← Baby, this is Keke Palmer
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- [00:00]
Keke Palmer
Well, well, well. You'd never guess who we've got swinging by the podcast today. Some of y' all know him as the hot wing expert. Others know him as one of the fiercest interviewers in the game. And me, I might know him as a potential future suitor. Yes, my boo. Sean Evans is in the building. Sean is the Chief Creative Officer of First We Feast and the host of Hot Ones. And with over 4 billion views, an Emmy nomination, and being named one of Time 100's most influential creators. Safe to say, he clearly knows how to connect. So today we're getting into the art of interviewing. How you ask the right questions, build real connections and create moments people actually feel. And also how you navigate public perception. Especially when you're trying to protect yourself and your craft. So let's bring the heat. Cause baby, this is Keke Palmer. And baby, this is Sean Evans. No matter what we doing in the car, just chilling, pop on Amazon music, sit back and listen. Life, love, sex, science, covering it all, especially the bad. Cause money always evolved. No matter what it is, we gonna make it make sense. Nothing else to do but kick it with the homies and kings. So grab you a drink and a snack you enjoy. And get into the vibe that only wants you know it's your girl. This is Kiki, baby. This is Kiki Palma. Yeah. Today's episode is brought to you by the new drinks at McDonald's. Six new drinks, crafted sodas with cold foam. Refreshers with popping boba and freeze dried fruit. And trust. They are giving everything. Now let's get into today's show. Sean.
- [01:47]
Sean Evans
Hey there. Good to see you.
- [01:53]
Keke Palmer
I'm on your side of the road.
- [01:54]
Sean Evans
I know, I know.
- [01:55]
Keke Palmer
Come on. How have you been feeling in New York? The weather's been nice.
- [01:58]
Sean Evans
It is. Spring's starting. I feel good. It's good to be here. Good to see you on a Friday afternoon. I know.
- [02:03]
Keke Palmer
I was so excited and I'm so thrilled for our game. He has no idea what it's gonna be. But you did do these pre show pull up questions. So I'm gonna get into this. Wait a minute. Your zodiac sign. You're Taurus.
- [02:15]
Sean Evans
Yes.
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Keke Palmer
Your moon is Scorpio. I feel that. I felt that.
- [02:19]
Sean Evans
You knew that.
- [02:20]
Keke Palmer
I could feel that.
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Sean Evans
You know who helped me figure Sza actually figured this stuff out for me?
- [02:23]
Keke Palmer
You must. You told her you're not.
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Sean Evans
Your time, my time, the date, the location, all of the things.
- [02:29]
Keke Palmer
You have a lot of good stuff going on. You have a rising in Libra. I do feel That I see you always having a nice look on your aesthetic is always good. That's what we know about Libra.
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Sean Evans
Yeah. Yeah. I was hoping you.
- [02:39]
Keke Palmer
Scorpio. A little mystery, you know, Very, very. Always can get what they need to get done done, you know, like, this is the goal, and then Taurus. Do you feel stubborn at times?
- [02:53]
Sean Evans
Certain in certain things? That's what I always feel like filling out these sorts of things. Well, like, I don't know. I guess sometimes sense to me.
- [02:59]
Keke Palmer
But yeah, I mean, that's how astrology can be. Like, it's. Sometimes it's, like, on the nose, and other times, like, this could be anybody on any given day.
- [03:05]
Sean Evans
Do you know what I think I do? I think I have, like, a strong gut on something, and then if something doesn't feel right, like, my body physically, like, won't let me do it, you know, I do think that there is, like, a real, like, wall. Like, I think that there is a certain Taurus stubbornness. I guess if I was to diagnose it also.
- [03:21]
Keke Palmer
That sounds like discernment, too. Sounds like you have a really good intuition with yourself, and you're like, oh, no, I ain't going there. That's good. Your love language, quality time, and words of affirmation. Now, is this what you want to hear or this is how you give it out?
- [03:36]
Sean Evans
I think it's reciprocal. I think it's both ways. I think that's what works for me. And then I think that that's also how I express it.
- [03:43]
Keke Palmer
I also do want words, you know, I feel like I show it with physical touch and quality time. I feel like that's. And acts of service. I feel like that's probably how I'm giving it out. But how I want to receive it is tell me that I'm great.
- [03:56]
Sean Evans
I'm checking some boxes. Then
- [04:00]
Keke Palmer
you must tell me. You must tell me what's a question you wished you were asked more in interviews? I mean, you're always interviewing.
- [04:07]
Sean Evans
Yeah. You know, I think it's interesting because no one really talks to me about doing actual interviews. You know, when I sit down and do interviews, people are always like, oh, like, what's the craziest thing that happens on hot ones? Like, how's your stomach doing? Like, those sorts of questions. But I never really get, like, questions about doing interviews, which I find interesting.
- [04:25]
Keke Palmer
I'm very excited because that's actually all my questions. Who is someone that you met that made you feel starstruck? This was really cool to me. Gordon Ramsay never knew you liked Chefs like that.
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Sean Evans
Well, I think it was because when we shot with him, there was such Internet peer pressure to push us into a room together. Like, I felt bad doing Hot Ones because every time we'd be like, this week on Hot Ones, all of our comments would be like, when are you having Gordon Ramsay on the show? And then same with him. Like, his Instagram was just full of like, when are you doing Hot Ones? So I felt like the Internet kind of peer pressured us into a room together. So it had this elevated importance to it. Like a real kind of playoff game, like a YouTube Super bowl kind of feeling to it. So then when he walked into the room, plus, you have those expectations that he's going to tear our wings apart. You know, like, you have that he's going to, like, be. Be a force.
- [05:11]
Keke Palmer
How was it, though, actually? Because I feel like I didn't see this app.
- [05:15]
Sean Evans
He, to me, is a teddy bear. Like, I love him so much. I feel like he's like a showbiz uncle to me at this point. So it was like, breaking all that down. But, like, seeing him in the room, I was like, oh, my gosh, it's happening.
- [05:25]
Keke Palmer
That's crazy. And then you also said Conan o', Brien, David Letterman, Viola Davis, and Cate Blanchett. Great taste.
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Sean Evans
Thank you.
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Keke Palmer
All these people are, like, exceptional in their lane.
- [05:37]
Sean Evans
Well, I think that's why, you know, like, if, like, Cate Blanchett or, like, Viola Davis is going to come in and do Hot Ones, I'm always like, how do we book? How did this happen? Do they know what they're getting themselves into? So that, I think, adds to it. Conan. I was such a fan of growing up. So then when it comes full circle, like this person who I grew up watching their show, and now they're on mine, there's something about that that's crazy. And then David Letterman is crazy. Yeah. To me, like, the earliest core memories I have in my life was watching Letterman with my dad. That was, like, the fun thing that we do when my mom was out of town. Like, the fun, like, naughty, like, the boys being boys kind of thing. And then I met him last year, I did Conan o' Brien's Kennedy Center Honors for the Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy. There's, like, a dinner beforehand, and I'm looking at the. I'm looking at the, you know, name
- [06:25]
Keke Palmer
tags around the plates. Like, who's sitting here?
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Sean Evans
And I'm like, damn, I'm at a good table. You know, like, that's John Mulaney, Adam Sandler. And then like across, across the way was David Letterman. And then when he walked in, because he's like later than everybody, like sits down, I remember he grabs a dinner roll out middle of the table, throws it at Conan across the restaurant. And I was like, whoa.
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Keke Palmer
Like, that's him, you know, and that's you up in that, at that table with them. I mean, you are, you know, I mean, but it makes sense because of what you've been able to do within our generation and in this space. I mean, that's, that's what we'll be looking at. 20 years. I'm sitting up there with Shawn Evans, you know what I mean? Well, let's go back to the beginning because you're also a Midwesterner like myself. You're from Crystal Lake, Illinois and I'm from Robbins, Illinois. I don't know what, what's Crystal Lake's vibe? Is it very cornfields?
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Sean Evans
It's like the last sub suburb. I feel like, I think like beyond that it's all cornfields, but it's pretty far out. You know, it's like an hour, 20 minute drive.
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Keke Palmer
Is this north?
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Sean Evans
Is this northwest? Northwest, Northwest. Okay, Metro, Union, Pacific, Northwest. Take it almost to the end of the line.
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Keke Palmer
So growing up there was like, it
- [07:28]
Sean Evans
was actually like an awesome child of the 90s experience. Now that I look back on it, it was very much a ride my bike around the neighborhood, little League kind of experience. And I remember the street that I grew up on, everybody had kids that were all within three years of each other. So it was like, oh, they're playing basketball in the driveway over here, they're skateboarding over there. There's a super Soaker fight in the backyard over here. You know, there was always like stuff going on. And I do look back and think of it as kind of like the quintessential 90s suburban experience.
- [08:00]
Keke Palmer
I mean, I do think John Hughes got it right.
- [08:02]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Right out of that. And like John Hughes also, you know, like from that area too, or is like making movies, at least in that area. So I think that like the John Hughes vibe did kind of track with my experience growing up.
- [08:16]
Keke Palmer
I do feel like growing up in the Midwest is like such a dope, like, way to grow up. What do you feel like is the most Midwestern thing about you to. Even to this day?
- [08:23]
Sean Evans
I think it's like my mom was the nicest person I've ever known. And I think that that kind of rubs off where there's always this kind of make sure I'm not stepping on anyone's toes. Make sure I'm not rocking the boat, like, is everybody okay? Sort of a thing that I think I still have to this day. And I also think that it gave me the ability to kind of sit at any lunch table. You know, when I was growing up in high school, like, I felt like, you know, you'd have friends from this group, like these guys on the football team, like these guys who do plays.
- [08:54]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
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Sean Evans
These guys who are musical, like, whatever. So I think all of those things kind of informed what I do now, which is always trying to catch a rhythm with other people's personalities and doing mostly celebrity interviews. So you're going to have big personalities. And I think a lot of that was shaping in, in a way.
- [09:11]
Keke Palmer
I mean, you're very quick on your feet, and you talk about watching, like, David Letterman or even Howard Stern growing.
- [09:16]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah.
- [09:17]
Keke Palmer
What tactics do you think you were picking up that you use in your style of journalism?
- [09:22]
Sean Evans
Well, I think there's different things. Like, I don't know. I. I do think I have, like, my own style, but I think a thing that I pick up on is Letterman had this kind of irreverence, especially later on in his career, where, you know, he's got this like, big, huge show. But I think he'd more or less. This is just my take on it. But he'd more or less, like, stop the kind of like, RA wars with Leno and just kind of would be himself out there and almost had, like, an irreverent view of, like, his own job in a way, which I always liked too. Which I always like to like. Looking back now is like, not taking what I do too seriously. Like, ultimately, at the end of the day, I'm a chicken wing talk show host, you know, and I should just kind of lean in and embrace that side of it and, like, not try to make it too big. And I think that's something that stuck with me from Letterman. And then I think in Howard, it was just the kind of way that he kind of lull you into a web, you know, that you didn't even know that you're really, like, leaning into.
- [10:14]
Keke Palmer
You are excellent at that. Because what I love so much, watching you, even though I'm in the experience, obviously, having been interviewed by you several times, is like, you say you have your own style of that same sentiment where you have an arc that you're building from the beginning with everything that you've pulled that brings around to the conversation you're deciding to have with that Artist with that person about themselves.
- [10:38]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
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Keke Palmer
I mean, do you decide when you're going to have somebody on that? This is what I think about them. This is what I want people to at least learn or know about them and this is how I'm going to get there.
- [10:47]
Sean Evans
Or. Yeah. I mean, it's. It is a funny thing that you're filling out. Like, it's a funny thing to think about or how you kind of chess match it or how the Tetris blocks kind of stack on top of each other. Because I guess when I'm looking at it, there's. I'll marinate in somebody's life for a week, if I have a week before I sit down with them. Walk a mile in their shoes. And then you do. Lot of armchair psychology when you're doing that. You're kind of like trying to figure this person out, but then you don't want to overly put them in a box because all of the things that you're watching from them is like a version of them in a box, you know?
- [11:19]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Right.
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Sean Evans
So you want to think about, how do I, like, well, what do I find interesting about this. This person? What am I naturally just intellectually curious about? That should lead. And then how am I going to show a different side that isn't already represented in all these things? And that could be a risk. You know, like, sometimes that works out, sometimes that doesn't. But I. It's worth going there because then you're going to have a different vibe on the other side of it. And then that's why I think, you know, in addition to the wings, it is that interview trying to meet the guest halfway so they're always eating the next wing that I think ultimately gives Hot Ones that kind of. What's it like to have a beer with this person Show.
- [11:56]
Keke Palmer
Exactly. And getting them out of there. Almost like how comedy or horror can act in film and TV where it gets you off your feet, but not in a negative way. Like, it's always so positive with Hot Ones, but you're still kind of knocking that person off their feet because with that wing, you can't. You gotta. You gotta. Can't think too much, right?
- [12:11]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah, yeah. The PR training goes out the window when you're just trying to survive out there.
- [12:15]
Keke Palmer
Exactly. I mean, when this idea came to you, you're working at Complex. Like, tell me the story. They come in with this idea. I think it's. What is it? Chris.
- [12:23]
Sean Evans
Chris Schoenberg.
- [12:24]
Keke Palmer
Chris Schoenberger, yeah. So he comes in and says, hey, I want you to eat wings with folks.
- [12:27]
Sean Evans
So really how it worked out is we were at complex and back in 2015, 2014, that started this wave where every magazine became a YouTube channel. So in order to keep our jobs, we had to come up with some sort of video product. And then Chris and I were honestly just like water cooler buddies in the office. Like, we would just always be chatting and had a good vibe. And first we feast at that time was just a written blog. It was winning James Beard awards and stuff. It was cool. It was like this blog at the intersection of food and pop culture. But it was kind of if you know, you know, sort of a thing. So he had to come up with a video product. We were talking about things for a while. We were in the complex office, so celebrities would be walking the halls all the time. So we were like, like, maybe a celebrity interview show would be viable just because of our proximity to it. And then, you know, we needed like a food element because it was a food brand. We had this idea that celebrity interview shows are kind of boring. Why are they boring? Everyone's in kind of a PR driven flight pattern. What could we do to disrupt it? And he said, he was like, well, what if we had the meat Scorching hot chicken wings over the course of the interview as a way to break them down? And I was like, you're a genius. And we ordered a pizza and started hammering out what a pilot would look like and working on the pitch and then shot the pilot with Tony Yayo from G Unit.
- [13:39]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
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Sean Evans
Our first ever guest. And that was like 11 years ago. And we haven't stopped shooting them since.
- [13:48]
Keke Palmer
And I remember, I think I did. Mine's in 2016, so.
- [13:50]
Sean Evans
Yeah. Yeah. You were early wave for the first time. I remember when they first told me
- [13:54]
Keke Palmer
about this show, I'm like, what the hell is this show? You know what I mean? But I was down. Cause it was so cool. And like you said, it was all at this beginning place. And I'm so curious of what you feel and what you think about it, because you are a part of shaping this as well. The conversation around pop culture media, this meta narrative thing that's going on that I don't think we have all the answers to. But it's happening because we came up at the height of reality TV and then social media being 90s babies. Like, what are your thoughts about that as it pertains to what you're providing into the culture? Like, how do you view it?
- [14:28]
Sean Evans
Yeah, I. I mean, I think I'm Just like a star in the constellation of it all, you know, like, now there's so much of it. You know, when we first started, there was only a couple. Couple Internet celebrity interview shows, maybe like two or three, you know, and now there's like 20 of them. And they're all good. You know, I think a lot of them are really good right now, and then you still have the late night. So I think that what's happening right now is you have, you know, what's going on culturally where it's like everybody's in kind of smaller pockets of, like, watching and absorbing things tailored specifically to their tastes and interests. And I think that that's, like, the future of it is just. Just a lot of small studios that are, rather than, you know, like sort of monoculture going out, and everybody's seeing them, like, I don't know, just like, smaller camps, I guess.
- [15:15]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. And people getting to choose more. I think before we were forced because we just had this way of viewing media that whatever they told us was the best thing was the best thing, which could be true, or it's always subjective. But now you. You know, you can just go find whatever it is. I think there's a lot of. There's something that's empowering about that. But then also we run into the thing where it's like, how do I find the thing?
- [15:35]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah. And. And I miss a culture kind of thing, you know, where, like, we could all talk and there's, like, you know, like, movie references that we all understand or, like, things going on in shows that everybody can talk about. And that's obviously different now, and I'm not sure it's coming back.
- [15:48]
Keke Palmer
I know it's. It's weird, but I'm excited to see where, you know, where it goes and how to be a part of it. What's something about you day to day that would surprise people who watch your work all the time?
- [15:57]
Sean Evans
You know, I. I don't know if it surprised anybody. I'm just like a routine person, you know, like, really.
- [16:06]
Keke Palmer
So waking up in the morning, what you doing?
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Sean Evans
Gym.
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Keke Palmer
Come on, Jim.
- [16:10]
Sean Evans
First thing. Yeah. Like, let's say I don't have a shoot that day, and I'm not traveling that day or don't have an event or whatever. Gym in the morning. Like an hour lift, 30 cardio, hit the sauna, Then I'm at Whole Foods. I'm getting the hot bar. Like, that's what I'm eating that day. I'm going back to my. I'm going Back to my apartment. I'm working with my editor Colin for a couple of hours. Then I'm gonna do some research on whoever I'm interviewing that week for a couple more hours. And then I'm going to smoke a joint, watch a college basketball game and go to bed.
- [16:43]
Keke Palmer
This is the I'm a good man schedule. Okay? Everything was doom, doom, doom, doom, doom. But I love what you said about if I don't have anything going on, because those are like the perfect days.
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Sean Evans
Yeah, right, right, right. Otherwise, fewer and far between these days,
- [16:56]
Keke Palmer
man, they really are. Cause you're. I feel like first we feast. I feel like the. That hot ones was first. We're in one place, people come da da, da. But I mean, I just did it with you. We was in LA and we going with you going there. Like when you think about the success of the show, at any point was it scary? Did it feel like it's falling away from you? How do you maintain what it was in the beginning as it grows so massively?
- [17:20]
Sean Evans
Yeah, there's a lot to unpack there. There are certain times where I can get nostalgic about the beginning and how it's just me and Chris in a dream and us against the world and always traveling together and then putting everything into weekly episodes and then seeing the growth and the climb and all of the excitement from that and like catching your first white whale guest and breaking a million subscribers and like all of these things that happen and then I think the deeper and longer you go, these achievements that before would like make your entire week just become mile markers that you're like passing on the highway or something. And I miss that side of it, that sort of the youthful ambition and the delusion and the excitement of all of that. But then also too like time also gives you a much healthier mindset with the whole thing or experience or stacking it up, you know, where, you know, like you have some years where you crush it and everything's crazy. And then you have a year where things are down and you think it's the end. But then like when you go through it and you have enough, it's just like, oh, well, this is a. It all es and flows.
- [18:26]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, Changes.
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Sean Evans
And it's not like this sort of non stop trajectory up, you know, like you, you take two steps forward, one step back, three steps forward, two steps back, you know, like it becomes this kind of dance. And I'm now like, I think that's given me a better healthier mindset on the whole thing. So now I just really only look at things as the next challenge or the next assignment or the next thing. I really think I've become like a PAC man who's always just like eating the next pebble. And like that I think has been healthy because I'm just like, you know what? If this interview is good enough, then they'll pay me to do another one. And if that's good enough, then they'll pay me to do another one. And that's kind of how I started. And that's still to this day is what fuels me, I guess.
- [19:07]
Keke Palmer
Did you ever have an end goal? Did you ever say, well, you know, I would love to be able to be doing, you know, I would love to have my own radio. I would show. I would love to have, like, were there any things for you that, that were in the beginning and that still stand for where you want to go?
- [19:21]
Sean Evans
You know, I think I've done so many laps around any expectation that I ever had for myself that it's all house money at this point, you know, like, like I never dreamed as big as I live, you know.
- [19:32]
Keke Palmer
Oh my gosh. And it's so cool.
- [19:33]
Sean Evans
I don't aspire for anything bigger, to be honest with you. I think I've gotten more out of it than I ever deserve. So, like, from this point forward, I think there's responsibility to the audience who's been so loyal to us for so long, and that keeps me motivated. There's a responsibility to my guests, you know, these people who've achieved amazing things and have stories to tell. And I owe it to them to make sure that I have what's hopefully a thoughtful, career spanning interview when I sit down with them and I'm prepared for it. But other than that, that like, I don't look at anybody in Hollywood, anybody in the entire landscape and say, like, oh, I'd rather have that or I want that next or whatever. Like, I really wouldn't trade places with anybody. I'm very comfortable in the Lazy Boy that I'm in.
- [20:13]
Keke Palmer
That's that Midwest straight up. Now, you were also a, a copywriter in Chicago. I was like, look, I was doing my research.
- [20:22]
Sean Evans
Yeah, you were.
- [20:23]
Keke Palmer
I tried to get on too.
- [20:23]
Sean Evans
You went deep.
- [20:24]
Keke Palmer
Sean Evans of it all. What type of stuff would you write about?
- [20:29]
Sean Evans
So actually it was like, it was like the city's tourism agency was called Choose Chicago. I don't know what it's called now. Maybe it's still called Choose Chicago, but sometimes I'll see the billboards up in New York but it's like, basically working for the city to promote the city of Chicago on a tourism level. So if you ever see, like in New York, you go to a bus stop and there's some sort of aerial shot of Lake Michigan and the beach and the weather and like, they're like, visit Chicago, you know, it was doing that sort of stuff.
- [20:56]
Keke Palmer
Wow. So if you're a copywriter today, what would you be right about?
- [20:59]
Sean Evans
I don't know. That's the other side of it too, is like, I don't even know. Like, it's like, oh, if you didn't have this job, what would you be doing? I would not be. I was not a great copywriter. You know what I mean? I had to get out of there. But I don't know if I do anything. I can only eat wings and ask questions. I think that's it. I'm doing exactly what I'm meant to do.
- [21:18]
Keke Palmer
What is the trick of getting somebody, aside from the wings of it all, to get comfortable and talk the way that they do on Hot Bloods?
- [21:25]
Sean Evans
I think it's a good question. We could probably collab on this answer, you know, baby.
- [21:31]
Keke Palmer
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- [22:39]
Sean Evans
But I think in a lot of these cases, the interviews that I'm doing are dependent on the generosity of the guest, you know, and the effort of the guest, you know, of meeting me halfway. And I think, you know, if you walk into an interview setting and you can tell that someone has done the research, they care about. About the things that you've made, or they. They care about telling your story, then you're gonna extend for that person more so than if you felt like it was just a scratch and repeat kind of interview, you know? So I always think that, yes, we have a lot of hoops that people are jumping through. Like, we were having, like, oh, the next wing is homegrown hell. Like, if you, you know, how am I gonna get that person to extend for me? Like, how am I gonna get that person to have. Have a good attitude and eat the next wing? You know, like, how am I going to keep them tethered to the format of the show? And I think it's through that effort on our side on doing the interview where, like, hopefully the guest, even if they're not enjoying the wings so much or they're enjoying the interview more than they do most interviews. So I think that that's always the goal in that, or that's always the way to thread the needle. The other thing that I think about is it's so crazy to do an interview on camera, right? Like, everything about it is crazy. I'm meeting somebody, usually for the first time, and in that, we have to create this rhythm, this energy, this sense of trust, this chemistry. And then we're doing it in this ridiculous context of having all these cameras pointed at us and then presenting it publicly.
- [24:08]
Keke Palmer
Like, really?
- [24:08]
Sean Evans
That should fail, like, 95% of the time, you know?
- [24:12]
Keke Palmer
So true. It's so awkward.
- [24:14]
Sean Evans
So I think that coming in prepared and, like, having all of that as a backstop and then hoping for the best is the best chance to make that all work. Or at least that's what I've taught myself.
- [24:25]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, I mean, it makes me think about what you said with the whole David Letterman thing, is that there's a. There's an element to that that keeps it grounded. That the awareness that you have that even your personality is. When we're having these conversations with you, it's kind of like, hey, this is just a thing. And it makes it feel a little bit more chill. What do you feel like you learned about human nature? I mean, you've spent so many times talking to people, asking them questions. What do you feel like is a consistency that you've realized across the board?
- [24:49]
Sean Evans
Well, I think the consistent thing is inconsistency in everybody's story. Like, everybody's path is so different, you know, and it's like athlete to athlete, the path is completely different. Actor to actor, musician to musician, you know, like Nobody has the exact same route that they've taken to get to where they are, even if they're on the same red carpets or in the same film or whatever. So I think that it's that side of it, how many different shapes and colors this whole thing can take. And it's also, like, I think, taught me something about, like, the spirit of it all, you know, like, we'll put these people in uncomfortable situations. I always joke that it's like the most comfortable, least comfortable interview that you'll ever do, but it's just on the other side of it. It's people fighting through that when they really do not have to at all.
- [25:35]
Keke Palmer
Well, I saw Demi, and she was, like, walking, like a walk in a park. I was like, what's up?
- [25:39]
Sean Evans
She asked us if we have anything hotter.
- [25:40]
Keke Palmer
That was crazy. And for you, does it ever get too damn hot? I mean, you know, I know you said you grew up watching the bears and eating hot salsa with your dad.
- [25:48]
Sean Evans
You did do your kiki. Good God.
- [25:52]
Keke Palmer
So you're used to hot stuff. But do you ever get tired? Like, are you taking acid reflux?
- [25:56]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Like.
- [25:57]
Sean Evans
Yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, I. I think I take better care of myself outside of the show because of the physical toll of the show. So I think ultimately it's a net positive. Maybe I'm an idiot and I'm just talking myself into something, but that's the way I look at it. But it does sometimes get uncomfortable for me. You know, like, the bomb beyond insanity is the bomb beyond insanity. You know, it really is. Sometimes I get, like, a little head high and I'm sw. And then, you know, like, I feel the adrenaline rush of it all, just as our guest would. I think the only thing is, I'm more used to it. Like, I know no matter the dark place that I'm in, that the sun will come out eventually. And I do feel a responsibility to put up a confident, calm front for the guest. Yeah, because if I'm freaking out, then what are you going to be doing? If you ever went on Bear Grylls Running Wild, and he wants you to rappel down a cliffside, but he's all nervous putting the harness on or whatever. You're not going to follow him. Yeah, yeah, exactly.
- [26:50]
Keke Palmer
You know, you what? I'm also thinking, too. I don't know if I thought about it. It ever. When we did our interviews, maybe I thought or assumed that it was just like, your interview style, but you have such a rhythmic voice, a very rhythmic talking voice that I think, yeah, it's like when you're only going in there and then I can't memorize, I can't do it, but I'm gonna learn it. But you have such a type of voice. It's good to listen to and follow. I'm literally going on a roller coaster with you.
- [27:14]
Sean Evans
When you're talking, there's a rhythm and syntax, I think, to the way I write, but also to the way I speak. Speak.
- [27:19]
Keke Palmer
That's so interesting.
- [27:20]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [27:21]
Keke Palmer
Now, back in 2017, you went on the Rocks diet. What was that about? What made you want to go on the rocks diet? And what did it include?
- [27:29]
Sean Evans
So I think this would be pre Hot Ones days. And I do remember the research. Yeah, look at you. Look at. You had to do a wink, little wink. So that was before Hot Ones. But again, this is complex. Like, hey, you got to come up with videos because there ain't going to be a magazine around much longer. So, yeah, it was an idea. I remember reading this book in college called Paper lion, about this writer who would do these different experiences. Like, he was like, playing with the Detroit Lions through training camp and all these different things. And I was always like, oh, that's a cool thing that this guy is doing. So let me try to do that where I live a day, or as somebody else, or do a different thing. But the Rock's diet, what I remember about that is he. It would be like this giant plate of brown rice and vegetables and like cod. Disgusting. And then each plate would weigh as much as like a Range Rover tire. You know, it's just this very dense food and a lot of it. So I would just be shoveling that food and it would be, you know, kind of gross to get at the end.
- [28:33]
Keke Palmer
And you're on the Matilda with the cake.
- [28:35]
Sean Evans
But then he's on this. Exactly. But I wish it was cake. It was just cod and brown rice. So. But when you'd finished the meal, he's on, you know, a two hour interval thing. So, like, by the time he'd finished, the next one's on the way. That was brutal. Yeah, that was brutal. Brutal memories. I'd much rather do Hot Ones. Yeah.
- [28:56]
Keke Palmer
What is your favorite movie? Top three.
- [28:59]
Sean Evans
Ooh, Top three. So I love the Dark Knight. So that was good. I used to do architecture tours of the Chicago river in Lake Michigan. And it was like while they were filming. Filming that. While they were filming that in Chicago. So I'd see, you know, I'm Lower Whacker, like an overturned ambulance and all these, like, Gotham police cars. All over the place. So I remember, like, seeing the making of it while it was happening and then going to the. Then going to the midnight screening and, like, loving it so much. But I feel like I kind of was in it while it was happening, and then it scratched that itch on the other side, so I felt some kind of connection to it. I love this movie. Nobody's ever seen it called Windy City. He Heat, which is, like, this deep cult classic comedy starring Perry Caravello. Nobody's gonna know this, but I think it's time that I spread the good word. But it's all this, like, elaborate practical joke. Like, Jimmy Kimmel produced it. It's this elaborate practical joke where they have this guy believing that he's the star of a movie.
- [29:57]
Keke Palmer
Oh, no.
- [29:58]
Sean Evans
And they go through the whole thing, and it's all very real. And, you know, you kind of see the way, like. Like the ego of it and the twists and turns and all they put this guy through. But I've seen that movie.
- [30:10]
Keke Palmer
Like, does the guy know it makes me.
- [30:12]
Sean Evans
No, he doesn't. He's the only one that's not in it.
- [30:14]
Keke Palmer
No, no, no.
- [30:15]
Sean Evans
I know. It's the meanest.
- [30:16]
Keke Palmer
Like the Truman Show.
- [30:17]
Sean Evans
It's the meanest. Yeah, it's like the meanest joke ever. But it's so insanely funny. I've watched the movie, like, 50 times. Laugh every time.
- [30:23]
Keke Palmer
The Windy City Heat.
- [30:24]
Sean Evans
The Windy City Heat. I'm glad I could. Glad I could borrow the platform to spread the great gospel of that.
- [30:31]
Keke Palmer
That is hilarious, Charles.
- [30:32]
Sean Evans
And then third would be this good question. I almost want to like.
- [30:37]
Keke Palmer
It tells you so much about somebody.
- [30:38]
Sean Evans
I know. I know. This is good. This is good. Oh, brother. Where Art Thou? Is a movie that I love. I've got a lot of range. I've got a lot of range over here.
- [30:52]
Keke Palmer
There's a lot of weight to it. I mean, Dark Knight got a lot of weight, too. It's commercial, but it's heavy. Christopher Nolan. And then we had Brother or Arthur. That's tough. What do you love about that one?
- [31:03]
Sean Evans
I like the music. I like the spectacle of it all. I like the kind of odyssey journey of it all. Every part of it. I love the dialogue. Just. I don't know. Like, the Coen brothers way of doing dialogue is always unique. Yeah. Always a thing for me. And also, too. Cause I'm on the spot, and I feel like the walls are closing in, and I had to reach back. I had to reach in the bag and grab one and throw it out real Quick, like.
- [31:29]
Keke Palmer
Okay. What shows did you grow up watching?
- [31:32]
Sean Evans
Like, the seminal shows of my youth. We grew up at a good time,
- [31:35]
Keke Palmer
you know, 90s TGI Fridays.
- [31:37]
Sean Evans
Yeah. Of course, that was huge for me, but that was. Yeah. Family Matters into Boy Meets World, into Step by Step.
- [31:43]
Keke Palmer
Come on.
- [31:44]
Sean Evans
Step by step, day by day. Fresh start over a different hand plate. Yeah. I love.
- [31:53]
Keke Palmer
I love.
- [31:53]
Sean Evans
I love tgif. Yeah. That was a great time.
- [31:57]
Keke Palmer
Time.
- [31:57]
Sean Evans
And I often think that with Hot Ones, the thing that I'm always inspired by when I think about it, is I actually want the viewer experience of it to be more like a family member or more like a Family Matters than it is like, a Charlie Rose interview. Like, I always like some sort of sentimentality or, like, nostalgia. I always think about, like, the Christmas specials.
- [32:16]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [32:17]
Sean Evans
Family Matters or whatever. And, like, what those did. And I always feel like I want that same watch experience with Hot Ones. TGIF was, in a lot of ways.
- [32:25]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [32:25]
Sean Evans
Formative for, like, how I look at escapism. Television.
- [32:28]
Keke Palmer
Absolutely. And also very. I look back on that stuff, and sometimes I think I probably can over. Just contextualize pop culture. It's just like, I'm always.
- [32:37]
Sean Evans
Well, it's your. It's. But it's also. You're in the soup of it all.
- [32:40]
Keke Palmer
And I'm like, what does it mean to mean, like, I'm watching Sabrina, Teenage Witch, and I'm like, wow. It was about our internal world. Like, I'm always going so deep with everything. So growing up for you, like, what music you listening to?
- [32:52]
Sean Evans
I was a 90s rap kid, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, I remember, you know, at a very early age.
- [32:58]
Keke Palmer
Tupac, Biggie.
- [32:59]
Sean Evans
Yeah. The first. Older, but the first. I'm trying to think, like, the first CD I ever bought. I think I went and I got Coolio. Gangsters, Paris.
- [33:09]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh.
- [33:10]
Sean Evans
TLC. Crazy Sexy. Cool.
- [33:12]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [33:13]
Sean Evans
And then Bone Thugs East, 1999. I think that was my first ever
- [33:17]
Keke Palmer
Bone Thugs and Harmony. Was it. That video was scary. I recently went Crossroads.
- [33:21]
Sean Evans
You wouldn't watch Crossroads again.
- [33:22]
Keke Palmer
That video, it was scary. Like, everybody was gone. Like, it was actually really. And it's so funny. You're talking about coolio. Why was I watching Dangerous Minds not too long ago? And that movie is insane. Michelle Pfeiffer goes to, like, the Black Lady House to tell her, like, your sons need to come back to school, you know, whatever. Like, we ain't raising no doctors and lawyers. Why? Why would that mama say that? It was just crazy. Some of those, like, White Savior movies
- [33:46]
Sean Evans
from that era were insane.
- [33:48]
Keke Palmer
She's going to the ladies house like your son. They need to come to school. We ain't raising no doctors and lawyers. Why?
- [33:55]
Sean Evans
Why not? Yeah. Why? We painted ourselves in a corner that way.
- [34:00]
Keke Palmer
It's so funny.
- [34:01]
Sean Evans
But yeah, remember? Yeah. Like, my mom would have to go and buy, you know. Cause they had the parental sticker on the.
- [34:06]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh, Blockbuster.
- [34:07]
Sean Evans
I was. Yeah, yeah. I was going to. Where was I going? There's a store in Crystal Lake called Flipside. I remember. Best Buy.
- [34:14]
Keke Palmer
Best Buy. Do we still have. We still have them.
- [34:17]
Sean Evans
I hope. I hope. Yeah.
- [34:18]
Keke Palmer
Fries is what I'm thinking of.
- [34:19]
Sean Evans
Retail. The retail has. Hasn't fallen off. Yeah.
- [34:21]
Keke Palmer
Okay, so your questions are famously detailed. At what point does the research become a great question? Like, when do you know? Like, are you, like. I mean, I don't want your. You give me your IP for how you do it. But is it, like, things people don't know about? So and so. Yeah.
- [34:36]
Sean Evans
Yeah. You know, I think a good thing to do is to start local, like where they are. Right.
- [34:42]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [34:43]
Sean Evans
So if you. You have a guest and, I don't know, they're from upstate New York and they're an actor, and maybe they were starting off in, you know, like some sort of theater scene somewhere, you know, and like, somebody's going to be writing about that stuff. Or if you're interviewing Viola Davis, for example, and, like, she's at Juilliard, like, what was Juilliard writing about her, you know, like when she first started to bubble up, you know, like. Because those are the first outlets, the first eyes that are gonna see somebody rising. So that's like, a good place to start is in, like, regionality is kind of important when you're, like, looking for sources and then also to just expose yourself to as much information as you possibly can. So, yes, like, read all the magazine profiles, do all of that stuff. I also think it's a good idea. And this is probably something that's happened more or so over the last couple of years. But if they're an actor, watch the movies, you know, like, end your night with a double feature. Like, if they're an artist, like, rather than like, watching every interview, you should listen to the album because a lot of times the. The artistic expression of these people will tell you just as much about them, if not more than the things that you're reading. The profiles that you're reading, the interviews that you're watching, whatever.
- [35:53]
Keke Palmer
Was this always your style and what you discovered or when you decided to do Hot Ones, it was kind of like, this is the approach I'm going to take.
- [36:00]
Sean Evans
Well, no, I think when we first started, I think the vision of it was that it would be this kind of Internet sideshow Super bowl event. Like, maybe we just put out like, four a year or something. Like, I certainly didn't think we'd be programming it right every single week when we first started. And I think back in the day, the idea was more of, you know, the heat is on, like, swinging, interrogation light sort of situation. Like, it was much more aggressive and adversarial in tone. I think, when it first started, our idea for it.
- [36:32]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Wow.
- [36:33]
Sean Evans
But I think over time, what ended up happening was there was this cult audience that rallied around it early on that wasn't a big, huge hit or anything, but it would be the same people that were, like, in the comments every week. So that made me feel good.
- [36:47]
Keke Palmer
Tension.
- [36:47]
Sean Evans
Right. That's like, they're not just rallying for this specific guest. Like, these are people who are watching every week, regardless of who the. Yeah. And then I think that that really inspired me because it gave me an idea of its potential because I never had huge dreams for the show, but I'm like, wait a second. Every eye that we get in the tent, Every set of eyes that we get in the tent stays in the tent, you know, so if we can just grow this tent. Well, what's going to make this thing grow? We have this interesting spectacle, you know, but that can only take you so far if you have what is unimpeachably an excellent or viable interview show, and then you combine it with this novel hook.
- [37:25]
Keke Palmer
Yes.
- [37:25]
Sean Evans
That's how you can have a hit that lasts for a long time, but you can't have one without the other and have that kind of longevity. So it was really the fans that rallied around the show early on that made us think we really need to elevate it.
- [37:39]
Keke Palmer
What episode or what few episodes was the turning point of you realizing maybe this is going to. Going, like, somewhere crazy?
- [37:45]
Sean Evans
Yeah. I think it didn't take long. I knew it was a crazy show from the first episodes that we shot. I think, like, Machine Gun Kelly was, like the second episode that we shot, and he's standing on the table, he's doing laps around the room, and, you know, when something's going crazy in the studio, it's going to translate to camera even better, you know. So I remember, like, while that was happening, I was like, this is insane. There's no show like this. This Is totally. It's real, it's wild. It's spectacle, all of that. I'm like, once we publish this and present it, people are gonna be like, what the. You know, like, it's gonna blow people's minds. So I remember feeling that before an audience ever caught up to it all. But that would be interesting, I would imagine, if I pinpointed. It's like somewhere in the middle of season two is when I think we started to kind of like, catch a rhythm. And I remember in college, I'd watch a lot of Nardwar interviews, and I always remember, you know, when he's startling people with information, what he's creating is a real human, human reaction. You know, you have. He's snapping people out of that PR driven flight patterns. That was always inspiring for me. So I think the first time that, like, when that started happening on our show, I'm like, oh, this is great. Because you have true human reactions to the spice. You have true human reactions to the interview. And that punctures the whole artifice of, like, we talked about earlier, this completely ridiculous setup that we're all in.
- [39:04]
Keke Palmer
How's it working with your brother? Because I know your brother Gavin. You guys, this. I have so much in here.
- [39:15]
Sean Evans
Yeah, you have a lot of cards. You know what? He's great. It's.
- [39:19]
Keke Palmer
Was it from the beginning, or were you like, come on, I need my
- [39:21]
Sean Evans
bro super early on. He's probably been working with us now for seven or eight years. Yeah. And actually, the whole show, you know, Hot Ones, the company's grown. First we Feast has grown. But really doing Hot Ones has not changed since the beginning. And all the same people are doing it. You know, I've had the same producer for eight or nine years. Worked with my brother this whole time. Me and Chris, obviously, from day one, you know, but, yeah, I remember our camera guys are all the same sound, you know, it's just.
- [39:49]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [39:49]
Sean Evans
It's just always been the exact same way all the way through. And then I do appreciate it because it's like, when it's your brother, you don't really have to manage him.
- [39:58]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [39:58]
Sean Evans
You know?
- [39:58]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [40:00]
Sean Evans
Hey, we were shooting with this person on 4:18. You know, need the packet by 4:15, you know, and then he just thumbs it up. You know, I don't have to.
- [40:09]
Keke Palmer
He's baby brother.
- [40:11]
Sean Evans
Baby brother.
- [40:12]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, baby. It's just y', all, too. It's just y' all two.
- [40:14]
Sean Evans
Just us. Just us.
- [40:16]
Keke Palmer
The way that you looked and smile made me feel like it was a train question.
- [40:21]
Sean Evans
It's just us.
- [40:21]
Keke Palmer
Okay. Just you guys, too. What kind of brother were you?
- [40:25]
Sean Evans
He was a couple years younger than me, but it was the.
- [40:29]
Keke Palmer
You know.
- [40:30]
Sean Evans
That's a good question.
- [40:30]
Keke Palmer
I think I was a very annoying little sister. Really bad, I think.
- [40:35]
Sean Evans
Yeah. I wonder. I mean, I. I think it's almost the same role that I'm having now. I feel like, where I'm just. I'm still kind of a big brother to him, I feel like.
- [40:44]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [40:45]
Sean Evans
And that hasn't changed much, I. I think so.
- [40:47]
Keke Palmer
Helpful. Never. Not. Not like Pete and Pete. You weren't like.
- [40:50]
Sean Evans
No, yeah, yeah, yeah. We weren't. We weren't at each other's throats or anything like that. It's just a good. Like a not too hot, not too cold relationship, you know, sort of thing. We're locks just right, I think.
- [41:02]
Keke Palmer
Love that.
- [41:02]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [41:03]
Keke Palmer
Shout outs to Gavin.
- [41:04]
Sean Evans
Yeah, to Gavin.
- [41:05]
Keke Palmer
Is there ever any pressure that you have to stay consistent, you know, with, you know, because, again, people have all these high expectations for the show.
- [41:12]
Sean Evans
Yeah. Yeah.
- [41:13]
Keke Palmer
Do you get to a point where it's like, okay, we're gonna have to cut. You know what I mean? It's like we're at the season. Last season, a loss. Boom.
- [41:18]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [41:18]
Keke Palmer
You know, like, do you. How do you feel about that overall?
- [41:21]
Sean Evans
I think an interview is something that no one's naturally good at it. I think you have to. It's like, stand up. Like, you just have to get on stage and fail 100 times before you start to identify a perspective or point of. And then I think, too, the longer you do it and the more that you commit to it, especially as, like, you start to rise or the show starts to rise, because a big thing is when a guest comes in is getting them to trust me and trust the process. You know, that's always like, I think the hardest hurdle that you have to jump, and you have to jump it quickly. And now so many people kind of walk in already trusting me or already trusting the process because it's gotten to a level where they want to be on the show rather than us persuading them to be on the show. So all of that, I think, actually makes my job a little bit easier. I think gives me a better ability to get something good out of people when I sit down with them. But I also think, like you were saying, the expectations. I try to have a healthy outlook on it where, you know, try to aim for everything being a seven or an eight, you know, you'll have some tens, you know, and you'll have Some bricks. Hopefully you have more tens than you have bricks. But if the viewer experience is consist consistently a seven or an eight, that's how you get longevity out of things. So I try not to. I try not to beat myself up about, like, not everything being a 10 all of the time. Like, not everything being an instant classic or huge hit all of the time. Just make the viewer experience of that a 7 or an 8, and that's enough to, like, scratch the itch every single time. And I also am kind of, like, trying to wrap my. My head around the ebbs and flows of it all, you know, like, just on this given day, I'm sitting down with this person. We have this time, try to meet the moment, make the best out of it. Good things happen when that. When you. When you have that kind of approach. And so I just try to stay small and stay consistent. Like, don't think bigger than the next shoot, the next project, the next day.
- [43:12]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. Again, it's very Midwest now. You have an interesting take on cancel culture, where you talk about shows and podcasts like this and, you know, if they should be held accountable for having certain people on. How do you feel about that when it comes to interview shows?
- [43:26]
Sean Evans
Well, I don't think, like, if you're a host of a show that you're necessarily, like, responsible for the guest's behavior in perpetuity forever. And I also don't think that, you know, I also. Yeah, yeah. Extend some grace for yourself. Yeah, you're not responsible for what I do five years from now in this video being up. But I also don't know if it's like, the place of a talk show host to be, like, the arbiter of what is and what is not. Okay. You know, and then I also think, though, there's other sides of it where, you know, there's a certain responsibility, I think, you know, like, there's. I think there's certain. Guess there's certain things where it's, like, more of a journalism setting than it is an entertainment setting.
- [44:09]
Keke Palmer
Right.
- [44:10]
Sean Evans
And in that case, I think there are different rules involved, but. But overall, you know, like, there's times you just have to, like, bring somebody in or, like, you're, you know, you're shooting with somebody, like, if you agreed to do it, you know.
- [44:24]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, do it. And I'm always thinking about that, especially with my podcast, is how can I contextualize this and show awareness around something, but then still allow the conversation to. To pose as something for the audience to get engage on on any given Topic.
- [44:38]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [44:38]
Keke Palmer
You know, because sometimes it does feel. Feel like. Or the ideas. Often this is just something thoughtless, you know, as opposed to. No, this should mean something. Right. And we should. Even if this is not somebody that I agree with or have the same ideas as, at least it's something for you to engage with and talk about that. I'm platforming. That leads to a bigger discussion. And I think it gets. It's difficult to figure out how to. How to exactly how to handle that sometimes.
- [45:02]
Sean Evans
Right. Or thread that needle. Because sometimes, like the tide, the feedback that comes in and too. I don't know, sometimes you can get it wrong, you know, Sometimes you can just step in it and mess up, too.
- [45:10]
Keke Palmer
Yes, exactly.
- [45:11]
Sean Evans
That's the other side of it. But ultimately, you know, just next day next year.
- [45:16]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, exactly. Very much next day next year. Okay. Well, I mean, it's important for me to talk about me being on Hot Boots.
- [45:25]
Sean Evans
Ooh, yeah.
- [45:26]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. That's a big deal, baby. This is Kiki Palma. Yeah. There is a very specific kind of joy that happens when you get three generations of your family all under one. And if, you know, you know, I'm talking about mom teaching the grandkids something in the backyard, Daddy on the grill doing what he does best, the cousins running around being feral in the best way possible. And let me tell you, that kind of moment, you're not really getting that in a hotel. In a hotel, everybody ends up in their own room, doors closed, doing their own thing. Starts to feel more like a logistics exercise than a family memory. But when I book a stay on Airbnb, like when I went to Big Bear, ugh, It's a whole different vibe. You get a real home in a real neighborhood with enough space so nobody's on top of each other, but still close enough that everybody's part of the same story. And that's what makes it special. Spring is the perfect time to do it before summer gets hectic and everybody's schedules take over. Find a home on Airbnb and get your whole family under one roof. Trust me, that's where the magic is. Do I get a crown or something? Because I actually feel like I've been on the most times.
- [46:38]
Sean Evans
I think you have actually been on the most times because we have to. You have to factor in the studio the first time.
- [46:45]
Keke Palmer
Yep.
- [46:45]
Sean Evans
We did an episode during the.
- [46:47]
Keke Palmer
This one's got a little sweetness.
- [46:48]
Sean Evans
This got a little sweetness to it.
- [46:51]
Keke Palmer
I don't know how that always happens with me and you. It's so cool. It's so random that all these. I'll never forget even that first one, that was just the most fun ever.
- [47:03]
Sean Evans
Yeah, I think it's like, because you probably didn't totally know what you were walking into. And then I feel like it was one of those where, like, the show kind of won you over while it was happening. Yeah, maybe.
- [47:12]
Keke Palmer
Yes.
- [47:13]
Sean Evans
And then it was probably. You tell me, was it kind of surprising to you, the reaction that it got on the other side? You know, you do like so many interviews, but then this one, it almost becomes like. It almost becomes like a line on your IMDb or something.
- [47:26]
Keke Palmer
I feel like, like that became the beginning of my. Of the whole meme thing with me.
- [47:29]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [47:29]
Keke Palmer
You know what I mean? When people saw me on that first one with you where I'm like, trying my hardest to X, Y and Z and stay up. And that was the first. I think that might have been one of the first time that I ever saw me getting memed, like making deposits
- [47:42]
Sean Evans
to the meme economy that day.
- [47:44]
Keke Palmer
NFTs everywhere. No. So, yeah, that. Yeah, that was incredible. Why do you think I was a good hot once guest?
- [47:51]
Sean Evans
Because you're. There's a lot of reasons that you're a great guest guest, but you're charismatic, you're smart, you're beautiful. You have a way of talking about the stuff that you do. You know, you're like. You'll say something smart or thoughtful, and then you'll provide an example from your career, and then you'll undercut that with like, a little joke. And I think it just keeps the rhythm of all of that. But then also too, I think that we all give off, like, kind of gigawatt frequencies, you know, and like, sometimes they just naturally match with people.
- [48:23]
Keke Palmer
You really good. That's what I'm telling you. Like, the vibe that I do think that's why it's so special. Whenever we did the hot ones, whenever we talking and hanging out and people are always gagging about it because we do. It's like we both being like, just dance. We're just dancing. What was the feedback you got when people saw us kiss?
- [48:42]
Sean Evans
I just got a lot of like, that's my dog. You know, like, just a lot of it, really. You know, I don't know what it did for you, but it was great for me. It was great for me as well.
- [48:51]
Keke Palmer
It was great for me as well. I mean, the comp. First of all, they're gonna be. Be ready for this because they, like, just want to see us together all the time.
- [48:59]
Sean Evans
Right, Right. Well, I always think that. I think that sometimes I'm like, we could never go broke, cuz ultimately we could just. We could just do. Like, this is my dream for when we get. We're old New Yorkers is we do the. We do the coffee mug, coffee table, like morning shows, you know.
- [49:13]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my God.
- [49:14]
Sean Evans
This is. This is.
- [49:15]
Keke Palmer
This is the thing with Sonny and Cher.
- [49:16]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah. Mark and Kelly now.
- [49:22]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my God.
- [49:24]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Yes.
- [49:24]
Keke Palmer
I love us waking up with America. Good morning, guys.
- [49:27]
Sean Evans
That's what we can call it. Yeah.
- [49:28]
Keke Palmer
Shawn and Keke. Keke and Sean in Chicago.
- [49:33]
Sean Evans
Yeah, let's. Yeah. Perry Caravel will be our first guest. Yeah, we can. Yeah. Gosh. That is. Wait, actually, now I'm kind of in love with this idea.
- [49:41]
Keke Palmer
I actually love it as well. I do love me and you. Something more.
- [49:44]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's do that.
- [49:46]
Keke Palmer
Something good here.
- [49:46]
Sean Evans
Let's do that. Yeah.
- [49:47]
Keke Palmer
I mean, how does it feel now that you're in the talent space as well? I mean, it was like, I'm interviewing, but then now, like, I'm a celebrity and like, people are in my business. Business too. Like, what do you feel of it?
- [49:57]
Sean Evans
You know, it's all very exciting and fun and kind of a cartoon world, you know, that I try not to take too seriously or whatever. And, you know, but it's also a chance to learn new skills, learn new things. How do I pose on a red carpet? You know, like, how do I handle all of these different situations, scenarios? I think it all helps the day job, you know, to go through all of these things. Um, and it's. I don't know, it's just, it's. It's strange to kind of look at where we started and then these different kind of mile markers that you hit along the way and you're like, whoa, what the hell happened? Because it happens so slow. I feel like. I feel like I was like a frog that was just boiled one degree at a time. So I didn't feel it get so hot all of a sudden. And so then now I'm just trying to catch up and react to it. But, you know, I, like, somebody's going to dress me for an award show and like, oh, this is elevating my taste level, like, to something that I'm not capable of as a 90s kid from suburban Crystal Lake, Illinois, you know, and like, all of these different things that are all super exciting and fun, but I do just. I love my studio, you know, like, that's still home for me and. But it's fun, I guess. To get out on Friday night.
- [51:11]
Keke Palmer
How does it affect your dating life? Like, do you feel like you have to be now be more cautious?
- [51:16]
Sean Evans
I think, yeah, but that could be dating life. That could be anything. I think, like, there is, like, a whole way in which you have to be more that, you know, as a midwife, I'd be like, oh, everybody's just my friend and everybody has good intentions for me or whatever. And I think, yes, I think that you have to be more cautious about, like, anything, like anybody that comes in your life. Anything that comes in your life.
- [51:37]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Yeah.
- [51:37]
Sean Evans
Offers that come in, you know, like, there's lots of different things, I think, where you have to be a lot more skeptical than my, you know, would want me to be.
- [51:46]
Keke Palmer
Is there a thing that you. You go by, like, you know, when you're entering new situations, whether they be relational or business wise, that you kind of help you to check off?
- [51:55]
Sean Evans
I think I have, like, a good small circle around me, you know, Like, I just. There's people that are. I don't have, you know, a big team or like a big circle or anything. It's super tight. But everybody's really, really connected. So I always just try to get perspectives outside of my own, you know, like, trust my own gut. But also, too, just the people around me as much as possible possible.
- [52:15]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. Community is everything.
- [52:17]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [52:18]
Keke Palmer
Also, you petitioned to have Hot Ones nominated for an Emmy. Oh, that was a pretty incredible thing. What made you decide to do that?
- [52:26]
Sean Evans
Yeah, I didn't. You know what, actually, to be honest with you, when I saw that, that was news to me. You know, like, like, I. I saw that, you know, like. Like somebody, you know, sent me an article and.
- [52:38]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [52:38]
Sean Evans
And I was like, oh, okay, I guess.
- [52:41]
Keke Palmer
So did somebody else put it together?
- [52:43]
Sean Evans
Yes, maybe auntie. Maybe somebody from Auntie's side, actually.
- [52:48]
Keke Palmer
But, I mean, I feel that it does deserve it, though, so it does make sense to me.
- [52:51]
Sean Evans
Well, I think that ultimately, when I think about all of these things, it's like late night was always the de facto cultural reference point for where you could find celebrities and looser and edgier environments.
- [53:04]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [53:04]
Sean Evans
So it's like, in that way, Hot Ones is worthy of competition in comparison with all of those sort of traditionally, you know, award shows, those types, like, nominees. And then on top of it, like, when you look at the cultural penetration, the performance, the eyeballs, like, all of those different things, I think it does come to a point where even if it's not us or if it's not Hot Ones, like, that is the future.
- [53:27]
Keke Palmer
Exactly.
- [53:28]
Sean Evans
Like we said, you know, there's this entire ecosystem of celebrity interview shows that are on the Internet now. Like, there's going to be more of them in 10 years and 15 and 20, and the best ones are going to come out. Like, anybody who makes something new is going to do it here first. So I think, like, ultimately those doors will open at some point, and I guess hot ones are just kind of knocking on them right now.
- [53:49]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. I mean, then you also were named one of Time 100's most influential creators. How does that feel?
- [53:55]
Sean Evans
You know, these are. They're all, like, fun and exciting things.
- [53:59]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [54:00]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [54:00]
Keke Palmer
I think about is your mom being so sweet. You're like. You're like. It's just lovely, you know, And I just. You know, it's great.
- [54:05]
Sean Evans
It's. Yeah, it is. But ultimately, the thing that the drug that I'm always chasing or the itch that I'm always trying to scratch is just big, good episodes, you know, like, big, good interviews like we were talking about with Family Matters. And, you know, I just remember the kind of feeling that I got from escapism, television, especially at times when I really needed it. And so I just think, like, the ultimate privilege is now to be a conduit for that exact same feeling, you know, just for a new generation. So all these different fun things that are happening in my life and all these different sort of layers that get added to the cake every year, like, it's all really cool, but the thing that I'm always chasing and that I'm always inspired and always focused on is just making bangers. Just making like.
- [54:46]
Keke Palmer
Have you ever had Barack Obama on?
- [54:48]
Sean Evans
No, I've never had Barack Obama.
- [54:50]
Keke Palmer
Barack.
- [54:51]
Sean Evans
I wonder what the Secret Service wing situation would be like. You know, can we just. Can you just.
- [54:57]
Keke Palmer
I need to. Come on there. Want to see that, Michelle? Neither.
- [55:01]
Sean Evans
No, no, neither one. So maybe someday, but.
- [55:04]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, I wonder.
- [55:05]
Sean Evans
Yeah, I do wonder.
- [55:06]
Keke Palmer
Cool.
- [55:07]
Sean Evans
What? Feeding a world leader. Well, scorching hot chicken is like. Yeah.
- [55:12]
Keke Palmer
I'm gonna tell you one thing.
- [55:13]
Sean Evans
These wings are hot as.
- [55:18]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh. Okay, well, let's get into a quick, rapid fire before we get into our game, because we just need to know more about you, Sean.
- [55:24]
Sean Evans
Okay.
- [55:24]
Keke Palmer
Okay. So let's start with this celebrity crush growing up.
- [55:27]
Sean Evans
Ooh, Growing up was TLC for all of them.
- [55:33]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [55:33]
Sean Evans
Hold on.
- [55:34]
Keke Palmer
Crazy sexy.
- [55:35]
Sean Evans
No, no celebrity crush going up. My first one ever was Left Eye from tlc. And I remember at one point on the topic of tv, there was this episode of Living Single Right where the. Where TLC would have.
- [55:47]
Keke Palmer
You was watching Living Single.
- [55:48]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I was. I was. I thought I was watching New York Undercover after Living Single when I was in, like, third grade. I was. I was a very precocious kid. MTV kid. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I remember there is this episode where he's having these, like, fantasy dreams. And in these dreams, TLC is appearing in the episode. And I remember seeing left eye and like, just something happening to me. Like, my heart dropping and like, you know, just like a thing just happening to me. And like walking up to my dad and being like, is it possible for someone who's my age now to grow up and look exactly like someone who's a grown up now, like. Cause I was like, I know I'm too young for left eye, but is it possible that there's like a left eye to be out there who's gonna like 2.0 into a left eye, like. And I remember he was just reading the paper. Paper. I'll never forget this. He just dropped the paper, looked at me and goes, not exactly alike, but pretty similar. Then just went back to reading the paper. I still remember that moment.
- [56:40]
Keke Palmer
It was just such a genuine reply from your dad, which I really love.
- [56:43]
Sean Evans
He was just meeting me, like. Yeah.
- [56:44]
Keke Palmer
I remember when I watched Karate Kid and I asked my mom, where is that man now? She was like, 40. I'm like, damn.
- [56:51]
Sean Evans
He was so. That's just not a reality that I wanted to face. Yeah, you could have lied to me.
- [56:55]
Keke Palmer
I played Chili in a TLC movie.
- [56:57]
Sean Evans
I know you did. I know you did. Close enough. Absolutely close enough. From where I sit.
- [57:06]
Keke Palmer
Okay. Most uncomfortable interview moment.
- [57:10]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Ooh.
- [57:11]
Keke Palmer
If you've had any, you don't seem uncomfortable.
- [57:13]
Sean Evans
No, I actually, like, despite the format, it is always like such a positive experience on the other side. But I'm trying to think of, like, uncomfortable moments. I mean, like, I kind of go back to this, but I kind of. I love this episode. But I remember, like, DJ Khaled came in in the first season and tapped out by the third wing, you know, which was like an interesting thing because I have this big, long format. So it's like kind of an interesting thing where I'm sitting across from the person and then they completely, like, reject the format, you know, like in the beginning. And so then I'm like, tethered into the machinery of this show and just trying to keep it going, you know, with somebody who's not gonna participate on the other side. But then, I don't know, then there's like a.
- [57:54]
Keke Palmer
That's crazy.
- [57:54]
Sean Evans
I know. I know. But there's a certain kind of, like, thing that happens in that episode as like, a result of. Of it being so off the wall in gonzo that it's actually, I think, like, one of, like, the 10 most important episodes we've ever done for that reason, you know, like, going back. Yeah, yeah, go back. Go back and watch that one.
- [58:11]
Keke Palmer
DJ Khaled create favorite place to go for a romantic date.
- [58:15]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Ooh.
- [58:17]
Sean Evans
You know, I'm a food guy. You know, like, I'm a restaurant guy. There's. I like. I like the taste of, like, oysters, like caviar and, like, champagne. I love it.
- [58:29]
Keke Palmer
Sounds nice and rich.
- [58:30]
Sean Evans
Yeah. Yeah. Like, that's, like a celebratory kind of feel to. Yeah. A little truffle, little wagon.
- [58:35]
Keke Palmer
We're, like, naming everything. Duck fat, bone marrow, like, every.
- [58:39]
Sean Evans
Yeah, all of those things. Yeah. And then, like, romantic. I'm like. I think maybe I just want to eat or something. Yeah, yeah, exactly.
- [58:46]
Keke Palmer
It's so funny. One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago is this restaurant called Alinea. Have you ever been.
- [58:51]
Sean Evans
Of course I've been to Alinea.
- [58:52]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh. I love deconstructed, like, food in, like,
- [58:56]
Sean Evans
dinner is theater and all of the. Yep.
- [58:59]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh. I love murder mystery dinners as well. Very cool stuff.
- [59:04]
Sean Evans
Just telling you I'm sticking.
- [59:06]
Keke Palmer
You know, what is one thing that you can obsess over? Ooh. Any OCD vibes?
- [59:13]
Sean Evans
I think probably, like, in certain ways. Obviously obsessed with my job, obsessed with the show, but I'm not, like, overly obsessed.
- [59:23]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [59:23]
Sean Evans
About anything. Yeah. I can. I think I'm, like, kind of fickle.
- [59:27]
Keke Palmer
My shoes.
- [59:27]
Sean Evans
I'm fickle with hobbies and, like. Yeah. Like, what am I into? I'm kind of into, like, jackets right now, but, like, other than that, like, I have, like, not much going on.
- [59:35]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. What do you consider a hobby for yourself?
- [59:38]
Sean Evans
Just, I'm in the park every day, in the gym all the time. I love, like, a. I love a rooftop pool.
- [59:45]
Keke Palmer
Oh, cool.
- [59:45]
Sean Evans
I love a rooftop rooftop pool. Love a resort vacation.
- [59:50]
Keke Palmer
I love all this stuff.
- [59:51]
Sean Evans
Yeah. Yeah. We're locked in on the same. Yeah, it's that gigawatt energy, you know, Literally.
- [59:58]
Keke Palmer
Okay, what's your dream? Hot ones. Guess. Dead or alive. I know you've gotten this one a million times.
- [60:03]
Sean Evans
I think the best one ever, if they were still alive, would be Chris Farley. Like, just kind of made in a lab for hot ones, and would just be, like, an iconic, perfect, amazing, hot One.
- [60:13]
Keke Palmer
I would love to see you with him. I would love to see you with Robin Williams.
- [60:16]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah, same. Yeah, Robin Williams.
- [60:17]
Keke Palmer
Jim Carrey came yet?
- [60:19]
Sean Evans
No, not yet, but that would be.
- [60:20]
Keke Palmer
We need Jim.
- [60:21]
Sean Evans
Yeah, we need Jim. There's a lot that we need.
- [60:22]
Keke Palmer
I mean, it's so cool to know because I feel like in my mind, when I think about how ones. I'm like, they've done everybody on the some. But it's cool for us to realize maybe there is some more because I feel like you guys have done so much great stuff, but it's, like, so great. There's still so much more.
- [60:34]
Sean Evans
And too, it's like celebrity is always evolving and changing. There's always, like, a freshman class that's coming in and I always kind of, like catching people right before they take off, you know? Like, I feel like we did that with, like, Shawn Mendes or Olivia Rodrigo or, like, even Billie Eilish, like when we shot the Billie Eilish episode. It's always, like, kind of catching people, like, as they're about to take off. But I always think that that's, like, a really interesting part in their career post. Malone would like another one that I feel like we caught on an upswing. So I always. I circle those kind. That genre of interview. Like, I always love.
- [61:06]
Keke Palmer
Yeah.
- [61:06]
Sean Evans
Able to book a guest like that.
- [61:08]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. Right before they reach that point. Yeah, that's pretty cool. Finish the sentence. The secret to a great interview is which you've kind of answered this.
- [61:18]
Sean Evans
Authenticity, I think.
- [61:20]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. Yeah. Honestly, it's a lot harder than people expect to get. You know what I mean? Because it's like. Like you said, we're in a room, people are watching. Everyone has naturally. Even if you're not an entertainer, people naturally have. You're different when you're being observed than you would be in your home with no one watching. So getting to that place is definitely
- [61:40]
Sean Evans
a thing where they can kind of like, surrender to it or whatever. I always think, like, the key is to try to get to a point where the cameras and everything is just kind of blacked out, which I always think is nice because we have that black set and people are dying on spice, where it just becomes like a tunnel vision where it's like, it's just me and you in here. You know, it's just us. It's just us.
- [61:58]
Keke Palmer
It's a trauma bond.
- [61:59]
Sean Evans
Yeah, exactly. That's where I try to get to.
- [62:01]
Keke Palmer
Okay, so now it's time to do the fun part. We're gonna play a game. I play A game.
- [62:05]
Sean Evans
It's been so fun already.
- [62:06]
Keke Palmer
Ah, yay. I was really actually. You know, it's actually really nervous, John, because you are really great at what you do, and I wanted you to have just as much fun on my show as I do on yours.
- [62:15]
Sean Evans
Oh, it's just fun being with you.
- [62:20]
Keke Palmer
I turn into Lucille Ball a little bit. Like, it becomes like, I become just. Anyway, we're going to get into a fun game of Twister.
- [62:30]
Sean Evans
Okay, cool.
- [62:31]
Keke Palmer
You know, I think it would be great for us to get a little physical.
- [62:33]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come in.
- [62:35]
Keke Palmer
We're gonna get some questions asked, and we're gonna get to touching.
- [62:38]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [62:38]
Keke Palmer
All right, let's spot.
- [62:39]
Sean Evans
Let's do it.
- [62:45]
Keke Palmer
Okay. So, Sean, I've asked you about everything, about art, from living to lifestyle, to the season 30 coming up of hot ones. 30 seasons.
- [62:54]
Sean Evans
It's crazy.
- [62:55]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh. Is that like. I mean, how are you doing that? That seems like a lifetime of work.
- [62:59]
Sean Evans
Yeah, well, you know, just as a pac man, just one pebble after another. I'm lost in the sauce. Ten years went by. It all felt like three weeks.
- [63:06]
Keke Palmer
Oh, my gosh. Congratulations on that premiering. But let's get into some twister. My mom is here.
- [63:11]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Oh, hello.
- [63:12]
Sean Evans
Good to see you again. It's been a long time since I've seen you.
- [63:15]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Yes, yes.
- [63:16]
Keke Palmer
This is going to be a fun game. She's gonna ask us questions.
- [63:20]
Sean Evans
Okay.
- [63:20]
Keke Palmer
And we're gonna figure out where our hands and our feet go. Okay, Mama.
- [63:24]
Keke Palmer's Mom
So I should get started.
- [63:25]
Keke Palmer
You should get started.
- [63:26]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay, who goes first?
- [63:27]
Keke Palmer
I guess I could go first. Okay.
- [63:29]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay, Keke, you go first. All right, so question. Biggest red flag someone could have.
- [63:35]
Keke Palmer
Okay, where'd I go?
- [63:36]
Keke Palmer's Mom
It says right hand yellow.
- [63:39]
Keke Palmer
That's it?
- [63:39]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Yeah.
- [63:40]
Keke Palmer
Okay. Biggest red flag someone can have.
- [63:43]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Correct.
- [63:44]
Keke Palmer
Um, I think that it would probably be hating their mom.
- [63:50]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Oh, wow. Okay. That's great. I love that one. Okay. All right. Okay, Sean, yellow right hand. Your question is, your date starts interviewing you the entire night. Is that attractive or annoying?
- [64:09]
Sean Evans
You know what? I would find that annoying because I like to be the one that is keeping the ball in the air and controlling the conversation. I'm just wired that way. So if I was getting interviewed, I would find that annoying.
- [64:22]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay, good. Okay, Keke, this is fun. Hope y' all in good shape.
- [64:27]
Keke Palmer
Yes. Okay,
- [64:30]
Keke Palmer's Mom
bubble of the gym, it says left hand green.
- [64:34]
Keke Palmer
Okay.
- [64:35]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Left hand green. Now, your question is, your date is funnier than you. Is that attractive or threatening?
- [64:44]
Keke Palmer
Actually, it's attractive. I think it's funny when I Get a chance to just not be anything.
- [64:52]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay. All right, I'm spinning. And Shawn, Left hand blue.
- [64:58]
Keke Palmer
Okay.
- [64:59]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Left hand blue. And your question is.
- [65:01]
Keke Palmer
Come on, plank. I'm gonna hit a plank.
- [65:03]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Are you into splitting the bill? Yes or no?
- [65:07]
Sean Evans
No. I would pick up the bill. I would pick up the bill. I pick up lots of bills now
- [65:14]
Keke Palmer's Mom
that I heard the interview. That is Midwestern.
- [65:16]
Keke Palmer
Yes.
- [65:18]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay, Keke, there you go. Left foot, green.
- [65:22]
Keke Palmer
Left foot, green.
- [65:23]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Left foot green.
- [65:26]
Keke Palmer
All right, left foot, green. Phew.
- [65:28]
Keke Palmer's Mom
What is your toxic dating trait?
- [65:31]
Keke Palmer
My toxic dating trait? I get scared.
- [65:34]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Oh, okay.
- [65:35]
Keke Palmer
I get spooked, and I just say, I gotta go to work. I get nervous. I'm not that easily easy. Vulnerable, you know? I get nervous.
- [65:47]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay. All right, let me spin now for Sean. Let's hope we get a foot in here. Okay. Blue. Right foot.
- [65:54]
Keke Palmer
Okay. Oh, wow.
- [65:55]
Sean Evans
Oh, wow.
- [65:55]
Keke Palmer
This is a jump.
- [65:58]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay. Your date keeps checking their phone. Ooh. What do you do?
- [66:06]
Sean Evans
You know what? I deal with it in a quiet way during the actual date, but then that's probably the last date. That's kind of a red flag for me. You know, I kind of keep the phone away. You know, I understand checking it a little bit here and there, but if they're constantly on it, there's.
- [66:25]
Keke Palmer's Mom
That's a problem.
- [66:26]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, that's.
- [66:26]
Sean Evans
There's no future there.
- [66:27]
Keke Palmer
Cause you're not that engaged with me. Like, what the hell?
- [66:29]
Sean Evans
Yeah. You're caught in the matrix of your phone. You know, I'm not gonna be able to get you out of it.
- [66:35]
Keke Palmer's Mom
All right, Kiki, I'm ready. Right foot red. How the hell you gonna do that? Okay. You're at this date, girlfriend.
- [66:49]
Keke Palmer
Okay.
- [66:49]
Keke Palmer's Mom
And you don't feel any chemistry.
- [66:51]
Keke Palmer
Oh, no.
- [66:52]
Keke Palmer's Mom
At all. What do you do? Fake it or get up and leave?
- [66:57]
Keke Palmer
I turn it to Kiki Palmer.
- [66:58]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [66:58]
Keke Palmer
Yeah. Entertain my way through it.
- [67:06]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay. All righty. Okay.
- [67:10]
Keke Palmer
This is so crazy. I feel so nostalgic.
- [67:13]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Right foot, green. Oh, my God.
- [67:16]
Sean Evans
Right foot, green.
- [67:17]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Oh, you already got a right foot. Well, do the other foot.
- [67:19]
Sean Evans
Yeah, do the other. Okay.
- [67:20]
Keke Palmer
Uh.
- [67:20]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Oh, okay.
- [67:21]
Sean Evans
I'm hitting it.
- [67:22]
Keke Palmer
Okay.
- [67:25]
Keke Palmer's Mom
If a date can't handle spicy food, is that a compatibility issue for you?
- [67:32]
Sean Evans
No. You know what? That's fine by me. You know, if I'm off the clock, which I would be when I'm with her. That's okay. You know, like, we can do salads and juices and cereal, things that don't require.
- [67:46]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay. Okay. Right foot, yellow. Kiki, I don't know.
- [67:51]
Keke Palmer
Right foot, yellow.
- [67:52]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Yes. Okay. Best first Date activity.
- [68:00]
Keke Palmer
Best first date activity. Something where we. That. That's low pressure, you know, like maybe we are taking a stroll, you know, eating some like. Like maybe we picked up something and go sit in the park or we go to a restaurant, we sit outside. Something outside. Like an outside pick, you know, park, you know, rooftop. Anything that is, like, speed up the answer.
- [68:25]
Sean Evans
Maybe we go to the park. Maybe we just. And that's the thing.
- [68:28]
Keke Palmer
I wasn't saying anything unique. Let me get him the ball. Get him out of this.
- [68:34]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay,
- [68:36]
Keke Palmer
left hand blue.
- [68:37]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Left hand blue.
- [68:38]
Sean Evans
It's already there. It's already there.
- [68:39]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Okay, let's do the foot. Okay, right foot red.
- [68:45]
Sean Evans
Oh, no.
- [68:46]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Is that worse?
- [68:50]
Sean Evans
The hammy's given.
- [68:52]
Keke Palmer
I won.
- [68:53]
Sean Evans
I think you won. I think you won.
- [68:56]
Keke Palmer
Any more last questions?
- [68:58]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Yeah, let me ask John this question because I'm interested in what he would say.
- [69:04]
Keke Palmer
Was it second workout?
- [69:06]
Sean Evans
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [69:10]
Keke Palmer
Pilates.
- [69:11]
Keke Palmer's Mom
What's something you've learned the hard way with dating?
- [69:14]
Sean Evans
A lesson to learn the hard way.
- [69:16]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Yeah.
- [69:20]
Sean Evans
You know what? You have to clearly identify priorities. You know what I mean? Cause if you go in there, not sure how they stack up, that'll create a problem a lot the way.
- [69:32]
Keke Palmer
Yeah, yeah, it's true. It's true. Because that's real compatibility. A lot of times we think, you know, when I think about when I was younger, I would just be thinking about chemistry. But compatibility, that's what that is. You know, what are our priorities? How do our life and our structure actually work? And a lot of times, you know,
- [69:49]
Sean Evans
you gotta learn that lesson the hard way.
- [69:51]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Last question for you, Keith.
- [69:52]
Keke Palmer
Okay.
- [69:53]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Do you fall fast or do you take your time?
- [69:58]
Keke Palmer
I think in real life, and I say real life because I feel like my life is now more representative than when I was younger. I was not sure what I was defining love as or connection as. Not that those connections weren't real. But I think that what I know of love now is much longer. It takes much longer for me because I think it's based off of real things, not just fun vibes. Not just we kicking it in this, you know, man, we got chemistry. It's like the love comes from a place of integrity. Not saying the other times it didn't, but it comes from how do we actually align? How was it actually having sustainability? So that takes longer.
- [70:41]
Keke Palmer's Mom
Right. Last thing I'm going to say. Sean, you're from Crystal Lake.
- [70:43]
Sean Evans
Yeah.
- [70:44]
Keke Palmer's Mom
And we grew up in Robbins. This is such a great moment for me. I'm 58 years old, and when I was growing up A kid from Crystal Lake wouldn't have been seen with a kid from Robbins.
- [70:54]
Keke Palmer
Damn. Is Crystal Lake where the rich folks are?
- [70:56]
Keke Palmer's Mom
That's where they are,
- [71:01]
Keke Palmer
Mom. That is hilarious. I gotta take my ass to Crystal Lake. Sound nice?
- [71:07]
Sean Evans
Anytime you want. Anytime you want.
- [71:08]
Keke Palmer
So.
- [71:09]
Keke Palmer's Mom
But this is great. This is how life should be. The guy from Crystal Lake should be sitting next to the girl from Robbins.
- [71:14]
Sean Evans
That's right.
- [71:15]
Keke Palmer
That's so sweet, Mom. I love that. Shout out to Mr. And Mrs. Evans, your parents.
- [71:20]
Sean Evans
Oh, I thought you were talking about us now.
- [71:23]
Keke Palmer
That was good. Y' all hit me down quick. Yes,
- [71:30]
Sean Evans
I love you, too.
- [71:31]
Keke Palmer
You're the best. What I love about this conversation is that it reminds you great interviews aren't just about the corner. They're about the intention behind them. And Shawn has built an entire world of being present, being prepared, and being willing to go there even when it gets hot. From watching his dad laugh at David Letterman to now creating moments that make millions of people feel something. That's not just success. That's purpose. Sean, I'm so glad that you brought your full self into this space. I appreciate you, and I hope to see you on Hot Ones real soon.
- [72:08]
Sean Evans
Soon.
- [72:08]
Keke Palmer
Make sure to check out season 30 of Hot Ones coming this June. And to everybody listening, keep asking better questions, keep working on your craft, and don't be afraid to turn up the heat on your dreams. Until next time on Baby, this is Kiki Palmer. Baby, this is. This is Kiki. Baby, this is Kiki Palma. Okay, I know y' all are wondering what happened after that game of Twister with Sean. And I already hear y'. All. What's going on between them? Are they flirting? When is that date happening? Are we getting another hot one? Smooch, that's for us to know. And maybe you, too, if you keep watching on Spotify. And if you're subscribed to Spotify Premium, you won't get any commercial breaks on my show. So no interruptions. When you see some of those questions get answered this season,