Transcript of Ashley Padilla New

Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We are really excited about our guest today. It is Ashley Padilla. Ashley is so talented, so funny, in her 3rd season at SNL, just an excellent cast member who we've all fallen in love with. And we are going to talk about a lot of fun stuff today. We're going to talk about the wonderful Diane Keaton. We're going to talk about getting arrested. And mouthing off to cops. We're gonna talk about how lucky we are to have comedy as our job and how we pinch ourselves every day. We're gonna get into a lot of good stuff. Um, but before we do, we are gonna talk to somebody who knows our guest, who works with our guest, and that is Andrew Dismukes, another hilarious performer and writer, uh, on SNL. Um, a good Texas boy who has a real New York coffee order. So let's, uh, check in with Andrew. I believe he's speaking to us from a poorly lit hotel room. Andrew? This episode is brought to you by Uber. You know those little choices you make that give you more comfort throughout the day, like planning your outfit the night before, sharing your location with a friend when heading home late, taking the actual lunch break away from your desk?

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Andrew!

What are you drinking there? What's your coffee order?

I'm in Appleton, Wisconsin right now. I did some stand-up, so nice hotel coffee.

You went down and got it and brought it back up to your room?

Oh yeah.

Oh yeah.

Fantastic.

How do you take your coffee?

Black, straight up.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

I'm a real one.

Yeah.

Pretty serious stuff.

Well, yeah, I'm a tough guy. I'm a tough New York guy.

Andrew, I was so happy that we were talking today and realized that I need to get you into the 'Stude because I feel like I— I— are you a New York guy? Did you grow up in the East? I don't know enough about you. No, you're not.

I'm from Texas originally, but, you know, become— you know, I've become a New York guy.

I mean, actually, you have, because you've been— what, you've been living in the city for how long now?

Yeah, uh, 9 years now.

Dang.

It's crazy. And I— and I've seen like none of it. Every time people ask me like what my favorite restaurant is, I'm like, there's one like 2 blocks from my house that's great.

And do you have a set tonight, standup set tonight, or, or did you just, uh, do one last night?

Uh, I did one last night flying back home, uh, later.

How did it go?

Crushed.

Crushed.

Let's just say it. There's no, no, no, no two ways about it. Crushed.

Yeah.

And did you change some minds? You changed some lives?

Well, that's what it's really all about is it's about touching hearts and changing minds. And we did. We did.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And I, and I know I have heard that people have asked you to stop touching their hearts.

And I said, well, too bad.

HR has asked you to stop touching so many hearts.

I'm just trying to, I'm just trying to change people. Like, well, you're literally touching their hearts. I thought that's what I was supposed to do.

I'm very excited to talk to you about Ashley today because, um, you two have something that you just kind of can't manufacture, which is chemistry. You two have a way of being together in the world as performers that feels very natural and fun and playful. How did you first meet?

Uh, we first met at the show, like, her first episode. Um, and just pretty quickly, it was clear that, like, oh, this is somebody who has got Chops like crazy. And I think specifically both, like, performer and writer chops. Like, um, she's such a confident performer and so able to bring, like, real acting to the sketches she does. But then also, like, what she writes, you're also like, damn, you're good at both of those things? That's crazy.

And did you start writing with her right away?

No, really, her whole first season, we didn't collaborate much. I think we maybe wrote one or two things that didn't make it to air. Um, but yeah, the first real collaboration was the Weekend Update thing, the, the couple who just hooked up.

Right.

Yeah.

And your tie is askew.

My tie is askew. It's very steamy.

It's very— her hair has got that bed, bed head thing, and you guys are talking about the Super Bowl.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I mean, that is my favorite thing about Weekend Update features, is what the characters are talking about.

Yeah. This is who you got to talk about this? And they're doing a very bad job. It's like just the worst-run show in the world. That's like the premise of Weekend Update is they have the worst booker of all time.

Yeah, they have terrible guests. Um, and what do you like about writing with her?

I, I think what I like the most about Ashley's writing and writing with her is like, uh, her ideas are all like about playing the realness of the scene. And so that's just fun to create in that space where it's like we're playing real emotion to comedic effect rather than, like, being kind of over-the-top silly. It's just a fun energy to get into.

Yeah, I want to talk to her about that today, is that, you know, she's a really good actress. And so she's, like, acting everything very naturally and very real. And it's funny because she puts herself in very insane— and she's often, like, very incredulous as a character. You kind of can't believe what's happening to her.

Yeah, I think about the fart sketch that she did, which everybody loves a fart sketch, but it's so funny the way she plays it where it's like, this woman is very legitimately upset that it just happened. It's not like, ooh, I farted! It's like, oh my God, I farted. I just love that. I love that approach that she has.

Me too. For people that don't know, she plays a, um, a woman who, um, her coworkers try to surprise her. They turn on the lights, and she farts as soon as she sees them. And it's just like downhill from there. She cannot get past it. Um, and then there's like 2 minutes of her asking everybody what they make, what their salary is.

So good.

Played very real. Um, do you have a question for Ashley today? Uh, anything big or small that I could ask her?

I feel like Groundlings specifically, when people come to SNL from Groundlings, It's that— it feels like that. It feels like those people are so equipped for SNL off the jump. Thinking like Mikey, Heidi, Ashley, as well as like former cast members who come back and host. It just feels like that's the most mappable training ground for people in a really interesting way. And I guess I'm just curious what it would— like, if she has any insight in like, what was it that she learned in Groundlings, or what was it that Groundlings specifically instilled in her? that made her be, like, so ready and so equipped? What's the thing she learned in Groundlings, um, or just from that time in her life that she feels like has applied the most to being on SNL?

Ah, great question. I mean, what if we found out that Groundlings has, like, a mini SNL set and they just run drills?

That would be—

Quick changes.

I wouldn't be surprised. Yeah. Uh, yeah, I'm just so impressed with her, like, so quickly. I'm like, What's the secret? How did— what did you learn? Like, please tell me.

She does do a thing that I think good, and, and I think you do this too, and is that, you know, in sketch you have to be grounded, but you also can't be like too, too internal, too interior. You know, I'm sure like actors come on the show and they're— they get kind of quiet and they really wanna— and you're like, oh no, you have to be loud.

Totally, totally. Yeah. I think especially just in that room, like, I think we have talked about it where it's like, doesn't have the best acoustics. Like, there is a thing of like, sometimes you'll do a sketch and you'll be like, I don't think anybody in that room heard what I was saying. I think everybody in the audience was like, oh wow, they just went and did like a silent little play.

Yeah.

And we didn't enjoy it, but—

They did a little whisper play.

They did a little whisper play. So yeah, being still able to, being able to be micro, but also like, yeah, play big enough to get laughs in that room is very important. And she does do that very well.

Yeah, right on. Awesome. Well, it's great to see you. The last time I saw you, I felt like I was dressed as a man and I was holding a tortoise because of something that you did. That's true.

Yeah, we had a sketch where you were dressed as a man and holding a tortoise.

Well, thank you for that.

And thank you for doing that. We really appreciated it.

Of course. And I will, the tortoise wrangler who, you know, was very nice, did warn me that the tortoise could and would most likely bite.

And you handled it like a champ, and we really appreciated that. Because we— she— the, the wrangler did say that, and we were like, and you're cool with that, right, Amy? You're cool with maybe getting bitten?

Totally.

Um, well, thank you for talking in from your hotel room. Um, good luck with the coffee.

Thank you.

Please don't turn any lights on. Just stay as— stay in the dark.

I'm gonna stay in the dark because this is just sort of where I like to be. This is just where I'm most comfortable. Yeah, with the hard light coming I think that's best for Zoom. And I'm sure that your producers are really happy that, uh, I, I— this is my configuration.

Well, we're gonna do— we're gonna use those Zoom filters. We're gonna put on funny sunglasses. We're gonna put on like a beret.

You're gonna make me look like a cool tough guy.

Yeah, nice. Like a cool tough—

yeah, like a New Yorker.

Right, like a New Yorker. I got sunglasses on like a New Yorker because I'm a cool tough guy.

Andrew, thank you so much for doing this. Ashley's gonna be thrilled that we talked, and it's so great to see you.

Thank you, Amy.

Yeah, thank you so much. Okay, buddy.

Bye.

Bye.

Thanks.

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Woohoo!

I'm so glad you're here.

This is surreal.

Come on.

Come on!

I'm so excited.

Oh, this is crazy.

Yeah, I know.

What?

People don't know that we're talking on a very stormy and rainy morning.

It's very rainy.

I mean, I don't know if people care about the weather outside when we do these podcasts.

Every day you're like, today's forecast.

Definitely.

But I was like, maybe it's too stormy. Maybe Ashley won't come.

I got scared. You'd be looking out the window Not today. I can't do this. Sorry, Amy. It's raining.

Okay. Are we good with Ashley's?

Just your microphone. Okay.

Wait. Oh, you can— I can move this.

Okay. Let's move this. We can scoot.

We can scoot.

Can I take a sip of this yet?

No, there's— it's lighter fluid in there. Oh, it's for the cameras.

It's for the cameras.

I'm so sorry.

There's no way.

I can't drink anything.

Okay. I trust you.

Yes, of course you can. Okay, very good.

So move— I caused a little bit of a dam. She's episode— they're just kind of moving.

And weirdly, the laptop is the only thing you can see.

The whole time she just gets closer to the camera.

Well, it's funny because look at this.

Dun da da da da.

Can you imagine if I was just on it too the whole time and it was just—

And you're on Facebook writing. You're on Twitter being like, ever been so bored in your life? I'm on Facebook marketing. With a gay—

you're on Facebook marketing. Ashley Padilla is here.

Yeah.

I'm so happy you're here.

I can't believe it.

I'm thrilled you're here. And congratulations on being one of the captains of the show.

Wow. And coming from the captain.

Ma'am. And also—

Ma'am, please don't talk to me. Don't.

Oh, please don't. I don't want to talk about my life. No, please don't.

I'm interviewing you.

Oh! But the cast is so good right now. The show is so gelled. Congratulations on having an incredible year.

Thank you!

Your second year, second season on the show. And I guess what I wanted to start with is that I don't really, you know, I don't know a lot about you. Very mysterious, actually. And you like to keep it that way.

Yeah.

So, great talking to you.

Bye-bye! Anyways, it's still raining outside. The rain is getting harder.

Talk about the rain. But you're a private person. Or I would say you don't have a lot of—

It's not that I'm private.

Okay, tell me.

It's that I'm so scary boring. And I thought, I'm gonna reveal this. Last night in bed, going to bed, thinking about today, and I had an image. Of us sitting there, no talking, and you going, so... And I was like, no, Ashley, that won't happen. She'll have questions for sure.

She'll think of something.

She'll think of something.

She'll talk about the weather, something. She'll say that it's raining outside.

I had a nightmare that you were like, okay.

Ash.

Because there's nothing to share.

That's not— everyone has something to share. Everyone knows.

Got you. Sue!

But one of my kind of themes of today is that you entered the show kind of as a grown-ass woman. Oh, yeah. Like, with your skills and your readiness for the show, and us getting to know you on the show seemed to have matched, in my opinion. And that's very, very cool and satisfying to watch. And also, you have something that I really, really love when you talk about your job and your show is, a real gratitude for how cool it is to get paid to do comedy on TV.

It's crazy. No, it's crazy. I'm scared if I say it out loud too much, people will be like, hey, she's right! Get her out of here! Or pay her nothing! What the hell? I do worry about that.

Because to be a successful actor on a TV show that is so beloved that People are responding to your work. And even just— I was looking up the number again because I always get blown away by the fact that there's only been like 180, 170-something cast members.

It's like a— It's a club. It's crazy.

It's an airplane.

It's an airplane.

So to be on that show, I guess, what are the still kind of pinch-me moments 2 years in that feel like—

This.

You.

Speaking to me. It really is so crazy. It's like there's pinch-me moments every day because it's so silly. Because what you said, I mean, I've been practicing this craft for so long.

Yes.

Even in childhood, doing it without you realizing you're doing it, right? Just being an idiot and funny and people saying you're annoying. And it's just like—

Yeah.

It was so natural to me. And so to do it for a living is crazy. It's a pinch-me moment all the time.

What kind of little kid were you?

I was loud and really funny, I think. And I think, you know, my uncle, I think, could— my Uncle Chris, he's the one who really got me into sketch comedy. He did— he would— I did a thing called the Sign Spinner. I came up with this girl named Esther, the Sign Spinner.

Oh, like the person that's outside of the—

Yeah, sign spinning. And she was a character. named Esther who would— she sign spinned for fun because she loved it. So she'd make signs for different restaurants around town and do it for free. And they were like, get out of our— we don't— and it was this thing we came up with. And he recorded it with me and—

How old were you?

Edited it with me. 13. So he was the one who was like, you have something and I like comedy and let's make this. And he was the man— he played the manager of this place that was like, get out of here. And I was 13, and I remember being so proud of myself that I could keep a straight face. Like, you'd be like, cut! And I'd be like, I didn't even laugh. I didn't even laugh.

She laughed once, and it was hilarious the whole time.

I was funny the whole time, and I was keeping that in. And I wanted to laugh.

Were you watching sketch at the time? Like, did he—

I don't know that I was watching sketch.

A lot of people have cool uncles who, like, introduce them to music and comedy.

Oh, yeah.

What were you watching at 13, or what were you into?

I was watching The Office, and I was really obsessed. I was obsessed with it. I was really obsessed with Dwight Schrute.

Yes.

And I wanted to— that's kind of why I wore the glasses as Esther. And like, I was obsessed with him in a big way because he was doing the thing I wanted to do, which was being crazy.

Yeah.

And committing to it. And what was crazy and funny was that he was doing it out of his own truth as a character. So he wasn't trying to go for the joke. What was funny was that he was He thought this was serious. And it was that, yeah.

Well, that is what I think is so interesting about your work is, like, I do think you come to it from an acting place.

Mm-hmm.

Right?

I love that.

So, did you want to be— did you consider when you were a young person, like, did you say, I wanted to be a comedian, or, do I want to be an actor?

I don't think I knew the difference. I just knew— same with Steve Carell. I mean, like, the laughs he would get. I'd watch The Office just stan. My mom always got me the season for Christmas. Like, I knew it was coming. every Christmas was the new season in, like, the DVD set because I would sit and watch it for hours because that's the whole— without realizing it, that is what they're all doing. They're all just acting really well.

Right.

And Steve Carell as well, just all his little inner work that he's doing is getting the laugh. He barely sometimes has lines and he's getting a laugh.

Yes.

So, I didn't put two and two together. I just think it's— it just was natural. It was like, oh, that's how I get the laugh, is when I am so locked in. I remember there was this, like, Once I remember there was this thing I did for a friend, my friend Sierra. We went to a museum. I don't know why. We were just like having a gals' day, as you do. You go to the museum.

And drink grape juice and pretend it's wine.

You drink grape juice. You know. Okay. So you know. And we were doing that and we were at the museum and I was making her laugh because I was acting like the bench in the middle of the place was a piece of artwork. And I was like, Oh my God. Just real— and people started watching and she's crying nearby. And I remember writing down later at Groundlings in class, like, the bench is beautiful. Believe the bench is beautiful. Believe it is. There's art all around this girl, but she thinks that's a piece of art. Believe it's beautiful. And it's like, just suspend people's— I don't know it's a joke. You don't know you're funny. The character doesn't know they're funny. Never.

Ever.

So did you come from a funny family? You have 3 siblings.

Yes.

What is your birth order?

I'm second. So Lindsay's the oldest, it's me, and then Sammy and Teddy. And they are— they would attest this— they're, they're all funnier than me.

And funny mom?

My mom is very funny.

You're very close to your mom.

Yes.

And your— I love that your mom was like, you should go into comedy.

Yeah.

That doesn't happen a lot where someone's mom is like, think about comedy. She—

could you imagine if it didn't work out and I was like, look what you did? I wanted to be an accountant! I wanted to be an accountant! You made me go Groundlings. Yeah, she Googled comedy class and was like, I'm there.

Okay, so what did she do for a job?

She worked at Adobe and worked her way up. Software. And worked her way up. Like, didn't go to college. Single mom, 4 children.

Dang.

At my age now. Oof.

What?

It doesn't make sense.

No.

Wow. Yeah. And so for her to do that, I mean, all 4 of us have unique talents. Like, we're all like, my sister has a hair salon, my little sister is a tattoo artist, like, my little brother's a great screenwriter, also working as a nurse, but he writes these movies. Like, he— like, everyone. And she just watered those plants. She wasn't trying to make you not do it. She wasn't trying to go, no, go do this, Ashley, go play football, or whatever parents make you do.

Yeah, go play football.

I got lucky. She didn't make me do that.

We all kind of learn by people modeling for us. What did you learn about work by watching your mom work so hard?

That she could, uh, she was just a hustler. She still is. She's just a hustler. Like, even at Adobe, working her way up at that company, you know, she, she became an executive producer of like the live events. So when And we would go— I did hair and makeup for a long time. That's how I would make money. And she would hire me to do hair and makeup, me and my sister, at these big events. And you just see her on the headset and she's like— and I was like, what a powerhouse. She just knew what she wanted and was like— and all these, love everyone that works there, a lot of men.

Yeah.

And she's the one telling and producing. And it was just so cool. And I do think it— influenced me. And also her saying, go do this. Like, you can do it. But I just never had any fear. I never wondered if I was too small for the world, or like—

Yeah.

That never crossed my mind.

Incredible.

Because she was such a great example of that.

So cool.

Yeah.

I mean, she says, okay, let's look up comedy clubs.

Yeah.

And—

It could have ended so badly. It's so crazy.

And she's like, you and I are going to a comedy club, and you're gonna do comedy for your mother.

It's crazy.

Did you think that you were— this was going to be your job?

No way. I was so— no way. No way. No. And I was so scared for life. Like, I was— I didn't go to college. I went for a week at community college. I left on a Friday. I went on a Monday, left on a Friday.

You were like, I left something in my car. I'll be right back.

Oh my God. I wish I should have done that. Instead, I pull aside—

Oh, you're—

A teacher who's not in charge of that. I go, let me talk to you. I pull him aside and I'm like, I can't do this. Oh, I don't know what I'm doing. And he was like, so you need to go to the administration. You don't— I'm teaching biology or whatever. And I sobbed to him and I said, I just can't do this. This isn't for me. Oh, because I was sitting there going, I just got out of this. Yeah, I just got out of high school. That I hated and always failed. Well, yeah.

What kind of student were you?

Oh, awful.

I'm shocked.

Awful.

I'm shocked. You're so smart. I'm shocked that you were—

But I had no interest in anything they were putting out with that.

You were like, I'm never gonna need this.

I said, when am I gonna need this?

Yes.

You tell me and I will submit this homework because tell me.

I'm trying to figure out your— don't worry, we'll cut this, Jenna. I'm trying to figure out your Enneagram number.

Your disease.

Your disease.

Because you're such a—

this is very true.

Wait, what?

Well, but not being a good student.

Bad girl. Not just not being a good student. Bad girl.

Tell me more. What do you mean? How did you get in trouble?

Arrested. No!

Finally, we got to it.

She's got a record. Talk to me, Badia.

Disorderly conduct? Was it some kind of—

what was it?

Okay, shoplifting.

Okay, here's what I was charged with. Okay. Obstruction of justice, resisting arrest.

So cool.

My mother pulling in as I'm cuffed on the cop car, cuffed on top of the cop car. She pulls in, single mother, pulls in in her boyfriend's truck.

Headset's still on.

One second. She gets out and she's looking at me like, I'm like, uh, talking to the cop and he's like, so we found her in the rose bush. My extensions, crazy. I've got my, like, flip phone thing with the keyboard and I'm like, my mom's— my mom's here. These cops, basically, I was like, leave. I was like running from a party.

That's what I mean, running from a party.

But there had been a hit and run down the way.

Oh.

And me and— I can't say his name. I had my fake Chanel. He had my fake Chanel. Mm-hmm.

Oh my God.

Did they care that it was fake? Did they get you?

That's why I got arrested. Girls, get over here. No, they arrested me because I hid in a rose bush for, I think, 4 hours. And when they pulled me out, I said— I said, and they wrote this down. They wrote this down. It was in the police report. I said, it's about time you motherfuckers caught me.

Ashley!

For who? What is that for?

I love it.

Who was that for? Was I on camera? I mean, what?

Because you know what? Because what you doubled down, because when you were like, you were nervous and you were like, I'm gonna go extra cocky. I can relate.

I went so cocky. I was in a tube top, hair, 16. About time.

So 16, it's about time you guys caught me.

I said, it's about time you motherfuckers caught me. They, they caught me.

Dang.

They cuffed me and I was like, please uncuff me before my mother gets here. And they were like, fine. And they like uncuffed me and I said, how'd you guys know that I was there? And they were like, we had the place surrounded. And this young boy who ran with me had your fake Chanel.

What did he also get arrested?

Yes, he did. He got arrested. And—

So did you go to court? Were charges dropped?

Well, this is where it gets interesting, if it wasn't already. They were like, because you're 16 or something, we're not— this can be removed from your record if you go to court-ordered therapy with your mother.

And your mother was like, I'm busy.

Excuse me?

That's punishment for her.

She had to sit there. And I remember, I love you, Mom. She had these red nails, blonde hair. She's a working woman. She's sitting there and the therapist was like, I want you guys to draw for me. And my mom was like, no. And she's like, okay. And I remember she didn't. She's like flipping through a magazine. I'm not doing that. And I drew something and they said, draw yourself and draw a house. That's what they said to do.

Whoa.

And I drew a house and myself and I shit you not, Amy, the woman says, now why did you draw yourself smaller than the house? And I was like, because. My mom's like, the clock's ticking. Why did you try it? And I was like, to fit in the house. And she's like, no, you feel small. It was crazy. And I was like—

That's incredible.

And meanwhile, I'm like, my mom has to— I'm already in trouble. And my little brother had to come. I don't know why. He was like, I'll draw too. And he was drawing and he drew a ...castle with a man named Fred getting electrocuted on the side of the castle. And she said, I'm gonna keep this one for the files. And my mom was driving. I'm like, great, now they're gonna take Teddy. Now the court's gonna take Teddy. It was like—

This is— you were a bad mom.

She deserves an Oscar, if that's what we should give her. What is an Oscar for being a mom? She had to deal with some shit.

Okay, so then she was like, take some— take some of your comedy fun. She was like, channel some of this into a professional experience.

Yes! Stop!

Okay. Stop.

Stop!

Stop.

And, like, I went and got a job at Sephora, and they gave me a job. I mean, I just loved having a job that I actually liked. I was probably just— I was just in bliss. And, like, there was a rule. You had to, like, wear 5 articles of makeup at the time.

Ooh.

So I learned to do that. to do makeup. I became like an educational manager. I was like rising up like my mom did at her job. I was like rising up, and I didn't go to college, and I was like getting responsibilities. And then—

So you like to be the boss?

I like to get the most out of everything. And I think sometimes, especially in worlds like that where there's like, you know, steps—

Yes.

I just like being the best at everything I'm doing. And not against anyone else. I'm not trying to be better than— I'm just Like, how much more can I do?

Yes.

You know?

That's why probably things like school, you're like, there's nowhere to grow here.

There's nowhere to grow.

You're like, what's past an A?

And what? What? What? I'm sorry. I still, I stand by that. I'm like, doing all of that. Oh my God. Yeah. Unless you know what you're doing in high— I'm just, go to school. I don't know.

I don't know if you believe that. I don't know if you believe that when you say that.

I guess I'm just like, that's all right.

I don't believe you.

Unless you're interested in it. Unless you're interested in it. Because yeah, to absorb information, you have to want to know.

That's true.

Right? To retain the information.

Because you didn't do theater in high school?

No, I did one play because during bad girl, bad girl times, I didn't, I didn't submit. You're supposed to submit the classes you want to take, and I just didn't do it. So there's my mom's phone ringing again. They're like, she didn't do this. And so she had to come down to the principal's office and we had to fill out a thing together. And she was like, what's left? And they're like, theater. And I was like, no, please don't make me. And I did it. And I remember I didn't even tell anyone. And I was in, what was it called? The Emperor's New Clothes? Is that what it's called?

I don't know.

You were there. I remember.

The Emperor's New Clothes.

You were scouting in the audience.

Yeah, there was scouts in the audience.

And I got the role of the lead princess. And I remember floating down the aisle. I came from the audience to the stage, loved it, then pretended it never happened. I was like, put that away. That's crazy.

Interesting.

Yeah.

So loved it when you got it. You were stepping into it. Here we go. So you're not so much introverted, very extroverted.

Very extroverted, very loud, but just, yeah, not knowing you could make money on it, I guess.

Yeah, sure. I mean, did you know anyone who was an actor or—

No.

Yeah.

No. And then, you know, you get to— I worked at Sephora and then my longtime, my like high school boyfriend who I love, he's the best. We broke up and I became so depressed. And there I was with money, an apartment. I did the thing. I very quickly did the thing that, like, you're supposed to do, you know? And when I saw it didn't make me happy, I was miserable. And now I don't have this boyfriend. And I just felt so sad. And my mom was like, what if you try— you're funny. What if you tried this thing? Because I'd made it to the top at Sephora in the way that I could.

Yeah.

And like, I just— yeah, I felt so unhappy. And there was this quiet little voice in there that was like, wanting something more, but I didn't know what it was. And so I felt awful about myself. You're almost just like, something's wrong with me. Like, nothing's satisfying me. And then my mom said that, and then I, I went.

You find your people at Groundlings.

Yeah.

And for people that don't know who, you know, Groundlings, it's an improv and sketch group and, uh, hugely influential for so many people. Like, incredible alum came out of there. What were you doing for money when you were Were you waiting tables? Makeup.

Makeup and working, yeah, in restaurants. Yeah, I was doing weddings and makeup jobs, and I did music videos or just like— I did this— I forget who the artist was. I can't even say. They paid me in cold hard cash, just like a thing of cash. When I first got to LA, I mean, it was just—

Just whatever you could get.

Just whatever I could do.

Yeah.

When I first got to LA, I got a job at the Church Key. It was like this American-style dim sum place. And I had to dress up as a Pan Am stewardess with a little hat, a little outfit, and heels. And I once came in with flats and they were like, no, no, no, no, no.

They were like, honey.

Go to your car or find something. And I had to go buy heels. And I came back and I pushed around a dim sum cart where I made liquid nitrogen alcoholic Otter Pops. So I take the Otter Pop, which one would you like? Put it in the thing, pour liquid nitrogen, no gloves because they want you to look good, burning myself, burning myself. And I'm— I think I was 20 because I remember they, like, let me do it, maybe.

So you go to Groundlings, How do you get the audition for SNL?

I, I'd been working for, for Diane Keaton, actually, for a long time.

Okay, so let's talk about Diane.

Yeah.

So you were her assistant.

Yeah.

And where— how did you two meet? How did you get that job?

When I moved to LA, my mother's friend's sister was her main assistant and was like, let's grab coffee. And we had a coffee, and Her name's Stephanie. She's the best. She's taught me everything. Her and Diane have taught me so much. It is crazy. I can't believe it even looking back. Like, even just down to like getting me my first real purse, you know? I had the fake shit.

Yeah.

Like, I love fashion and all that stuff. And they're just the best. And like, they just taught me so much. And I meet with her and she goes, we're always looking for someone to do errands and all that stuff. And at the time, I didn't— Diane Keaton, I knew her as the mom from Family Stone.

Right.

I did not watch Annie Hall. I had not seen The Godfather and all that. She made me watch those movies. She did. She said, you haven't seen Annie Hall? You're going to go home and you're going to watch it and tell me what you think. And I did. And then I watched The Godfather and she asked me what I thought. She was so incredible. And it really did start as like a small job, just like, come and, you know, help at this party. And I did. And I remember them sort of like chatting, like, what are we gonna do? And then, and then she was like, well, what about, you know, her? Does she, does she, is she working? And so I did. I took on that job and it started with the kids and then it turned into like, oh, well, can you run Diane's Instagram? And I was like, okay. And then that turned into, well, you gotta, you know, spend time with Diane. You guys gotta. look at videos and make stuff for her Instagram. And then it just all snowballed, and slowly it, it became my whole life at a time, like reading scripts and, and working on projects.

And we eventually sold a book together. And—

Okay, so when you're— when you're running her Instagram, which was often in all caps—

Yeah.

Was that her writing? Yes.

Okay.

Yes. She was like, make sure that's—

In caps.

Yelling at the audience. It's so funny because it's so crazy how quickly it became my own, like, all right, yes, that's like— it was normal.

Yeah.

She's so special.

She is. She's really one in a million. She's so original. Like, she had this thing that— how would you describe— How would you describe that thing she had? That's like—

Magic.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's freaky.

It was so delightful and playful, and eccentric isn't really quite the right word. It was just, like, very, very original how she moved through life.

Very special. She just floated around like a butterfly. She's like a butterfly. And she really was. Even working with her, she was like, oh, look at this. Like, she taught me to be see the world around me, the shapes. As silly as that sounds, she'd go, look at the building. We'd stop, she'd pull over. Do you see this? Oh my God, the tree, the way the light comes. She got me to like notice everything as if I was with a child. It's so crazy. It was wonder like a child that she kept into her 70s.

Yeah.

And that's what's rare. It's not that that she was any different than anybody else. She was just willing to, to, to stick with that and keep that wonder that goes away at some point.

Yeah.

Because it taught me that it was even going away in myself. Because she brought it back. And now I see those things, I stop and I go, oh my God, I love the way that that shape is. And like, those are the— that's my daily life now because of her. And I see pictures and I love images and and even making the book with her, like, you know, every page and every image and like, what's better and why does this need to be black and white and not have color? Why do you like this contrast? It's like, it's such a gift. It's crazy. It's like school. That's the school, right? That's the stuff that I'm going, holy shit, I'm retaining everything.

Wow.

And what book did you make together? What was that?

Fashion First. Because her and I have a love for collaging and pictures, and she got me into that. And we tried to sell a collage book that no one was interested in. I mean, I'm going, it's Diane Keaton. Everyone was like, you're crazy if you think we are making this book because no one's going to buy it. And just getting the rights for the images will be crazy because the mouth belongs to someone else.

Oh, okay.

And we're going, make it happen. And she was so pissed that no one wanted to make this. But as I was doing research for that book, I went, hold on now, why don't you have a fashion book? And I showed her all of the images I brought. I came to work one day, I remember I was so nervous, and Stephanie kind of gave me the sign. She's like, show her this. Because Stephanie had been kind of trying to tell her for a long time to do this thing. And I came with images because that's her language.

Yeah.

And I was like, look at all of your outfits. Look at everything you've done. Look at— you know what I mean? And when I showed her all of them, she went, okay, this is good. And we pitched it.

She was like, okay, I am very stylish.

That's when we showed Rizzoli, and that's when they were like, all right, we'll make this. Yeah. I couldn't believe she let me design it. She let me design the COVID She let me design the book. She let me do everything. And I went, but I've never made a book before. And she's like, you will figure it out.

So cool.

She had no doubt.

Yes.

It's weird.

How amazing, actually. Amazing.

I know.

What a loss.

She's so special.

Yeah.

And she really cared about me. She would come to Groundlings shows when, like, why were you there?

Yeah.

Going to comedy. I always said to her, I said, you shouldn't come to this.

Yeah.

And I mean it.

Yeah.

And she was like, I'm coming. And I'm gonna wear a tutu and a big old hat.

Yep.

And I said— I even said the first time she came, I said, please, you know, I just don't want you to get mobbed, is what it was. I just felt like, ugh. I also kept the two very separate. separate, right?

Sure.

You're being a struggling comedian, you know? And then I go to this icon's house. I was living a double life.

Yeah. Yeah.

And then when the two would come together, I remember she was like, I'll lay low. I'll lay low. And I was like, okay, great. I'm looking through the thing when she arrives and she's in the biggest tutu and biggest— excuse me. Excuse me. Getting her tutus, getting on people. Excuse me? Excuse me? And every time she's laughing, yes! Every sketch, ah!

I mean, she really was a fairy godmother, and she dressed like a fairy godmother.

She dressed like a fairy godmother. She was very— and I was just like— and everyone backstage, Diane Keaton's here! I know, she's here.

So she helped you get the audition? She, like, she encouraged you to audition? She basically believed that you could do it, and therefore—

She believed I could do it, but I will I mean, everyone believed in me, but nothing was happening. And so I was going to quit. Yeah.

Talk to me about that. You were just— you were thinking—

I was tired.

Yeah.

It had been— I mean, like you said, you're like, you came into SNL kind of fully formed, but it's because I respect what people are doing online with the comedy. I'm not good at that. And so every time the opportunity came up, it was like, well, do something online. Do front-facing comedy. Do all that stuff. I resisted the urge because it just wasn't for me. And I went, well, if that's not for me, I kind of associated it with, well, then I guess I'm not willing to do the work, which wasn't true. I was always doing the work. I was doing live shows. Just who's in the audience? Not, you know, no one that can really make a career for you.

No Guffmans.

There's no Guffmans. Where's the Guffman?

Where's the Guffman?

We're waiting. So I, I just felt tired and I was like, fuck this. I, I, I decided I, I was more willing to decide to live my life.

Yeah.

I was like, I'm done. I'm done with the, will I get the—

will I—

I just made a book. I was like, there's other ways to make money and be creative. That's what she taught me. And I was like, I'm done. I'm just fucking done. I'll figure out something else. I just want to be happy. And, and that does not lie in waiting to see if this commercial is gonna call me after pinning me. You know what I mean?

Like, imagine.

I was like, no, I'm just done. And that's when, you know, Naomi Odenkirk, who is—

Yep, Bob Odenkirk's wife, very famous manager.

She is unreal. She— we went to breakfast and she was like, what do you do? Like, what have you been doing? You're like traveling with Diane. Like, what is your life? Like, and I'm like, I guess I just am like, I'm like, I don't know, like, I'm just not doing it anymore, I guess. Like, I don't want to perform live. I was losing that interest because I hit my— I hit the ceiling of what I could do, right? I made Maine, I like did everything, and it was just like, all right, I guess this is— this path is done. I love performing, but this is no longer serving me to become a better person within myself. Yeah, I felt stunted. And then she said, well, let me try one more thing and let's do this Party of Three show, which was me, Chris Kleckner and Alex Bonifer. She's like, well, do your best stuff, because I didn't want to do it alone. And she was like, pick your friends. They're dear friends and we're always in each other's stuff. So we did a show and then that kind of caught some momentum. And then we were in Netflix Is a Joke.

And then it was SNL wants you to showcase. And I was like, okay. And they came to Party of Three and then they asked me to showcase after the show. So I performed, they just see me, and then I ran over to UCB Franklin.

What impressions did you do?

Oh, God.

I know.

I did Diane. I did Diane, actually, because I was like, I don't do impressions. Who am I around the most? Diane. And she's so funny. I did her voiceover. I did her doing a voiceover for Planet Earth where she's just yelling that they're hurting each other because she's so— they're hurting each other! She's just so funny. And that was an easy one. And then, oh my God, I don't even know what else I did. I'm not good at impressions. And that's something that I've always been like, then I guess I'm not good for SNL.

I know.

Isn't it funny? Because it's— I, I'm not good at impressions either. And if— and it's like, it's a weird thing where someone's like, so just also— I guess it would be like if you're applying for a job and they're like, also just do a little bit of, um, painting.

100%.

Just, just also you just have to do 3 paintings.

You're my lawyer, I just need you to do 3 paintings. Just 3. And you're like, okay, I'll do, I'll do the best I can at painting. And do it at the opening before you even go into your lawyering. Do the cold open.

Do the paintings first.

Do the paintings first.

Before we talk about the lawyering. And on your way to doing the painting, walk past 40 people who are really good at painting.

Who are really good at painting.

Make sure you take a look at their photos.

That makes me feel so much better because I made the mistake of thinking once I got the show that they were like, surely they're not going to ask me. I'm bad at it. No, they're going to ask you. And they're going to ask you a lot. They're going to tell you.

What have you done? What political impressions have you done on the show so far?

We shouldn't call them impressions. We just shouldn't label it as an impression.

Okay. Political characters. Who have you played?

I did Kristi Noem.

Oh, yeah. Kristi Noem. That's right.

I did Pam Bondi. Who you?

Both of them. Both of them.

I watched yours. Gone.

I know.

I know.

Totally gone.

I know. And then I did Caroline Levitt. All of them just—

Yeah.

Not even scraping the surface of what— I watched you and Tina because I had— I did— you both did it. And then you had to go and do both of them. I had to go do both of them. And just more iconic women, cooler women from the show did it. And then me. And I was like, oh my God. I was like, why are you guys making me do this? And I was like, can Amy come back?

That was like when Forte had to do Bush after Will Ferrell left.

Oh, it's feral.

It's so not fair.

Okay. But did you bring any Groundlings characters to SNL?

Oh yeah, I did. I did my haircut sketch.

You did?

For your audition?

Oh, yeah. That was—

Oh, that's cool.

Yeah. I did haircut. I did—

God, that sketch.

I did Kathy a bit. I did this woman Kathy for Jack Black, but she sort of changed. Because that's what's been interesting is that I brought so much to the show, came in like, I've got all this stuff. And then you realize it's It's just such a different medium, even though they're both sketch. You gotta be a little punchier. You need to, like—

Well, it's funny you say that because— so, we do this thing on the show where we talk to somebody who knows our guest so we can talk well behind their back. And we talked to Andrew today. Andrew Dismuke.

Oh, that's so sweet!

He was in his hotel room.

That is so sweet!

Drinking black coffee.

I thought you were gonna say drinking whiskey or something.

Drinking whiskey out of a bottle.

He's doing bad.

He's doing badly.

Oh, my God. Yeah.

And he's—

we're very worried about him. So he asked you for some money? Yep.

And it was really appropriate.

Great.

Um, no, he had just done a show. He was, he was drinking black coffee in a hotel room and we were talking about you. And he is so lovely and, and works so hard on that show and loves working with you.

He's the best.

And his question for you was, what at Groundlings helps you prepare for SNL? Because we were kind of joking that, like, in many ways, it feels like a mini SNL camp there. Like, people get really prepared. But you're saying that it also— it did and it didn't. What did it do to help you to get ready for the show?

I mean, it forces you to write for yourself. If there is anything I could ever tell, like, young comedians, but also just, like, young women, because— Especially for myself. Like, I mean, gosh, even Diane. I mean, like, the scripts she was getting versus what I knew she was capable of sometimes. Like, just like the writing for women sometimes bothers me in a way that I cannot—

Let's talk about it for a second. What bothers you? 'Cause I know what you mean. It's like—

I just feel like sometimes we're not as portrayed as complex.

Yes.

I was going to say aggressively because I'm like, we got shit going on. It's complex. It's deep. It's so nuanced. It's like, I have so many things about me that I want to see on screen and in comedy. And I do wonder sometimes if to get there, we just need to be a little more willing to write for ourselves.

Yes.

And that's what Groundlings did for me was you do not get on that stage unless you are writing something for yourself.

Yeah.

I mean, you might be in some people's stuff, maybe, but like, it's the same at SNL. It's like, you can wait around all day for someone to write something for you, or you can just write it yourself.

Right.

And I feel that way with movies as well. Like, I'm so lucky to be now, like, getting to do movies, but I'm still writing. I am writing so much, and I will never stop because I have to speak for myself.

Right.

And it just creates this confidence. And that's what it prepared me for, was showing up and going, all right, none of these writers know who I am.

Right.

And nor should they. They've got their own shit. They have to write the cold open. They're doing stuff.

They're busy.

They're busy. They're writing for Amy Poehler. It's like they've got a host.

They've got a host.

They're not going, what is Ashley?

No.

So then I went, all right, then I'm going to write. And then that's what makes people want to work with you is they're like, okay, she knows what she wants to do. And that's where it's, oh my gosh. And I have people like Alison Gates, Kent Sublett, like showing up and helping me make it more SNL, more for television. It's got to be a little punchier. It's got to be choppy. It's got to like— the cuts, camera cuts. And like, you can't do what you do at Groundlings where I can linger because there's no time constraint. It's like, we got to get to it.

But you know, you have an interesting quality that's really awesome to watch, which is you do not rush and you take your time and you have great timing. And it's thrilling because we all know the construct of that show. There's, like, just not a lot of time. And so, the luxury of having a little bit of time, taking a little time, it feels transgressive. And when it's done by somebody who knows what they're doing, it's really fun.

It is my favorite thing to do, I will say. It's like my— it's just so, like— I remember even with the haircut sketch, there was some talk about cutting stuff, And the first thing to go is those pauses at the beginning. Well, let's just cut your entrance. Please let me have that because I need to say hi to the audience real quick in a way that's like, let me show you what I'm feeling and then we'll get into it. Because I like watching people behave.

Yeah.

And to behave, it's not rushed to feel nervous or anxious or embarrassed. Being embarrassed It just takes a little time. It's like that feeling of— it's just— I love it. And it like— and then now they're on your side, I hope, because they're in on the joke with you.

Yeah.

You know? And then those other jokes pop. That's that, like, song that I like to play. It's like— it's just a bit of a dance. I like it.

God, it's so true about behavior because we don't really often remember what sketches are about. Like, the idea is like, what? I don't even remember the idea. Someone's mad at someone about whatever. It's these little human behavior moments that are so funny and weird. You're so good at them.

Thank you.

I mean, that sketch— there's a sketch where you are surprised by your coworkers for your birthday, and you fart.

Yes.

You fart.

I couldn't believe that got on television. That was put on TVs.

That's right. It's on TV forever. Families saw that. Your moaning after—

We—

Like, in terms of the real estate of the sketch, it takes up a lot of time.

Oh, yeah.

Your reaction to, like, what did I do? What just happened? How am I gonna get through this? Is all conveyed in, like, 20, maybe 25 seconds of moaning.

And that was not really in rehearsal. That's where I want you to apologize to everyone, is I— Something took over there. And that's where the audience is like— I'm sure you've felt this. I mean, it's why we love live is like, you can rehearse something all day.

Yeah.

But until you're in front of a crowd and know what they are going to give you— they loved the fart so much. And I went, well, shit. Let's sit. Here we go. Let's sit in the pain of this. I love arrogance.

Oh my—

what is funnier? Me too.

Me too.

What is funnier than someone being like, I'm like, happy guys? I farted. Is that what you guys wanted?

I also played a character who was very cocky about the fact that she farted and was like, she accused people of being jealous. There was a show called Rock of Love, which was like a dating show, and I played a one-legged character who farted when she jumped around.

Okay, sure.

And she was like, so I farted. Jealous? She said jealous. And my mom was like, no, we're not jealous.

The epitome of why I want to do comedy.

I know. And it would be so fun to do, hopping around on one leg being like— because I was— she considered herself a real catch. And you know what? That's all it takes.

That's also my favorite, is when someone's like, You wanna fuck me?

No!

You want some of this? No!

Totally. I love that.

I want none of it. That is fantastic.

You and Andrew work so well together, by the way.

He does the— he's what we're talking about. I mean, his stuff is grounded in realism. Like, he's like—

And he writes a lot for the show.

That's all— he's got a very clear voice. Yeah.

And do you feel like starting— you started at the 50th year. Was it weird? The 50th season, was it weird to start with, like, every person coming back all the time?

I— and mind you, no one knew who I was. Like, Emile and Jane are so proactive with their careers that they had a following. They were coming in, you know, they had fans to watch them. People tuning in were going, who is this woman? What is she doing? And I was going, I don't know!

I don't know!

And then I would see my friends, and I was like, oh, man! Who hired me? Do they know I'm here? And then to the point where when I came back for this last season, I was sitting in my dressing room the whole first show, not in a single thing.

Oh, yeah. Okay.

And then I did my sketch, last sketch of the show. And—

Which is often the best one.

It can be. It's sort of like a Hail Mary. It's like, yeah, there— I do— I did love that slot. And the more you get on the show, the less you get that slot sometimes, which I do— that slot is fun.

Yeah.

And I also wanna talk to you about your haircut.

Oh, okay. Okay.

Because it's such a bold move to cut your hair in the middle of a season.

I think they'd all say that too.

Did you have to get— did you have to get permish? Like, I mean, you're—

It's unfair what I did to these— it's unfair.

You begged for forgiveness. You did not ask for permission.

You just did it. I went shorter than I said I was going.

What's your relationship with Loren?

I just really, really admire him. I just think he's so smart. And I can't believe someone was put on this earth to give people like you and I— I don't know if you think this, but being funny is so insane. It's like, what are you here for? You make us laugh.

I don't know.

Not to diminish it, but it's like, at the end of the day, it's like—

Oh, no.

Believe me.

It's like— I mean, it's—

It's so funny.

I mean, there are really important jobs in the world, And then we're like, jealous.

I'll take my money now. Totally.

You're like, I mean, I—

it's sick. It's sick. We should be on the cop car waiting for our moms to pick us up. It is sick what we do. It's sick.

It's so true.

It's not okay. And we treat it very— people treat it like it's very important. You cut the second fart? We can't cut the second fart. The second fart makes the third fart work. I'm on my desk by midnight.

That's why when you watch shows about people making comedy, it makes me laugh so hard, 'cause it is so serious.

Everyone's taking it— Taking stuff seriously, that's what we love. But to go back to— it's like Lorne found a way to give those people jobs. You gave us a place to work? Holy hell.

But let me get back to your haircut. Sorry, long thing. But you cut your hair. Incredible. Looks incredible.

Hey, thank you.

Do you love having short hair?

Oh yeah, I've had it before. That's where the haircut sketch came from, was me shaving it too short and pretending I liked it and that it was what I meant to do. And I was like, this is Ooh, a buzz. This is good.

I'm kind of obsessed with the politics of hair. Like, hair means something on the show.

That's why I shaved it. I mean, originally.

Really?

Why?

What do you mean?

Because I don't like being told what is feminine. Do you know what I mean? And there's something inherently like— like long hair is— it's like, no. What's— no. When do I feel the prettiest? Because people, whenever they meet me, your hair is so beautiful. It's so long. It's like, I don't really want that to be the first thing you think of. It was like, I like to be open and fresh and vulnerable. It makes me feel vulnerable because I can't hide. And I like feeling open and you can see my face. And I was wearing so many wigs. And yeah, it just feels a little like, I don't know, dominant. Not dominant. It's like disturbing.

Well, you have an interesting play with masc and femme stuff in the way you dress too. And Diane, of course, is like—

Totally. Totally.

That kind of like, what is your relationship to Like what is typically masculine or typically feminine? Do you like to play around with that?

Yes. And it's crazy how much of an influence Diane was on that because making the fashion book, we have a photo together where we're wearing the same exact outfit because I showed up to work dressed like her, not even realizing it. And we took a picture. And when I went into her office the next day, it was framed. She printed it out and framed it. And it's this image, I'm like, holy shit, you taught me that I don't have to be in this world for a man's approval, which is something I think I was doing for a long time. And that's so sad to say it out loud, but it's just the truth. I don't know if it's the—

Welcome to the—

Father issues. I mean, right.

Patriarchy. Right.

And I was always like, oh my God, vulnerable to take my makeup off and have my hair done and be hot.

Yes.

So what?

By the way, for who?

To who?

To who?

And for how long?

For how long? For how long? Because, Mom, I have to go to bed. I have to go to bed. Bed. Tie tie. Done done.

Seriously. Fuck.

Fuck off.

Seriously, fuck you. I'm done.

And hotter than ever though, Ash. Hi, honey.

Hotter? I mean, it looks incredible.

Okay, thank you. It's funny because I feel hotter.

Yeah.

Because I'm myself. I mean, I told Jodi. Jodi was like—

Jodi Mancuso, who runs the SNL hair department, who Bronx Beat is based on.

Sweater weather.

Yeah.

And I said to her, she was like, your hair's so pretty. And she's the best. I mean, she was so supportive. And she was like, You know, she didn't know what I looked like with short hair.

Sure.

So she's going, what are you talking about? You want to chop all your hair off?

Yeah.

And I'm like, I finally got so dramatic. This is what's funny, right? I went, my soul says I have to do this. She's probably like, just do it, idiot. God, stop texting me. I was like, please. She was like, do it.

Do it.

And I feel amazing because it's also the thing you're saying maybe with the challenge. It's like permission. It was the permission part too. Yeah.

I think it's really interesting and I think it's very cool. It just goes to show— It feels liberating. Liberating. And also just getting back to the initial theme of, of you is that you have a— you're, you have a— like, you're self-possessed in a way that's very inviting. It doesn't feel like you're an island and no one can know you or interact with you.

That's nice to know that.

It's really, really— but, but there's just something about you that feels like you kind of have a sense of who you are and what you like, and you write that way, you perform that way, and it's really Intoxicating to be around.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

So we're gonna end with, uh, impressions.

Down, down to camera?

No.

To camera?

We're gonna do 10 impressions. How many do you want to do? But you know what we used to do? We used to play a game. We used to play a game where you had to do an impression of somebody.

Why are you doing this to me?

In 10 seconds or you'd die.

You can't kill me legally. So that's the paperwork I signed on the way in.

So you will give each other someone to do.

Are you serious?

Yes. And you have to do it. It does not have to be good. Only a 5-second impersonation.

You said 10.

Oh, I said 10.

Okay.

You changed it when you were like, do it in 2.

You're like, 5. Yeah.

You know what?

5. Okay.

Okay. 5-second impersonation of, and I'll just throw out a name and then you can throw one out for me. It's really fun. It's really fun.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay. Okay.

Let me think. Okay. Ready? You can't think about it.

You just have to go.

It doesn't matter.

Sure.

Austin Butler.

Whoa! There we go.

We got him. We got him.

Whoa!

It's true. I—

What were you thinking about? Whoa! Should I bring him to the show? Should I do it? Should I bring it to season 3?

Okay. Give me one.

Season 3, I called it because it's my season 3.

It is your season 3.

53. That was disrespectful. 53.

Joan Cusack.

Oh, hey, you guys. Okay. Okay. Ready? We're just doing voices.

Here we go.

1, 2, 3. Ready? Shakira. You nailed it. Right? Shakira.

Okay. All right. Give me one. Um, I'm gonna die.

You have to give me one. 10 seconds down. 9. Tommy Lee Jones. Now! Tommy!

Uh, yeah, you're gonna get into outhouse, doghouse, henhouse. Every outhouse. You better check every outhouse, doghouse, henhouse around here. You gotta catch the guy.

The fugitive!

We're looking for the fugitive!

That was him. This isn't even funny anymore. So you do do impressions. You did this to embarrass me!

Ivanka Trump, go.

What? Literally, the fact that I'm getting fired from the show I'm on after this— she can't do impressions. What is that?

What? Okay.

Oh my God.

Fuck, that was good. There were— those were really good.

Thank you. You know who I do think you could do—

you know who I think you could do well though is Laura Linney.

I get that a lot.

You sound a lot like Laura Linney.

I get that a lot, and I watch videos of her because people have said that. Yeah, she's amazing.

She is. I mean, she, she's so like, um—

She's so great.

Let's do Laura Linney impersonation. You could do it. This one you can do it.

Oh, now I can't do it. I just do, whoa, again!

Okay, let's have Laura Linney talking about—

God, I just watched a video of her.

About her drink— like, she just had some delicious coffee.

I mean, I feel like—

Mmm, delicious.

Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh, this coffee is so delicious. Oh, oh God. That was for you, Laura Lenny. We love you. Laura, we love you. Oh my God. Oh my God.

Oh my God.

You made me cry.

Okay. Oh, I have to ask you one more question. What are you listening to these days? Watching, reading? What do you do to like space out, check out, laugh? I'm always taking suggestions from people. Is there a video that you frequent?

I am so big on like survivalist shows. Like, like to the point where me and Allison Gates—

Yes.

We write a lot together.

Head writer at SNL.

She's amazing. We work outside of the show together as well. And we were on a Zoom the other day, supposed to be working, fully supposed to be working. And we set that aside to have a vulnerable conversation about do we— and talk to our teams and really lay out the game plan of if we want to go on Survivor together. We are so serious about it in a scary way that we need to stop talking about it because both of us want it so. We watch these shows. And there is one that I just got put onto called Extraction. Have you heard of this?

I think I might have heard of it, but not really. Tell me more.

I'm gonna put you in a scenario.

I have a laptop and it's coming into frame.

You, in your head, pick 2 people that you, that you trust and love.

Okay, got it.

Now picture that they're in a headquarters. You, Amy Poehler, are put in the wilderness.

Okay.

They can see you on screen. You can talk to them and say, I need food and water. But you're fighting other families. They're fighting other families in the headquarters to get you what you need because their loved one is out in the wilderness too.

Okay.

So they're doing their own game and you're going, I need water. And they're like, we're trying. They can't talk to you. Only you can talk to them. So you're going, every time you get a box and there's nothing in it, you don't know that they just played a game in headquarters where they can't get you water. So you're like— and then you go, I want to be extracted, and they can decide if they want to pull you out or not.

Or not.

They can leave you. Please go on it with me. It takes 4 months of our life.

Okay. I have a couple questions about this.

Yes.

It feels like you could just set rules before, which is like—

Well, they do. So then they start crying and go, I know I said that when I said I wanted to be extracted to wait 2 days, but please, Please, please get me out. And then the family goes, no, no, she said to wait 2 days. And that was the conversation me and Allison were having. It was like, do you want me to extract you? And I was literally dead serious like, I don't know.

Whoa.

It's a fucking— you have to watch it. 2 seasons and it's a new—

Where is it on? It's on— oh, it's—

I think I watched it on Hulu.

There's also a movie called Extraction by Chris Hemsworth.

Don't— I mean, watch that too if you want.

Extraction TV show.

Yes.

Extracted.

Extracted.

Extracted.

Okay, let's just look at a— I just want to look at a clip of it.

God, it's so good. I have not had any food in 6 days. I should have applied for the floor. Rob Lowe wouldn't do this to people. Your objective is to choose which survivalists receive crucial supplies.

Oh, some don't get supplies.

Yes.

Some are You left behind.

are without fire for weeks, begging to go home.

My child has not had fire all week.

Right? Because that's another thing too. It's a lot of mothers. So they're like, my child, my child. And he's like, sleeping bag.

Ma'am, your child's 35.

Yes, that is a good point. They're all in their 40s. Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am.

Oh, and then they have a— oh, this is satisfying. They have a giant button. A giant extract button.

And they have to go hit it in front of everyone. It's fair.

Ashley!

You're amazing!

Thank you for doing this. This was so fun.

You're the best.

I see why people laugh so hard.

You're so good at impressions. You're so funny.

You're so funny.

You're so good at impressions. You were so good at impressions. We were so good.

Thank you so much, Ashley. That was so fun and so funny, and it's just a joy to talk to you and get to know you more. You know, Ashley talked a lot about one of her mentors, Diane Keaton, her fairy godmother. And I just feel for this Polar Plunge, I want to remind us all of some of the many great films that Diane made. Check out Marvin's Room if you haven't seen that. It's so good. And Meryl Streep is in it, and a young Leonardo DiCaprio. And it's such good acting. Reds, an incredible movie with Warren Beatty. It's a beautiful performance from Diane. Crimes of the Heart, Sissy Spacek, Jessica Lange. I mean, just— Diane, we miss you. Thank you, Ashley, for that fun talk. Thank you so much for listening today, and we'll see you soon. 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 Paperkite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, Alea Zaneras, Bridget Gearlings, Paige Garbarini, Bel Roman, and Drew Van Steenburgen. For Paperkite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman.

Original music by Amy Miles.

And I am the one who wants a really good hate.