Rachel Dratch

Interactive Transcript

spk_0 Hi everyone, welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I am so excited about this episode. It is

spk_0 the great Rachel Dratch, my friend for almost 30 years and America's favorite. And we are going

spk_0 to talk about so much good stuff. We're going to talk about growing up in Massachusetts. We're going

spk_0 to talk about our love for the musical Annie. And we're going to go behind the music and do a deep dive

spk_0 into the world famous clip that kicked this podcast off and that has kept us laughing ever since.

spk_0 So get ready for a great interview. Before we start, we always like to talk to someone who knows

spk_0 our guest as a fan of our guest has a question that they want to give me. And I'm very excited to

spk_0 talk to Kevin Cahoon today. Kevin is a dear friend of Rachel. He is an incredible actor,

spk_0 musical theater pro. Tony nominated for the great musical Shocked. And you can catch him in a

spk_0 million other things. And Kevin is zooming in to get things started. Kevin, hi.

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spk_0 Hi.

spk_0 I feel so lucky.

spk_0 And the luckiest.

spk_0 I get to see you on this.

spk_0 I know. I wish we were having margaritas with trash.

spk_0 Hey, listen, wouldn't that be great? That's a good hang right there.

spk_0 That is for listeners. I've had a few margaritas with Kevin and Dratch over the years.

spk_0 Preshow post show because both of you are on Broadway.

spk_0 Well, listen, anytime I can hang out with you.

spk_0 And how are you?

spk_0 I'm so great. How are you?

spk_0 Where are we talking to you from?

spk_0 I am in Texas at my mom's place.

spk_0 rural Texas outside of Houston.

spk_0 It's a sunny day. We've had four days of torrential rain.

spk_0 And I'm dealing with these wild hogs. I know this is great.

spk_0 They're wild feral hogs that show up in the middle of the night and they tear up your property.

spk_0 They travel impacts of 30.

spk_0 And I've set up alarms all around.

spk_0 And I think they're working.

spk_0 But last night we had a few come.

spk_0 And the alarms went off in the middle of the night, which there's no thing worth terrifying.

spk_0 And I'm good with animals. And I grew up with a lot of animals.

spk_0 And I'm fine with animals.

spk_0 Not these animals. Not a fan.

spk_0 It's worth a Google.

spk_0 If anyone wants to Google,

spk_0 that's his wild feral hogs.

spk_0 Well, I mean, the thing that I was so excited to talk to you about today is that

spk_0 you, like many of us, deeply love our guest.

spk_0 Rachel.

spk_0 Oh, beyond.

spk_0 Tell me how you two first met.

spk_0 We met doing a musical called Minskies in LA written by Charles Strauss

spk_0 and Susan Birkinhead in Bob Martin.

spk_0 It was coming to Broadway.

spk_0 A star-studded cast and it closed in LA, which is, you know, the great show is tale.

spk_0 But what you take away from experiences like that are the people.

spk_0 And you usually have one or two from each show.

spk_0 And I fell in love with Rachel immediately.

spk_0 What's not fallen love with?

spk_0 And she had told me she had gone to a psychic.

spk_0 And I think you had bought her this psychic reading for her birthday.

spk_0 That's right. I should talk to her about that because if she's open to it,

spk_0 because her and I both went to the same psychic at the same time when we were both pregnant.

spk_0 Yes, that's right. And she had gone to, we had before the show, we would go,

spk_0 I would go to her dressing room and we would have a day catch up.

spk_0 What'd you do today? Who'd you see? Where'd you lunch?

spk_0 And she had said, I went to the psychic and the psychic told me that our show was going to close

spk_0 out of town and we were like, they're crazy. That'll never happen.

spk_0 We're moving into the St. James Theater.

spk_0 Well, the psychic was right. But anyway, that was probably 15, 16, 17 years ago.

spk_0 And it has just been the most nourishing, fulfilling, steadfast friendship that I could have ever,

spk_0 ever imagined. And then I've gotten to have new friends like you that I have met their

spk_0 rage. And you know that they're a good friend when you meet their friends and those friends

spk_0 become your friends as well. So it's just been the most rewarding friendship I could have ever imagined.

spk_0 I hear you. I feel the same. I feel like there's a few friends that, and it's proven to be true now

spk_0 that Rachel and I've been friends for almost 30 years. And there's a few people that you know

spk_0 in success and in quote failure, in good times and in bad times, they're going to weather that storm

spk_0 with you. And that's not always the case with everyone. Sometimes people are better when things are

spk_0 going badly, right? They're like, they like that. And sometimes people want to hear when you're

spk_0 succeeding. That's what they, when they want to be along for the ride. But Rachel, Dratch definitely

spk_0 is there for both if you're lucky enough to have her as your friend.

spk_0 That is so true. And she's a wonderful gift giver. She never forgets an occasion where she's

spk_0 going to bring you a little something. You know, I did a Broadway show that ran nine months and

spk_0 she was there opening night. She was there closing night. She was there in between. She came again.

spk_0 She brought friends. It's just she is a cheerleader for those that she loves. She is a champion.

spk_0 She'll go to bat. She just life is a little brighter when Rachel's around.

spk_0 Coo-hoo! Let's talk about Shuk, which is the show you're talking about.

spk_0 That's true. Yes. I loved you in it and loved that show so much.

spk_0 You were so dear to come. Of course. It meant the world to me. And let me tell you what,

spk_0 Amy Polar, you're one of those friends because not only did you come to Shuk, I did a production

spk_0 of Lakasha Fall in the fall. You came to Lakasha Fall. You are there. I mean, you're

spk_0 you know, you birds of a feather fly together. You guys are just exemplary friends.

spk_0 Oh, friend. Thank you for saying that. That means a lot. And I love I mean, it's not hard work to go

spk_0 to a really fun show and watch you. Before we get to your question, I do want to I'm going to talk

spk_0 to Dratch a little bit about her, her Tony Nomm and her show, POTUS and how I mean, because I know

spk_0 from being her friend, how, how positive an experience that was for her, like great women that

spk_0 she became really good friends with, a Tony Nomm, a hilarious part. Do you remember that time

spk_0 and what she said about that experience when she was working on that show?

spk_0 Well, here's the incredible thing and it's so rare. She got a Tony nomination for her Broadway

spk_0 debut. Tam. Ever happens. That is like remarkable. And I've seen Rachel on stage so many times

spk_0 at the public, Shakespeare in the park, Manhattan Theatre Club. She is always the standout.

spk_0 And when you do a Broadway show, whether you want to admit it or not, there's always a part of

spk_0 you that thinks, maybe, just maybe, that childhood dream would come true. That show that I watched

spk_0 once a year in June, maybe I could be a part of that show. And then when it happens, it is just,

spk_0 it's the most, it's the biggest embrace you could ever imagine from a community that you've

spk_0 always wanted to be a part of. And, you know, a lot of people probably, no Rachel from television

spk_0 and from film, but her theater career is just as sparkling and just as dynamic and diverse

spk_0 as her impact on TV and film. Yeah, she's played so many different types of characters. It's

spk_0 actually a good question. She's played like men and dogs and people and mothers and robots and

spk_0 whatever. She can do it all. She can do everything. That's why you hire Rachel. But, you know, it's so

spk_0 true. It's so true. We all be as versatile as Rachel Dratch, you know? Okay. So, Kev, what do you

spk_0 think? I mean, I could talk to Dratch and will probably today forever about so many things that

spk_0 passed the present, the future. Anything you think I should ask her today? Yes. It was hard to pick

spk_0 one question. I have two that I think are sparkly. One is about the theater because I feel like

spk_0 a lot of people don't realize that Rachel Dratch was a theater kid and she went to theater camp

spk_0 and her dream and ambition was to be in place and in musicals and then her career to a brilliant

spk_0 detour. I would ask her, little Rachel Dratch going to theater camp, what were her three beacons of

spk_0 light in the American theater? A musical, a performer? Who was it that filled her with, I want to do

spk_0 that. That's what I want to be when I grow up. Such a good question. That was the one question.

spk_0 And then this is something that inspires me about Rachel. She brought us all Debbie Downer, one of

spk_0 the most iconic American comedic characters. When Rachel Dratch is thinking about feline aids

spk_0 and North Korean train accidents and insurrection, what is that catalyst that gets her out of her doom

spk_0 and gloom and brings her back to reality? That would be another question. Debbie would want me to

spk_0 point out that it is good that you brought up feline aids because it is the number one killer of

spk_0 domestic cats. Well, that's true. Listen, we've talked about feral hogs and feline aids. What's next, baby?

spk_0 Texas, baby. These are such good questions, Kevin. And she, I don't think she knows that I'm talking to you

spk_0 today. I did not tell her. Good. I didn't tell her that. You did not, we had a little Kiki yesterday and

spk_0 I was zipped. So, oh, yeah, I was so happy because she's going to be so happy. These are really good

spk_0 questions. And I think nobody loves a good question more than Dratch. Like if you ask Dratch a good

spk_0 question, she's like, that's such a good question. She will say that. I guarantee you that's

spk_0 and I had told Blake Lee who was on who's a dear mutual friend of ours. He was on for

spk_0 Oda. I told him not five days ago, Amy, it was like you were so incredible on Amy's podcast.

spk_0 It's so fabulous that you were on there. It is so chic. What a cool thing. I'm so proud of you.

spk_0 And then my phone dinged and it was you and who's it just I can't thank you enough.

spk_0 Are you kidding me? Fun. You are. Thank you for taking a break from fighting the hogs and

spk_0 and if you know if you are eventually eaten by them, just know that our time together was so

spk_0 special to me. It was because I cherish every goal that it had. All right, I can't wait to see you

spk_0 in New York, friend. I love you so much. Thank you. Thanks. I'll see you in this.

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spk_0 Rachel Dratch is here. Are we starting? Is it official? Yeah, and we need to talk about wait, what

spk_0 what are you guys? Let's get started here. I got this. I got this. I was pulling out the world famous

spk_0 table. You've seen it? You've seen it before. This is my new trademark, everybody.

spk_0 It's so weird. I'm thinking of this from a Soviet. You can't even have TV on my channel.

spk_0 By the way, I didn't I didn't tangle this. This is how it came out where I was storing it.

spk_0 This is the, these are the ones that are not just state. The world famous.

spk_0 Rachel Dratch headphones. They shot fire heard around the world. These headphones is where it all

spk_0 began. The chaos beginning. Oh, wait. Now that with Amy, everything's all right. Okay, we don't

spk_0 even use these, but I have to bring them all. Dratch, maybe historical item. Okay. Of course,

spk_0 Dratch brings a prop. I'm brings up from home for people that didn't see our first episode of Good Hang

spk_0 Dratch was in the group that was talking about our guest, Tina Fey, and we'll boy did we have a

spk_0 time. Oh my God. That was like probably my biggest laugh of the year. I just watched it again

spk_0 on the way over here. And we're going to get into it today. Of course, we are people need to hear

spk_0 the behind the music. Where were you? Where were you when you saw the clip?

spk_0 Okay. I owe you money. But it really was like, it started off the entire vibe of the show.

spk_0 I'm so great before it because it started off exactly what I was hoping, which is I was hoping

spk_0 that this would be like fun and easy and a laugh. And that was the deepest laugh. Oh my gosh.

spk_0 It was such a good laugh. Like, imagine like your best laugh ever. And then it's like recorded

spk_0 for you to watch again. Like that never happens because you can't plan that.

spk_0 No, no. And also having Fred and Seth and Zarna there. And there's really no better,

spk_0 I would say like partner than Seth when Dratch is dratching because he's so good at

spk_0 keeping like like things moving in a way. And he was like in me laugh so much. So hard.

spk_0 He's like, Dratch, we're probably going to cut all this out. And then when I was like,

spk_0 I'm holding everything up. And he's like, no, this is how she wanted to start. Like,

spk_0 he was the perfect foil. The comedy foil. Also the thing that gets me, which is such a like,

spk_0 improv and such a good example of what a good listener you are. It's very, and you clap,

spk_0 which is what we asked you to do 15 minutes before to get started. God that clapped. And it

spk_0 was the beginning people. Comedy 101. Okay. I just worry her ice drink. Okay.

spk_0 And it is like that. I have to say it when I was thinking about what to talk about today. It's like,

spk_0 we have had deep laughs. We have. It's like the heart and you love, you love to laugh. And the way

spk_0 Dratch has many kinds of laughs. And you have like, I know people have done your laugh to you.

spk_0 Oh yeah. Also when you go into like a level two laugh when you're going down deep, you go,

spk_0 like, you get very old school. Oh my gosh. You wait, I just need to say though, but when that

spk_0 was happening, that I didn't know that was going to be used for on camera, which I didn't tell you.

spk_0 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,

spk_0 it was the best thing ever. But I just mean for people wondering like, why'd shorter food, right?

spk_0 When I was there was a podcast. I think like, I need to argue too with audio. What did you do? Well,

spk_0 because I thought it was like half hour of time. True. And then it came very quickly.

spk_0 Then my dog barked. And then and your dog's name is my dog's name is Ruffles. And Ruffles started

spk_0 barking anyway. Sorry. Go ahead. Do you remember? I think we talked about it. There was a hilarious

spk_0 whoever is the tic-tocke who did this. Somebody posted through many clips of it and then someone went

spk_0 and looked at your chart. Yes. My horoscope. Whatever is it? They say. Well, so I'm what's a

spk_0 Pisces. I didn't know this word. Stellium means all your things are in the same sign like every

spk_0 single thing. But I guess there's one little thing. But this woman, she did my chart on tic-tocke.

spk_0 And she was laughing really hard. She's like, how is this woman surviving with everything in Pisces?

spk_0 She's somehow she's making it work. But then I guess there's like one thing in Capricorn. She goes,

spk_0 this Capricorn is holding the whole rest of it all together. It's doing the work of,

spk_0 you know, 10,000 man or something. And that kind of Pisces final boss. Yes. And I have wondered if I

spk_0 other people were talking about ADHD. I guess. And I have wondered if I have that as an adult. I

spk_0 don't know. I don't know. But that if you look at that clip, you're going to be like, yep.

spk_0 I feel like it's like I mean we talk about it like in, you know, the Pisces being a shorthand for

spk_0 like, you know, it's in its best chaos. I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. But we're opposite.

spk_0 Amy's Virgo sign. Amy's Virgo. By the way, I don't know much about signs, but I just know about

spk_0 that either. I don't know. I do like astrology. I think it's cool. We like astrology. We like

spk_0 any of them. We like anything that like is about personality stuff. Yeah. But what's fun about

spk_0 talking about Pisces in Virgo is Pisces are kind of the fish that are floating through life. And Virgo

spk_0 is the virgin setting the rules. I don't know. But I find like we do do. I mean, I

spk_0 I feel like you do definitely have a dream like approach and an adventurous approach to life.

spk_0 I would say that. Yes. Yes. I know. You are like a curious traveler. And you definitely don't

spk_0 do you see what happened? A curious traveler. I'm trying to be myself. Okay.

spk_0 See, Dratch, it was like a cloud, a shy cloud came over. Yeah. You are kind of shy. I am shy.

spk_0 Yes. It goes without saying we've been friends for 30 years. We are often mistaken for being the

spk_0 same person or like just the other day someone we were in a public bathroom and someone's like,

spk_0 I saw your sister in the bathroom. Like they think we're sisters. Yeah. But you and I did do

spk_0 definitely have like if life was like a romcom like we would be like growing up next to each other.

spk_0 Yes. So walking by each other in the mall. Probably. Yeah. Talk to people who don't know you're like

spk_0 early Dratch, where did she grow up? What was her life early Dratch grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts

spk_0 next town over from Amy, but we didn't know each other. Although, well, we did work in the same ice

spk_0 cream store, which we always have to say called Chadmix. And if you don't know that, I know

spk_0 you've been living under a rock. But anyway, we got grew up in Lexington. And I don't know. I was

spk_0 shy when I was little, but I was always I mean, I watched us and I'll when I was in third grade,

spk_0 I had someone else's house at a sleepover like their older brother was watching it. And I was

spk_0 immediately like, what is this? But I definitely was I mean, I don't know about you either. I don't

spk_0 I wasn't like, I'm gonna be an actor when I grow at all. No, I don't think I was just for fun.

spk_0 I mean, that was a job. Yeah. Yeah. It was sort of like maybe a little dream with the back. Like when

spk_0 I saw Annie, you know, the musical, I'm like, how are they up there? Where do I get one of those

spk_0 buckets? You know, like, Amy, and there should be a documentary about women are

spk_0 even how we were affected by Annie. Yeah. So, um, but yeah, and then I did school plays, but I

spk_0 definitely was not like the queen of the drama club, you know, I just did it for fun. You did

spk_0 get a superlative though. And it was I did. I got class clown. Did you get class class? Or did you

spk_0 do those? We had class clown, but I did get it. What? I'd like to know who did. I was a second

spk_0 runner up for most casual. I know. But I had most casual. It's like, what did that even mean? I don't

spk_0 know if it's in a manner or a dress. Yeah. Didn't even get a class. So you're runner up just a

spk_0 perlite kind of casual class, class, but then let's see. I don't know. I then, uh, oh, and then also,

spk_0 well, my dad was very funny. As you know, yeah, Paul Dratch. And, uh, so we just kind of had like,

spk_0 you know, he would do like kind of, oh, this is funny. I ran into someone whose dad had gone to

spk_0 high school with my dad back when I was in high school, you know, right? And then she said,

spk_0 oh, my dad said, your dad used to always do impressions of the teachers when they left the room

spk_0 and have everyone laughing because he would do it. Yeah. So like, I just sort of had the, it was in my

spk_0 blood. No, but I mean, it was sort of like, yeah, in the atmosphere. And then, um, you did school

spk_0 plays. Yeah. Getting class clown. You got to be funny. I mean, well, I guess like in junior high,

spk_0 I started to kind of like pipe up one liners in the back of the room kind of thing. But, um,

spk_0 much to the chagrin of teachers, I'm sure. But, um, but then when I got to college, then there

spk_0 was an improv group there. And then I was cut, like, I didn't even know what improv was back then.

spk_0 Now it's like when you go to, so you're in high school in Lexington, Massachusetts, which

spk_0 shot her around the world. Like we just mentioned, um, like the, the birthplace of democracy,

spk_0 right next to it was burling to Massachusetts where I was from. And let's be honest, they were

spk_0 not different at all. There was maybe, right? Oh my god. Look at Jack. He just

spk_0 blames. I'm just gonna say, I exaggerated perfect. Okay. Okay. We shared them all. We shared

spk_0 I often hung out at the Burlington Mall. Yes. We probably passed each other. We did. I think we did

spk_0 at the Brighams or something. Like we definitely, I felt like we had very parallel lives like short,

spk_0 blue eyed Massachusetts girls who, um, like we're good students, but wanted to be funny. And

spk_0 and the Lexington, I always used to joke that Lexington is like for Parks and Rex fan, like

spk_0 Parks and Rex fans. Lexington was the Eagle 10 and Burlington was the Pondy is how it felt.

spk_0 Like we thought Lexington was where the rich people were. And I always think it was Burlington.

spk_0 Burlington? Oh, I didn't think about. No, I'm just kidding. I'm like, how do I, how do I get

spk_0 Amy to see? Um, no. First of all, I worked at Caldars. Yes. Which is in across the Burlington,

spk_0 like across town lines to make Caldars with the Burlington bad girls and I teams played each other.

spk_0 I teams played each other on Thanksgiving day. And so since then, we always call it, well,

spk_0 now they don't anymore. But we used to call each other on Thanksgiving. Yeah, we used to

spk_0 track it Burlington. Yeah. We used to try to try to track each other on Thanksgiving. Yeah.

spk_0 And then you go to Dartmouth. I went to Dartmouth. Ive Lee, Rachel. Yes. Very, very, like,

spk_0 what was your experience there? Like did you like it? Well, great question. Um, it was,

spk_0 but I went back in the 80s and it was, it was very conservative back then. Um, which I didn't

spk_0 really know what that meant. But it was just like, um, it took me a while to find my people there.

spk_0 Like, you know, I had friends at the beginning and everything. But then the general ethos of it,

spk_0 I didn't feel like I really matched with. Right. Um, and then I saw the improv group, like,

spk_0 I've some friend of mine from like acting class or whatever. I was like, come check this out.

spk_0 And as soon as I saw it, I was like, not like this, but I was kind of like, I feel like I could do

spk_0 this, you know, this is, we have very similar stories because same thing I went to Boston College.

spk_0 I was trying to figure out how I fit in big like, I didn't know that part of sport school. Like,

spk_0 yeah. And lots of, um, like, uh, uh, uh, uh,

spk_0 preps school, school people, which as much as we joke with Lexington, they're like, we didn't have,

spk_0 like, that preps school vibe of like, no, we were. And I was like, what kids person is the, yeah.

spk_0 That was a big vibe. I can't remember going into people's dorm rooms. I mean, like, how do you

spk_0 know how to get your dorm rooms so ready? So fast? And they're like, I was living in deerfield.

spk_0 I spent three years of deer field, not so, but I didn't know that you felt that way too.

spk_0 Yeah. And so I saw an improv group my freshman year. My mother's flea bag. Yes. And yours was seven done.

spk_0 I was nothing like those improv group names. Yeah. Um, our friend Brian Stack, who is a performer at

spk_0 second city used to like love to talk about good and bad improv names and like how they would

spk_0 either be really goofy, right? Like pun, film, or they would be very like serious and

spk_0 pretentious. Oh, I haven't heard this one. And if anyone's listening and I, as part of the group,

spk_0 I, I enjoy your work and I respect. But um, one of them, he said was called society's mirror.

spk_0 No. Is that real? Good question. I don't know. I'm, there's no way to check.

spk_0 Like I could look on the outside, but I think it's not a battery.

spk_0 Yeah. Okay. So you did you do where you instead? So then yes. And then I got to set and done.

spk_0 And then I was like, oh, like these are the fun people, you know, but you're a theater kid.

spk_0 I will. I mean, I don't know. I just did like you did plays, right? Did you do play a theater camp?

spk_0 I did go to theater summer theater camp. Yes. But not like one of those like, I'm not saying this

spk_0 to be like, it wasn't like those ones like the real ones. Yeah. It wasn't like professional,

spk_0 like, you know, kids that were, it was just like suburban Boston, like, you know, whatever.

spk_0 But um, but yeah, then I, that's where I met our pal Alec. But um, yes. But yeah, I wasn't like,

spk_0 like the star of anything. Like I wasn't like rolling in and then like the lead and everything.

spk_0 I started out like everything. I started out like the chorus. And then you move up a little bit

spk_0 the next year. Yeah. That kind of thing. Yeah. And I think like me and you like, we didn't really

spk_0 know anyone that were actors or writers. No. I just never thought that would be a job. Right.

spk_0 Right. Right. Did you have like an idea as a kid what your job would be?

spk_0 I mean, like every kid and third grade, I wanted to be marine biologist. Like, like us all,

spk_0 right? Um, but no, I mean, I don't, I don't want to be a marine biologist. What do we think we're

spk_0 going to do? I don't know. Like play with dolphins and save the nature. I mean, I will actually

spk_0 legitimately was like very in instill. I'm like, nature, like a career for in saving nature was

spk_0 like something I actually, but I was little like then, but I got, then as you know, I wanted to be a

spk_0 therapist. Um, but I also like every time I'd see a movie, I was like, oh, like I was just really

spk_0 intrigued, but I had no idea how you ever did that. And I also, to be really like not self-debriable,

spk_0 I wasn't like, I had felt like I had special skill in acting or anything, but I loved like

spk_0 so fucking jokes and you know, but yet you don't think you're skilled. But like, because it's like,

spk_0 not like why I'm an actor, like not like that, but just like, I like comedy and like watching it.

spk_0 And like I had a group of funny friends too. So we would always like, you know, I mean, legit,

spk_0 funny friends. So that was also sort of like practice. You know what I mean? Yeah. Okay. So you

spk_0 get to Dartmouth, you graduate. And what was your degree in? It was drama. And then I had minored

spk_0 in psychology, right? And then oh, so my improv group, sophomore summer, we're on campus,

spk_0 we took this little like trip because one of the guys from the group was from Chicago. So we went

spk_0 out to Chicago for a week just to like check out Second City in Prov Olympic and just like, you know,

spk_0 go to all the little sites there. And then I was like, okay, maybe when I graduate, I'll come back

spk_0 here and like try this, you know? And I sort of just wanted to try it more to know that I'd

spk_0 give it a shot. I don't know how you were about this. But I was kind of, you all you hear is like,

spk_0 it's so hard. You're never going to make it. Like that's all you hear when. So then I was like

spk_0 buying into that. And then I was like, okay, I'm just going to go out and try Chicago.

spk_0 And then I won't make it. And then I'll come back and be a therapist in suburban Boston.

spk_0 And um, but then like very, okay, then like, I mean, I don't know what she's gonna go to, but right

spk_0 when I got there, I did not get into classes at Second City. Like I heard like, everyone

spk_0 auditions gets into classes. And then I didn't get into classes. And then I was like, oh, like,

spk_0 what did I do? You know, but then I just stuck it out and then I took class like later. Like,

spk_0 everything I did, I kind of didn't get the first time around sort of. Interesting.

spk_0 Interesting. Like, like, like that. And then like, touring company, I auditioned, didn't get it.

spk_0 And then like, um, well, I said, I auditioned two times. Like just, but then you kind of get used

spk_0 to that, I guess. I don't know. But um, but anyway, uh, yes. So then I eventually got into

spk_0 the classes and then did like little theater things there and eventually got into the touring

spk_0 company. So you get to Chicago. And do you remember when we first met? I do. Well, in my memory,

spk_0 we were in the lobby of Second City and you had just moved there and you were in the touring

spk_0 company, I guess. I don't know if you were in it yet or just coming around to check it out

spk_0 but anyway, I remember meeting you and I remember you being really friendly and like,

spk_0 I would just say like sunshiney. Like, it's not you, you don't always remember meeting someone

spk_0 for the first time, but I do remember, at least in my mind, this was the first time. And I just

spk_0 remember you were like very like like you are. You were very friendly and smiley and, you know,

spk_0 cute little blondie. I remember meeting you, but I did me. I saw you. So I arrived and you were

spk_0 kind of the junior to my freshman in Chicago, I would say. And I saw you on stage. You were in

spk_0 Lois Caz, an improv show, very like kind of famous improv show named after a woman that worked

spk_0 in the office or something. I don't know. Sketch an improv in comedy. It's just like music, right?

spk_0 Like it's like, oh, go check out this cool band. Like, oh, these two people are singing together.

spk_0 You know, you're just like watching groups and trying to figure out what was good. What did you

spk_0 like? And Lois, the show that you were in was just like, oh, these are the cool good

spk_0 improvisers. Go see them. And I remember, so the first time I saw you before we met, I saw you

spk_0 on stage. And I just remember, you know, I think like when you see someone on stage for the first

spk_0 time, it's very, it's a very interesting dynamic. Like you're just like forever looking up to them.

spk_0 Like it feels like. And I just was like, oh, she's so funny. Like just loved being

spk_0 like watching you perform. Like just and um, and you know, subsequently, like we got to know

spk_0 each other in Chicago. And I was your understudy for touring company for sure. Yeah. So what is

spk_0 touring company for people who don't know? Well, it's like your first step to getting into second

spk_0 city. And you're not out on the road like for big long times. You're just like, you're going to

spk_0 in the end of for the weekend, like that kind of thing. Yeah. And it's just sort of like

spk_0 cutting your teeth. And I mean, you get paid of minimal sums. You're like, it's your first,

spk_0 like, I'm a working actor, you know, and it's sort of your first step to moving up the ladder there.

spk_0 Yeah. So we didn't get to tour together because I was really filling in when you were. And then Amy

spk_0 struck out and moved to New York and started DCB, which I told you before that I was always just like,

spk_0 what are you guys? I didn't know you guys that well. But I was just like, what are they doing?

spk_0 Like they're on track to, you know, you were already very successful in Chicago or like,

spk_0 successful like known to be good improvisers, whatever. But um, but then like you definitely would have

spk_0 moved up the ranks at second city. But you guys had this like pioneer spirit of moving here and

spk_0 starting. It's kind of like if we're if the Dhratch and Polar romcom is happening, this is where the

spk_0 we kind of separate for a little bit to go find our own right because I moved to New York. You're on

spk_0 main stage in a very famous show at second city. And then you meet Tina when oh, so then Tina joined

spk_0 them. The next show then they changed it to three men, three women, which was like revolution.

spk_0 And I was like, what? I know. But then Tina came in for the next show, my second show on

spk_0 course, hilarious from the get go. And then we did two shows together. And then I started to get more

spk_0 comfortable up there and like being better at creating characters and all that. And then Tina

spk_0 went off to write for us and L after the second her second show. And then I stayed there for a

spk_0 year. How many more years did you stay here? I was um, well, I was four years on the main stage.

spk_0 And uh, and it was such a fun job. I mean, it might have been like my favorite job ever.

spk_0 Yeah, like just take us back to what it was like a day when you were on the main stage. Oh my gosh.

spk_0 Was that day like? Well, I mean, I remember like you'd sleep really late a bunch later than I do now.

spk_0 But I just, well, then you're writing the show. If you're rehearsing, you're writing the show by

spk_0 days here in rehearsal all day. So and that, but you never wrote like how we did it us and

spk_0 L where you were like at a typewriter, what a typewriter. Okay. Your processor.

spk_0 I think I got a good one here. Give me a little paper. I'm on a paper. Shultzie.

spk_0 Okay. Computer is what they're called now. But um,

spk_0 but I know like you, it's not like SNL when you're like, oh, let's think of something we're in an

spk_0 office. It was all on its feet. And like just someone had an idea. Yeah. And you just, and then

spk_0 you try it on in front of the audience or the audience would give a suggestion. And then a scene

spk_0 would really hit from an audience. Usually let's try that again, but let's change this. So that's

spk_0 how we wrote the thing. And then eventually like the show would be done and it'd be set. And then

spk_0 you just do the show night after night. But um, but the show is like sketch like for those that don't

spk_0 know, like SNL. And then afterwards you'd improvise every night pretty much. And um, that's how you get

spk_0 really good improvising by just night after night. I'm trying to try it because if I had improvise

spk_0 right now, I'd be like, uh, like I'd wait linger in the back line. You know, if you keep doing it

spk_0 like well oiled machine. So talk to us about your on it. You get to SNL what year?

spk_0 99. Right. Yeah. Followed 99. And uh, I was the only new person that year. Well, the only

spk_0 new actor, Ali was a new writer. But um, but yeah. So you just get like who's on the cast when

spk_0 you get when you just set us in. I just got a little tense. You know, this show comes out on Tuesdays.

spk_0 And to me, I just realized I was like, Oh, this is like a, a new way to change Tuesdays for me.

spk_0 Because Tuesdays used to be writing night at SNL. Oh, yeah. The dread of Tuesdays. Like,

spk_0 Oh, no, this is the night where I have to try to get on the show because you audition

spk_0 basically every week. And I haven't written anything yet. And I'm so tired. And uh, I'm going to let

spk_0 the host down. I'm going to let every myself down. Now that there's like this show comes out and

spk_0 she says, I don't know. There's just something like, but yes, I think people are aware of the dread.

spk_0 But what, what just came up? Which particular type of dread? I don't know. I just thought of like

spk_0 walking in there and I'm picturing the hallway. And I think I thought you were going to like go

spk_0 to the audition, but no, that I'm like right in that hallway. I'm in the hallway. I'm in the hallway.

spk_0 Stay in the hallway. Stay in the hallway. Stay there. Rachel. I can still go off the second.

spk_0 I'm going to feed on the ground. I'm going to floor down the hallway. Okay. Um, so you're there by

spk_0 that's hard being the only new customer. That was hard. Yeah. I can't, I cannot tell a lie. That was

spk_0 hard because that place is like, well, I think, you know, some people like when Will Ferrell came in,

spk_0 I think is the year like a whole bunch of new people. They were like the freshman class. And then

spk_0 you're all like in it together. But when you come in new like no one's like, you know, here's how

spk_0 this works in here. And it's just you're kind of just like, hey guys, what's, you know, wandering

spk_0 the halls kind of it. I mean, it feels like the high school version of like your tray and the

spk_0 lunchroom like that. I do I sit. Yeah. For sure. Um, I mean Tina was there. So that was good because

spk_0 she knew how already she knew the system obviously. But like I had someone to write with. Yeah.

spk_0 Because some people come in there and they're great. But if they, if they don't know how to write,

spk_0 like also the writing for us and all is very different writing for second city. Yeah. Like a scene that

spk_0 killed a second city, you couldn't get it on us and all because it's just different like. And at

spk_0 the time, you're like, but this is awesome. And why don't you, but now like with more wisdom,

spk_0 like the theater wouldn't it work just because like a scene in the theater like could take longer to

spk_0 get going. You didn't need to have like laugh, laugh, laugh. Like it's like people in the theater

spk_0 just like into seeing this character kind of do their thing. But it has to not have to be like,

spk_0 you need laughs like off the bat. You need to know what this is right away. And um, I don't know,

spk_0 just just one thing. Do you remember the first scene on SNL that like you got, we're getting laughs

spk_0 and you thought like it's working. Like that. I don't remember the first, because I remember the first

spk_0 few times I got on like I wasn't even like left my body. So I don't remember like this is going

spk_0 really well. I was just like, I'm on like that kind of thing. Yeah. Um, well the first very first show,

spk_0 I wasn't in like the, you know, season premiere, whatever, right. And then you've told all your

spk_0 friends, like, I'm not as in the everyone's watching. You're seeing gets cut like it does. And then

spk_0 the next week, the same thing happened, seeing got cut. So it was like the third week. Who was

spk_0 that? Who's your member? The one that I got on was, uh, I should know this. Oh my god. Well,

spk_0 I know the first one was Jerry Seinfeld. Then it was Norm Mcdonald. And then it was,

spk_0 does not compute. Oh my god. I don't. It's funny. They remember. Remember.

spk_0 It's a number's trauma. So you remember the two shows.

spk_0 Dana Carvey, I'm gonna have to go. They're gonna do those three guys in a row. Let's what year was it

spk_0 Dratch? It was 1999, third episode. Okay, this will be a fun game. Dana Carvey. Okay, I'm gonna,

spk_0 and I'm gonna have you guess the musical guest, because that's always fun to. Oh my god. So 1999,

spk_0 I don't remember anything. Oh 1999 SNL. Host. And don't worry. We're gonna keep all the

spk_0 things. Let me tell you one cool thing though. Let me just, I just heard that. Wait, let me tell you

spk_0 one cool thing though. Please. Please. Um, the very first musical guest was David Bowie. And

spk_0 when I was, I've told this before, but when I was getting my photo taken for like the very first

spk_0 opening credits, like it was on the stage, you know, like in eight age. And David Bowie was,

spk_0 it was Thursday was rehearsing with the band. So like, I'm gonna pick Shaken. And he's

spk_0 right over there singing Rebel Rebel. I mean, I've chills every time I think about that because

spk_0 that was just like, I mean, I don't even have words for like the surrealness. And like, that's

spk_0 a good thing. Yeah. Like you have a soundtrack of that moment for your life. And it's David Bowie.

spk_0 It's David Bowie. I can't. Yeah. So I remember that. Should we take the black cross story?

spk_0 One time. So I don't do drugs at all. So at that one time, the black cross were the musical

spk_0 guests. And someone on the Instagram came up to me, he's like, Hey, do you want? That's my

spk_0 hit off a joint. I see. And I was, I don't know, I could try it a couple times. It's never

spk_0 really worked. I've never really dug it. And then I was like, okay, sure. So I took like one puff

spk_0 off of this black cross. Am I gonna get sued? The black cross pot. And the black cross pot. I took

spk_0 a hit off the black cross pot. And my, my cousin was visiting me, my cousin's act. And I came

spk_0 back to the table. And I was like, Oh, I guess this is like, I'm really high right now. I was so

spk_0 embarrassed because like, it was my little cousin. And I never, ever, ever get high. And then I came

spk_0 back and I was kind of like, I don't really remember if I told him or not. He didn't, but he might not

spk_0 even know. I don't even know. But that was my one like, I remember you tell him you couldn't get

spk_0 up from your chair. Oh, I don't remember that. But it's possible. You were kind of stuck. I was just like

spk_0 really like, anyway. And that's why I don't do drugs. I mean, no, I'm just not into that feeling,

spk_0 I guess. But no, you're not into that. Only if it's from the black cross. And then, yes, Chris,

spk_0 Chris Robinson, call me. Call me. I just love the bad. It was the particular.

spk_0 Also, it was like, I wasn't like, I was like, parting with the black cross. It was like second-handed,

spk_0 made it down to the music guy. And I was told it was from the black cross. But it's so interesting

spk_0 that you took the hit that you had. I don't know. I was feeling a little jaunty that night. I don't know.

spk_0 I don't know. But drugs is not your thing. It's so unambiguous. No, you know, I like a marker.

spk_0 I know. Look at us. Or perhaps you like to sail to the peanut grease.

spk_0 I mean, I will occasionally sail to the peanut grease. We'll text each other and say,

spk_0 shall we take a trip to the to the grigios? Yeah.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 And then when you were at SNL, like, I feel like we got it. I was thinking today about all the

spk_0 stuff we got to do together and we got to do a lot of dumb. So fun. So fun. Oh my gosh.

spk_0 And but, you know, and I was thinking it was like, I mean, in many ways, I wish we had,

spk_0 I wish we had more time together when I was more experienced there because I was new and kind of

spk_0 stressed. And you were the, again, the junior to my senior. And I felt like I loosened up more

spk_0 and figured out how to like just have more fun as I got older. But we did get to do some fun stuff

spk_0 together. First of all, you were in the original Debbie Downer. And that was so fun. I mean,

spk_0 just to be laughing there with you. Well, you bring this up and, you know, I ask this question

spk_0 to people on this podcast. And I truly feel like it is because of Debbie Downer that I asked this

spk_0 question. Again, I owe you a lot of money. Thank you for, thank you for building this podcast with me.

spk_0 But Debbie Downer, I've said it many times before, was and it is the thing that I go to,

spk_0 also maybe now replace the clip clip clip clip. I watched the clip a lot of times. And I just

spk_0 wanted to clear my, I don't go like watch my work. Like I don't go watch like a movie I did.

spk_0 Because like I just like to have it in my head. But that it's like I said it was like seeing your

spk_0 biggest crack up. Yes. And just like I have to laugh every time I watch it. And Debbie Downer

spk_0 was like that for me during very dark times because it was the combination of us all having fun.

spk_0 You, you're like the way in which you are physically trying to hold it together. Like the way like

spk_0 the laugh was like something you were trying to hold in combined with the zoom in.

spk_0 And the sound effect. And we've watched it so many times like Emily Spivey knows every single

spk_0 this is the part where your lips starts quivering because there's one part where the very beginning

spk_0 going, get, get, get, get, get, get, get, get. And then there's the part where something falls back

spk_0 to your time. Look away. My eyes start over there. Like we know every single moment.

spk_0 It is. It's like the brutal film like frame by frame. And it proves it just, it got me, it's such a

spk_0 serotonin boost. Before we move on, talk to us about the like who did you write Debbie Downer with

spk_0 and what did it start? Like the origin of the origin of people want to know. So, um, well, it really

spk_0 started because I went on a vacation by myself. I've been suggested to me by a therapist.

spk_0 And I don't believe that detail out. But since I'm on this one-on-one Amy interview,

spk_0 no, I said it like once or twice, but usually I leave that part out for the masses. But, um, no,

spk_0 not like this. This number one podcast. But no, she was, she just like, she kept saying like,

spk_0 take a trip by herself and I was like, why? Like I don't want to do that. I could go with friends.

spk_0 I don't want, and I just kind of took it as like, doctor's orders. Like I just was like, I'm doing this.

spk_0 And I like self-propelled myself to the jungles of Costa Rica.

spk_0 No, but I wanted to pick somewhere that it wasn't going to be like, honey manors. I wanted to

spk_0 pick somewhere that was like, mate, like just like, I don't know, somewhere kind of remote, I guess.

spk_0 So it was like very remote. It was in the OSAP peninsula. You had to take like the big plane,

spk_0 then you take the smaller plane, then you take the two-hour Jeep drive. I mean, I was going deep

spk_0 out of society. I had each time they were like, it was like Bob Rapotti one.

spk_0 No, so I picked this, it was like this eco-lodge thing. So I went there and then it was just like a,

spk_0 it was so there was like these commune. It wasn't like a lot of people there and it was actually

spk_0 really cool. Like, and I did meet really cool people and I met these two sisters that like,

spk_0 like they were older, but they're like my age right now. But I mean, they age now. And they were

spk_0 sort of like, they sort of told me like the rudimentary fundamentals of what was later known as the

spk_0 secret. Like, did you do that? When I was on the street, people should know. Dratch knew the secret

spk_0 before anyone. So when I learned it from the jungles of Costa Rica, from two white ladies that were

spk_0 from Colorado. But anyway, so they were just weird, you know, because you're like Chattano,

spk_0 and I got to say like hats off to the suggestion because I never would have talked to strangers

spk_0 if I was with the front. Right. So I'm like having this conversation and these women were telling me

spk_0 about like, you know, basically like what's the law of attraction? I guess, but they put it like,

spk_0 you know, if you think on positive things positive, and if you're focusing on lack, you'll attract

spk_0 lack basically. But then it almost like the whole thing got like sealed because then we were on this,

spk_0 like, you know, you could see like nature walks or whatever. And we're on this like walk on the beach,

spk_0 like with the little like, it wasn't like a group. It was like whoever's here and wants to go

spk_0 these like scarlet macaques and this like way up in the sky. And this woman goes, I want a feather

spk_0 to bring home for my daughter. And I swear like 20 seconds later from like way way up high.

spk_0 This feather starts to just go like fall. We all like kind of see it like, we're stupid. And it lands

spk_0 like right at her feet. Well, Amy doesn't believe in anything of this stuff. I do. I do. Okay. No,

spk_0 that's cool. That's cool. But I just didn't manifest that was cool though. So then I was just like

spk_0 sold. I'll join your call. No, but no, but then okay, this isn't anything about Debbie Dutter.

spk_0 This is just other stuff on that trip. But anyway, but then the Debbie Dutter story is that when

spk_0 later it was like sitting at dinner like you're with Rando's that are there. And um,

spk_0 people just making chit chat and someone said like, where are you from? And I said in New York and

spk_0 then they said like, Oh, you there for 9, 11. And it was like three years after 9, 11. It wasn't like,

spk_0 it just happened. It was kind of as well. And then I was kind of like, uh, yeah. And then

spk_0 like it's kind of like just like in Debbie Dutter. You had to like get the conversation back because

spk_0 it was like vacation times. Right. And then like about a week later after I got home,

spk_0 I was like out listening to some band, which isn't something I usually do. But I think that's

spk_0 kind of interesting because like doing something you don't usually do. And then your brain is kind of like,

spk_0 I don't know, you're not on your usual channels, I guess. Yeah. But then I just had that idea of

spk_0 this kind of based on that like someone like that Debbie Dutter popped into my head of like, yes.

spk_0 And then which this is kind of just talking creativity I found. And as you know, you couldn't just

spk_0 go in there and like, okay, let's think of a scene. Like it had to be like moments like that. Like

spk_0 and to me that only happened like once or twice a year, which is why like you might sit there at home

spk_0 and be like, why isn't there like like SNL man? But it's like thinking of really original characters

spk_0 that kind of like hit on something. It's not something you can like steer the ship on. It's like to

spk_0 me like it has to like, vibe out with you. I don't know. You have to be like, you have to

spk_0 to your point. You have to like keep the channel open and be like, find the muse and like,

spk_0 find you just can't be like turned out. Exactly. And then I said I took it to Paula Pell

spk_0 who we wrote with often and is hilarious and everyone knows Paula now because I love

spk_0 Paula's like out there more in front of the camera. But anyway, and then we were on writing

spk_0 that we were trying to write it. We said it in office and it just kind of wasn't really flowing.

spk_0 It just wasn't really jiving. And then we were like, maybe we need to put her somewhere really happy.

spk_0 So then we thought of Disney World, of course, happiest place on earth. And then

spk_0 and then while we were writing it, like when like of course Paula was cracking me up with these

spk_0 one liners and everything. And then we started just going like, we're out like just for ourselves.

spk_0 And then we're like, what if we put that in the scene with the actual trombones on? So then for

spk_0 read-do we had, I don't remember if we had like the live person or someone just had done it. But

spk_0 then it read-do like it killed. But then you never know because sometimes something can kill

spk_0 at the table. And then when we were in dress rehearsal, Jamie and her ratio were kind of laughing.

spk_0 And I was thinking like, you guys, I feel like this could work. Like, yeah, keep it together.

spk_0 Together guys. And then like on air, I just flubbed one of the lines. And then I don't even know,

spk_0 I guess I was like so nervous. Sure. And then we all started. But thankfully you just like

spk_0 like the good Pisces fish. Like you just like you went along for the like it was it's so joyous

spk_0 watching it because it is just the calm. It's like what real live TV is supposed to feel like.

spk_0 Like it just felt like a special moment in time. And also, I mean, you are such a good performer

spk_0 that you are able to like do it and have and enjoy doing it at the same time. It was like just

spk_0 it's very sometimes when people are stressed, it's stressful to watch. Like it's not good to watch.

spk_0 I feel. Yeah. I mean, but you don't seem stressed in that moment. Well, I love watching

spk_0 performers. But like this is what like, you know, I feel like I've had so much time now that I'm

spk_0 older. Like think of like what makes a good comedian and everything like that. And like I love

spk_0 watching people like you can tell that underneath it, they're also like laughing inside. Like,

spk_0 I mean, better to keep it inside. But I mean like like, yeah. And I feel like you have that.

spk_0 I was just talking about you. I forget like in what context, but like you are always like you

spk_0 can see the joy of a performer. Like there's two levels happening. There's like what you're performing.

spk_0 And then this sort of joyful like underbubbling that's also happening. Like I just like Steve

spk_0 Kreligis popped into my mind as like someone that like you can see the fun. I'll share another

spk_0 well, Ferrell. Oh my gosh. Miss Sheva's. Yeah. Dance underneath it. We're there having fun.

spk_0 Circling all the way back to Debbie Downer and all the way back to the question that I ask my

spk_0 guess. This brings up the person that I spoke to earlier before this podcast. So you know,

spk_0 we always like to talk. Well, my kids, back. I talked to the great Kevin Kahoon about you. You did.

spk_0 Oh my god. I was wondering who my person was going to be. And because I want him to lead us

spk_0 into Broadway, which we're going to next. Okay. Yeah. Um, this Virgo has a plan. Okay.

spk_0 I'll take you there. I got no. Okay. Where the time? I'm aware of the time. I could hang all

spk_0 tape. Obviously. But but I talked to Kevin. Uh, and he had a couple really good questions for you.

spk_0 And one was what what and it's and it's this it's a similar question to what we ask on the podcast.

spk_0 Is like if like when you're feeling that when Rachel is feeling like that Debbie Downer feeling,

spk_0 what do you do to get yourself up out of it? And that's a question we ask here, which is what do

spk_0 you watch? Listen to how when when you've got your blues as we like to call it. How do you get up

spk_0 out of what makes you laugh? You know, for me, it is it is a lot of Debbie Downer and clips. I mean,

spk_0 it is a lot of you, Rachel. That's so nice. It is you like you really get me out of the dumps.

spk_0 You really do. You're like an elevator that helps me get up out of there. Uh oh.

spk_0 Deer's. Deer's. But you really get you way up and it's caused the laughter. You do that for me.

spk_0 Is there anything else that like you like to go to to just like the bottom of it to kill a bottle?

spk_0 The worm. The worm. The worm. That was such an 80s thing. Like she. I know. I know. No, there's no

spk_0 worms anymore. No, there's no worms. Um, let's see. I forgot that you asked this and like,

spk_0 I feel like I don't have like healthy. Um, I'm serious. I mean, honestly, the real thing that

spk_0 is like meeting like meeting with friends out in New York. Like that's like that's my honest answer.

spk_0 Yes. You like the mark of ice and um, and like meeting with my lady friends. That's like,

spk_0 because like I feel like I have this great, you know, group various groups of people, but

spk_0 they're all like fun. But then like I love a friend who is really fun and like sees the joy

spk_0 in life and like can laugh through like the foibles and all that. But also has the side that's like

spk_0 you know, the amateur psychologist like, you know, that we can help each other out. And if you're

spk_0 if you like I like if you show up to a friend and you don't have to be anything other than what

spk_0 you're feeling because like there's certain friends where you can just do that. You can come in and

spk_0 you're like, you know, I'm not going to be bringing my A game and like that's fine. And I like not

spk_0 having to exert extra energy to pretend I'm like somewhere I'm not. And I hope that like,

spk_0 I'm not further people too. But um, that's exactly how I described you by the way to Kevin. Exactly

spk_0 that, which is you are a friend like in good times and bad in sunny weather and stormy weather.

spk_0 And you just can always show up as the version of yourself. That's exactly how I described you.

spk_0 Well, that's what I like in others too. So yeah. Um, this isn't like a joy thing. This is more like a

spk_0 kind of like mind set thing. No, like a settle you might like I like doing those word puzzles in the

spk_0 air times. Like I like that's my like my like ritual as I do all those because it sort of makes me like

spk_0 forget all that you can't be like emotional when you're trying to think of the word.

spk_0 Well, I would say it's a person that has now known you for 30 years has vacation with you has,

spk_0 you know, our kids are friends like we are at a lot of different ways in life together that those

spk_0 kind of like quiet, puzzling moment is a drench recharge. Yeah, that is a recharge. Yeah.

spk_0 Because you are a very interesting combo of introvert extrovert. Like you are very extroverted

spk_0 and especially on stage, but you're every day like you definitely need quiet time. I guess so.

spk_0 Would you say no? I don't know. I think I used to need um, less of it. I think now I'm a little more

spk_0 like I just need like the the recharge moment. Yeah. Um, okay. Kevin also had a question too that

spk_0 leads us into Broadway. Okay. And um, you were in an incredible show called POTUS. Tell us about

spk_0 that experience. What it was like working with those women and what it was like being nominated.

spk_0 Well, I mean, it was a lot like the mindset of it was so it was this comedy with all women.

spk_0 And um, I just got like called up to do this show with Susan Stroman who I had done a few

spk_0 readings for. And um, the part was very much like the clown in the show. So I got to do a lot of like

spk_0 physical, just like make up your own bits and all this stuff. And it felt very much like being

spk_0 back at second city like in the best way. And also I love like just I mean, the theater schedule is

spk_0 no joke as any Broadway person will tell you but um, because you know, you have to kind of like

spk_0 sign your life with like you're not going out on the weekends all that stuff. But um,

spk_0 if the thing that I love about theaters, it's just you in the audience. Like there's no one saying like,

spk_0 um, we think this should go this way or like of course there's a director in developing this part.

spk_0 But once you're up and running, it's just like that feeling, that connection of you in the audience.

spk_0 Like and that was like Harkens back to second city like, oh, how long am I holding this slab?

spk_0 Oh, if I do this little tiny thing against that, like you don't even I love all that stuff. So um,

spk_0 it was just very freeing and fun. Yeah. And and you loved the women you did it with. Yeah, yeah.

spk_0 You guys feel like you're a really great, really great, desperate group that was all like

spk_0 meshed really well. Yeah, it was uh, where were you when you got your Tony Nome for your Broadway debut?

spk_0 Well, um, you know, the nominations come out like in the morning and you can just like watch it

spk_0 online. And I was just like, okay, I'll check this out, you know, and then like they said my name

spk_0 and then you know, you're full of jets going off. I mean, that was something like you know,

spk_0 as a comedian, like comedy often doesn't get like award stuff. But all that to say like, I didn't

spk_0 expect like getting nominated was never anything that I thought would be happening.

spk_0 Because when you're in comedy, you just don't really think like that. But the Tony's are an

spk_0 exception. I think the Tony's often do give it up for good comedic performances. Yeah, that's true.

spk_0 Yeah. I think they really are like, they really respect the craft. They do the craft. Yes.

spk_0 So Kevin had a question about you being like young Rachel, like what were some theater performers,

spk_0 some musical, some shows that like what I think his question was like, what are the top three

spk_0 pieces of theater that you like really inspired you when you were young?

spk_0 Ooh, you know, yeah, like maybe scratch some little sparkles.

spk_0 As mentioned, Annie, can we just for one second talk more about Annie? Because Annie,

spk_0 so many female parts, so many parts for girls, right? Like that alone, like a lot of shows,

spk_0 there's so many parts. It's like there was Rachel and I were both in once a pond of

spk_0 mattress. Amy had the lead and I had the boring part. But we were in the same production.

spk_0 We're in the same production. Both of our schools, I was in the sixth grade production.

spk_0 Oh, this is funny though. And Amy was in the high school. Yes, high school.

spk_0 And if you know what's on mattress, Amy played Winifred, the princess, the clown.

spk_0 The clown? Yeah.

spk_0 Carol Burnett originated in a broad way. Yes.

spk_0 And I played this character, Lady Larkin, who's the boring part. But let me also say this,

spk_0 that because it was in sixth grade, the only comedic hook that Lady Larkin has is that she

spk_0 will, she's pregnant. And so they're in a hurry to get married, you know, because they're in the

spk_0 castle. So they need Winifred to get married. Well, in sixth grade, they take out the pregnancy,

spk_0 of course. So I had nothing to play. There's no there there. I'm just a lady in waiting.

spk_0 And I wasn't pregnant. I don't even think I knew that the original characters, but they changed

spk_0 the lyrics because the real lyrics were in a little, in a little while you and I will be one, two,

spk_0 three, four, like kids. And they're just like, you and I will be together. That's what they

spk_0 change it to. And you're like, I got nothing to play. I got nothing to play.

spk_0 So okay. So okay. Okay. Annie, of course. But I've been also orphans. You know, orphans like

spk_0 one of the things is Annie, everyone's like your age. Yeah. Like literally, you're 10 and

spk_0 they're 10. She's like, but how do I, how do I get in this? Like that kind of thing, right?

spk_0 And also a dog.

spk_0 A dog. We love a dog. Did you have album? Oh my god. Yeah. I knew every single song. I wanted

spk_0 to play every part. I loved it so much. Okay. So Annie, then also, well, of course, this is probably

spk_0 the same too. Like Gil DeRadener, Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin. Yes. I mean, just those, and they were

spk_0 on stage. Like they were, they were also, I mean, I only saw them. I mean, I saw them. Like,

spk_0 I mean, when I was really little, my parents watched Laughin. And I remember Lily Tomlin being

spk_0 Edith Ann in the giant chair. That's the truth. That's, sorry. And then Carol Burnett, of course.

spk_0 Yes. And like oftentimes we get asked to or blew in the face about women in comedy. And like,

spk_0 I just think growing up seeing them, you're not thinking like, oh, these are women in comedy.

spk_0 You're just like, this person's really funny. And they're being really brash and bold. And

spk_0 they're, you know, not afraid to look weird. And here she is with the curtains as a dress. And

spk_0 just like, you know, she's like the center of it all. And I'm like, you know, Gil DeRadener,

spk_0 making all our faces and everything. Yeah. Yeah. So I just think you're just seeing that. And you're

spk_0 not delineating. Yeah. And then like, I mean, the first season of us and all that cast like I did

spk_0 watch, like, you know, Jambaluchia Steve Martin. That's why like when Steve Martin hosted us and

spk_0 I was like, I still have that when I, when I see Steve Martin, I'm like, when I'm hanging out with

spk_0 Steve Martin, that never happened. Not true. But anyway, I think like seeing them was

spk_0 influenced, but not knowing at the time, of course, is fame.

spk_0 Fam. Which of course we all had played that on the piano.

spk_0 Well, you can play the piano. No, but I was like, plunking it out, but out here on my own.

spk_0 Oh, Coco. When I'm down and feeling blue, everyone's to hear this.

spk_0 I close my eyes so I can be with you. And then who's the third one? And then I would say,

spk_0 hair hair hair. I don't think enough people were talking about hair these days. No, the musical.

spk_0 No hair. Oh, yeah. Like the music and then I think like the movie, the movie.

spk_0 Oh, because that was the first like, I mean, I just remember like, excuse me.

spk_0 That had like major tragedy in it and sadness.

spk_0 But also like, yes, I remember seeing the Lexington movie theater.

spk_0 Must have been nice. It was nice. We had gold.

spk_0 We had gold cover popcorn.

spk_0 We had a shiny hair. We had golden popcorn.

spk_0 And we drank champagne. We showed our straw.

spk_0 We were on the side of a barn.

spk_0 Side of the mall.

spk_0 That's where we showed our movies.

spk_0 I'm in the dresspan. Oh my god.

spk_0 But I remember hair was like emotional and but also just the music. So good.

spk_0 So good. And yeah, anyway, I think they like, they should do a new production of hair.

spk_0 But there's no parts in it for us. Like that's all new.

spk_0 While young is there's gonna be some like old lady who tells the kids.

spk_0 Get out of my lawn.

spk_0 No, get out of the park.

spk_0 I'm walking my dog.

spk_0 You should cut your hair.

spk_0 That could be us.

spk_0 Yeah, that could be us. Or like a business woman who comes in and goes

spk_0 asking people.

spk_0 This bunch of hippies could really make us some money and they go get out of here.

spk_0 Lady, that's what I would put on.

spk_0 A New Yorker who comes in a ruin the vibe.

spk_0 But you have played so many different things on on on in like you have played like

spk_0 you played. I mean, you played.

spk_0 You were one.

spk_0 So we love a Marco Polo because we are women of a certain age.

spk_0 We love to Marco Polo each other.

spk_0 You were Marco Poloing me one time wearing a having a mustache.

spk_0 A mustache in a production of.

spk_0 Was it anything goes or no, you were playing guys and dolls.

spk_0 Guys and dolls.

spk_0 Yes, I played a dude.

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 But you've played a lot of different things.

spk_0 Well, I mean, as have you.

spk_0 But the makers of Mary.

spk_0 We love what clowns for your pleasure.

spk_0 We don't win Oscars, but we shall make you laugh.

spk_0 No, we are here, but to be the fool.

spk_0 We are, we are, we are much fool.

spk_0 Drage and I always say if we were back in those times,

spk_0 we would definitely be not only gestures, but we'd be the,

spk_0 we'd be the mates.

spk_0 We'd be the mates.

spk_0

spk_0 We'd be the mates at the bottom of the castle.

spk_0 We'd be the scullery mates at like scrubbing things.

spk_0 I think that's the role that I think I'm born to play is like some,

spk_0 because I would love to do, I'm going to put this out there.

spk_0 A Broadway thing like a really,

spk_0 a doing the secret.

spk_0 Like a really, really funny Broadway thing.

spk_0 And maybe I'm playing this person.

spk_0 Scrubbing.

spk_0 This is my operation.

spk_0 I just love just making a face.

spk_0 Scrub on Broadway.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 I scrub my way to a Tony.

spk_0 You listen.

spk_0 You're big muckity mucks.

spk_0 I had the Jonas Brothers on and we were singing Les Mizz.

spk_0 You would be really good in Master of the House.

spk_0 I was like, I know.

spk_0 Oh my god.

spk_0 Wait, it's been 20 years old.

spk_0 I'd be the old lady.

spk_0 Wait, I'm just going to the house.

spk_0 By the way, you can cut this, but we will.

spk_0 But I got to audition, got to.

spk_0 I made the mistake about auditioning for Les Mizz on Broadway for that part.

spk_0 And I'm like, you know, I can't sing, right?

spk_0 And they're like, just go in.

spk_0 And then I like, I even went to like a voice lesson.

spk_0 But like that part is like, you really have to sing.

spk_0 You really have to sing.

spk_0 It's an incredible part.

spk_0 An incredible female actress have played it.

spk_0 Incredible singers.

spk_0 And it's definitely the most comedic part of the name is.

spk_0 But you have to have a good voice.

spk_0 Which I just realized when I was in front of these people in the room.

spk_0 Just like, I mean, because they didn't just give me the Master of the House song.

spk_0 There's another song that's very complicated.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 And I just like, I sculpted out.

spk_0 I will stick to making Mary without song.

spk_0 If it please you.

spk_0 If it please.

spk_0 I can't be singing for the king.

spk_0 I can't.

spk_0 For me to not sing.

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 Can't do it.

spk_0 She's like, how do you like your performance?

spk_0 We could do a duo.

spk_0 We could do it.

spk_0 We could pay maids.

spk_0 By the way, we have very funny idea for a show.

spk_0 It's like, you know, upstairs downstairs.

spk_0 It's just like called downstairs.

spk_0 And it's just us.

spk_0 We're just washing clothes.

spk_0 And we have turned on our faces for sure.

spk_0 Hundreds of years.

spk_0 We haven't grew this morning.

spk_0 Okay.

spk_0 And the last thing I just wanted to talk about because we talked about it a little bit.

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 Your woo-wooness.

spk_0 Because we're going to talk about your podcast.

spk_0

spk_0 Great podcast.

spk_0 Amy was a guest on it.

spk_0 Absolutely.

spk_0 One of my favorite episodes.

spk_0 You need to listen to Amy on woo-woo.

spk_0 My podcast.

spk_0 There's so many great stories on there.

spk_0 And you have, you are very open to psychic experiences.

spk_0 You are not judgmental in any way.

spk_0 I would say that.

spk_0 Oh, that I'm not judgmental.

spk_0

spk_0 And you have, I would say you are also a little bit psychic.

spk_0 But or you have that channel open speaking of channels.

spk_0 What is that woo-woo world?

spk_0 So I started this podcast called woo-woo.

spk_0 And like I'm not, I always say like I'm not really woo-woo.

spk_0 Because I don't like, I don't live my life like I got to ask my psychic.

spk_0 I don't have a psychic.

spk_0 But anyway, I was filled the need to say.

spk_0 I know, but I was filled the need to say like I'm not like super woo-woo.

spk_0 But then I started doing this and it's definitely making me more woo-woo

spk_0 with the stories I'm hearing.

spk_0 But the reason I thought of doing this, because I just had sort of collected

spk_0 these stories from friends over the years.

spk_0 And I was like, oh, these stories are really cool.

spk_0 Would you come on and tell this?

spk_0 So that's kind of how it started.

spk_0 And then you came on, which was really fun.

spk_0 And you're not like a huge woo-woo believe it.

spk_0 You're not like totally shut down.

spk_0 No, but Amy came on and talked about the NEagram,

spk_0 which she lives her life by.

spk_0 For those who care.

spk_0 I reach a little as an NEagram.

spk_0 Nine if you haven't noticed.

spk_0 Yeah, the ultimate nine.

spk_0 The ultimate nine.

spk_0 He's keeper.

spk_0 Whoo, he's maker.

spk_0 But, uh, but yeah, so I guess what else do I say about it?

spk_0 Well, I was going to say that there's a couple woo-woo things that have happened with us.

spk_0 I feel like a little tiny woo-woo with most of my woo-woo things have happened with you.

spk_0 And we were pregnant at the same time.

spk_0 Our sons are close in age and I'm happy to say like real friends, which is so great.

spk_0 And we, I can remember a very like hot summer where you and I were waddling around the city,

spk_0 like both really pregnant.

spk_0 And you can tell from our height, like we didn't, we carried out front.

spk_0 You know, there's not a lot of play.

spk_0 So I just remember us being like going to movies like

spk_0 watching movies.

spk_0 So hot out.

spk_0 And going to a psychic to talk about our kids.

spk_0 And you brought me to this really cool psychic who, um, you know, like just,

spk_0 you just have introduced me to a lot of just like give this

spk_0 version of life a try.

spk_0 I guess it's the best way to say it.

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 It's kind of like why not believe that that thing was not a coincidence.

spk_0 I don't know.

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 I think once you're, it's almost like we're saying what the writing sketches.

spk_0 I think once you're kind of open to it, then you start to see fit.

spk_0 Like you just, I don't know.

spk_0 I don't want to say like you get messages or whatever, but I just think the more open you are,

spk_0 the more woo, woo you might become.

spk_0 But do you think that like that, as anything happened lately that has felt a little like in the woo world.

spk_0 Well, first of all, as Amy said with the pregnancy thing that a psychic told me that I was going to

spk_0 have a kid when I was 43 and I wasn't even with anybody.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 And then that happened.

spk_0 So that was, so that was my first like little like this is really strange.

spk_0 But um, and you write about it really well in your memoir.

spk_0 Thank you.

spk_0 I'll walk in your bar.

spk_0 Um, and let's see.

spk_0 I don't know.

spk_0 Something lately.

spk_0 I just like to hear your like, like, is there any vibe you're getting right now?

spk_0 Like what's the vibe of this room?

spk_0 This is probably this room is great.

spk_0 It's good.

spk_0 Okay.

spk_0 Outside of this room.

spk_0 Outside this room.

spk_0 Not good.

spk_0 Things are not good once you leave this room.

spk_0 The vibes are not good.

spk_0 So, too.

spk_0 But this room is a good hang and it's fun and bright and cheery.

spk_0 But you just like you, like you do that.

spk_0 I mean, like you're really fast at being like, this isn't a good vibe.

spk_0 This isn't a good hang.

spk_0 That's true.

spk_0 This isn't a good, you like you.

spk_0 That's true.

spk_0 Really good at reading people fast or or experience like rooms or.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 You're like, I don't like that.

spk_0 I don't get a good feeling from that.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 And I started to like, again, older, I get like listen to that.

spk_0 Like if you're, if you get that feeling of like, like you're allowed to not hang there

spk_0 or whatever, I don't know.

spk_0 And last question.

spk_0 Are you afraid of zombies?

spk_0 Would you in a zombie movie?

spk_0 How would you?

spk_0 This is my new question.

spk_0 I'm just thinking about right now, but maybe I lost people moving forward because

spk_0 Drature always inspiring me.

spk_0 I might just freeze.

spk_0 Is that what you're about?

spk_0 I think you're about to say.

spk_0 Well, I was going to say it kind of gets into like conflict styles.

spk_0 Oh gosh.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 But it is sometimes I think I think with conflict, I freeze.

spk_0 Mm-hmm.

spk_0 And just always the bad choice.

spk_0 You don't like, you're not fanning the flames.

spk_0 I just noticed it about myself though.

spk_0 Mm-hmm.

spk_0 So zombies were coming, I guess I'd freeze.

spk_0 You turn into a statue.

spk_0

spk_0 And you'd hope that they went by.

spk_0 But I can't end on this note.

spk_0 No, we can't end on this.

spk_0 We can't end on this.

spk_0 We're going to cut this.

spk_0 We can't end on this.

spk_0 It was on me.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Let's sing the song from Chadwick's.

spk_0 Oh, okay.

spk_0 The chant.

spk_0 So Chadwick's was an ice cream place that Drature and I worked at.

spk_0 Not at the same time.

spk_0 But I have to say probably the highest percentage of SNL people from any ice cream place.

spk_0 Probably.

spk_0 Two.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 And it was a purple building.

spk_0 Okay, I'm going to do a lip bomb break before we sing.

spk_0 Do you need any?

spk_0 No, I think I'm okay.

spk_0 So it was a purple building.

spk_0 It was purple building.

spk_0 You had to wear a Styrofoam barbershop quartet hat.

spk_0 Right.

spk_0 You had to off.

spk_0 We had often had a kazoo.

spk_0 We often had a kazoo.

spk_0 And I feel like we were both attracted to the drama and the showmanship.

spk_0 The showmanship.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 Of Chadwick's because when it was someone's birthday, you got a free Sunday.

spk_0 And they did not check.

spk_0 So people came in a lot with birthday Sundays.

spk_0 But then there was a little chant, birthday chant.

spk_0 They did.

spk_0 And when it was something like this, ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to have you here.

spk_0 Chadwick's today.

spk_0 But we're especially happy to have a Rachel because she came here to celebrate her birthday.

spk_0 So with the sound of the drum, please join in singing Amy a loud and embarrassing happy birthday.

spk_0 Then they would order a giant ice cream and it was called the belly buster.

spk_0 And it was carried out by two two men holding a stretcher thing with a big bowl in the middle of it that had.

spk_0 And then this was a separate thing.

spk_0 If you ordered the belly buster, there was an announcement for the belly buster.

spk_0 And it went.

spk_0 And it went something like this.

spk_0 Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to have you here in Chadwick's today.

spk_0 Today.

spk_0 Did you do the belly buster?

spk_0 10 scoops of ice cream, five different toppings,

spk_0 mounds and mounds of whipped cream,

spk_0 cherries and nuts, Chadwick's own belly buster.

spk_0 And then we'd like to like drum drum.

spk_0 I mean,

spk_0 oh god,

spk_0 and then the two guys would come up the thing in the stretcher like pretending to struggle under its weight.

spk_0 And then it would land at the table.

spk_0 And if you ate the rumor had it.

spk_0 The lore was that if you ate the belly buster by yourself, you got it for free.

spk_0 That's right.

spk_0 Yep.

spk_0 And there used to be like teen boys vomiting, vomiting and drinking the ice cream juice

spk_0 in an attempt to get it down in time.

spk_0 Yeah, the vomit was separate from the ice cream juice.

spk_0 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

spk_0 Yeah, teen boys were trying to get it done.

spk_0 And I don't think I ever saw it happen.

spk_0 I don't think I did either.

spk_0 lore, but lore is not happened.

spk_0 Now Chadwick's no longer exists.

spk_0 Nope, it's just a in a little field with ghosts.

spk_0 We just interviewed for my podcast, the ghost of Chadwick's.

spk_0 But that's a good ending.

spk_0 That's a good ending.

spk_0 That is okay.

spk_0 Love you, Drew Chi.

spk_0 Love you.

spk_0 This was fun.

spk_0 So fun.

spk_0 Thanks for doing it, buddy.

spk_0 And thank you again.

spk_0 I really do.

spk_0 Oh, you a lot always in my life and on this show.

spk_0 So come back anytime and bring your headphones always.

spk_0 I'm going to wrap it up.

spk_0 Whilst it was still can't get on.

spk_0 This isn't a good ending.

spk_0 OK, it is still hard for you to get them on.

spk_0 No, OK, here we go.

spk_0 And

spk_0 What the?

spk_0 Oh, here we go.

spk_0 Nailed it.

spk_0 Dratch out.

spk_0 Thank you, Dratch.

spk_0 You are the best.

spk_0 My baby, Drew Chi, my little Ray Ray.

spk_0 Thank you for coming on.

spk_0 And you know, we talked a lot about a lot of things.

spk_0 You know, the idea that, you know, life can be a series of

spk_0 interesting and unexplainable events.

spk_0 And it can be really woo-woo if you let it.

spk_0 And so as part of this polar plunge, I do want to just remind

spk_0 everyone to check out Rachel Dratch's podcast.

spk_0 Woo-woo.

spk_0 Her and her co-host Irene.

spk_0 They listen to people's

spk_0 interesting ghosty spooky stories.

spk_0 They get into that, that those chills that you get when

spk_0 something weird or unexplainable happens.

spk_0 And so check out that podcast.

spk_0 I have gone on the podcast and I have said that I've never seen

spk_0 a ghost.

spk_0 And I'd like to keep it that way.

spk_0 So I'm fine with that.

spk_0 But if you have seen a ghost, contact woo-woo and not me.

spk_0 Okay?

spk_0 But good for you.

spk_0 And it's not a competition.

spk_0 But I'm glad I didn't.

spk_0 Okay, thanks for listening.

spk_0 Bye.

spk_0 You've been listening to Good Hang.

spk_0 The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons,

spk_0 Jenna Weissberman and me Amy Poler.

spk_0 The show is produced by the Ringer and PaperKite.

spk_0 For the Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spalane,

spk_0 Kaya McMullen, and Alayezaneras.

spk_0 For PaperKite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell,

spk_0 and Jenna Weissberman.

spk_0 Original music by Amy Miles.

Rachel Dratch

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