Ali Larter — on leaving L.A. and working with Billy Bob Thornton

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Episode: Ali Larter — on leaving L.A. and working with Billy Bob Thornton
Date: January 6, 2026
Recorded at: Mastro’s Steakhouse, Beverly Hills, CA

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Episode Overview

In this candid, laughter-filled episode, Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down for a meal with Ali Larter, known for her roles in Varsity Blues, Heroes, and currently as Angela in Landman. Over Mastro’s signature seafood tower and steaks, they discuss Ali’s move from L.A. to Idaho, working with Billy Bob Thornton and Taylor Sheridan, her early career (including the infamous Esquire “It Girl” hoax), showbiz challenges, and family life. The tone is equal parts intimate, insightful, and light-hearted—exactly the kind of warmth you would expect when “dinner’s on me.”

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Landman" Experience

• Chemistry with Billy Bob Thornton
  • Ali shares how she’d never met Billy Bob before filming. Their on-set dynamic was immediate, fueled by his authenticity.

    “I remember the dinner that we sat down at. It was like, immediately, give me a martini. He’s like ripping through Michelob Ultra and just, you know, smoking like a chimney.” (09:07 — Ali)

  • The relationship between their characters evolved from pure conflict to a more nuanced, classic banter reminiscent of old Hollywood romances.

    “When we first read it, it was so much fighting and vitriol between us... Billy talks about it a lot, like it’s an old Hollywood romance. The banter is a throwback.” (08:11 — Ali)

• On Billy Bob’s Process
  • Jesse and Ali discuss his unique, no-rehearsal approach:

    “Billy Bob doesn’t like to rehearse... He just doesn’t want anything to happen [off camera]. He wants it all...on camera, you know, manufactured.” (27:55 — Ali)
    “You have to just be extraordinarily present...I think that...you can throw me in with a pack of wolves, and I’m gonna find my way.” (29:24 — Ali)

• Taylor Sheridan's Creative World
  • Insight into Sheridan’s process and how filming locations support crew stability:

    “Because he’s shooting so much in Fort Worth, a lot of our crew will roll from like Landman to the Lioness and have year-round jobs. That’s a quality of life you can give to the crew, which is a huge deal.” (23:29 — Ali)

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2. Life Changes: Leaving LA for Idaho

• Motivations & Local Reaction
  • Ali moved her family to Idaho during the pandemic, seeking authenticity and room for her kids to flourish:

    “Idaho’s cool. They don’t care [about Hollywood]. If I can shoot an elk, I’d be the star of this town.” (12:20 — Ali)

  • Their social life centers around family and kids, not Hollywood parties:

    “We love when the house is packed with families and children are running around...we made decisions for the right reasons.” (13:14 — Ali)

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3. Career Origins & The Esquire “It Girl” Hoax

• Early Ambitions & Grit
  • Growing up in New Jersey, Ali’s mom hustled her into the city for auditions, fostering both drive and toughness.
• The Esquire Prank
  • Ali was cast as “Allegra Coleman,” a fake ingenue in a satirical Esquire profile—Hollywood believed it and suddenly doors opened:

    “They basically created a fake It Girl...that was you?”
    “Yes...a different name: Allegra Pullman. They wrote about Hollywood’s fixation on making ‘it girls’ and Hollywood bit. I got a manager and then...other doors opened.” (35:28 — Jesse/Ali)

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4. Auditioning, Acting, and Staying Real

• On Auditions
  • Ali finds auditioning unnatural and prefers real connection:

    “Auditioning is really hard for me...it’s not really acting to me. You’re putting on a show for people.” (33:16 — Ali)

• First Breaks
  • Remembers booking early roles by committing fully:

    “I sat on the floor and just went there...it was one of the first moments I felt like I connected as myself to the character.” (37:43 — Ali)

• On Glamour & Aging
  • Ali values authenticity and envies actresses who age naturally:

    “The age we’re living in now, where everyone’s face-tuned and filtered...I look at the women aging so beautifully and gracefully...that’s the path.” (38:23 — Ali)

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5. Iconic Projects: Heroes & Legally Blonde

• Heroes
  • Discussion on the ensemble cast, series success, and subsequent chaos:

    “First season was incredible...but then it kind of falls apart. Success can be hard for a show, too. Huge ensemble...it was always going to be hard.” (39:32— Ali)

• Legally Blonde
  • The enduring charm and cultural impact:

    “I remember going through the casting process and just really wanting to play this character...it just cracked me up that she went to jail for liposuction. That was so defining.” (42:20 — Ali)

    • Ali expresses gratitude for its longevity and says it’s one of the only films of hers she can show her kids.

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6. Personal Life & Partnership

• Meeting her Husband, Hayes MacArthur
  • Met while both were working in Austin, solidified their partnership over many summers in Maine:

    “He’s such a light...we’ve gone every year for 19 years.” (22:00 — Ali)

• Marriage Secrets
  • On the key to staying together:

    “My father...said, ‘There can be long days; there can be long years. And to hold on.’ ...It’s not romantic advice, but I’m in for the journey with this man.” (45:01 — Ali)

  • Humor is essential:

    “It’s his sense of humor that just holds us together. It’s nice having funny people...I love being in a house of laughter.” (45:14 — Ali)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the initial Billy Bob dynamic:

  “It was kind of like two people dancing around a room for a little bit, like, sniffing each other, you know. And then finally...we just started talking. And he’s so authentic, he’s so real.”
  — Ali Larter, 09:07

• On auditioning:

  “Auditioning is really hard for me...you’re not in the moment with another actor. Transcending space and time. You’re performing, which you are good at.”
  — Ali Larter, 33:16

• On life in Idaho:

  “If I can shoot an elk, they would have been like, ‘Oh my God, you’re the star of this town.’ No, but that’s not what it was...we fully committed...because we made a choice authentic and true to us, positive things happened.”
  — Ali Larter, 12:20 & 13:14

• On the Esquire hoax:

  “Hollywood bit it...I got a manager, and other doors opened...I was charging through like a bull in a china shop my whole life.”
  — Ali Larter, 35:28–36:06

• On Billy Bob Thornton’s approach:

  “He just doesn’t want anything to happen [off camera]. He wants it all on camera...He does like three or four takes, and then the man is out.”
  — Ali Larter, 27:55–28:16

• On aging and authenticity:

  “I look at a lot of the women aging so beautifully and gracefully...that’s the path: Julianne Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange.”
  — Ali Larter, 38:23

• On staying present:

  “You have to be extraordinarily present...you can throw me in with a pack of wolves, and I’m gonna find my way.”
  — Ali Larter, 29:24

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Fun & Memorable Moments

• Seafood Tower Revelry
  • Lively eating, especially the “atomic” horseradish:

    “That’s the new trick...get the Maestro’s Atomic horseradish. Yum.” (22:34 — Ali)

• Parenthood Comedy
  • Jesse shares a story of his son’s dry wit with Nathan Lane and Pam Adlon:

    “Nathan goes, ‘hepatitis?’ Beckett’s like, ‘no, a car.’” (46:44 — Jesse)

    • Became a running family joke:

      “I said, ‘Pam, it didn’t look like you were having fun.’” (47:36 — Jesse)

• Dinner Table Bonding
  • Shared joy about Maine summers, family dinners, and favorite dishes.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-03:30 — Jesse’s intro, ambiance of Mastro’s, setting up the meal
• 03:34-13:28 — Welcoming Ali, “Landman” talk, moving to Idaho
• 18:51-24:42 — Meeting her husband, work/life balance, Taylor Sheridan
• 24:56-29:24 — Billy Bob Thornton’s methods, acting processes
• 30:26-38:23 — Early career, Esquire “It Girl” story, authenticity in Hollywood
• 39:01-43:05 — “Heroes,” “Legally Blonde,” impact and legacy
• 44:35-47:29 — Marriage, family humor, heartwarming stories
• 47:45-49:11 — Desserts, closing meal

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Episode Takeaway

This episode is a testament to the importance of authenticity—both on screen and in life. Ali Larter opens up about navigating Hollywood’s superfice, finding happiness away from the limelight, and thriving both professionally and personally by holding on to her roots and values. Full of wit, warmth, and wisdom—this conversation is as nourishing as the meal they shared.

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Next episode tease: Jesse chats with Eric Stonestreet (“Cam” from Modern Family) about their years working together.

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Transcript

[A]

I'm heading up to Napa, the wine country, soon, for a little trip. We're spending New Year's Eve up there. It's me and my in laws and my kids and some friends I think are also joining us. So we actually have a lot of needs. We need a space for a lot of people to stay. We want to be able to cook breakfast in the house. We want to maybe have a few dinners there. We want space for the kids to hang out and play. And we don't want to be too cramped. That's the main thing. So we're staying at a home I booked, booked on Airbnb. Every time I stay at one, I'm reminded why I love them so much. It's the thoughtfulness. You walk in and everything's just handled. There are fresh towels that actually match and the heat's already on. And the kitchen has basics you always forgot to pack. And there's a clear note telling you how to work the fireplace so you don't actually, you know, set the place or yourself on fire. And honestly, I've been thinking about hosting my own home on Airbnb while I'm away on trips, but managing everything seems like a lot to juggle. So that's when I turned to Airbnb's co host network. It's so great you can partner with a local co host who can manage everything. Messaging, guests, styling, stalking, making sure check ins are smooth. All the little touches that make a stay feel effortless. So if you've been thinking about hosting, but all those details feel, you know, overwhelming as they should, a co host can help you create that. Wow, they really thought of everything. Feeling without you having to become a full time innkeeper. Find a co [e-mail] host. I've talked pretty openly on this show, but, you know, therapy actually has been really a very important part of my life. Not because of some big thing that happened, but because having a space to check in and get honest and talk things through actually makes everything else feel so much more manageable. The hardest part, though, can be getting started. I literally think I had start therapy on my to do list for, well, longer than I would like to admit. Grow therapy makes it way easier to check off the list. It's covered by insurance and care can start in as little as two days. Whether it's your first time in therapy or your 50th, grow makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. They connect you with thousands of independent licensed therapists across the United States, offering both virtual and in person sessions, nights and weekends. There are no subscriptions, no long term commitments. You just pay per session. And if something comes up, you can Cancel up to 24 hours in advance at no cost. Whatever challenges you're facing, Growth Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $20 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit growththerapy.com today to get started. That's growththerapy.com Dom availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. Hi, it's Jesse. Today on the show. You know her from Varsity Blues, Heroes.

[B]

Legally Blonde, and most recently as Angela.

[A]

On Landman, it's Allie Larder.

[B]

How did the locals react to you?

[C]

I mean, really? Yeah, because Idaho's cool. They don't care. Like if I can shoot an elk. They would have been like, oh, my God, you're the star of this town.

[A]

This is dinner's on me. And I'm your host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

[B]

I have been a fan of Allie Larder's ever since I saw her in one of my favorite movies of all time, Legally Blonde.

[A]

Listen, if Legally Blonde's playing on an.

[B]

Airplane, you bet your bottom dollar I'd be watching that on that airplane. That's gonna be a flight that I'm very happy to be on.

[A]

I also loved her on the show Heroes that my friend Zachary Quinta was on. But I am wildly invested in her new show, Landman.

[B]

It's Taylor Sheridan's new show and I am absolutely loving it and I am very excited for season two, which she's out promoting right now.

[A]

I'm sitting here at Mastro's in Beverly. I'm on a terrace overlooking North Canyon, which is in the heart of Beverly Hills.

[B]

You hear the hubbub of people doing their fancy shopping.

[A]

Downstairs, it's a beautiful patio. Inside, it's dark and elegant with a.

[B]

Low hum of people.

[A]

Martinis are clinking and the steaks are hitting that 1500 degree broiler before coming out sizzling. And clarified butter on a 450 degree plate. Careful, that plate's hot. And then there's the two foot tall seafood tower.

[B]

I see some of the other tables are having mastros.

[A]

Can make a skyscraper of crab legs feel subtle and yet so fancy. We actually picked mastros for Ally, mostly because the mood here feels like it.

[B]

Matches her Landman energy.

[A]

Big, confident, a little bold. Angela, her character that she plays, has that Texas steeliness to her. You get the sense that Angela wouldn't.

[B]

Blink twice at ordering the biggest steak here.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

She should be walking in any minute.

[A]

Let's get to the conversation.

[B]

Come here. Give me a hug.

[C]

Nice to be doing this in the middle of all of the crazy.

[B]

I gotta feed you.

[C]

Oh, my gosh, please.

[A]

You're.

[B]

How long are you in LA for?

[C]

So I'm here till Friday. We started with New York Jumped the Pond Berlin. London jumped to the pond back, L.A. straight into women in Film Berlin. We've been everywhere. I can't. I never knew it would be international. I'm like, why does this happen?

[B]

Landman feels very American.

[C]

Very. And it's like an eye into West Texas. It's not even like, you know, all of it's been such a surprise, you know, I mean, how it's, like, connected with people when it's really. You know, it started with, like, the dangerous world of oil and the underbelly of it. And then I think that people, like, you know, they drop in with the family. There's so many different tones and people in our show and different characters that, I don't know, it connected.

[B]

Okay, listen, grateful. I know I was a Yellowstone fan, okay. I didn't get all the way through the series yet because there's so much to like. And then there's all these prequels and all this stuff.

[C]

There's like a whole world.

[B]

And so when I got season two of Landman, and so I was like, let me just start with the first episode of season one first, because I.

[A]

Don'T want to jump into season two.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

I became so invested.

[C]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

I'm now like, I'm so invested.

[C]

I'm so excited.

[A]

It's so good.

[C]

Thank you. That's such a compliment coming from you. And so you see our funny in the show, like, I don't think the first season we knew we were going to be so funny. And then we like, okay, we got the joke and let's lean in. This season.

[B]

It's very funny. I mean, some of the stuff that Billy Bob Thornton just throws away is in the opening, in the pilot episode when there's like, this crazy accident that happens on the highway.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

And he's talking about creating an easement around the. The devastation so he could still, like, you know, bring oil in and out. And they're like, well, you know, we have to, like, mark this off because there's dead bodies. Right? He's like, well, there's no dead bodies on this side. And then he's like, one. He's like, yeah. It's like, ah, burned up, man. Over here.

[C]

I know.

[B]

And the way he delivers that, it's just so dry.

[C]

So dry. It's such like a curmudgeon.

[B]

And then your character just like, oh.

[C]

My God, I light him up. I light him up. It's just like oil and water, two wrongs that make a right. Like, it's just like, who would have thought? Not I. You know. Yeah. It's like Taylor's writing is so spot on. But when we first read it, it was so much fighting and vitriol between us. Like, it was just like, it was much harsher. And, you know, it was like, he's.

[B]

Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

[C]

Kind of. Totally. Well, it's like we do. I mean, Billy talks about it a lot. It's like, with the work of it, he thinks it's like. It is. It does come back to, like an old Hollywood romance. Like, the banter of it is like more of a throwback that we do, but we didn't want it to be that. So it was like, how do we take some of the scripts and really find ways to like, push in the love, push in the history, push in the shared experiences. And then, you know, you do the work the first season and then second season, you're like, you know, I mean, everyone's just like, well oiled.

[B]

You do the work of the, like, even the pilot, because you're not in too much of the pilot. You appear on FaceTime.

[C]

Yes. I don't come until three.

[B]

Yeah, but you're on FaceTime videos.

[A]

But even just.

[B]

And part of it's, you know, I can attribute to, like, the great writing. But a lot of it's just like chemistry amongst the actors, which you can't like, explain, explain or buy or create something that happens.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

But, like, to create that is hard. And did you know Billy Bob before this?

[C]

I've never met him before. I remember the dinner that we sat down at. It was like, immediately, give me a martini. He's like ripping through Michelob Ultra and just like, you know, smoking like a chimney. And I had Michelle there with me, his wife Connie, and Tom, who's like, you know, Billy's right hand who's always with us. And it was kind of like two people dancing around a room for a little bit, like, sniffing each other, you know. And then finally, you know, we kind of met in the middle and we just started talking. And he's so authentic, he's so real.

[B]

That's the vibe I get from him. I've met him very briefly and that's the vibe I Get.

[C]

It's his way, you know. He's not putting on airs for anybody.

[D]

Good afternoon.

[A]

Hi.

[D]

It is so lovely to have you. Welcome to Mastro.

[C]

Thank you for having us.

[D]

Oh, you're very welcome. You are actually in our newest addition to our restaurant here, the Garden at the penthouse.

[C]

Beautiful.

[D]

It's very nice.

[C]

It really is. Yeah.

[D]

So as far as starting you off this afternoon, did you want to do some iced water or did you prefer bottled still or bottled?

[C]

Sparkling.

[B]

What do you want?

[C]

You know, actually, regular water is fine for me, but just some. Some. Some lemon. Okay, perfect. Thank you.

[D]

And then are you interested in looking at maybe a cocktail list or having a glass of wine?

[C]

I'm not a huge day drinker, but catch me at five and. And I would have been in. It's a little early for me.

[D]

Fantastic. We do have co. Products. Lemonade, Strawberry.

[E]

Lemonade.

[B]

I'll do lemonade.

[D]

Okay, perfect. And how can I. Anything for you?

[C]

No, just water. I mean, I'm. We're going to get into this food. I mean, I'm so excited to dine.

[D]

Some great stuff.

[C]

I'm thrilled. I can't wait.

[B]

Is that what you call this?

[C]

It's killing me not to have like a Chablis with it. I mean, the whole thing is killing me. You're catching me a week too early. You know?

[B]

Like, you have Fallon tonight.

[A]

You cannot.

[C]

I know. Kimmel. I'm like. I don't ever like, you know. But as soon as that's over, if.

[B]

It was Fallon, you could get wasted. Not on Camel.

[C]

Right. Exactly.

[D]

It's going to be a post Camel experience.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

So we'll go through everything that you can expect and we'll be right over with the fabrics for you.

[C]

Thank you. Perfect.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you. That's so funny. I stopped drinking actually, like a year ago. Oh, my gosh.

[C]

Do you feel amazing?

[B]

I do, but I'm just so clear.

[C]

Like, it's like to get the burn off, you know, it's like. That's like the one part. But I bet you're sleeping like a dream.

[B]

I do sleep really well.

[C]

I mean. Yeah.

[B]

Although Justin just. My husband just sent me. Sometimes I take melatonin.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And he sent me a thing about.

[B]

Like, how melatonin's bad for you. I'm like, you're drinking alcohol every night. Like, don't tell me a thing about melatonin.

[C]

No. Forget it. Like, give me my one thing. Give it to me. But you gotta just do magnesium.

[B]

I know.

[D]

Magnesium.

[C]

High, high doses. Like, you know, triple the Dose.

[B]

Right. You know, it's like a magnesium bath.

[C]

Beautiful.

[B]

But I can't do that every night. That's a little excessive.

[C]

Yes. But it's like. It's also, like, it depends when you're working and, like, what you have to do to just, like, take care of yourself. And then the off time, you can kind of ease up on it all. You know, I just find, like, when I'm shooting 14 hour days or like, just in the thrust of, like, the madness, I'm like, whatever can get me through just needs to get me through for sure.

[B]

You moved to Idaho during the pandemic, right?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Like, I mean, you are someone who has a pretty well known career and people know you from.

[C]

Been doing this for a long time. Iconic roles. Long time.

[B]

Like, how did the locals react to you?

[C]

I mean, really? Yeah. Cause Idaho's cool. They don't care. Like, if I can shoot an elk. They would have been like, oh, my God, you're the star of this town. No, but that's not what it was. It was really just. It was like a simple unfolding of relationships naturally forming and knowing that also, we love being with our children. So a lot of the people that we spend time with are our children, the parents of the children, because, you know, it's like, we're not into just, like, doing, like, adult dinners, you know, like, we love when the house is packed with families and children are running around. So that's what we really saw there. And so that's. Yeah. And so we just did it. And then we, you know, we fully committed, and it's. I can't believe it's been five years, which is wild. But I feel like, because I think, because we made a choice that was authentic and true to us, that then positive things happened, you know, in our lives. And it's like we made decisions for the right reasons. That's what it felt like, you know, putting our kids first.

[A]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Ali tells me about how she met her husband, Hayes MacArthur, and a fascinating little tidbit about her Landman co star, Billy Bob Thornton. Okay, be right back. Big thanks to HomeServe for sponsoring this episode. You know, owning a home, it's amazing. Until it's not. One minute you're enjoying your morning coffee, and the next you're ankle deep in water from a burst pipe. Oh, here's a true story. I had a near miss with a faulty water heater a while back, and I kept thinking, if this had gone out over the weekend. How much would this have cost repairs? They don't care about timing. They definitely don't care about your budget. That's where HomeServe comes in. It's like a subscription for your home, covering the things your regular homeowner's insurance usually doesn't, like plumbing failures, H Vac breakdowns or electrical issues. For as little as $4.99 a month, they've got back. And the best part? You don't have to panic searching for a contractor. You can just call HomeServe's 24. 7 hotline and schedule a repair with a reliable local professional. They've been helping homeowners for over 20 years with a network of 2,600 contractors across the country, and with 4.5 million customers, a 4.8 out of 5 post repair rating, and an A BBB rating, you know they're the real deal. If I had needed this, HomeServ is what I'd use. Knowing that peace of mind is just a call away is worth it. Help protect your home systems and your wallet with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month. Go to HomeServe.com to find the plan that's right for you. That's HomeServe.com not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 and $11.99 a month for your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. Okay, this happens every holiday season. I get a little depleted and off my routine after the holidays. Listen, I don't know why I did it, but I decided to double down on the eggnog this year. Double down on the eggnog and I'm feeling its effects. So Prolon's five day Fasting mimicking diet really makes it easy to reset heading into the new year. Prolon's Fasting Mimicking Diet is a rev plant based nutrition program that nourishes the body while keeping it in a fasting state. It works at the cellular level to support fat loss, glowing skin, sharper focus, all that good stuff. And with its simple structured plan, you can really build momentum in just a few days. Provon is Based on over two decades of research from USC's Longevity Institute and backed by top medical centers. Everything comes prepackaged. Five days, five boxes, no guesswork, and three consecutive cycles have been shown to reduce your biological age score by 2.5 years and your waist by 1.5 inches. Plus, Prolon is the first and only patent nutrition program to support longevity through cellular rejuvenation Just in time for the new year, Prolon is offering dinners on me listeners 15% off their five day nutrition program for your post holiday. Glow up when you go to prolonlife.com sl doom that's P R O L O N life.com D O M for 15% off. Managing your finances takes time. Like way more time than anyone actually wants to spend. Canceling old subscriptions, tracking expenses, trying to stick to a budget. It adds up. That's why I love Rocket Money. It really does the heavy lifting for you and simplifies the whole thing. Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps and cancel unwanted subscriptions, keeps an eye on your spending, and even helps lower your bills so that you can grow your savings without turning it into a second job. Their dashboard lays out your full financial picture all in one place. Dates that bills are due, paydays, all of it. And they do it in a way that's actually easy to understand. Also, you can create custom budgets based on how you. Also, you can create custom budgets based on how you've really been spending, not how you wish you were spending. Okay, now this part's really cool. Rocket Money will even try to negotiate lower bills for you. The app scans your bills, looks for opportunities to save, and then goes to work getting you better deals. They'll even talk to customer service so you don't have to, which honestly, feels like a gift. And it works. Rocket Money has saved users over 2.5 billion, including over 880 million in canceled subscriptions alone. Their 10 million members save up to $740 a year when they use all of the app's premium feature features. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com Dinner today. That's RocketMoney.com Dinner RocketMoney.com Dinner. And we're back with more dinners on me.

[B]

And you and Hayes have been together for 19 years.

[C]

That's my gosh. Crazy.

[B]

How did you two meet?

[C]

You know, we worked together in Austin and I had just come from living in New York. I spent a lot of my twenties in New York City. And I had just come back. I wasn't even really sure I was coming back. And I met him and you know, Hayes is so funny and he's such a light, you know, and I get nervous, like at the lunchtime, you know, when you're on, like, you know, your first set, you know, just meeting the people. Like, do you sit with the crew? Do you sit with your cast? Like, usually I Just, like, sit in my trailer and, like, you know, just, like, decompress. Oh, my God. Come on.

[A]

Stop it.

[C]

I mean, you don't know me that well, but now I know, like, you've got my number. This is divine. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Incredible.

[C]

Wow. What kind of oysters are they? Do you guys know? Are they kushis? Kumamotos. What do we have? Oh, I love kushis. Beautiful.

[D]

So you have, like, I said, beautiful spread here. So this is the shrimp cocktail. You have our housemade cocktail sauce underneath.

[C]

Beautiful.

[D]

The cushy oysters, which are my personal favorites as well.

[C]

Beautiful.

[D]

Then you've got that beautiful lobster cocktail that I mentioned, which is insane. Alaskan king crab legs. And then these are caper berries. I really love them.

[C]

They're pickled.

[D]

They're gonna be very similar to an olive. So definitely suggest you have cocktail forks and the lemon wedges there. And then your sauces, your dipping sauces. So we have our Macho's mustard sauce. On your left, we have a mignonette Atomic horseradish, which is. Is extremely spicy but super good. And then housemade cocktail sauce.

[C]

Shell buckets here.

[A]

Quite.

[C]

This is a meal in a tow. I know. Seriously in for a treat. Thank you.

[B]

Spit bucket.

[D]

Yeah. Please enjoy.

[C]

Beautiful. I mean, should we start with oysters?

[B]

Sure, let's start with an oyster. My God, I'm so excited.

[C]

Our little. These are crackers.

[B]

Something dainty. I have my own set of dippings.

[C]

Oh, my goodness.

[B]

They don't go small.

[C]

Oh, they're already loosened too. We can suck them down.

[B]

Oh, good. Send them down.

[A]

We can send them down.

[B]

I'm gonna try some spicy.

[C]

Doesn't even need anything.

[B]

Really.

[C]

That was perfect.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

That was, duh. Vine having one more. You can just tell they're so fresh. I mean, a bad oyster is.

[B]

Oh, yeah, it's the worst.

[C]

All right, I'm gonna have this minionette now and try those. That's my. Mostly my go to is a minionet. Your go to on the oyster or whatever.

[B]

I love a horseradish. I love spice.

[C]

I love it, too. Sometimes I put a little horseradish on my minionette.

[A]

Maybe I'll do that.

[C]

Just.

[B]

That's delicious. Like champagne vinaigrette.

[C]

You know, a lot of places do. Like, there's one place in Texas that does, like, a Frank's hot sauce. Like a little sorbet drop.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

It's, like, so good. It keeps it cold.

[B]

Very classy. So good. I think just the name Seafood Tower, though, sounds so Aggressive to me.

[C]

It's true. It is the meal. It's like a celebratory thing. Right? I mean. But this is kind of my dream dinner. You know, we spend our summers in Maine.

[B]

Oh, incredible.

[C]

So we are lobster.

[B]

Why do you go there?

[C]

So Hayes grew up going there and when I started dating him, he brought me there and such a. You know, we've gone every year for 19 years. I just love it so much. I love me.

[B]

It's a great part of the world. We go to Provincetown a lot.

[C]

The Northeast.

[A]

Woo.

[C]

Atomic.

[B]

It's really spicy.

[C]

Got me.

[B]

It's very atomic.

[C]

They got me. I love it though. It like clears me out after all my freaking plane rides.

[B]

You're ready for a scene.

[C]

Serious scene.

[B]

You're ready for a very serious scene.

[C]

That's the new trick.

[B]

Oh my God.

[C]

Get the Maestro's Atomic with horseradish. Yum.

[B]

This is incredible. I've got to slow down.

[C]

We are going fast.

[B]

Yeah, I'm really just housing this. My friend Patrick Adams is working on Taylor's new show that she's up in Montana.

[C]

Okay. The Madison.

[B]

Yes. But he said that they had their like meet and greet in Texas. It. Does Taylor have like some sort of like a ranch that he just.

[C]

Yeah, he lives right outside of Fort Worth and Weatherford and that's his world, you know, because he's on horses in the morning. Like he kind of does this because he has to. He just wants to be with his horses, you know, and his and his world and his son Gus and Nicole. And so they live their amazing life out there and traveling all the time. And you know, somehow he keeps like spitting out these like, you know, brilliant worlds that are so unique in their own way with all these amazing characters and you know, they're down there. What he's done that I think is incredibly special is that because of the instability in our world, nobody knows what their next job is. And because he's shooting so much in Fort Worth, a lot of our crew will roll from like Landman to the Lioness and have year round jobs. And that's something that is just like a quality of life that you can give to the crew, which is a huge deal, you know, which is pretty cool.

[B]

Trust all those people and just.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You have your team around you.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Were you like looking to do another series or.

[C]

Because this came out of the blue.

[B]

You're in Idaho.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You're.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You like admitted like, is this like gonna be something that's bad for my career or good for my Career. And then this comes up.

[D]

Pardon my interruption. Everything tasting great?

[B]

It's so good.

[D]

Okay, so how can I prepare that wise Ragu ribeye for you? Do you prefer medium rare?

[A]

Medium.

[B]

I'm gonna go with whatever you would like.

[C]

I'm medium rare.

[B]

I mean, that sounds great.

[D]

So warm and red throughout all the way.

[B]

That sounds great.

[C]

Amazing.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

If it's too much, we'll start on the ends.

[B]

But you were. You were.

[C]

So we were there and it's like, you know, I was reading different projects, but, you know, you think about where you're gonna. We'd have to relocate.

[B]

Right.

[C]

If it's a 10 month a year network show. And so this one, though, it was just like so prestigious, you know, I mean, Taylor's a genius and Billy is, I don't know, I think one of the best actors working in our industry, so.

[A]

But he doesn't.

[B]

Billy Bob doesn't like to rehearse.

[C]

No.

[B]

So talk me through that because I'm a rehearser. Eric Stonestreet also doesn't love to rehearse, but I'm from the theater background, and that's what we. I mean, I love. I would rehearse for 10 weeks if I could.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

How do you do with that?

[C]

The first time I've encountered that. Okay. You know, I did so much preparation for this character. You know, I've worked with Ivana Chubby for years, who's just like my partner in this. And I did all the work. Yeah, I did all the. I do a lot of the work in preparation so that when I'm there, it can go in any direction.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Also, I work with like, Jessica Drake every week on the accent, because that's a big part of it. Because the accent is so specific to not only like Angela growing up in, like, West Texas, but like, you know, like Cami, who has, like privileged background. Like, there's. So there's like nuances within all these accents that really kind of show you a bit of who the character is. And Ainsley, who's grown up in the social media world, so she doesn't say the same thing certain ways. Like, it's all very much done by the books of, like, what's real in those parts of the world and in Texas. But so, you know, coming onto set, I mean, the first day, it was like the first scene I had was coming off the plane and walking, you know, surprising them. And it was, you know, three cameras. We have like a Batmobile circling around, you know, 300 people. Our crew is Massive.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Taylor's on a megaphone, you know what I'm saying, Shouting at me. And all of a sudden I'm up there in the plane waiting, and I hear action. We do not block. There is no rehearsal. I have not heard these lines okay with him. Okay. I have worked them.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

And I just. It was like.

[B]

So you're rehearsing on camera?

[C]

Basically, we're rehearsing on camera and there's no blocking. Like, you're hitting a. You're hitting a spot. It was kind of like we was just finding it and. And that's how it, that's how it rolls. You know, there are moments now where we're definitely like doing a little bit of blocking, kind of walking through. But our camera people are extraordinary and they find us, you know, which is a very different thing for me, thinking that I don't like if the shots messed up, if I'm, you know, six inches to the left. Like, that's not what happens on our show. They find it and they're able to like, zoom in, zoom out. Which is also a fascinating thing because you can't play to how you think the scene's gonna look or whether it's like, you know, you don't know which.

[B]

Camera'S picking you up.

[C]

But is it like a tight. Like, I'm always like, tell me if you're coming in for like a really tight one versus, you know, like waist up. It's just. You can do different things.

[B]

It's so interesting that you're being like that, that. That comfort is being taken away from you in this process too.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Like your, your normal tricks and are the things that you sure find comfort in is like, that's. You don't have access to any of that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's just.

[C]

No. And. And you just, you have to just be extraordinarily present, you know, And I think that.

[B]

Is this a Taylor thing or is this a Billy Bob Borton for Thor?

[C]

This is. This is very Billy. And Taylor loves it because Taylor's just fast.

[B]

Got it.

[C]

Taylor's fast. He does eight hour days when he's directing, you know, I mean, we're usually a 13 hour day, you know, But Billy just really despises if, you know, a rehearsal where something happens.

[B]

Right.

[C]

He's like. He just doesn't want anything to happen. He wants it all on camera, you know, manufactured. Yes. And he does like three or four takes and then the man is out.

[B]

He's done.

[C]

He's done. He's dead end.

[B]

That's what Ed o' Neill would do. I remember when we started Modern Family, and the girl who played my daughter was new to season three. They cast her. So she was, you know, she's five years old, four years old, doing television. Oh, my gosh. And, you know, we're doing things multiple times, and she's like, I just did this. Why do we have to do it again? And Ed o' Neill was like, yeah, agreed. We should move on.

[E]

Yeah, let's go.

[B]

Yeah, let's go.

[C]

Well, I mean, you have to have respect for other people's processes, you know, and it's like, I could easily have reverence and respect for Billy because of his career, you know, so it's like, I'm leaning in right to these people. And, like, Taylor, who's just an extraordinary screenwriter, you know, and a director, and it's like they have a vision. Let's go. And now it's like I'm right there with them as their sparring partner. And I think it's, like, changed me as an actor about what I'm capable of and, like, you know, the situations I can be put in and what I know I need for myself, I never sacrifice. But how I think that, you know, you can throw me in with a pack of wolves, and I'm gonna find my way.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

Now, let's take a quick break, but don't go anywhere. When we return, we get into her early days of auditioning and how a hoax involving David Schwimmer kickstarted her career. Okay, be right back.

[E]

This is not a drill. For the first time in Lipstick on the Rim history, a real housewife has entered the studio. And not just any housewife. Rachel Zo, the fashion legend herself. Did we expect styling stories, glam chaos stories from the past decade in a full cat eye at all times? Yes. Did we expect her to open up about divorce, rediscovering herself, joining Housewives with zero Prep, and what it feels like to finally feel like her again? No. It is vulnerable, iconic, hilarious, and one of our favorite conversations ever. The Real Housewives have officially entered the chat. Listen now.

[A]

And we're back with more dinners on me.

[B]

Did you. I mean, when you. When you. When you started off your career, did you have aspirations to be, like, in this place?

[A]

Did you.

[B]

I mean, could you. I mean, I think back to, like, when I was, you know, 13, 14, and started, you know, to work a little bit.

[C]

And, like, were you really young, too.

[B]

I would say was doing theater, though. And that's, like, all I really wanted to Do.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Thank you. You know, I just.

[B]

If I was like, if I could be in the ensemble of into the Woods, I've made it. Like, I never, like, imagined these things for myself.

[C]

Yeah. Oh, that's so beautiful. You know, you got there.

[B]

I did. I did so much. I mean, you started early, but, like.

[C]

You know, it's just like. It's so rare, you know, like, you can have incredible talent, but if you're not meeting the project at the right time, at the right moment, it just. It doesn't unfold right. You know, I mean, I think probably the greatest actors aren't. You know, I've never worked before.

[A]

That's.

[B]

I think about that all the time. I was just talking about Betty Gilpin, actually. She's having this, like, incredible moment right now where she's, like, one of the most in demand actresses ever, and she's been working her. Her ass off for so long.

[C]

Right.

[B]

And I truly think she's, like, one of our greatest.

[C]

She was amazing in American Primeval.

[B]

Amazing and Glow and like, she's just really super talented. But now she's sort of, like, on everyone's list, and everyone wants to work with her, and I'm like, thank God. I mean, like, she was always gonna work, but, like, she's having a real moment right now.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. When. When you were in the early part of your career and you were having these opportunities, like in Varsity Blues and stuff, did they feel like, how did.

[A]

Can you.

[B]

How did. How did those moments feel to you? Do you feel like they were.

[C]

I've always been landmark moments. I feel like growing up in New Jersey is. Just explains so much about me, you know, like, I'm Exit 4. My mom was driving me up the Jersey Turnpike through the Holland Tunnel, you know, for a go see that lasted 10 minutes long.

[B]

Yes. Go sees.

[C]

It's just like, oh, my gosh, Just doing it, you know? And the thing with starting to go up to New York from, you know, this really, you know, simple, beautiful childhood I had was that I was starting to be exposed to everything that lit me up.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, artists, you know, fashion, architecture, you know, all of it. And being in that city, like that melting pot at that time in the 90s was so exciting. And walking those streets was such a big part of, like, me going just looking around by myself and going, who do I want to be? How do I get here? You know? How do I get here? And so, so much of it was, like, doing commercials. And I did do some acting classes when I was 13, and I was just put, you know, I was put with older guys. You know, it was a real. Just turn off for me. You know, I've been in a lot of. Of situations in my career and in my life that could have gone very awry. And, you know, it's just like I had to develop this toughness to be able to kind of survive the industry at a young age, from traveling to just go, you know, it's just like. It just. It is what it is. You know, that just was part of being in the entertainment business. And there was like a toughness that came to me. But when the auditions started coming around. Auditioning is really hard for me. I mean, even to this day, it's just like, it's not something that comes naturally to me. It's not really acting to me. You're putting on a show for people. You're not in the moment with another actor. Transcending space and time. You're performing, which you are good at.

[B]

But sometimes. But sometimes opposite a reader who's like giving you nothing. They're like, I feel like 20 people. A cat on a hot tin roof.

[C]

Yes, yes. And it's really hard to be able to do that stuff.

[B]

I know you've told this story so many times, but I'm still so confused by it. So, I mean, I'm gonna ask you to tell me and like, I might have a few, like, follow up questions, but you have to explain this Esquire.

[C]

Oh, my gosh story to me. Totally crazy. I was. I was in la, you know, it's like modeling side Hustle. Yeah. Just paying, you know, paying your rent.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Commercials, acting class. Just like trying to find it kind of here, you know, I knew Amy Smart. I knew a bunch of different people, you know, scrappy. We were roommates in Milan.

[B]

Incredible. Okay.

[C]

When we were 17. So when I came out here, she was the person I knew. And then the world just expands, you know, around that, which is so funny. I love her so much. She lives in Michigan now. I miss her that I don't get to see her. So great, you know?

[B]

Yeah. Oh, I was at the Esquire story.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

You're like, I've told it so many times, I can't even remember.

[C]

No, I mean, it's like, it's funny. I just had to do this Wall Street Journal interview that took me down memory lane. And it's like, it's. We've been doing this long enough. You know, you kind of like go back into all the pivotal moments and that was. I Was cast by the photographer because he knew me and was like, we need someone that is believable as, like, an ingenue. And it was really crazy because they wrote it about, you know, Hollywood's fixation on making it girls. And it was their big old joke, you know, on Hollywood. And Hollywood bit it, you know, so.

[B]

They basically created a fake it girl.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

And that was you?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

A different name.

[B]

I know the name was Allegra.

[C]

Yeah. Allegra Pullman.

[B]

So random.

[C]

Yeah, so random.

[B]

It's like an allergy pill.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And there was a whole backstory.

[C]

Yes. Deepak Chopra, David Schwimmer pictures with him. Like, they really made it look like it was a profile on this rising actress.

[B]

And you were just the model who was playing that actress.

[C]

100%.

[B]

And people bought it. And I got a manager, and you.

[C]

Got a manager, and then I. Other doors opened, and that's like, you know, all these things that have happened in my career. I didn't, like, stand there and go, should I walk through that door?

[A]

Right.

[C]

It was like I was charging through like a bull in a china shop my whole life.

[B]

Do you remember when this. When that op. When that opportunity came, like, okay, this is a job we want you to do? Like, what was. Do you remember, like, what your thought process was? Was, like, it was really fun.

[C]

No, it was really fun because I got to be incredibly expressive.

[B]

Right.

[C]

You know, and even in all the pictures, you know, like, getting to play into that.

[A]

Was it a cover story?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Incredible.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So you're on the COVID of Esquire having, like, really hadn't. Had you had anything?

[C]

No.

[B]

You hadn't done anything?

[C]

Hadn't done anything. Commercials. Commercials. Commercials.

[B]

Right, Right.

[C]

You know, here you are on the.

[B]

COVID of Esquire as, like, the it girl, and everyone's looking at you and, like, wondering who you are.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And wondering who Allegra is.

[C]

Really?

[B]

And, like, if you really read.

[C]

If you read it. Right. Like, if you read it.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Which I haven't done, you would be like. But most people don't read it. They skim it. They see the COVID They do. They flip through. They see some pictures. They cap it. Who's this girl?

[B]

Right.

[C]

You know what I'm saying?

[B]

No one did their homework to, like, is David Schwartz really dating?

[C]

No. All the calls were happening, and then I kind of. It led me to my manager, and then it led me into a lot of opportunities, and I started, you know, getting auditions, you know, and people would see me, you know, I mean, that's half the battle in our business, it's just getting in the room.

[A]

Absolutely.

[C]

Absolutely. And I remember one of my first auditions, like, within the first couple months, was for Chicago Suns. And I had to play a girl who was, like, psychosomatic.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Okay. Who could bleed out of her hand. Okay. And I remember, you know, again, like, one of the six auditions that day, and going in and going, like, I'm so sick of this shit. Like, I'm gonna do this, and I'm gonna do it how I wanna do it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I went into the room, there's 10 people, and I sat on the floor and I just went there. And I fell into what I believed was happening. And it was one of the first moments I felt like I connected as myself to the character. And it was. All of a sudden, it was alive, you know, and that was my first. Really. My first role.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

Yeah. Was on that show. Do you remember that show?

[A]

I do.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

No, it was Chicago. Chicago Hope.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It was like a procedural.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That was the first one. No makeup on. You know what I'm saying? Like, just going in. And that's always been my dream. Like, you know, it's like I. I end up playing these characters that are so, you know, fancy and, like, all glam.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And you can see, like, in Final Destination or. It's like, whenever I get a chance on Heroes, you know, it's just like, where can I take it off? You know? Like, I don't want the makeup. I don't want to do that. Like, what's interesting to me is a face, you know, and not having it look all done up, you know, I mean, the age we're living now, where everyone's freaking face tuned and filtered, and I'm just. You know, I look at a lot of the women who are aging so beautifully and gracefully, and I just. Like, that's the path, you know, Julianne Moore and Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange and, you know, really doing it the right way. Amanda, Pete, like, just doing it the right way.

[B]

I mean, I am, like, I'm like. Like, I think I'm ready to do another series.

[A]

Because that thing I'm talking to you.

[B]

About, like, getting to do a character and, like, parse out information and, like, really, you know, live and with a life of a character for a long time is really something I haven't done in a while and I would like to do.

[C]

Yeah, I've only done it once before with Heroes and, you know, with two.

[B]

Different characters and then, like, A third.

[C]

I mean, it went off the rails, you know, I was just like, what is going on here? Like, you know, but you're committed, and.

[E]

So you have to tell.

[B]

I was fully on board with Heroes for the first few seasons. It was great.

[C]

Bryan Fuller was great. We had, like, great directors coming in. Dave Semmel was amazing. You know, Tim Crane wrote the first season. First season was really special. First season was incredible, you know, but then it kind of, you know, it falls apart. You know, Success can be hard for a show, too.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And success can be very hard for people to stay. To stay the line, you know, to hold course and not go off the rails, you know.

[B]

Huge ensemble, too. I remember.

[C]

Huge.

[B]

Zachary Quinto and I have known each other for a very long time, and we were, like, hanging out at Akbar together. This is the four Modern Family.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And we were just, like, hanging out and this right after Heroes started, and there was a big billboard with his face across from Akbar, which is, like, the place that we'd always hang out.

[C]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

This is. You're having an incredible moment right now. Such a big moment for him.

[C]

Yes. Huge moment for him. And he was so good on the show.

[A]

So great.

[C]

And it kind of, like, launched him off to the next thing, you know, and, you know, it was. Yeah, a massive ensemble is always gonna be hard. I mean, I think it was 12 or 13 of us.

[B]

12 or 13 of you.

[A]

And also such an experiment.

[B]

Like, it was. Yes, like, conceptually.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Such an experiment.

[C]

I mean, the pilot was so beautiful that Dave did, and I think that it, like. Like, again, like, it connected with people, like, their desire and want to believe that there's more to us, you know, that we do have something special inside of all of us. And that's why, like, that's the. I've done, like, some movies that have had that international kind of, like, you know, audience, but that was what. That was the first thing I was surprised by. A television show that really had that.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And we went all over the world with that show.

[B]

I mean, I remember.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, like, you all were. That cast was. Everyone was so excited.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

About you all.

[C]

Yeah. It was a special, special one. And so it's like, when I think about this, the second season, how much even more delicious it is than the first.

[A]

Right.

[C]

And like, a third. You know what I'm saying? Like, and hopefully we'll get to do two or three more or maybe one more. You know, you just never know. But the idea that what you've had is to be Able to, you know, continue to grow within the character and the story. I mean, our first season is only 10 days, you know, so it's like the show is still small in the amount of time we've all been back together. So there is a lot of space left, you know, for these stories to unfold. But who knows? I mean, this industry.

[B]

Yeah, no, for sure.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. While we're waiting for our meet, I want to hear a little bit about Legally Blonde.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Because it is one of my favorite films of all time.

[D]

Oh, my gosh.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

I mean, to be that era of, like, films, there were so many great movies that came out of that time, but, like, very few, like, have the staying power that that film has.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, they turned it to a Broadway musical.

[C]

That's crazy.

[B]

I mean, that's right.

[C]

I mean, it was. You know, Mark Platt produced it. Robert Luketic is a brilliant director who directed it. I remember going through the casting process and, like, you know, really wanting to play this character, because I just. It just cracked me up that she went to jail for liposuction. Like, I just thought that was so defining and who this woman was, like, she was not gonna let anyone take away, you know, her vanity, you know what I'm saying? Like, her little secrets. And I just thought it was so funny. And then it came together again. Like, you never know when it's gonna have that fairy dust sprinkled on the top.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Thank you. And, you know, Rhys is extraordinary in it.

[B]

Yeah. She is.

[C]

The whole cast. Selma Blair, I actually saw this week, which was so great.

[A]

Aw.

[B]

I love so much.

[C]

And she's amazing, you know, and it's just. It's something that you. You show to your kids. And then it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The way. Have your kids feel good.

[C]

Yeah. Yes, Yes. I mean, that's the one. They can watch Jessie.

[E]

The other one.

[B]

That's the one.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

My God, look at. Look at that.

[C]

That's very exciting.

[E]

That is. Is.

[C]

That is very exciting. We're good. We're going in.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[C]

Beautiful. Thank you.

[D]

Of course.

[C]

Beautiful.

[D]

And I know earlier we were talking.

[C]

About one of those mushrooms. Yeah, of course.

[D]

The middle of the steak. So the plates are going to be extra hot, so you can. You can cook up the steak a little bit.

[C]

Okay, great. Beautiful. Thank you.

[D]

And when you came in, we weren't originally gonna have creamed spinach, and. And you came in and you mentioned it, and I was like, chef Walter, we have to do it.

[C]

It's so gorgeous.

[A]

I love cream spinach.

[E]

Thank you.

[C]

That is my most favorite. I've been like, talking to my husband because I'm almost impressed. Tour and I go this weekend. It's steaks and cream spinach, baby. That is my favorite.

[B]

Do you want any broccoli?

[C]

I'm gonna stick with cream spinach. Now. That looks so good. Here, I'm giving those to you. Try a little nib. You know, I live in the land of potatoes.

[B]

Oh, yeah, you don't. Yep, yep, yep.

[C]

Huge on the mashed. But I will try them.

[A]

I do love them.

[C]

I'm scared. Scared. Okay, okay. Got this.

[B]

I'm good, I'm good. It's not hot. It's not hot, everyone.

[C]

Oh, that's totally. Just perfectly cooked. This is perfect.

[B]

Yeah, it is great. Oh, my God.

[C]

It's not even that rare. It was beautiful. Gorgeous.

[A]

Would you share with me?

[B]

Bon appetit. Your secret for a long marriage? I've just celebrated 12 years.

[C]

Congratulations.

[A]

Thank you.

[C]

And how long together?

[B]

15.

[C]

That's real.

[B]

Yeah, it's real.

[C]

You know, it always feels odd to talk about it because you're always like, oh, my gosh.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know, when people ask me, like, I don't know, we're still in.

[C]

It, you know, like we're just still in it. And I think, think that I will say, like my father, when we were getting married was like, just remember, there won't just be long days, there can be long years and to hold on.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

And I think that, like, there's, it's. It's not like romantic advice. It's more that, you know, like, I'm. I'm in. I'm in for it. I'm in for the journey with this man, you know, I mean, it's his sense of humor that just holds us together. It's nice having funny people, you know, it's just beautiful. My daughter is so funny.

[A]

Is she?

[C]

Oh, my gosh, she's a riot. And the faces she does and the things she does. And she's got what he, you know, he gave it to her and it's just like I love being in a house of laughter. And if I do get like too intense or something, it's just like a joke is made and I'm like, I want to. Then it kind of breaks. And that's the gift of laughter.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. You know, my five year old is like displaying some real incredible comic timing recently, and I'm so impressed. We had. Do you know who Pam Adlon is?

[C]

Yes. How do I know that?

[B]

She created better Things.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

A really wonderful writer and actress and very funny. She and Nathan Lane came over for dinner together.

[C]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

And they played brother and sister on Mid Century Modern, which is a show that Ryan Murphy created for Hulu with Max Muchnik. And it was great. And at one point, my son, Becca, Nathan Lane, just like, you know, with kids, as I. I'm not surprised. I've known him for a while, but, like, he's so brilliant.

[A]

And, you know, he played.

[B]

He was in Lion King. Like, you would think that, like, he would just have an affinity towards kids.

[C]

No, no.

[B]

He's like, you can keep a distance.

[C]

Like, your fingers are sticky. I never would have thought that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And my. My son was like, nathan, Nathan, guess what?

[C]

I have.

[B]

And he goes, he had something behind his back. And Nathan goes, hepatitis. Beckett's like, no, a car. But anyway, Pam Allen, right?

[C]

Exactly like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Little over the head.

[B]

So. So Pam Adlon was sitting at the dinner table and Becca was playing Uno with her, and she didn't understand the rules to Uno. So she was like, had this very intense look on her face and she was really focusing. Oh, I gotta figure this out. And so she played with him for like 20 minutes or something. And then it was time for him.

[A]

To go to bed. And she's like, oh, Beckett, it was so nice meeting you. I had the greatest time with you. I had so much fun.

[B]

And Becca goes, doesn't look like you're having fun.

[C]

He's got it. You gave it to him.

[A]

Died.

[B]

And it's been like a running joke. Like, Pam thanked me for dinner.

[A]

She's like, well.

[B]

And I said, pam, it didn't look like you're having fun.

[C]

That was so funny. Ever. For the rest of her life. You got. Oh, my God. This is like the biggest show I've ever seen.

[B]

That is the biggest anything I've ever seen.

[C]

Life. Okay, here we go. It's like Herman or something. It's like. It's like it needs to be named.

[B]

I'm like, this is a comedy sized shrimp.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

It's not a shrimp.

[C]

That is a lot like, right?

[B]

It looks like a lobster. Not even a prawn.

[C]

No.

[B]

How am I gonna eat with Eric in 20?

[C]

I don't know. I do not know how you're doing that. I don't know how you're gonna do it. I mean, you need to, like, power walk around Beverly Hills.

[B]

Yeah, I'm gonna walk, digest.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

I can do it. I can do it.

[C]

Thank you for having me and feeding Me. Yeah. Deliciousness.

[B]

I know.

[C]

Oh, my God. That is to die.

[A]

Berries.

[C]

All right, we gotta go into this chocolate.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

The berries. We're already in it. They're famous for me. I mean, there's. It's something to be famous for.

[D]

So that is the cinnamon pecan butter cake.

[E]

It's.

[B]

Oh, my God, look at us.

[C]

And with the.

[D]

Yeah, pecan. So it has a cremon glaze, which is like an ice cream base. Essentially vanilla bean ice cream, of course, is the berries. This is our so flourless chocolate.

[B]

It's so good.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[D]

Our chocolate sim cake. So espresso and tawaka, no flour. Which is what I.

[C]

No, I mean, the cake is where it's at. I mean, that cake is so incredible.

[D]

The butter cake. Have you had the regular butter cake before?

[C]

Have you? Yes, of course I have.

[D]

So of course, with the raspberry sauce, this is better, in my personal opinion. I love it. Well, I hope you guys enjoyed everything.

[C]

All right. Going to last me through Kimmel, you're love. Thank you for having me. I really appreciate it.

[B]

Congratulations on everything.

[C]

Tell Eric I said hi.

[B]

I will.

[A]

This episode of Dinners on Me was recorded at Mastro Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, California. Next week on Dinners On Me. You know him as well, my husband Cam. On Modern Family, it's Eric Stonestreet. We'll get into some of our favorite.

[B]

Memories working together over 11 seasons.

[A]

Eric's incredible attention to detail when it.

[B]

Came to Fizbo the Clown.

[A]

Plus, I get the inside scoop on his super secret wedding. It was so secret, I didn't even know about it until just a few days before it happened.

[B]

This is gonna be a fun one.

[A]

And if you don't wanna wait until next week to listen, you can download that episode right now by subscribing to Dinners on Me. Plus, as a subscriber, not only do.

[B]

You get access to new episodes one week early, you'll also be able to.

[A]

Listen completely ad free. Just click try free at the top.

[B]

Of the Dinners on Me show page.

[A]

On Apple Podcasts to start your free trial today. Dinners on Me is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and a kid named Beckett Productions. It's hosted by me, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

[B]

It's executive produced by me and Jonathan Hirsch.

[A]

Our showrunner is Joanna Clay. Our associate producer is Alyssa Midcalf. Sam Behr engineered this episode. Hans Dale. She composed our theme music. Our head of production is Sammy Allison. Special thanks to Tamika Balance Kolasny and Justin Makita. I'm Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Join me next week.