Podcast Summary: Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Episode: Allison Janney — on feeling like a rockstar during ‘The West Wing’ and behind-the-scenes of ‘The Diplomat’
Released: November 4, 2025
Location: Angelini Osteria, Los Angeles
Episode Overview
In this lively, candid episode, Emmy and Oscar-winning actress Allison Janney joins Jesse Tyler Ferguson for an intimate Italian dinner at Angelini Osteria. The conversation flows effortlessly from the iconic highs of The West Wing and behind-the-scenes stories from The Diplomat and Palm Royale, to reflections on stagecraft, friendships, imposter syndrome, and those surreal moments only Hollywood can deliver. Blending humor and vulnerability, Allison and Jesse reminisce, swap industry tales, and, of course, gush over pasta and each other.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Social Awkwardness and The Life of Scripted People
- Early on, Allison jokes about her comfort with scripts:
- “That’s why I think I’m awkward socially, because no one has. I don’t have a script.” (02:37, 12:11)
- Jesse relates: “I don’t know what to say. I don’t have any line.” (12:17)
- Both discuss how acting gives them a social structure they sometimes lack in real life.
2. Hollywood Crossroads: Shared Histories and Almost-Collaborations
- Allison and Jesse reflect on how they've orbited each other’s careers, but rarely truly overlapped.
- They did a Voya campaign at the same time and appeared together in a memorable James Corden sketch (04:54–06:56).
- Jesse: “It is weird that we haven’t worked together.” (04:33)
- Allison: “I actually Googled us. I put our names in because I was like, surely we’ve worked together!” (04:54)
- Jesse recounts their fever-dream-like skit on Corden’s show:
- “Then all of a sudden, I grab a microphone … and I sing this song about, when will it be my turn to talk?” (05:32)
- Allison: “This sounds like a fever dream. I have to watch this again.” (06:10)
3. Pasta, Restaurants, and Favorite Foods
- The pair order their favorites—Allison, the lemon pasta; Jesse, the lasagna verde.
- Allison: “I love this place … should we order two or … I’m gonna do the lemon pasta. That’s what I want.” (07:15, 07:26)
- Jesse: "I would try and make this, and it just would not be nearly as good." (20:29)
- Both rave about their meals, sharing cooking ambitions and Instagram recipe inspiration (20:36–21:11).
4. The West Wing: Cultural Impact and ‘Rockstar’ Status
- Allison recounts being taken by surprise at The West Wing's cultural influence.
- “To get West Wing was a big moment for me … I didn’t know that it was … I mean, both Brad and I … thought, ‘Well, this will never … who’s gonna want to watch a show about politics?’” (08:08–09:01)
- She describes ‘rockstar’ moments when filming in DC:
- “The only time I’ve ever felt like a rock star was in Washington, D.C.…We had to have security. It was crazy.” (09:28–09:59)
- Jesse adds that the show inspired real-life political engagement:
- “I know so many people who went into politics because of the West Wing.” (09:01)
5. Behind-The-Scenes: ‘The Diplomat’ and Emotional Challenges
- Jesse highlights Allison’s complex scene in The Diplomat's finale—nuclear bases, maps, long monologues (16:46).
- Allison: “It was a bear to do.” (16:46)
- She reveals filming overlapped with putting down her beloved dog:
- “I had to put my dog down. One of my dogs. I was filming in London. ... I had to take some moments to myself … but you keep going.” (17:22–17:57)
- The pair discuss the demands of bringing gravitas and humanity to public service roles.
6. Margot Martindale, ‘Cocaine Bear,’ and the Magic of Character Actors
- Discussions turn to Margot Martindale, mutual friend and co-star:
- Allison: “What a treasure she is. …She’s just a remarkable person. She’s so funny.” (18:24)
- Jesse: “The locals all ended up falling in love with Margot … The locals were, like, leaving her baked goods at her door.” (19:27–19:30)
- Admiration for Martindale’s openness with fans and being “the mayor of the town”.
7. Stagecraft, Perfectionism, and the Terror of Live Theater
- Jesse recalls backstage with Allison during Six Degrees of Separation previews (27:43).
- On creative insecurity:
- Jesse: “You guys were dissecting … whether or not the audience had responded.” (27:56)
- Allison: “It never stops. Still working. ... When you lose a moment on stage ... you spend the whole time trying to get it back.” (28:40)
- Allison admits to battling stage fright and intrusive thoughts during performances:
- “Am I going to get shot tonight? Dark, really dark, really intrusive thoughts would come into my mind.” (29:43–29:51)
- On creative insecurity:
- They reflect on the pressures of live performance and anxieties about public safety.
8. Surreal Hollywood and Broadway Moments
- Jesse shares his own "pinch-me" moments:
- Being named one of Barbara Walters’ "10 Most Fascinating People" (21:56)
- Hilarious luggage mix-up and mad dash to the interview (22:49–23:17).
- Allison recounts canoeing with Monica Lewinsky and Cameron Manheim (23:22–24:19).
- Being named one of Barbara Walters’ "10 Most Fascinating People" (21:56)
- Reflections on unusual celebrity encounters and the wonder of their careers.
9. Physical Comedy & Primary Colors
- Jesse brings up Allison’s legendary pratfall in Primary Colors:
- "It was the most insane ... Your character slips and grabs onto the banister … in a pencil skirt … Was that scripted?" (24:42–25:46)
- Allison credits Mike Nichols’ direction and her own improvisation:
- “I did it and held on with that one thing, so just made the rest of my body look crazy. And it worked.” (25:46)
- Steve Martin complimented her on it!
- “I swear to this day, I think that’s why I got West Wing, because Aaron loved the fall.” (26:18)
10. ‘Palm Royale’, Costumes, and Working with Friends
- Jesse and Allison trade stories about Palm Royale’s creator Abe Sylvia and working on the show (32:05–36:23).
- Jesse: “It’s one of the most beautiful shows I’ve ever seen.” (32:06)
- Allison: “It’s a candy store of actors and costumes and sets.” (35:32)
- Highlights working with Kristen Wiig, Carol Burnett, Leslie Bibb, Ricky Martin, and more.
- Allison: “I know who I am when I put on Evelyn’s costume, and I know who I am when I put on Grace Penn’s costume.” (37:37)
- Juggling dual roles on Palm Royale and The Diplomat required airline-hopping, but Allison relished the opportunity.
11. Oscar Win Reflections & 'I, Tonya'
- Jesse remembers seeing Allison at the Vanity Fair party, Oscar in hand:
- “No one was more deserving of that than you … it just felt very ... the whole room was so excited for you.” (37:45–38:31)
- Allison admits, “It was such a relief for me because I was so worried about all the people who were cheering me on, that if I didn’t win it, they’d be so disappointed.” (38:31)
- Allison talks about her early life as an ice skater and nearly having Levana (her character) skate in the movie (39:09–40:28).
- Creative ingenuity on-set, such as faking smoking props with an oxygen cannula for her bird scene:
- “I pat myself on the shoulder … then I just had the cannula… so I could do the scene without smoking.” (41:14)
- Humorous regrets: “I should have had a cigarette in my hand anyway and not lit it. Just had it … How many years later did I come up with that idea? … God damn it.” (41:51)
Memorable Quotes
- “The only time I’ve ever felt like a rock star was in Washington, D.C... We had to have security.”
— Allison Janney (09:28) - “I love playing people like CJ...because they can do [conversation]. I think that's why I'm an actor, so I can.”
— Allison Janney (12:01) - “Think about a joke you said, but, like, while no one’s there. It’s really good...You could see why you won an Emmy.”
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (06:47) - “I always think, how can I make that moment better? ...It's infuriating sometimes.”
— Allison Janney (28:40) - “It never stops. Still working.”
— Allison Janney (28:40) - “I swear to this day, I think that’s why I got West Wing, because Aaron loved the fall.”
— Allison Janney (26:18)
Notable Segments with Timestamps
- Recap of shared TV moments and James Corden sketch:
[04:54–07:01] - Impact of The West Wing & DC stories:
[08:08–09:59] - Challenging scene & personal loss on The Diplomat:
[16:46–17:57] - Margot Martindale stories:
[18:24–20:03] - Reflections on live theater and stage fright:
[27:43–29:51] - Primary Colors fall & physical comedy:
[24:42–26:18] - Palm Royale, costuming, and working with friends:
[32:05–36:56] - Oscar-winning experience and I, Tonya backstory:
[37:45–41:45]
Tone
Warm, playful, and affectionate, with both actors comfortable toggling between humor and heartfelt honesty. The camaraderie is genuine—Alison and Jesse’s laughter is frequent, and their vulnerability is refreshing.
Closing Note
The episode showcases a rich tapestry of shared creative process, memory, and mutual admiration. Whether you love inside-Hollywood anecdotes, thoughtful reflection on craft, or simply appreciate two “awkward” but brilliant actors comforting each other over pasta, this episode will leave you hungry for more—both for great conversation and Italian food.
End of Summary