Ashley Padilla

29:15And she's like, okay.

29:21And I remember she, like, didn't. And she's like flipping through a magazine. Like, 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 should not, Amy. The woman says, now why did you draw yourself smaller than the house? And I was like, because. And my mom's like.

29:53the clock's ticking and

29:58I did deep dry it and I was like to fit in the house and she's like no you feel small like it was like crazy and I was like that's incredible and I'm 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 and he was like I'll draw two 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 going to keep this one for the files. And my mom was driving. I'm like, great, now they're going to take Teddy. Now the court's going to take Teddy. It was like, this is, you were a bad girl.

30:42She 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 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 five articles of makeup at the time. So I learned to do makeup. I became like an educational manager. I was like rising up like my mom did at her job.

31:26I 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 anyone. 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?

32:05I'm sorry. I still, I stand by that. I'm like doing all of that. Oh, my God. Yeah. Okay. 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— You know what? I don't know if you believe that when you say that. I guess I'm just like— I'm sorry. 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.

32:41But like you're supposed to submit the classes you want to take. And I just didn't do it. So they're in 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 like fill out a thing together. And they were like, she was like, what's left? And they're like, theater. 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 like 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 is your clothes. You were scouting in the audience.

33:13Yeah, I was in the audience. And I got the role of like the lead like princess. And I like remember like floating down the aisle. I came from the audience to the stage. Loved it. Then pretended and never happened. I was like, put that away. That's crazy. Interesting. Yeah. So loved it when you got it. You were like 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 long time, my high school boyfriend who I love, he's the best.

33:58We broke up and I became so depressed. And there I was with money. Right. 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. 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.

34:38And 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 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 hugely influential for so many people. Like incredible alum came out of there. What were you doing for money when you were taking classes? Were you waiting tables? Makeup and working. Yeah, in restaurants. Yeah, I was doing weddings and makeup jobs. And I did like music videos or like just like I did this.

35:18I forget who the artist was. I can't even say it. They paid me like gold art cash, just like a thing of cash. When I first got to LA, I mean, it was just. Just whatever you could do. 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.

35:45With 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 that 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 think I was 20 because I remember they like, let me do it, maybe.

36:25This episode is brought to you by Hilton. the official hotel partner of the Big Ten. Every college football weekend, fired up fans hit the road with their lucky shirts, pregame rituals with friends and family, and oddly specific traditions. Good thing Hilton's unmatched hospitality is ready. They know not to wash your lucky jersey. They'll find you a room with your favorite player's number and prepare your must-have pregame waffles. When you need a team that will do whatever it takes on game day, it matters where you stay. Hilton for the stay. This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance.

37:04Not checking whether you set an alarm before having an afternoon power nap, only to wake up two hours later, drowsy, confused, so many missed calls. Yeah, checking first is a good idea. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary, subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates. Northbrook, Illinois. This episode is brought to you by Purdue Global. You know a great way to give your younger self a hug? By giving that person a chance to come back stronger.

37:36No matter what stage of your life and career you're in, it's never too late to become who you want to be. That's why Purdue Global was built for working adults, so you can earn a degree you can be proud of. This is a great moment to move forward. Get started at purdueglobal.edu slash goodhang. This episode is brought to you by Sephora. I'm not going to say I'm an expert on beauty, but I do think it's good to know what works for you and what doesn't. And fortunately for all of us, there is Sephora. Their beauty advisors really get beauty. From personalized recommendation to what's hot on social, they're experts, so we don't have to be.

38:12And when you want the best in beauty, you go to Sephora for the good stuff you can't find anywhere else, like Kayali fragrances, endless shades of House Labs Foundation and the Laneige Overnight lip masks that everyone is obsessed with. Get beauty from people who get beauty, only at Sephora.

38:32So you go to Groundlings. How do you get the audition for SNL? I'd been working for Diane Keaton, actually, for a long time. Okay, so let's talk about Diane. Yeah. So you were her assistant. Yeah. And 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 have a fake shit like I love I love fashion all that stuff and they just they're just the best and like they just taught me so much and um I meet with her and she goes you know we're always looking for someone to do errands and all that stuff and at the time I didn't you know 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.

39:45She 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 I watched The Godfather. 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 going to do? And then, and then she was like, well, what about, you know, her? Does she, is 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?

40:15And I was like, okay. And then that turned into, well, you got to, you know, spend time with Diane. You guys got to 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. Okay, so when you're running her Instagram, which was often in all caps. Yes. Was that her writing? 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.

41:02Yeah. She's so special. She is. Yeah. She's really one in a million. and 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. She's 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 see the world around me, the shapes.

41:43As silly as that sounds, she'd go, look at the building. We'd stop. She'd pull over. Do you see this? 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 she was any different than anybody else. She was just willing to stick with that and keep that wonder that goes away at some point. Because it taught me that it was even going away in myself. 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.

42:24And that's my daily life now because of her. And I see pictures and I love images 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 it about? 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.

43:11I 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 would be crazy because the mouth belongs to someone else and the eyes. 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.

43:42Because Stephanie had been kind of trying to tell her for a long time to do this thing. 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 then 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 cover. She let me design the book. She let me do everything. And I went, but I've never made a book before.

44:12And she's like, you will figure it out. So cool. She had no doubt. Yes. It's weird. How amazing. 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? 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 going to 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, I also kept the two very separate right you're being a struggling comedian you know and then I go to this icon's house I was living a double life and then when the two would come together I remember she was like 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 excuse me excuse me her tutu's getting on people excuse me excuse me and every time she's laughing yes every sketch I mean she really was a fairy godmother and she dressed like a fairy godmother she dressed like a fairy godmother she was very good and I was just like and everyone backstage Diane Kings 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 I could do it but I will say I mean I mean, everyone believed in me, but nothing was happening.

45:55And 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. 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.

46:32I 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 Guffmans? Where is Guffman? We're waiting.

46:49so 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 that does not lie in waiting to see if this commercial is going to call me after pinning me. You know what I mean? Yes. Yes. No, I'm just done. And that's when, you know, Naomi Odenkirk, who is. Yeah. Bob Odenkirk's wife, very famous manager.

47:33She 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, 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 main 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 Bonifor.

48:13She's like, we'll 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 as a joke. And then it was SNL wants you to showcase. And I was like, okay. And they came to a 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 and did it. 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.

48:46Who am I around the most? Diane. And she's so funny. I did her, like, voiceover. I did, like, her doing a voiceover for, like, Planet Earth where she's just yelling that they're hurting each other. 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, well, then I guess I'm not good for SNL. Isn't it funny? Because it's I'm not good at impressions either. And if 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 painting.

49:25One hundred percent. Also, you just have to do three paintings. You're my lawyer. I just need you to do three paintings. Just like, OK, 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. before we talk about lawyering. And on your way to doing the painting, walk past 40 people who are really good at painting. 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.

49:59I'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 christy gnome oh yeah christy gnome that's right i did pam bondy who both of them both of them i watched yours i know i know i know and i did caroline levitt all of them just not even scraping the surface of what. I watched you and Tina because I did, you both did it. And then you had to go and do both of them.

50:41I 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 you give me to come back? That was like when Forte had to do Bush after Will Ferrell left. Oh, Ferrell. It's so not fair. Okay. But did you bring any Groundlings characters to SNL? Oh, yeah. I did my haircut sketch. You did for your audition? Oh, yeah. 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, like came in like, I've got all this stuff.

51:30And then you realize it's just such a different medium, even though they're both sketch. You got to 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 guests so we can talk well behind their back. And we talked to Andrew today. Andrew Dismuth. Oh, that's so sweet. He was in his hotel room. That is so sweet. Drinking black coffee. I thought you were going to say drinking whiskey. drinking whiskey out of a bottle. He's doing bad. He's doing badly. Oh my God. Yeah. And we're very worried about him. So he asked you for some money.

52:04Yep. And it was really appropriate. Great. No, he had just done a show. He was drinking black coffee in a hotel room and we were talking about you. And he is so lovely 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 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.

53:07Let's talk about it for a second. What bothers you? Cause I, I, I know what you mean. It's like, I just feel like sometimes we're not as portrayed as complex. Yes. I was gonna say aggressively because I'm like, we're just, we got shit going on. It's complex. It's deep. It's, it's so nuanced. It's like, I have so many things about me that I want to see on screen and, and in comedy and, and, and I do wonder sometimes if, um, to get there, we just need to be a little more willing to write for ourselves. And that's what, that's what Groundlings did for me was you do not get on that stage unless you are writing something for yourself.

53:47Yeah. I mean, you might be in some people's stuff maybe, but like, it's the same at SNL. It's like you can write 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.

54:18They have to write the cold. Like they're doing stuff. They're busy. They're busy. They're writing for Amy Poehler. Like it's like, they've got a host. They've got a host. They're not going, what is Ashley? Like, 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, my gosh, like Alison Gates, Kent Sublette, 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.

54:47And 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. 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, 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's, 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.

55:23I will. It's like my, my, it's just so like, I remember even with the haircut sketch, there was a talk about cutting stuff. And the first thing to go is, you know, those pauses at the beginning. Well, let's just cut your entrance, but 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 and to behave it's not rushed to feel nervous or anxious or embarrassed being embarrassed takes a little time it's like that feeling it's just I love it and it like and then now they're on your side I hope it 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 is like, it's just a bit of a dance.

56:17I 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. Like someone's mad at someone about whatever. It's these like little human behavior moments that are so funny and weird. You're so good at them. 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 is hot. And you're moaning after we... Like in terms of the real estate of the sketch, it takes up a lot of time.

57:05Oh, yeah. Your reaction to like, what did I do? What just happened? how am I going to get through this is all conveyed in like a 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 felt this I mean it's why we love live it's like you can rehearse something all day yeah until you're in front of a crowd and know what they are going to give you they loved the farts I went well shit let's sit. Here we go. Let's sit in the pain of this. I love arrogance.

57:48What is funnier? Me too. What is funnier than someone being like, happy guys? I farted. What you guys wanted? What is that? It's like... I also played a character who was very cocky about the fact that she farted. I 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 I'm almost like, no, we're not jealous. It is the epitome of why I want to do comedy for the rest of my life. I know, and it would be so fun to do, hopping around on one leg being like.

58:37Because I was, she considered herself a real catch. And you know what? That's all it takes. That's also my favor is when someone's like, you want to fuck me? No! 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 this. He's what we're talking about. I mean, his stuff is grounded in realism. Like, he's like, but it's absurd. And he writes a lot for the show. That's all. He's got a very clear voice. Yeah. 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?

59:19I, and mind you, no one knew who I was. Like, 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 sit in my dressing room 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.

1:00:00And. Which is often the best one. It can be. It's sort of like a Hail Mary. It's like, yeah, 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 want to 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 permission? Like, I mean. It's unfair what I did to these. It's unfair. You begged for forgiveness. You did not ask for permission. I went shorter than I said I was going. What's your relationship with Lauren?

1:00:39I 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 like being funny is so insane. Like, it's just like, what are you here for? You make us laugh. I don't know, not to diminish, but it's like, At the end of the day, it's like. 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.

1:01:26Totally. You're like. I mean, I. It's sick. Totally true. 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 me 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 because it is so serious. everyone taking stuff seriously that's what we love but to go back to the it's like lauren 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.

1:02:32That'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, 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, long hair. It's like, 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.

1:03:12It was like, I like to be open and fresh and like vulnerable. It makes me feel vulnerable because I can't hide. And like, I like feeling open and like, 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. Like not dog, it's like. Well, you have an interesting play with mask and femme stuff in the way you dress too. And Diane, of course, is like. That kind of like, what is your relationship to like, what is typically masculine or typically feminine? Would you, 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.

1:03:55Not 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, like, 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, you know. Welcome to the. Father issues. I mean, like, right. Patriarchy. Right. And I was always like, oh my God, vulnerable to take my makeup off and like have my hair done and be hot. Yes.

1:04:35So what? By the way, for who? For who? To who? To who? And for how long? For how long? For how long? For how long? Because Mama Ty Ty. I have to go to bed bed. Tight, tight, done, done. Seriously. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck off. Seriously, fuck off. Fuck you. I'm done. And hotter than ever, though, Ashley. Okay, honey. Hotter. I mean, it looks incredible. Okay. Thank you. It's funny because I feel hotter. Yeah. Because I'm myself. Mm-hmm. I mean, I told Jodi. Jodi was like. Jodi Mancuso, who runs the SNL hair department, who Bronx Speed is based on. Sweater weather. Yeah. And I said to her, she was like, your hair's so pretty.

1:05:26And 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. 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.

1:06:02Thank you. It just goes to show. It's liberating. It's liberating and also just getting back to the initial theme of you is that you have a, 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 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. And so we're going to end with impressions.

1:06:38Down to camera? No. To camera? Two-ten 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 die. You can kill me legally? Is that the paperwork I signed on the way in? Yep. 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 five second impersonation. You said 10. Oh, I said 10. You changed it when you realized you had to do it too. You're like five. Five. Five.

1:07:10Okay. Okay. Okay. Five second impersonation of, and I'll just throw out a name and then you can throw it out for me. It's really fun. It's really fun. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Let me think. Okay. Ready? You can't think, you can't think about it. You just have to go. It doesn't matter. Austin Butler. Whoa. Here we go. We got him. We got him. Whoa. That'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 three? Okay, give me one. Season three, I called it because it's my season three. It is your season three. Fifty-three. That was disrespectful.

1:07:51Fifty-three. Joan Cusack. Oh, hey, you guys.

1:08:03Okay. Ready? Don't think so. We're just doing voices. Here we go. One, two, three. Ready? Shakira.

1:08:18you nailed it Shagera okay alright give me one I'm gonna die you have to give me one 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. No, this isn't funny anymore. 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?

1:09:09Literally the fact that I'm getting fired from the show I'm on after this. She can't do impressions. What? What is that? What? What? Okay. Oh my God. Fuck, that was good. Those were really good. Thank you. So were yours. 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. She's amazing. She is. I mean, she, she's so like, um, let's do Laura Linney impersonation. You could do it. This one. Now I can't do it. I just do again. Okay. Let's have Laura Linney talking about, um, God, I just watched a video of her.

1:10:02Of, uh, about her, um, drink. Like she just, she just had some delicious coffee. I mean, I feel like... It just went, mmm, delicious. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

1:10:21Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, this coffee is so delicious. Oh. Oh, God.

1:10:35That was for you, Laura Linney. Laura, 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, to the point where me and Alison Gates, 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.

1:11:13Fully supposed to be working. And we set that aside to have a vulnerable conversation about do we, and to talk to our teams and like 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've heard of it, but not really. Tell me more. I'm gonna put you in the scenario. I have a laptop and it's coming into frame. You, in your head, pick two people that you trust and love.

1:11:52Okay, 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.

1:12:27So 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 four 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 two days, but please, please get me out. And then the family goes, no. No. She said to wait two days. And that was the conversation me and Allison were having. It was like, do you want me to extract you?

1:13:07and I was literally dead serious like I don't know

1:13:13whoa it's a fucking you have to watch it two seasons and it's 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 I haven't seen it Extraction TV show yes Extracted oh Extracted Extracted Okay, let's just look at I just want to look at a clip of it God, it's so good I have not had any food in six 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 without fire for weeks Oh!

1:13:56Begging to go home My child has not had fire for weeks My morals are worth it My child has not had fire They're all weak. Right, because that's another thing, too. It's a lot of mothers. So they're like. My child. My child needs a 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.

1:14:32You're so good at impressions. So funny. You're so funny. You're so good at it. You were so good at impressions.

1:14:42Thank 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. And, um, 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.

1:15:26I 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 Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, Alea Zanaris, Bridget Geerlings, Paige Garbarini, Belle Roman, and Drew Van Steenbergen. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.

1:16:09Fall never arrives all at once. First the air, then the light. And slowly the things you love begin to find each other. A jacket meets a dress. A hoodie slips beneath a blazer. An old cap finds a new scarf. because you don't simply step into the season. You create it layer by layer until it finally feels like fall. Find fall your way at Ross. At ZocDoc, we know you care about your health. You wouldn't do that early morning cardio if you didn't. So the fact that your annual physical is overdue just shows how hard it can be to get seen by a doctor. Sorry, that doctor's not a network. Press 1 for more options.

1:16:52You've reached us outside normal business hours. The next availability is in three months. But ZocDoc makes finding the right doctor easy. Download the app and search by specialty, insurance, and availability. Read real patient reviews, then book instantly. ZocDoc, ready to be seen?