From “Clueless” To Crime, Elisa Donovan Talks “Killer Thriller”

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: From “Clueless” To Crime, Elisa Donovan Talks “Killer Thriller”

Date: December 9, 2025

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Overview

In this episode, Amy Robach and TJ Holmes chat with actress Elisa Donovan, best known for her roles in Clueless, Beverly Hills 90210, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, about her latest pivot into true crime storytelling and podcasting. Together, they discuss the complexity of playing “bad” characters, society’s obsession with true crime, and the intricacies of podcasting as a new creative outlet. Additionally, the trio humorously explores infamous female “villains,” both fictional and real, and announces the launch of their collaborative true crime podcast, Killer Thriller.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Bond That Forms in LA Traffic

Timestamp: 03:05–03:37

• Amy jokes about how being stuck in LA traffic with someone to the point of getting out and walking is “bonding for life.”
• Elisa Donovan is introduced as their new "true crime partner."

Playing the Villain: Reflections on Acting Past Roles

Timestamp: 04:37–07:04

• TJ and Amy reflect on Donovan’s reputation for playing “spicy” or “not-so-nice” roles, like Ginger from 90210, who’s “done bad things... she’d do what she had to do to survive.”

  “I mean, she played some not nice people, but in such a fun way. Like you love to hate your characters, right?” — TJ Holmes (04:50)

• Elisa describes needing to find the humanity and nuance in every character—good or evil:

  “To me, you have to find the humanity. You have to find the lightness…We are full people. Right.”
  — Elisa Donovan (05:59)

Why Are We Fascinated With True Crime?

Timestamp: 08:02–09:59

• Discussion shifts to the draw of true crime, both for audiences and actors:

  “Why do you think we all get such a…charge from watching these true crime stories…?”
  — TJ Holmes (08:29)

• Elisa suggests it’s about understanding the extremes of human nature:

  “I think because we are fascinated by human nature and by how diverse we are as human beings. And how can someone do such a thing? We need to try to understand it because it feels so foreign.”
  — Elisa Donovan (08:45)

• A candid moment about Donovan’s therapist’s take on the duality of human nature:

  “Humanity is not inherently kind.”
  — As relayed by Elisa Donovan’s therapist (09:03)

True Crime Consumption as Self-Reassurance

Timestamp: 10:28–11:40

• Amy and Elisa discuss how people watch true crime to reassure themselves about their own lives:

  “People watch these things, they go, okay, at least I’m not that bad. At least my life’s not that fucked up.”
  — Amy Robach (10:28)

• Elisa recounts reading the dark novel The Goldfinch while her mom was in cancer surgery as a way to put her own challenges in perspective:

  “At least I’m not living Goldfinch.”
  — Elisa Donovan (11:12)

Horror & True Crime as Odd Sources of Comfort

Timestamp: 11:40–13:13

• TJ shares that when going through his own cancer, watching horror movies like The Conjuring with his brother brought relief:

  “It was such a relief for me…At least I’m not being…At least I’m not…I don’t have a demon inside me.”
  — TJ Holmes (12:09)

• They note that horror and crime stories can serve as both escapism and emotional “equalizer,” sometimes even more than comedies or romances.

The Complexity of “Evil” Acting

Timestamp: 13:17–13:53

• The conversation covers the varying approaches actors take to inhabiting dark roles:

  “Actors have different process…some people go deep method…that would seem to be dicey if you’re playing someone like Ed Gein or John Wayne Gacy…”
  — Elisa Donovan (13:22)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On playing villains:

  “It’s always more fun to play the bad guy, the bad girl.”
  — Elisa Donovan (07:28)

• On our need to categorize people:

  “No one likes the gray area…It makes us feel in control and then it makes us feel safe.”
  — Elisa Donovan (07:49–07:52)

• Humor about method acting:

  “That would seem to be dicey if you’re playing someone like Ed Gain Guy or whatever…”
  — Elisa Donovan (13:37)

• On forming new friendships:

  “When I meet somebody who also shares my passion for either horror movies or true crime, it’s like, we’re gonna get along.”
  — TJ Holmes (22:41)

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Killer Roles: Famous Female Criminals and Pop Culture

Timestamp: 18:41–21:31

• Amy and TJ ask Elisa which “evil woman” from history or true crime she’d want to play.
• Immediate answer: Rita Hayworth (not a killer, but a complex Hollywood figure).
• They then discuss the real-life cases of Aileen Wuornos and Lizzie Borden, and the rarity of infamous female killers compared to men.
• TJ and Amy note true crime cases often show women as highly intelligent and methodical.

  “Why do women kill?…crimes of passion…Or debt. It seems…money and independence.”
  — (Amy, Elisa, TJ, 21:03–21:14) “We don’t have the physical dominance. So, yes, we have to use our brains.”
  — Amy Robach (21:31)

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Behind the Mic: Why Podcasting, and Why Now?

Timestamp: 22:41–24:41

• TJ asks Elisa about podcasting as a new genre for actors.
• Elisa shares insights:

  “You have to actually be interested in having a conversation, like an exchange as opposed to…just question and answer.”
  — Elisa Donovan (23:17) “I love it so much because…I am genuinely curious about humanity and people, and I love connecting with people in an authentic way. So we don’t always, as an actor, you don’t always get to do that…”
  — Elisa Donovan (23:40)

• Amy agrees, noting how the medium offers new opportunities for connection and authenticity.

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Announcement: Killer Thriller Podcast

Timestamp: 03:37, 08:02, 24:41–26:45

• Amy, TJ, and Elisa reveal their collaboration on a new true crime series, Killer Thriller, under “Amy and TJ Presents.”

  “We now have Alisa Donovan working with us…launching together this new series where Elisa is going to be talking with, among many other subjects, but actors who portray some of the worst of the worst…”
  — TJ Holmes (03:37)

• Elisa expresses excitement at joining the team and bringing her curiosity and authenticity to a new podcasting format.
• The group closes with light-hearted banter about possible podcast spin-offs and Elisa’s recurring presence on their shows.

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Segment Timestamps

• 03:04: Elisa Donovan introduced; discussion about LA traffic and new podcast partnership.
• 04:37–05:59: Past roles, “good vs. evil” in acting, and the appeal of nuanced villains.
• 07:33–09:59: Why audiences and actors are drawn to true crime and evil characters.
• 10:28–13:13: True crime as catharsis, reassurance, and escapism.
• 18:41–21:31: Chat about notable female true crime figures and casting fantasies.
• 22:41–24:41: Elisa discusses podcasting and what draws her to the medium.
• 24:41–26:45: Announcement of Killer Thriller and closing remarks.

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Tone & Energy

The episode is relaxed, humorous, and candid, with plenty of banter and mutual admiration. The trio is introspective about darker themes but maintains warmth and wit throughout, making even serious subjects engaging and personable.

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Summary for New Listeners

If you’ve ever loved watching “mean girls” on TV, wondered why true crime stories fascinate us, or wanted to hear an actor’s perspective on diving into the dark side, this episode has it all. You’ll get the inside scoop on a brand new true crime podcast, enjoy unguarded, sometimes hilarious insights into acting and human nature, and see why Amy, TJ, and Elisa Donovan clearly have “bonded for life.”

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[TJ Holmes]

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[Amy Robach]

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[TJ Holmes]

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[Amy Robach]

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[TJ Holmes]

To learn more, visit faceafterweightloss.com that's faceafterweightloss.com.

[Podcast Announcer]

20Th Century Studios presents the upcoming comedy Ella McKay from Academy Award winning writer director James L. Brooks. Emma Mackey plays Ella McKay, an idealistic young woman who juggles her family and work life in a story about the people you love and how to survive them. Featuring all star cast including Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Loudon, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Adebiri, Julie Kavner. With Albert Brooks and Woody Harrelson. Ella McKay Only in theaters Friday.

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[Amy Robach]

Hey there folks. What do clueless 90210 and true crime have in common. Yeah, we weren't quite clear either until we got our new best friend in.

[Alisa Donovan]

The room with us.

[Amy Robach]

Welcome to this episode of Amy and tj. Yes. You hear that cackle in the background? That is not Amy Robach. This time we have robes. This is. I say new best friend. I know people use that loosely oftentimes, but we have now had an experience with someone that I think robes. This is. You go through things with people sometimes you got that person is going to be with me for life.

[TJ Holmes]

Exactly.

[Amy Robach]

So when you go through L. A traffic with somebody to the point that you have to get out and walk, you might be bonded for life.

[TJ Holmes]

Exactly. Because you have that shared experience. You know it. Alisa Donovan is with us and we are so excited because we are teaming up with Alisa on our other podcast, I guess. Are we. Are we amazing a podcast network now? Yeah, that's the goal. But on Amy and TJ Presents, we now have Alisa Donovan working with us and she is our true crime partner because we are launching together this new series where Elisa is going to be talking with, among many other subjects, but actors who portray some of the worst of the worst, the most evil folks, true crime and what that's like as an actor to go through and become someone who is hated, who is. I'm evil, really, for lack of a better term. But Aliso, I'm sorry, when I think of you, I don't think of evil. I don't think of true crime.

[Alisa Donovan]

I'm so glad. I'm so happy to hear that.

[TJ Holmes]

I think of, like, someone I love to watch. I mean, we're all products of the 90s.

[Amy Robach]

And wait, I thought her character, one of her characters was evil.

[TJ Holmes]

She was kind of bitchy.

[Alisa Donovan]

I mean, she played some not nice.

[TJ Holmes]

People, but in such a fun way. Like you love to hate your characters, right?

[Alisa Donovan]

Yeah.

[TJ Holmes]

How would you Describe Ginger from 90210?

[Alisa Donovan]

I mean, Ginger was probably. She did some bad things. I don't know if she's capable of necessarily killing anyone, but I think she. She'd do what she had to do to survive, that's for sure.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah, she. She took care of herself.

[Alisa Donovan]

Couple of hard seasons, maybe she'd get there, but.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, you know, have you, have you ever thought. I think we were talking to you earlier, you haven't played a real life person right before in terms of a. A killer type type of thing. You think he could. Do you think that? Or does it seem like you would have to go to a doctor?

[TJ Holmes]

Oh, I think I could. I think yeah.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yes. I think, you know, it's what we were saying. We all have all the parts in us, and I think it's a, you know, a mistake to think that we don't. And people get pushed places. And, you know, I've played plenty of people that are nothing like who I am. And so you just have to. You dive into it and you find. You always have to find the.

To me, you have to find the humanity. You have to find the lightness. And then if you're. Conversely, if you're playing a really happy, beautiful person, you should look for a little bit of the dark side so that you can make them a full human being, because we are all. We are full people. Right. And people would always say to me, oh, how come you always play these? You know, or kids? Especially, like when we were shooting Clueless and doing the series or Sabrina the Teenage Witch, I also played the kind of like, spice in the soup. Like, not great spice in the soup. I like that. And all kids would always come up to me and they would almost be. They'd come to set and visit, and they would almost be disappointed that I would. I would say you were nice. Hi, I'm Elisa. How are you? And they're like, oh, I am so surprised. Like, they're just surprised. And I think there's something to it that maybe I can play those people, because I am. I feel like I'm a nice person.

[TJ Holmes]

You are a nice person.

[Alisa Donovan]

And I think it helps. It just helps somehow, like, so that the. The underbelly. You're like, I can't hate her that much, maybe.

[TJ Holmes]

Is it fun to play someone? I. I won't say evil, but devious? Like, is it fun? I would think it's more fun, definitely, to play the spicy, for sure. Or not so nice person versus the, you know, the ingenue.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yes, the ingenue.

[TJ Holmes]

Kind to everyone. Which does that really even exist in the world?

[Podcast Announcer]

Right.

[Alisa Donovan]

I mean, we're all nuanced.

[TJ Holmes]

We are all nuanced for sure.

[Alisa Donovan]

And it's always more fun to play the. The bad guy, you know, the bad girl.

[TJ Holmes]

And what do you think it is about human nature? We've experienced this. I think anyone to a certain degree, his experience. We all want to put people in a role in real life, not just actors on a stage.

[Alisa Donovan]

We want to.

[TJ Holmes]

You're bad, you're good.

[Amy Robach]

Black and white.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yep.

[Amy Robach]

It's gotta be this or that.

[TJ Holmes]

No one likes the gray area. We all. Somehow it makes us feel.

[Alisa Donovan]

I think it makes us feel in control and Then it makes us feel safe. You want to be in control so that you can feel safe or, you know, a hierarchical situation where you can feel superior to people or something.

[TJ Holmes]

I think that's so true. So I didn't mention, by the way. So this new series on Amy and TJ Presents is called Killer Thriller. And I love the name, by the way. Why do you think. And we're all in the same group, and I think maybe a lot of people listening, if you are admitting it, we're all kind of into, I don't wanna say voyeurism, but we're all watching this. We're fascinated. We don't wanna be associated with it.

[Alisa Donovan]

Right.

[TJ Holmes]

Why do you think we all get such a. Like, maybe even a dopamine hit or some sort of a charge from watching these true crime stories in either in real time, in court trials or portrayed in some sort of a series?

[Alisa Donovan]

I think because we are fascinated by human nature and by the. How diverse we are as human beings. And how can someone do such a thing? Like, we need to try to understand it because it feels so.

And to your point, I don't know why it feels so foreign. Like, oh, I can't imagine that that would be. But the reality is these things happen often, and humanity is not. You know, I had a therapist once say to me, well, you know, humanity is not inherently kind. And I was like, really? And then I went, well, she's not wrong. She's not wrong.

[TJ Holmes]

Survive.

[Alisa Donovan]

Right?

[TJ Holmes]

Right. At all costs.

[Alisa Donovan]

That's depressing to hear. I mean, it kind of is. But then that's also sort of, you know, what's our. This, this human experience that we were talking about earlier? You know, what is our purpose as a human being? And it's. I believe it's too. We have to. There's some things we have to go through and that we were supposed to work through in this human life. And.

You know, there's. There's work to do and that's not. And that, that to me is sort of very hopeful because that sort of makes me feel like, oh, it's. It's a. It's almost an even playing field. Right? Because you look at it like what you have to go through is what you have to. What you have to go through is that you do what I do. Sometimes it'll cross, sometimes it won't. But then I can't really. I can't judge you for what your choices are, or I can't. But we do. Of course we do. Right.

[Amy Robach]

We talk about this A lot. That. That's so much. And Dr. Gardier, right. Talked about people are projecting. Like, people watch these things. They go, okay, least I'm not that bad. At least my life's not that fucked up.

[Alisa Donovan]

And, like, I feel pretty good about my life. Yes.

[Amy Robach]

How much of that do you think feeds into this fascination? Because so much of it.

[Alisa Donovan]

I mean, I think partly.

[Amy Robach]

Partly how much?

[Alisa Donovan]

Apart from what I'm watching it, I can say this is a little dark, but it's not too dark. Cause my mom is alive, but my mom was having surgery for cancer. She's had cancer twice. I stayed overnight in the night of the surgery in North Carolina. I. During that time, I was reading the Goldfinch. Do you remember this book?

[TJ Holmes]

Yes.

[Alisa Donovan]

This is.

[TJ Holmes]

This is a dark book.

[Alisa Donovan]

This is not a happy book.

[TJ Holmes]

No.

[Alisa Donovan]

Right.

[TJ Holmes]

It's not.

[Alisa Donovan]

And I was like, at least I am not living Goldfinch.

[TJ Holmes]

At least we all do that, though.

[Alisa Donovan]

In the hallway, I've got, like, my. My little portable wine leaving her room. Like, I'm just going to drink wine in the stairwell for a minute, come back into the room and, like, deal. But I was like, you know what? I have a lovely family. I have a mom who loves me. She is ill. People get ill. Like, this happens. You know what I mean? It was sort of like an equalizer. So, yeah, I do think that's part of it.

[TJ Holmes]

It's so funny because you mentioned cancer. When I was going through my own cancer, I remember the lightest moment, one of the happiest rays of just relief I had. I came back from the hospital, and my brother, who loves horror movies, like I do, surprised me. And what did we do? We sat down and we watched. It was streaming for the first time, the Conjuring. And it was such a relief for me. I was like, this is so. At least I'm not being. At least.

[Alisa Donovan]

I don't.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm not. I'm not. I don't have a demon inside me. Right. Like, I don't know. It was funny. It's almost a different perspective.

[Alisa Donovan]

It's almost a different escape. Like, people would say, oh, romantic comedy is its escapism, which it is to a degree. But then sometimes that can be really depressing.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah.

[Alisa Donovan]

Because you're like, God, I didn't. It didn't work out that way for.

[TJ Holmes]

I don't feel like laughing right now.

[Alisa Donovan]

Right.

[TJ Holmes]

But if I'm watching you now, who is. Yeah. Being terrorized by some evil entity? I feel like at least I'm at a better place right now. And I can actually feel sorry for you and not think about how sad my situation is. In a way, it's like deflecting, but.

[Alisa Donovan]

It'S entertaining right now.

[Amy Robach]

I didn't know.

[Alisa Donovan]

No, not right now.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm saying back in the day. Back in the day. No, but it is funny. Horror movies have been a, a source of comfort in a lot of ways. I know that sounds silly, maybe to a lot of folks, but that is just the truth.

[Amy Robach]

Not to this group, though.

[TJ Holmes]

Not to this group. And true crime. Yeah, it is one of those interesting things. And I do think as an actor, that would be one of the really fascinating, fun roles to play because hopefully it's a departure.

[Alisa Donovan]

Right.

[TJ Holmes]

Hopefully you're not drawing on real life experiences.

[Alisa Donovan]

Actors have different process processes. Right. So some people, you can't, they, they go deep method and they don't want to. They're that person all the time. I, you know, that would seem to be dicey if you're playing someone like.

Ed Gain Guy or whatever, you know.

[TJ Holmes]

That if you got John Wayne.

[Alisa Donovan]

John Wayne Gacy, you know, so I'm curious about all of that too.

[Cal Penn]

Hello.

[Eva Longoria]

Hello.

[Cal Penn]

I'm Malcolm Gladwell, host of the podcast smart talks with IBM. I recently sat down with IBM's chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna, and I asked him, how can companies use AI to its fullest potential to create smarter business? My one advice to them, pick areas you can scale. Don't pick the shiny little toys on the side. For example, if anybody has more than 10% of what they had for customer service 10 years ago, they're already five years behind it. If anybody is not using AI to make their developers who write software 30% more productive today with the goal of being 70% more productive.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yeah. Wow.

[Cal Penn]

So we are not asking our clients to be the first experiment on it. We say you can leverage what we did. We are happy to bring out all our learnings, including what needs to change in the process. Because the biggest change is not technology. It's getting people to accept that there's a different way to do things. To listen to the full conversation, visit IBM.com smarttalks.

[Podcast Announcer]

Twentieth Century Studios presents the upcoming comedy Ella McKay from Academy Award winning writer director James L. Brooks, whose legendary credits include as Good as It Gets, Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News and the Simpsons. Emma Mackey plays Ella McKay, a passionate, idealistic young woman who juggles her family and work life in a heartfelt comedy brimming with hope about the people you love and how to survive them. Ella is highly intelligent and caring, finding purpose in taking care of and defending others, whether that be the public or even more difficult, her family. Ella McKay features an all star cast including Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Loudon, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Adebiri, Julie Kavner, Spike Fern, Rebecca Hall. With Albert Brooks and Woody Harrelson, it's a perfect holiday comedy about an imperfect family. Ella McKay. Only in theaters this Friday. Get your tickets now.

[TJ Holmes]

A GLP one helped you lose weight, but now you're noticing unwanted facial changes.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, the weight came off, but facial volume loss and dull sagging skin are making you look older. That's where the next phase of your weight loss journey comes in.

[TJ Holmes]

There's before weight loss, after, after weight loss, and then the after after.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. Help restore and refresh your facial skin and reclaim your natural looking youthful glow.

[TJ Holmes]

To learn more, visit face afterweightloss.com that's face after weight loss dot com.

[Ed Helms]

Hey, everyone. Ed Helms here.

[Cal Penn]

And hi, I'm Kal Penn and we're the hosts of Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Ed Helms]

This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the I Heart podcast. I choose me to discuss the new Audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?

[Alisa Donovan]

You know what? I can see you as Mr. Darcy. You got a little call in first.

[Ed Helms]

Okay, that's really sweet. I appreciate that. But are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennet here.

Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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[Amy Robach]

Do you have somebody you want to play? Do you.

[TJ Holmes]

Is there a historical. Such a good question.

[Amy Robach]

Figure.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yes. Rita Hayworth.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Who?

[TJ Holmes]

Rita Hayworth.

[Alisa Donovan]

But she's half Spanish, so it would really be right for me to play Rita Hayworth.

[TJ Holmes]

Just an old school Hollywood.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yes. Hollywood dancer. An actress. She's an incredible story. But she is half Spanish, so it probably wouldn't really be right for me.

[TJ Holmes]

No, it wouldn't work.

[Alisa Donovan]

Who else would I want to play?

[Amy Robach]

I think about historical character. Like Lizzie.

[Alisa Donovan]

Oh, like. Oh, like Lizzie Borden.

Yeah. Rita Hammers didn't murder anybody. No.

[TJ Holmes]

We want to know what evil person you would like to play.

[Amy Robach]

Evil person. Woman. If even if it was in a snapped episode you saw, what woman have you seen that was batshit nuts that did something crazy that you would like?

[Alisa Donovan]

Wow.

[Amy Robach]

I would love a go at that.

[Alisa Donovan]

I'd love a go at that. I mean, Aileen Wuornos was pretty crazy.

[TJ Holmes]

Who's that?

[Alisa Donovan]

Please tell us who that is. I mean, it's sort of already been done because she won an Oscar. Charlize won an Oscar for it.

[Amy Robach]

Oh, yes.

[Alisa Donovan]

But Lizzie Borden.

[TJ Holmes]

Lizzie Borden. That was a good one.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[Amy Robach]

I mean, what historic. Like women. Female.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yeah. See, here's the thing. Aren't too many.

[TJ Holmes]

There aren't many. No. You know what I was thinking like Salem witch trials, but those weren't. Those were just poor women who are being demons.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yeah. Those are women that are being.

[TJ Holmes]

Whatever reason they were. But there aren't that many female serial killers. There just aren't.

[Alisa Donovan]

Yeah, there aren't. It's predominantly men.

[Sophie Cunningham]

I can't.

[TJ Holmes]

I was just trying to think of another. Like there's Black Widow. I don't have their kind of women.

[Amy Robach]

There was a one, the woman in Florida that was a serial killer and she. Right. We know these nurses.

[TJ Holmes]

Nurses.

[Amy Robach]

There's been a bunch of stuff.

[TJ Holmes]

We love nurses, by the way. Nothing against nurses, but if you do watch Snapped or any of these other real life drama like crime stories, the women who are murderers do tend to be like, they're highly intelligent.

[Amy Robach]

Yes.

[TJ Holmes]

But they have access and they have medical knowledge which allows them to almost get away with it. However.

[Amy Robach]

Or they have gambling problems or they have credit card issues.

[Alisa Donovan]

They have credit card.

[Amy Robach]

And this is why women kill. Women don't kill. From what we see.

[Alisa Donovan]

Seen.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. Why do women kill you all?

[Alisa Donovan]

Crimes of passion.

[Sophie Cunningham]

No.

[Amy Robach]

For what you all.

[Alisa Donovan]

Or debt. Or debt. It seems that you're saying why is it women?

[TJ Holmes]

Money and independence. It's money and independence. They want to be free.

[Alisa Donovan]

Independence, Right.

[TJ Holmes]

Free of whomever. And they will do what they need to do to have their independence.

[Amy Robach]

It's usually planned, right?

[Alisa Donovan]

Oh, yeah.

[Amy Robach]

Overpower a guy in the moment.

[Alisa Donovan]

Methodical and very scary. Like, we have to be. We have to be smarter.

[Amy Robach]

Scary.

[TJ Holmes]

We don't have the physical dominance. So, yes, we have to use our brains. That is what ends up happening.

[Amy Robach]

So you're smiling. There might be a plan in place.

[Alisa Donovan]

That's how we do it also, we smile.

[TJ Holmes]

Honestly. Honestly. You love to watch the ones where the women are the killers. And that always makes me nervous because I'm always thinking, do you sleep with one eye open? Are you worried about me? Do you get this in your head where you're thinking, if I piss Amy off enough, will she head in this direction?

[Amy Robach]

So it won't always happen? You're usually asleep before I am, and I am awake before.

[TJ Holmes]

There's a reason why you're no dummy.

[Amy Robach]

I am. You rarely asleep.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm not medically trained, though, so you're lucky. I do have a brother who's a doctor, so I could have access to some sort of information if I needed to ask him for a friend about something. But, yes, you can rest assured, I know nothing. And I hate needles.

[Amy Robach]

So, Elise, will you come home with us anytime?

[Alisa Donovan]

I will, please, any time. I am not kidding. I like what a happy. I was say happy accident. That's not the right word, but. Well, the accident was being in the car. Yes, but, like, I'm. I am thrilled to. That I've connected so well with the two of you because, you know, you never know.

[TJ Holmes]

You never know. But I do think we share the true crime. I do find that when I meet somebody and DJ and I had this experience when I meet somebody who also shares my passion for either horror movies or true crime, it's like, we're gonna get along. We're gonna get along. We have a similar mindset and a similar way of looking at the world that just ends up making conversation easy and fun. I'm curious if what you. How you feel. You're an actress. You have had an amazing career. How you feel about podcasting? Like, it's a whole other genre. It is.

[Alisa Donovan]

So we were. I've obviously spoken with the two of you about this and a couple of other people like D. Danielle Fishel, Will Friedel, and like, about how and. Because I notice what it is that makes things successful and it sounds simple, but I know it's not. It's that you really have to have one. You have to like to talk to people. You have to actually be interested in having a conversation, like an exchange as opposed to a. You ask a question and I answer it. You know, it actually is a. Is a discussion. Right. And so. And then it has to be authentic, but then you also have to, like, you know, get stuff done. You gotta, like, answer some questions. Like, you gotta get somewhere. But, like, those other two pieces are the key pieces, I think. And I love it so much because I love. I. I am genuinely curious about humanity and people, and I love connecting with people in an authentic way. So we don't always, you know, as an actor, you don't always get to do that. It's a. It's a totally. Which sounds. Maybe that sounds odd, but it's true. You know, depending on what the circumstances are, sometimes it's. Things are going very fast. You've got a time issue. There's a lot of things, you know, like, you just. It's. It's a different experience. So this is, like, it excites me. Like, it interests me, because you don't quite know where you're going to go.

[TJ Holmes]

You know, but you're leading the way. You are the one who is asking the questions. You are producing basically your own show. So this is very exciting. We're so excited to have you on board.

[Alisa Donovan]

Super excited. I'm so excited to see where it goes and to be, you know, that thing of actually getting to know someone and being there is some spontaneity to it like that you have to do the prep and know what you're talking about and who you're speaking to, but everybody is going to be different. And that. That excites me.

[Amy Robach]

Well, folks, look forward. Every week we'll have new fresh updates from Alisa Donovan on Amy and TJ Presents on that feed. We will absolutely be calling on you. This wasn't a part of the plan and the deal, but I hope we can call on you to come chat with us about whatever.

[Alisa Donovan]

I am all in.

[Amy Robach]

Anytime.

[Alisa Donovan]

True crime. I would love it. Anytime. Maybe we should start another podcast in the car, like the taxi one, you know, just like in the car. Bring people in the car, chat.

[TJ Holmes]

Have. Get out. Parents of daughters.

[Alisa Donovan]

Parents of daughters. There's so many.

[TJ Holmes]

Because we had a lot of conversations about parents of daughters.

[Alisa Donovan]

It's the best. It's the best.

[TJ Holmes]

It's a lot. It's a learning experience, at least.

[Amy Robach]

It's an absolute pleasure. We're just getting started, but we can't say enough genuinely. We wouldn't. We don't have to. Look, we're used to bullshitting. We can just fake it here if we have to at times, but this is not one of those cases. It is genuinely treat and a pleasure and an honor to be able to spend the time we've had and we've only had about two hours with you now.

[Alisa Donovan]

Thank you.

[Amy Robach]

But we're looking forward to and thank you for being willing to come on board and work with us. So thank you. Thank you, thank you. And folks, it's.

[Alisa Donovan]

I am thrilled.

[Amy Robach]

Killer, thriller or thriller? Killer.

[TJ Holmes]

It's killer. Thriller. I can see how that Amy and TJ presents Killer Thriller with Elisa Donovan.

[Amy Robach]

Wait, wait. Thriller. Killer. Doesn't make sense.

[TJ Holmes]

Killer. Thriller.

[Amy Robach]

Thriller.

[Alisa Donovan]

Killer.

[Amy Robach]

I'm thriller. I'm in a Michael Jackson movie, right? That's not right.

[TJ Holmes]

Don't get that in people's heads.

[Amy Robach]

Thriller. Killer.

[TJ Holmes]

No, it's killer. Thriller.

[Alisa Donovan]

Killer.

[TJ Holmes]

No, it's killer.

[Alisa Donovan]

You will do the song. You'll do the song. You'll do the. Yeah.

[Amy Robach]

Alisa Donovan, everybody. We love you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, folks. We appreciate you, as always, spending some time with us for my dear, lovely Amy Robach. I'm TJ Holmes. We will talk to y' all soon.

[Cal Penn]

Hey, audiobook lovers. I'm Cal Penn.

[Ed Helms]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Cal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[Ed Helms]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from Audible.

[Cal Penn]

Listen to Hearsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today.

[TJ Holmes]

TJ, did you know there's clothing that can actually move your body in real time while improving your posture and your back health?

[Amy Robach]

So, like a posture gadget of some kind?

[TJ Holmes]

No, it's called Form. Form Science engineers smart posture clothing for your health and confidence. It's worn by Taylor Swift, Oprah, Olympians and orthopedic surgeons. All you have to do is wear it and it will change your posture whole body literally instantly on its own. Like autopilot.

[Amy Robach]

Oh, come on. That simple.

[TJ Holmes]

Exactly. It's perfect for work, travel, sports, or even sleep. And it's made in the usa. Invest in your health and confidence. Check it out at Forum Science. That's F O R M E Science. Or on Instagram at Form Science.

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

What a matchup.

[Amy Robach]

We got, y'.

[Alisa Donovan]

All.

[Coca Cola Advertiser]

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Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere. And in ice cream, cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Eva Longoria]

Amazon five Star Theater presents real customer reviews, performed by Eva Longoria. Tonight's review, sports briefs.

[TJ Holmes]

Oh boy.

[Eva Longoria]

Where do I even start? Start with these performance mesh boxer briefs. These boxer briefs are like a magician's trick. You know the one where you go, where did that rabbit come from? So if you're looking for underwear that not only performs well, but also gives your package the attention it deserves, then look no further. 5 stars. Nickalicious. Shop the perfect gift this holiday season on Amazon. Amazon.

[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don't sleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lily, a medicine company.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.