Jeff Hiller — On Emmy Win & Going From Bitchy Waiter To Series Regular

Summary

Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Episode: Jeff Hiller — On Emmy Win & Going From Bitchy Waiter To Series Regular
Released: April 21, 2026
Recorded at: Betty, Manhattan’s Lower East Side

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Episode Overview

Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with actor, comedian, and newly-minted Emmy winner Jeff Hiller for a heartfelt, hilarious, and revealing conversation over breakfast at one of Jeff’s go-to spots in New York. They dive into Jeff’s unique career path, from playing “bitchy waiters” to series regular on HBO’s acclaimed Somebody Somewhere, the dynamics of queer representation at awards shows, navigating the weird moments of fame, family, imposter syndrome, and what comes next. The episode is full of warmth, self-deprecating humor, industry insight, and genuine friendship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breakfast, Restaurants, & Comic Beginnings

• Jesse introduces the setting (Betty on the Lower East Side) and notes Jeff’s longstanding connection to the place, including performing at its comedy nights.
• Orders are placed—Jeff gets the Betty omelette, Jesse chooses the baked eggs with creamy tomato sauce (08:38).

2. Jeff’s Book & The Infamous “Typo Edition”

• Jesse brings up Jeff’s memoir, Actress of a Certain Age, discovering he owns an early “typo” copy (title misprinted “satane age”) (04:04).
• Lighthearted banter about signing copies and the value of misprints for eBay.

3. Candid Banter & The Universality of Fear

• Jesse and Jeff swap stories about haunted houses and feeling out of place at Hollywood events, like the cast of Glee at Universal’s Horror Nights.
  • Jesse: “The haunted hayride was enough… I started to cry. I just said, 'I can’t do this anymore. I’ve tried. I’ve done enough.'” (06:14)

4. Vegetarianism, Neighborly Chicken, & Not Making a Fuss

• Jeff discusses his largely vegetarian lifestyle, but admits to recently eating chicken his neighbor brought over:
  • “My body… I almost cried. It tasted so good.” (08:01)
• Jesse teases Jeff about “not making a big deal” of not eating meat—except for all the talk about it at breakfast.

5. Jeff’s Emmy Win & Queer Representation at the Awards

• Jesse celebrates Jeff’s Emmy win and marvels at how many queer actors were nominated in Jeff’s category: Jeff himself, Michael Urie, Bowen Yang, Colman Domingo.
  • Jesse: “The absolute joy, specifically, that those three other guys who are queer in your category had for you … that was genuine.” (10:12)
  • Jeff recalls the collective disbelief and genuine community among nominees:
    • “A lot of that emotion was about like, I cannot believe this is happening. And I didn’t have anything prepared.” (11:27)

6. The Weirdness of Winning – What Changes (and What Doesn’t)

• Jesse and Jeff reflect on the experience of winning major awards—the brief dopamine hit, followed by the realization that life resumes as normal.
  • “There is that expectation that your life is going to change the next day…it ends up just being another day.” (13:01)

7. Confronting Childhood Trauma & Returning Home

• Discussion of returning to their respective hometowns (Albuquerque for Jesse, San Antonio/Dallas for Jeff) and the complicated emotions it triggers.
  • Jeff recounts a harrowing episode at a Dallas Cowboys game while working a Snickers commercial in costume, facing hostility from football fans (17:08).
    • “They started just like shouting the F word at me in the men’s room…Chris Sullivan…came in and rescued me. Rescued by a Viking at a urinal.” (18:29)

8. Handling Criticism, Comments, and Fan Interaction

• The surprising sting of “well-meaning” remarks.
  • Jeff: “Sometimes people will say something and they mean it nicely and it just comes off wrong. It’s so devastating…Like, ‘your hair looks better today.’” (20:11)
• Jesse laughs about people saying, “You look so much better in person,” and the mixed feelings it brings (20:29).
  • Jeff: “That’s why all our reviews were like, ‘It’s so refreshing to see fuggos on TV.’ No, I mean, I’m paraphrasing.” (21:09)

9. ‘Somebody Somewhere’: Outsider Ensemble & Authentic Queer Stories

• Jesse expresses amazement the part of Joel wasn’t written expressly for Jeff, given the uncanny alignment with his life.
  • Jesse: “Knowing your history…It’s astonishing to me that this part was not written for you.” (21:42)
  • Jeff: “I know, it’s bonkers.” (21:45)
• They discuss the groundbreaking nuances of Joel: a queer character deeply connected to religion, but not portrayed in a stereotypically traumatized way (22:21).
• The ensemble nature: “It was like the circus came through town…and it was the best.” (22:40)
• Community building on set: cast barbecues, genuine excitement at each season renewal.

10. From “Bitchy Waiter” to Series Regular

• Jeff recounts being told by casting director Marci Phillips:
  • “You’re only gonna be cast in a role where the role is really like you.” (25:12)
• His early career often consisted of “gay waiter, gay stewardess, gay flight attendant”—a typecasting reflected in his IMDb page:
  • “My IMDb page looks like a hate crime…gay flight attendant, gay waiter, gay, you know?” (26:19)

11. Career Next Steps: Writing, Creating, & Auditioning for “Pluribus”

• Jeff shares ambitions to create new work for himself due to his unique casting type (32:20).
• The secrecy of the Pluribus audition—finding out details only after being cast, acting alongside Rhea Seehorn (33:00).
  • “I just got my sides…never got the script.”
• Describes the joy of rehearsing drama for hours with theater-rooted actors and directors:
  • “We kind of ran it like a play…the director had us do it over and over again for all the different angles.” (36:44)

12. Showbiz Anecdotes: Modern Family, Product Placement, and the iPad

• Jesse remembers the chaos (and absurdity) of being the first show to feature an iPad, with Apple staff on set treating the devices like priceless jewels (40:34).
• They muse on the surreal differences between being on a “critical darling” and a bombastic hit, and the fleeting nature of attention and success.

13. Navigating Red Carpets & Publicists

• Jeff shares the sting of being passed over for interviews, and the helpful confidence (and function) a publicist provides on the red carpet (44:23).
• Jesse’s anecdote about his name being skipped over at an event, reducing “showbiz” to its humbling basics (43:20).
• Insights into self-worth among actors:
  • “In my head, I’m like…I’m fully aware that I’m C, mostly D.” (45:43)
  • Jesse: “You are an Emmy award winning—a B minus!” (45:56)
  • Jeff: “That bumped me up to C for a minute, but I’m moving back to D if I don’t get another job soon.” (45:57)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A lot of that emotion was about like, I cannot believe this is happening. And I didn’t have anything prepared.” — Jeff Hiller (11:27)
• “The absolute joy, specifically, that those three other guys who are queer in your category had for you … that was genuine.” — Jesse Tyler Ferguson (10:15)
• “My IMDb page looks like a hate crime…gay flight attendant, gay waiter, gay, you know?” — Jeff Hiller (26:19)
• “Knowing your history…It’s astonishing to me that this part was not written for you.” — Jesse Tyler Ferguson (21:42)
• “There is that expectation that your life is going to change the next day…it ends up just being another day.” — Jesse Tyler Ferguson (13:01)
• “Sometimes people will say something and they mean it nicely and it just comes off wrong. It’s so devastating.” — Jeff Hiller (20:11)
• “That’s why all our reviews were like, ‘It’s so refreshing to see fuggos on TV.’ No, I mean, I’m paraphrasing.” — Jeff Hiller (21:09)
• “Rescued by a Viking at a urinal.” — Jeff Hiller (18:58)
• “I would have cleaned that plate if I didn’t have a camera on my face.” — Jeff Hiller (42:50)

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Important Timestamps

• [02:47] Jeff: “It was harder to play the bitchy waiter…when you’re just like, ‘No, you don’t have a reservation,’ it’s hard.”
• [09:10] Jesse & Jeff discuss queer actors in their Emmy category
• [11:27] Jeff on shock at winning, lack of preparation for the awards speech
• [17:08] Jeff’s story of being harassed in a stadium while filming a commercial
• [21:42] Jesse on the alignment between Jeff’s real life and TV role
• [32:20] Jeff on creating his own work due to “specific” casting
• [33:00–36:44] Inside scoop on Pluribus auditioning, set building, and rehearsal processes
• [40:34] Jesse on Modern Family’s historic iPad episode
• [43:20] Jesse’s red carpet “pass” moment
• [45:56] Jeff: “That bumped me up to C for a minute, but I’m moving back to D if I don’t get another job soon.”

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Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, self-mocking, deeply genuine, and full of classic New York and showbiz asides. Jeff and Jesse’s dynamic is built on shared history, mutual admiration, and a love of the absurdities of both life and show business. Vulnerability around insecurity, ambition, and the randomness of success is balanced by rapid-fire wit, playful ribbing, and support.

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Summary Takeaways

• Jeff Hiller’s journey from comedic bit parts to Emmy-winning recognition is a testament to perseverance, authenticity, and changing tides for queer actors in Hollywood.
• Both Jesse and Jeff bring a refreshing candor to the nitty-gritty of success, family, self-acceptance, and the unpredictability of an entertainment career.
• The importance of community, in both cast (“circus came through town”-style ensemble) and in representing under-seen stories, is underscored throughout.
• Famous or not, nearly every performer rides the same waves of imposter syndrome and moments of being overlooked. Support, humor, and a little neurotic honesty go a long way.

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End of episode summary. For more candid conversations and next week’s guest, subscribe to “Dinner’s On Me” wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcript

[A]

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 gonna 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 know, he could be just sitting amongst seagulls and he's happy. Justin and I, we just want to air conditioning and wifi. 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 details, managing reservations, guest communications, and even providing on site. 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. 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 floo 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 is 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. Hey, it's Jesse Tyler Ferguson today on the show. You know him from his Emmy award winning work on somebody somewhere. He's been on Pluribus Elsbeth. He's the author of the memoir actress of a certain age. It's New York icon if you ask me. Jeff Hiller.

[B]

It was harder to play the bitchy waiter.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The only has two lines. You know, when you have a whole script, you can find it, you can sit in it, but when you're just like, no, you don't have a reservation, it's hard.

[A]

This is dinner's on me. And I'm your host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. So today we're at Betty on New York's Lower east side. This is a place that my friend Jeff has been coming to for years. They're known for their breakfast, which is perfect because I definitely need something to start my day off. I'm eyeing these baked eggs with creamy tomato sauce. That sounds delicious. This place also a comedy night that Jeff has performed at many times. So I'm excited to sit down and reunite with my friend Jeff, who I haven't seen since he won his Emmy award. And it should be a great time. So let's get to the conversation. I know that when you wrote your book, which, by the way. Okay. I mean, I have it here. It's unsigned and you know my.

[B]

Oh, you got the typo version. That means you got it early. That's so cool.

[A]

Oh, I got a typo version.

[B]

Yeah, I got like a.

[A]

What does this mean? How do you know?

[B]

Wait, yeah. Actress of satane age.

[A]

I didn't even notice. What?

[B]

Well, I didn't either.

[A]

Wait, just there. Just there. Not on the front here. No.

[B]

Yeah. Isn't that so awful?

[A]

My ebay customers like things signed, so I want to make sure that you can sign this. You don't have to do it right now, but I'd love for you to just to get out of the way and also, like, make sure that you write something nice and then we can continue with the conversation. But I know a lot of, like, the stories that you've told in this. This book. I've heard you tell some of them on stage, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right? Yeah, yeah. So I mean, like a lot of it. I mean.

[B]

Oh, wait, are we doing it now.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I know what's happening.

[B]

This is very Marc Maron. You know how they're always like, oh, is it recording?

[A]

No, we started recording when you woke up at home. There was. We had a small. Like, oh, no, you saw me without my camera. A spy cam. Yeah. Yeah. No, Neil was really helpful. Your husband was really helpful in getting the cameras. Yeah. Yeah. So, no, we have it all. It's like Big Brother. Yeah.

[B]

Do you know, one time. I'm sorry, I don't want to. You had, like, good questions, but.

[A]

No, I really don't, actually.

[B]

My friend Katie threw a Halloween party, and she's so twisted that she had.

[A]

She would.

[B]

She picked all of the couples. She picked one of them and asked them to secretly film their partner, like, either from outside a window or, like, during night or whatever. And then while they weren't aware of it, like, one of them filmed outside the kitchen window when he was doing dishes. And one of them was just filming her while she was sleeping. And then she showed that on a video at the party of just all of these people unaware that they'd been filmed. She always makes me go to those Universal Horror Nights because I just don't.

[A]

Oh, I hate those.

[B]

I. I cannot turn off for, like, a week and a half.

[A]

No. Because it's just, like, traumatizing.

[B]

Such high adrenaline the whole time.

[A]

They're traumatizing. I went one year when Modern Family just started, and for some reason, I got invited with, like, the whole cast of Glee, and we were on a haunted hay ride.

[B]

So Hollywood.

[A]

So Hollywood. Yeah. Me and the cast of Glee were on a haunted hayride, and I was really traumatized, and they wanted to. They all wanted to do the. The corn maze after that. Oh, yeah. And the haunted hayride was enough. But you're in, like, a vessel that moves, you know?

[B]

Right, right, right.

[A]

And so I felt protected, and I, like, stayed in the center of the hayride. Like, people to come out from, like, the field, like, with chains. And, like, I was like. I was really traumatized. And they're like, okay, now we're gonna do the. The corn maze. And you're not protected. You're like. They give you a lantern, and they're like. And go. It's. You're in a Scooby Doo show. Mystery. And so I was like, I can't do it. I can't do it. And Justin was like, just, come on. It's fine. Like, literally, the cast of Glee is, like, all, like, let's go. And I started to cry. And I was like. I just said, I can't do this. I can't do this anymore. Like, I've tried. I've done enough. I've done enough. And like, I said, like, walking to the car, and like, I was like, I'm just, like, ripped.

[B]

I was like, what a.

[A]

And Riley was like, jesus Christ, Leah. Michelle was like, you grow a pear.

[B]

Grab a lantern.

[A]

Grow a pair. No, I was. I refused. I refused.

[B]

I don't blame you. I. I should refuse. I don't know why I keep going back.

[A]

Wait. Why do you normally get here?

[B]

Well, I don't normally come for breakfast. If I'm being completely honest, I don't really eat meat anymore. But when I did, they had steak frites here that were so good.

[A]

How long have you been vegetarian or vegan? Are they vegan or vegetarian?

[B]

Just vegetarian. And you know what? I do, because our neighbor brought over a plate of chicken for us. And Neil was like, Neil's very strict. And I was like, I'm just gonna eat it rather than throw it away.

[A]

Right?

[B]

And he's like, okay. And so I ate it. And I was like, oh. I mean, it was like, my body. I almost cried. It tasted so good.

[A]

So good. I was. I couldn't tell. What if that reaction was because your body was rejecting it.

[B]

No. No, my body was not. It was almost like, eat the bone.

[A]

Eat the bone.

[B]

So now I like chicken.

[A]

Bone marrow's my favorite.

[B]

Exactly. You know how, like, people do Meatless Mondays? I sometimes do, like, a day.

[A]

I mean, we've had a few meals together. I don't remember you not eating meat.

[B]

No. Yeah.

[A]

But I guess you don't really make a big deal about it. Although, like, that's all you've talked about since we've sat down. What do I want? I think I'm gonna do a breakfast.

[B]

I do, too. I want. I want breakfast. Are you guys ready to order?

[A]

I am. Oh, yeah.

[B]

We haven't ordered. Yeah, let's do it. I'm just gonna do the Betty omelette, please.

[A]

Okay. I'm gonna have those. The baked eggs.

[B]

Baked dance.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Awesome. All right.

[A]

Thank you so much. I'm so happy we're doing this. I haven't seen you since you won your Emmy. I've talked to you.

[B]

Yeah. You sent a very, very sweet message. I appreciate.

[A]

Well, both when you were nominated and when you won, I sent two really sweet messages. I just want to make. Let the record show

[B]

it's true. You know what? It's true.

[A]

And, like, honestly. And I talked To Michael Urie about this, too. Who was nominated in your category this year? What was so exciting? Oh, she couldn't stop talking about it. No. But what I really loved. And I didn't experience this at all, like. Well, maybe a little. No, I don't know if I did. But there was so many queer actors in that category.

[B]

When you were nominated, you were the only one.

[A]

Well, I mean, I keep.

[B]

That makes sense.

[A]

Lumping Eric Stonestreet in with me, even though he's straight. But he played a gay character. But I don't know if there were an honorary. Yeah, an honorary gay. And Max Greenfield's, like, gay adjacent. Even he would say that. He's like a drink away. No, but, like, I. Male girl. Indeed. Indeed. It was you, Michael Urie.

[B]

Bowen.

[A]

Bowen. Yang. And then it was Coleman Colman.

[B]

Domingo.

[A]

Colman Domingo, that's right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, that's.

[B]

It's crazy.

[A]

But what I do love.

[B]

We're taking over.

[A]

We're taking over. We're coming in.

[B]

Agenda is coming to fruition.

[A]

It's working out just as planned. But the absolute joy, specifically, that you're those three other guys who are queer in your category.

[B]

So sweet.

[A]

Had for you. I mean, you can fake being happy

[B]

for someone, and this was genuine.

[A]

That was genuine.

[B]

Really feel that way.

[A]

Truly. I went back and I watched every. I was like, let me watch this box now. Let me watch this box now. All of them were so excited. And even the two that were straight, they were all three.

[B]

It was three people.

[A]

Oh, my God. That's a very big category.

[B]

When it was four people that were queer in there. I was like, I wonder if Harrison Ford feels like it's like, wait, a GLAAD Award or.

[A]

Right, right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. What are we going to. Yeah. That's so funny, because Harrison was kind of the one that people were talking about because it's like he's had. He has his career behind him and, like. I mean, he should have. Listen, I've been in. I've been in this situation where you're nominated and you're like, well, the conversation's on this other person.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And you just kind of go in thinking, like, well, I'll have something ready. Honestly, the first few times I was nominated for an Emmy, I don't. I really did not have anything ready because I was like, there's zero chance. Yeah. And it could have happened.

[B]

There was zero chance. This one, too. I mean, that is why. I mean, I'm not trying to discount how beautiful it was that they stood up and Clapped. Because I do think it was so genuine. But a lot of that emotion was about like, I cannot believe this is happening. And I didn't, I didn't have anything prepared. I mean, my.

[A]

Nothing. Not even like a fancy.

[B]

My publicist said to say thank you to hbo and so I was like, I mean, I guess I had said the joke about sweaty middle aged people. And I have said that joke in my standup.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

But no, I didn't. I really. My manager said to me, you're probably not gonna win. It's the nomination is the award.

[A]

Yeah. Which is true. And I have to say that because I've lost every Emmy I've been nominated for.

[B]

See, that's what's crazy. You don't have an Emmy. That is crazy. I was, I did a show with Rainn Wilson and he told me he

[A]

didn't have an Emmy. Yeah.

[B]

And I was like, what? That. Then obviously these are memes.

[A]

But it's not. I mean, listen, it's. That's what, that is what's weird about awards. And I do want to ask you about this because, you know, after the Tony Award, like, I, you know, there is that expectation that your life is going to change the next day. Like, the next day, it's just, Just like the phone's vibrating off that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Of course, in my version of the story, it's one of those old phones that just vibrates.

[B]

The princess phone.

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, wait, why would I take that?

[A]

But, you know, it's, it's. The reality is like, it's, it's ends up being another day where your, you know, dopamine levels are incredibly high.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But it ends up just being another day.

[B]

Yeah. And another. Whatever. Six months right now for a quick

[A]

break, but don't go away. When we come back, Jeff tells me a gutting story from commercial acting days. And we hear what it was like filming the HBO critical Darling Somebody Somewhere. You know that little show he won an Emmy for? Okay, be right back. I am always trying to cook more at home. The one thing I do know is if you start with really good ingredients, everything just gets easier. That's exactly why I love Wild Alaskan company. They deliver wild caught, perfectly portioned seafood straight to your door. And it makes cooking fish at home feel so incredibly easy. What sets them apart is that everything is 100% wild caught, never farmed, no antibiotics, no GMOs, no additives. Just really high quality seafood that you can feel really good about eating. It's also frozen right off the boat to lock in flavor and texture. And everything is sustainably sourced from Alaska. My current favorite is their sockeye salmon. It has this gorgeous, vivid red color and such rich flavor that it barely needs anything. The other night, Justin was showering me with praise about this salmon that I made for him. It was so amazing. It's the best he's had in so long. I didn't tell him. I just sprinkled on a little salt, olive oil, and lemon juice that that was it. It was just the really great fish that was a star. Although I do have very nice pan sear, if I do say so myself. So I did that part. And if you're trying it for the first time, there's no risk. If you' not completely satisfied with your first box, Wild Alaskan company will give you a full refund, no questions asked. Not all fish are the same. Get seafood you can trust. Go to wild alaskan.com jtf for $35 off your first box of premium wild caught seafood. That's wild alaskan.com JTF for $35 off your first order. Thanks to Wild Alaskan Company for sponsoring this episode.

[B]

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[A]

Let's love. And we're back with more dinners on me. I know you grew up Lutheran, but did you grow up in a religious school?

[B]

Not. Not. Not until college.

[A]

Okay, okay. I went to Catholic. I went to Catholic grade school and high school.

[B]

That makes sense.

[A]

So, yeah, it was very sports.

[B]

New Mexico.

[A]

Albuquerque. Yeah.

[B]

Have you ever gotten to work there again? That'd be so fun.

[A]

But I always think, like, what if, like, I got cast in a show like Breaking Bad, which of course, like, I mean, that shows one of the best on television. Ever. But I do keep thinking they had to live in Albuquerque. Like, they had to, like, relocate. And I don't know how that would go for me emotionally. I had a lot of. I know you had a lot of trauma growing up as well, but, like, a lot of trauma growing up as a kid in Albuquerque.

[B]

That's so interesting, because I shot. It's not Breaking Bad, but it was an American Airlines commercial in Dallas, which isn't even. I grew up in San Antonio. Wasn't even in Dallas, but adjacent. Yeah. And I remember that one. That felt almost like reclaiming your territory. Yeah. Like coming home. Like, see, you thought I was trash, but look at me. I'm hawking an airline. But then I did do. And I talk about this in the book. I did this. Like, I did these series of Snickers commercials, and we did these, like, tours of football stadiums. And when we went to the Dallas Cowboy game, like, I had a horrible experience, and I was like. It was very triggering. It was very, like. Actually, it was almost re. Traumatizing. I would say it was. It was bad. So I get what you're saying, but.

[A]

No, to say what happened. I mean, I read the books right now, but.

[B]

Oh, I. Well, okay. I was a pilgrim. You might be like, why were you dressed as a pilgrim for a Snickers commercial?

[A]

Doesn't matter. Don't ask these questions.

[B]

Exactly. Anyway, people thought I was a Patriot fan or whatever, and they weren't even playing the Patriots, so I don't know why they would think that there was maybe some beer involved.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And they started just, like, shouting the F word at me in the men's room. And then Chris Sullivan, who plays.

[A]

This is why you're. You're in costume to do a commercial, right? To work.

[B]

Yes. Chris and Sully, who you know from this Is Us, he played Toby. He was dressed as a Viking. Again, I don't know why. And they thought he was a Minnesota Vikings fan. And so he, like, came in and rescued me. It was very charming. It was very sweet of him.

[A]

Rescued by a pilgrim. Rescued by a Viking at a urinal.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Let's.

[B]

Oh, look at that.

[A]

Fresh dip for the baked egg. Thank you. They. They do retain their heat for a while, so I gotta. I got a cozy.

[B]

Yeah. You got a cozy. Yep. Sometimes, like, recommend, like, kind of using the toast to kind of break it up a little bit, you know, that's my favorite eggy thing we have in the menu.

[A]

I'm very excited. I was eyeing this.

[B]

Oh, why didn't you tell Me that before we ordered.

[A]

You can have some of my eggy thing.

[B]

How do you get around eating on camera?

[A]

You just do it, Jeff. You just gotta forget. You go like this. You make eye contact. People just gotta deal with it. You know what?

[B]

Yeah. Because a lot of people have that, like misophonia.

[A]

Oh, and they'll let you know. They'll let you know in the comments. Talk about reading your reviews.

[B]

I really have had to learn not to read the comments, and I'm getting better at it.

[A]

Are you getting better?

[B]

Because at first, you know, it's so exciting. And for the most part, 99% of the comments about me are nice.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And sometimes people will say something and they mean it nicely and it just comes off wrong. It's so devastating.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

You know, like, your hair looks better today.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

What is hard to avoid are obviously the in person interactions and.

[B]

Oh, God. Yeah.

[A]

You know, I've had a lot of people say to me, oh, my God, you look so much better in person. And I was like, well, that's. I mean, there's no way around it. There's no way around it. Like, I mean, do I wish that I look better on TV when millions of people are watching me or, like, better in person with just this one person observing me? I don't know. It's sort of a lose, lose situation. Like, I mean, but, you know, they meant it. Well, I know.

[B]

And I think when they say stuff like that, what it really is saying is Hollywood casts people who are, like, regular looking, who are actually very attractive.

[A]

Right. Yeah.

[B]

And so they're just. That's why, like, all of our reviews were like, it's so refreshing to see Fuggos on tv. No, I mean, I'm paraphrasing, but that was basically what they were saying.

[A]

You know, I had Bridget ever on this podcast. I remember to talk about it when, when, when she was. The show was wrapping up. This is before your Emmy nomination, but knowing your history, knowing like your, Your life and how you grew up, it's astonishing to me that this part was not written for you.

[B]

I know, it's bonkers.

[A]

I mean, having grown up very, like, emotionally connected to religion and then, you know, being an outsider, obviously, which you talk about so eloquently in your book. But like, the character Joel, it was such a breath of fresh air. And it's one of the reasons people responded to it so much because it was so. It was so multifaceted. You know, someone who is queer, who has a deep Connection to religion. And it's not in a traumatizing way. It was in a very, like, beautiful way,

[B]

which is something in real life. I know a ton of people like that.

[A]

Yes, me, too.

[B]

But I've never seen it on tv.

[A]

Never seen it on tv, so it's shocking and so, like, beautifully and eloquently portrayed. But, I mean, also, that show, Hannah

[B]

Boss and Paul Thuring, they wrote it. They're really good at it. They're really good at writing.

[A]

They're really good at writing. But, you know, you and Bridget and Murray Hill and Mary Catherine, I mean, all these people who I've known for years in New York who are just sort of these outsiders, like, and, like, you know, kind of these people that are very specifically cast in things. But, like, you know, it's like, you weren't. None of you. None of you were easily cast in anything. And you all came together to make this, like, show. It was like the circus came through town and, like, it was, like, the best. It was the best ensemble people. I mean, on tv, it was such a breath of fresh air. And I don't know, I. I just. I just love. Have we even said that with the name of the show yet, Joanna? Somebody Somewhere.

[B]

It's called Somebody Somewhere.

[A]

Yeah, that's what we're talking about, by the way.

[B]

Yeah, it's called Somebody Somewhere.

[A]

But it was. It was such a. I think that's Bridget, though.

[B]

Too. Like, I think Bridget, like. And she even said so, like, she. She really wanted to create, like, the role was specifically written from Murray Hill by Fred Rococo, and. And she just wanted to have people who were right for the role. I mean, also, there was, like, no budget, so there was no famous people that wanted to do it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But what was so exciting about it when we got, like, a second season and stuff is it was a huge deal for all of us. Nobody was just like, okay, so I gotta figure out how to do the second season while I'm in between my Marvel films, you know?

[A]

Right.

[B]

And I guess that's always how it is with a TV show. I don't know. I've never been on one that had famous people in it. But for all of us, it was like, oh, my God, I can't believe this is happening. And. And we would. We lived together. And then on Saturday nights, Bridget would, like, barbecue, and we would all go over and, you know, drink margaritas.

[A]

And you knew her before doing the show a little bit, right? Yeah, I mean, I was. I've been aware of her for so long.

[B]

I used to see her. I was a fan. Yeah, I was a fan. And then she asked me to do our Hit Parade, which is like that.

[A]

I did that, too.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

That's the only way I knew her. We weren't like. Like, I'd never been to her house or anything.

[A]

Right, Me either.

[B]

And people are like, oh, well, you two were best friends, and that's why you're playing this role.

[A]

But that they really didn't know each other, and.

[B]

And the role was just coincidentally. Exactly. Not exactly, but it's pretty similar to me.

[A]

To you.

[B]

Yeah, I remember Marcy Phillips. Do you ever take one of Marcy Phillips classes?

[A]

I. Well, I don't know if I took her class, but I auditioned for her.

[B]

Well, yeah, that makes more sense. Well, I was stuck taking her classes, and she was like, you know, you read this audition really well. It was like, how to Become a Series Regular. She was like, yeah, you read. The site's great, but really, you're only gonna be cast in a role where the role is really like you. And I was like, crap. Because all I was playing was like, bitchy Waiters.

[A]

Right?

[B]

Well, first of all, there's never gonna be a bitchy Waiter as a single.

[A]

Is this regular? You never know. That literally might be the title. Bitchy Waiter.

[B]

Gotta go. I'm in development.

[A]

Jeff has won one previous Emmy award for somebody somewhere. This is the second Emmy win for Bitchy Waiter. Like, that will be the voice of God. So you're gonna do, like, an inteller role. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, you're right. I mean, you talk about that in your book. Like, how, like, you know, you just. Your. Your IMDb page looks like a hate crime. Like, it's just like, gay stewardess gay. Like, gay flight attendant gay waiter gay, you know?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we return, Jeff tells me about the secretive audition process he had for Vince Gilligan's buzzy Apple TV series Pluribus. And I tell a story of a hilarious Modern Family product placement. Okay, be right back. Don't sexy Lotharios often behave abominably towards women?

[B]

Yes, but they don't always behead them or split from the Catholic Church.

[A]

History's greatest is the show where we find out why losers make history. Hosted by me, Dan Jones, and me, Elizabeth Day.

[B]

We're old friends and fellow history graduates,

[A]

and in this podcast, we're going to

[B]

dig into failures of historical proportions.

[A]

Listen to history's greatest fails on the this is history. Podcast, feed or watch on YouTube. Infamous is the gossip show that's smart. We talk about Tyra Banks and bringing down top Model.

[B]

We talk about Jenna Jameson and how

[A]

she dominated the 90s.

[B]

You know, she's horny and she's in charge.

[A]

She just was very smart about marketing herself. We talk about celebrities who maybe shouldn't be celebrities, like the Beckham guy.

[B]

Brooklyn is their first kid. He's had a little bit of the Nepo baby curse.

[A]

We investigate orgasm cults. A woman's erotic power can unlock many other powers in her life.

[B]

And of course, we discuss people who

[A]

have gotten into lots of trouble. My name is Molly McLaughlin. I am one of Jen Shaw's many victims. She was defrauding the elderly, and her tagline was, the only thing I'm guilty of is being Sha. Amazing. Listen to Infamous, the gossip show that's smart.

[B]

The show's called Infamous. Fabio Sementilli. Big hearts, big voice, big laugh. A rock star hairstylist who drove a Porsche.

[A]

He was like a wizard behind the chair.

[B]

The killers came for Fabio in his own backyard.

[A]

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

[B]

There was rampant speculation about everything, but every wild theory was wrong because the truth was even more unbelievable. What? Is anyone hearing what I'm hearing? And even more heartbreaking, the uncertainty of not knowing is a form of agony. 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.

[A]

And we're back with more dinners on me. You and Neil have been together, like, 20 years now, right?

[B]

Just 18.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

But yes. How long have you and Justin been together?

[A]

We've been married 13 and I guess together 50. God, right behind you. I guess it doesn't. It feels like it hasn't been that long.

[B]

I know, but the thing is, is that. That's funny, you know, when you got married. Huh?

[A]

2013.

[B]

Yeah, that's when we got married, too. But you had a wedding.

[A]

We had a wedding. Did you not have a wedding? Did you do a courthouse thing?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You saved so much money, Jeff. You did.

[B]

Well, I am very cheap.

[A]

Did you regret not having a wedding?

[B]

No. No. Not at all. No. I think. I mean, there's probably, like, if I'm being completely honest, there's probably, like, some gay shame in there, but I think I would feel weird about all the attention I would feel embarrassed, really. I mean, even my dad, who didn't have a gay wedding, he had a straight wedding. He was like, oh, it was such a stressful day. I hated it. I would never go back.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I think my mom was like, rude.

[A]

Right, right, right.

[B]

But he just didn't like that.

[A]

Are your parents still around?

[B]

Okay. Cuz my mom is not. My dad is.

[A]

Right, right, right, right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And was your dad around when you got married? Uhhuh. Was. What was. How were they. Were they.

[B]

Were they support? Yeah. My mom was still around too. Yeah, no, they. They really.

[A]

Oh, wait, you say your mom passed away, right?

[B]

My mom passed away, but my dad is still living. But they were into it. Yeah, they were really supportive. They were very much like performatively gracious to it. You know what I mean?

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like, I don't think that by then I just mean that they were really like, wanted us to know that they were supportive.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I. My parents were both very supportive as well. I mean, my dad's had like a very interesting relationship with like me coming out, but it's lovely about it. I mean, like, he's really come up. He's had his own journey, which I also really embrace. Like, I was like, yeah, the journey's fine as long as you like, the. The end place that you're trying to head to is like a good place. Like, take the journey. Like, don't, don't. I'm not worried about that.

[B]

And I think about how long it took me to accept it in myself.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Like, of course it's gonna.

[A]

You can't expect.

[B]

The moment I spring it on you is probably really stressful.

[A]

For sure.

[B]

Although.

[A]

Were your parents surprised?

[B]

No. Not even.

[A]

Please.

[B]

And in fact, they had already been

[A]

on the journey, like, yeah, join us on this journey if you could have like your career go in any direction right now. I mean, you're also such a brilliant writer, Jeff. I mean, I've read obviously several of your scripts. We were working on something together at one point. I mean, is that something. Do you sort of like, where are you at now with. With next steps for yourself? Are you sort of like whatever door opens you're willing to go through? Are you looking more like trying to create your own stuff or.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I am looking to create my own stuff just because I'm so hard to cast. Yeah, you know, I am specific, so I'm developing stuff. But I. If whatever, like, I don't know. Somebody called tomorrow and was like, will you play the gay president? I'd be like, sure, yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I guess what actor wouldn't.

[A]

Right. For sure.

[B]

Say yes to something that falls into their lap?

[A]

Right. And what. How did. Was Pluribus something that was offered to you?

[B]

No. You auditioned for it. Yeah. And it was like a really. You know, because they can't tell you what anything is.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So I didn't know what the hive mind was or.

[A]

Right. That.

[B]

And they said, you're Carol's father. And they had released that. Carol was played by Rhea Seehorn. And I was like, oh, God, I've aged into playing dad. Nobody's gonna buy that I'm Ray Seaborn's dad. So I just. But I auditioned, and then I just

[A]

got it was it. I mean, that show is so.

[B]

With a self tape and then a callback.

[A]

And the callback. It's so conceptual. I mean, I. I can't imagine getting that script and, like, trying to.

[B]

Well, I never got the script.

[A]

Never got. You just.

[B]

I just got my sides. Yeah.

[A]

And it's a beautiful scene.

[B]

It is. And, like, Ray called me over to her house, which is Bob Odenkirk's house. Like, he owns it, and she's just living in it right now.

[A]

Oh, really?

[B]

Because he, like, bought a place in Albuquerque. It's very dry there.

[A]

It is so dry.

[B]

Your poor little childlike nose must have been so runny.

[A]

I had. I always had a bloody nose. I always had a sunburn. Oh, that's right. Oh, my God.

[B]

For you to live in a desert climate.

[A]

No, I'm thriving now in the coastal towns. Yeah.

[B]

Louisiana. Super not sunny.

[A]

Never have enough breath support. Just, like, constantly high altitude, like, gasping for air. Yeah.

[B]

Did you live up in the hills or downtown?

[A]

I mean, I lived. We lived by the University of New Mexico. So kind of what was I. I mean, it was fairly flat. The whole city's high altitude.

[B]

Right, right.

[A]

I mean, you're up there.

[B]

I remember because I went on choir tour and we stopped in Albuquerque with my Lutheran church choir, and we stayed in a house that was, like, in the hills. And I was like, this is the most glamorous city in the world.

[A]

Was it an adobe house?

[B]

Yes, but it was, like, modern and fancy, and they had, like, a hot tub and stuff.

[A]

And I was like, this place is ballin'.

[B]

And then when I went back, you know, I was staying at the, like, Econo Lodge or whatever, and I was like, it's not so Ballin now, but there was good food there. I went to this really delicious restaurant.

[A]

Do you remember what it Was.

[B]

Oh, I don't.

[A]

Was it traditional Mexican food or is it something else?

[B]

No, it was like. Well, there was a pizza place that was delicious. And then there was a artichoke cafe.

[A]

Yes, yes. My neighbors own that place. My old neighbors.

[B]

So good.

[A]

So good. Yeah, my family's all worked there.

[B]

Oh, kidding.

[A]

Yeah. Uh huh.

[B]

I liked it.

[A]

That's like the place you go if you want to go somewhere nice. And I did and you did.

[B]

Because it was like I had a fitting on a Friday and I was shooting on a Monday, so I spent the weekend.

[A]

Do you know if you're gonna be on the next season?

[B]

No, I definitely won't be.

[A]

Really?

[B]

I mean, I guess never say never. We haven't even written it yet, so.

[A]

No, I know. Vince Gilligan said he's going incredibly slow with it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. And that's what I mean. Even when we were shooting it, Ray was like, it might be like a long time between seasons.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's expensive and it's like that where her house is.

[A]

That's. They built that whole neighborhood.

[B]

It's like a. It's a culdesac. That is just sex. So like every house you go in and it's like just an empty husk of a house.

[A]

That's incredible. I know, I know.

[B]

So that's like where holding was. Was like we're in this little house and then you go to the sound stage and the interior of all the houses are in there.

[A]

Oh, that's so interesting.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I would have thought that they would have built interiors if they're going moving forward with like.

[B]

But I guess, you know, they gotta remove walls.

[A]

Yeah, that's true. That's true, that's true. Oh, that's so interesting. I did read that they created that whole neighborhood.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which is unbelievable.

[B]

It was.

[A]

What a cool.

[B]

I mean, it was so exciting too because it was like I don't get to normally do drama and. Oh, and Ray called me over on Sunday and we like rehearsed for four hours. Yeah, because we kind of ran it like a play. Like the director, Setna Fuentes, like had us just do it over and over and over again for all the different angles. But we were both on camera the whole time, so we were. We were like. No, it was like a play instead of like a scene where it's like, now the camera's in my face. Now the camera's in your face.

[A]

It was so refreshing.

[B]

It was. And we were like kind of nerding out about it too. It was. Yeah.

[A]

I mean, she's also. Rhea is, you know, a theater actress, or at least that's where her roots are. That's how I met her. So I, you know, I. It's so funny because with Modern Family, I remember Eric Stonestreet would always make fun of me because I wanted to rehearse, like, oh, we gotta rehearse it for Ferguson.

[B]

You mean other than camera blocking or like.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, like, yeah. If I wanted to, like, run something and figure out, like, you know, if, like, you're in a kitchen, you want to, like, be. You just don't want to, like, you have to have motivation to move around.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And he didn't want that. Eric would somehow. He was brilliant at, like, figuring out how to, like, plant himself in a spot and just, like, make and make it. Have it make sense. And I was like, I don't know how to do that. And so I would just. I would have to, like. I would be placing things. Like, I would. I'd be the person that was, like, placing things in refrigerators. Like, I would get the milk and then I'd. I would be moving things around, like, properly.

[B]

You have to remember to do that every time.

[A]

Every time. I know.

[B]

It's so hard.

[A]

I needed to do it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It worked for me.

[B]

That's how you found Bishop.

[A]

Listen, I. That's how I lost five Emmys.

[B]

Did. Did Eric win?

[A]

Yes, he won twice. He won twice. And Ty Burrell won twice.

[B]

And I wonder if it's like, oh, oh, he's straight and he had to pretend to be gay. So that's harder acting than a gay guy pretending to be gay. Maybe.

[A]

I mean, also, you know, both Eric and Ty were the flashy, funny people. And like, I. I mean, I knew in the first.

[B]

Was it just. Those two have ever been.

[A]

Julie Bowen got got as well, but we all got knocked at some point. Never Ed. Never Ed o'. Neill. I know. Which I mean. TV icon.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Or Sophia?

[B]

Sophia, yeah. She also had the fun wild part.

[A]

She did, yeah.

[B]

But you know what? What? Oh, she. She is from Columbia, so she's not acting.

[A]

Right. I mean, I think that, you know, there is that stigma that, like, you know, if you're too close to who you are in real life, you know that people are thinking you're not doing enough.

[B]

Right. Which is another reason I was like, I'll never win.

[A]

Because you were basically playing.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, not that I'm saying it's not still acting, but it's. It was harder to play the bitchy waiter.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Who only has two lines, you know, because you can. You can. When you have a whole script, you can find it, Right. You can sit in it. But when you're just like, no, you don't have a reservation, it's hard.

[A]

I remember we. Modern Family shot an episode where we got to use the very first iPad.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

Yeah. And I kind of remember that. Actually, we wrote a whole episode. It was like a, you know, cross promotion thing. You never had to do this with somebody somewhere.

[B]

Nobody was like, yeah, your viewers are stuff.

[A]

Yeah. You didn't have to integrate product into your show, which happens a lot. Maybe like for Kohl's or something,

[B]

we

[A]

have a partnership with Jesus just as a brand, but we. They had, like, someone from the, you know, Apple there.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

Like. Like secure.

[B]

Like when you.

[A]

Like when you go to the Oscars and, like, people wear, like, jewels. Like, they have, like, security guards standing around. That was us. But like, for iPads. And because it was new, no one.

[B]

No one knew.

[A]

And also I remember, like, we're like, iPad. Like, they couldn't have thought of, like, a bet. Now it's like, of course it's. And I had, like. At the time, I was like, that's a terrible name. I remember it's like a feminine product.

[B]

I remember that. That was like a big deal when they announced it, but now.

[A]

And now it's like, well, yeah, it's an iPad, but, yeah, we had someone that, like, which they had, like, white gloves, and they showed it to us, like, this is what you're gonna be working with today. And then, like, we bring it to us. Like, basically, they'd set up the whole scene, right? And then they. It was like. It was like having, like, a baby on set where, like, the baby was the last to arrive, and they put it in her arms and you'd be like. And action. And here's the baby. It's like, that's what they would do with the iPad. Like, we're flying in the iPad, and they would put it in our hands, and then we could do the scene. But I remember thinking, like, this is absolutely insane.

[B]

That is. That is kind of exciting, though, that you were a part of that.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, for sure. I held the very first iPad. Yeah.

[B]

It must be so fun to be on. Or maybe. Maybe there's bad things about it, too. But to be on. Just like. Just an undisputed, undeniable hit. Just a hit, baby. We're a hit. I've never been. I've always been like, it's a Critical, darling.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Even, like, in my theater stuff, too. Like, I've never been just in, like, a man. These tickets are flying off the shelves, right?

[A]

No, it is crazy when that does happen. I mean, I've been on the other end. I've been on both sides of that, where it's like, you know, you want something to go well, and it's just not. Or it's just, you know, it's. Yeah. When the critics are saying that it's wonderful, and then the audiences are, like, just not showing up, and it's really. It's very frustrating. I was. When I was doing a show before Modern Family called Do Not Disturb, it was a sitcom that ran maybe three episodes, and they canceled us, and it was not great.

[B]

Like a hotel. Not the hotel.

[A]

Hotel.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

God, you got a good memory.

[B]

I kind of do remember that. We're still working.

[A]

I think we're good.

[B]

Yeah. All right. Thank you so much.

[A]

This is delicious. Oh, thank you.

[B]

So is my omelette.

[A]

Say something nice, Jeff.

[B]

I would have cleaned that plate if I didn't have a camera on my

[A]

face when I really wanted to have my not chewing moment. Do we want to save it so you can lick the plate later?

[B]

No, I'm not. I'm not desperate for food.

[A]

You trim it.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We were out. I was at some event, and, you know, they. They have your. They write your name on a. On a card, and they sort of show it to the people on the red carpet, like, the photographers, so that they could take a picture of it. And then, like, you know, they know who you are.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And again, with us.

[B]

With me.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Who? Well, no, this is even worse. I got you topped on this one. I mean, maybe you have a story like this. I don't know. But I take all the photos. You know, they. And I have. You have someone who's handling you who, like, walks you through the thing. It's like some young teenage intern. And then we get to the part with the cameras, like Access Hollywood and the Hollywood Reporter and E. And all these cameras for interviews, and they put up my name to see if anyone wants to talk to me, and someone looks a bit named, they go, pass. And I started laughing. And the poor teenage kid who was like, you know, the volunteer who was, like, walking me through that, the line was like, oh, my God, I am so sorry. I was like, don't. Don't apologize. This is just. This is showbiz in a nutshell for you, kid.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

One day, you're tops. One day or not well, because also, they did this. Kill it.

[B]

Kill it. Well, because I hired a publicist for my book, and so I still had her for the Emmys, and so she was a way. You know, she knows how to go up to them and be like, no, he's actually nominated tonight. You actually do want to talk to him.

[A]

You know, but.

[B]

But I've had. When you don't have a publicist, it's. It is like that. Or like, I hate it when they make you horrible. Hold the little microphones.

[A]

I know.

[B]

And I hate it when they clearly don't know who you are at all.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And they're just obligated to do everyone and. Or like, somebody who knows who you are told them to do it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And so they're asking you questions that are like, this doesn't happen for you anymore.

[A]

It sometimes does.

[B]

Oh, come on. At an opening of a Broadway show.

[A]

No, I mean, there. I'm. There's a whole new red carpet that rolls out for me now. But sometimes I have no idea. Like, I just went to the opening of Giants, and no, people didn't know that I was working on. They're like, so, like, when are you gonna get back on stage? I'm like, I'm literally on stage right now. So I made them feel like an. But yeah. You know, it's all relative. So let's say, like, in our heads, like, we are.

[B]

It's so true. It's.

[A]

We're in a different place. And then, you know, in the real world, people have.

[B]

In my head, I'm not, though. I'm in my head, I'm like. I'm fully aware that I'm C mostly D. Oh, no.

[A]

Come on. Yeah. You are an Emmy award winning.

[B]

Yeah, that bumped me up to C for a minute.

[A]

That bumped you up to a B minus.

[B]

But I'm moving back to D if I don't get another job soon.

[A]

No, listen, after this podcast. That's charming. That charming, charming, six foot five, joy of a human. We got to put Jeff Hitler. Jeff Hitler.

[B]

Pass, Pass.

[A]

And that's where we're ending.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

I love you so much. Thanks for doing this.

[B]

Of course. This is fun.

[A]

This episode of Dinners on Me was recorded at Betty on Manhattan's Lower east side. Next week on Dinners on Me, you know her from Broadway shows like Wicked and Waitress and Hell's Kitchen. It's Shoshana Bean. We'll dive into the powerhouse performances that made her a fan favorite. How her journey from theater to solo artist shaped her signature sound. And why she's very excited for her latest project, the Lost Boys on Broadway. And if you don't want to wait until next week to listen, you can download that episode right now by subscribing to 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 thanks to Tameka Balance Kolasny and Justin Makita. I'm Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Join me next week.