Mariska Hargitay

25:18And I'm going to forget what you said anyway. I'm going to forget. I'm only going to remember the parts that came true.

25:22Mariska Hargitay:That's right. And he said, I don't give a rat's ass. Six months later, I was walking around doing that face going, where were you Tuesday night? okay so guys god i want to do that so bad it's so good i'm gonna i'm gonna make this happen well you know let's talk about you were on er and you were incredible on that show and can you just tell me before we get to your incredible show what it was like to work change my life and your performance on that show is very tender thank you i love your performance on that show That character was, felt very vulnerable and very funny and very sweet and tender.

26:04And to me, that, what was your character's name? Cynthia Hooper. Thank you. Cynthia Hooper's working at the desk, being like overwhelmed and being in love with Dr. Mark Green, played by Anthony Edwards, and being like, is this the right place for me? And it was so interesting to watch that character on that show at that time because the show was about like, we're all here with a mission. And there was someone that was like, or maybe I'm, or maybe I shouldn't be here. Very much so. And it was so nuanced how you played her. I loved her. Oh, thanks. What was the experience to be on that show?

26:42Mariska Hargitay:You know, we all, we lived through what ER was. It was the pinnacle of all television. I mean, it was the greatest show on the planet and acting was so next level. And I look back at it and I think of how that show really shaped me and those actors shaped me and how invested they were, how amazing they were, how it was acting like I'd never seen, but I knew I didn't know how to do exactly what they were doing. It was like a little out of my league, but I watched them so skillfully and so in such a beautiful, nuanced way, I think that was when I went, I want to do that. I want to do that. Whatever they're doing that's so masterful and skilled.

27:38Mariska Hargitay:And that was such a turning. I love that you're bringing this up. It was such a turning point in my life because of enacting the truth is it's both, right? It can be so tragic, but then it's so funny, right? Because we panic, you know, our heads get squeezed. We don't know how to deal with it. All we can do is laugh. And so it was such an integration moment. One of the greatest gifts I think that my dad ever gave me was, Mariska, you can learn from everyone around you. So I've always been like, if you don't know it, watch and learn, watch and learn, whether they're younger, older, anyone, watch and learn.

28:12Mariska Hargitay:So I did. And I do attribute so much of my success to those days of watching these masterful actors and going, I want to do that.

28:28This episode is brought to you by Visible. Folks, it's officially summer. Whether you're planning summer travels or staying home to watch all the action in the villa, you need a wireless network that keeps you connected. And you don't have to splurge. With Visible, you get unlimited 5G data and unlimited hotspot powered by Verizon for just$25 a month. so you can save and order some extra spritzes this summer. Visible is more than just a wireless plan. It's unlimited wireless designed to always keep you connected and there's no contract to tie you down. Switch today at visible.com. Plans start at$25 a month or get the premium Visible Plus Pro plan and save$10 on your first month when you use promo code HANG.

29:09Terms apply. See visible.com for plan features and network management details. 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. No 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 Allstate. checking allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance not checking how long that recipe takes before you start cooking well that's how you learn that simmer for four hours is buried halfway down the page 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 subjects to terms conditions and availability allstate north american insurance company and affiliates Northbrook, Illinois.

30:10This episode is brought to you by All Free Clear Detergent. Are you trying to be a bit more mindful of the things you buy for you and your family? You know, reading the labels, checking the ingredients, trying to understand what all those letters, numbers, and long words mean? I get it. Sometimes we don't really know what's in the things we buy and we want to feel good about our choices. So when it comes to laundry detergent, choose All Free Clear. 100 % free from dyes and perfumes, All Free Clear detergent uses only essential ingredients that tackle tough stains and odors. And it's gentle on skin.

30:43It's a powerful clean you can feel good about. So go on, pick up a bottle of All Free Clear for your next laundry day.

30:54You have this moment, you're on that set, you're learning what kind of actor you want to be. can you walk us through how SVU comes into your life? Because it is, I mean, it's, that show is beyond a TV show. That show is not only like a cornerstone for a network, a franchise, but it's also become, you know, an iconic American experience, that show. And you are the captain of that ship. and I'm sure all of these things you are now able to reflect and kind of process and hopefully enjoy, but at the very beginning when it's not a tree yet and it's just a little tiny seedling, what's that experience you walking in, finding out about that show, auditioning for it, meeting Dick Wolf, scary to scary to wolf.

31:49I'm scared of Dick Wolf. I'm sure he sees some talent. You know what?

31:52Mariska Hargitay:Dick Wolf wasn't scary to me then because I didn't fully know who he was and what he represented. And, you know, I don't know if you've talked to Chris or if he told you about our audition. No. The experience was pretty magical in terms of— Okay, tell us, please. In terms of—I mean, listen, I have this personality, and Chris and I, I think where we bond it is that we both have that sense of humor, that sense of play, that sense of risk, that sense of, I love you, it's safe, so I'm going to beat you. You know what I mean? And so that's where the trust was built. And it came immediately. So I had read for SVU.

32:33Mariska Hargitay:He obviously had read for SVU. And so our callback was three women, three men. And we got to the audition and we were to be paired up. Yeah. A lot of people don't know that, that in auditions, sometimes you just get like a dance partner, and it can make or break your chance to get on the show. Period. Because it was about chemistry. Yeah. So my agent said, oh, my God, there's an amazing guy there. His name is John Slattery, and he's reading for the role as well. In walks Chris Maloney, and I go, Slattery! And he goes, Maloney! And so minute one, that's how it opened. That's how it opened. Because I didn't know what either one of them looked like in 1999.

33:15Mariska Hargitay:And he came in, and I didn't know there was going to be 47 people there. So as soon as Chris comes in, I'm like, Slattery, it's going to be me and Slattery. And he goes, Maloney. And then I said, Chris comes in and, you know, he's like wearing no clothes. Big surprise. And so he has this huge cross. And I'm like, oh, my God, you're a Christian. You're just getting it wrong. And he goes like this. Yeah, no. And I go, then why do you have Jesus Christ on your arm? He goes, because I admire his commitment. And I'm like this. Okay. Got it. Got it. And it was such a, I was like, okay, well, there's that.

33:53Mariska Hargitay:I've never met anyone like you, but I like it. And so we're sitting there and then everyone comes in and then we got paired up. And that was the end of it. Because I knew he was going to get it. I knew that he was Elliot Stabler. I knew it. I knew it. Wow. And so the other people, I think he felt the same way. Yeah. So as soon as they paired us up, we were like, oh, okay, partner. It was interesting. It was overwhelming to get back to your question. It was utterly overwhelming. I loved the script and I loved the progressive nature of the show. I loved the subject matter and the fact that they were willing to tackle it.

34:30Mariska Hargitay:And I loved Chris. What's so interesting about your performance in the show and your dynamic together is you trade kind of like masculine and feminine a lot back and forth. That's right. And the dance is really interesting. And in other hands, that character of Olivia Benson would feel a little one-dimensional because she would feel, you know, kind of cut off from certain parts of herself. But what's been so interesting and what I'm sure he brings out in you and you bring out in him is the like the yin and yang of those people. Very much so. And I changed very much when he left. but also that was done by design and because as soon as I got the role I went through a 40-hour training and became a rape crisis counselor so I could fully understand because I was entering in such a new world and I wanted to understand the cops of it I wanted to understand victims advocates rape crisis counselors and sexual assault from a you know more holistic viewpoint and there was so much for me to learn.

35:35And so once I became, you know, did the 40-hour training, I went, oh,

35:41Mariska Hargitay:I am not going to play this, you know, like a hard-nosed detective woman who's trying to fit into a man's world and be masculine. I am going to be all of myself because that's where, as women, our power lives. But also that's where anyone's power is, is when they have the ability for integration, right? And say, I'm this and I'm this and I'm this and I'm this. What you don't want to do is let is be put into a box or let anyone put you a box or put other people in a box for that matter. And then we learned very young. I mean, very early. We weren't young. There was nothing young about us when we got the show, but we learned very early that the show was only as good as the guest cast.

36:22Mariska Hargitay:Right. So then we became very with the guest cast and we would just like help everyone and it became really and that's one of the things i think i'm most proud of is like when you step onto svu some people come on and they're just unbelievable and talented and they understand it and some people they're nervous or they struggle or they don't fully understand the character or they don't whatever we have like 16 safety nets in place that they it's very hard to fail on our show because we got you i mean you're often someone's first job you're often like adam Scott was on here and he talked about how he did a Law and Order episode.

37:00I don't think it was my show. No, it wasn't as for you. And I'm really upset because I'm so obsessed with Adam Scott. I know. And all things Severance. And I think it was with Jerry Orbach, who also I used to hear was like, really, like if you showed up and you knew your scene, Jerry would love you forever. If you didn't know your scene, hit the road, kid. No, no. Yeah, like chop chop. Yeah, I got a heart out of five. I get it, Jerry. Jerry, there's a steak waiting for you at Morton's. Like, you got to get out of here. Period. End of story. Yes. But who were some people—you must have seen a lot of people— A lot.

37:30—that have come through that you thought—you saw them at the beginning of something.

37:34Mariska Hargitay:Is there anyone that you could— Abigail Breslin. Ugh. The two people that I went—holy, holy God—were Abigail Breslin. She was so young on the show. Mm-hmm. She kept doing this dance between takes and going like, some kind of dance she was doing and then I started doing it with her and then we would just do it and it was some funny little nursery rhyme shtick I don't know what it was but I would just do it with her and then they'd say action and I swear to God I don't think I've ever seen anything like it she would turn one tear and start like lip quiver one tear no acting but like I said I remember going what the are you like Meryl Streep I said are you like Meryl Streep and she'd be like I don't know.

38:21Mariska Hargitay:If I think they've done my friend. And then she'd go back to her nursery rhyme. And I was like, oh, there's something this kid has touched. Yeah. She is so magical. Savant. And then there was another person. Another person that I called in, I remember saying it to her, is Megan Fahey. She did the show. I was like, let me tell you something. I'm just going to tell you right now, you're going to be a big movie star. You're going to be a huge star. And I don't like use that word because it's so like star. What does that even mean? But I just recognized her, A, talent, B, light, and C, she was like, she was so sparkly, internally, like an internal sparkle.

38:59Mariska Hargitay:And there's just been people that have come through where you go, oh, oh, wow. And it's almost like an effortless, beautiful light. And it's so exciting. It's so exciting to see them go on and go. I called it. Totally. I called it. And also, to your point, like, I'm just so in awe of the fact that you, in working with material on a daily basis, then made sure that you were able to handle the material in your personal life. Like that you knew like, okay, I'm going to really get trained here. So I not only know what I'm talking about, but I imagine you anticipated because I know you do get people who approach you with very personal things.

39:45I do.

39:45Mariska Hargitay:Yeah. Listen, the subject matter of the show is the reason I started Joyful Heart, my foundation. Yeah, talk about that. Well, I just felt like I can't when I found out the statistics, which was one out of four, one out of three women in their lifetime will be sexually assaulted. One out of six men in their lifetime will be sexually assaulted. And when I learned those statistics, I was like, stop, hold, please. Why is everyone not talking about this? This is an epidemic. This is something that affects everyone. If you're at lunch with three or four women, one person has been assaulted. And so because as soon as I started the show, everybody, because it was, you know this, it's on television.

40:32Mariska Hargitay:It becomes water cooler conversation. and then it's okay to talk about. Yeah. And that was the power of SVU, is that you had these horrific stories, true stories, ripped from the headline stories, being told, and then you had a fierce, protective father figure and a fierce, nurturing mother figure, which was, you know, Chris and I, to protect you. And that's all anybody wanted. So I think that a lot of it comes from the fact that there's space to be heard. And think about everybody, every person on this planet, all we want is to be seen, to be seen and listened to. That doesn't always happen. But when we're listened to, half of it and believed, half of the injury can go away.

41:27And so I know that that's how I heal, is being listened to and believed. And so I think the character who listens, who believes, and then feels a need to fix and protect, obviously is going to create safety because that's all you want.

41:53Mariska Hargitay:But I also, I can't save the world. I can't, I'm just trying to do it. But what I can do is teach people about how we begin. I teach people how we can listen and live in a more compassionate, empathetic, and kind way. And simply by listening, and simply by believing, and simply by saying, I'm so sorry that that happened to you.

42:24it's it's like tectonic plates shifting well it kind of gets back to what we were saying which is it it's not so much always about the doing of the thing it's just about the sitting in the

42:33Mariska Hargitay:feeling of the thing it's sitting in it not as much to do as you think that's exactly right and i think to go back to our how we started this conversation i think that is that is the clarity of being older and understanding. And for me, it's been more about learning to be tolerant, tolerant with myself. And the more tolerant I've become with myself or my own pain, the more internal space that I've had, which is why I was able to make my film. Yeah. Yeah. So let's talk about your film. And Chris's question to me for you is a perfect segue into the film, because Chris wanted me to ask you when we were talking well behind your back and then he took a phone call from you and then you talked well behind my back.

43:21Thank God. But no, but Chris wanted me to ask you like, and it's kind of what we've been talking about today. There's a curiosity to you. You don't want to just figure out, you know, you don't want to just be outraged about things that are wrong or not working. You want to figure out the why behind things. The why is very important to you. and he was wondering where do you think that comes from and that question made me think about your film because um you know for people uh you know it premiered at the um can film festival my mom jane um mariska made a beautiful documentary about learning more about herself and her mom and her entire family and all the connections there.

44:08And, um, it felt like that, uh, exercise in trying to figure out the why behind your origin story feels like it also exists in other things that you do and work and in life and in your family right now. Is that, is that, is there a connection there? It's like figuring out the why? Yeah, it's funny.

44:30Mariska Hargitay:Um, my mom, my stepmom just actually text, I don't have my phone, but she texted me yesterday. This sort of why of it all is just coming up right now in a very crystallized way, which I love when sort of everything sort of comes together like that. But yeah, I think that I've spent a lot of my life trying to to make sense of things, of chaos. And also, I'm living a life right now that I never thought that I was capable of living, right? And so I still am trying to put together the pieces of why. and what those Jenga or Lego pieces were that helped build it, right? And so for my film, I was just trying to understand these people and their decisions.

45:30Mariska Hargitay:And so I wanted to go in with this disciplined curiosity because I had jumped to so many conclusions. and because I felt different my whole life and like I didn't belong. And then when I found out, when I find out in the film, I was like, why? Why would he not choose me or claim me? Like, what's wrong with me? Why would she leave me in this mess? Why did I feel, what were the things that were said? Why did, like, a little detective child, I was like, this doesn't add up. This doesn't add up. This doesn't add up. And I wanted to understand why. And I also wanted to just have somebody be straight with me.

46:20I mean, Mariska, it's so deep what you're saying, that that is little—like that is detective child then becomes in real life this powerful detective on television who is advocating for other people to get answers while she's spent, you know, the very most important beginning years of her life trying to figure that out for herself.

46:44Mariska Hargitay:Yeah. And I think that, you know, I don't think I could have made this movie before now. Yeah. I had to build the infrastructure. Yeah. Right? To make sure that it was solid as a rock. One of the most beautiful things about the film is, you know, this idea that you're toggling between kind of like yesterday and today and your present, you're such a beautiful family and you have such a wonderful partner in Peter. I do. and that relationship watching that in real time is so moving and also just like sexy and fun like you guys are a lot of fun together I've I've had the opportunity to see you together and you're a really like you you spoke about it earlier like the way in which he can kind of joke you off of the ledge like you guys have fun with each other you enjoy each other you've been married for how How long?

47:3521.

47:36Mariska Hargitay:And you met on? SVU. Chris and I were so—that was what was hard for people, and a lot of people have said it. We were so in our own private Idaho, and we would just be joking, joking, and it was such intense energy between us that I think people were like, I can't play on that level. Do you know what I mean? I can't. I'm sure it's like that on you guys with SNL. People go, oh, shit, this is some next-level shit. Oh, yes. Like sometimes when I would kind of, you know, have someone around all the comedy people and they would just be doing bits and bits and bits. I'd look over to a person's face and they'd be like, get me out of here.

48:10Yeah, yeah. No, I can't imagine. Help me. Help me. Yeah. Yeah. And or also like, I don't know how to get in there. OK, but Peter. Oh, tall Peter. Tall Peter. How tall? Six five. Damn.

48:22Mariska Hargitay:Six five. Six five. No, it's so crazy with Peter and I. And I'll tell you something. That was another thing that my dad said to me. He goes, Mariska, find out where you're going and then who's coming with you. Oh, that's so good. But Peter and I just, you know, I didn't get married until I was 40. And we dated for two years. And then once he asked me to marry him, we got married in four months because I had to do it over hiatus. You know what I mean? And so it was like, okay, chop, chop. They were like, and we're rolling. And yeah, we're rolling. And so then it was just, it's been a, you know, I'm so grateful for me that I don't think I could have handled a marriage earlier.

49:01Mariska Hargitay:I don't think I'd be married. I was just too, had too much to learn. So I just went straight to like, you know, the second husband. Yeah. Smart. Yeah. Right? Yeah. Smart. And so we're, it's just good. You know, I'm just grateful that I had a little bit more life experience. And what's your communication style? Like, how do you guys, you know? It's so genius. How do you, yeah. How does it work? I'll tell you something. we have a skill that I wish I could teach. You can. You could start a seminar right now. What we do is there's like tension, like somebody will say something that'll annoy me. And then there's this brilliant thing we do.

49:39Mariska Hargitay:And I think it's brilliant because it's, again, it's comedy and always works. Where we do this thing where we switch roles, right? But you do a thing like if I said, Peter, you know, I'll get mad at him because he'll leave his clothes around and he leaves little messes everywhere. And I'm like, why can't you just pick your shit up and put it? Like, why does it have to be in every room? Everywhere he goes, there's messes. Just a tiny little pile. Just a tiny little pile. And I'm like, do you not— And he's so tall that the piles must be huge. Huge. That's exactly right. And I'm like, why—do you see how much effort I put into having the house neat?

50:14Mariska Hargitay:I need the mental space for something to be organized. Yeah. There's so much going on. And so then he'll do—I'll get, like, mad and we'll have things. He's like, I just left it in for one second. Whatever it is. And then he'll come in and I left a cup and he goes, how many times have I asked you? It's really important if you could just. And then he'll say exactly what I said. So what it means is he gets he really gets it. Yes. And it works with everything. So you're meaning he he he he parrots back to you what you said. But from his point of view, it's as as he takes. It's like wife appropriation.

50:48Well, I think it's actually what they do in couple therapy, which is basically like say back. Yes, but he does it as it's his.

50:55Mariska Hargitay:And the problem now is because I'll do it to him. I go, like, he'll sometimes I'll say the wrong word. And he's like, I wish you'd be more thoughtful with your words because he always says the right word. And I say the gist, right? I'm a gist person, too. I'm a gist. And so I go, you know what I mean? And look at all this, like, gesticulating I'm doing. So you could feel me. My energy is coming at you. And he's like, just take a second and maybe think about it. But all in our house, the comedy thing is we just rip on the kids. Same. I mean. I just say don't do that because if you do that, you're a hack and a loser.

51:25Mariska Hargitay:Is that what you want to be? Is that what you want to be? Totally. And people come over and they don't know us. They're like, oh, shit. And I go, yeah. To me, that is what intimacy is that. I've said this before, but like politeness is for strangers and for people that we don't know. By the way, I don't feel safe when I'm polite because then I'm like, what are you really thinking? I promise you I won't torture you. I won't play games with you. and don't and please if I go do you like this and someone goes no I go great I want to know if they don't like it we're exactly the same this way yeah somebody came to me and said do you like these shoes and I went nope and it helps with directing doesn't it because you just make really fast decisions I say do you know what I do on set when I'm directing I go guys guys you suck and I'll say that I go oh my god you're so bad we'll be in the middle of a take I say You guys are so bad.

52:20Mariska Hargitay:I don't know what just happened, but I'm embarrassed for you. Let's cut and try that again. But now they know to laugh. Yes. But they also know I'm right. Yes. And also, you know what I love about you, Mariska, is I knew that you wouldn't— Tell me. I knew you wouldn't do this podcast unless you wanted to. I wanted to so bad. Because I know that you don't really do things you don't want to do. Not anymore. Right. That's kind of like the reward that one gets if they're trying to stay true and they're trying to be a good person. One of the rewards, if you're paying attention, is you might get to a point where you really try to stay true to what you want to do.

52:57And so I get comfort in that, like, you're here because you want to be here, not because someone told you to be here. Exactly. Okay, but let's get into some real questions. Okay. Okay, so this is rapid fire. Speaking of directness. Okay. Rapid fire. Let's go. Jalen Brunson. Love. People are so jealous of me. I know. I like it. The cutest relationship ever. How did that start? He loves you. I love him. I know. You guys love each other. I think it started. New York Knicks. Player for the New York Knicks.

53:30Mariska Hargitay:I mean, it's just the sweetest thing. And it's just like another one of those meant to be. Sometimes I don't even question things. I think Jalen was brought up on SVU. You know what I mean? I think his dad, Rick, I every time I say that I laugh. It sounds like I'm name driving Rick. Rick and I were like this. But Rick, Rick loved SVU. He watched it. Jalen. So I think the first time I went, they were like, oh, like, you know, they in that. And then we connected and it was just easy and effortless. And I'm a huge basketball fan. And I I got to meet Jalen also before he was Jalen. You know, he's Jalen now these last, what, three, four years, right?

54:11Mariska Hargitay:But it predates that. And so it's so beautiful because there was just such a—he's so sweet. He's such a killer and such a captain and such a leader. But he is so, like, soft and mushy and sweet and kind. And he's such a lover of his family. He's so good. And so I just feel so honored to be in his orbit. Yeah, it's really, really. I really do. It's crazy. It really makes you feel good. Yeah. Okay. I'm sure you've had a million of strange things happen to you shooting in the streets of New York. Yeah. Anything that stands out like a moment of pretty wild New York, like, you know, only a New York moment.

54:53Mariska Hargitay:Well, there's, you know, there's the old when we're shooting and then people just come up to us right while we're in the seat and start talking and then be like, oh, my God, I love your show. And I'm like, well, that's good because we're actually shooting it right now to see that camera. and they're like oh my god hi and then they keep talking so that i like okay or there's the opposite of that when people have said to me thank chris chris was there i love this one i don't really get your show i don't get you or your show and i'm like well okay thank you thank you for that in-person feedback doesn't speak to everyone and they go right up and tell you do you think of yourself as a new yorker now i do you do i do now yeah okay what about um who should play you in the movie of your life?

55:37Let's think about this. Oh, God,

55:39Mariska Hargitay:that's a good one. I mean, because it's like, do we want... I feel like it's got a... There's this really good girl. I can't think of her name. I think it's Kate Blanchett. I think Kate Blanchett plays you in the story of your life. I like it. Now, you are really thinking outside the box here, sister. I want this movie to open, baby. I want this movie. I want this Kate Blanchett. I think it's... Well, I'm going to go with the Megan Fahey. See how I go. Nice. Megan Fahey is you in your 20s and 30s on ER trying to figure it out. Yeah. And then we cut to the shirt of SVU and it's Kate Blanchett. Beautiful blue eyes.

56:17Go ahead. You're right. Okay. Have you always had such nice hair?

56:22Mariska Hargitay:Yes. Yes, I have. Your hair is incredible. Well, my hair was good. Was good. Well, my hair was good. I didn't love. I had some bad years on SVU when it turned red. I had a shirt. I did some Martha Washington stuff that was not good. We always do. We've all been there. So there was some stuff that was not good. That combined with, like, bad Botox, I had some bad years. We've all made some choices that we regret. But we're cute now. And we have kind of like, oh, we're just tousled and loose. But I have so much fake hair, and I don't even want to take it out on the table. It would be horrifying. Do you know that I didn't wear fake hair today?

56:57Mariska Hargitay:Because I was like, it's just said to me. Because you were like, Amy's not going to wear it. I know. She goes, do you want to put in a piece? I go, no, Amy's like just real and natural. I'm totally real. And she, I just want to be like Amy and half. 25 pieces of fake hair. Okay. Next time I come, should I be invited back? I'm going to look like Rapunzel. I want full volume. How badly have people screwed up your name? Oh, I still live with it. Who was it last night? Oh, I had a lunch yesterday. I had a brunch yesterday for my sister. And my cousin was there. I'm your own cousin. I've known him since 1994.

57:34Mariska Hargitay:And he kept calling me Mariska. And at one point, I go, and then I said, no, just let it go. And then Chris and my friends, when it happens, because it happens on set a lot, now on the call sheet, it's M-A-R-I-S-H-H-H-H-H-H-K-A. That's how I put it on the call sheet, just so people go, oh, okay, got it. She's big on the H's. But he was calling me, I get called Maritza, Marcika, Markiska. But Chris will call me Maritza. Just to confuse people. Oh, yeah. Maritza and Marissa. You know, I'll tell you who learned it. All of America. And the world. The world learned it. But it's Mariska. Mariska. And what does it mean?

58:23What does that name mean?

58:24Mariska Hargitay:Oh, gorgeous, talented one. Way of sunshine. Queen of, queen of, queen of something. Queen of straight talk. Yes. One with thick, luxurious hair. That's it. It means, it's a nickname for Maria. It means little Maria. In Hungarian, the K-A or K-E on end of a name, it just, it's like a little endearment. So the name is actually Maria, after my grandmother. Both of them, Hungarian and Italian. and see the film, people. That's right, on HBO right now. On HBO right now. Such a good film. It's such good. But don't you kind of love the both grandmothers? Beautiful. Also Maria. That's the same name. Maria?

59:05Maria? Maria? You're a Hamilton fan, by the way, because I was about to sing.

59:11Mariska Hargitay:So hardcore. Me too. Did you say it 27 times? No. I win! 2-7? 2-7. And by the way, my claim to fame, and when people say, Like, when did you know you were famous? And I go, when I would call Hamilton or just show up at the theater and they'd go, they'd bring a chair and put it in the audience. And I'd be like, what? That's right. You earned that. You earned that. I was so like, I've made it. You earned that. I don't even have to have a ticket. You know how much those tickets were? No, they were like, let's get Mariska her chair. Just get her her chair. I was like the old woman. I didn't even mind.

59:44Mariska Hargitay:You went by yourself. And I'd go in with a cane. That is 27 times. I know. Wow. And I just had this great actor on SVU last episode, and he's now in the show. And so he was like, and I go, oh, I'll be there. So it's even a thing where the new cast members want me to come see you. Oh, that's so—have you ever done Broadway? Broadway? Yes. That's how you're supposed to say it. Well, thank you. Broadway. That's how they used to say it. I know I want to do Broadway. Broadway. I want to be in an all-woman Hamilton. Fuck. Right? You and me with straight talk? Okay, who would we do? Wait a minute, we would be Aaron Burr and Hamilton.

1:00:26Mariska Hargitay:Well, who's who? Let's go slow. Let's go slow. Slow it all down right now. Who's who? Aaron Burr, because... I think I... I think you might... I think I might be Aaron Burr. That's what I was going to say. You swear? Yes, and not just because I want to be Hamilton. I want you to be Hamilton. I think you are Aaron Burr. And I feel like I could get the rage. I think you have a gravitas that Aaron Burr needs. And I think I have like a—

1:01:03I know all the lines, though. Do you? An energy. I don't know all the lines. Maybe you should do both.

1:01:09Mariska Hargitay:But you just do that, and then you lip sync to me on the stage. But the only problem is one thing. I can't sync. You can't sync. No, but maybe we do it like in top speed. Well, God is fair. We don't need to. You can't sing. One thing you can't do, babe. We can't sing. One thing you can't sing. Oh, that's funny. Ask me more questions. Okay, okay. Okay, what's making you laugh these days? What do you, I always ask my guests, what do you listen to, do, read, like, you know, to lighten up, to laugh? Nate Vargotzi. Oh, love Nate. He's my fave. He's so funny. I don't even know who to, I don't even understand what he's doing.

1:01:48Mariska Hargitay:Okay, let's break him down because I love him. Well, it's the, it's, he's like mastered this like kind of slow guy that's a genius. Right? That's the shtick, right? It's like he's kind of slow and dumb, but he's smarter than everyone. Yes. I love him so much. And can I tell you why also I love him? I was at, in LA, I didn't know who he was. And I was with my friend and she said, I think that's Nate Bargotzi. And I said, who's Nate Bargotzi? And he goes, that's August's favorite comedian. So I went up to him and I go, are you Nate Bargatze? Hoping I'm saying it right. He was like, we're shooting right now.

1:02:27Mariska Hargitay:And he goes, yeah, I am. And I go, well, my son loves you. Can we call him? Mariska, you did not. No, I swear to you. I swear to you I did. And you know why I did it? Because do you know how many people do that to me? And I thought that I had good karma. I had good call karma. And you know what he said? Yeah. And so we called him. And I'm like, August Laskins. You did not. For God's sake. He's like, hey, man. I love him. Love him. He's so funny. Do you watch a lot of stand-up? Do you like to go to see stand-up? I love good. I love good comedy. It's my happy. That is my happy place. August, that's what we love.

1:03:05Mariska Hargitay:But I'm also critical. Yeah. Because they're not funny. Yeah. And I don't know who I am to judge. You can judge as much as you want. I like. I feel like comedy is like music. Yeah, that's true. You just like who you like. You like what, like you like their song, whatever it is. I love it. And I love Nate. And I love what I'm listening to late at night before I go to bed. I don't know why I love it so much. It's that Jim Carrey bit doing vanilla ice. Hold on. Okay, it's an In Living Color sketch. Yes. This is it. And he's dancing? Watch, just listen to it. Oh my god, he really looks like him. He kicks his shoe off Just watch

1:03:50Mariska Hargitay:Is that not the best thing? This was so fun I know but can you imagine how excited Because I said I used to see you around Well we are And I don't even see you anymore And I remember I remember What do you remember? Just that you're good and sparkly and beautiful and kind and you bring joy Thanks Mariska And Chris doesn't like anyone. Yeah. He really is a very judicious guy. And he loves his family. He loves his kids. And he has, like, three friends. He likes me. Yeah. And that's pretty much it. And I just remembered, like, he just loved you. Oh, that's nice. And so I— That's very nice to say.

1:04:31Mariska Hargitay:I was so funny that I called him today. Okay, Mariska, you're the best. This was so fun. I told you. She's like, are you ready? I was like, sweetheart, I'm born ready. Thank you so much, Mariska. That was so fun. That was such a good hang. And, you know, in this polar plunge, I just want to take a second to say, let's picture a world in which Cate Blanchett plays Mariska Hargitay in a movie of her life story, because I would watch it. And if there's any producers or financiers listening who want to partner up with me on that. And Kate, if someone can get this message to Kate, I think that that would be a great project.

1:05:13And I've been asked before, if your life was a movie, who would you want to play you? And my answer is very simple. And that is Meryl Streep. I want the best and I can't guarantee the movie will be good or interesting in any way. Honestly, it'll probably be a flop, but Meryl at the helm, It's going to be a good performance. So Meryl, Kate and Meryl, I'm assuming you're together. Please, please call us at 1-800-GOODHANG-THE-MOVIE, hashtag Marisha Gargatay's movie, hashtag slash life rights. And we'll get this going. Okay, sorry. I've lost the plot. Okay, bye. Thanks for listening. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang, The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler.

1:06:08The 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.

1:06:28Turn it up. Storm has zero sugar and 200 milligrams of caffeine, so you can turn that workout up a notch. Good energy in, good energy out. Energy for life. You want to get your backyard summer ready, but you don't want to break the bank? Wayfair gets it. Planning on dining al fresco or relaxing poolside? Wayfair has everything you need to prep your space. Shop now and save up to 70 % off during Wayfair's 4th of July clearance. Score huge deals on outdoor furniture, area rugs, and more. We're talking thousands of products for every style and budget. Plus, surprise flash deals July 6th. Don't wait!

1:07:04Shop Wayfair's 4th of July clearance now through July 6th at Wayfair.com.