Will Forte

[00:00] This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking your pockets before putting clothes in the washer? [00:09] Oof. Enjoy your freshly cleaned and completely destroyed earbuds. Yeah, checking first is a good plan. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. [00:29] Hi, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I'm very excited to introduce our guest today. It is Will Forte. Will, amazing actor, performer, writer, and my good friend who started at SNL pretty much the same time as me. So we get into those early years. Today, we talk about his amazing SNL audition. [00:50] We talk about how he... [00:52] became incredible at donkey kong and we also talk about the four seasons the great new show that he's on uh on netflix currently with tina fey and speaking of tina fey we are asking tina to join us and give us a question to ask our guest will forte and tina is a friend of the pod this is her third appearance and technically we probably need to start paying her tina hi [01:15] Betty, can you hear me? This episode is presented by Athleta. Summer is here. It's time to get outside and get active. And Athleta has just what women need to move the way they want. That's shorts for every type of run from a casual jog on the beach to a competitive road race. There's skorts for on the court and pants for cool stretching. And there's always a matchback bra and top to complete your outfit. For stylish, innovative active wear, the choice can only be

[01:45] Athleta, power of she. Shop now at athleta.com. [02:01] That's Teddy. Teddy. [02:05] Well, Teddy just responded to... [02:08] Her? His? [02:10] His. His name? Teddy? Teddy? Teddy? [02:14] Oh, I wish you could smell him. Smells terrible. Betty, we were just saying that you are the official best friend of the pod because this is the third time you have been on the pod. Thank you for being here. I want a three timers jacket. Yeah, just like SNL will give you like a really heavy, ill fitting robe. A really unflattering jacket. [02:40] You have to wear every time. [02:44] And we're, um, [02:46] We're talking to the great Will Forte today. Yes. Congratulations, by the way, on your show. I love it. Thank you. Thank you for watching it. We're going to be plugging it while he's here, but the Four Seasons out on Netflix. [03:01] Currently streaming on Netflix. Right, Teddy? And then there's a dog version for Teddy and other dogs. The dog version is a lot darker. [03:10] What has it been like working with someone that you've known for so long? [03:14] And what's good about it? It's what it's it was so easy to work with Will and

[03:20] So like, you know, when you work with people at SNL, [03:23] You just know them by osmosis because you just stay up all night with them so many times. You eat like a cold meatball off the table next to them, even if you're not working directly together that much, because Will and I didn't really write together or, you know, um... [03:40] like i don't think we i don't think i've never had dinner with like just will like but it's just all osmosis and so i just was very comfortable with him i feel like we had a shorthand i feel like um [03:51] I was never worried that he would be mad at me or not like me. You know, it was just easy. Yeah. And I knew he was a super hard worker because he is the hardest worker. Like, he'll work himself to death. I just found out today that he... [04:07] He did 20,000 steps a day, every day for the year 2024. [04:13] 20,000. Yeah, at least he would wear his he would wear it almost like a court ankle bracelet. He would wear it under his costume when we were filming and he would talk about how we got about 20,000 steps and he would like get up at five o'clock in the morning before he came to the shoot to get the first 10,000. [04:32] Yeah. [04:33] He also, one thing I learned about him is, [04:36] He... [04:37] up. [04:38] And I know his family and friends do love him, so I don't know why he is this way, but I feel like he is so responsive to anything. [04:45] words of praise. If you say like, well, you did a great job on that. He's like, he's like a plant that nobody watered for a week. He's like, thank you so much. He's so grateful. Like, I know your wife is nice to you, but he just really, I think his love language is words of affirmation. So that's so good to know. He's telling him he's doing a great job on the podcast and watch his face light up. He's going to light up. It's so true because I mean, and it's so easy

[05:15] so funny and a great writer and a really nice person, but he... [05:20] He... [05:20] could have been in another world like a finance bro like he's or a jock [05:26] So interesting, Amy, because that was the main question I thought to ask him is I'd like to know... [05:32] If he had not ended up in comedy, because I know anecdotally from talking to him that he had a lot of weird jobs. [05:38] You know, he was like, it's almost like he's immortal because he describes chunks of his life. I'm like, that's too many chunks. Like, what do you mean that one time you went up to Alaska and were a salmon fisherman? Like, what do you mean? So he's had all kinds of jobs. And I wonder if he had not ended up. [05:55] a comedy writer and then a performer. [05:57] what would he have been? [05:59] What would it become of him? [06:02] Great question. [06:05] If in another era, if he had lived in another era, I feel like he would have been a really popular 70s game show host who then like killed a bunch of nurses. [06:17] And then they would like Mark Harmon would have played him in a movie. Yeah, that makes sense. But yeah, like what what would his life be like if he had gone a different route? And I'm going to talk to him just a little bit about some of his characters because I feel like they just are so... [06:31] in like they they just kind of came with him in SNL he had so many that he brought. But do you remember his audition? [06:39] I kind of do because I remember he did – [06:43] I think he did Tim Calhoun. [06:45] The really quiet guy running for office is really quiet. And he did that kind of infamous silver face paint guy. Yeah. His comedy is...

[06:57] so truly unique [06:59] his voice when you think of like MacGruber and the Falconer and all these, and like all the kind of, you know, dance, the dancing football coach and the, you know, [07:10] the Halloween sketch where he's the guy who has to tell everybody he's a registered sex offender. His, or like the time he brought his lovely mom onto a weekend update and just like... [07:23] was going to attribute her, but it was just like, when you die, I'm going to be so sorry. He has such a weird sense of humor. I wonder what [07:32] comedy things shaped him because I don't think it's the same stuff as everybody else, you know, but like what, like what combination of comedy viewing and comedy, [07:42] real life childhood trauma made this, made his comedy this. There's like a mischievous streak in him. [07:50] Yes. [07:51] I felt it a little bit in some of the scenes when you guys were throwing stuff at each other. Oh, yeah. Like there was a little bit. I was like, that is a little forte. [07:59] Yes. He hits me with a cup and yes. And I look genuinely really mad. And but also he was like the obedient part of him was like so happy that he hit me with the cup on the first try. He likes anything that's close to sports.

[08:29] What do I mean by almost? Well, you can't get a summer blockbuster delivered, but you can get a block of cheese. A cabana, that's a no. [08:38] But a banana, that's a yes. You know what I like to order from Uber Eats? Batteries. Don't eat batteries. But I often need batteries, and you can get batteries from Uber Eats. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. For alcohol, you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details. [09:02] Okay, I'll officially start. We are with Will Forte. We are with Orville Willis- [09:09] Forte the fourth. The fourth, yes. [09:12] You're the fourth Orville. I'm always pissed if somebody doesn't say the fourth. [09:18] I know you like times people say the third and it's like, that's also obvious. My mouth wants to say. [09:24] Orville Wilbur Forte, but it's not. It's Willis Forte. Oddly, I'd accept that. I'm totally fine with Wilbur just because there's something fun about it. But the fourth is just disrespectful if you get the fourth wrong. They named me the fourth for a reason. Well, tell me who – because I love – you told me this very early on when we met. The names of all of – because you go by Will – [09:46] But you did not go by Will as a kid, right? I was Billy as a kid, but then I was born in 1970. So when I started going to school, I started hearing about Billie Jean King. And people were like, you have a girl's name. And that was like a big deal. So I was like, I am not Billy. I am Will.

[10:09] And that's how, yeah, I think I just demanded a name change at like five or six years old. [10:16] Then you went by Will. Then your dad went by? Dad? [10:20] was rebel. Yeah. Cause he was born, uh, up by you. He was, uh, uh, Weston, Massachusetts. So he's from Yankee territory, but he was born in new Orleans when his dad was stationed down in, in rebel territory, uh, during world war two. I don't think it was still, I mean, yeah. So he went by as a joke, they called him rebel. And he went by reb, right? He still goes by reb. He's [10:50] 82 82 in about three weeks and he still skis i i'm here to say both your parents just attractive people i just saw patty your mom and reb at the four seasons premiere and [11:02] Your dad is a handsome silver fox. He's kind of a white fox now. Yeah, he's a white fox. Like it's really, yeah. He's blending into the snow. Patty looks incredible. Right? Yeah. Yeah, she's about to turn 82 also. And she, if somebody, there are people who think she's in her like mid-60s. Yeah, she has like incredible skin. Yeah. You have very good genes. Yeah. Will Forte, I was so excited to have you come today because- [11:29] So [11:30] I feel like all of us in [11:33] We like all went to the same comedy high school or something like we all graduated and. [11:39] At the same time, from a place, and I feel like when we all see each other, it just feels like we...

[11:46] Like, in fact, I was talking, Tina was talking about this. Like, it just feels like we all through osmosis just got to spend so many hours together. Yes. Like we really spent a huge chunk of our lives. I would even say it's more than a high school experience. It's like a family. Yeah. Like a real family. And that 50th really showed it too, because there'd be a lot of people that you didn't meet that you felt like you knew. [12:16] Like, [12:17] You've heard of them. They've heard of you. And it's just like, oh, my God, I'm finally meeting you. It was. But but I mean, for somebody you went through it with for as long as we did. Yeah, that that you guys are all family. [12:32] I know. And did you meet anybody at the, for the first time at the 50th that you had never met? Like that you had, [12:38] Yes, Melanie Hutzel, Adam Driver I had never met, and he was so sweet. Nathan Lane was there, just people like that. So it was just a delight. And then the capper was like right after we go through this long rehearsal, we had noticed Paul McCartney just hanging out in the bleachers. And he's like, [12:59] Somebody said, you sticking around? Because Paul McCartney is doing soundcheck right now. So we're like... [13:05] So I just hung around and called my wife and my daughter, whose birthday, it was her fourth birthday. So I said, get Zoe out of bed right now. Get over here. She's like, she's – because she was taking a nap. So I said, get her up. Get her up. I was so mean. I was like, get down here right now. Slap her away. Or I'm leaving you. I'm leaving this family. So she runs her down, and I have this just priceless video of her watching –

[13:33] Paul McCartney singing... [13:35] It was the very end of like, you know, the whole Golden Slumbers medley. Is Zoe the daughter that ate the ice cream for the first time? Yes. She's this daughter right here. She's this one. There's Cecilia right there. And there's Zoe. [13:54] Listeners, Will Forte just lifted up his pants and showed us socks that has his daughter's faces on them. Where did you get those socks? [14:05] Christmas, every Father's Day, every birthday, it's all I want. All, like... [14:11] I would say 90% of my socks have somebody special's face on them. I'm walking on my family all the time. You have two daughters, four and what? Four and two and a half. Well. They're so cute. Yeah, I started late. [14:26] My wife got me when I first... [14:29] when I first, uh, [14:32] was i think it was before the first one was born she got a sweatshirt that she had made that said dad or grandpa question mark just so great and definitely most people would probably go [14:47] Grandpa. No, no way. As an older dad, you've lived a lot of lives. You have a lot of versions of you. Before we met at SNL, you... [15:02] were, I mean, you were in, you were in finance before you worked in comedy. Yeah.

[15:08] Yeah, but I was barely. I was an intern, and it was what my dad did. So it was... [15:18] It was a big deal to me back then because it's what I thought I was going to do just because my dad did it. So I always thought, oh, I'll follow in his footsteps. And then as I was doing it, it was like, oh, this doesn't feel right. Yeah. Maybe it's just because, you know, I was working for this guy and he was a nice guy. But it's like, you know, it was the the thing that I was doing was kind of boring. I would just like call people on his behalf. And then right when I'd get them on the line, I would send them over to him. [15:48] to sell a product to this guy. You would just get him on the phone? Yeah, it was just like, get the person on the phone. [15:54] Hold for this guy. I don't want to say his name. He's a nice guy, but I've said it in the past. I'm like, oh, I don't know if he wants to be part of my stories. But he was great. But at a certain point, he said, his name's Brett. [16:13] He's a nice guy. [16:14] I don't think he didn't care. No, he won't care. Yeah. But he, at a certain point, he said, you know what? I want you to, I'm going to put you through the series seven. [16:22] and you'll come over and be part of my, like the junior guy in my team or something like that. And I just, it was at that point that I was like, oh, I know myself. And if I [16:35] If I agree to this, [16:37] I will...

[16:38] Thank you. [16:39] Never leave. Like I wouldn't go like, oh, my attitude would be this guy went out on a limb, took a chance on me. I'm not going to just – [16:49] F him over. But it is like when you came, when my memory of you was when you came to SNL, [16:56] it was like you already had an aura because... [16:59] It was like he it was like he was worked as a brokerage firm and then he left to write comedy and you had already written for Letterman. [17:08] and [17:09] Was it Third Rock from the Sun? Third Rock from the Sun. You had two genuine... 70s show. And 70s show when you auditioned for SNL. I was trying to get out of the audition because I was under contract for 70s shows. So to me, I was like... That's right. I was like, I can't even do it anyway. I think we had just gotten picked up for two years in a row, which was... [17:29] unheard of. And so I was like, I finally had this job that's going to stick for a while and loved the job and [17:38] This experience at Letterman where I didn't do great [17:41] And I was like, [17:43] this felt like, is this going to be another dream shattered? So just like, hold onto this thing that, you know, is your, you've got for sure is a burden hand. Right. Yeah. So, so I just was like, I, [17:58] Finally, they talked me into coming to audition, so I went and... [18:03] And then I got the job. And you crushed your audition. [18:07] Your audition was... [18:08] It was so funny, Will. Really? Yes. Well, thank you. It was so – I think it goes down as one of the best. Really? Oh, man. I think so. I mean, I remember – By the way, look at that audition. You'll see the doughy forte for sure. I probably was, yeah, 30 to 40 pounds heavier. Baby forte. Yeah. Just like cheeseburger forte. You did a bunch of characters in that audition that you ended up doing on the show.

[18:38] Tim Calhoun, the soft-spoken candidate. The speed reader ended up on the show. Yes, the speed reader. Was the spelling bee guy [18:50] Spelling Bee Guy was kind of just Tim Calhoun in a different setup. That's true. [18:56] But those are the two. I did. I was not. I mean, you know, my impression. They're so bad. I could do Kermit the Frog. That's I think it. I did Michael McDonald, which is like I did the things everybody could do. And I did Martin Sheen. But I said like. [19:16] Like a West Wing Martin Sheen or an Apocalypse Now Martin Sheen? It was just like an old person voice kind of. Or like, I mean, not to no disrespect, but just like for me at the time, I was 32. And like I just kind of said, hi, I'm Martin Sheen. And what I said, I've had kind of a cold lately. So this doesn't sound like me. It's because of the cold. But, you know, if it does sound like me, then I guess the cold is gone. [19:46] or something like that oh my god that's so good and then you did the amazing character that did end up on snl once which is the silver face oh it did we did it at dress rehearsal but it didn't make the show it didn't make the show but i was so thankful that it didn't because can you just tell people about that though for people that don't know because it is it is legendary that

[20:16] It was a gold man. Excuse me, not silver. It was gold. No, no, no. It's totally fine. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. No, no, no. Everyone always says silver man when they – I think there are more people out on the streets that are silver than gold because it's just less expensive. Yeah, exactly. Anyway, so it's one of those guys who's dressed all in silver. You got me. No, I'm so sorry. [20:46] So, [20:47] Frozen, and then if you put money in his thing, he moves around. [20:53] like a robot and then freezes until somebody puts more money in. So I did this sketch where it was – [21:01] It had a thing that said dollars make me move. So a robber comes up. [21:07] This was at the groundlings. It was Jim Rash. [21:10] And [21:12] And Jim Rash comes up and and takes the money out. And I can't move because he's not putting money in. So I'm just stuck there until somebody else finally comes back and puts a dollar in. And then I, like, try to find this guy. And I'm like, in a very robot way. Yeah. Very robot way. Sadly, go back up onto my perch and. [21:32] And then somebody else, Jeremy Rowley, comes up. He's a kid with Kevin Ruff and says, Daddy, why does the gold man look so sad? And he goes, you know, well, maybe if you ask him, he'll tell you. Or maybe if you put a dollar in, he'll tell you. Maybe if you put two dollars in.

[21:50] you're telling me in song. And so then I do this song, and that's what I did for the... And can you tell everyone what the song was? And I tried to do what I just told you in... [22:02] I tried to do that in like [22:04] 15 seconds. I don't think I did it. But it was like, so there's this guy. So what was the song, though? It's an incredible song. So this is the... [22:17] Yeah, so I just set it up. [22:20] I almost like retold the setup again. So keep in mind. Okay. Just because I'm a man made of gold. [22:30] So also, just so you know, before I do this, so so he said he puts in the two dollars, the kid puts in the two dollars and then a bunch of people. [22:40] start, um, [22:41] Gathering around Maya Rudolph being one of them. Just because I'm a man made of gold doesn't mean I'm made out of money. But the calling I found is to give people pleasure. They're incredibly precise robotic movement. [23:00] That's why I come out to the streets. [23:03] To help me make ends meet. [23:07] And I work real hard to fill up that jar. But then a bad apple ruins the barrel. Heart of gold. 24 carat. But through all the pain, I grin and I bear it. Heart of gold. But I'm living a golden dream. Because any way you slice it, we're all on the same team. Come on now, everybody.

[23:37] And everybody starts singing along. Heart of gold. [23:41] 24 carat. [23:43] But through all the pain, I grin and I bear it. The Michael Seagrins and he bears it. Heart of gold. But it don't make me no saint. Because I got a little secret. I suck cock for my face pain. Come on, stay with me, everybody. Come on. Heart of gold. I suck cock for my face pain. I suck cock for my face pain. [24:10] Cock. [24:10] Face pain. I suck cock for my face pain. I suck that cock for my face pain, face pain. Cock, face pain, face pain, cock, cock, cock, cock, cock, cock, face pain. [24:40] and then just kind of go out. And at this point, everybody's [24:46] Left-to-head. [24:47] And then I'm just gone. Together at last in a heavenly union. Yeah. So I did that a bunch at the groundlings. And you did it for your SNL audition. And I did it for my SNL audition. I remember walking out. Lauren was there and just kind of. [25:06] Thank you when I said, and I didn't know what to say. So I just said, sorry about all the cocks. And then, and then left and I got the job.

[25:15] It was, I can remember the reaction to that and how hard people were laughing on a notoriously like cold room. Like that room is very, like people were dying laughing. That's really nice to hear because like, I mean. You don't remember that? No, because you're so focused on it. [25:34] And, you know, [25:36] And especially if you're singing, if you're doing anything loud, you can't really hear something until there's... [25:43] Quiet. And this is just like constant noise. And I might have even had my music. Yeah. Like there's this guy, Teddy Zambetti. Thank you, Teddy. Like the who was the musical director at the Groundlings at the time I did that. [25:59] gave me this tape of the music so I could do it to the music. And yeah, so I didn't know. I didn't, you know, you walk out of there, you just have no idea how you did. And then I actually... [26:12] At some point, I went up to Lauren's office. Because I think also, like, because I had been such a little pain in the ass about even going out to audition, I think he was like, you know. Are you going to take this job, you know, if I give it to you kind of thing? Well, it was the weirdest thing because I went in there and I was like. [26:31] I think he was basically saying... [26:34] you know, [26:35] Basically saying you have the job. He doesn't like to actually tell anybody. He notoriously doesn't ever hire or fire anybody. He's very enigmatic about it. He said something like... And when you start... You know, like that kind of thing. When one works here... Yeah, I remember with him, he was like... And, you know, there'll be a time when you're here...

[26:54] And people will be, and I was like, did I get hired? Yeah. Yeah. Like skipping the part where it's like, so let me be clear. You've got the job and moving on to like, in your first year you're going to find, and you're like, [27:07] My first year here? Yeah. Like, but to me, I fill in the blanks of the first part that he glides over as like, you're very much on the fence, probably not going to get this job. But if you were lucky enough, if I, you know, somehow make a bad decision and hire you in your first year, you would, you know, and then that stuff. Right, right. You got the job and then you had to go back and you had to turn down like a secure job. Well, if you remember this. [27:37] double dip? No, I went back there [27:41] And I was like, [27:42] I'm not going to leave Stephanie's show. That's right. Will you... [27:47] That's such a badass move because, I mean, it is. I was just a puss. I was scared. But you said, I can't. You turned it down. I did. You said, I can't do it because I have other obligations. And just like a lady said. [28:01] who doesn't answer her texts, SNL was like, I've never been more attracted to you. [28:07] I mean, they double, it was like double down. Everyone was like, what? [28:14] And I was, I mean, everyone's like, oh, what a punk rock move. And like, little did they know, I'm like, you know, I'm like, oh, thank God I didn't have to go because I know I would have

[28:31] Thank God. [28:32] At the end of that... [28:33] situation at the end of the year where I wrote at 70 show and it was great, but I thought about it all the time. Like, Oh, I should have done it. I should have done it. And thank God Lauren came back. I remember Spivey calling me up. [28:48] And saying, or no, we went to somebody's wedding. That was it. We were at a wedding and Spivey and Maya were both there. And so they were... [28:59] We talked about it a little bit and I said, yeah, I kind of regret it. [29:03] doing it. I really regret not doing it. And so they came back, Lauren came back and said, would you want to come audition again? And so I said, yes. And then Mark Brazil, the guy who was [29:21] You've got to go do this. Do this. And you have a job here. If if if you yeah, if you if it doesn't work out, just come right back here. When you got on the show, did you ever feel secure, safe or did you always feel like you had to hustle every week for your stuff? Like, did you ever have a moment where you relaxed? [29:40] I... [29:42] Started relaxing like year seven, maybe. Yeah. It was... [29:47] My first year... [29:49] everyone's terrified, right? I mean, you were, you were just like, you seem like you were a pretty instant sensation. Um, [29:59] But it was tough because a bunch of –

[30:04] I mean, it was a lot of like white dudes. And so you had like it's. It was 2001 and a lot of white dudes. It was a huge cast. It was like 17 people. And so you're you're trying to get your stuff on. Right. And you're you're trying to get noticed. And then I got. [30:21] somehow the George Bush role. So I, it's like, you know, we, we talked earlier, like I don't do impersonations and like, [30:31] It was... [30:33] A match not made in heaven. Yeah, you didn't like that. I mean, Will Ferrell was... [30:40] George Bush. He was George W. Bush. He was so good at it. [30:44] It was... [30:46] I mean, I like I've said this before, but it anybody replacing it's like trying to replace the church lady trying to have somebody else do that or like, you know. [30:58] You just – [30:59] He made it such his own thing that, like... [31:04] They should have just retired it. But of course you can't retire the sitting president on SNL. You have to have, somebody has to be doing it. And I just like, [31:13] I had to be that guy. So it was like I was kind of a letdown for a year as Bush. It is interesting to watch and pay attention to how impersonations get passed around. And sometimes they hit, sometimes they don't. And, yeah, you have a job to do, so you have to do it. But, yeah, I know. And then – [31:32] And then... [31:33] As I feel you the same way, like it didn't take me until...

[31:37] Later on where I started to feel relaxed. But when you started to feel relaxed, like I feel like all of your. Oh, well, the story that led to kind of relaxing is it was. [31:49] After the third, sorry to cut you off. No, please. But... [31:54] I think this is after my third season there. [31:58] or it might have been after the second season, there was this big period where they were like... [32:02] Right rightly saying something's a little off with this show. Let's figure it out. [32:08] put a bunch of us on hold. I think you might have been one of the only people who wasn't put on hold. [32:15] for like they just like picked you up but like [32:19] 10 of us, just a bunch of us had our, there's a time for people who don't know, there's a time in like July where they are contractually obligated to tell you if you're getting picked up for the next season. And then sometimes they will make a request to have three extra weeks. And they did that with a bunch of people. And that's always scary. And then I got to the end of that three weeks. A lot of people had gotten picked up and they asked for information. [32:46] This was Friday. They said, can we tell you Monday? And I'm like, what am I going to say? So I'm like, sure. Then on Monday, they said, okay. [32:55] We're not going to be able to tell you till Wednesday. And then it, that went on. Well, jumping to every two days for three more weeks, three more weeks. And I was the very last person who got asked back. Everybody else. I don't even think they cut anybody that year. They just, they just tortured everybody. But then what happened was eventually Lauren called me up and it actually was a good thing because he said, he said, here's your deal.

[33:23] You still have a writer mindset. Um, [33:27] When you write your own things, you commit to them fully and you're really good about that. But then when other people write things – [33:36] you're, you get timid and you're, and, and, and, and, you know, in my head, I'm like, oh, you freaking don't, you're so stupid. Of course that's not happening. And of course he was a hundred percent right. I was like, I would remember back to it's 70s show. If I'd write something and somebody is like, or just any, any job, you write something and you're like, no, that's, you know, nope, that's not how it's meant to be said. And, and it's like, so I, in my head, [34:06] sketches that other people have written, it's like I could hear them going like, oh, he's blowing it. He's not doing that. Oh, interesting. So the timidity came not from like you not caring, I'm not trying, but it was like you were afraid that they were thinking this isn't right. [34:19] I wanted to do it exactly how they wanted it, but didn't know how they wanted it. And so I was kind of timid. And he's like, you just got to take ownership over the sketch. Be as big and weird in your stuff. And it was like. [34:34] It really like it could have gone either way. It could have been I could have just like receded into the shell and melted down. And for some reason it became this thing of like, oh, it's all gravy from here. I could have just been fired. I wasn't fired. Yeah. And so, like, you know, I got to give it to Lauren. He was totally right. And really somehow, you know, it was kind of a master.

[34:57] stroke of genius that is a really good good feedback and good note so that but it is still probably took another two years before i was like feeling do you remember that we sat next to each other at the read-through table [35:09] You and I were next to each other. Do you remember when we had the guy come for the sexual harassment? I certainly do. Do you remember what we were doing during it? I mean, I think it was like, [35:21] drawing pictures of dicks or something. I assume it's something. I mean, my memory, again, is bad. We were consensually and appropriately just with each other, I believe, drawing pictures. [35:31] pictures of penises and giving them back and forth to each other. And then I accidentally [35:39] I handed that sheet of paper to the very nice man who had just done the entire seminar because I thought it was the sign in sheet. Do you know this part? And I forgot that part. And he was like, what's this? And I said, oh, that's the wrong thing. [35:58] Sir, that's the wrong paper. But moving forward... [36:03] I mean, look, there are so many things that I look back now and I go like, you think, oh, it's all about getting a laugh. I agree. And I feel that's what like is that's the part about getting older and being in and being in comedy is you have to like figure out like, oh, yeah. [36:21] it's like everything has an expiration date. I mean, there's like, [36:24] Even on the 50th when they said, like, here's all – they had that segment of, like – which is, like, here's all the ways we got things wrong. And they showed way inappropriate casting for people. You know, we all played people that we should not have played. Oh, my God. I –

[36:40] misappropriated, I appropriated, I didn't know, I did know. Like, it's very real. And the best thing you can do is like, [36:49] Make repair. [36:50] Learn from your mistakes. Do better. Like, it's all you can do. [36:58] This episode is brought to you by Burlington. Here's a question for you. When was the last time you stopped by a Burlington? Oh, they just do coats? That's what you're going with? Well, they got way more going on. Sure, you can pick up a coat, but you're probably going to leave with a dress, sneakers, brand name beauty, something for your dog, and a candle you didn't know you needed. At Burlington's prices, you can just get it all. You don't need to sacrifice style for savings. [37:28] You should pop by. It's better than you remember. Find a store near you at Burlington.com. This episode is brought to you by K18. So you've tried a million different hair masks only to watch your results literally wash down the drain? Well, you should know that K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask actually reverses damage. Thanks to the patented K18 peptide, you'll get strong, soft, bouncy hair in just four minutes. Color, bleach, heat, however your hair has been damaged, [37:58] it from the inside out. Shop at Sephora or get 10% off your first purchase at k18hair.com with the code Amy. [38:07] This episode is brought to you by PayPal. Imagine getting to the checkout at Sephora, a cart full of your favorite beauty products and saying to yourself, I don't have to pay the full amount today. Crazy, right?

[38:19] Wrong. With PayPal Pay in 4, you can buy what you love now and pay the rest later. With no fees, no interest, and no impact on your credit score. Pay in 4 with PayPal. Subject to approval. Learn more at paypal.com slash payin4. PayPal Inc. NMLS 910457. [38:40] So you're saying with Hilton Honors, I can use points for a three-night stay anywhere? Anywhere. What about fancy places like the Canopy in Paris? Yeah, Hilton Honors, baby. Or relaxing sanctuaries like the Conrad in Tulum? Hilton Honors, baby. What about the five-star Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives? Are you going to do this for all 9,000 properties? [39:02] When you want points that can take you anywhere, anytime, it matters where you stay. Hilton for the stay. [39:10] Okay, so four seasons. Congratulations. Thank you. It's so great. Thank you. I watched the whole thing. I was, Tina and I were on tour when it premiered. [39:21] Will... [39:21] Thank you. [39:22] You are so good in it. Thank you. Oh, man. You're so good. Thank you. I mean, I know how good you are. I love watching you act. I just think you're such a great actor. I love it. I'll tell you. How fun was it to make? This will sound like avoiding a compliment, but I really mean it. The way those guys write. [39:43] is [39:44] Makes you look like such a good actor. It's like their writing is so good. Yeah. It just like, and that goes for all Tina shows. Like, you know.

[39:53] 30 Rock, getting to do the character I got to play in 30 Rock, Paul Lassinameh. [40:00] It's just like... [40:01] It's what [40:04] The stuff that I got to say was just a gift every single time. It was like anybody could have done that. It really is like such good writing. You and Tina had such a flow and you were really – [40:15] sweet together and we really bought you as a couple and, um, [40:20] I just love seeing you also play because you have the capacity to play such really like – [40:26] you know, um, [40:27] deeply funny, original, and eccentric characters. You played a lot of eccentric characters. And I loved seeing you play this kind of person because he was... [40:37] very close to how I perceive you, Will. Yeah, a lot of similarities, I think. Yeah. So I talked to Tina before this interview. [40:46] Um, you know, we like to talk about people behind their back in a good way and, and ask people what I should ask you. And so I talked to Tina, um, before you came on and she had a couple of good questions for you. One was, which I think we may have already covered, but like, if you weren't a comedy writer, like you, you've had a lot of different like versions of you. Do you see a parallel world? If you, if you never, if you were never a comedy actor and writer, what would you have been? I think I would have been. [41:15] Ideally a college professor. I see that. Some kind of. [41:20] history. [41:21] I just, there's something. Well, you're a white male of a certain age, so you're obsessed with history. I mean. Yeah, it would have been white history. Yeah. I just, I love, I love walking around campuses. That makes me sound a little bit like a creep, a little bit. I love walking around campuses. Seeing those young people. And then.

[41:41] Comedy view. Oh, I wrote down her question, which was like, when you were growing up, who did you, who were your comedy, who did you see and you thought... [41:51] Oh, like who are your influences, basically? I would say... [41:56] Number one was Steve Martin. [42:00] Peter Sellers was another big one. [42:03] Every SNL, just every... [42:06] SNL, just SNL. Yeah. David Letterman. Those are the four. But I mean, you know. [42:12] Monty Python, SCTV, uh, [42:15] uh, [42:16] So much stuff, but like Steve Martin, definitely my number one. Yeah, Steve Martin for our generation, because we're about the same age. [42:26] It was like... [42:28] So big. Did you watch that documentary? I somehow haven't. Oh, my. It's so good. That's right here. It's so good. And it's really moving because it feels like in the same way that the SNL 50th felt like our entire life. [42:43] You know, it started when we were three, that show. Yeah. Yeah. [42:47] Steve was... [42:48] like the big star when we were little kids and like he just he just spans our life too yeah i mean all those stand-up uh albums and and yeah but the jerk i mean the jerk it was for me it was it all but then and there's still things that i stumble onto that i you know had never seen like somehow i had never seen the what was it the great fly dini oh yeah have you seen

[43:18] You know, I'm sure I'm leaving out a million things, you know. [43:23] was a huge fan of Cheers. And that's, you know, that. Love Cheers. Cheers was in Boston, which was such a big deal growing up. Like, yeah, yeah. Even though not one person had an authentic Boston accent in that show. But including Cliff. Cliff. [43:38] It was not an authentic accent. But that was such a big deal. Cheers felt like, oh, this was like a show for us or something. Yeah. But I loved Cheers. Yeah. So good. I mean, still. The pilot of Cheers and one of the best pilots ever. Yeah. And I look back now. Every once in a while, I'll go back and watch them and – [43:59] it's just, it's still so amazing. Like the, the storytelling is so good. Does that, [44:06] Those writers are just... [44:08] It's cream of the crop. And what are you watching today, looking at, listening to, reading? What do you – like how do you check out? How do you zone out? Like how do you get yourself – [44:20] happy or laugh? Like, what do you, where do you go? What do you watch? [44:26] I play a lot of Sudoku. For some reason, I have a bunch of things like checklists. Do you know I've never played Sudoku? I used to be. I mean, I'm still a big crossword. I do the New York Times crossword puzzle. But usually I'll just wait until Saturday to do Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's hard. I know. I just want to jump to that. I know it's a humble brag. I love it. It's a learned skill. And people don't know that you had one of the highest scores ever in Donkey Kong.

[44:56] That's true. That's true. Which is, you know, yeah, that's a big factor in, you know, measuring somebody's brain capacity. But what was your score and how did you get it? It was very high. And where was it? This was OK. So I was down in. Here's the story about that. I think I had the at one point I had the 29th highest score. [45:20] registered. [45:22] donkey kong score okay the word registered should be in bold print because so i was down doing that movie good old-fashioned orgy right with uh sudeikis and lake bell and tyler labine and and pete and alex pete pete hike and alex gregory just a million people lindsey sloan it was so fun it's this very fun summer [45:44] Um, and I was the person in this movie. It's a group of friends who are going to all have an orgy. And I was in, um, [45:53] I was the friend, me and Lucy Punch played the couple that they didn't want to be at the Borgie. So great. I forget why. I think we were, because we were married or... [46:02] Yeah, but they didn't want us in the orgy. So I was basically only in like every fourth day. And so I found this bar. I would just go down to this bar that had a Donkey Kong in it. And I wouldn't even drink there. I would just go and play Donkey Kong. And then there was this JLK. I still remember JLK had all the high scores. And I'm like, I'm going to get this fucker off this high score that I'm going to.

[46:27] beat this guy. So I started getting better and better. And then I'd go home and I'd look up, you know, tips for how you get through this level that I was, you know, so I'm spending hours and hours all my off days. And so I'm getting better and better. Well, eventually I get a pretty high score and I showed there was this guy, Leo, Leo Daniels, I think was his name. And he was, you remember King of Kong? Yes, of course. That movie. Well, he was like, I think he was the record [46:57] or there were a couple different games that he was big in that scene, but he was, he was at, he was, uh, [47:06] on our crew. [47:08] for a good old-fashioned orgy so i showed him this picture i'm like check this out not bad huh and he's like [47:14] that's pretty good. And I'm like, oh really? And he said, yeah, that's pretty good. By the way, it was higher than JLK. So he sent it to that guy, Walter, [47:23] who was the, if you've seen King of Kong, I forget Walter's last name, but he was the guy who would watch the videotapes. And I didn't videotape it, but he just, I think he made a special SNL. And he said, I'm going to put you in the books. So he registered it. Holy moly. But that's the thing. There are probably... [47:43] A million people who have higher scores, but who's going to register their Donkey Kong score? If you're going for a high Donkey Kong score... [47:53] You're going to register it. Sure, but I was just like having fun. This was my own...

[47:58] I was establishing my own [48:00] uh levels that i wanted to get to sudoku i didn't do it for the glory and what about what makes you laugh what are you like laughing at the kids i mean they're so freaking funny okay there there's a video that i saw of your daughter eating ice cream for the first time and if i may describe it because tina and i were talking about it it's the it is the cutest we were saying it's like it's such precious [48:26] IP, you could... [48:28] sell it and then do an animated series off of it. It is... [48:32] Can you explain what happens? She's, I mean, I could play the audio. Well, let's play the audio. You want to play the audio? Oh, it's so. It really is. It is. It's so cute. Listeners, it's like. I mean, I wonder if you have to see it, if it's. [48:45] But is she having ice cream for the first time? No, she's had ice cream before, but it's freezing. So what you can't see is like she is pounding this ice cream. And she's like shivering and shaking. And then, but she keeps going. And we know that she comes from an ice cream family because you love ice cream. Yes. Here, I'll show it to you so you can see it. Okay. [49:12] You're shivering. You're not cold? No. Why are you shivering? Because my legs are bumpy. Because my legs are bumpy. Because what? Your legs are bumpy? She's deeply shivering and eating ice cream.

[49:41] glasses too. And then she crosses her eyes trying to see it on her glasses. Right here. She crossed her eyes to find the ice cream on her glasses. I got a brain freeze. You got a brain freeze? That's your second brain freeze. It seems like she's going to die and then she just after this one I think she dives right back in. It's your second brain freeze. [50:11] so that's basically it's it helps to see the visuals because when you say like you have she had like ice cream up here it's like you have ice cream on your glasses or whatever she goes [50:25] little kids little kids with glasses are so cute well you would love both my kids then because they have shitty eyesight little glasses so cute one has little pink glasses and one has uh purple that's one of the things i do it's so cute one of my like um go-to um comfort watches is i watch videos of little kids getting glasses for the first time and [50:52] That is the best. Or kids who some have like cochlear implants. Or soldiers coming home and surprising their kids at school. Absolutely. They're all in the same category. Dogs being away from. Elephants. Elephants. Yeah. Who used to be trained by a guy and then they run back to the guy and they hug the guy. Yeah. Anything, any reuniting and any like...

[51:16] I mean, when you see a little baby that's just kind of like not focusing and then they put those little glasses on them and the baby sees their mom and then they smile, forget it. Yeah. I love those videos. It's so good. And then because of the rule of threes and because I too often have to circle back and close the loop, I feel like on behalf of one of my producers, Jack here, I need to ask you about this particular sketch. Will, you are one of the people that when I say like I'm going to have you on every podcast. [51:46] person I know, but a lot of men I know want you're their favorite. And also they want to talk about their favorite sketches that you've done. Like they want me to mention it. And, um, the one that, uh, Jack wants me to mention, Jack, I feel like, right. I just feel like we can't end without it. Okay. Because is, um, is, um, Clancy, you know, is, um, bought a glass of beer. Okay. So can you [52:16] don't know that sketch can you just well first of all it's jar of beer i'm so sorry i forgive you oh my god i would be glass you said glass jar of beer how could i you only say it's a glass jar it's a glass jar i mean we don't it's glass parentheses unspoken but but like so so sorry so can you just tell us how that sketch came about [52:39] And for people that don't know. [52:41] So we... How do you even explain it? This was... [52:45] Me and Wig and John Solomon...

[52:48] wrote a sketch. [52:51] There was like, [52:52] A Thanksgiving sketch. It was just people singing, um... [52:58] I forget the tune, but it was like, guess who's coming to Thanksgiving dinner this year? And then it was just a bunch of weird names like Pessimelia Giltwizna, Frugfrem, Betsy People Poof, and all these weird things. And it did not – [53:19] Make it. It was like fun, but it made it to dress rehearsal, I think. Yeah. The next time we went in, we... [53:26] Um... [53:27] We figured out the thing of like, oh, we'll sing about – [53:33] Toddlers, Malticard. I think it just started out, the first song we wrote, it was going to be a bunch of different songs. And you just picked those words? We picked those things and we're like, what if every single one has those things? And then it became about that. But then the first time we put it up at a table read, it was like existing songs. So it was like, highway to the toddler zone. I remember that. [54:03] are his own. And then just, you know, and so it was probably 10 different songs that would have been the most expensive sketch of all time. So they said, get out of our face with that. So we were like, oh, let's do that because we love the concept of the, you know, the weird thing. So we just wrote original songs and that was kind of how we did it. And it was Jackie and Clancy. Jackie Snadd and Clancy P. Baclarat. That's right. And you guys just sang songs.

[54:33] Jars of beer, spaceships, and wait. [54:39] And Model T cars. [54:43] Oh, toddler, did you hear when I whispered in your ear about the spaceship that was parked in your yard? Next to a Model T car and some beer in a jar. But without an A-GAS, they couldn't get too far. That was one of the most fun to ever get to do. I remember watching that. I remember you doing it at the table. And, you know, like I said, you were next to me. So it was really loud. Always. I'm sorry. No, it was incredible. [55:09] did so many funny things together. You're such a, [55:13] Like you're just so great together. I mean, she's genius. So, yeah. But that one was like felt particularly fun because just like how you said it kind of felt like you were both of you felt like you were in like your senioritis. Like it was very like loose and stupid and fun that you can only get to if you've been on the show for a while. Like you just. Yeah. I know you have to kind of earn it and get there. And that felt like that kind of sketch. [55:43] They would always say like – [55:46] You'd put stuff up and it would seem to go well at the table and it wouldn't get picked. And they'd say like, just wait. When you're there for long enough, those things will start getting picked. And it was right. Certainly there were still a couple times when you're like, hey, I deserve the old senior.

[56:08] And it was never – I was never – [56:11] I never went in thinking like, hey, I deserve this because I'm a senior. No, you always worked very hard. I would never want something that I thought sucked to get on. No way. [56:21] I was a part of a lot of things that sucked, by the way, that I probably liked myself. But to me, it was like if something went well at the table read, it deserved – like when you're in your seventh year, you deserve a shot. Yep. Yep. [56:34] Um, [56:35] And sometimes, by the way, sometimes there'd be shows that were chock full of good stuff. Yeah. And so I understand it with that. But then every once in a while, I'd be like, OK, that thing made it in. Oh, yeah. This. Oh, yeah. I mean, that was that was a lot of it. You know, like, OK, they're doing another one of those. OK. [56:56] But that sketch from beginning to end is and remains everybody's favorite. And so to end our podcast today, will you. Oh, can I tell one? Yes. [57:05] much press, and I can't believe this never came up. But like, Tina... [57:09] in the making of the four seasons, we all, uh, [57:14] had what's called [57:16] Two bangers. Yeah. Two banger trailers. So basically there'd be a trailer with a wall in the middle and the toilets would be up against the wall. And so – [57:27] Uh, so I was, I wanted to be very extra respectful. Like I wanted her to know that like. [57:37] I don't even know. I just want, at some point, I'm like, I just want you to know I'm never in there trying to listen to, you know, what's going on. If I hear that you even come close to that bathroom, I'm going. This is an example where I know your intention is good, but you're bringing something up that no one would think. Like, no one would think that you're. Everyone's thinking it. You kidding? Everyone's thinking it. It's so quiet in there.

[58:07] in a letter. It's like, oh, it's a blue envelope. Yeah, you can hear everything. Just so you know, I'm not trying to listen to you go to the bathroom. I just want you to feel comfortable. If you ever go in there, I go in and I put on some music. Yeah. And the door's shut. Sweet. I'm just not in there. And so it became this joke thing. And then we had a system where if we ever heard Iron Maiden, that was like, clear out of here, damage is being done. [58:37] I can't believe that never came up. We just did a full press junket, all did talk shows. We're seeing it here. That's actually, that loving care is actually what a real marriage is like. You're just talking about how you and Tina are keeping each other's boundaries. I'll tell you, that was a really nice thing because to get to go through that experience, [59:07] the honor of getting to play Tina's husband. Like what a, what a professionally, what a thrill, but personally to get to have that experience, we're hanging out so much. And like, she was, you know, got to hang with my family and it was just, it was very special to go through that with her. Yeah. That's awesome. I loved, I loved it. [59:27] Thank you. All right. I want, but can you sing the glass? [59:31] Oh, my God, I did it again. Can you sing the Jar of Beer? Do you remember the Jar of Beer song? Oh, Clancy, get it, take me right down to spaceship camp.

[59:42] Does a toddler have a boiling frying egg up with a frying pan? So hop in model T car, look a spaceship! Toddler in a model T car, spaceship camp. I forgot, I mean I was butchering it, but it was like, I just remember also it was like, spaceship camp! Oh my god. [1:00:04] well I love you you're so great thank you so much for doing this and so it is so fun it's you know time together it's kind of like we barely see you anymore we should we should we should uh hang out more I would love that I would love that I love every time I get to see you and same here that's been the best thing about this is I get to spend like an hour and a half talking while people watch [1:00:35] Thank you so much, Will. Love you. And you're just so hilarious always. And love talking to you today. And, you know, Will talked about Donkey Kong and a great documentary. [1:00:47] about Donkey Kong is called King of Kong. And I just wanted to say in The Polar Plunge, check out King of Kong. It came out maybe almost 20 years ago, but it's a documentary directed by Seth Gordon, a great director who went on to direct movies like Horrible Bosses and Identity Thief. And he actually directed... [1:01:07] a few episodes of Parks and Recreation in the early days. And it is just this incredible tale of men and their love of a particular game. So, uh...

[1:01:17] Check it out. Check out Four Seasons and check out this podcast. See you soon. Bye. [1:01:25] You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullin, and Alea Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. [1:01:47] I am the one who was really good, hey. [1:01:52] Relax and let Kroger Delivery handle your grocery shopping this week. [1:01:57] We start with only the freshest items. Then we carefully pack your order in our refrigerated trucks so your food stays cool and fresh on its way to your door. [1:02:08] And right now, you can save $30 on your first pickup or delivery order and get unlimited free delivery. Restrictions apply. See site for details. Kroger. Fresh for everyone.