Summary
Amy Poehler interviews actress Aubrey Plaza about her career trajectory from Parks and Recreation to recent film work, touching on her childhood in Delaware, early comedy training at UCB, her time as an SNL page, and her experience processing grief following her husband's death. The conversation weaves together personal anecdotes, professional insights about acting and directing, and Plaza's fascination with witches and female-centered storytelling.
Insights
- Introverted artists can thrive in extroverted industries by being authentically themselves rather than performing eagerness; Plaza's 'look at me, don't look at me' duality has made her universally beloved across demographics
- Character depth emerges from playing against type: April's power came from appearing disaffected while actually caring deeply, creating surprise and emotional resonance that drove the show's narrative
- Grief is not linear or contained; Plaza uses the metaphor of a gorge filled with monsters to describe how loss remains present while life continues, normalizing the coexistence of functioning and struggling
- Role selection for established actors is less about quantity of offers and more about energetic alignment and what character work feels necessary at that moment in their career
- Female creative communities (covens, improv groups) provide essential emotional support and laughter that sustains artists through difficult periods
Trends
Increased visibility and investment in women's basketball and WNBA following athlete activism and cultural momentum (Caitlyn Clark effect)Streaming platforms consolidating legacy TV content while some shows disappear entirely, creating archival challenges for cultural preservationDirectors (Ethan Coen) actively seeking unconventional casting choices with character actors over traditional leading typesWitch aesthetic and female-centered supernatural narratives gaining mainstream cultural currency in prestige televisionActors increasingly producing their own content rather than waiting for traditional offers, shifting power dynamics in project developmentMental health and grief processing becoming normalized conversation topics in mainstream media interviewsIntroverted personality types being reframed as assets rather than liabilities in entertainment industry discourse
Topics
Parks and Recreation cast dynamics and character developmentSNL internship and page program experiencesUCB improv and sketch comedy trainingWomen's basketball fandom and participationGrief processing and mental health supportFilm directing ambitions and creative controlWitch aesthetics and female supernatural narrativesCharacter acting versus leading rolesIntroverted personality in extroverted industriesIndependent film production and developmentCasting chemistry and on-set dynamicsComedy as emotional expression and coping mechanismFemale friendships and creative collaborationDelaware cultural identityBasque heritage and ancestral connection
Companies
NBC
Plaza worked as an SNL page and intern in the design department at NBC's 30 Rock facility in 2005
Saturday Night Live
Plaza interned in the design department, creating set blueprints and taking continuity photos during sketch production
New York University
Plaza attended NYU starting in 2002, majoring in film directing and writing while taking classes at UCB
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Plaza took improv and sketch classes at UCB starting in 2002, foundational to her comedy training
Universal Television
Produced Parks and Recreation, the show where Plaza and Poehler met and worked together for seven seasons
Showtime
Aired Cinematos, a show where Plaza directed an episode during the pandemic that is no longer available
People
Amy Poehler
Host conducting the interview; worked with Plaza on Parks and Recreation as Leslie Knope
Margaret Qualley
Guest who asked opening question about Plaza; co-starred with Plaza in Honey, Don't film
Mike Schur
Co-creator of Parks and Rec who hired Plaza; met her at general meeting and was impressed by her authenticity
Greg Daniels
Co-creator of Parks and Rec who directed the pivotal April-Andy chemistry episode
Ethan Coen
Directed Honey, Don't; co-wrote with wife Trisha Cook; sought Plaza for the role
Trisha Cook
Co-wrote Honey, Don't with husband Ethan Coen
Chris Pratt
Played Andy Bernard; had organic chemistry with Plaza's April that became central to show's narrative
Alison Jones
Cast both Funny People and Parks and Recreation; brought Plaza to LA for auditions in 2009
Neil Casey
Plaza's childhood friend who introduced her to Mr. Show and Kids in the Hall, influencing her comedy path
Joe Biden
Parks and Rec cast visited his White House office; Plaza stole a personalized notepad from his desk
Patricia Clarkson
Guest star on Parks and Rec who played Tammy One; Plaza recalls making out with her on set
Megan Mullally
Played Tammy Two on Parks and Rec; married to Nick Offerman who also appeared on the show
Nick Offerman
Played Ron Swanson; married to Megan Mullally; watches Parks and Rec regularly per Poehler's joke
Jeff Baena
Plaza's late husband; directed films including Little Hours, Life After Beth, and Spin Me Round
Elena Delle Donne
One of the best WNBA players ever; attended Ursuline Academy in Delaware, same school as Plaza
Quotes
"It's like a alien movie or something with like Miles Teller... there's like a cliff on one side and then there's like a cliff on the other side. And then there's like Gorge in between and it's like filled with all these like monster people that are trying to get them. And like, I swear when I watched it, I was like, that is like, feels like what my grief is like."
Aubrey Plaza•Discussing grief metaphor
"The classic case of a, look at me, don't look at me. It's totally. Yeah. Right. Everybody pay attention. Like, what are you looking at? I want to show you something. Stop."
Aubrey Plaza•On being an introverted artist in extroverted business
"April loves Andy and April thinks Andy is cool because he's so not cool that he's cool. Do you understand?"
Aubrey Plaza•Pitching character dynamic to Mike Schur
"I think the way in which your friends know you and you know them, the way you like create family and the way that you feel like safe around people and the way that you can like laugh at yourself, you have a very good sense of humor about yourself."
Amy Poehler•On what makes Plaza laugh
"I want to do a movie where I say nothing about that. It's called Seinfeld the movie. It's about something."
Aubrey Plaza•On directing ambitions
Full Transcript
Sorry for the voice note, just running for the taxi. Did anyone pack hair straighteners? No! I didn't! I've got hair straighteners, everybody relax, pre-departure drink anyone? Sure you can roam in the EU at no extra cost, but what really matters is friends and family. That's why we're happy to be your second most important network. Tesco Mobile. It pays to be connected. Terms Apply, see tesco mobile.com slash home from home. Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of Good Hang. Thank you for being here. We had, well look, we're keeping the Parks and Rec hits coming because we had Adam Scott last week and we have the great, beautiful and wonderful Aubrey Plaza joining us. Aubrey, who many of you have wanted to hear from, is here and we couldn't be more excited. And we talk about a lot of things today. We talk about how we first met on a playground. We talk about her time as an NBC page and why she got fired. We talk about her love of basketball. And we talk about her new movie, Honey, Don't, which is in theaters this week. And so there's just so much good stuff and we're very glad that she was here and that you're here listening. And we always start our episodes the same way. We try to find someone that knows our guest, knows something about them and has a question for them. And we are talking to a great actress today. You know her from the substance and made and many other great films and her beautiful dancing. And it is the beautiful and talented Margaret Quali. Margaret, hello. This episode of Good Hang is presented by Walmart. Now, everyone's talking about back to school outfits and we all know how expensive that can be to get the shoes and the pants and the whole thing in the shirts and all the things that you need. But Walmart has the latest back to school styles for boys and girls starting at just $4. Who knew? So they've got graphic tees and joggers and colorful backpacks, Spider-Man hoodies, key chain charms, flannel shirts, flare jeans, crocs. Flare jeans are back. I love it. Who knew? Shopwalmart.com to score their favorite back to school styles starting at just $4. Where are we talking to you from? I'm home. I'm home and I'm in a hallway. Okay, perfect. Yeah. It's really good to see you and I know you're doing press from... I'm not the podcast, by the way. I've been listening to it. It's so good. Thanks, Margaret. Today is a very special day because we have really our most requested guest coming on today. People have really, really wanted to hear from and hear me and Aubrey talk about a lot of things. And I'm just so psyched she's here. You might be the most unanimously loved person ever. Yeah. Even my dad's really not... He barely has a phone. He doesn't have a TV. But when he found out I was doing a movie with Aubrey, he was like, oh, I'm fucking lovers. Like, man, she's so funny. Like, he was so excited. Like, he reached my dad. She's got the dads. She's got everybody. Yeah. I just love her. I just think she's the best. You know, it's so funny to say that too because I was thinking she's also kids really like Aubrey because she acts like a cat, right? So like, dogs come and meet you at the door, but cats just kind of chill and wait for you to come to them. And kids really like that. She never, you know, Mike, I remember my boys on the set of parks and she would just like walk by and say something to them like on the way past them and they'd be like, who was that? I'd also imagine that she's like, talk to a kid like an adult. Yes. You know, like just meet them where they are, like, it's rough out there, right? Totally. Yeah. Yeah, she's really, as the people like to say, she appeals to four quadrants. Yeah. And you guys have worked together. Is this the, is Honey Don't, which is the film that you're, you both are in, that you're the star of Congratulations coming out very soon. It looks so great. And is this the first time you've worked together, the two of you? Yeah, we met on set. I was, I've been such a big fan of hers for such a long time. And I think Parks and Rec was probably my intro to her, which is just like one of the best shows of all time. And you guys together are so special. But I've felt like I, I think she has that quality where you feel like, you know, or even when you don't. So like, I already loved her so much even before meeting her. And I would have been so bummed if she didn't like me. I'm projecting on this on you so I don't tell me if I get, I'm getting it wrong. But you both to me seem like, you know, in some ways, introverted artists in an extroverted business. Like, do you, do you relate to that? Definitely. Yeah. I mean, it's like, you know, the classic case of a, look at me, don't look at me. It's totally. Yeah. Right. Everybody pay attention. Like, what are you looking at? I want to show you something. Stop. What a what? What's wrong? Be alone. So what was it like working together on set for, for, for those that don't know, you guys are, what is your dynamic in the film? And then what was it like working together? Dynamic in the film is I play this like swab detective and she plays this like cool cop and we kind of hit it off right away. And it kind of feels like we've like met our match. Like I usually as a character feel like I'm in the power seat. And when I come across Aubrey's character, that's really challenged. And I think she actually is in the power seat. And on set, it's a really fun set. It's Ethan Cohen and Trisha Cook's movie. And they're just great. And like they're at once, you know, super accomplished and like these like great artists, but really don't take themselves seriously. So it's like a, it's a silly laid back, goofy, fun vibe there. But, you know, Aubrey, I think, I think in order for somebody to come across, there's like, there's a lot to be so effortless, take some effort, you know, and she's like, she cares like in the best way. She's thoughtful and considerate and brought so much depth to her character. And it was, you know, just like kind of consistently surprising everyone with just you know, her, her, the thing that she does. I think you bring up a really good point, which is, you know, she's, she started out anyway, especially on Parks and Rec, playing like a very disaffected character, but the secret to that character and Aubrey is that she cares very deeply. Yeah. And I think people like project on her that she's indifferent. And she's definitely not. No, no. I was wondering if you had a question you thought I should ask Aubrey on this day that you'd be curious to know about or, or like you want any topic you think we should cover? I don't know why the first thing that came into my mind was the Salem Witch trials, but was she, was she in them? Is that the question? Probably, you know. Yeah. What was it like being in the Salem Witch trials? That's right. Margaret, we love you. I, I would love to get you in the stewed. I didn't need any time. Okay. I'd be lucky. Oh, buddy. And, and I, you know, I, I know Plaza would, would, will be so happy that you did this and surprised and happy that you did it. And also I know that you and many people in her life have been real big supports and a real circle of love during very tough times. So on behalf of her, I'm going to say thank you. And it's so good to talk to you. It's the easiest to love. Thank you for having me. Great to see you, cutie pie. This episode is brought to you by Volkswagen. Nice things shouldn't be reserved for people who use summer as a verb. They should be for everyone. You, me, the guy at your wedding who thought flannel was black tie appropriate. Enter the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. It's elevated, stylish, luxurious and actually within reach. Did I mention massaging front seats and real wood accents? Visit your local VW dealer or VW.com to learn more about the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. Aubrey Plaza is here and she has her sunglasses on. And I'll take them off if you want. Well, I do because they know, but we'll put them on again. Let me see. I mean, they look very cool. What are you doing? That's so creepy. Plesey's here and her sweet dog, Frankie, is here too. When you wear the glasses, you do look very Howard's turn. It's because my hair too. Yeah. Right now it's like. I mean, it makes you look cool, but as an interviewer, I don't love it. Sorry. Your doggy, Frankie, is here with you too. Yes. Tell us about Frankie. Okay. Have we started? Yeah, we started. Oh. And just like that. Frankie is my dog. Her name is Francis Fox. She's named after Judy Garland. That's Judy Garland's real name. She's a good dog. She's a good dog. She got a little sick this morning. That's why I brought her. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not like a bring my dog to work kind of person. Yeah. So much, but she. You ever bring her on set for anything? Do you? No. But she's really like with you a lot. She is now. Yeah. That's, this is a recent, recent, this year, recent kind of thing. Yeah. She's like, she's like, she's like a therapy dog. Oh, yes. In many ways. And it has always been for you, but it's really been. Yeah. She is. She's always been like that. Well, I mean, to just, to get it out of the way, people want to see you. I want to see how you are. They love you. I know they love you and they want to see you. So you've had this terrible, terrible tragic year. You lost your husband. You've been dealing with that and you've been looking for all different ways in which to feel and find support. And I think I would, on behalf of all the people who feel like they know you and the people who do know you, how are you feeling today? Um, I'm, I mean, right in this very, very. Present moment, I feel happy to be with you. I feel, oh, overall, I'm, I'm here and I'm. Functioning and I feel, you know, like I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think like I'm okay. But, you know, it's like a daily struggle, obviously. This is like a really dumb analogy, but, and it was kind of a joke at a certain point, but like, I actually mean it. Did you see that movie, The Gorge? No. Okay. Horror movie? It's like a alien movie or something with like Miles. Teller? Teller. And, um, but it's like in the movie, there, there's like a cliff on one side and then there's like a cliff on the other side. And then there's like Gorge in between and it's like filled with all these like monster people that are trying to get them. And like, I swear when I watched it, I was like, that is like, feels like what my grief is like, where it's like, or what grief could be like, where it's like, at all times there's like a giant like ocean of just awfulness that's like right there. And I can like see it. And like sometimes I just want to like, just dive into it and just like be in it. And then, and then sometimes I just like look at it. And then sometimes I'm like, I just had to get away from it, but it's always there. It's just always there. And the monster people are trying to get me like Miles Teller. Yeah. And, and, uh, And Ania Taylor Joy. Yeah. Who Ania Taylor Joy, to me, is the, is the, is example of like the more beautiful you are, the more spaced out your eyes are. Yes. And Rihanna, um, who, and that's how she says it guys. What? Rihanna. Yeah. No. Yes. Check out the clips. Not saying it ever. Well, Rihanna has, is so beautiful and her eyes are truly on the side of her head. Yeah. Just like a horse. Yes. And that's why horses are so beautiful. Well, I feel, here's how I feel about horses. I feel like horses are fine. You hate them. I don't hate them. I don't hate them. Let's talk about animals. I would love to talk about animals. No. Because I feel, I feel like I, I, I, I think horses are beautiful and they're a little bit scary to me and I'm like, I respect them, but I, I'm not, I don't really want to be near them. And that's not how you feel about Rihanna. No, I'd love to truly like be in a stall with Rihanna and feed her a sugar cube. She let me. I want to talk to you about many things today. Okay. Okay. But the first person I want to talk to is little baby Plaza. No. Why? Okay. No, I don't need you to act like a baby. Oh, okay. I just mean I want to talk. We're going to do role play. We're going to do real intense role play. I'm going to have a bunch of hats. No. Okay. No, but because I love little young Plaza and I feel like a lot of people don't, I think a lot of people are like little young Plaza out there and they see themselves in you, but can you explain what kind of kid you were? Oh, okay. Hmm. I was, I mean, I think before, I would say like before seven, I think I was like pretty shy. Like I was kind of like a quiet, like lanky kind of freakish kind of kid. Maybe really thin hair. Like my ponytail was like look like this. Just like one little strand. Basically. I would try to have ponytails. Your hair looks really good right now. It's got thicker. It gets thicker. I was like, no, shit. It's thicker. I was like, it's gotten really thin. Tina Fey, watch out. Pitch. Watch out. Pitch. Watch out. I'm coming for you. She's going to brush that hair. I'm going to come for you. Tina Fey. Nobody's going to beat Tina's hair. Nobody. Watch me. Sorry, babe. Watch me. My money's on Tina. You've, I've seen that hair. It's incredible. Watch me. I was definitely around a lot of people like hectic kind of, you know, childhood, I think. So like I was, I was like definitely an observer, but like definitely living in my imagination. Like I could just imagine things all day long. Where did you grow up? Grow up in Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware. Yeah. Have I heard of it? Nope. Never been. Never heard of it. Joe Biden, the land of Joe Biden. Joe Biden. Who we met. Yeah. Who we met. Well, you've met many times. Oh, yeah. But, you know, for people fast forward to when we were in parks, we got to go when President Biden was in Vice President Biden, we got to go to a scene. I'll never forget it. And it was pretty, pretty exciting. It was amazing. It was amazing. It was super, super fun. And I've told this story before, but Aubrey stole something from his desk. Yeah. I did. I stole, there was, we were getting a tour of his office and of the White House, right? Yeah. And I saw a little like Vice President monograms notebook piece of paper that said like Aubrey Plaza and then like three facts about me like Wilmington Delaware, Ursuline Academy. We met, we met blah, blah, blah, because that's what the politicians all do. They get their little sure. And then you're like, oh my God, how did you remember? Yeah. Um, and I just wiped it and Mike sure was like, you cannot steal something. Do you think? And I was like, oh, shut up, Mike. And he was like, we're literally in the White House. And I was like, we are. Maybe right. And he didn't get in trouble. You know, no one ever knew. No. No one knew. No one knew. I am kind of surprised that there's no like alarm system in there. There's nothing in there. It's like a house of cards. It is weird how janky the White House actually is. It's janky as fuck. It is janky as fuck. I didn't see any cameras. And it is like, it's like SNL. Like you go in there, you're like, this is the White House. I know. Like this place sucks. You're like that pillow is disgusting. It's like, it's like a hotel room used by for a million years. I know. It is bad. It's weird. But, you know, now it's going to be big and beautiful. I have to be gorgeous now. OK, so then you're in Delaware. What kind of shows did you do as a little kid? Like what were your like parts that you were that you got to sink into? Baby Plaza Theater was the Wilmington Drama League. I went there. My older cousin was doing the crucible. And I remember just watching and being like, oh, my God, this is so cool. And then I auditioned. I think the first thing. Oh, yeah. The first thing I got was Hansel and Gretel. You played. Chorus Tree. OK. Tree number four, maybe. No small trees. Yeah, actually, yeah, I was actually. Fun fact, I got my period on stage at the Dom Lee. You used that. You just used it. Yeah, yeah, I'm going to use this. I went I started bleeding and then my cousin took me in the bathroom. I was like, what's happening? And she was like, I'm bleeding. And then I was like, get on out there. The show must go on. And then I did. And I was like, you felt totally different. You're like, my tree is a woman now. Yeah, yeah, it was awesome. That's exciting. I was mainly in the course a lot. Yeah, I always wanted to be, you know, like Annie or whatever. But I know. But the bigger the big part that I got that like kind of changed things for me was I got the ugly stepsister in Cinderella. And I really wanted to be Cinderella, like all everybody. And then and then they were like ugly stepsister. And I was like, damn it. Because I know that's the better part. It was the better part. And it taught me like I brought down the house with my song and it taught me like comedy is where it's at. I was like, I'm getting all the laughs. Yes. I was like, Cinderella sucks. I bet you have the same memory that I have as like when you get your first laugh that you mean to get, like people laugh at you. But when you get a laugh that you mean to get, it's like becoming a vampire. Yeah, like you're like, yeah, you're like, I'm fully realized. Yeah, all the power. Yeah, I can do anything. It's the best feeling. Yeah. Okay. Then you graduate, you go to NYU. Then I graduated, then I went to NYU. So do you remember like, like arriving in New York City and what that was like? It was crazy. Yeah, I was like, I mean, I was so ready to go to New York, mainly because of UCB, which is people listening as a sketch and improv theater that myself and Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh started in 90. We moved to the city in 96. So you were arriving when? I came to the city in 2002. But like growing up, I knew about UCB before, you know, I went to New York and like, how did you know about it? Just curious, like, Neil Casey. I mean, we, Neil was one of my best friends growing up. It's still one of my best friends. He was a bit older than me and he was really into comedy. He showed me like Mr. Show and Kids in the Hall and like we got really into and obviously Saturday night live was like really big for me growing up too. So like we just, yeah, we were like super big comedy nerds and part of the reason I wanted to go to NYU and go to New York is to take classes at UCB. So that was like, I was like ready. I was like, I was like, I think I was like studying in, didn't take in classes at the same time you were doing both. Yeah, I started doing it like immediately. What were you majoring in at NYU? I don't think I know. I majored in film. Um, like directing and writing. More than almost anyone I know love studying, watching and talking about movies, love movies. I love movies. All I need is movies. I need anything else or anyone else. But movies, um, what do you do with your phone when you're watching a movie? Are you able to fully, you are. I am. You're really good at it. I am. And I'm not just saying that. I think I am. I'm also really not good at technology. I'm like, I'm a real boomer like person when it comes to that. I'll say you talk when I come to technology, I have a memory that you, you've taught me many lessons, but I remember one time I was texting on the set of parks to someone who was bothering me or like asking something from me. I forget what, what, what the situation was. And I was like composing this really long text and you grabbed my phone and you just type no, and you said it. Really? You don't remember them? No. I don't remember. And it was, um, really? It was very, uh, illuminating because it was just basically like it really underneath it was like, first of all, don't be like behold into your phone. Like life is happening around you. And also you don't owe anybody any long explanation. Wow. I know. That's so, no, I feel like that's something you would do to me. I feel like you taught me how to say no. Well, maybe I taught it and then forgot it. Damn. You did it back to me. Wow. Like, like, uh, karate kid style. Um, okay. So then you go to New York. Where do you live when you're in the dorms? I go to New York. My parents dropped me off on, um, third Avenue and, um, 11th street. Oh my God. I used to live right around there in your Webster hall. Yeah. I lived right on, I lived in the third North dorms and then I ended up moving. I got out of the dorms earlier than you're like technically allowed to because there was like a mice issue. And so there were too many mice in the, and they were like, you have to leave. Like the mice took over. The mice took over to the point where I will never forget I was on the top bunk. No. And I was being very quiet because I was like reading a book or something and like nobody else was in. You were as quiet as a mouse. I was as quiet as a mouse. Um, and I literally was just like reading for like, I don't know, maybe 20 minutes or something and all of a sudden there was a Thanksgiving day parade of mice. They were like having trumpets. They were like, and they all just started parading back and forth, like selling things. It was like a flea market. They came out and they were like, it was insane. Like I was like, and I was like, I couldn't on your floor, on the ground, like in our clothes, like it was like a messy room too. So it was like, they were just like, like they had like wearing my clothes. They were like running around dancing. Like they were like those Richard scary books. Remember those things where it was like, like they were like building. They were like in little cars. Yes, it was insane. And I was like screaming. I was like, this is fucking disgusting. And NYU was like, you got to get out. Yeah. They were like, be quiet and get out. So I got out and then I moved and then I moved right down the block to second and 11th. I got in with these like older musical theater girls that like took me in. And then I lived there for a couple of years. And then you studied at UCB. And then a lot of people don't know that you, well, I mean, I think some people know because you talked about it on SNL, but then you found you got an internship at SNL. Oh, yes. How did you get that? I so I faxed my resume. Remember that? That's amazing. Where are you looking? I don't know. At the audience. I'm just looking over here. I'm looking at my facts. I imagined like that there were people there. I'm looking, I'm checking to see if I got any other faxes. Hello? Yeah, I faxed my resume to every department because there was there was just like a number. There was like a paper on some wall at NYU that had like all the department numbers. It was like two, one, two, six, six, seven, two, one, two, six, four, like down or six, six, four, whatever. Two, one, two. Oh, yeah. I still have a two on two number. I'm so jealous. I wish I could. I still have a landline. That's nice. Yeah. But yeah, I faxed my resume to every department and I didn't get anything. And then on a Friday night on the week of their of the 2005 season, I got a call from the design department and they were like, we got your resume, like we need someone. Like, can you come interview? And it was Regina D'Chico. If you remember Regina. And I was like, yeah, I was like, I'm available. It was like Friday at like, I want to say like 4pm or 5pm or something. She's like, she's like, how about right now? And I was like, okay. And so then I like went up to 30 Rock, like immediately saw Ben Affleck. Sure, just there. It was like, I guess he was hosting that episode. And it's like, I remember how crazy it was just walking in the for the first time because I was just interviewing. So I was like, I didn't know what was going on, but it was a Friday night. So I guess they were were her blocking or whatever her sing. And they had they had fired the design department only ever have one intern couldn't cut it mainly because he wanted to be in design. Yeah. And they were like, you know, yeah, you can't know. He was like, so the blueprints of the foot and they were like, get the fuck out of here. Literally, they were like, fuck off. And he was like, and then I came in and they were like, do you care about design? And I was like, no. And they were like, can you start now? And I was like, yeah. What is the design part of SNL for people they don't know? Like what is design? What is the design? Well, because it's a big it's a very important part of the show. There's. You have to imagine the sets have to be built somehow. Yeah. And very fast. Yeah. Because basically, as you know, on Tuesday nights, the writing night and then Wednesday night is when all the sketches get chosen. Yeah. And so there's really only one say to Saturday and then they have to like figure out all the sets in between. I remember what I had to do was like once the I was there all Wednesday night, like until three in the morning or whatever. And then once the sketches were picked, I would they would like send. They would be like, go in the filing, literally in the filing cabinet and find restaurant number 72 or something. And then I would like sift through and find these like blueprints, I guess, for whatever. And then I would just watch them and they would like draw stuff and and that's it. And then the other job I had was to take continuity photos. And that was cool because you guys would be rehearsing and I'd be like, and everyone thought I worked there. I had a camera around whatever. And I just was like very quiet and just kind of like taking pictures of the sets of the plants of things. I mean, it blows my mind. Plesey. Yeah. That we were sharing. I mean, you were there. Like I stalked. I think now about the people that are crossing our lives right now that are like in our proximity that we don't know yet that it's like it's really cool that we were in the same physical space. I know. We didn't know each other. It's so crazy. It still blows my mind. And then you were giving tours and I was giving tours. And a lot of people know that you just gave. You just made stuff up. I did. Yeah. I got fired. Yeah. I didn't get fired, but I got pretty much encouraged to leave. Pretty quick. Yeah. What were some things you would make up? Do you remember? I mean, no, I don't remember like specific thing. I feel like there was one thing. This is when I was a page. I'd like there was one speech I had to give about like, I guess it was like Conan Studio or something. That's that studio and it was like very cold. And it was there was just like weird facts where they'd be like, does anyone, you know, know why it's so cold in the studio? And people would be like, why is it so cold? Because of the lights. And I'd be like, no, because in 1956, they had penguins on the show and the penguins needed to be cold so they wouldn't die. And they forgot to turn the heat down after that. So it's been cold since like 1956. And people would be like, well, that's interesting. OK, then you get your, your, your like doing comedy, doing shows. And we meet not on SNL, even though we're in the same building, but we meet on the set of Parks and Rec. And for people that don't know, like you had a crazy week when you got hired. You got like three jobs that same week. What happened that week you were hired on Parks? So I basically I was like trying to get a part in Funny People, the Judd Apatow movie with Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler. And I went through kind of this whole vetting process in New York. And then enough where Alison Jones, who cast that movie and Parks and Rec was called me and was like, all right, like you made it to the chemistry read stage. So you have to come out to LA and read with Seth and see if you get the part basically. And so but I didn't really have an agent or anything. And I kind of had to like pay my way, you know, to go out there. So it was like a little bit janky, but I got myself out there to do that. And then while I was out in LA for that week to do the Funny People thing, Alison was like, how would I send you on some other things? Like, how do you feel about that? And so, yeah, so one of them was she wanted me to go meet Mike Scher and Greg Daniels, who at the time were shooting on the office and they were shooting. They were on the set of the office. So she sent me to the set of the office. And I didn't even I guess at that time, I didn't realize like, I didn't think like, oh, I could these meetings will get me a job. I didn't understand one of the things about being young. That's kind of nice is you're not really aware what you're actually like, what's at stake. No, and that's not that. I mean, if it was an audition, obviously, I know like, all right, I'm going to get the part or not. But like general meetings, I didn't really get the vibe of that. How old were you then? I was 24, 23, 23, maybe. But so then I went to the set of the office and I was so starstruck. I see in my horseye, BJ Nofuck and Mindy Kaling walk by and I was like, oh, my God, I was like, they're in the show or whatever. And Mike Scher is like, hello. And he's like at his desk like, and I'm like, what? And then I just met him for like, he describes it. He really embellishes the story. I think he loves the story. I mean, he's like, and then I met the weirdest person. I'm like, there's no bigger fan of Aubrey Plaza than Mike Scher. She have, right. He loves it though, because I think like, I mean, it just speaks to honestly, the fact that you've always been yourself, confidently yourself. And you don't have a vibe of like, you don't, you are the opposite of a pick me, as the kids would say. Like you do not have that vibe. And they, and that draws people in. And I think he was like, who is this person? Yeah. Who seems mad at me? Yeah. I try to give her a job. Yeah. Literally. And why are you wearing jean shorts in a general meeting? Like ripped jeans. And you're like, I didn't know what this was. No. And then I got a phone call and they were like, you're on a TV show. I'm like, what? No. But then which one? I know what you're like, the office. Yeah. I literally probably said that I didn't know what was going on. And then they were like, actually you got the part, but actually you have to audition to play yourself. You don't have to name names, but I wonder who else was up to play you. I don't think that anyone. Oh, right. You just one person. I think they just made me do it like for the network or something. I think I found out later. I mean, maybe not. I don't know. Yeah. Yeah. It's probably like, you know, it was you, Sharon Stone and Gina Gershaw. Yeah. So you get the part, we're on the set. And then like, I mean, we could do a whole, obviously we could do a whole episode about our experiences there. And there are so like, I mean, I don't, the best thing about our relationship, I feel like is, I don't like, like a lot of, I think long lasting relationships is you don't always like remember how you met. Like I just remember like just, I just have this vision of you being next to me on the set of that show and me being like, welcome. Like, you know, Leslie was supposed to be like welcoming April and April was supposed to be like, what am I doing here? And Amy was welcoming Aubrey. And Aubrey was like, what am I doing here? Truly. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I remember when we first met and it, I think I told you this story. It was the promos that we shot. That's right. And which was weird because we hadn't shot the show yet. And the rest of the cast hadn't even been cast yet. I think at that point it was just like Aziz, me, you, maybe Rashida. I don't think we had Nick yet. I don't think so. But they had me and I was there like physically there. So they shot this promo of us on a swing set. And that's when I met you like officially for the first time. And I think I was literally on a swing, like a child. Like, and I was like, now I was like, just don't make any sudden movements. Except swinging. Except swinging. And then you, which is kind of good because swinging is really good somatically for me. Like I liked, but then yeah, you came over and we were both just swinging like little babies. That's how we met on a swing. We met on a playground, which is kind of nice. Really nice. And it feels like the show was that like it was, it felt like a true like play ground space. It really was like we, I mean, I loved and love working with you. I love playing with you. I love acting with you. I love you as an actor. I love you as a person. I love your acting, Plesi. You know, how good I think you are. I love playing with you. And I feel like our dynamic or like the arc of, of in many ways, like April had the biggest growth in the show. She goes from truly not wanting to be where she is to like, you know, ending the show like with some kind of purpose and a love in her life and like some also like a, she kind of stands up for what she doesn't want to do, which is a big part of your twenties. Like, but when you started that character, when you started her, did you have any idea where you thought it would go? No, did you have any? You know, did you, did you see? No, yeah. No, I just, no, I think I just, once I realized like, oh, what's so fun about this character is that like it's a game of not showing anyone that I really care. Yes. And like once I've locked into that, it was real, like it felt like there was no limit to like the growth or like what could happen because if you hint that there's something else going on, it's like you can kind of play with that. And also in different ways with every different character. So I feel like maybe on an unconscious level, but I felt like, oh, there's so much to play with, even though it feels really subtle and simple. Yeah. That was her secret as she cared, but she pretended she didn't. And so when it would pop out, it was so satisfying. Yeah. It was so funny and good. And the ways in which she tried to keep those things hidden were so funny. Yeah. And then I think just the Andy April thing was such an organic, like I had no idea that was going to become a thing until that one episode. So let's talk about that. So Andy played by Chris Pratt and you, April and Andy had an episode where a bunch of us were off like doing the, like a harvest. We're at the harvest festival. We're at some festival. Where are you guys? We were doing something together. Yeah. Or you were like camping or something. Oh yeah, maybe. Oh yeah. We were like cabins. Yeah. And so they put you guys in the office and just said, like, let's see what happens to these two characters when they hang out. Yeah. And basically the chemistry that those characters had was the building block for why they eventually became like the, the real romantic love story of the show other than Leslie and Anne. Yeah. Cause Anne doesn't deserve. Don't talk about him. Sorry. But what do you remember of that day? I have a bit, well, Greg Daniels directed the episode, which I will always remember because he was so delighted. Like he had such a little kid energy and he was so, he just was like very willing to like, let's just try things. And we had a whole day where we were just playing. It, it was like kind of like what you said, like the office, like the bowl room or bullpen. Yeah, we call it. The bullpen, the bull room, the bullpen like became a playground. And I, I just remember I have an image of like us sitting under the table. We were like under that main table for a while. Like, I don't even know what we were doing down there. Um, but we were under there. And I just remember, I don't know. It just felt, it was so fun. It just felt like, I remember before then there was, I think it was like the finale of the, maybe the first season. I don't remember what season, but there was a very subtle moment where we're all in a group, we're in a circle and, um, and he's like saying something about his band or he's like something about like, I think like this band name is cool or whatever. And everyone else was like, no. And April's, and I was just like, I like it. And it was like an improvised thing. But I remember, do you remember that where, where I remember being like, and then I remember like knocking on Mike Scher's like door and being like, listen, I was like, April loves Andy and April thinks Andy is cool because he's so not cool that he's cool. Do you understand? And Mike was like, get out of here. And I was like, you, I was like, you better listen to me. Um, and then you did, you knocked on the door. I mean, yeah, it was more like just like little conversation. But it was like, it was like, it was like a layer to that character because you become his advocate. Like, and that's the part of April that like is like another interesting layer is like, again, she acts like nothing matters. And she's, you know, completely disaffected, but she's actually very fiercely loyal. Yeah. And very, um, and like sticks up for people she believes in, which I think is a character, character trait of you too, Pauzy, like you're very, you're a very loyal friend. Yeah. You're a really, really protective friend. Um, and you really stick up for people who you love. And that side of it was so great. Cause then we got to see her like manage him, care about the band, see potential for him that he didn't see in himself. And he was just like, I can't believe how lucky I am. And I remember when the writers had, you guys get married, we were all like, what? Like, I know that was insane. That was, what do you remember of that day shooting it? We, there was a lot of crying. You cried. I mean, I love a wedding. You cry. I remember you like cried in the kitchen and then you were like crying like off camera and I was like, stop. Yes, you did. You like literally cried all day. It was so weird. You're like crying all day. There was like, I was like, I was like, we're not even at the camera. I was like, we're in my trailer. Like, why are you doing this? And you were like, how do you feel? I'm like, oh my God, no, I'm ordering a salad for lunch. Like, this is my job. I was crying because you were crying so hard and I was worried that we weren't going to get the shot. I was crying because I was sad at how much you were crying. I don't think so. I think that you thought it was real. And yeah, I assumed it was legally binding. Yeah. Yeah. But it was so good. And it was and the and the vows were so funny. Yeah. And the wedding was so stupid. It was so stupid. Bowser is back. Bowser! Everyone calm down. The Super Mario Brothers can take care of the kingdom. Let's go on April 1st. Toad pack our things. The galaxy is waiting. Who is this? So some cool dinosaur just shows up and he's now part of the group. Cool. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie only in cinemas April 1st. Idle money lies in your current account picking crumbs out of its belly button. Wondering, should I eat them? But when you start investing with Monzo, your money is always busy. It turns on regular investments, invests your spare change and tops up your stocks and shares. Issa, it even helps you make sense of risk and return. Monzo, the bank that gets your money moving. You could get back less than you invest. Monzo current account required UK residents 18 plus T's and C's apply. OK. I mean, I guess like when do you watch? Have you rewatched Parks and Rec? Nope. What? I'm finding this out. OK, I wouldn't even know how. Shut up. OK. OK. Ask me how you've never watched the big giant screen that you watch your movies on. How does it work? Go blue blue blue. These days I wouldn't go to go to go to what? Type in where the search. Where? How? Someone tell me. Peacock. No. Yes. Yes. Go there or go to iTunes. I wish I knew how. And or go to, you know, with just pick up your controller and just which one and wreck into it. And it'll come up. OK, it's probably not the right one. Go to your DVDs. You love your DVDs. I wish I had one right now. But you've never rewatched it. No. I don't know what's wrong with you guys. I if it comes on in a hotel room, I literally throw something like throw it. Adam says Adam says the watching the show makes him sad. Nick has told me he's not rewatched it. Liar. He jerks off to it every night. You know, he sits there and like touches himself. You're so right. He's got it on right now. He's. Sure. Tammy. You're right. He does watch it for his real life. Megan Mullally, they get off on that. They watch it. They watch it. You're so right. They watch it together. And they are just slap each other in the face. Disgusting. So disgusting. Nick, I know you're listening. You're not pulling anybody. I remember like that episode with with April and Ron, that very first episode, like we got to play together. I remember like knocking on his door and being like, I canceled all your meetings today or whatever. And I was just the silence, the silences between us. The thing that I love so much about Leslie and April's relationship is that Leslie had a plan for April that and she kept kind of whispering to April. You know, like 2016, a version of like feminism, like you can do it all. You can do whatever you want. And she was like, women belong in the kitchen. That that game I love to play. So the Trad wife, she was always like, I mean, maybe we must respect our man. And Leslie would be like, no, April, no. She'd be like, you must bend over for your man. I feel like you did you improvise that? It feels like probably. I've been overrised. Two more things about parks. What we had so many fun guest stars come in and like you connected with some of them in interesting ways. Yeah. Who do you remember just like love, like just being like, oh, I just like loving the because I feel like my job on set was to be like, welcome, you know, and you got to just come up later and be like, what do you think of this? Yeah, you definitely feel like it's kind of crazy around here. Want to see something insane or whatever. Yeah. Yeah, you were the cool. You were the cool kids. One of the ones I'll never forget is Patricia Clarkson. Yes. Totally made out with her. Never made it on the show. We still talk about it. Made out on the set, not in the trailers. Oh, sure. Yeah, sure. Sure. Although Patty would probably be fine with both. That was incredible. And April really fell for Tammy one. Yeah. Yeah. She was Tammy one. Yeah. Yeah. Sure. I mean, one could argue that Ron's mom was the original Tammy. Oh, right. Right. Played by Paula Pell. But yeah. Oh, yeah. That was a good one. Yeah. Tammy, but she was Tammy one and Malalee was Tammy two. Who else did you love? I loved her. Um, fuck, my brain is so broken. I remember Sam Elliott. I'll throw some people out. You love Sam Elliott. Sam Elliott always positive. I love Sam Elliott. You love the actor that played Orin on Parks and Rec. Oh my God, Orin. Remember Orin played by? I loved Orin. He was so funny and so weird. He was so funny. He was like a vampire boy. Yeah. That was always lurking in the shadows. Eric Eisenhower. Eric. Played Orin. But Eric wasn't really the vampire boy, I think, in real life. But he played it. But he was very method. Yes. And I really appreciated that. Like even when we weren't shooting, he'd be kind of like, did you try the hummus or whatever? And I'd be like, yes, Orin. You know. Yes. Whatever. Who else? You also helped us. You helped us secure the mayor of Pawnee. You really helped us get Bill Murray on the show. Bill Murray. All you have to say to Bill Murray is, you're playing a cadaver. And he's like, I'm in. Do you remember when? I don't know if you remember this, but do you remember when Chris Bosch was on the show, the basketball player? Chris Bosch. He was a Miami Heat player. Oh, yes. And he was a. Was he in like. He had like different basketball, like Roy. Yeah, we had Roy. Yes. Yeah, Chris Bosch. Yes. Chris Bosch. He was with Aziz. And was he like. John Ralph. Yeah. Entertainment 720. Yeah. But like, I don't know if you know this story. It was a fairly quick story, but it was so stupid. But I was a really big Chris Bosch fan. So like, I was like, oh my God, like, I can't believe he's coming. Like, this is insane. I was like, I want to play a prank on him. Do you know this? No. And so he had to go through hair and makeup. But, you know, he I think had very little hair and, you know, whatever, didn't need makeup because he's a guy or whatever. But you know how they always put them through the works anyway. So I was like, I'm going to pretend to be the hairstylist. And I think it was Terry, maybe was in there. And you know how she had those glasses or whatever. So I was like, Terry, give me your glasses. Or I can't remember whatever. And I'm thinking like, this is going to be hilarious because it's going to be me. And he'll be like, ha, ha, it's you. So I like pretend to be Terry. I'm like at her station. And then he goes through like makeup first and they're like, you look good. You know, a little powder and you're good. And then he like went and he was like, yeah, yeah, thanks a lot. And then he sat down in my chair and I was like, well. And I looked at him and I was like, what are we going to do today? And I was like doing like a dumb thing. And he didn't make any eye contact with me. He was just looking down and he was so sweet. But he didn't make eye contact. He was just like, yeah, whatever you think. Oh, no. And you were like, well, I think that you're looking pretty good, sir. And he'd be like, yeah, I'm so I'm good. All right. And I'd be like, well, you're not that good. And then it was like, I just kept it going. And someone videotaped it. Oh, my God. It was so awkward. Didn't recognize me at all. Didn't know who I was. Don't think he ever knew who I was. Not once. Chris Bosch isn't going to be watching the show before he comes in. He didn't know. He's too busy. I was. He thought I was. He thought you were a hair person. And like the PAs are like, we really need a mom set. I'm like, well, he's almost done in my department of hair. And then basically it just died. And he never, you never. Nope. Well, Chris is probably listening. So never know, you know, never not. Did you even work with him on set that day? Nope. Never saw him again. Literally never saw him again. Ever in my life. Oh, my God. I mean, people should know you're a big basketball fan. Yeah. I mean, you're you're you're a big fan. Yeah, I love it. You're a big Liberty fan and many other teams. Yeah. What do you like about basketball? What do you like? You're you're you're good at basketball. Thank you. Welcome. I grew up playing basketball. I I just love the game. My sister and I. We just were a ball ball and kind of family. My dad was like coaching our teams. And I went to an all girls high school in Delaware called Ursulina Academy. And we were really known for a basketball team. Like first we would, you know, be the best in the state. Elena Deladon went to my school. She's like one of the best WNBA players ever. So I just kind of grew up loving the sport. And then, yeah, my sister Natalie really introduced me to the W. And it was kind of before the kind of Caitlyn Clark effect, as they call it. She what we but even before that, before that, we joined a women's basketball league in LA. And we and there was a lot of parks people like Alison Becker was, you know, a lot of comedians. Sean Amalway Tweet Sean Amalway Tweet was on was on one of the teams. And there was a whole movement like around that time, like 10 years ago in LA where like just women were playing basketball and like really playing. Yeah. And it was so fun. And then kind of after that, I tore my ACL. On the court. That's I mean, I'm pretty baller. Yeah. I mean, it's happened twice. I did it again last year. I know. It's it's it's very cool. Thank you. I know it's the biggest pain in the ass. Like it's a nightmare to tear your ACL. But like being iced on the court, it looks cool. Yeah. Yeah. Well, the first time it wasn't so cool because I was actually playing in I was wearing a wig and I was playing in disguise. And truly pretending to be the hair department. I was. Yeah. I was pretending to be Terry. Yeah. On the court. OK. So we got to talk about your other stuff. There's so much stuff that you've done. Like I you I don't even I don't even know where to start. Plesey. You're such a good actor. I you've done for people that perhaps don't know. You have done a million gazillion movies. You've been in white lotus. You've done Emily the criminal. One of my favorite performances of yours. You've done you've worked with. What's his name? You know, the Michael King. His name is we work with my cooking. Robert De Niro. Robert De Niro. You've worked with Bobby De Niro. You've worked with the other guy Coppola. You've worked. Sure. You've been in his movies. Yeah. You've been in you've been in like incredible you incredible black bear. You've been in I mean, I should know your IMDB. It's enough. Is that enough? Yeah. I feel like it's not it just scratched the surface plots. So I guess my question to you is and it is a genuine question. Hold on. Agatha. Down, down, down the road. Down my witches road. I mean, a lot of people think that you were playing yourself in Parks and Rec, but is it true that you're actually playing yourself in Agatha? Of course. Yeah. That was the closest. The most blurred the lines have ever gotten for me. Yeah. When I was holding the dagger in the woods. I mean, that was so exciting to watch. I mean, that part was bananas. It was crazy. And the response to that show, talk about your hag heads. Talk about your pairs of show. I know. My baby hags love that shit. Baby hags. Sorry. Don't cry. They're called baby hags, please. Excuse me, baby hags. People, I mean, there's something about you that like is just which adjacent, like you're organically have a witch vibe, as you said. You were called that early on. Like what is it about your fascination? You've written about the Christmas witch. You've played a witch. Christmas witch is your great children's book. And it's a great book, by the way. Thank you. You and Murph. You know, we have a new book coming out that just came out on the shelves right now. Oh, tell us about it. It's called Luna and the Witch. Throw a Halloween party. It's a Halloween party. Yes. What do you love about, what is it about that witch? Your production company is called Evil Hag. What is it about witches and you? It's like, I can't pinpoint exactly where that seeped in, but I will say, I think where I grew up has a, there's a witchy vibe in the woods of Delaware, first of all. It's an old state, the first state, in fact. And so I think I kind of grew up kind of always, I don't know, feeling witchy in the woods. But also I think that there's a bloodline thing happening, you know, in my family, with the women in my family, I think. Wait, say again. Like I think I feel like I have ancestral, like, which, which is in my life. Like, for sure. Well, I mean, you really, your family feels like a maid triarchy. Like you have sisters and really strong women in your family. And it feels like that's been, that feeling has been passed on. Definitely, on both sides too. On both sides, right, on your dad's side too. And I have like, Bask blood. And, and I found out about this years ago when I went to visit, I went to visit like, the area where supposedly like, some of my family's from. And there's this town called Zucca de Mérida, which is on the border of France and Spain, and northern Spain in the Basque region. And it's apparently where like, thousands of witches would like convene in this, in these caves, which I went to visit. And, and like the, you know, we talk about Salem, which shiles like, that was like 200 witches. What, you love that shit, Boston? Well, what? That was, it's funny that you bring up the Salem rich witch trials. Why? Because we talked to Margaret Quali today about you. You did. Yes, who is so nice. I know, I love her. I know, and she loves you. I know, we have a really sweet little connection there. And we got to talk about, you know, it's my favorite part of this in many ways, is to hear, is to talk well behind someone's back. And she was saying, which, you know, I know firsthand because of the love and support I feel from you and our history together, but she was talking about how like you are a real girl's girl. You are like, you know, you really support women. You love women. You take good care of them. You feel supported and loved by them. And you surround yourself with really strong, interesting women who, who, who you learn from and teach to all the time. And, but her question was, what were the Salem witch trials like? What a bitch. Honestly, they were fun. Alexis. They were fun. Alexis. Alexis, they were fun. They were fun. They were hilarious. Like everyone was freaking out. And I was just like, you guys are like so stupid. But I definitely can see you back in the day being honest. I would love it. What do you think that was the best part about playing a witch on Agatha? The best part for me was just like cackling. Because I had this one scene, like this one part at the end where like, and I don't even know why, but it was, I think cackling. There's something about cackling. I swear that is like really therapeutic. Well, it's probably somatic. Like you've, it's not, it's like screaming. Yeah. But it's like you, you think like, why are witches cackling? Where does that come from? I feel like it's must be some old timey way that women were like working out their rage. And because I'm not very tapped into that, my rage and whatever. But like when I've really let loose and am able to like cackle or whatever, like it's, I don't know, it just, it feels good for me. And I really took that and ran with it. And like the scene in Agatha where I'm like sitting, I'm like sitting on top of the house and like the, and I'm on a wire because I'm like flying down there and she's down on the ground going like, you know, I'm like screaming at me. And I was just like, and I was cackling like crazy, but I went really crazy with it. And it felt good. It felt good. It felt really good to just be like, just let loose. Speaking of Margaret Quali, movie Honey Don't. Honey Don't. You're in it with her. Yeah. And who directed it and how did you, and how did you tell us about it? Mr. Ethan Cohen directed it of the Cohen brothers. And Ethan wrote it with his wife Trish, Trisha Cook. And how did I get involved in it? Like how do you pick, why do you, I mean, I find your, the way you choose parts really interesting. How do you choose what you're going to do next? I mean, I think it's just, it's a, I mean, a lot of the things that I do, I feel like are somewhat self-generated because I've produced like five movies and, you know, I read scripts and, you know, I've done, I like that. Approach is like. Yeah, you've developed things from the ground up. Yeah, like, I mean, I did that really, that's what I've done a couple of times. But then, you know, as an actor, you also get offers sometimes, you know? But I think people think a lot of times that like actors just like sit there and wait and are sifting through like 10 offers or whatever. But it's never like that. It's always kind of different than that. But this one, I don't know how I choose. I think a lot of it's kind of has to do with like what I feel like kind of diving into energetically or like character-wise because I tend to really like go there. And so I don't, there are certain things that I just, even if the script's like really good or if it's like, you got to work with, you know, Glenn Powell or whatever. It's like, I don't. But you got to work with Glenn Powell. I know, but I don't, I don't want to. You got it. I can't. You can't. No. He's neighbors with Jack McBrayer. All right, fine, I'll do it. I'm definitely interested in like doing the opposite of what I just did or like, you know, the Honey Don't thing to me, honestly, was like mind-blowing that a Cohen brother wanted to work with me, you know? I was like, oh my god. Honey, everybody wants to work with you, honey. Tarantino, where the fuck are you? Hello, Tarantino. Sorry, Quentin. Do your earmuffs. If you're listening. Close your earmuffs. Tarantino, I'll do anything. Oh, this is, you know. Absolutely. Tarantino. Anything you want. Quentin, I am her manager. Tarantino. I as her manager, she will not do anything. Ring, ring. And the feet are off the table, babe. Tarantino, it's Aubrey. Guess what? I'll do anything you want, babe. It's extra for the feet, honey. Make it in heels, Tarantino. You're going to get it. I'm going to get it. An immediate call from Quentin Tarantino. Good. Can't wait. God, I can't wait for it. Whatever is the scary ass shit he's going to make me put me through again. Don't care. You think I didn't care before? How about now? Definitely don't care about anything. No. Quentin, no. We're going to, OK. But so you. What? But this brings me. But you, but what do you like? Because you have worked with a lot of different directors. You work and you, and do you want to direct, right? Yeah. I mean, you have directed already, but you want to do that more? Yeah. I mean, I've never directed a movie. Well, you've directed TV. No, I haven't. You haven't? Well, I directed. Did it even. I directed, yes. I directed an episode of a showtime show called Cinematos. Yeah. That Jeff created. Yeah. And it was a, it was a, during the pandemic, and it was a really, really cool show. And I loved my episode. Unfortunately, I don't think you can watch it anymore. I don't think it exists. It just went away. I think showtime like literally just erased it. It's kind of weird about some TV. Like we were making jokes about how to find parks, but some TV just is like, it's gone away. It just goes away. It's weird. I mean, I guess when I was growing up, that is what happened with TV. You couldn't watch it again. Yeah, that's true. But it just went away. But, but now it feels weird that it goes away. Yeah. But yeah, no, I haven't directed. I want to direct a movie, but like I'm, I'm scared. Girl, I know, but you know what it is? It's like I, I want to, I know, but I, it's like I want, I'm a little bit like I'm being too precious about it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You just got to just do it. But I want to have something to say. I have something I want to say. Something to say. I want to shut up. I mean, I want to say, what? Sorry. What? Sorry, I interrupted. No, I literally don't know. What do you want to say? I don't want to say anything. I want to do a movie where I say nothing about that. It's called Seinfeld the movie. It's about something. Okay. And so what would be like as we wrap up, back to movies, what are the movies that like give you, what are the movies? Like what are your comfort movies? You know, speaking of comfort, just a reminder that Frankie's been asleep under your chair the entire time. Best dog ever. Best dog ever. Dakota Johnson was on and she brought her dog. She thinks she's better than me. No, sorry. No. It's not a competition. Frankie wins best dog for sure. Yeah, she does. Okay, but comfort movies. Comfort movies. You've got mail. Love you got mail. Speaking of Tarantino, on his top 10 favorite movies of all time. Yeah, but guess what? If he made it. What? It'd be like, you got mail, you opened the envelope, there's a finger in it. No, he would never. Oh yeah. He would never. Okay. You've got mail. I love that movie. That's like a real comfort movie when Harry Monsally. I think like a lot of like 90s like rom-coms are really comfort movies for me. Like I grew up like on all those movies like sleepless in Seattle and just. I watched two on a plane recently, Parenthood and Moonstruck. Those were like. I got Moonstruck. Parenthood's so good too. Love Moonstruck. Okay. And then I ask everybody this, like, and this is a maybe, you know, this is like take some more import for you this year probably than other times, but like, what are you, what makes you actually laugh? What do you do when you really want to like deeply laugh? Where do you go? Do you watch something? Do you read something? Do you go to friends? Do you? Like, I mean, there's certain, I would say there's just certain people that make me laugh. I don't laugh a lot when I watch things. It's like a question of, I've asked a lot of people because to me it's like, it's basically like, how do you, how do you stay happy above the line? Laughing. How do you stay on the cliff and not in the gorge? May I tell you what I've observed that you've been laughing at? I do feel like, I feel like the way in which your friends know you and you know them, the way you like create family and the way that you feel like safe around people and the way that you can like laugh at yourself, you have a very good sense of humor about yourself. You're able to get teased really hard and you love to tease. Yeah, I like teasing. I do too. And that's, I think it's a love language. I don't know if it's East Coast, I don't know, whatever, but like to me, like the more comfortable I am with someone, the more I want to tease them and want to be teased by them. Yeah, I would say, yeah, like my closest friends, like, like Bombardo, you know, my all, my, this group of my women friends that we were in an all-girl improv group, but then we turned into a coven, legit. We call ourselves Bombardo, like we do, we have like a text chain and we do like zooms and we do like trips and those girls make me laugh really, really hard. Also, we all known each other for so long. I took my oldest, that's the best thing that makes me laugh. It's just funny, all my funny friends. Well, Plazzi, we did it. We did. We really did it. Okay. Great job. Thank you for doing this. Means a lot that you came. I got the part. You got the part. You got the part of yourself. Okay. Finally, after all these years. I needed you to audition for the part of you in the podcast and congratulations. Thank you so much. Thank you, Aubrey Plaza, aka April Ludgate, my daughter, sister, wife, friend, and we all wanted you to be here and we're really glad you are. And that was so fun and funny and always a good hang with you. So thank you for coming. And today's Polar Plunge, I just want to talk and just remind people of the beautiful films that Aubrey Plaza and her late husband, Jeff Bain, made together. They include Little Hours, Life After Beth, Spin Me Round. They're all really great, beautiful, funny films that you should check out and check out Jeff Bain's work. He's an incredible writer and director and his work is really special. And it leads me to say that if someone you know or you yourself is struggling, emotionally or thinking about suicide, you can call the National Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline at 988. If you're outside of the U.S., visit Spotify.com slash resources for information and resources. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weisberman, and me, Amy Polar. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Katz Belain, Kaya McMullen, and Aleia Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weisberman. Original music by Amy Miles.