Be Free, Be Yourself, and Be Crazy with Will Ferrell

23:34Craig Robinson:Yeah. And give it a shot, but don't get discouraged if you get down the road and you're like, this is just too hard. You didn't fail. You tried and just you're capable to just pivot and do something else and walk. And so even though that's not like a rah-rah speech, it took the pressure off succeeding. And I thought, well, I'm not going to make it anyway. Let's just have fun. And it just allowed me to be loose. And there still was luck. Yeah, yeah. What was the first lucky break for you? The first kind of lucky break was I had a week out here in LA where I had grown my hair out for some, I was doing like a one-act play.

24:25Like the pearls. like the pro look during semi-pro

24:28Craig Robinson:and Craig saw that and was like is that his real hair is he wearing a wig that's a real yeah that's I like that that's where I can go I like that see that's where your real self look like a bit again right yeah right so I had that linked hair for this this play I was doing okay and I went on I got three different parts on sitcoms in one week wow I booked a living single. I booked a Grace Under Fire. And I booked the George Wendt show, which was after he left Cheers, he tried to do a show on CBS. And I might've booked another one. Anyway, it was like, bam, bam, bam. They were all one line. And this is before SNL.

25:17And I got my SAG card or I got my after, it paid for everything. I had a little bit of money left over. like very little. And it was like so cool and validating. And then six weeks later, we were getting, we got the word that SNL was going to go through a real change.

25:39Craig Robinson:Who was on at the time? That was the year before I got there was the last year for Sandler and Farley and Phil Harlan, David Harvey and Mike Myers and that whole entire crew. They were only keeping Tim Meadows, Molly Shannon, Norm MacDonald, David Spade. And that they were going to do a nationwide search for a brand new cast. And Groundlings was on the list. And so... So did you know they were... When they were there scouting you? We knew they were in the audience the night they came. And it was a really great... Everyone got to pick like their favorite sketch. And then because I was willing to write with everyone.

26:22Well, they encouraged that. Encourage everyone to write with it. I was in three other sketches that were other people's favorites. So I had like four sketches. And yeah, myself, Sherry Oteri, Jennifer Coolidge.

26:39Craig Robinson:Yeah. And Chris Gattan were all flown out to New York for that first round of auditions. And then that led to a call. So what are the auditions like when you got there? Very nebulous. very like, like, it was like, pick a character of your choice, a political impersonation if you do one, a celebrity impersonation if you do one, five to eight minutes long, or if you don't do any of that, be funny. Go. That was it. Wow. On, in the SNL studio, on the spot where the host delivers the monologue. That's crazy. With a camera and like one spotlight and a disinterested guy holding like a boom mic. What'd that feel like?

27:31Were you just over the moon nervous? Are you kidding me? Yeah. That's what I imagined. I literally was standing. So then you stand out. You're standing outside the stage doors by the page desk and you're waiting. I'm hearing the audition in front of me, But I'm looking on the walls of all the hosts of that year. Oh, man. And past cast members and everything. And I literally remember thinking, you could just run right now.

28:03Craig Robinson:Remember what your dad said? You could just get right in that elevator and go right back and say, eh. Yeah. And then as the door flew up and they're like, too late. Well, next. And then you just had to step up there. and it was like... Do you remember what you did? Yeah, I did. I did this character that made it on the first show. This guy who's yelling at his kids to get off the shed. Which is so weird to talk about. Yeah, it's like a dad at a barbecue who's just talking about school and golf and this and that. And then he's like, hey, buddy, want to do me a favor and get off the shed? Like we don't see what the shed is.

28:45It's just like a gardening shed. And then back to the conversation, anyway, yeah. Hey, what'd I say? Get off the shed. Anyway, so yeah, I took my car and I, get off the shed! And so it was just a game of like yelling at the person and then going back and then the people around me like getting so nervous. That was one thing I did. Then I did Harry Carey. Oh, yeah. At a play reading, doing a play reading of like, which was a sketch I'd written at the ground

29:21Craig Robinson:during the baseball strike that Harry Care was unemployed so now he was doing a play but it was a it was a emotionally wrought like Eugene O 'Neill type like like damn it Carol what happened to us like who's afraid of Virginia Woolf. I thought we still loved each other. You're breaking my heart. Look at me. Don't turn away. I still have feelings for you. So I did that. But you've got to understand, it's dark. No one's laughing. Oh, man. Lauren's in the back of the room, you know, with a lit cigarette. So you get no feedback. No feedback. And then I did, I think I did like, Ted Kennedy doing stand-up comedy.

30:15I don't know. Oh, come on.

30:16Craig Robinson:What did that sound like? It was, what did I do? I don't remember the jokes at all, but I would do Ted Kennedy like this. And what did the chicken say as he crossed the road? No, I don't know. I was like, I'm doing that. Yeah, and that was it. And then you left and then you had no idea. How long did it take for them to get back to you? We kind of heard after the fact, like the groundlings had done really well. Okay. So there was a little bit and then flew back to LA. But once again, at that time I was doing, I'd got great advice. I was doing a class, which was a cold reading class, which is you just show up and they're just like, they hand you script.

31:09This guy, Ian Tucker, I think his last name, great teacher. And it was just, it was such a cool class because you had to get out of your head and you just be like, do you play Sam? You play Barbara? Go. And you just had to like be in the moment. And so after class one day, I'm like, Ian, guess what? I got an SNL edition. He went, you did? What? Oh, no, good. He kind of was a little too, he was like, whoa. And I go, I go, because he had worked with Lisa Kudrow. And from friends, and he'd work with a couple of, and like, do you have, he's like, wow. Okay, just, you know what? Once again, he took the pressure off.

31:47He's like, you're just throwing darts at the dartboard here. Treat it, if you can, as a trip to New York. Have a great time. Yeah. If nothing happens, and you know, you can at least come back and maybe have a meeting with an agent, say, hey, I got to audition for SNL. Like, it's still a cool thing. Yeah.

32:06Craig Robinson:I was like, okay. Let's just treat it that way. So they did call back all the grant. We had to do a second audition in which you sat down with Lauren Michaels first. You came up for two days. And then he had me change everything. I had to rewrite my audition the night before. Well, how do you get that feedback? You sat with these, like, what are you thinking about doing tomorrow? And I had always heard in callbacks for network teams, Like just do the thing you've been doing because that's what brought you there. And just keep, don't try to change anything. And so he said, what are you thinking about for tomorrow?

32:46I'm like, well, I'm thinking I'm gonna do this. And he's like, no, I wouldn't do that. No, no, no. The only thing he's like, okay, do the get off the shed thing again. In hindsight, what he was, he was doing a favor because he knew the executives in Burbank were watching and he wanted me to just show -

33:04Craig Robinson:Your range. Exactly. Yeah, yeah. So there I was sweating it out in my tiny New York hotel room trying to figure out what I was going to do. And then that's when I did on this audition tape. You can look it up. I'm a guy who plays with cat toys. I don't know if you've ever seen this. I will look it up as soon as we leave. With cat toys. I did that. I was like... How do you think of this stuff on the fly? Well, no, it was another sketch I'd done at the ground. Okay. Yeah, yeah, okay. Okay, I got you. And then, so I just tried a couple other different things. And then I really had no idea. But then a couple of weeks went by and then I heard they were gonna come see us at the show.

33:50And then -

33:52Craig Robinson:What was it like sitting down with Lauren Michaels? What was he like that first meeting? Were you just scared out of your pants? Lauren was very, yes. In fact, he thinks the story is so funny now. But I had read a story how Adam Sandler had done some crazy bit and had a five-minute meeting and was hired on the spot. And I thought, well, that's, be free, be yourself, and just be crazy. So my version of craziness was I bought a whole bunch of fake money from a novelty store, and I had a briefcase, and I was going to let him talk, and I was just going to start piling money on his desk. I was like, Lauren, we can keep talking until the cows come home, but we know what really talks, money.

34:43And I'm going to stack this money up on your desk. And it was bad carpet money, toy money. I'm like, and no one's going to know. You can take it or leave it. It's up to you. And then I was going to pack up my thing and walk out. And that was going to be my meeting. I walk in there with my briefcase and the atmosphere is like. Not that. No. Oh, so you didn't even get to do it? What comedian walks in with a briefcase? I'm at my little briefcase and I'm like, okay, so don't do that. Okay, throw out my entire audition. Okay. And then I'm leaving going, he thinks I have a brief, like what? What weirdo walks in with a leather briefcase?

35:29Yeah. It's not like I had sketches. and even Steve Higgins who was hired as the new who's still there today Lauren was like Steve do you have anything you want to ask me? He's like nice briefcase and I'm like yeah thanks you have no idea and then when I finally Lauren wanted me to meet with me again and they were very vague as to why it was the meeting where he told me I got it oh okay so then I was I was in my apartment and I was like damn it I'm bringing the briefcase back I'm gonna show him I'm gonna stack the money I'm gonna do it this time I'm doing it I walk in the assistant goes you can leave your briefcase I'm like okay so we sit down he has me you know Lauren Lauren can be obtuse at times and I didn't even know I had the job and he's like so have you ever lived in New York I go no no

36:27Craig Robinson:no thanks for small talk love it It'd be fun though. He's like, well, we're bringing Sherry so you won't be alone. I'm like, what do you mean I won't be alone? What? Yeah, what? He's like, I think, you know, since you guys know each other, so Sherry was at the Groundlings too and we'd work together there too. And I'm like, what do you mean so I won't be alone? Oh. This is the meeting. This is the meeting. And then I got self-conscious that I didn't leap up out of my chair. Yeah. and so he's like, so anyway, and I'm like, ah, and I stood up and I'm like, thank you so much. And I'm like, I was like, well, I'm gonna, I'm gonna shake your hand.

37:14And he goes, do what you have to do. And then I leave and I, I'm like, I'm like, oh my God, I gotta call, you know, I gotta call my folks. I gotta, I gotta find a pay phone.

37:27Craig Robinson:You're right, really. Before self, young people. that's the thing that doesn't exist anymore I found one on Melrose and I like I grabbed my briefcase and then now everyone in the office is like going couldn't wait to go they had to keep it a secret and I go hold on I've been trying to give this fake money to him twice will you just give it to him and say this is what I was trying to do I was gonna stack all this fake money he got it he thought it was so funny that I tried twice So he laughed later. Do you have a favorite character? I mean, I know everybody has theirs of yours, but of all the many characters you've played, is there one that, you know, it's like...

38:16They're all like my children.

38:17Craig Robinson:But everyone has a favorite. That's true. No. Do I have a favorite? I'm lucky enough to, when people come up and bring up various things, it's so fun to hear what their kind of favorite movie is. And I'm lucky enough to have, have worked on enough of these movies that for whatever reasons have landed, hit the zeitgeist in the right way. The one, I mean,

38:54Talladega Nights was so much fun. That's where John and I first got to work at. And then we got to do Step Brothers. So those characters are near and dear to my heart. And then the, probably the silly, I tend to land on the square of Ron Burgundy and Anchorman only because that was super hard to get made. It was, we had so many rejections. People were like, I don't get why this will be funny. and we're like, just trust us. Yeah, it's just buffoonish guys. And it's not so much, it's a little bit satirical. It's more satirical than we ever thought. But, and now it's just really what the news is like.

39:38But that was such a struggle and we finally got to make it. And it felt like we were playing with the house's money. And we were just like, we never thought we get to make this. So let's make it as crazy as we can. And so that one's, Bromberg and he's pretty great. Yeah.

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43:56Craig Robinson:when did you meet viv where in your journey i met she did she show up we were in an acting program down in orange county here in california and so part of so when i graduate from college I immediately moved back home. I had a lot going on. A lot of prospects. I moved back home because I thought, okay, I could try the sportscasting thing, but the comedy thing, you know. So I'm trying to, I'm working at like a local cable news station. I'm also doing some standup comedy. And my mom says, that's okay, you can move. let's just treat this as your graduate school. Your gap year. Yeah, your gap year.

44:46And she gives me a gift of a scene study class. It's the first acting class. And there's a great theater down in Orange County called South Coast Repertory Theater. It's a Tony Award winning. And we had grown up there going to see plays. My mom would be a docent from time. She'd take us, we were like 10 years old watching Chekhov going, I don't know what's going on, but it looks like it's good. And they had a summer conservatory program. And I thought, oh, I should audition for this. And anyway, that's where I meet Vivica.

45:21Craig Robinson:Wow. So she was in the same program. And we were both, she was like, she thought I was some rowdy frat guy. Because you kind of were. Because I kind of were. Yeah. But I think the only thing that evidenced that was I wore my hat backwards one day. Okay. And she was like, uh-uh. Uh-uh. I know your type. I'm like, really? And then I thought she was some erudite, stuck-up actress girl. So you saw her? I saw her right away. I think she auditioned after I did because I think I was like, who's this girl in the hallway going, ooh.

46:03She was practicing? She's doing vocal works. I was like, what? Who does that? La, la, la.

46:13I was like, who's that chick? And then I had my hat on backwards. What's up? But I was like, Viv, I think that was you. She's like, yeah, I think I used to do those. I used to do that. And she was an art history major and a theater minor and soccer player out at Pomona. And so, yeah, we met there. We were just, but we were, we dated a little bit and then we were friends for five years. And then we kind of doubled back.

46:44Craig Robinson:So what, wait, wait, you dated and then became friends? Yeah. What happened? What did you do wrong in the first date? You wore your hat forward. How did you get friend zoned? How did, it was Viv. Viv was like, we, we really liked each other. She was like, she was the more mature. She was like, what are we going to do though? Where's this going? and we were just both kind of the one that got away for each other for a while there. Wow. But we had the same circles of friends and so we'd see each other all the time and then, and we always had this connection like where if someone thought I was weird, she was like, that was really funny by the way.

47:31I saw that. Oh, good, good. And we just kind of were like, yeah, I don't know how, it just became a friendship to the point where like I had a I had a steady girlfriend she would tell me about her dates she's like oh wow she's like let me ask you your opinions is it bad if a guy pulls out a coupon on a first date I'm like probably not good I don't know I mean I don't wanna I don't wanna cast judgment but maybe not yeah maybe maybe maybe keep keep looking and uh

48:02Craig Robinson:so when did you guys get make it official when I got Saturday Night Live no no I'm just kidding. But it kind of coincided a little bit. But I was on my first year of the show. And I came back to LA during one of our breaks. I called her up. She was like, I remember, this is how I knew I really still really liked her. It was the Lakers-Houston playoff game. and it begins with basketball it does and diehard laker fan saw magic and bird playing their first game together that's how diehard i am up in the rafters at the forum in eighth grade okay congratulations okay congratulations do i get do i get some pleasure for that yeah right yeah okay we'll give you a case you do there's three of us in the room five of us in the room who can appreciate that.

49:03Okay.

49:04Craig Robinson:I stopped listening. So it starts with basketball. Vivica calls me. He's like, hey, do you want to go for a walk in Runyon Canyon? And I was just going to go walk the dog. And I was like, yep. I'm like, wait a minute. I'm blowing off watching the Laker game. So we go for this really fun walk. We're laughing. We're talking the whole time. She's like, hey, what are you do and do you want to stop by my place and have a beer? I was like, okay. I hope she's okay with me telling this. Anyway, too late, honey. Sorry. It's us, Vivica. We'll just keep it between us. She gives me a beer and she drank her beer in two sips.

49:46Yes. Who's the frat boy now?

49:50Craig Robinson:No kidding.

49:54and so she drinks it and she's like do you want another one I go I haven't even finished the first one and I go sure so I'm like double fisted and she's really nervous nervous yeah and I can't figure out what's going on once again I'm telling you we're just friends like I've lost I blew it with her and I and so she sits down she's like so I mean I just want to tell you I still really like you and I I said what I go and of course I can't play it cool I go you're not gonna I just told my uncle if there was anyone I would marry it's you and then she goes did you really say that you said that you turned into

50:42Craig Robinson:buddy the elf and then she was like okay and then we didn't know what to do and then she drove me home and I thought I thought it was like game on and I went in to give her a kiss and she gave me the cheek and then I was like and then and then it was yeah and then we were in this weird kind of thing of like we had both it was out there it was out there but we were friends and then she's like by the way I'm still kind of by the way I'm also dating someone right now like wait a minute what are you doing to me hold on and then I was like okay Well, okay. Take back what I said. Then I got. And then we saw each other when the season's over.

51:25She's like, by the way, I'm not, I broke up with that guy just so you know. I'm like, okay, well, good for you. Good for you. So. And then. Anyway, it's been a whole summer of courtship. Yeah, of that.

51:41Craig Robinson:Of just like, hang out, going to get coffee. That's cool. Did she move to New York eventually? And then by the end of that summer, we're like, I think we're dated, right? We're like, and then, but she was still working out here and the SNL schedule is so conducive. There's so many breaks. I could go back and forth. So she'd come visit and we, you know, we still, I still did SNL when we were married and we still, we just knew we'd end up back here. Got it. Yeah. Did that settle you down? Did you feel, you know, did that help you in your career? Feeling like I got my person And my ride or die, she gets me.

52:22Craig Robinson:I'm not doing this thing alone. Or was it harder? Because now you - She was, she's kind of just a very unique person in the thing that she was always, because you'd work on something and someone would be on the phone. And it's like, that's my girlfriend. asked me how much later, how much longer are we going to shoot? And, and Fiff would never, she'd be like, I get it. Yeah. It's a movie. And she just had this easiness about her. I think because she tried acting a little bit and she, but she had this understanding of like, and we'd always have this open discussion of like, if I was going to take on a project, I was like, I may be here for three months.

53:14She's like, don't worry, we'll come visit. And, but we also made a I always would take the summer off for the most part. So we would bank the time when we could. And she was just like, no, this is what it takes. And so I lucked out. Yeah.

53:31Craig Robinson:You sure did. How long were you all married before you had kids? Your first kid? Four years. Okay. Yeah. Magnus was born in 2004. So you were still at Saturday Night Live then? No, I left. in... No, I just left. I left in 2002. Okay. Yeah. So, big wrists moving, big jump and then baby? Yeah. Way to go. Way to double down on it all. How did that feel? Left the set of Kicking and Screaming. Mm-hmm. I don't know if you guys remember that movie. Left the set when I heard Viv was in labor and the crew was like, yes! Way to go, Will. They thought it was so cool. even though it was worked out ahead of time.

54:20And yeah, we just built in a little break and Magnus was born, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

54:26Craig Robinson:How was it being a dad? How did that change you? I did not like it. I was like, uh-oh. It's like he's messing up everything. No, it was, it's been amazing. Like every step of the way. Yeah. So she's surrounded by four big stinky men. Yep. Poor thing. Yeah. Does she have girlfriends that help ease the... Sisters, anything to break up that testosterone? Yeah. I mean, once again, she's kind of unfazed. She was actually like... I remember when our youngest son was born and one of the nurses at the hospital was like, you got to go for the girl. And I was like, no, we're good. That's three, that's three, we're good.

55:16And she's like, who am I kidding? I'm just not going to have girls. And she's like, I don't know if I might, I don't know if I'd be a good girl mom.

55:27Craig Robinson:Yeah. I always thought I was going to have three boys. Yeah. You know, where does that come from? Where does that come from? Exactly. You know, my two girls are amazing. and I was not going for the boy. You know, it was just like, I got two healthy girls and Barack was in politics. So I said, that's your third child right there. Right, right, right. So, but yeah, we kind of just, I mean, there's obviously a transition, but I don't remember it. I mean, now it's so long ago, but. Not that long ago. We kind of just took it off. Yeah. But having a new baby around, we just kind of, it was a new thing we were doing.

56:12Even though Viv was never the type who's like, she's like, I wanted to have kids, but she was not obsessed with it. And so when it finally happened and she is the biggest dog person in the world. And I remember when it was getting really close to her due date and she collapsed on the floor one day, very hormonal and feeling everything and feeling and I'm like what is it what what are you okay she's like what if I love the dogs more than the baby and I I was like in my head I'm like

56:56Craig Robinson:is that a thing is that a thing and then but I was like then we'll just work it out I was like I doubt that's gonna happen but But we'll work it out. And sure enough, when we came home with Maggie, she's like, dogs stay downstairs. Great, yeah. And it was all... That changed it all. Oh, man. Yeah. Oh, that's great. Yeah. What kind of dad are you?

57:23Strict disciplinarian.

57:25Craig Robinson:We don't believe that. I'm... I'm... I wouldn't say I'm strict, but yeah, I've had to learn. I've gotten more frustrated than you would think though in a way where I've I've lost my temper get off the shit yeah that's become real sometimes and I've learned to once again now the boys are 16 19 and 22 so it's there's not as much of that but yeah growing up I was surprised at where it'd be like I tried to use all the parenting techniques and then it just turned into because I said so yes yeah mm-hmm And so I'd turn into that guy. Yeah. And they'd look at me like, who are you? You're crazy. And so I'm like, uh-oh, that's not good.

58:17Craig Robinson:Are they funny like you? No, I was like, I think I was, I never pushed like anything about, or we never talked about my work. And if I happen to have a billboard of a movie, they'd be like, oh, there's Papa. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's going to come out soon. Yeah. We just kept it like. Yeah. How old were they when they could figure out what was really going on though? Like when they started school, like first grade, second grade, kindergarten, they started realizing, oh, okay, other kids know who you are.

58:56But then I would try to always like, hmm, I just try to find fun ways to diffuse the tension. So there'd be like a big argument. And then I would just leave for a little while and just come out in my underwear. Nothing but my underwear. I'd go, guys, we got to be serious about this. Okay? That's great. Look at me. Listen to me. And they would, they'd try not to, they'd just start laughing. And I was always trying to like, just change up. I want you for a dad. And then I would always have them do this thing if they got in a fight. I'd be like, okay, you guys don't get to do this. Whatever you want to do, whatever the thing we've just worked out, hands in the middle, hermano Sampras, which is brothers always.

59:41They're like, what? Just say it. They'd be like, hermano Sampras. Nope, you got to say it like you mean it. You got to say it right. Hermano Sampras. No, I'm sorry. I'm throwing the Xbox in the pool. I want to hear. And then they'd be laughing again. And yeah, because my mom would do things like that when my brother and I make us run around the car 10 times on a car trip. And by the time we were done, we were laughing. And so I would try to do those sorts of things. So people don't realize when you have boys, they're going to fight, but it's not a real fight. Right. It's like, you don't have to worry about them killing each other.

1:00:22Right. Yeah. But they fight. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And we've been lucky that our, and we got three big guys and they've never had the full, because my brother and I had had some full, like throwing punches. And the guys, it's been one punch. And they're like, ah. Yeah, nobody fights anymore. Right, right. We told our boys that if you guys can fight. Yeah. But when you're done, you have to kiss and make up on the mouth. Okay, I like that. And it ended everything. How about that?

1:01:00Craig Robinson:Who thought of that? Kelly. Okay. That's so good. I was like, where'd you get that? Really? Yes. Like, well done. Well done. Well done. Viv was always good because she learned, she like had, of course, read all the books and everything. And then she was just like, okay, so Magnus, what do you want? What would you, what upset you about what Matthias just did? hold on let me speak okay Matias what would you like to see from that and like do this conflict negotiation and which worked great at first and then as I got older like do we have to do this again? they see right through it like I know you're gonna ask me what I my problem I have and I'm gonna say this and I don't wanna do that anymore yeah did they follow in your footsteps as a three sport athlete?

1:01:52not you know sports are so different now it's all so specialized

1:01:55Craig Robinson:Yeah, it is. It's a shame. Right? Magnus is a big soccer player. Okay. Matias is basketball and volleyball and Axel's basketball and volleyball. College players? Are they playing in? No. No, Magnus is singing now. Wow. Yeah, he's got music out there. Magnus Farrell. Way to go. He's got music out. He's got, yeah. What's his genre? Can I play you a little something? Please. Right? Yes. Is that okay? Yes. Okay. Sorry. Proud dad. I love it. Yes. So proud. But like, this is this little five-year-old you met in the map room. Oh, yeah. Yeah. When they brought whoopee cushions. Yeah. The boys brought whoopee cushions to the White House.

1:02:45Oh, nice.

1:02:47Craig Robinson:But this is - They were ready for prime time. They were ready for prime time. But this is that kid.

1:02:58Wow.

1:03:00Craig Robinson:He's got a groove going.

1:03:10Wow. Okay. Right? Right?

1:03:16Craig Robinson:Oh, my God. Yeah. 22. Okay. Yeah. Right? Okay. Madness. Is he this cute? He's more handsome than me, and I'm pretty handsome. Yeah, sure. But this way, hold on. Okay.

1:03:46This next question, Craig.

1:03:50Coming up. This is for you, Craig, in your Airbnb.

1:03:57Craig Robinson:Okay. Okay, Magnus. Oh, yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay. Magnus Farrell. Magnus. Magnus Farrell. Is that out? That's out right now. A Sleep Talking. A Sleep Talking. Does he write? He's on Republic Records. Wow. He's got an amazing groove. And his buddy Gabe, they met in seventh grade jazz band. At Harvard Westlake, they were the competing piano players. Yeah. Magnus was very hated Gabe. In fact, wrote his college entrance paper on how he hated the guy who eventually became his best friend. Oh, that's cool. And they left USC Music School sophomore year to go and they're both making stuff like this. Wow.

1:04:51That's good. That's good.

1:04:53Craig Robinson:Okay. Very soulful. Yeah. Very. Right? Yeah. It's throwback kind of R &B. Oh, God, yeah. And it's right up, you know, it's what's happening. And he's got a good voice. That falsetto is just... So, yeah, I mean, you can sing too. I can not like that, but yeah, sure. So where does the music come? That's your father? Did your mom sing? Does Vivica? I mean... Viv's a really good singer. Oh, wow. It was in bands in college and did like, was Rizzo in Grease. Okay. Yeah. All right. And so she's really musical. The boys all grew up playing piano. And so, yeah, in terms of following myself. And then Matias is doing some acting stuff.

1:05:45And Axel's playing ball for right now. But he can sing too. Anyway. So we'll see, you know. That's so cool. We're just happy they are because there's so much like mental angst. It's so tough out there. And they're finding stuff they're just passionate about. And it's just like, go. Yeah.

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1:09:51let's talk about the hawk oh yeah right the hawk how'd that come out on netflix yeah yes

1:09:58Craig Robinson:we got to see a couple of episodes oh okay it's good yeah it's very silly funny yeah very funny very funny yes no that's uh i play a um uh kind of a down and out golfer lonnie the hawk hawkins who's still, he's down in the minor leagues of golf, the Corn Fairy Tour, which is a real thing. Yes. Hanging on to his dream of winning the fourth major. And he's a jerk. He's a jerk. Yeah. Very selfish. He's very narcissistic. I wasn't ready for the first episode, though. I was looking forward. I don't want to spoil anything, but man, you hit it hard right at the beginning. It's very, yes. It's, yeah, it's kind of an old school comedy where we don't really hold any punches.

1:10:50Not at all. There's not a big message. Not Buddy the Elf. It's not, no, it's not Buddy. This guy, but as you watch the series, he does have a heart.

1:11:02Craig Robinson:Yeah, yeah. And, but he's competing. Good, because in the first episode, you're thinking this dude is a colossal jerk. Oh, man. He, just when you think, yeah, he's kind of a broken, flawed guy. Yeah, a bit of a scallywag. Does everyone know that word? Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah, the younger people. Yeah, we were like, yes, of course. But it's a really funny, Molly Shannon plays my wife. She's amazing. Everyone thinks it's an ex-wife, but I refuse to sign the divorce papers. Jimmy Tatro is my son. Is that the son? He's good. He's great. He's really good. And he's the next prodigy in golf, which I'm very proud of, but compete against at the same time.

1:11:48I want to take credit for his success.

1:11:50Craig Robinson:And kind of the polar opposites. You don't eat well, you don't train, your caddy is crazy. And he's like the Uber. He's training and eating the right stuff and living just a totally different life. But yeah, it's just a super fun cast, super fun comedy where we kind of,

1:12:14explore golf in a, make some comments about golf that haven't been made. And the PGA was very cool and was on board and we're like, yeah, poke fun at us. We're good. We're good with it. Good. Yeah. Yeah. They need it. So yeah. They need it. Yeah. Yeah. I was telling our colleagues that, and thank you, by the way, because you are one of a handful of actors that I can watch whatever you do. You, Robert De Niro, Dizel. You are still that one line.

1:12:47Craig Robinson:If you've got one line, Will Ferrell's in. Dizel, Robert, I'm in good company. Oh, yes. Wow. Well done. Yeah. You've brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. And we're just grateful to have you here. Thanks for having me. Yeah. We usually do a listener question. Okay. This is in my opinion. So we try to offer some advice. to people who write in. All of us chip in? We all chip in. We all chip in. You think this is a good time for our listener question? Lena. Lena. Lena from, Lena who is in her late 30s from the state of Washington. As opposed to Washington, D.C. Washington State. Seattle. Yakima.

1:13:33Let me guess. Olympia. Tumwater.

1:13:37Craig Robinson:Unknown. Unknown. Okay. Perfect. Oh boy. I got more. That's pretty good. I know. That's a lot. I am the parent to four amazing children, a new baby, a three-year-old, a five-year-old, and an eight-year-old. They are my whole world. However, to be frank, my three-year-old is a total shit disturber. He's super, super smart, really energetic, and is incredibly sweet, but he can also use all of his charm and strength to kind of bully his older siblings into doing things his way. He's a great kid, but I think just so high energy and advanced that he gets bored very easily. He's a little force of nature and we're tired.

1:14:23Craig Robinson:I've literally had family tell me, I think lovingly, that this kid is either going to discover the cure for cancer or be a serial killer. I have two questions. One, how do I make sure he ends up going on path one? And two, my actual question, how do I parent a kid who demands a lot of time and energy without sucking the whole family and especially the other children into all of these antics? And that's Lena in Washington in her late thirties. Whoa. That sounds like a perfect question for you. Four I'm just thinking about four You just start there She went for the one you did not Yeah Right And it's the three year old right That's in question Yes

1:15:17Lena I think you're screwed No

1:15:22Yeah what I mean You gotta you got to kind of tie yourself to the mast and weather the storm and let these, you have to, you know, I think you have to let kids be who they're going to be. But at the same time, try to set up some boundaries that won't compete with the other. Well, it sounds like an infant, but the other two who are conscious of that stuff. And because it sounds like this, little guy needs to stretch out and do his thing. Yeah, I don't know. You just have to try to find a way to manage both sides of it in a way. Right? No, go ahead.

1:16:13Craig Robinson:I'm still trying to figure out how to help Lena. But, you know, three is a unique time. So, you know, I think part of what you said, Will, there's some weathering the storm, you know? It will pass. Yeah, where he is at three, developmentally, he may still be formulating language. He might, you know, he's got a lot of growing up to do. And so you got to give him a little grace of just three-year-old boys in particular. And I didn't have boys. And I know that there's a distinct difference between girls and boys. I mean, my girls, you know, girls can sit in color. Yeah. And even when we would have, when we just had two of the boys for whatever reason, we were like, why is it so calm?

1:17:04Like, what's, and then the third one would come along and there'd be no rhyme or reason. They just see chaos and then smack someone in the head. And then it was game on again. And we're like, oh, so that's just gonna happen. I mean.

1:17:18Craig Robinson:And he may need a different kind of attention. I mean, if the other two kids, they're older and they probably can be a bit more self-sufficient and the baby is a baby. And, you know, this is the one thing I learned. Babies are, you know, you don't need to put tons of time into the, if you're dividing, it's like, let the baby feed the baby, you know, have the baby around. The baby's learning through osmosis through all these other kids and they're going to be okay. Yeah. The older kids, put them in activities, get them focused on some stuff so that maybe you can give the three-year-old the tension that he's craving.

1:18:03Craig Robinson:Don't consider it a suck. It may just be that you might need to give him a little extra time. If she has that time to give. So that's what I'm saying. Try to create it where it doesn't feel like it sucks. The baby is good. Or take this little guy to the dog park. Just let him run around in an enclosed area. But she may need to figure out what motivates him. What motivates him, yeah. I agree. She doesn't have the time to really focus in on what is he really asking for. Yeah. Is it time? Does he need more attention? and does he need to run more? Right, right. You know, she might need to solve him and it may take her a minute.

1:18:51Craig Robinson:And with now she has four, I'm sure she doesn't have the time that she had with the two older kids to see them. Yeah. And to really be like, this is who you are. And if there's a way to do a little divide and conquering for a minute, you know, I don't know if she has a husband, she has friends or family members that can take the easier kids for a period of time. And it doesn't have to be forever. Right, right, right. It might just, he may need to be, it's like the puppy. He may need to have an individual walk. Yeah. Or run or whatever it is. You know, she's going to have to experiment with some things, you know.

1:19:31Craig Robinson:But with all kids, I think you can set boundaries, you know, you just have to, you know. and it may take an extra level of energy with this one, but you got to kind of keep at it. He still has to follow some rules and not be a jerk and be nice and listen. It's just harder with that many kids to stay on the one. It's nicer when they just cooperate, right? Well, she's got one that's like, no, I need to hear it a hundred times. You know, I think now is the time to try to figure him out. And if the other two kids are relatively okay, the older ones, then I would spend some time on this three-year-old just to try to figure out what buttons need to be pushed for him.

1:20:28So both of you give good advice, but I've got a couple things that I want to.

1:20:32Craig Robinson:Okay. And thank you. Thank you for that encouragement. I want to, I want to, a couple things I want to tell Lena. First of all, the likelihood of him becoming an axe murderer is pretty small. It is. That is true. I do agree with that. So don't let those folks scare you into thinking this guy's going to be a psychopath. But when you, I've got four kids, but I had two older and two younger. So I didn't have this dynamic. But I suspect if we did have this dynamic, this would be how we would attack it. And that advice, our mom would say that. Whenever there was a new baby around, babies don't need a whole lot of attention, she would always say.

1:21:20Give the attention to the kid who's the next one up or whatever you have. Because they're feeling the addition of that kid. And when you look at these ages, eight, five, three, and newborn, the three-year-old got sandwiched between a short age.

1:21:39Craig Robinson:Like the eight-year-old got to have his time. And then the five-year-old has a three-year-older kid to help with sort of socialization. Right. And so probably got treated more like an only child, like got a lot of initial. So the three-year-old is feeling the brunt of all of this. And what I would say to Lena is start with when you give the three-year-old choices, make them two choices or three choices, however many you're going to give them, where you don't care which one they pick. So they feel empowered. So they feel empowered and feel like you're treating them like a five-year-old or an older kid.

1:22:29We've always found that that worked when kids are acting a little bit bratty. You're just looking for a little control. A little control. Like, okay, like your wife said, all right, what do you need in this situation? And as long as it's not candy, we can probably figure it out. And so I just think Lena needs to be just a tad bit more strategic and don't take the tongue-in-cheek psychopath axe murderer to heart because it's unlikely to happen.

1:23:08Craig Robinson:Well, Will, thank you. You guys, it was so much fun. It was so much fun. This was really neat. The normal, regular Will Ferrell is kind of a nice guy. Right? Kind of nice. I mean, normal kind of funny. More normal than I would have thought. Than we thought. Yeah. So now you know he was just staring off at the sea. He was just looking at the artwork. You were looking at the artwork. But now that we know each other, when I know people, I'll be funnier. If I don't know you, I'm like, I can't waste the energy right now. But now that I know you, oh, I'm going to be so funny. Thank you.