"Kelly Clarkson"

25:04Did you ever see a movie called Into the Woods? I love that movie. Yeah, with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden. Like, would you ever be excited if somebody brought you something like that where there's a little bit of acting but a lot of singing as well, like singing, acting? Also known as a musical movie. Go ahead. Yeah, I'm sorry. It was based on a musical. You know, there's a whole genre. Right. Based on a musical. The guy named Stephen Sondheim I hear is really starting to take off. He's going to make it. Jason, do some singing acting for us real quick. Hello, I'm hungry. Something like that.

25:37You can sing, Jason. Well, that's not acting because we know you're hungry. I would maybe do something like that. But I think I'm like such a fan of what y 'all can do. Like I think it's interesting when actors, especially having this talk show, like I meet actors a lot and I never was around actors, only musicians generally. And we're always like looking at the other pasture. Like everybody's, it's always green. You know, everybody's like, oh my God, I'm such a fan of what you do. It's so like what y 'all do is incredible to me. The fact that you can run lines like that, do the same emotion over and over again, whatever it's serious or funny or whatever.

26:12And it doesn't wear you out or get monotonous is beyond to me. I feel the same way about musicians. I do. I'm in awe of what you do, your ability. No, but I find that that's the case, right? But I have such an appreciation for it. And I've never, like, I did know the winner of American Idol. We found out, like, around the top five, that in that little fine print that we signed for the contract, the winner would have to do this movie. And I was, I literally have cried, like, so hard to get out of that. Like, because I did not want to do it. I did not think it was good. Neither did anyone else. and I did not want to act like that.

26:54Like that was not my goal. Did you? Did you have to? Yeah. I bought the first ticket. I was right in the theater. I had to do it, yeah. And it's not like I was like trying to, you know, poo-poo on it or whatever. I was so worried because my goal was to sing and tour and do stuff like that. And so I was so worried that it was going to ruin any chance of me being taken seriously as an artist. So I begged my label to at least let me put my single out. Like, just let me get a single out. Let me have a chance, like, before this comes out. And they did. So I think that's what saved me was that first single.

27:31What level of pride do you allow yourself to feel that you have taken in, what, 20 years a great step through a door that wasn't pride open for you by anybody else? I mean, you did that part, too. But once you had that platform and all this capital, that you were able to build on it, diversify it, and parlay it into this massive, legitimate career such that some people would be really interested to hear that you got started on American Idol. It's much the same way, like, you know, there's all these people that started on Star Search. It's like, wait, what? Yeah, there are a lot of kids who bought your records who didn't watch you on Idol.

28:11Right, Jay? Is that what you're getting at? Like, there are a lot of people who are fans of yours who don't know that. Exactly. And my question is, do you, have you, have you sort of just out of, out of admirable humility, lost, are you, are you allowed to feel, do you allow yourself to feel the pride that, that I think you deserve, that you've done so much with, with that moment that, that frankly, some others have not from American Idol or any of the other shows? yeah I mean I think for me um what I'm most proud of is even if there's like I've been told in this business like well you're a sinking ship you know and I was like okay cool but as long as I'm at the helm I'm cool with that like as long as somebody else isn't driving it like that's cool like I think that's what I take pride in is like look I haven't been a perfect career it's obviously been like this but like it it's been perfect for me in the sense of like every decision I've made and everything I've done, it's because I wanted to do it regardless of the outcome.

29:10And I think I'm proud of the fact that I don't let pride or ego or even shame, if that comes in, you know, at some point when something, you know, or any of that, I don't let that get in the way of it. So how did you, how did you learn that? Because you were, like you said, 19 and now you're 40, whatever. How did you learn how to weed out the good from the bad as you entered the business? childhood trauma I I think no I I honestly that's why people always ask me about my kids and being in the business I'm like I mean good for them if they want to do it I just think because of how I was set up from a very young person and like and hearing the things that happen or you know whatever my life did you know happened and then and having to navigate that I think definitely prepared me for the industry and prepared me for a spotlight to be okay to be me, like regardless if you're into it or not.

30:02Like everybody likes something different. Art is subjective. But like I think that is fucked up as that sounds. I think a lot of like the traumatic things that happened to me when I was younger really not only built a thicker skin, but I think it also when you, you know, let's say you hear from like someone that's supposed to love you the most, you know what I'm saying, in life and you're, and you're like, you didn't quite, that you weren't good enough. I think that when that happens, you're like, well, I'm never going to please anyone. So like, why even aim for it? I'm just going to have a good time.

30:35Like, fuck it. I'm just going to like do what I love to do. And cause you know, when, you know, when that person that, or people that are supposed to be there for you the most, like when that, when you get let down in, and I know that sounds dark, but when that happens, I think in your head, you're like, okay, well then maybe life isn't so about just aiming to please everyone or aiming to receive something. Maybe you just do it because you want to do it, and you never know how many trips around the sun you get. You might as well try whatever you want. Yeah, I think the same way. Or maybe even said differently if you agree that it sets you up.

31:11The necessity becomes being self-sufficient. If you can't rely on those closest to you at certain times, then you learn, well, then I just have to make myself happy. I've got that barred. Yeah, and it's because I was going to say, and Sean beat me to the question, like you are so clearly comfortable in your skin and, you know, shitty word. I don't have a better one, but you're just lovely. Oh, God. No, I'm kidding. I love that word. But like who, I was going to ask you, who can you attribute that to? I mean, do you have? Yeah, like because you didn't become a drug addict. You didn't become this or that.

31:52Yeah. Did you have a great parents or parent or uncle or something that really showed you kind of this North Star of like, well, wow, look at the adversity they've gone through. And they're still able to be, you know, loving and giving and warm and open to the people they care about. And they're not walking around and bitter and aggrieved. And like, it's just you seem to really have taken whatever negatives you went through. And I'm not prying for those, but you seem to have turned them into a positive. and that just taught you coping mechanisms that have yielded this nice balanced personality and vibe, it seems like, yeah?

32:27Yeah, I think for me, it wasn't like one person. Thank you so much, Kelly.

32:33I think for me, it wasn't one person. I think it's a village, right, that raises any kid. Like, I don't think it's, you know, people are just like, oh, it's my mom or it's my dad or it's, you know, whatever. I think obviously that probably is true, but I also think we are raised by our surroundings, regardless of your teachers, your coaches and sports, like all your other friends' parents. And I think for some reason, I don't know why or how, but I don't know, I kind of navigated people in a sense of like, I'm going to take the, I love that part of you. Like, that's a really cool thing. Like, I don't have a lot of positive experiences with this one person in my life that I won't mention.

33:14But the one thing I will say for them is they were always highly complimentary of people, even if it was fake or whatever for them. But like growing up, I saw how it made people feel. And I was like, oh, that's lovely, for lack of a better word. That's like to make someone feel. And I stole that like for my person. And I was like, I like that. I like to make people feel like that. I like to compliment people. But you know what, Kelly, there's a real wisdom to that, and Sean, you always say it takes a village for people. but but you know we we you there's a wisdom to this idea that you whatever you put out in life is what you're going to get back right and so I have no idea who you're talking about or what they're like as a person they might be a terrible person but at least in that aspect and and if you yeah so if you you know sometimes uh that feeling of of loving somebody no matter what will increase the chances of you getting love back.

34:13And that feeling of hurt or whatever comes from a lack of actually putting love out. And I think that there's a balance there. There's like a, and when it comes to people too, you sort of start to identify. I know that as I get older, I identify the people in my life where I go, I make a conscious effort to surround myself and to spend time with people that I love and I know love me. And then my experience is better. These guys on this, you know, here with us today are two great examples. I probably don't spend more time with anybody than these two guys, you know, in my sort of... And because I love them and they love me.

34:49And so that's a positive experience. Exactly, yeah. We'll be right back.

34:57And now back to the show. All right, let's get to the show. Yeah, let's... I would imagine, yeah, do you love it as much as you seem? I mean, it's like it seems like it's just a fantastic fit for you. Can we go back further, JB? Can we go back to how did that happen? You're Kelly Clarkson. You have so many different phases to your life. You're Kelly Clarkson aspiring singer. You're Kelly Clarkson rock star. Yeah, not since Arnold Schwarzenegger. And then all of a sudden, you're like what? One day you wake up and you're like man, you're looking out the window and you're like, I'm going to have a talk show.

35:32No. No, that's yeah. I said no the first two times. Like so So I was on The Voice, and I love NBC. I have a really healthy relationship with them. Well, they don't lie, so I like that. I'm trying to surround myself with people that are just, just feed it to me. But I had a really good experience on that show with that crew, with those executives. And they came to the studio. I was doing something at the recording studio, and they came and they were like, we really feel like you would be really good at this. And I was like, I really am not a journalist or a comedian. And there's like no reason for me to be doing that.

36:12Like, I just don't think that's a good plan if I'm being frank. And then I said no. And then I said no again. And then all of a sudden it was just, you know, and it was actually my ex who, you know, we were just laying in bed. And he was like, I really feel like you should just, you'd be really good at it because you're really good with people. Like, you're really good at talking. I don't think it's going to be like a job for you. I was like, I think you just are really, you know, good at that. And, um, and I, you know, why not just try it? And I was like, whatever. So I was like, okay, cool. I'll, I'll try it.

36:47And I will say even from the, and I say this with all, without trying to sound any other kind of way, but like a lot of people will be like, oh, it's really hard. It's really not. It's like the easiest job I've ever had. Like, I've, I know that sounds like nobody wants to hear that. naturally charismatic and friendly and interested and curious and it's like you just you've got people skills because you're not a dick you know i mean like well thank you um but i but i i don't know i just it just is not like the hardest part of my talk show is just that i was like hey i have this idea we can open with a song before and i could elevate you know other artists that i love or whatever and do covers and whatever and that's the hardest thing it's like 180 and it's always like trying to figure out, you know, clearing songs.

37:35Like, that's the hardest part of the show is just getting that because there's no rehearsal time. It is literally like camp. Like, you know, when you're a kid and they're like, get on stage. Improv it. Like, you know what I'm saying? It's like, we literally don't rehearse it. We just do it, you know? It's the craziest thing ever. So that part is like the hardest part. The talking part is so easy. Well, except I know you've probably, well, maybe not because you're like super successful. So, but like, you know, like, have you ever interviewed someone and you're just like, okay. So that's, that's it.

38:07Yeah, like, buddy, you gotta talk, you know. It's not yes or no time. I'm like, you know, I'm here to help you sell your shit. Right, you're not doing me a favor by sitting on the couch. That can be hard sometimes. I'm like, wow, do say more. But that can be tough. But for the most part, I'm pretty good with people. So it's really like the easiest, like, I can't even believe we're in season five right now. it feels like not that long. That's so amazing. Yeah, but it's just a fun job. And honestly, the support of, because I literally told NBC, I was like, I don't, I'm not trying to slap a gift horse in the face, mouth, whatever you say, whatever the saying is.

38:44I was like, I'm just, I'm not happy here. I can't continue doing this. And I don't want to like, I know everybody's put a lot of money and time and we're winning and we're doing well. I was like, but I can't continue this. I got to get out of here. And so they were really cool about moving the show That's really great. Which is huge. To 30 Rock. To 30 Rock. That's insane. Look a gift horse in the mouth. Do you know what that expression is? Do you know what it comes from? I do. Do you? Yeah. If somebody, yeah, it goes back to somebody, you give somebody a horse and you look in the teeth and if the teeth are bad, then you say, no, thank you.

39:18You can see how old a horse is and the overall health of a horse. And so if somebody gives you one and you go, yeah, I'll take the gift, but hang on, let me look inside. and then you're disappointed. Yeah, yeah, so you're looking at the, it's rude. So yeah. Look at that. The more you know, look at that. I know that Jason would know that. I love you, Jason. I'm sneaky smart. I know, you are sneaky smart. You're not sneaky smart, you're plain smart. Hey, so you, Kelly, you're now at 30 Rock, which is, must feel like, I mean, has it said in? It also feels, well, you know what's so funny is I've been going there so much for over 20 years that like for promotion stuff and just in and out of the building, that it oddly felt very normal right off the bat.

40:03Like, yeah. I mean, you walk around like for some reason my key like never works. They just don't want to let me in the building. And I always have to go to this one area and get another one. And when you go there, there's all these images that kind of change of all the things that have happened historically in that building. And it's so cool. like it's i mean i i get the gift of it and i'm very you know um grateful for it but it feels really normal like like we've been there the whole time what floor are you on are you on six i'm right across from yeah right across from jimmy you are literally okay jimmy fallon yeah from jimmy oh sorry go ahead for tracy jimmy fallon jimmy fallon i'm so jealous it's such a dream of mine to live in new york work at 30 rock on something that is every day like i swear to god i've been i've wanted that since I was, you know, a young kid.

40:55Like, going to New York for work and going to 30 Rock, I just think that building is incredible. The whole area around it, even, like, the ice, all the closed off streets, there's something about it. The basement level of all the things happening that I never knew the city underneath. I was like, what? Jason, are you crying right now? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. By the way, I'm going to help you out. Sorry, go ahead, Kelly. I was going to... Oh, no, I was going to say, I will say, it's how you're describing I mean, it is movie-like. Like I walk home every day from work and it's the coolest thing ever.

41:27You put your headphones in. I'm usually listening to what I'm supposed to be seeing the next day. But, you know, you walk home, you go out of the building. This historical, cool building, the city, everybody's got their own vibe going on. Everybody's got their own lives. Everybody's doing their own thing. You put different industries, not just the one like in L.A. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then you put your headphones in and you walk home and it's like a, you know, 35-minute walk home. And so it's nice. It's lovely. And you're walking through a park and you're – it's really – it's like – I don't know.

41:57The older we get, I sound like an old person, but the older you get, those moments really matter. Like those moments – Of course. It's experiential. Jay, we were talking on the phone this morning about it. It's like how do you want your experience to be? Like you can have X, Y, and Z, but you have to go through the process of doing it. and you have to do it on a day-to-day basis. So what do you want that to be? What do you want your life experience to be? And I know what you mean. I mean, I, you know, lived in New York for over 20 years and I keep threatening that once my older kids graduate high school, I'm going to move back.

42:29I think that's what I will do because of that very thing you talked about, whether it's walking to the park, walking to things, whatever. I mean, that kind of stuff. It's very inspirational. Yeah. It fills you up, right? Like it fills your soul, if you will. And it sounds like cheesy, but like, or very celebrity. But like I, at the risk of this, I have to be, I think because I'm from the countryside, I have to be like, like that park saves me. It's right there. And it saves me every day. Like I don't think I could live in the concrete jungle without that park. Like I literally read a whole book on Frederick Law, who created it.

43:10Like, I'm very into, like, landscaping. I'm very into, like, just making sure we have, we don't forget, like, what that feels like to go outside and see trees and flowers. And when I was doing the play last summer, I would walk. Sometimes I'd walk for four hours. From your front door to the Escalade. Yeah. I was exhausted. I was exhausted. Jason, can we just, can we make an announcement right now, Jay? Can we, this is the NBC. Will and I are pregnant. Oh, wow. Not that. Congratulations. Thanks, guys. The NBC, Jason Bateman is open to your offer of working for you at 30 Rock on a daily basis. So come to him.

43:50Call Alina Kashishio. Would y 'all ever, would you, this is a real question. Would you, because I'm not bullshitting you. I really do listen. I was, even with my sister and I, we were listening to like two in the morning last night. I think the Kevin Hart one and Anna Stone. We were listening to a bunch of them. Anyway, and would you ever, because I noticed with the Kevin Hart one, and you're in front of an audience, and then y 'all toured it as well. So would you ever do it as like a talk show, like a TV show? I've thought about it, but I think it would be more full-time than I think the three of us are willing to.

44:24Yeah, like right now, it's just, you know, it's an hour a week, and we're flexible with it, we're mobile with it. But yeah, if it was a structured studio and stuff, it would mean stopping some of the other things we're enjoying doing in addition to this right now. Perfectly said. And anybody who would want to have us on their platform to do that would have to make an offer to Aline Kishish. Will has a number. And let's hear what it is. But I do think that you can make that whatever you want because I didn't know what a talk show was. Like I didn't really know, like, I didn't know this world. I'm an artist.

44:59I'm never even awake for daytime television. Like, I'm like, so like, I'm, this is not really generally my world. So, um, you know, I think you've had so much success with it and obviously just in your careers separately. Um, but I think, I think that's the cool thing about it is that you wouldn't have to commit to more than what you wanted to commit to. You're at that level to where maybe you do it in a different way. Like, you know, I don't, I don't know. I just think, I think what you're doing, this is incredible. I just, it's just, I also understand like, that is pretty cool to, because I, you do give up.

45:32Something has to give. Like, even with my music career, I'm not able to do everything because I'm doing the talk show. But there's also a plus in that for me. That's why it's so tempting. Like, I love routine. I would love to have, you know, that stage across from Jimmy's. And you have the pattern that you walk home every day through the park. Like, I love that. I love a routine. I flourish in a routine. But also having that, as you know, because of what we do, sometimes you have like a million things happening at once. And again, not a complaint. Like, you know, you have the, you know, privilege of having a million things.

46:07But when you get to work on one thing all the time and you can't, you're like, sorry, I can't. I'm just doing this thing. And there's something really satisfying about that. Having those moments. Sean, you did it for years on Will and Grace. Yeah, it was nice. You know, we're like, I'm just doing this right now and I don't have the time to be spread thin. Because I'm just doing this. I know that you've answered this question probably a billion times. I've never heard the answer. That's why I'm going to be the tool I am a tourist as well. But no, why? Because you all have such amazing careers separate from one another, such different careers as well, obviously actors, but just different.

46:44And what made you all three do this? Like whose idea was this? Will's originally, and then Sean and I kind of snored in on it and changed what Will's concept and premise was going to be. and then it just became, well, let's just kind of hang out and chit-chat during COVID because we can't see each other. We had no idea. I didn't know the answer to that. Sorry, you've probably answered it a billion times. No, it's not that. It's not particularly interesting. We literally were like, oh, let's just do it. And then the week, the world shut down on the Friday, March 13th of 2020, and we had a meeting on the Tuesday before, like four days before.

47:22Yeah, Sean's real smart dude, Michael Granteri, put some form to it and presented to us, well, guys, just so you know, this is what it could be, and this is what it's not. You know, like, so don't think it's, you know, going to be a big, huge time suck, and there's some work here, but he just basically put it in adult terms for us. And we paid for it. Like, we put it up on its feet on our own. I mean, it wasn't a lot, but we did that, and that's how it was. I think that's why, though, because it was so organic. I think, you know, a lot of horrible things happened because of COVID, but a lot of really incredible things happened out of COVID.

47:59And it was just an excuse to see each other, you know? Yeah. Well, it became like this really great, you know, a lot of feedback we got, especially at that time from people was like, hey, it was great to be able to listen during COVID. And truthfully, it was selfishly, it was great for us to be able to do it during COVID. Oh, it was selfishly, it was good for me to work through that. I worked my whole TV show the whole time. Right, and being able to like - In the mountains in like snow. And being able to call people in that you're really interested to talk to kind of unapologetically. You're not like tapping them on the shoulder like, excuse me, Mrs.

48:29Such and Such, I'd love to ask you a question. Well, no, we have a format for that with this and it's such a luxury to be able to talk to these heroes that we have. I'm sure you feel the same way on your show. Yeah, I do. You just say to your gang, your producers, hey, would you reach out to Such and Such, see if they'd be interested in coming on the show. She's in a gang? Yeah. No, I'm telling, that just happened to me with Cher. I was like, and Atlantis was on this season, like a lot of people that I adore. They're always going to be Probably more the musical ones that come on just because I have a little bit more depth with them as far as their career and catalog and stuff.

49:02But yeah, I feel the same way. It's the coolest thing to like be able to just sit and chat like with your people that you look up to. Well, you're killing it. You really are. You've killed it in everything you've done. You're such a sort of real. Say lovely. Yeah, and lovely. Lovely person. I could hear you talk all day long. I could hear you sing all day long. I agree. I love it. Yeah. You're nice. I don't leave voicemails because of my talking voice. I just want to belt out all your songs to you because I just love belting out your songs. It's just so good. We have taken up way too much of your time.

49:39God, you're busy. Get back to your incredibly successful talk show. We wish you nothing but the best. Thank you for being here and blessing us with you. And thank you for your talent and everything you've done. and just continue success. Yeah, you're awesome. No, thank you guys for having me. I know I've listened to the show, so I like to be in the same category as a lot of the people that you interview. It's very cool. So thank you very much for having me. Well, you're just a... And you make, like, honestly, just like cutting through the bullshit and just being through yourself, it's so refreshing to listen to, and it's fun, and it's, I don't, you know how y 'all were saying people look at me.

50:15I look at y 'all the same way. So I think it's very refreshing for people. Nice for people to see this version of Sean for sure. Yeah, exactly. I love Sean. I love Kelly. You made this real easy. Thank you, Kelly. Yeah, Kelly, thank you so much success. Congratulations and wish you nothing but the best. Yes. Now, y 'all have a good 2024, y 'all. You too. Bye. See you later. Bye, Kelly. What a terrible guest, Will. You know, somebody that just doesn't know how to, you know, Be friendly or respond to questions. I know. She's so... I love this. Sean, you started in the right way, which is... You put it in such a great way, which is like, yeah, she feels very much like...

51:01Like ours. Like ours. Yeah. Yeah. And she is the American idol. Yeah, she's America. She's the American... She represents all sides of America, I think. I honestly felt like I could fire up a friendship with her tomorrow that would last 40 years. Well, when you're doing your talk show across the hall from her, Jason. Yeah, just do that. Or maybe combined with her. What? Kelly and Jason. From Jason to Kelly. From Jason to Kelly. That was the name of her movie. That's right. From Justin to Kelly. That was the name of her movie. Yeah, people call me Justin all the time. Oh, they do call me Justin.

51:34You'll be from Justin to Kelly. Oh, my God, we can do it. The posters already exist. We already have all the outdoor ads. But isn't it amazing we know all of her songs? Like, it's so rare. Like, everybody knows all her songs. I know. What's that song that goes Bye Bye Black Sheep Blackbird Yeah Fuck man Jason let me get out of here Fuck that was so fucking sweaty Fucking lather up You're thinking about that NSYNC song Yeah how's it go Bye Bye Bye Bye Bye Bye Smart Nice

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