Da'Vine Joy Randolph

29:43I remember that very clearly. I don't even know where that came from. And so I remember to go across the street to the theater department, what was like communications to copy sheet music. And I literally was copying sheet music and it sounded like people were dying in the room next door and it was a theater class. And so I went up to this teacher afterwards and I was like, Hey, I'm working on an opera across the street like could you help me i want to like bring this to life and it'd be good very long story short the music department got ultra pissed and they were like no no you can't do that you can't cross over there and i was like i don't want to cross over i don't want to be an actor but i guess because it had happened so many times they were very like territorial over it and they flunked me out exqueeze me yep and it was my mom that i'm like bawling on the phone this is like my junior spring.

30:35I'm out of here. I'm about to go be in Italy, like living my best life. And my mom was like, go across the street. I'll never, cause she talked so, you know how moms are when their child is like devastated. And she was like, step one, go across the street, go speak to the administration. You're going to apply to the theater program because most of your credits can transfer. And I actually think you might be good at it. That's literally how she So it was like, wow. She knew I needed logic first. Like credit. Cause I kept thinking, oh my God, like I'm about to graduate. I have to now completely find a new.

31:10Right. You're pot committed to this thing. And then. And I was like, okay. I remember they tell me this to this day that I went to the administration office and I was like, I have to be an actor. And they were like, what? And I was like, no, I'm crying. And they're like, you are, you are. Exactly.

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35:15Taking ZepBound with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can cause dehydration and worsen kidney problems. Talk to your doctor. Call 1-800-545-5979 or visit zepbounds.lily.com.

35:38And then you got really into Shakespeare, right? You did a lot of Shakespeare. Later, yeah, later. So when I got into Yale, I faked it. I did Shakespeare, but I think I did, like, Titania when she sees Bottom and she's, like, in love. So I didn't have to really, like, you know? I don't. I didn't have to really, meaning, like. Is that more comedic? It is kind of more comedic. That's really interesting that what you're saying is, like, there's, like, there's Shakespeare and then there's Shakespeare. Yeah, like, it wasn't me reciting, like, Hamlet, where it was, like, okay, you're just standing there and delivering this speech.

36:08It was, it was. It was, like, this strong. Titania is, like, kind of, like, Michelle Obama. like a tough girl that's like got it all together who now you see gets to be like she's drunk the kool-aid and she's like whimsically like this ingenue in love and just being silly and in love with this like you know having like a kind of like teenage middle school moment of like oh my god this guy is so cute yeah so it was that but like i'm saying in the sense of like i wasn't doing hamlet do you want to do shake more shakespeare so i went to after my first year i was like i don't know this because I was doing another classical art.

36:46I don't know this one. And so I went to the British Academy of Dramatic Arts at Oxford, which I couldn't believe it. We literally ate lunch where Harry Potter ate lunch. I remember walking in there being like, oh my God, I made it. Yeah. And so I was, it was just so cool because I learned Shakespeare like by the people who do it. Wow. But I love that sense of command that they have over language. I love how much you have trained. Thank you. Like, you really know your stuff. Thank you. I really appreciate that. It's fun. I bet. And it gives, to your point, like, it's supposed to be a journey, like, fun.

37:25And when you get to try and fail over and over again, and then you get stronger and better. It is the best feeling. To me, it's kind of like freedom within form. Like, as long as I know the guardrails are up, I'm going to bang up against those guardrails. But like, right. In order for me to really be loose and give all of myself, even with comedy, like I just need to know the parameters. Yeah. And then I'm just going to go off. And it allows me to. So I guess in a way, the training is like the guardrails. Yeah. Then when I work, I'm like, whatever. Like, have you ever watched something back of your.

38:00I don't like to. I don't love to. Don't like ADR is one of the most traumatic. Oh, yeah. I hate it. Also, ADR is, for people who don't know, it's like that moment in the film when you have to kind of go back sometimes and re-record stuff. Which, for me, is my first time of seeing it ever. Yes, it's often your first time seeing it, and it hasn't been, like, color corrected or anything. You're like, I'm orange. You're just like, well. Why do I look like that? I guess I'm 100 years old. It's seeing your face for the first time in a thing that isn't finished. And you have to record new stuff, and it's brutal.

38:31It's brutal. I used to call my mom crying afterwards. Mama looks ugly. She was like, go across the street. Yeah. Take a breath. You are okay. You are not the character. You serve the character. Your mom is really good at calming. Yeah, she's the one. When you were at Yale, was there anyone else there that we would know at the time? Yeah. Who else was there? When I was a second year, Lupita was a first year. Then after Lupita was Winston Duke. Then after that was, I could be mixing this up because I was now gone, but was then Yaya. Then after that was Mamadou. Like it just was. Wow. Yeah. Wow. That's intense.

39:14That's intense. And then you go and you go from that to talk about training being put to the test. You have to open Ghost in the West End with about a week of rehearsal. Yeah. Which made no sense. So I was when I graduated, I got an agent and like, you know, I got to have a survival job. Yeah. So I applied everywhere in New York City. And that little Yale degree, even though it's in theater, people were like, you're overqualified. No. And I was like, you know more than the director. And that upsets him. Yeah. And so I couldn't get any job. And so I was like, OK, I'm going to nanny. So I nannied for this amazing family.

39:59And it was amazing because I worked the system because I was broke. And I said, listen, as a curator of arts, your children need to go to five-star hotels and experience what that is like. Desserts and really nice places. And we need to teach them how to eat at a five-star, literally. And they were like, okay. and literally, can you imagine two little white boys and me like at a table and they're like, Mr. Vite? Because just in case their friends are here watching, I gotta make this look credible. That's so smart. Oh, it was so much fun. So smart. I love that job. How do you get the job? So they were like, oh, this is an audition for the like understudy, understudy, it's swing.

40:47And so they were like, if you get this, you'll rarely go on. No big deal. I go in there because I'm young and I had never auditioned for anything before. Those people told me, so you're going to do the entire thing. They made me audition for 75 % of that musical. Wow. In the room. Like I had my sides and then they were like, here's more. Cold read. Wow. 75 % of the musical. And you nailed it. It was just adrenaline. Yes. But one thing that was a blessing and a curse. I was on a high. Like my body was just boop, boop, boop. Speaking of belting high, baby, I belted high that day. Uh-oh. And then they wrote it?

41:30Because it was an original musical. So they were like, oh, she wants to belt an athlete? Never be good at something you don't want to do. Pace yourself. Because eight shows a night and they went, basically up there. I was like, no, we're going to have to bring it down so i did that audition in like august i didn't hear anything for two days i'm not thinking about it it's the understudies understudy understudy my team then hits me up and is like you booked and i'm like oh okay cool and i was bummed because i was like i gotta tell these kids i gotta leave them yeah my team was like are you chris it was the lifestyle i was saying goodbye to the lifestyle so they literally they were like days later they're like why are you not more excited my team and I was like because you it's just whatever like if everyone gets sick then maybe I'll go on they were like yeah we lied um you are playing Whoopi Goldberg's part and I was like come on what why would you do this so then I'm terrified and it was literally the like the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and so I had never done a job of that magnitude but I had never done a like seasonal job.

42:41Yeah. And I really love the holidays. Yeah. So I started crying and I was like, but do I get to spend this game with my parents? And you know, ages, are you done? You made it. You're going to West End. You've worked with so many great people and you talk about them a lot and you talk about Robin Williams. And I - I can't believe that was my first movie. That's amazing. I cannot believe that, sadly, that was my first movie and that was his last movie. I cannot believe it. What was it like to be with him? But I am so - I'm grateful. There's something that I notice in legendary comedians specifically.

43:17Robin had it. Eddie had it. I had that experience. It's different, but they have a similar trait. Eddie shows up in Steve Martin for sure. Martin Short. and there's this thing when we talk about when people tap me on my shoulder and be like hey and I never would think it would be those people in my mind growing up I thought you know like they either really stay to themselves or they're distant or like their egos won't ever give you the satisfaction and Robin was the complete opposite and he actually talked to me more than anybody else. We just talked for we. I literally just sat there and listened to everything that that man said to me.

44:02And I will even in the moment while he was talking to me, I was like, this is crazy. No one's going to believe you. So don't even tell anyone like maybe later you can share a great anecdote, but it was unbelievable. And he just poured into me and it would just be like in between the takes. He was just like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then, you know, immediately just going to this thing. But yeah, he would, if I would say career wise, he was the first person that was like, you've got. What an anointing from someone like that. Are you kidding? And then you worked with Eddie on Dolomite and same thing.

44:45Eddie really took you under his wing. He really did. He really did. And something that was interesting, so like differences, Robin was so explosive it felt like when people ask the only thing I can think of is like you know how in Penn Station the ticker thing yeah it's like you can't his thoughts are so loud when he's not talking that even when you stand next to him it's like and I'm just like I feel like almost like having coffee like you just feel this buzz being next to him and it just was like and with Eddie something that I learned and it was interesting to work with him at that stage of his life and that point of his career there is a stillness and a quietness when he's not working or in between scenes and then there's the action and this whole thing comes to life yeah and it was something that in the first again supporting actor being like oh okay this is your rhythm and this is how you work that i then like adjusted and then i was like okay so i'm not well that feels like your musical training comes in there because you're picking exactly what you said, rhythm and breath and energy, like the dynamics.

45:55Yes, 100%. Of the day. The rhythm is the biggest thing, I think, especially with comedy and especially with legends at that. You write, you want to learn quickly, not ask any questions and observe and like, it feels like jump rope of like, I'm jumping in and I'm jumping out. You know what I mean? Learning that kind of pacing. And, but it was after that he really kind of prepared me for the industry in that when we did, like we had a full-blown press tour and he was like, she's come, whatever I'm going to, she's coming to all of it. And so like 100 % it prepared me for holdovers. I think if I didn't have that, I would be like, what is this crazy machine of things?

46:40And so in a more chill way, I got to experience that. I got to see what insane fame looks like. Yeah. Which is scary to me. Yeah. That's really intense. I'll get ready for it. Sorry. No, no, no. You mentioned The Holdovers. I just have to say to you, that film. Thanks. It is now forever in rotation as a Christmas film. Because not only is it beautifully acted and beautifully directed by Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti and Dominic. they're amazing you're the three of you together are just thank you but it also captures this melancholy like you say you love the holidays and it's this holiday salty sweet yeah sour sadness that happens to all of us all of us even if you have a house full of people or whatever you consider like yes a traditional happy christmas because like the loneliness finds its way in.

47:39Every time. I know even with a full house, the way you depicted that mother in that movie is one of my favorite cinematic performances. I love you in that movie. Thank you so much. Congratulations on winning the Academy Award! Thanks, babes! And so deserved. Thank you. And just so, first of all, Paul Giamatti Love him. Always loved him. Always loved him. And similarly, he's so good at so many things. Yeah, he is. He's really good at playing that underdog that can't quite figure it out. Perfect. And just keeps hitting their head against the wall. Oh, he's so good. I had a fun moment. He hosted SNL when I was there.

48:22And you're down under the bleachers, changing clothes really fast. And at one point, I turned to him and I was like, are you having fun? And he was like, this is a nightmare. Inside, everything is painful and he's dying inside. It was so funny. Yeah. Even while we're filming. And I'm like, wow, we're really doing it. He's like, I hate it. Not he hates, like acting. But do you know what I mean? That's why he's so funny. That's why he's so good at it. Because he doesn't. He'll put himself in like risky, like inside his anxiety is through the roof. Yes. And he's like, I feel it. We feel it. We feel it with him.

48:54And the trio of you three, like unexpected friends. Yeah. Like, you know, like a random family. Yeah. Yeah. So good. What kind of prep did you do for that role? So it was interesting when, because I love cooking, I was like, so listen, contractually, I have to cook for real. And for many reasons and due to that time period, I wanted it to be clear that this was actually her job and that she was good at it. Versus like, I first asked Alexander, I said, is she the help or is she a learned chef? And he was like, I actually want her to be a learned. And he said, cook. And I said, we're not going to say that way.

49:38We're going to say chef. If you're saying she has an education in it, she's a chef. And so once I knew that's where he was going with it, I was like, okay, so then you're going to have to establish scenes and moments where I'm dealing with the food and facilitating the kitchen to show my prowls over this area. Yeah. Right. And so, and I remember there was like, there was, and he was so down, which was so cool. for someone that acclaimed and lauded to have that much flexibility and collaboration, which I think is another huge reason why that movie just did so well, because he trusted us and we really got to work together.

50:19And so like there was a moment where I was like, you know, to be honest, he had a lineup of extras for people that were going to be in my kitchen and they were all women of color. And I was like, you're gonna have to put some white ladies in there too. And he was like, really? Why? And I said, because it, the other ones look like it's my friends that I just brought in. And then this other version makes it again, look like, oh no, I'm in charge. And these are the cooks. So I ad lib this line in the movie where I'm like to the white lady, too much paprika. Cause I, my mom, I was like, no, no, no.

50:54She can taste it and be like too much paprika. Cause I wanted to show a lot of it to do with the time period that I was like, I want, if you're saying she's a chef, I don't want those lines to be blurred. But in regards to prep, the thing that Alexander was the most. Thank you for sharing that with me. I just have to say. Yeah, yeah, totally. Just to take a minute. I love knowing that because you're, I couldn't capture the, what you're, exactly what you're saying, which is a, there's a regalness to her. Yes. There's a pride. Yes. Even if that lady has two cents in her pocket, which is another thing because he understandably, he wanted her to be in hot pink rollers and that cozy, warm, purple muumuu most of the movie.

51:40Yeah. Because he was like, it's the holidays. And I was like, no, she has so much pride. She's working. Yes. She may be, you know, they might be in like living, shared living quarters, but she's working. She wakes up. This is her job. Yes. And so it was something that we had to negotiate for him to realize. Yeah. No, this isn't just auntie with Uncle Buck and whoever. It gives such incredible tension because that is her space. And in the scene when she's serving and when everyone is eating her food, that she's good at cooking. Yes. And Paul's character standing up for her. Yeah, it's beautiful.

52:20That's one of my favorite moments. Yeah. Yeah. And it's just a look. She just looks at the kid. Yes. But she but you know, the volume in which Paul yelled, she heard it. Yes. You know, I mean, like she wasn't there for it, but she heard that he had his back. And so the main prep was Alexander was very keen on smoking. It was almost like an audition question. Do you smoke? And I was like, no, I don't. And he was like, and I was like, you can send a pack on over and we can figure it out. But part of the prep was learning how to smoke, making it look realistic. It was great that I was in Boston. There's so many smokers in Boston, but I would just watch.

53:01Like, there is a science. You can tell the level of addiction or how many years. I'm not going to say addiction. It is an addiction. Let's say it. How long you've been in the game. Tell me what you noticed about how people. The more that it feels like it is literally another finger. They've been doing it for a while. Right. Right. Or there's like that person is usually like older men that like it's hanging. How? I don't even know. It's like that one bead of saliva. You're so right because a person that has their like one cigarette a week. It's tighter. It's tighter. It's tight and they're like enjoying every minute.

53:37I'm thinking about like the girls outside the club. Sure. Like bumming it from someone else. Yes. But someone who's like, oh, there's a hundred more where that came from. It'll fall out. Pick it up. Whatever. Pick it up, pick it up. I'm going to light another one right away. Yeah. And so part of my process was like. So interesting. What's her level of addiction? And in certain times and what she's going through, I wanted the smoking to signify what like psychologically was going on for her. And then the biggest, the two difficult things, most difficult things about filming and smoking, timing of knowing when to, like how to pace between the talking and when to pull.

54:20Right. Yeah. And blowing that smoke so it's not in your face for the camera unless there's some moments where you wanted to get in or not like directing that smoke was tricky. Ooh, I can't. I'm going to be re-watching this movie again. That was the hardest part. And I'm going to watch all of your smoking choices. We could have a beautifully acted scene. And Alexander would be like, that smoke went in Paul's face, do it again. And then the last thing was the dialect, which he was like, it's fine. He said it was fine. He was like, you're from Philadelphia, it's cool. And I was like, respectfully.

54:55Respectfully, how dare you? No, sir. And he was adamant about it. And you worked, I can tell, because it was so good. Yeah, I went with Nicole Kidman's dialect coach, who's the best and so down to earth. But yeah, I said, no, no, no, no, no. So what did you have to learn about me? Like we said, I'm from Philadelphia. It's so close, but yet it's not the same thing. And also it was technically, it's a period piece. And so the biggest reason why I wanted to do the dialect, not only because that is what is the world, I needed something to differentiate and to separate from me. Yeah. And so I needed that dialect.

55:36The smoking, yeah. Clothes helps. The hair helped a lot. But the dialect was the thing that really allowed me to lock in. Were there words that helped you lock in? What was his name? Mr. Hunnam. Mr. Hunnam, I heard you. It's that first scene. Mr. Hunnam. When they meet and she's like, Mr. Hunnam, I'm paraphrasing. She's like, Mr. Hunnam, I heard you had babysitting duty. How'd you manage that? And that was like my key phrase. Yes. That I would get right in. Babysitting. Yeah. Babysitting. How'd you manage that? What was helpful was the crew was all Boston. Oh, yeah. So I would literally. And they're like, eh.

56:16Yeah, no shame. I was like, did I say that right? They're like, you didn't get it. Because the Boston in me, you know, our ears are attuned. To me, it's like the Australian accent. For sure. For sure. When it's wrong, it is rough. Yeah. And so what I basically said to myself is I worked on it and prepped it a lot. And I told myself, you're going to have the first day of filming. If you get a lot of feedback on this dialect, either being distracting or too much or not right, we're going to leave it alone. Yeah. Smart. And, and, and. Smart. Yeah, it worked. And I was like, okay. But in between still, I literally, in between takes, the gaffer, I'm like, is it Smat?

56:59Smat? Smat? Smat, yeah. And they were like, Smat. And I'm like, okay, Smat, Smat, Smat. Speaking of films, we're talking about Eternity, the rom-com that you're in with the hilarious John Early, who we love. I think he was one of the last people that they cast. And I knew from the script that I would have quite a bit of stuff with this character. And I kept saying, I kind of didn't want to sign on the dotted line until I knew who that person was. and it just didn't work out that way. And I'll never forget, we were in like, what do they call it? Camera testing. We were camera testing and I was ear hustling and I heard them say, and I go, ah!

57:35Yes! And they were like, what is wrong? And I'm like, oh, my job just got way better. So funny. And easy, really easy. You guys are great together. He has the stuff that's up there in that brain

57:54and it's so much do you know you obviously know what I mean and you know what I was a little worried about because he's so so good that I was like oh he's gonna be doing the button thing you know the button thing when you're around funny ha-has and it's like the scene is done and now every funny person in that room is like da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da and then that person goes back and I'm like wow oh my god I've never heard it said like that that's I'm really I'm really sweating because I so feel... But it's infectious. I get it. You're so right, though. There's an instinct for comedy people to be like, and one more thing.

58:30Button, button, button. Now person A's got to do second button. I feel seen. And then it goes, and it just goes, and my always, I'm like, very present, but, and that's usually when the camera cuts to me. Oh, that's so real. And you're right. And then once someone does a button, and someone's like, I gotta button that button. And it never ends. And I just sit there. But yeah, he didn't have any of that. Yeah. But so, I don't think he ever repeated a joke. I'm just so, so impressed by him. What is your relationship to rom-coms? What rom-coms? Are you a rom-com person? Do you like rom-coms? I was when I was in high school.

59:11What did you like? When I feel like was, let me tell you something. How old is a guy in 10 days? Oh, yeah. It's perfect. and if you tell me different, I'll fight you. That and my best because it's so emotional. Baby, that scene when they're out in Staten Island, Long Island playing that card game, I'm bawling. You're really making me want to watch that again. You're out there so good. I like it too because it's a relatable New York couple. You know some of those New York rom-coms you're like, well, I'm never going to be in that penthouse. Or the boss. I love how it was like, they were regular New Yorkers.

59:55And that like Staten Island, I forget what you want it to say, Staten Island, Long Island family was a really good touch. My best friend's wedding. Yes. It's so good. I think it's the ones that are really relatable. I know. And they just dig in in some like, they're like rainy day, delicious treats. Yeah. And okay, so we have this thing where we talk to people who know our guests we talk well behind their back we get a question for them so we talked to the director of eternity david frayne and we got to talk about how incredible it was working with you and he and he was explaining which i'm i'm now getting to see in real time the feeling of there was like a there's a calmness to you when you work and a confidence that is he says like it just as a director just makes you feel like everything is going to work out like everything you know oh that's wonderful and he had two questions for you one was where do you think you find the calm or as he said the calm yeah the calm he had a great tax and the courage behind the calm yeah but um the um so that was his first question is like is that true are you feeling like when you step and work there's a calmness to you is do people project that on you is that real what do I think it's, how do I say?

1:01:10It's a little projected. It's all of it, right? So number one, yes. It's part of that, like, preparing to then, like, have so much fun, like, right? Like, within the boundaries. Like, I know I did the work. But then I'm very open to what is the direction? What are you giving me? You know what I mean? What is it going to be in this? I know her. And you could tell me we're going to go on Mars. Great, we're going on Mars. What's that going to be? Yeah. So there's that. There's also two, I'm very well aware of like, it's interesting how leads speak of like their role of leadership and da da da. I am aware that part of my role is to not say anything out loud, but to reassure and to like nurture a little, but like create a foundation.

1:02:00That's really interesting. Yeah. Not to name drop, but I will. I've been name dropping a lot today. Gwyneth Paltrow was in the seat and she, she said something that I thought was really interesting, which is, you know, we were talking in terms of the codependency and trying to figure out. And when you're in a supporting role in any aspect of life, you have to balance what you talked about, which is knowing what is needed for the room. And she used the term thermometer, like is the room too hot? Same with every scene. That's a giving supportive collaborative person. and then also taking care of yourself.

1:02:36That's right. It's a hard balance. And I think I've gotten really good at that. And I think that's also why I've been able to work with the type of people I've gotten to work with because I think it's that mixed in with they then feel a reassurance to then be their best selves. Yeah. Right? And so then I'll have like, it's so cute. And I can't believe I'm even saying this. Steve Martin will literally be like, because I normally when I film for Only Murders, they're so kind and with my schedule they allow me to like shoot out so I'm doing like in two weeks like five episodes and so we get like this kind of like intense two weeks with one another and and then I'll be like gone for a year and then we'll catch up for like press and then do the next year and he always is like god I forgot about this feels good I'm feeling good and that to me is the greatest, greatest compliment that I can think of.

1:03:31And so I think it is a bit of that. And then I think also there is like, I do still suffer with imposter syndrome in this format. Like when we have to talk about it, but I don't when we're doing it, if that makes sense. But it's a quiet, Maybe that's what I mean about that calmness, reassuredness. It's a quiet confidence. Yeah. But also at the same time, there's a lot of adrenaline and excitement buzzing through me. And do you ever find sometimes when you perform this kind of like, sometimes I'll have this moment of like zoom in, zoom out. Yeah. Where I'm like kind of up overhead. Oh yeah, disassociating.

1:04:14Yeah. It's great. I highly recommend it. I love it. You're like, I'm on the ceiling, babe. Nothing can touch me. Nope. I'm not here. And we're doing it. I wasn't even there. Yeah. Yeah. And I have that sometimes. Me too. A lot when I'm performing. And it's, and it's, and it's, um, what you're saying is like a technique to get past exactly what you said, the fear and adrenaline. And I don't know if you're like this, but I can get nervous after I do something. Like I get through it. And then like an hour later, I'm like, yeah, did we do it? And it all starts to shake out because yeah, I wasn't really there.

1:04:46I want to finish with a very quick speed round. If you can give me a sentence or two about this, about some of these people or things. Sure, sure, sure. And number one is Zoe Kravitz. The best. And I knew she was extremely talented when I first met her. She was an executive producer. I think that was her first executive producer role. And she went above and beyond. And so when she began starting to direct, I was like, duh, we saw that. I remember one time she literally and it was so cool because we were the same age with like the youngest people on set. and she was literally like, it was a coffee cup.

1:05:22We were doing a scene in a bodega and it was a coffee cup and she was like, that's not what real coffee cups look like in New York. Like, why is it? I think it was like red and you know, it's supposed to like be blue with the blue and the white. And they were like, oh, Zoe, because we're young and she's a woman. So they're like, no, no, Zoe, it's fine. And she's like, no, no, get it right. And we'll wait. In a very polite, but professional and stern way. And I was like, she's got it. Okay, speed round. Yeah, I'm talking monologue. Al Pacino. Yeah, so Al Pacino, I was talking, you're getting good ones.

1:05:57And you're like, speed round. Al Pacino on Broadway, stressed out, voice tired, eating soup in like this little French bistro. He randomly is there. He goes to check out and he backs back and like comes and sits down at my table. and we have this like beautiful heartfelt thing. And I share with a stranger, like, it's really hard. I can't talk. Like, you know what I mean? I have no life, the amount that is required for this. And he gave me the most beautiful advice ever. And he used this metaphor of a ladder and said, like, as you continue to go up a ladder, you have to let go of more and more weight.

1:06:42And kind of was like, it's not what you're feeling is natural. roll another moment of someone being like you've got it keep going and it was like I'll see you at the top of the ladder cut to we do dolomite Netflix decides they're now going to start doing magazines like their own magazines we get to the shoot and there's a ladder there and I'm like oh my god oh my god because I knew he was going to be in this shoot because it was like the Irishman And I was like, yo, if they put me on this ladder, I'm going to lose it. And they're like placing everyone. So they place Al. He's next to the ladder.

1:07:20And I said, please, please, please. Because he's still got to put like Laura Dern and Scarlett Johansson. So I was like, yo, I want that ladder. And they put me on the ladder. I'm bawling the entire photo shoot. And I'm like looking down at him and I'm like, Al, do you remember the ladder? Did you ask him? And did he? No. No, no, no. He's old. I can't remember the ladder. But I'm like, it's the ladder. and he's like, all right, honey, like whatever. But in my mind, I was like, full circle. I'm on the ladder and I'm looking at you and you said it was going to happen. Oh my God, that's a perfect story.

1:07:50And then Stephen Sondheim. I miss him. I know that sounds so crazy. Does it? But it's like, he was like the modern. He, okay. Sometimes that musical theater stuff is a lot for me. Like I was never kidding. I was like, but because I came into it late And I just like, well, I'm a vocalist and this is theater. And I had to like find my way into musicals, which is funny that my first gig was a musical. But I just vibed with him so much because it felt like strong story, really good acting. And we just so happened to sing beautiful, beautiful songs. To me, it's like the purest for me and my taste, one of the purest ways of expressing musical theater.

1:08:32And in college, we did Into the Woods and I played the witch. and I was like okay I think I like this stuff can you sing a little bit of it girl I sound so crazy you don't you sound so crazy wait but what's the song when she's like anything from Stephen what is the one that the witch want me to get it on my laptop I'm gonna look up the lyrics this is crazy I sing for no one and I'm gonna order that William Sonoba please do it please do it I'm not kidding you I've thought about it the entire time you guys you didn't see it but it has a wooden bowl with a hunter green and the copper okay what are we looking up where are the clones send in the clones thanks babe only for you literally for years oh no years okay I appreciate you I appreciate you And the world like needs to hear your voice.

1:09:36I know. I got to work through this stuff. And so that's why I'm going to figure out. I think honestly, I talk about this a little bit, but I think honestly, because the classical thing, like I feel like there's a lot of people that can like sing like pop and R &B. But I do feel like that's like one of my special little tricks. Like you said, how singing is a trick, but like classical. I think I want to do a biopic on Leontine Price. and just like, okay, we're doing it. Oh, yeah. Rip the bandaid off. You're back into singing. Everybody listening, let's make that happen. Yeah. God, that would be amazing.

1:10:09I think that'd be fun. And then my last question is, because you're so funny, and times are stressful. We ask a lot of our guests what they listen to, read, go to, to laugh. Is there anything right now that you're watching, consuming, like a dumb video, a TV show. You know who really makes me I did a podcast with Royal Court. Oh, Brittany. To the point where I had to tell my publicist like go back and take some things up because I just felt so comfortable and we were just cracking. I saw you on that and you guys were hilarious. We were cracking up and I was like oh she's got it. So I think what her podcast is giving people right now is really, really nice.

1:10:58I watch a lot of old stuff. I don't. Are you like that? Do you sometimes sometimes I'm like, I don't want to be. I don't want. Tainted or like. I don't watch a lot of comedy. In fact, I mean, one of the reasons why the kind of intention behind this podcast is to me, the way for my own mental health was like feeling like chatting and laughing with people. Yeah. Connection was getting me up out of things. Yeah. But the actual like watching comedy at home and like sometimes it feels like, oh, if it's good, I'm like, damn. I can't watch because I'm judging it. I can't watch contemporary stuff because I'm like, my friend's in that.

1:11:36Her hair looks crazy. You know what I mean? Like, why did they do? So I like to watch older things. And so, I mean, you can't beat a 90s comedy, which I feel like is a lot of stuff that you've done. But like a 90s comedy is just so good. Like what? What would you put on to run as you were going to? Are you talking friends? Are you talking? I love Rush Hour. Yes. That's one of the best buddy duos that you would never think of. And it is oh so good. Let's watch a Rush Hour scene before you go. What scene? They don't give a damn about you. They don't like you. I don't like you. Are you here for the girl?

1:12:16The girl don't like you. Nobody likes you. You came all well-being for nothing. You ain't going to be on fire. I want you to be on fire. You be short. And isn't it funny how people get so like, you touch the radio? This is not even your car. Don't touch the radio. I mean, also, I love when people give it to somebody straight and they're like, I don't like you. It really makes me laugh. I just don't enjoy you. Nobody ever gets to say that in real life. No. You never get to say. Comedy lets you say stuff you could never say. Yeah. Just deadpan. And walk away. She doesn't like you. Just not into you.

1:12:53Sorry. Well, Davine, I love you. I adore you. And I think we should be friends. Yes. Please. And I think we should buy various things together. I'm going to give you my number. I want you to text me when you get the mixer. Great. I think you should get a pot. Just get one of the pots. I got to get all the pots. Okay, good. That's what I was hoping for. I mean. And then like when you cook something in there, text it to me. And I'm going to text it to you too. Yes. I mean, what are we? Why are we working so hard if we can't buy ourselves discounted copper pots? Black Friday sale. We deserve it. In this economy.

1:13:30You saw what the price used to be? Why would you? But it's that red ink that you speak about. It's that urgency of. There's only five left. That's such a lie. It gets me. Five left. There's$50 ,000 in inventory. in the back. Yeah, but I'm going to get it and I'm going to go pick it up. Do you have pasta thingies? Pasta thingy? Which thing? So when you get that, you can then also, I think it's like $99.99, get the attachment heads to then make fresh pasta. What? Pasta making machine? So you get the kitchen made. Thank you for coming. We're going to get on We're going to end this podcast and we're going to go shopping.

1:14:13Kitchen made. You just take the head off and then attach the pasta, different things. So you could do the one where it's like lasagna. Then taste that off. Macaroni. And then you got endless possibilities. I've never made pasta and I've always wanted to. I'm going to do it. I will do it with you. Yeah, I would love to. Let's do it. Let's hire a guy. Just to supervise.

1:14:38thank you so much Dave I enjoy Randolph you are so fun and I love talking to you and and I'm so blown away by your talent and your training and so thanks for joining me on the pod and speaking of talent and training I just want to use this polar plunge because we were talking a little bit about Shakespeare and there's a person that I discovered in my phone where I discover her everything, read everything and learn everything. Um, uh, a performer named Michelle Terry. And, um, she is, I believe she ran, uh, uh, the Shakespeare, uh, Globe Theater or a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Um, and then Royal National Theater.

1:15:19She performed all those places. She's really good. She's a really good actress. She, uh, is a person who continually amazes me and translates Shakespeare to me in a way that feels like no one has for me. So I don't know if you're on your phone right now and you want to type her name in, uh, and you're going to see videos of her playing Hamlet and Richard III. Incredible. Okay. So if you never liked Shakespeare before, Michelle Terry is going to get you there. Um, so that's my plunge. Thank you, um, uh, for listening and, uh, see you next time. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler.

1:16:04The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alaya Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. All I ever wanted was a really good hang. that's the sound of zero sugar 200 milligrams of caffeine and the power to burn body fat storm energy for life storm energy blend helps boost metabolism which in combination with exercise and a healthy diet helps burn fat this product alone does not produce weight loss individual results may vary