> known to be good improvisers, whatever.
But um but then like you definitely
would have moved up the ranks at Second
City, but you guys had this like pioneer
spirit of moving here and starting
>> this kind of like if if we're if the
Drach and Polar romcom is happening,
this is where the we kind of separate
for a little bit to go find our own,
right? because I moved to New York.
You're on mainstage in a very famous
show at Second City and then you meet
Tina when
>> Oh, so then Tina joined then the next
show then they changed it to Three Men,
Three Women, which was like
revolutionary.
>> I was like what?
>> I know. But um
>> three women together.
>> I know. But then Tina came in for the
next show, my second show on Mainstage
called Citizen Gates. And uh she was of
course hilarious from the get-go. And
then we did two shows together. And then
and then I started to get more
comfortable up there and like being
better at creating characters and all
that. And then Tina went off to write
for SNL after the second her second
show. And then I stayed there.
>> How many more years did you stay there?
>> I was um well I was four years on the
main stage
>> and uh and it was such a fun job. I mean
it might have been like my favorite job
ever.
>> Yeah. Like take us back to what it was
like a day when you were on the main
station. What was that day like?
>> Well, I mean, I remember like you'd
sleep really late, much later than I do
now. But I just Well, but then you're
writing the show. If you're rehearsing,
you're writing the show by day. So,
you're in rehearsal all day. So, and
that but you never wrote like how we did
at SNL where you were like at a
typewriter. What? A typewriter. Okay.
>> Word processor.
>> When you were at
>> I think I got a good one here.
>> GIVE ME MORE PAPER.
>> I'M ON A PAPER. SCHULTZY.
OKAY. Computer is what they're called
now. But um
but no, like you it's not like SNL when
you're like, "Oh, let's think of
something." We're in an office. It was
all on its feet and like just someone
had an idea and you just and then you
try it out in front of the audience or
the audience would give a suggestion and
then a scene would really hit from an
audience suggestion. Let's try that
again, but let's change this. So that's
how we wrote the thing. Um, and then
eventually like the show would be done
and it'd be set and then you just do the
show night after night. But um, but the
show was like sketch like for those that
don't know like and then afterwards
you'd improvise every night pretty much.
And um that's how you get really good at
improvising by just night after night
after night. Cuz if I had improvised
right now, I'd be like uh like I'd wait
linger in the backline. You know, if you
keep doing it like welloiled machine.
>> So talk to us about you're on you get to
SNL what year?
>> 99,
>> right?
>> Yeah. Fall of 99. And uh I was the only
new person that year. Well, the only new
actor, Ali, was a new writer. But um but
yeah, so you just get like
>> who's on the cast when you
>> when you just said us and I just got a
little tense. You know, this show comes
out on Tuesdays. And to me, I just
realized I was like, "Oh, this is like a
a new way to
change Tuesdays for me, cuz Tuesdays
used to be writing night at SNL where it
was like the dread of Tuesdays. Like, oh
no, this is the night where I have to
try to get on the show because you
audition basically every week and I
haven't written anything yet and I'm I'm
so tired and uh I'm going to let the
host down. I'm going to let every myself
down." now that there's like this show
comes on she says I don't know there's
just something like but yes
I think people are aware of the dread
but what what just came up for you
which particular type of dread
>> I don't know I just thought of like
walking in there
and like picturing the hallway
>> and I think I thought you were going to
like go to the audition but no then I'm
like right in that hallway I'm in THE
HALLWAY AMY I'M IN the hallway stay in
the hallway stay in the hallway stay
there Rachel
I can still I can
>> feel your feet on the ground.
>> Here comes Lauren down the hallway. Um
okay. Um
>> so you're there by that's hard being the
only new cast.
>> That was hard. I can't I cannot tell a
lie. That was hard because
>> that place is like Well, I think you
know some like when Will Ferrell came in
I think is the year that like a whole
bunch of new people they were like the
freshman class and then you're all like
in it together. But when you come in
new, like no one's like, you know,
here's how this works in here. So, and
it's just you're kind of just like, "Hey
guys, what's you know,
>> wandering the halls kind of."
>> It definitely feels like the the high
school version of like your tray in the
lunchroom, like where do I sit?
>> Yeah, for sure. Um, I mean Tina was
there, so that was good because she knew
how already she knew the system
obviously, but like I had someone to
write with because some people come in
there and they're great, but if they if
they don't know how to write for like
also the writing for SNL is very
different from writing for Second City.
Like a scene that killed a Second City,
you couldn't get it on SNL cuz it's just
this different like and at the time
you're like but this is awesome and why
don't you? But now, like with more
wisdom, I'm like, why theater? Why
wouldn't it work?
>> Just cuz like a a scene in the theater
like could take longer to get going, you
didn't need to have like laugh laugh.
Like it's like people in the theater are
just like into seeing this character
kind of
>> do their thing. But at SNL had to be
like you need laughs like off the bat.
You need to know what this is right
away. And um
>> I don't know just one thing that
>> Do you remember the first scene on SNL
that like you got were getting laughs
and you thought like it's working? Like
that felt like
>> No. Um
um gosh, I don't remember the first cuz
I remember the first few times I got on
>> like I wasn't even I like left my body.
So I don't remember like this is going
really well. I was just like I'm on like
that kind of thing. Yeah. Um
well the first very first show I wasn't
in like the you know season premiere
whatever right and like you've told all
your friends like I'm on a and like
everyone's watching it your scene gets
cut like it does and then the next week
the same thing happened scene got cut so
it was like the third week
>> who was the host do you remember
>> the one that I got on was uh I should
know this oh my god well I know the
first one was Jerry Seinfeld then it was
Nor McDonald and then it was
and does not compute. Oh my god. I don't
>> know. It's funny. The brain remembers
trauma. So, you remember the two shows
that you weren't on.
>> Dana Carvey. I don't going to have to
go.
>> They're going to do those three guys in
a row. Let's What year was it, Drachie?
>> It was 1999. Third episode.
>> Okay. This will be a fun game.
>> Dana Carvey.
>> Okay. I'm going to And I'm going to have
you guess the musical guest because
that's always fun, too.
>> Oh my god.
>> 1999. I don't remember anything. 1999
SNL
hosts. And don't worry, we're going to
keep all.
>> Let me tell you one cool thing, though.
Let me I just heard that. Wait, let me
tell you one cool thing, though.
>> Please.
>> The
Please. Um, the very first musical guest
was David Bowie. And when I was I've
told this before, but when I was getting
my photo taken for like the very first
opening credits, like it was on the
stage, you know, like in 8H and David
Bowie was it was Thursday. He was
rehearsing with the band. So like I'm
getting my picture taken and he's right
over there singing Rebel Rebel. I mean,
I have chills every time I think about
that because that was just like
I mean I don't even have words for like
the surrealness.
That's a very um that's a to have a
soundtrack of that moment for your life
and it's David Bowie playing
>> David Bowie icon. Yeah. So I remember
that.
>> Should we tell the Black Crow story?
>> So one time So I don't do drugs at all.
So So and then one time the Black Crows
were the musical guest and um someone in
the department came up to me. He's like,
"Hey, do you want
That's my drug offer voice. Hey, do you
want
um whatever you call it? Joint.
>> Not a joint, but just like a hit off a
joint. I see.
>> And I was I don't know. I' I tried it a
couple times. It's never really worked.
I've never really dug it. And then I was
like, "Okay, sure." So, I took like one
puff off of this Black Crows. Am I going
to get sued? The Black Crows pot.
a hit off the black crow's pot. I took a
hit off the black crow's pot and my my
cousin was visiting me, my cousin Zach,
and um I came back to the table and I
was like, "Oh, I guess this is like I'm
really high right now." And I was so
embarrassed cuz like it was my little
cousin
and I never ever ever get high. And then
I came back and I was kind of like
I don't really remember if I told him or
not.
>> You Oh, he didn't. He might not even
know.
>> I don't even know. But um that was my
one like
>> I remember you telling me you couldn't
get up from your chair.
>> Oh, I don't remember that. But it's
possible. It's possible.
>> You were kind of stuck.
>> I was just like really like anyway. And
that's why I don't do drugs.
>> I mean,
>> no, I'm just not into that feeling, I
guess. But
>> no, you're not into that.
>> Only if it's from the Black Crows. and
Ben. Yes. Chris Chris Robinson. Call me.
Call me.
I just love that. That was the way.
>> Also, it wasn't it wasn't like I was
like partying with the Black Cross. It
was like secondhanded made it down to
the music guy and I was told it was from
the Black Cross.
>> But it's so interesting that you took
the hit that you at least
I was feeling a little jaunty that
night. I don't know. I don't know. No,
but drugs is not your thing. Never
like a margarita.
>> Like a margarita.
>> I KNOW YOU. But look at Yes.
>> Or perhaps you like to sail to the pogio
islands.
>> Amy and I will occasionally sail to the
penog grigiogios.
>> We'll text each other and say, "Shall we
take a trip
>> to the to the Grigios?"
>> Yeah.
Yeah.
Um, and then when you were at SNL, like
I feel like we got it I was thinking
today about all the stuff we got to do
together and we got to do a lot of dumb
>> so fun.
>> So fun stuff.
>> Oh my gosh. And but you know and I was
thinking it was like I I mean in many
ways I wish we had I I wish we had more
time together when I was more
experienced there because I was new and
kind of stressed and you were the again
the junior to my senior and I felt like
I loosened up more and figured out how
to like just have more fun as as I got
older there.
>> Um
>> but we did get to do some fun stuff
together. First of all, you were in the
original Debbie Downer and that was so
fun. I mean, just to be laughing there
with you.
>> Well, you bring this up and you know, I
ask this question to people on this
podcast and I truly feel like it is
because of Debbie Downer that I ask this
question. Again, I owe you a lot of
money and thank you for thank you for
building this podcast with me. Um, but
Debbie Downer, I've said it many times
before, was and is the thing that I go
to, um, uh, also maybe now replaced by
the clip, the clip of this podcast.
>> I watch the clip a lot of times. And I
just wanted to clarify, I don't go like
watch my work like I don't go watch like
a movie I did cuz like I just like to
have it in my head. But that it's like I
said, it was like seeing your biggest
crackup. Yes.
>> And just like I I have to laugh every
time I watch it.
>> Me too. And Debbie Downer was like that
for me during very dark times because it
was the combination of
>> us all having fun. you
your
like the way in which you were
physically trying to hold it together
like the way like the laugh was like um
something you were trying to hold in
combined with the zoom zoom in
>> and the sound effect
>> and we've watched it so many times like
Emily's knows every single like this is
the part where your lip starts quivering
because there's one part where the very
beginning I'm going g
and Then there's the part where you
something falls backstage and I look
away my eyes start over there like we
know every single moment.
>> It is it's like the Zruder film like
frame by frame and it proves it just it
got me. It's such a serotonin boost.
>> Before we move on, talk to us about the
like who did you write Debbie Downer
with and how did it start?
>> Like the origin of
>> Yes. The origin of people will want to
know. So, um, well, it really started
because I went on a vacation by myself
that had been suggested to me by A
THERAPIST,
AND I often leave THAT DETAIL OUT, BUT
SINCE I'M ON THIS one-on-one Amy
interview, no, I've said it like once or
twice, but usually I leave that part out
for the masses. But, um, no, uh, not
like this. This number one podcast
masses. Um, but no, she was she just
like she kept saying like take a trip by
yourself and I was like why? Like I
don't want to do that. I could go with
friends. Like I don't want and I just
kind of took it as like doctor's orders.
Like I just sort of like I'm doing this
and I like self-propelled myself to the
jungles of Costa Rica.
No, but I wanted to pick somewhere that
it wasn't going to be like honeymooners
and like I wanted to pick somewhere that
was like just like I don't know
somewhere kind of remote I guess. So it
was like very remote. It was in the Osa
Peninsula. You had to take like the big
plane then you take the smaller plane
then you take the 2hour jeep drive. I
mean I was going deep out of society
and each time they were like it was like
Barbara Potty one. Well no. So I picked
this. It was like this eco lodge thing.
So I went there and um and then it was
just like a it was so there was like
these communal it wasn't like a lot of
people there and it was actually really
cool like and I did meet really cool
people and um I met these two sisters
that like at like they were older but
they're like my age right now but um I
mean the age I'm now and they were sort
of like they sort of told me like the
rudimentary
u fundamentals of what is later known as
the secret like did you did I tell you
when I was on this
>> people should know Dr. knew the secret
before anyone knew.
>> So when I from and I learned it from the
jungles of Costa Rica from two white
ladies that were from Colorado. But
anyway, so so so they like they were
just weird, you know, cuz you're like
chatting and and I got to say like hats
off to the suggestion cuz I never would
have talked to strangers if I was with a
friend, right? You know, so I'm like
having this conversation and these women
were telling me about like, you know,
basically like what's the law of
attraction, I guess. But they put it
like you know if you if you think on
positive things positive and if you're
if you're focusing on lack you'll
attract lack basically. But then it
almost like the whole thing got like
sealed because then we were on this like
you know you could do like nature walks
or whatever and we were on this like
walk on the beach like with the little
like it wasn't like a group. It was like
whoever's here and wants to go on this
thing. And um this woman was saying like
there were these like beautiful birds
overhead these like scarlet macaus and
this like way up in the sky and this
woman goes I I want a feather to bring
home for my daughter and I swear like 20
seconds later from like way way up high
this feather starts to just go and it
falls down. We all like kind of see it
like and it lands like right at her
feet.
>> Whoa.
>> Amy doesn't believe in any of this
stuff.
>> I do. I
>> Okay. No, that that's cool. That's cool.
But I believe in manifesting.
>> That was cool though. So then I was just
like sold. I'll join your cult. No, but
no, but then that Okay, this isn't
anything about Debbie Donner. This is
just other stuff on that trip. But
anyway, but then the Debbie Donner story
is that when later it was like sitting
at dinner like you're with randos that
are there and um people just making
chitchat and someone said like where are
you from and I said New York and then
they said like oh were you there for 911
and it was like 3 years after 911. It
wasn't like it just happened. It was
kind of out of and then I was kind of
like uh yeah and then like it's kind of
like just like in Debbie D you had to
like get the conversation back because
it was like vacation times
>> right
>> and then like about a week later after I
got home I was like out listening to
some band which isn't something I
usually do but I think that's kind of
interesting cuz like doing something you
don't usually do and then your brain is
kind of like I don't know you're not on
your usual channels I guess but then I
just had that idea of is kind of based
on that like so like the a Debbie Downer
popped into my head of like
>> yes
>> and then which this is kind of just
talking creativity I found at SNL you
couldn't just go in there and like okay
let's think of a scene like it had to be
like moments like that like
>> and to me that only happened like once
or twice a year which is why like you
might sit there at home be like why
isn't there like like SNL man but it's
like thinking of really original
characters that kind of like hit on
something. It's not something you can
like steer the ship on. It like to me
like it has to like vibe out with you.
>> Yes. You have to be like you have to to
your point, you have to like keep the
channel open and be like find the muse
and like let it find you. It just can't
be like turned out.
>> Exactly.
>> And how then I took it to Paula Pel who
we wrote with often and is hilarious and
everyone knows Paula now because I love
Paula's like out there more in front of
the camera. But um but anyway, and then
we were on writing night, we were trying
to write it. We set it in an office and
it just kind of wasn't really flowing.
We it just wasn't really jing. And then
we were like maybe we need to put her
somewhere really happy. So then we
thought of Disney World, of course,
happiest place on earth. And then and
then while we were writing it, like when
like of course Paula was cracking me up
with these oneliners and everything and
then we started just going like like
just for ourselves and then we're like
what if we put that in the scene with
actual trombone sound. So then for read
through we had I don't remember if we
had like the live person or someone just
had done it but then at read through
like it killed but then you never know
cuz sometimes something can kill at the
table and then when we were in dress
rehearsal Jimmy and Horatio were kind of
laughing and I was thinking like you
guys like I feel like this could work
like
>> keep it together guys. And then like on
air I just flubbed one of the lines and
then I don't even know. I guess I was
like so nervous and
>> sure
>> and then on you but thankfully you just
like like the good Pisces fish like you
just like you went along for the like it
was it's so joyous watching it because
it is just the com. It's like what real
live TV is supposed to feel like. Like
it just felt like a a special moment in
time. And also um I mean you are such a
good performer that you you're able you
were able to like do it and have and
enjoy doing it at the same time. It was
like just it's very sometimes when
people are stressed it's stressful to
watch like it's not good to watch.
>> That's how I feel.
>> Yeah. I mean, but you don't seem
stressed in that moment.
>> Well, I love watching performers that
like this is what like, you know, I feel
like I've had so much time now that I'm
older to like think of like what makes a
good comed and everything like that. And
like I love watching people like you can
tell that underneath it they're also
like laughing inside. Like I mean better
to keep it inside but I mean like like
>> and I feel like you have that like I was
just talking about you um I forget like
in what context but like you are always
like you can see the joy of perform like
there's two levels happening. There's
like what you're performing and then the
sort of joyful like under bubbling
that's also happening
>> like I just like Steve Krill just popped
into my mind as like someone that
>> like you can see the fun happening
behind the feral the mischievous like
dance underneath it where they're having
fun. Circling all the way back to Debbie
Downer and all the way back to the
question that I ask my guests.
>> This brings up the person that I spoke
to earlier before this podcast.
>> So, you know, we always like to talk
well behind people's backs.
>> I talked to the great Kevin Kahun about
you today.
>> You did? Oh my god. I was wondering who
my person was going to be. And um
because I want him to lead us into
Broadway, which we're going to next, um
this Virgo has a plan. Okay. And I'm
taking you there, babe. I'm taking you
there. I got no Okay. I'm aware of the
time. I'm aware of the time.
>> Okay. I could hang all day, but
>> No, I'm just kidding. Um but but I
talked to Kevin uh and uh he he had a
couple really good questions for you.
And one was what what and it's and it's
this it's a similar question to what we
ask on the podcast. is like if uh like
when you're feeling that when when
Rachel is feeling like that Debbie
Downer feeling, what do you do to get
yourself up out of it? And that's a
question we ask here, which is
>> what do you watch, listen to? How when
when you've got Der Blues, as we like to
call it, how do you get up out of it?
What makes you laugh? You know, for me
it is it is a lot of Debbie Downer and
clips. I mean, it is a lot of you,
Rachel.
>> That's so nice.
>> It is you. Like, you really get me out
of the dumps. You really do. You're like
an elevator that helps me get up out of
there. Uh-oh.
Tears.
Tears. But you really get me way up. And
it's because of the laughter.
>> You do that for me.
[Laughter]
>> Is there anything else that like you
like to go to to just like
>> the bottom of a tequila bottle?
I go to the worm.
>> The worm.
>> I eat the worm.
>> I ate the worm.
>> That was such an 80s thing. Like, she
ate the worm.
>> I know. Now there's no worms anymore.
>> No, there's no worms.
>> Um, let's see. I forgot that you asked
this and like
>> I I feel like I don't have like healthy
um
serious
honestly the real thing that elevates me
is like meeting like meeting with
friends out in New York. Like that's
like that's my honest answer.
>> Yes. you like
>> Mars nights and um and like meeting with
my lady friends that's like
>> because like I feel like I have this
great you know group various groups of
people but they're all like fun but then
like I love a friend who is really fun
and like sees the joy in life and like
can laugh through like the foibless and
all that but also has the side that's
like you know the amateur psychologist
like you know that we can help each
other out and if you're if you like I
like if you show up to a friend and you
don't have to be anything other than
what you're feeling cuz like there's
certain friends where you can just do
that you can come in and you be like you
know I'm not going to be bringing my
aame and like that's fine and I like not
having to ex exert extra energy to
pretend I'm like somewhere I'm not and I
hope that like
>> I'm that for other people too but um
>> that's exactly how I described you by
the way to Kevin exactly that which is
you are a friend like in good times and
bad in sunny weather and stormy weather
and you just can always show up as the
version of yourself. That's exactly how
I described you.
>> Well, that's what I like in others too.
So,
>> um
>> this isn't like a joy thing. This is
more like a like mind set thing.
>> No, like a settle your mind. Like I like
doing those word puzzles in the New York
Times. Like I like that's my like my
like ritual is I do all those cuz it
sort of makes me like forget all the you
can't be like emotional when you're
trying to think of the word.
>> Well I would say as a person that has
now known you for 30 years has
vacationed with you has you know our
kids are friends like we are in a lot of
different ways in life together that
those kind of like quiet puzzly moments
is a dr recharge.
>> Yeah that is a recharge. Yeah,
>> because you are a very interesting combo
of introvert, extrovert. Like you are
very extroverted and especially on
stage, but your everyday like you
definitely need quiet time.
>> I guess so.
>> Would you say no?
>> Yeah. I don't know. I think I used to
need um less of it. I think now I'm a
little more like I just need like the
the recharge moment. Yeah.
>> Um Okay. Kevin also had a question too
that leads us into Broadway.
>> Okay.
>> And um you were in an incredible show
called PUS. tell us about that
experience, what it was like working
with those women and what it was like
being nominated.
>> Um, well, I mean it was a lot like it
the mindset of doing it was so it was
this comedy with all women and um I just
got like called up to do this show with
Susan Strowman who I had done a few
readings for and um the part was very
much like the clown in the show. So, I
got to do a lot of like physical just
like make up your own bits and all this
stuff. And um it felt very much like
being back at Second City like in the
best way. And also I love like just I
mean the theater schedule is no joke as
any Broadway person will tell you. But
um cuz you know you have to kind of like
sign your life well like you're not
going out on the weekends all that
stuff. But um the thing that I love
about theater, it's just you and the
audience like there's no one saying like
um we think this should go this way or
like like of course there's a director
in developing this part, but once you're
up and running it's just like that
feeling that connection of you and the
audience like and that was like hearkens
back to Second City like oh how long am
I holding this slap or oh if I do this
little tiny thing it gets left like you
don't even I love all that stuff. So um
it was just very freeing and fun.
>> Yeah.
>> And and you loved the women you did it
with.
>> Yeah. Yeah. You guys became a very
desperate group that was all like meshed
really well together. Yeah, it was.
>> And where were you when you got your
Tony nom for your Broadway debut?
>> Well, um you know the the nominations
come out like in the morning and you can
just like watch it online. I was just
like,
>> "Okay, I'll check this out." You know,
and then like they said my name and then
you know your phone starts going off the
hook. I mean that was something like you
know as a comedian like comedy often
doesn't get like award stuff but all
that to say like I didn't expect like
getting nominated was never anything
that I thought would be happening when
when you're in comedy you just don't
really think like
>> but the Tony's are an exception I think
the Tony's often do give it up for good
comedic performances that's true I think
they really are like they really respect
the craft
>> they do the craft. Yes. So Kevin had a
question about you um uh being like
young Rachel like what were some theater
performers, some musical, some shows
that like what were I think his question
was like what are the top three
um pieces of theater uh that you like
really inspired you when you were young,
>> you know, like maybe scratch some little
spark. Well, I guess as mentioned,
Annie,
>> can we just for one second talk more
about Annie? Because Annie,
>> so many female parts, so many parts for
girls. Like that alone, like a lot of
shows just don't have a lot of parts.
It's like there was you Rachel and I
were both in Once Upon a Mattress.
>> We were Amy had the lead and I had the
boring part, but we weren't in the same
production.
>> We weren't in the same
>> both of our schools. I was in the sixth
grade production. Oh, this is funny
though. And Amy was in the high school.
>> Yes. High schoolction. And Amy, if you
know Once on Mattress, Amy played
Wifford, the princess, the clown.
>> The clown. Yeah. Carol Bernett
originated on Broadway.
>> Clown. And I played this character, Lady
Larkin, who's the boring part. But let
me also say this that because it was in
sixth grade, the only comedic hook that
Lady Larkin has is that, well, she's
pregnant and so they're in a hurry to
get married, you know, cuz they're in
the castle and so they need Winterfred
to get married. Well, in sixth grade,
they take out the pregnancy, of course.
So, I had nothing to play. There's no
there there. I'm just a lady in waiting.
>> And I wasn't pregnant. By the way, I
don't even think I knew that the
original characters, but they changed
the lyrics cuz the real lyrics were in a
little in a little while you you and I
will be one, two, three, four, like
kids. And they just like you and I will
be together. That's what they changed it
to. And you're like, I got nothing to
play.
>> I got nothing to play.
>> So, okay. So, okay. Annie, of course. Um
or also orphans, you know, orphans. One
other thing is with Annie, everyone's
like your age. Like literally, if you're
10 and they're 10, you're like, "How do
I how do I get in this?" Like that kind
of thing, right?
>> And and also a dog.
>> A dog. We love a dog.
>> Did you have the album? Oh my god. Yeah.
Okay. knew every single song and I
wanted to play every part and I loved it
so much. Okay, so Annie
>> Okay, so Annie um then also well of
course this is probably the same too. Um
like Gild D Rner, Carol Bernett, Lily
Tomlin.
>> Yes. I mean
>> just those and they were on stage like
they were they were
>> I mean I only saw them obviously like I
saw them like I mean when I was really
little my parents watched Laughing and I
remember Lily Tomlin being Edith Anne in
the giant chair
>> and that's the truth.
Sorry. Um and then um
>> Carol Bernett of course.
>> Yes. And like often times we get asked
till we're blue in the face about women
in comedy, right? And like I just think
growing up seeing them,
>> you're not thinking like, "Oh, these are
women in com." You're just like, "This
person's really funny and they're being
really brash and bold and they're, you
know, not afraid to look weird and here
she is with the curtains as a dress and
just like, you know, she's like the
center of it all." and um like you know
Gilda Rner making all her faces and
everything like yeah
>> so I just think you're just seeing that
and you're not delineating you know and
then like
>> I mean the first season of SNL that cast
like I did watch like you know John
Bushi Steve Martin that's why like when
Steve Martin hosted SNL it's like oh my
god Steve like I still have that when
I'm when I see Steve Martin I'm like
when I'm hanging out with Steve Martin
no that never happens um not true I've
seen it but anyway I think like seeing
them um was an influence but not knowing
it at the time of course.
>> Um fame
>> fame which of course we all had played
that on the piano out here on my own.
>> You can play the piano.
>> No but I was like plunking it out but
out here on my own
>> when I'm down
everyone wants to hear this. I close my
eyes so I can be with you.
>> And then what was the third one? And
then I would say hair.
>> Hair.
>> Hair.
>> I don't think enough people are talking
about hair these days.
>> No.
>> The the musical.
>> No.
>> Hair was so big.
like the music and the I think like the
movie
>> the movie cuz that was the first like I
mean I just remember like excuse me that
had like major like tragedy in it and
sadness and
>> but also like yes I remember seeing that
the Lex in a movie theater and um
>> must have been nice.
We ate gold. We ate gold covered
popcorn.
>> HC had a chandelier at your own bar.
>> We ate golden popcorn and we drank
champagne. We We showed our movies on
the side of a barn.
>> Side of the mall.
Side of the dress barn.
>> At the mall.
>> That's where we showed our movies.
>> The dress band. Oh my god.
No, but I remember hair was like like
emotional and but also just the music so
good.
>> So good. I And yeah. Anyway, I think
they like they should do a new
production of hair.
>> But there's no parts in it for us. Like
it's all new young is there's going to
be some like old lady who tells the kids
on
>> Get out of Get out of my lawn. No, no.
Get out. Get out of the park.
I'm walking my dog. You should cut your
hair.
>> That could be us.
>> Yeah, that could be us. Or like a a
businesswoman who comes in and goes,
"Listen, people."
>> Yeah.
>> This this bunch of hippies could really
make us some money. And they go, "Get
out of here, lady." That's what I would
play. Like a New Yorker who comes in to
ruin the vibe,
>> right?
But you have played so many different
things on on on in like you have played
like like you played a man. You played a
uh you were we love a Marco Polo cuz we
are women of a certain age and we love
to marco polo each other.
>> You were Marco Poloing me one time
wearing a having a mustache.
>> A a mustache in a production of
>> was it anything goes or um No, you were
playing Guys and Dolls. Guys and Dolls.
You're playing
>> Yes. I played a dude. Yes.
Yeah,
>> but you've played a lot of different
things. I have on stage.
>> Um, well, I mean, as have you,
>> we are but the makers of Mary. Um,
we are but clowns for your pleasure.
>> We don't win Oscars, but we shall make
you laugh. No, we are here but to be the
fool.
We are but we are but fools.
Josh and I always say if we were back in
those times, we would definitely be not
only gestures, but we'd be the
>> Oh, we'd be the maid.
>> We'd be the maids.
>> Yeah.
>> We'd be the maids at the bottom of the
>> castle maids at scrubbing things.
I think that's the role that I think I'm
born to play is like some because I
would love to do I'm going to put this
out there a Broadway thing like a really
secret like like a really really funny
Broadway thing and maybe I'm playing
this person
>> scrubbing
>> this is my aspiration
>> for listening
scrub on Broadway. Yeah,
>> I want to scrub my way to a Tony.
>> You listen?
You listen you big mucky mucks.
>> I had the Jonas Brothers on and we were
singing lay miz and they were like you
would be really good uh in Master of the
House. I was like I know
20 years old I'd be the old lady of the
house. Oh, by the way, you can cut this,
but um but um but I got to audition got
to I made the mistake of auditioning for
Lamez on Broadway for that part and I'm
like, you know, I can't sing, right? And
they're like just go in and then I like
I even went to like a voice lesson, but
like that part is like you really have
to sing. really and it's it's an
incredible part and incredible female
actors have played it. Incredible um
singers, but it and it's definitely the
most comedic part of
>> but you have to have a good voice which
I like just realized when I was in front
of these people in the room just like I
mean cuz they they didn't just give me
the master of the house song. There's
another song that's like very
complicated.
>> Yeah. And I just like like I sculpt out.
I will stick to making Mary without song
if it please you.
>> If it pleases you.
>> I can't be singing for the king again
for me to not sing.
>> Yes. Ku is like how do you like your
potatoes?
>> We could do a duo.
>> We could do a We could do maids. By the
way, that would be a very funny idea for
a show is like, you know, upstairs
downstairs. It just be like called
downstairs
>> and it's just us.
>> Yeah. Yeah. We're just like
>> we're just washing clothes
>> and we have dirt on our faces for sure.
>> We've been having grooves this morning.
>> Okay. And the last thing I just wanted
to talk about because we talked about it
a little bit is
>> your wooonness
>> because we're going to talk about your
podcast, your great podcast, Woo Woo,
which
>> and Amy was a guest on it. One of my
favorite episodes. You need to listen to
Amy on Woo! My podcast.
>> So many great stories on there and you
have you are very open to psychic uh
experiences. You are not judgmental in
any way. I would say that.
>> Oh, that I'm not judgmental. Okay. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. And you have um I would say
you are also a little bit psychic but or
you and like you have that channel open.
Speaking of channels um what is that woo
woo world? So I started this podcast
called woo woo and the like I'm not I
always say like I'm not really woo woo
cuz I don't like I don't live my life
like I got to ask my psychic guy. I
don't have a second but but anyway I
always feel the need to say I know but I
always feel the need to say like I'm not
like super woo but then I started doing
this and it's making me definitely
making me more woo woo with the stories
I'm hearing but the reason I thought of
doing this cuz I just had sort of
collected these stories from friends
over the years and I was like oh these
stories are really cool would you come
on and tell this so that's kind of how
it started um and then you came on which
was really fun and you're not like a
huge woo believer but you're not like
totally shut down but Amy came on and
talked about the anagram which you lives
her life by.
>> I mean,
>> for those who care, Rachel is an Inagram
nine, if you haven't noticed.
>> Yeah.
>> The ultimate nine.
>> The ultimate nine.
>> Peacekeeper,
>> peacemaker.
>> Um, but uh but yeah. So, I guess what
else do I say about it?
>> Well, I was going to say that there's a
couple woo woo things that have happened
with us. I feel like a little tiny woo.
Most of my woo woo things have happened
with you.
>> And we were pregnant at the same time.
Our sons are close in age and I'm happy
to say like real friends which is so
great and we I can remember a very like
hot summer where you and I were waddling
around the city like both really
pregnant and you can tell from our
height like we didn't we carried out
front you know there's not a lot of so I
just remember us being like going to
movies like
watching movies cuz it was so hot out
and going to a psychic to talk about um
our our our kids. And you brought me to
this really cool psychic um who um you
know like just you just have introduced
me to a lot of just like give this
version of life a try I guess is the
best way to say it.
>> Yes. It's kind of like why not believe
>> Yes.
>> that that thing was not a coincidence. I
don't know.
>> Yes. Um, I think once you're, it's
almost like what we're saying about the
writing sketches. I think once you're
kind of open to it, then you start to
>> see like you just I don't know. I don't
want to say like you get messages or
whatever, but I just think the more open
you are, the more woo woo you might
become.
>> Do you think that like that has anything
happened lately that has felt a little
like in the woo woo world for you? Um,
well, first of all, as Amy said with the
pregnancy thing that a
>> a psychic told me that I was going to
have a kid when I was 43 and I wasn't
even with anybody and then that
happened. So, that was so that was my
first like little like this is really
strange. But, um,
>> yeah, you write about it really well in
your memoir. Um, walks into a bar.
>> Um, and uh, let's see. I don't know
something lately.
>> I just like to hear your like like is
there any vibe you're getting right now?
Like what's the vibe of this room? The
vibe of this room is great.
>> It's good. Okay. Any ghost in this room?
Outside this room. Not good.
>> Things are not good once you leave this
room.
>> The vibes are not good.
>> So true. But this room is a good hang
and it's fun and bright and cheery.
>> But you I feel like you do that. I'm
like you're really fast at being like
this isn't a good vibe. This isn't a
good hang. like this isn't a good like
you're really good at reading people
fast or or experience like rooms or
>> people
>> you're like I don't like that I don't
get a good feeling from that.
>> Yeah. And and I started to like again
older I get like listen to that like if
you're if you're if you get that feeling
of like h like you're allowed to not
hang there or whatever. I don't know.
>> And last question uh are you afraid of
zombies? Would you in a zombie movie how
would you This is my new question. And
I'm just I'm just thinking about it
right now, but maybe I'll ask people
moving forward cuz Dr. always inspiring
me.
>> I might just freeze. Is that what you're
about I think you're about to say.
>> Well, I was going to say it kind of gets
into like conflict styles.
>> Oh gosh. Yeah.
>> But it is
>> sometimes I think I think with conflict
I freeze.
>> Mhm.
>> Which isn't always the bad choice. You
don't like you're not fanning the
>> I just noticed it about myself though.
>> So if zombies were coming I' I guess I'd
freeze.
>> You'd turn into a statue.
>> Yes. And you'd hope that they went by.
>> We can't end on this note. We can't cut
this.
>> We can't.
Let's sing the song from Chadwick.
>> Oh, okay. The chant.
>> So Chadwicks was an ice cream place that
Drach and I worked at.
>> Not at the same time.
>> Not at the same time. But I I have to
say probably the highest percentage of
SNL people from any ice cream place.
>> Probably two.
>> Yeah.
>> And um
>> it was a purple building.
>> Okay. I'm going to put I'm going to do a
lip balm break before we sing. Do you
want Do you need any? No, I think I'm
okay.
>> Okay. Um, so it was a purple building.
>> Purple building ice cream.
>> You had to wear styrofoam barber shop
quartet hat.
>> You had to We alt often had a kazoo.
>> We often had a kazoo. And I feel like we
were both attracted to the drama and the
showmanship.
>> The show not drama. The showmanship of
Chadwicks because when it was someone's
birthday, you got a free Sunday.
>> Yeah.
>> And um they did not check. So people
came in a lot. That's right. with
birthday Sundays. But then there was a a
little ch birthday chant they did and it
went like this.
>> Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to
have you here at Chadwick today, but
we're especially happy to have Amy
because she came here to celebrate her
birthday. So, at the sound of the drum,
please join in singing Amy a loud
embarrassing
happy birthday.
Then they would order a giant ice cream
and it was called the belly buster. And
it was carried out by two two men
holding a stretcher thing with a big
bowl in the middle of it that had Oh,
and then this was a separate thing. If
you ordered the belly buster, there was
an announcement for the belly buster.
And it went something like this.
>> Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to
have you here at Chadwick today
>> to introduce you to the belly buster.
10 scoops of ice cream, five different
toppings, mounds and MOUNDS OF WHIPPED
CREAM, cherries and nuts. Chadwick's own
belly buster. And then we'd like do like
drum drum
and then the two guys would come up. The
thing in the stretch are like pretending
to struggle under its weight and then it
would land at the table and if you ate
rumor had it the lore was that if you
ate the belly buster by yourself, you
got it for free.
>> That's right.
>> Do you remember that?
>> Yep. And there used to be like teen boys
>> vomiting.
>> Vomiting and drinking the ice cream
juice
>> in an attempt to get it done in time.
>> Yeah, the vomit was separate from the
ice cream juice.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The teen boys were
trying to get it done and I I don't
think I ever saw it happen.
>> I don't think I did either,
>> Laura. But Laura says
>> now Chadwick no longer exists.
>> Nope. It's uh just in a landfill filled
with ghosts.
>> An interview for my podcast.
>> The ghost of Chadwicks.
But that's a good ending. That's a good
ending.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> Love you, Drewie.
>> Love you. This was fun.
>> So fun. Thanks for doing it, buddy. And
thank you again. I really do owe you a
lot. Always in my life and in on this
show. So come back anytime and bring
your headphones always.
>> Hold on.
>> Well, we're going to wrap it up.
>> Okay, there. Well, now they're clean.
>> Well, we still can't get them.
>> This isn't a good ending. Okay.
>> Well, it's it is still hard for you to
get them on, though.
>> Okay,
>> here we go. And
What the Oh, here we go.
Nailed it. Dr. out.
Thank you, Dr. You are the best. My baby
Droo, my little Ray Ray. Um, thank you
for coming on. And, um,
you know, we talked a lot about a lot of
things. you know, the idea that, you
know, life can be a a series of
interesting and unexplainable events
and, uh, it can be really woowoo if you
let it. And so, um, as part of this
Polar Plunge, I do want to just remind
everyone to check out Rachel Drach's
podcast, Woo Woo. Um, her and her
co-host, Irene, um, they, uh, listen to
people's interesting, ghosty, spooky
stories. they get into uh that that um
those chills that you get when something
weird or unexplainable happens. And so
uh check out that podcast. I um have
gone on the podcast and I have said um
that I've never seen a ghost and um I'd
like to keep it that way. So I'm fine
with that. Um but if you have seen a
ghost, contact Woo Woo and not me. Okay.
Um but good for you. And um it's not a
competition, but um I am glad I uh I
didn't. Um okay, thanks for listening.
Bye.
You've been listening to Good Hang. The
executive producers for this show are
Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and me
Amy Polar. The show is produced by The
Ringer and Paperkite. For The Ringer,
production by Jack Wilson, Cat Spelain,
Kaia McMullen, and Aia Xanerys. For
Paperkite production by Sam Green, Joel
Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman.
Original music by Amy Miles.
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