Eva Longoria – on Aging, Ambition & Why 'The Best Is Yet to Come’

Summary

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

Guest: Eva Longoria – on Aging, Ambition & Why 'The Best Is Yet to Come’

Date: May 26, 2026
Location: Cuckoo Bistro, West Hollywood

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Episode Overview

In this lively, candid conversation over oysters and cocktails, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eva Longoria dig into Eva’s career as an actor-turned-director, her ambitions, the joys and realities of aging and parenthood, and the importance of authentic representation in Hollywood. The episode is rich with industry anecdotes, reflections on identity, and plenty of humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Memorable Last Encounter and Hollywood Realness

[02:51]–[05:19]

• The pair reminisce about their last meeting at the Democratic National Convention, with Eva rescuing Jesse from the post-event chaos and shedding Hollywood glam (literally pulling hair extensions out in the car).
• They joke about how actresses always end up taking off their hair or “boobs” after big events.
• Jesse expresses how invigorating the DNC was, especially witnessing a truly viable female candidate of color and being moved by speeches from figures like Michelle Obama.

Notable Quote:

“No white man goes into these rooms thinking they don’t have the job...you have to put on your white male privilege pants and walk in the room and go: this is how I’m gonna shoot it. This is what we’re gonna do.”
— Eva Longoria [01:44] (recounting advice she received for pitching herself as a director)

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2. On Set: Director's Eye & Shared Actor Experience

[05:25]–[09:26]

• Eva and Jesse love embracing the chaos of shooting on location, including street sounds and interruptions, and they laugh about the quirks of set life: hyper-aware sound technicians, walkie-talkie codes, and needing to “escape” during long turnaround times.
• Eva details how, as a director, she’s always mindful of lighting and sound, and how she’s more freewheeling about real-life interruptions (like her son popping into her own podcast episodes).

Notable Quote:

"I remember, I was directing something…they're like, 'hold for the plane.' I go, this show’s fucking called LAX—why can’t the sound of the plane be in the fucking show?"
— Eva Longoria [06:40]

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3. From TV Directing to "Flamin’ Hot" Film Debut

[13:11]–[18:11]

• Jesse lauds Eva’s directorial debut with Flamin’ Hot, impressed by her assured style and tone.
• Eva describes how a career of TV directing, especially in single-camera comedies, gave her the skills—and how Flamin’ Hot was the first feature she truly felt only she could direct.
• She credits TV for giving her world-building skills and an appreciation for character-driven stories.
• Eva shares behind-the-scenes on pitching herself for feature work, including advice from a colleague to pitch with confidence, not apology.

Notable Quote:

"I really believed I was the only person in the world who could direct it...and when you feel that..."
— Eva Longoria [13:59]

Notable Quote:

“No white man goes into these rooms thinking they don’t have the job. You have to put on your white male privilege pants and walk into the room and go: this is how I’m going to shoot it. This is what we’re going to do.”
— Eva Longoria [17:47]

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4. Championing Female-Driven Comedy with “Fifth Wheel”

[19:16]–[21:19]

• After Flamin’ Hot, Eva deliberately sought a large, “fat female comedy” akin to Bridesmaids—and found it in the script for Fifth Wheel, written by Paula Pell and Janine Brito for Netflix.
• She underscores the importance of giving female comedies the same respect, budgets, and marketing as male-led comedies.
• The film was shot in Los Angeles—her first time shooting there in nine years.

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5. Life Between Mexico, Spain, and Hollywood

[21:17]–[25:51]

• Eva splits her time between Spain and Mexico, both of which she adores for their family-centric and social cultures.
• She compares European family dining norms to those in the U.S.—in Spain, everyone, including kids and grandparents, is welcome at the table.
• Her son, Santi, travels everywhere with her, learning from each place (languages, foods, cultures).

Notable Quote:

"My son’s at the bar—like, we’re all just out. Everybody’s out. And nobody has their phones out...everybody's talking and laughing and talking to the table next to you."
— Eva Longoria [21:49]

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6. Raising a Global Child: Balancing Work and Parent Life

[23:35]–[26:56]

• Eva discusses traveling for work with her son, consulting other celebrity parents (Ricky Martin, Zoe Saldana, Kerry Washington) for advice, and hiring a traveling homeschool teacher.
• She feels traveling is the greatest education and luxury she can offer her child.
• Anecdote about her baby having so many frequent flier miles that the airline staff were baffled he was “platinum” at three months old.

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7. Career Legacies & Aging in Hollywood

[28:03]–[43:41]

• Jesse and Eva reflect on being most recognized for the roles that launched their careers (Modern Family and Desperate Housewives), but both refuse to consider those their peaks.
• Eva says she draws energy from the idea that her best is yet to come—she’s hungry for new challenges and won’t rest on her laurels.
• They muse on how the success of their “big shows” provided them with security, platform, and knowledge—Desperate Housewives was, for Eva, her literal film school.

Notable Quote:

“I refuse to believe my greatest success is behind me.”
— Eva Longoria [28:38]

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8. Influence, Authenticity, and Diverse Voices in Film

[29:09]–[35:33]

• Eva credits creator Marc Cherry and their directors for inspiring her camera style and storytelling sense.
• She emphasizes how storytelling is shaped by a director’s perspective—unique lived experiences matter, not just “diverse” casting.
• Eva is intentional about hiring diverse, specifically Latina and female, department heads on her projects for authentic representation and access.
• She shares anecdotes on how this authenticity even affected the set’s smallest details (like what hot sauce appears onscreen).

Notable Quotes:

“The lens in which you tell stories matters...when we talk about diversity in Hollywood, it’s not diverse stories, it’s diversity of thought.”
— Eva Longoria [31:44]

“On Flamin’ Hot…it was so important for me to have all department heads be Latino...there was a shorthand.”
— Eva Longoria [33:44]

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9. Collaborative Creation, Multi-hyphenate Ambitions, and Mentorship

[35:33]–[38:41]

• Eva discusses her production company, Hyphenate Media, which exists partly to give more women and Latinas access to shadowing, training, and department head positions.
• She describes herself as very selective: “Anything I want to do comes to life.”
• She purposely invites aspiring female directors to shadow her on set.

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10. Parenthood, Aging, and Staying Present

[39:02]–[41:54]

• Both Eva and Jesse became biological parents in their forties and agree it was the right timing—they did their traveling and personal growth first.
• While stereotypes say older parents are more patient, Eva feels it’s more about focus and having her priorities in order.
• They agree: the “best is yet to come,” loving their 40s and looking forward to the next decade.
• Eva shares a comedic story about being recognized by people who say “my mom loves you,” reflecting on generational shifts in fame.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Pitching for Directing Roles:
  "You have to put on your white male privilege pants and walk into the room and go: this is how I’m going to shoot it. This is what we’re going to do."
  — Eva Longoria [17:47]

• On Aging & Ambition:
  "I refuse to believe my greatest success is behind me."
  — Eva Longoria [28:38]

• On Authentic Representation:
  "The lens in which you tell stories matters...diversity of thought."
  — Eva Longoria [31:44]

• On Career Evolution:
  "Anything I want to do comes to life...I'm very picky about what I do now."
  — Eva Longoria [37:17]

• On Parenting Later in Life:
  "I'm lucky that I did everything before he arrived...by the time Santi came, I was ready to...now, motherhood."
  — Eva Longoria [39:45]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Reminiscing about DNC, Eva’s Realness – [02:51]
• Acting, Set Life, and Directing Mindset – [05:25]
• Directing Flamin’ Hot, Pitching Process – [13:11]
• Female-Led Comedy in Hollywood – [19:16]
• Life & Family in Mexico/Spain – [21:17]
• Raising Global Kids, Work-Life Balance – [23:35]
• Career Legacy and Aging – [28:03]
• Representing Authentic Voices in Hollywood – [29:09]
• Building Diverse & Inclusive Crews, Hyphenate Media – [35:33]
• Parenthood at 40+, Joys of Growing Older – [39:02]
• “My Mom Loves You”—Shifting Generations of Fame – [41:54]

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Tone and Style

Casual, witty, and deeply personal. Both Jesse and Eva are candid about their triumphs and insecurities, joke freely about showbiz quirks, and express genuine admiration and camaraderie.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• Eva Longoria continues to carve new paths as a director, producer, and mentor, forging space for women and Latinas in Hollywood.
• She’s unafraid to claim her authority, push for representation behind and in front of the camera, and embrace the joys of both aging and parenthood.
• The “best is yet to come” is more than an episode title—it’s Eva’s whole outlook on ambition, legacy, and life.

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Transcript

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You know those meals that just immediately take you somewhere? Like, you take one bite and suddenly you're transported to a backyard. Someone's manning the fryer, and everyone's waiting for a taste. That's exactly what Boar's Head has managed to do. But at your deli counter, new from Boar's Head, the Fryer's turkey breast has the taste of deep fried turkey. And I mean, it's perfectly seasoned. That golden, savory flavor. It really does that thing where one bite kind of takes over and you're like, oh, okay, this is what we're doing now. And the best part, you don't have to host anything. You don't have to fry anything. You don't have to politely ask someone else to handle the hot oil, which, frankly, I'm always happy to avoid. It's just there at the deli, ready to go. So if you're putting together a sandwich or just standing at the counter deciding what kind of day you're going to have, the fryer's turkey breast is a pretty great choice. Discover the craftsmanship behind every bite at your local Boar's Head deli counter. Boar's Head, committed to crafts since 1905.

[Ross Store Narrator]

Girl, winter is so last season. And now spring's got you looking at pictures of tank tops with hungry eyes. Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders that perfect hang on the patio sundress. Those sandals you can wear all day and all night. And you've had enough of shopping from your couch.

[Eva Longoria]

Done.

[Ross Store Narrator]

Hoping it looks anything like the picture when you tear open that envelope. It's time for a little in person spring treat. It's time for a trip to Ross. Work your magic.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Hey, it's Jesse today on the show. You know her from Desperate Housewives and from Searching for France on cnn, it's the multi hyphenate actor, producer, director Eva Longoria.

[Eva Longoria]

So, you know, if I get the job, I would love to. And he goes, stop. He's like, you cannot go in there asking for the job. No white man goes into these rooms thinking they don't have the job, right? He goes, you have to put on your white male privileged pants and walk into the room and go, this. This is how I'm gonna shoot it. This is what we're gonna do.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

This is dinner's on me. And I'm your host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. So today I'm meeting up with Eva at Cuckoo, which is an adorable little French bistro tucked off of Santa Monica in West Hollywood. Next to the Troubadour. I've been wanting to try this place for quite some time. A lot of my friends have been raving about it. It's that sort of effortlessly chic Parisian vibe with the California cool that we do so well here on the West. Marble top counters, icy martinis, steak frites. Thought this would be a perfect place to catch up with Eva over some oysters and some great conversation. All right, let's get to the conversation. Wait, what? I was just thinking, the last time

[Eva Longoria]

I saw you was in. Do you remember Democratic National Convention, the

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

dnc, where you pulled me into your car.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, yeah. Because.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Because it was chaos getting out of there.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And.

[Eva Longoria]

And your husband was so lovely.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Johnson, he's the greatest.

[Eva Longoria]

I know, but you pull.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I remember you pulled me into your car. You're like, just come with us. We'll get you, like, to, like, a corner.

[Eva Longoria]

We gotta, like, we gotta get outta here. Four blocks away. We couldn't get out.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

We couldn't get out. And all. I remember. And tell me if this is just a figment of my imagination. And I just, like, I'm combining conflating stories, but, like, I remember you taking tracks of your hair out in the car. That was you?

[Eva Longoria]

That was me. I thought you were gonna confuse me with Sofia Vergara. No.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Who also takes tracks of her hair out. I feel actress friend of mine is

[Eva Longoria]

always taking tracks of their hair out of my head.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

It was like I was in pain. I always. I take my boobs out. I take my straps. That's right.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You were taking, like, everything was coming off.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. I'm a 12 year old boy. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I love it so much. Okay, so that wasn't just a fantasy I was having. I was like. I feel like I remember Eva pulling huge chunks of her chair hair out.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, that was me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That was last time I saw you. That was two years ago.

[Eva Longoria]

I know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Two years ago.

[Eva Longoria]

I know. That was before the. The chaos.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes, for the chaos. I have to say, like, I left that night very invigorated and very obviously, many of us did. Obviously, things did not go how we wanted it to go, But I do, like, what an incredible moment to, like, witness, you know, our first, like, kind of truly viable female candidate of color. Like, I mean, like, I mean, that was.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, it was actually really inspiring being in that room and. But everybody even remember when Michelle spoke.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes.

[Eva Longoria]

I mean, the most incredible, amazing speakers and, like, the romance of the ideology of democracy. I was like, yeah, it was so poetic and so like, they were so articulate. I'm like, vote Right. Like. But it was that they felt very inspired after that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I had never been to a dnc.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, really?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, it was my first time. My husband had gone several times, and he was like, I think we should go this year. And I was like, yeah, yeah, absolutely.

[Eva Longoria]

Well, you know. Well, did you go to the. Were you there on the Roll Call night? That's not the night. Yeah, that was so, you know, we make it a party. We're like, from the windows to the walls. Like, for Georgia. You know, everybody has, like, all the states turn out to each other, and then the Republican National Convention is like, just Roll Call. They're like, here.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Present. Present accounted for. Yeah, I know.

[Eva Longoria]

Are these doors okay, being open with sound?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I knew. I fucking knew you were gonna go here. I knew it. I was like, the director's gonna come out in 3, 2, 1.

[Eva Longoria]

But the lighting's good.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The lighting's incredible. We like the lighting. No, I embraced all that. I embraced the sounds, the street sounds.

[Eva Longoria]

I love it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I did. When I had Niecy Nash on, we were literally sitting outside off Venture Boulevard on garbage day, and I was like, we're taking it all in. It will embrace all of the trucks.

[Eva Longoria]

I know. I love it. When I do my podcast, like, my son will run in and go, mom. And then I'm like, leave it in. Like, don't cut my son out. He will walk in in a podcast. Listen, fine, fine. We'll start with water. Jesus Christ. What does a girl got to do to get a drink around here?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

What would you, like, order?

[Eva Longoria]

Can I get a. Do you have a. Do you have. Is this French?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

So you don't have Prosecco? He's like, don't insult us. I know. Okay. No, then I'll take a St. Germain spritz. Of course. I'll do it with champagne.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, I just want sparkling water right now.

[Eva Longoria]

We're gonna pretend make it fancy so we can.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, make it fancy.

[Eva Longoria]

It's a Sony. Make it fancy. I love it. I love that you embrace all that. That's amazing now.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I do. Yeah, I know. It's great.

[Eva Longoria]

I remember, you know, hold for planes when you're shooting. How many times have we heard that? And I remember I was directing something. I don't know, maybe it was like, lax, like, the show, and they're like, hold for the plane. I go, this show's fucking called lax. Why can't the sound of the plane be in the fucking show?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I know. We would always laugh on Modern Family because, like, the soundmen had, like, the craziest ears. Like, they could hear something from so far away. And then, like, I love when they would have the boom mics and they would try and find where the weird sound was coming from. But there was this one sound guy who me and Erica loves making fun of. He was so easy to, like, embody his spirit because he would, like, he would walk up, and then he was sort of, like. He would assess you. He wouldn't look at your face yet. He would, like, look at what you were wearing. He'd just, like, you walk up and you go, okay. And he, like, assassinated you go, good morning. And then he'd look you up. Good morning. And, like, then acknowledge you. And it was.

[Eva Longoria]

I feel like only us. Only, like, actors who have been through a thousand moments like this. You can get it. The other thing I Love, I love PAs. When they're like. They're like, hey, good morning.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

They just go to another. Go to another world for a little while. Yes.

[Eva Longoria]

They're like, oh, my God. How was your week? How was your weekend? You know, it's like, they are so.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I know.

[Eva Longoria]

I was like, oh, I'll take some scrambled egg.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

Scrambled eggs.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, that. Or like, you're like, walk even just, like, slightly toward the restroom, and you hear, like, immediate. A million walkie talkies. 10. 4. What do they call it? 10 1. 10 1.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, yeah, 10 1.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm just gonna pee really fast.

[Eva Longoria]

I know. I also hate being tracked on set. I hate when people are like, everybody knows where I am. There's 4. 4000 people going. It was. It was because I like to go for walks. And, like, I just walk and. And, like, if they were on a turn, I always go, how long is the Turnaround? They're like, 30 minutes. I go, all right. Like, Eva, guys, Eva's walking. Eva's walking. Eva's walking. She's walking off the set. And I. Yeah, I'm gonna go for a while.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I need a little fresh air. The very first sitcom I did in LA was at the Warner Brothers.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, wow. I love that line.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I was being put up at a little hotel across Barnum.

[Eva Longoria]

You didn't live here?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, I was living in New York. I was a theater actor, so I was flown here. I did my first pilot, and I remember just saying, I'm just gonna walk home. So I walked off the set, walked home. The sidewalk literally ended. Like, it ended, and I had to walk in the street, like, over and over past, like the transpo van pulls up behind me. They'd been following me because they were worried about me. Please get in the van.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. Please don't walk anywhere.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

That happened last night. Paula Pell, who wrote this movie.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I just did it.

[Eva Longoria]

I just love Paula. Paula and Janine.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wait, are you done with this, by the way?

[Eva Longoria]

Tonight's the Friends and Family.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God. Had I known.

[Eva Longoria]

I know. I know. Because I would have loved you to get eyes on it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I am.

[Eva Longoria]

So.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I have so many questions about that.

[Eva Longoria]

Okay, I know, but no. So they flew in because we have a family.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

I love this family.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. I love this.

[Eva Longoria]

I know. Shake it, baby.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Shake it.

[Eva Longoria]

Embrace it, embrace it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Eva talks about the importance of female LED comedies. Plus what it's like raising her son all over the world. Okay, be right back. Spring break planning at our house is. It's definitely an adventure. Our kids have very strong opinions and they're always on different sides of the spectrum. Beckett has very strong opinions about the ocean. It has to be a certain temperature and the wind has to be blowing a certain way if he's going to get anywhere near it. He doesn't want sand on his feet. Sully, on the other hand, he will roll around in the sand and doesn't care about the water temperature. And he. You could be just sitting amongst seagulls and he's happy. Justin and I, we just want air conditioning and Wi Fi. Honestly, juggling all the details of a trip can be very stressful. And while I'm thinking about our plans, I also start thinking about our house while we're away. And it hits me. Maybe we could list our place on Airbnb while we're gone. It always sounds great, but I don't know if I can manage all the details myself. That's where Airbnb's co host network comes in. You can hire a vetted local co host to handle all the behind the scenes detail, managing reservations, guest communications, and even providing on site support. So hosting feels manageable even with everything else going on. So if you're traveling this spring, it might be the perfect time to list your space on Airbnb and maybe earn a little extra cash while you're gone to put toward that extra future travel someplace with air conditioning and Wi Fi. If you're ready to host but could use a little extra help, find a co [e-mail] host.

[Eva Longoria]

I'm Jenna Fisher, and I'm Angela Kinsey. And together we have the podcast Office Ladies. Just because we finished rewatching the Office does not mean we're going anywhere. Every Wednesday, we'll be sharing even more exclusive stories from the Office and our friendship with brand new guests. Plus, you can revisit all the Office Ladies rewatch episodes every Monday with new bonus tidbits before every episode. So follow and listen to Office Ladies on the first free Odyssey app and wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jonathan Hirsch]

Fabio Semintilli.

[Eva Longoria]

Big hearts, big voice, big laugh.

[Jonathan Hirsch]

A rock star hair stylist who drove a Porsche.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He was like a wizard behind the chair.

[Jonathan Hirsch]

The killers came for Fabio in his own backyard.

[Eva Longoria]

You can't rationalize it. You can't figure it out.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

There was rampant speculation about everything, but

[Jonathan Hirsch]

every wild theory was wrong because the truth was even more unbelievable.

[Eva Longoria]

What? Is anyone hearing what I'm hearing?

[Jonathan Hirsch]

And even more heartbreaking, the uncertainty of

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

not knowing is a form of agony.

[Jonathan Hirsch]

From Sony Music Entertainment and novel, this is Cut Color Kill. I'm Jonathan Hirsch. Cut Color Kill is available now on the binge. Search for it wherever you get your podcast. To start listening today, subscribers to the binge can listen to all episodes all at once ad free.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And we're back with more dinners on me. I want to hear just a little bit about. So you finished Fifth Wheel?

[Eva Longoria]

I finished.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm so excited about this. So good. First of all, I'm very, very excited about your directing career. Like this. This is a. I know you've been doing it for a while, but I just watched Flaming Hot on a Plane a few months ago.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Before I even knew I was gonna sit down with you, I was like, oh, I really need to watch this. And it's such a. That was your first feature film, right?

[Eva Longoria]

My first feature, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm kind of blown away because, I mean, obviously you have like tons of experience from directing many, many, many things, but it was so sure footed, like, I was just really, like struck by the tone. And first of all, the story is incredible.

[Eva Longoria]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And it's such an inspiring story.

[Eva Longoria]

It was such an inspiring story. Everything like Rags to Riches and Believe in Yourself. It's like all those great themes, but like the. I, I read the script, I was like, I have got to do it. I'm the only. I really believed I was the only person in the world who could direct it. And when you feel that, because they weren't even going to meet me on it because I had never done a feature. I'd done like 12 years of television, which is the the hardest form, Matt, by the way, of directing. The hardest single camera as far as time management goes. Yeah. The. The time suck of single camera. It's my favorite form. I love tv. Love tv. And I never had an ambition to do film. I was like. I wasn't like, I'm gonna direct a film one day. I was like, I love tv. I was in the grind of episodic television, and I. That's where I got my feet wet. And then I just fell in love with it. And then I just started to do pilots, and I loved world building with, like, a pilot and setting the tone and the cinematic look for a TV show. And I like staying with characters for a very long time. You know, I did a lot of Blackish. I did a lot of Jane the Virgin. I did. I love going back and back and back. I can't believe I never did, you guys.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I know. Odd. It's very. So hate me. Oh, please.

[Eva Longoria]

Sophia does not like.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Are you kidding me?

[Eva Longoria]

She's one of my best friends.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I was. That's what I thought. I was like, maybe something happened I don't know about.

[Eva Longoria]

Let's start some rumors. Let's start some rumors. No, Are you kidding?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Let's give him something. I talk about.

[Eva Longoria]

I think she's one of my favorite people in the. In the entire world.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Exactly.

[Eva Longoria]

In the entire world. You. You have so many funny stories of her on set. But we were. This is. You'll. You'll appreciate this because we were in Paris, and she go. They were like, we want to go to this restaurant. I go, oh, that restaurant's so, like, it's so loud. And. And Sophia's like, I know. And I was like, okay. So I get us a reservation. I get there first, and then they go, oh, Ms. Angora, we got you a table in the back. And I go, I don't think Sophia's going to like that, but let me go see it. And it was, like, popping. The restaurant was so loud. And so we go to the back room, and I go, I love this. I go, we'll sit here. But in case we need to move is. They go, yeah, yeah. But the only table we have is, like, right dead center in the middle of the restaurant. And I go, okay. So I'm sitting there, and in comes Sophia, her whole entourage. And she's like, what are we doing back here?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes.

[Eva Longoria]

How am I supposed to find a husband if we're sitting in the back? We should be in the middle. And I'm like, got it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's right.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. This Is so much better. Everybody can see me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes, exactly. Isn't that so funny? Like, I remember we were, we were shooting an episode of Modern Family in Lake Tahoe and they put us up, they got us reservation at a very nice restaurant there and they put us in a private room with like curtains all around us. And she thought, she's like, are we being punished? Why are we back here? Like she like refused to sit back there and she's like, she, I think she even opened up the curtains herself. Like, she's like, I want to be a part of the, the room. Oh yeah, that's right.

[Eva Longoria]

But anyway, I can't believe I didn't direct you guys. But I love, so I love television. And then when I read that famous, I was like, I have to do that. And then I, I got the job.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

When you put yourself out there for like a feature like that, do you have to like, did you come in with like.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, you come in with the whole,

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

the whole world, the whole presentation.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. So you have to come in with a vision and, and they just want to know you know what you're talking about. You know, I remember the first time. Do you know Brian Tannen? Brian Tannen was one of the, one of the writers of Desperate House, but he was also head writer of this show Grand Hotel we did together. So I was practice pitching my pitch to him and I was like, okay. And I have my whole deck and built out a whole deck and a graphic designer and videos playing and, and I, so I start and I go, so you know, if I get the job, I would love to. And he goes, stop. He's like, you cannot go in there asking for the job. No white man goes into these rooms thinking they don't have the job.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Eva Longoria]

Because you have to put on your white male privilege pants and walk into the room and go, this is how I'm going to shoot it. This is what we're going to do. This is how it's going to look. You don't go. And I mean if you guys agree, maybe shoot it like this. And I'm hoping if he goes, take all those freaking words out of your presentation. And it changed me, not just the president, it changed the way I got presentation.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It changes the chemistry in the room though too because it's, it feels like you are someone who comes in with such.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, this is my job.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Sure footed, like I just said, very short footed. You know, it shows that you know, you know what you are going to do and they should be so lucky to have You.

[Eva Longoria]

You know, you're welcome.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Exactly. I'm so sorry. I'm so excited about Fifth Wheel. Did that feel like a major genre shift for you? Like, it's.

[Eva Longoria]

No, because, like, comedy is my wheelhouse. That's my wheelhouse. Wheelhouse. Hot oysters. What is happening?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Do you have Tabasco, by any chance?

[Eva Longoria]

Maybe. Let me. She's like, no, that's how Mexicans eat oysters.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

What'd you ask for?

[Eva Longoria]

Tabasco hot sauce.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I would have Tabasco.

[Eva Longoria]

Chewy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Lemon, don't say Tabasco and then, like, clarify hot sauce. I know what Tabasco is, ma'. Am.

[Eva Longoria]

Tabasco. It's a kind of hot sauce people use.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm from New Mexico. Okay. Oh, yeah, there it is. But tell me about it. So you're pleased with Fifth Wheel and it's done.

[Eva Longoria]

I specifically said, guys, because Flaming Hot was funny. It actually was funny. And so after Flaming Hot, I was like, I really want. This is what you gotta do. Look, you gotta put lemon. Tabasco. We should have salt, but it's fine.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The notes, the notes.

[Eva Longoria]

And so I was like, I want to do a big, fat female comedy. And my agents were like, got it. Got it. And I was like, I want, like, a real, like, you know. And I said kind of like Bridesmaids, but, like, now. And what does that look like? And so my agent had called me, and he was like, stop the presses. We found the script, and it was the Fifth Wheel, and I had to meet with Paula and Janine, who wrote it, and they were. They, you know, they were looking at all these directors, and it was Netflix, and thank God they were fans of my directing. And so I went in and met with Paula, and I just was like, listen, lady, this is what we're going to do, and this is what the movie will be, because it deserves to be in the same level as all the male comedies that get that budget, that get that marketing, that get that platform. And, like, why do the female comedies always go. And then we have this. It's like a second thought, oh, my God, this is gorgeous. I don't have my phone. That is so pretty. I want to take a picture of that, just so everybody knows.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, I think.

[Eva Longoria]

Take a picture.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I think someone probably already took a photo, but I'll take another Master Case.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, my God.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Here, look at me.

[Eva Longoria]

Wait.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, beautiful. Oh, snap.

[Eva Longoria]

Gorge.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Gorge. Preference for the temperature. Burger. Medium.

[Eva Longoria]

Medium.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, that sounds good for me. Oh, it's. Oh, it's a whole situation.

[Eva Longoria]

It's a whole situation underneath. You've got to do the spread. Oh my God. But yeah, so we shot in la, which was crazy. I haven't shot in LA in like nine years.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

No, nothing shoots here right now.

[Eva Longoria]

Nothing shoots in la.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

When you were shooting that, is that like the most time you spent in a life recently? Because I know you are, you're mostly in Spain and Mexico.

[Eva Longoria]

Mexico, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

In Mexico City.

[Eva Longoria]

Mexico City.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The greatest city.

[Eva Longoria]

Isn't it great?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The greatest city. Do you prefer being do if you had to choose over like Spain or Mexico City?

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, don't make me. They both have different pros and cons. Yeah, the, the Spaniards really love life. So do the Mexicans. But the Spaniards really like they work to live.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's that European, like, you know, long lunches. Long lunches.

[Eva Longoria]

Ora de vermout, which is, you know, four o', clock, we gotta say stop. That's for mo hour. I'm like, what's happening?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's amazing.

[Eva Longoria]

You know when you go, the streets are so alive because people are out and multi generation. So you see kids in a restaurant, you see grandparents in a restaurant. And I feel like that's something we don't do here. Like if you take, if I take my 7 year old to a nice restaurant, people like side eye. You like, why you bring your kid here?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

How is your son now? Eight?

[Eva Longoria]

Seven, Seven, eight. He's about to be eight. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And there it's like grandma and grandpa are at the bar, right? My son's at the bar. Like we're all just out. Everybody's out. And you're. And nobody has their phones out, right? Nobody has their phones out in Spain. Everybody's talking and laughing and talking to the table next to you and oh my gosh, where are you from? Oh, yeah, yeah. Like, it's just so, such a social country. Everybody so kind. Yeah. And Mexico too. Mexico is the most beautiful. The most beautiful thing about Mexico is its people. The Mexican people are so kind.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

When you were doing your Searching for series, I know you started Mexico, right?

[Eva Longoria]

Did Mexico, then I went to Spain, now France.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And you're doing another season?

[Eva Longoria]

Second season. We leave Sunday.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I. I was just saying. I don't understand. I've. Oh, they're delicious. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Thank you. This is great.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh my gosh, that is crazy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You know, between you and Padma Lakshmi and my. We just had him on the show. Phil Rosenthal. Like all these friends of mine who are like somehow reverse engineering these incredible jobs where they get to travel the world.

[Eva Longoria]

Exactly what I eat.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Incredible food.

[Eva Longoria]

It's exactly what I Did. I was like, where do I want to be? How do I make a job there?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Tell me about. Tell me about the France version of it because, like, I know as a parent, you know, sometimes take jobs that take me away from my home is very complicated.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. How old are your kids?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

My kids are 4. They're approaching 4 and 6, so around the same.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

Well, I santi game with me everywhere.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He did.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. And I talked to a lot of people about it. Ricky Martin, Zoe Saldana, you know, people. I'm like, how do you do it? Kerry Washington, how you do guys do it? And they gave me their homeschool teacher agency and we traveled with the teacher that went with us everywhere. But he was also young, like, you know, in those pre. K. Tkk Pre kk Pre.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Like, you know, it's easy to miss a few days with that.

[Eva Longoria]

No, but it's also like, he's fine. You know, we can travel and be with a teacher to help him, you know, developmentally be where he needs to be. I think traveling is the greatest luxury. I get that. It's like a privilege and a luxury, but it's also the greatest education you can give a child.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I agree with that.

[Eva Longoria]

Like, my son's like, when we're in Paris, he's saying hello in French, he's counting in French. He's playing on the playground in French. He knows macaroons. Mom, can we go to that place with the macaroons? And then when we're in Spain, he's like, oh, my God, I want a chuleta. Mom, can we go? Like, he knows, like, oh, this is a different culture and he loves maps. So he's like, mom, I want to go to. What did he say he wanted to go? Kazakhstan. I don't even know what it was, but like. Cuz he saw it on the map.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. My son has this globe. It's like this interactive globe. As a stylist.

[Eva Longoria]

Yes. Yes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You know, you could point to different countries. And it was.

[Eva Longoria]

Tells you. Yeah. And where does he want to go?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. So he was driving in the back. He was in the backseat. I was driving the car, take him to school. And it was. The globe was asking him to find. Where was it asking him to find? I think it was asking me something like that. Where it was like. It was challenging for me to picture where it was. And so I was trying to guide him. I was like, okay, what are you looking at now? And he'd tell me, I'm looking at France. I'd be like, okay, so go. And I was trying to figure out where. And then he found it and he was telling me where I was on the ground. I was like, okay. Wow. This is. I mean, yeah, it's pretty incredible. He has like a sense of like, yeah, the world.

[Eva Longoria]

We live in a global community. We don't live in la, we don't live in New York. We live in a global community. And that's why I love doing.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I didn't have that growing up, though.

[Eva Longoria]

Did you know the first time I ever went to Europe, I was 20. When did you go to Europe? Yeah. 25.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wow.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. I mean, and my son's. My son. When he was eight weeks old, I did Dora the Explorer, the movie in Australia.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

And I was like, how am I gonna do this? And they were so great. I was still breastfeeding and I had a baby nurse. And like, it was hard, but we had to go to Australia. Louisiana, Australia, three times. Louisiana, Australia, Australia. Back, Louisiana, Australia. But he was so tiny. It didn't. He was sleeping. It didn't. It didn't matter. But I remember then I went to Texas. I went. I went to Texas after we did that. He's like maybe three months old. And the late. The boarding pass. The lady's taking my boarding pass from LA to Texas. She goes, he's platinum. I was like, she was so confused. Like, how can a three month old baby be platinum? His points, his miles. And I was like, I know. We had to do Australia like three times in two months. And she was like, well, he gets a free drink.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God, that's hilarious.

[Eva Longoria]

But I'll take that. I'll take it. But I'll never forget. She was so confused. She's like, platinum. She's like, is this his boarding pass?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's so cool.

[Eva Longoria]

Cause he's platinum. And she was so confused.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's really. That's gold. Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we return, Eva and I bond over becoming parents later in life. And she explains how the Desperate Housewives set influenced her as a director. Okay, be right back.

[Prime Originals Narrator]

This episode is brought to you by. Prime Obsession is in session. And this summer, Prime Originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories. And the book to screen favorites you've already read twice off campus. Elle every year after the Love Hypothesis. Sterling point and more. Slow burns, second chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen. Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And we're back with more dinners on me. Does it sometimes feel? Because I sometimes Reflect on this with Modern Family, you know, the thing that you're most known for, like Desperate Housewives, probably for you. Yep. Not that it's a thing that is for me, Modern Family, probably when we look at the grand schema in my career, when I become older, it's gonna be the thing that probably sure made an impact. But I just, I imagine there's gonna be so many bigger things for me, like, artistically than that.

[Eva Longoria]

I refuse to believe my greatest success is behind me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right, Absolutely.

[Eva Longoria]

When they're like, oh, my God, you were on that really big show, Modern Family, and you're like, yeah, yeah, but I still have other things I'm gonna do. I feel like I haven't even tapped into the full potential that I have. Like, I'm like, oh, I can't wait to see what's coming next. I. But I do. I have such an appreciation for obviously what Desperate Housewives gave me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Eva Longoria]

You know, this platform and ability to. To say yes or say no to things.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Of course. And also give you, like, be like, free. Film school.

[Eva Longoria]

It was my film school. Thousand, thousand percent.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

I. I use Desperate Housewives as my film school. I'm like, what's that? What's a lens? Why are you changing it? What's the gate? Because we film. We filmed on film.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right, right.

[Eva Longoria]

Like, what is that? Blah, blah, blah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's actually pretty rare. Do you feel like you're. There's. You're influenced by those directors?

[Eva Longoria]

Like, I'm influenced by Mark Cherry. His tone was so specific and it was so funny because Kerry Washington's a dear friend of mine and she. When the first time she. I screened Flaming Hot for her, she. She called me. She goes, it's so crazy. That movie's everything. It's so you. It's your energy. It's fast paced, it's energetic, it's loud, it's great. But it's also the Desperate Housewives camera movements. It's also your Chicano studies degree. It's also your activism. Like, she thought the movie was so mean. I said, it is. It was. But. But the influence of the camera style was definitely Housewives whip pans and push ins and dolly shots. It was like always moving. And that's. That's Mark Cherry. That's the. The brand of Mark Cherry and his, you know, dramedy that. He really perfected that genre.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

How do you communicate now? I'm asking questions for myself, using you as my thumbs up school.

[Eva Longoria]

Great.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

How do you communicate when you want something like that? Like that? Very Stylized thing. I mean, I wouldn't know how to even, like, say, yes, yes.

[Eva Longoria]

Hide the. Hide the push and the zoom or. Yeah, that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Did you say that?

[Eva Longoria]

Now I do. But when I didn't know I used sound effects, I would go, hey, you know, Bob, I would really. I want it to go like, whoosh. You know what I mean? Like. And he goes, okay, so you want a whip pan? So it's all. Do you just explain yourself? You're going to be so good at it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I think I am.

[Eva Longoria]

You're going to have a good time.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm excited. I mean, what I've noticed from your work, really, even before you decided that you wanted to, or even before you were actively producing, I guess, is that there is, like, a through line and sort of like a mission statement to your work that I really value and appreciate. And I feel very much like. I feel very much the same way. A lot of stuff, Me and my husband, we produce some things together or stuff that I might do by myself. You know, I do feel find myself using that as an opportunity to shine a light back on the LGBTQ community. And that's where a lot of the scripts that we respond to seem to. It resonates with you and, you know,

[Eva Longoria]

because you have something to say.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And I feel like the right person to tell those stories. And I certainly feel that with my

[Eva Longoria]

work, it's definitely on purpose. Yeah. Because I do think. I imagine if filmmaking is about perspective, because you can. We can both do Cinderella. But your perspective of that is very different than my perspective of that. And the Cinderella I would want to make would be look like this, you know, and the one you want to make is like, oh, what if we did Cinderella? But, you know, with lgbtq, and what if we did? And I do think the lens in which you tell stories matters. And that's where. When we talk about diversity in Hollywood, it's not diverse stories, it's diversity of thought. Like, why. Why we think differently. And that reflects on the screen. And I do think with, like, Flaming Hot, it was a really good example because I was like, I am Chicano. I'm the one that can tell the story. I am Richard Montanez. Like, I've struggled. I've been told no. I've been told, maybe don't do that. I had such a strong perspective of that. But where it really matters for me is hiring. So it was so important for me to on Flaming Hot to have all department heads be Latino, and the DP had to be Latino. The costume designer because literally, the. The way in the. In which they saw my vision of the movie, they got. There was a shorthand. They're like, yeah, of course, you know, props. Having. Not Tabasco on the set, having Cholula or Tapatio. That's what we use. And he. You know, to have that setting and going, no, guys, what is this? Like, this is. I remember. I remember we're mixing the movie Flaming Hot, and when you mix it, you're doing the sound. So you're putting. You're taking out that thing and you're adding this, or you're adding. You're adding sound effects. And there was a flour tortilla. I mean, a corn tortilla on the. On a comal. And the scene was she's heating up tortillas and she's like, honey, we gotta go, blah, blah. And the sound guy put in, like, a frying sound. Like it's frying, right? Because he goes, oh, it's on the stove. It must sound like that. And I go, who the. Put. Like, it's like French fries frying when

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

it's like hot oil.

[Eva Longoria]

Have you not heard of a tortilla on a comal? It doesn't sound like that. It sounds like this. So I didn't have to explain myself on set. It was a shorthand I had with them. And. And on the Fifth Wheel, it's such a female comedy. Most the producers were female. Paul and Janine were the writers. I was the director. All the stars were female. We all were firing on all cylinders with jokes and what we thought was funny because we all were women. Like, fuck, that happens all the time. Nikki did a really funny joke about, you know, her cheating boyfriend, and she was like, you know, hell, I'd shove an air tag up his ass if I didn't think he'd like it. And then I have to add that to the rotation. And we all laughed so loud. Because you're like, yeah, when you have to add a new move.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, to the rotation.

[Eva Longoria]

To the rotation. Like, we were laughing so hard, but she just, like, spit that out. We were laughing. But that wouldn't have happened if it was a male director and male, you know, writers back there going, why she say that? That doesn't make any sense, right? So that perspective matters. And we hired, you know, everybody we hired was mostly female. Our whole post team, our editor, our music supervisor. I mean, all of that musical editor. Almost everybody in post is a female. But, like, that's where you can make a dent, because then you're a multiplier so it's not just you going, look at the chance I'm getting. Isn't this great for us? It's the chance you give to everybody in your crew.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right. I mean, another thing I really appreciate about the work you've done is you. You have done a lot of documentaries, which I know because I've done a lot as well. You know, I'm always told, like, they don't make money, they're really hard to get funded. But I'm like, but I have to tell the story. Like we have access to this person and this story. Like, how do we not give them a platform?

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So, I mean, I've. I've definitely appreciated that about, you know, I. I just, I guess there's. There's a very clear vision about your. Your work and like, sort of like a thesis to your work, but is also, also all encompassing of so many genres. Like the House of the Spirits.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Which is so good.

[Eva Longoria]

Beautiful. So freaking beautiful.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

One of the most beautiful productions I've ever seen.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

First of all, how did you get involved with that? Because I remember seeing the House of the Spirits with Meryl Streep 30 years

[Eva Longoria]

ago and Winona Rider, all the white people.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Winona Ryder. Glenn Close had a great cast. Glenn Close, Anthony Antonio Banderas was in it.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So, I mean, that was, you know, a little color. A lot of white people. Oh, my God. I forgot about the burger.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, no. I know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God.

[Eva Longoria]

And I was like, why do we need a knife for dessert?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I know. Listen, I will have a bite of that burger.

[Eva Longoria]

I'll just have a bite.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God. I have to at least try it. Oh, my God. That's so good.

[Eva Longoria]

It's like a thousand items.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's so good. So delicious. Wow. I see them.

[Eva Longoria]

We see them.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God. That's a really good burger.

[Eva Longoria]

Wow.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wow.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, my God. The first bars. Oh, my God.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's so good.

[Eva Longoria]

Okay, wait, why do we. Why were we talking about House of Spirits?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

We were talking about. I was saying House of Spirits. I was just the sort of breadth of your work that you have attached yourself to. You are like a true multi hyphenate. Like, you must have so many ideas, like, what percentage of the things that you are passionate about that spark interest in you do you think end up becoming something that we get to see.

[Eva Longoria]

Anything I want to do comes to life.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Really.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. So I. Because I'm very picky about what I do now, so I'm lucky enough that I'm in a position now that so much come, so much is incoming now. So, like, House of Spirits that just fell in my lap. And I was like, yes. So I'm. I'm fortunate that I've built a body of work that can attract.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, it's also, you know, it's certainly not, I think, lost on anyone that, you know, it's. As a Latina in Hollywood, you know, it's to be producing and directing. You are. I mean, there are others, but not many. And it's incredible to hear how much work you do to, like, bring people into all your departments. And that's such incredible work. And, like, you're really putting your mouth.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah. Well, that's why I created Hyphenate Media, my media company, is because I wanted to build the pipeline of talent in every. Above the line, below the line, not just in front of the camera, but, like, you know, do you want to be an editor? Let's get you in. Let's get you shadowing people on the fifth wheel. I was. I told them. I was like, hey, guys, I want any female director that wants to shadow me. I don't care if I have a shadow every day. And I gave them access. So we had a bunch of directors come in and sit and shadow and see how the sets run and see. And they got to ask questions, and it was really great.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes. I mean, I did the opposite of what so good.

[Eva Longoria]

I just can't listen fall asleep before my screening.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I know, I know. But I said I wasn't gonna have any more than one bite of that, and I basically housed. Something I. I can't relate to you about is that I, you know, I've also. I became a parent in my mid-40s

[Eva Longoria]

for the first time.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You know, I mean, I know you have step kids as well, who are older, but, like, you know, I'm a

[Eva Longoria]

grandparent from my step kids. Yeah. I'm a grandma. Wow. Yeah. But having a kid. Yeah. It was 43.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's. First of all, I mean, what's your perspective on that? And what's your perspective. Oh, my God, it just gorgeous.

[Eva Longoria]

Stop it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm such a sweets fanatic, too.

[Eva Longoria]

Are you? I'm not.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You're not?

[Eva Longoria]

No. I'm salty. Like, I was like, ooh, nuts.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm gonna have a few bites of that.

[Eva Longoria]

I love it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I can't help myself. How has it been for you? As I. Please help me.

[Eva Longoria]

Okay, look, back up, spoons, back up.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

As. As a quote, unquote, older parent.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, I loved it. Oh, so many of my Friends were young moms. And the beauty of that is, like, now they're our age, and they're like, ready to go. They're like, we're going to Paris. We're going to Europe. We're going. But I'm lucky that I did everything before he arrived. You know, I got to say yes to everything. They're like, do you want to go do the press in Rome? Yes, I want to go do that. You know? Do you want to do this? You want to. Do you want to shoot this movie over here? Yes. Yeah. It was all about me, me, me. And I loved it. And I built my career. And so by the time Santi came, I was ready to, like, now motherhood. And I love it. And I really.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I feel very much in line with that as well.

[Eva Longoria]

It's not like people go, oh, my God, you're such. You're so. You're so much more patient as an older. I was like, not really. I'm still. Just because you're older doesn't make you patient, like, but I do think it makes me more focused on just him.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

As opposed to you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Absolutely. Yeah. And how you just turned 51 this year. I'm turning 51 in October.

[Eva Longoria]

Oh, we're both 75.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Uh huh. Yeah. What'd you do for your 50th, Justin? My husband is 10 years younger than me, and so we did this for our 30, 40 as well. We celebrated together and we. For our 30, 40, we had, like, a party that went into wee morning hours. For our 4050, we had an afternoon party that our kids were at. Yeah, it was great. And all my friends were like, this was the best time to do this. Like, it's perfect time.

[Eva Longoria]

I loved 50. I had a meltdown when I turned 30. I was like, what am I gonna do? And I was like, shut up.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I heard someone was like, today's the last day of my 20s. And they were freaking out about it. I was like, oh, you're fine.

[Eva Longoria]

Shut up.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The best is yet to come.

[Eva Longoria]

Best is yet to come. I love my 30s, 40s. I'm gonna love my 50s.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I do, too. Yeah, so far. I mean, I'm barely in it, but, like, so far it's been great.

[Eva Longoria]

Yeah, I love it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

I was in. I was in the Hamptons with my. A tequila, like, last year or something, and they're like, oh, you got to go to these bars. And I was like, guys, I'm not really like the bar type. And every time we walked into a bar, they were like, oh, my God. It's Eva Longoria. My mom loves you. And I would be like, oh, thank you so much. And then we went to the next bar, and they're like, evil. Gloria, can I get a picture? My mom's gonna freak out. And I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then the third person's like, eva, my mom loves you. And I was like, if one more person, like, they only know me because of their mom.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's really funny. I mean, I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm kind of in the same boat. Yeah. Oh.

[Eva Longoria]

But then I'm like, of course. Okay. Tell your mom Hi. Should we FaceTime her?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Let's call it. Do you find that kids are now rewatching D?

[Eva Longoria]

Everybody's rewatching it. It was like, number two the other day on the streaming.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Interesting, huh? That's really interesting.

[Eva Longoria]

I keep getting, like, notifications like, do you want to watch a house? I go, no, I don't. I'm fine. I made it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Did you ever rewatch it?

[Eva Longoria]

No.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Did you watch it the first round?

[Eva Longoria]

No.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You didn't?

[Eva Longoria]

I never did, no. The number one question is, you're going to do a reboot. You're going to do a reboot because of all the reboots. But Mark says no. Mark never wants to. Yeah. He's like. Cause, you know, this was a time where we did 24 episodes a year for a decade. There's none of this six to eight bullshit, you know? So Mark's like, we fully mind the characters.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Eva Longoria]

And I was like, I can't sleep with one more person on the street. Like, I literally have slept with everybody.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Or can we. Can we find the right gay man for you? You'll say yes.

[Eva Longoria]

The new neighbor.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Thank you so much for doing this. Adore you. And please pick up the nuts that you threw before. Please, if you could just clean up any spare nuts.

[Eva Longoria]

Sorry.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

This episode of Dinners On Me was recorded at Cuckoo in West Hollywood, California. Next week on Dinners On Me, you know him as fashion icon, designer, accessories king. And from his days, judging by Project Runway, it's Michael Kors. We'll get into becoming fashion obsessed at a young age. I mean, he had notes as a five year old for his mom's wedding dress. And what it's like to see his name on handbags everywhere on a daily basis. And if you don't want to 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 you get access to new episodes one week early. You'll also be able to listen completely ad free. Just click Try free at the top of the Dinners on Me show page 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. It's executive produced by me and Jonathan Hirsch. 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 than thanks to Tameka Balance Kolasny and Justin Makita. I'm Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Join me next week.