MICHAEL URIE — on the unexpected longevity of his ‘Ugly Betty’ character and being Harrison Ford’s costar on ‘Shrinking’

Summary

Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson Episode: Michael Urie — on the unexpected longevity of his ‘Ugly Betty’ character and being Harrison Ford’s costar on ‘Shrinking’
Release Date: February 11, 2025

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Introduction and Background

In this delightful episode of Dinner’s on Me, host Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with the multifaceted actor Michael Urie, renowned for his role as Marc St. James on ABC’s "Ugly Betty" and Brian on the Apple TV series "Shrinking". The setting is the elegant Corteza at Sendero restaurant, perched on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton in downtown Los Angeles, offering panoramic views and a Baja-inspired culinary journey.

Journey to Los Angeles and Building a Friendship

[02:20] Michael Urie recounts a humorous anecdote from the set of "Mode Magazine", where a disgruntled crew member unexpectedly tainted the elevator with his own disposal. This story sets a lighthearted tone for the episode.

[02:32] Jesse Tyler Ferguson shares how he met Michael shortly after relocating to Los Angeles, highlighting their shared New York roots and mutual connections in the theater community. Jesse emphasizes the unique bond they've formed despite never having worked directly together on a project.

"Jesse: I think now Michael is such an intelligent and creative actor. So, you know what? If people think of us in the same breath, I consider that a huge compliment."

Michael’s Transition from Television to Theater

[04:56] Michael Urie discusses his shift towards a robust stage career on the East Coast, mentioning standout performances in plays like "Buyer and Seller" and "Once Upon a Mattress" alongside Sutton Foster.

[06:01] The conversation delves into Michael’s early theater experiences in Los Angeles, contrasted with the grandeur of venues like the Ahmanson Theatre.

The "Ugly Betty" Experience and Character Development

[14:05] Michael explains his audition process for "Ugly Betty", where he initially portrayed a different assistant character who was intended to change every episode. His commitment to emulating Vanessa Williams’ character led to a memorable audition scene where he injected Botox into her character's forehead.

"Michael: So, I was just trying anything. And I had this idea that I would emulate her physically... She comes over and says, 'Hey, I hear you're doing me behind me.'"

[17:41] Jesse reflects on how word spread quickly about Michael’s promotion from guest star to series regular after producers recognized his talent, despite initial contractual challenges.

Navigating Industry Challenges and Personal Growth

[18:03] Michael candidly shares the difficulties he faced with his agents and manager, ultimately deciding to fire them due to unfavorable contract terms. This bold move coincided with "Ugly Betty" winning the People's Choice Awards, marking a significant turning point in his career.

"Michael: I knew that my agents were not going to be able to get me anything because they had... I ended up firing my agents and my manager the same day because I knew I was stuck."

Balancing Television and Stage Commitments

[28:42] The discussion shifts to Michael’s dedication to theater, highlighting his role as Horatio in a production of "Hamlet" at South Coast Repertory in San Diego. Jesse praises Michael’s seamless transition between television and stage, emphasizing the importance of live performances.

Working with Harrison Ford on "Shrinking"

[43:41] Jesse asks about Michael’s experiences co-starring with legendary actor Harrison Ford on "Shrinking". Michael shares endearing stories from the set, including a memorable car scene where Harrison’s humor and humility shone through.

"Michael: Harrison's awesome. He loves acting so much... He looks at every scene like he starts from the beginning."

He narrates a specific incident where Harrison shared a photo of a fish he caught, showcasing the actor’s down-to-earth nature despite his blockbuster fame.

[46:44] Michael reflects on a humorous misunderstanding about "Working Girl" being considered gay canon, leading to a playful exchange with Harrison, which further solidified their camaraderie on set.

Awards and Recognition

[47:07] Michael expresses his gratitude and surprise upon receiving a Critics Choice Award nomination for his role in "Shrinking", marking a significant milestone in his acting career.

"Michael: I honestly can't believe it. Like, it was such a surprise and also, like, bittersweet, because it's the only nomination that the show got."

Final Reflections and Future Plans

As the evening winds down, Jesse and Michael toast to their enduring friendship and celebrate Michael’s achievements. They discuss potential future collaborations and tease a follow-up episode, hinting at continuing their engaging conversations in more intimate settings.

"Jesse: Are you ready?"

"Kay: Beautiful."

"Jesse: What has it been like working with Harrison Ford?"

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Jesse inviting listeners to subscribe to Dinner’s on Me PLUS for early and ad-free access to future episodes. He also previews the next guest, Gia Coppola, promising insights into her esteemed filmmaking family and creative inspirations.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [02:32] Jesse Tyler Ferguson: "The fact that Michael and I have never actually worked together blows my mind."

• [14:05] Michael Urie: "I was like, this is good. Let's do what he's doing and let's play with him."

• [18:46] Jesse Tyler Ferguson: "You were a very popular character."

• [43:56] Michael Urie: "Harrison's awesome. He loves acting so much."

• [47:37] Jesse Tyler Ferguson: "I don't have any surfboards. No, I don't have the surfboard."

• [47:23] Michael Urie: "Thank you."

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Conclusion

This episode of Dinner’s on Me offers an intimate glimpse into Michael Urie’s dynamic career trajectory, his enduring friendship with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and his experiences navigating the entertainment industry. From his beloved role in "Ugly Betty" to sharing the screen with Harrison Ford, Michael’s stories are both inspiring and entertaining, making for a compelling listen for fans and newcomers alike.

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Subscribe to Dinner’s on Me PLUS to never miss an episode and enjoy exclusive early access and an ad-free experience. Visit Apple Podcasts and click ‘Try Free’ on the Dinner’s on Me show page to start your free trial today.

Transcript

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

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[Michael Urie]

Supposedly when they broke down the set of the magazine Mode magazine, the set here in la. When they broke it down, someone had taken a shit in the elevator.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

This is Dinner's on Me and I'm your host Jesse Tyler Ferguson. I had the good fortune of meeting Michael Urie shortly after I moved to Los Angeles. Now I kind of came to LA kicking and screaming. I was excited to start work on my first television show, but I also really didn't want to leave New York City. It was a very tough transition for me. Now, something that made it a lot easier was finding other theater people, other New Yorkers who happened to be on the west coast. And Michael was one of those people. He had just started working on Ugly Betty and we met through mutual friends. And I just really liked the guy. I was so happy to know, a fellow Los Angeles newbie who was also figuring out the ropes of this new city and of the Hollywood industry. The fact that Michael and I have never actually worked together blows my mind. I did a few episodes of Ugly Betty and he did an episode of Modern Family, but our scenes never overlapped. And a few times I have been offered parts in plays that Michael was unable to do and vice versa. The way our careers have intertwined with each other while never allowing us to actually work with each other has developed a very unique and special bond between us. I think now Michael is such an intelligent and creative actor. So, you know what? If people think of us in the same breath, I consider that a huge compliment. Michael has mostly relocated to the east coast where he is carving out an incredible stage career, turning in brilliant performances. From his solo turn in the play Buyer and Seller to Sir Robin in the musical Spamalot, Michael, alongside his co star Sutton Foster, recently brought their inspired performances in the revival of Once Upon a Mattress to Los Angeles. I was able to grab Michael for a pre theater meal in downtown LA while he was in town doing the show. Now, incidentally, Michael and his former co star Becky Newton are about to start their own Ugly Betty rewatch podcast called Still Ugly. So I was excited to, you know, give Michael a little practice run in front of a podcast mic. Oh, and one more thing. Just this past weekend, only a few weeks after we recorded this episode, Michael won the Critics Choice award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his role as Brian in Shrinking. So naturally, I plan to start every conversation with him now by casually referring to him as award winning Michael Urie.

[Michael Urie]

Oh my God. New York, New York.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Hi. Hi, how are you?

[Michael Urie]

Hello. Hello.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I brought Michael Urie to Corteza at Sendero on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton in downtown Los Angeles. Yes, very fancy. I know it's the kind of spot I'm adding to my list when I want to impress someone, but I don't want them to feel like I'm trying too hard. You know, it has this beautiful Baja vibe to it, featuring items inspired by the Sea of Cortez and traveling south down the South American coastline. There's the textured flavors of Oaxaca, empanadas from Argentina and Peruvian scallops to shed out just a few items. Being on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton, there's also panoramic views of Los Angeles. Downtown LA is one of the handful of spots in the city with buildings this high. It offers a vantage point that just cannot be beat. I thought Corteza at Sendera would be the perfect place to impress my out of town pal, Michael Urie. Okay, let's get to the conversation. Are you enjoying me back in la?

[Michael Urie]

Yeah. And it's really cool doing a show in la. Have you ever done theater?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I did spelling bee here when I first moved to LA and I was doing the class, so that's the only time I've done theater here. I go to see theater all the time, but I've never actually. I mean, and that was. We actually were performing at the Wadsworth Theater, which is this tiny little theater in Brentwood. So at least here there's more of like, I guess this is where our theater, quote unquote district is. But you've. And it's a huge space, the Ahmanson.

[Michael Urie]

Huge.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Hi, Kay.

[Michael Urie]

Hi.

[Kay]

Welcome.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

This is Michael.

[Michael Urie]

Hi, Kay. Nice to meet you.

[Kay]

Nice to meet you as well. Is this both of your first times joining us in Sendero?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Michael? She was just here yesterday. No. Yeah, but it's our first time.

[Kay]

Well, would you like me to go over our concept a little bit?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Absolutely.

[Kay]

Lovely. Well, this is Corteza inside Sendero. And Corteza's designed to be a culinary journey down the Pan American highway. So what you're going to experience is food everywhere from Baja California, Mexico, going all the way down through South America.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Are there things that you recommend that we should try?

[Kay]

Oh, too many things. Okay, I can narrow it down a little bit.

[Michael Urie]

Michael has a show.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He has to fit into tights in like three hours.

[Kay]

We'll keep it lightish then.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But we're hungry.

[Michael Urie]

I'm so hungry.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Kay]

So to start, I would suggest something like our ceviches. Personally, I love the tiradito. It's scallops layered with pressed plums. We change that depending on what's great in the farmer's market. And stone fruits are in season. And then it is swimming in an aji amarillo sauce, which gives it a little bit of a tart, a little bit of spice, but a great flavor. All around. Then if we want to move into something a little more hearty, I would say our barbacoa. It's a fan favorite. If it had a bone to fall off of, it would. It is so tender. And then I would also suggest, if you want to go back to seafood, the encocado de callo is scallops in a vegetable coconut broth with dried quinoa. And then it has a little bit more of that aji sauce for a little bit of that little Peruvian spice.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Incredible. That sounds incredible. Yeah, lovely.

[Kay]

Take still or sparkling, sir?

[Michael Urie]

Still, please.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Do you have like any, like a non alcoholic effervescent beverage? We do.

[Kay]

We have two different ones if you would each like to try one.

[Michael Urie]

Let's do that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Let's do it. Let's try one. Yeah. Perfect.

[Michael Urie]

Sounds wonderful.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Surprise us. I. I don't know if I've told this story, but I was just thinking about this as we were ordering when we were doing spelling bee on a matinee day. Because I'm thinking about like eating before a show. Yeah, the palm across the street did this like big lobster dinner and they invited us to come over. And so we had this incredible lobster dinner between shows. And then we came back that evening for the evening show. And like, you shouldn't have a lobster dinner on a two show day between shows.

[Michael Urie]

We were just like shitting.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Michael. I had the worst gas. I was like, oh, my God, I'm gonna poop my pants. And I remember there was a point on stage where me and Sarah Saltzburg. Sarah were sitting on the bleachers in character, but the focus wasn't on us. And Sarah's a really great improviser. And you just do not want to get into any sort of light conversation with her on stage because she's just going to make you die laughing. And also, her character had a lisp. So everything she would say would come with a lisp. And I sort of, as in character, would whisper to Sarah because no one's looking at us. I was like, I really have to go to the bathroom. And she goes, oh, gosh. You know, if you have intestinal things going on. My father, my dad's always saying, like, it's really bad to keep it in. You just gotta let it out. You just. She's making me laugh. I basically fart on stage. And it's so close to the audience, someone in the audience goes, ew, oh no. And so that makes Sarah start laughing and she starts peeing herself. This is all like, on stage. Well, the focus isn't on us, but, like, then Dan and Celie come back to join the scene, and we're just like, Sarah's wet. There's, like, an odor in the air because green.

[Michael Urie]

Oh, my God. You both lost control.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Lost control of our bowels.

[Michael Urie]

That's so good. That's really good. I find that, like, that whole poop thing, it's a real important when you're doing a play. Like, figuring your poop out is so important.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Absolutely. Totally.

[Michael Urie]

And figuring your food out.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Ooh, what are these?

[Kay]

We have two options, depending if you're feeling light, refreshing, or if you're feeling a little spicy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, and I can do this. I'll do the spicy one. Okay, great. And you can try mine.

[Michael Urie]

Sounds good.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I love it.

[Kay]

Enjoy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Thank you. Cheers.

[Michael Urie]

Thanks for having me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm so happy you're here. I was just saying I got to know you in this city. I think the reason I fell in love with you so much when we first met was I knew you were a theater actor.

[Michael Urie]

Do you remember where we first met?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It was through Luke McFarlane.

[Michael Urie]

Right? A birthday party.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes. And he was like, my friend Michael's gonna come. He was in my class at Juilliard. And he's. And I was like, oh, yeah, he's the guy. You had already gotten Ugly Betty, I think, at that point.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah. Yeah. I think I was out to do. To start shooting.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right. Because I remember meeting America Ferreira at an early. Like, at one of the first parties I came to. We all basically came to LA at the same time.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah. Her boyfriend at the time, now husband Ryan, had this epic Halloween party that was right out of a John Hughes movie. And I remember Luke being like, she's famous. Right. Because she'd been in Real Women. She'd been in a couple of movies, right?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

And then when Ugly Betty happened, we were shooting the pilot. I knew that I was gonna mention that when I met her. And we met in the makeup trailer, and Ryan was there, and I was like, I actually met you once before at a Halloween party. And Ryan goes, were you the iPad? And I. No, wait.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Had you dressed as an iPad?

[Michael Urie]

IPod. What am I thinking? He said, were you the ipod? And I had dressed as an ipod that night. It's the greatest Halloween costume I ever did. And he remembered it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's incredible.

[Kay]

Our first to enjoy this is the chirrito.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Gorgeous.

[Kay]

And our aji amarillo sauce.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Thank you. Beautiful. Enjoy.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So I remember meeting you at that time and also just being okay. He's A theater guy. I feel like these are my. These are people I need to keep in touch with and stay in touch with. And then I don't know if we really ever saw each other again until I guest starred on ugly Betty as.

[Michael Urie]

Dr. Farkas, the dentist.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He's the dentist. Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

Orthodontist, I guess.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, that's right.

[Michael Urie]

But that was here. Right.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And it was Kristin Chenoweth, who was my dental hygienist. Not the dental hygienist, who, like, took over the role. And then I did come back when I was doing Modern Family and you were shooting in New York at that.

[Michael Urie]

Point, then ABC was, you know, it was all in the Family. And you did that great farce episode with Judith in Their house.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Judith.

[Michael Urie]

Such a great episode.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That was really good.

[Michael Urie]

That was fun.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I also just remember because that show started kind of around the same time that that was the class.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah, yeah, totally.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And I remember how just buzzy and electric that time felt for me.

[Michael Urie]

Yes. So vivid, right?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Yeah. And I imagine that was your first big TV thing.

[Michael Urie]

First.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

First anything, really.

[Michael Urie]

I had done one pilot and some commercials.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And how soon after Juilliard was this?

[Michael Urie]

It was Juilliard. I graduated in 2003, and we shot the pilot of Ugly Betty in 2006. So pretty soon I had done a pilot. One pilot. And then the next year came up short. And then the next year was the pilot of Ugly Betty. But I was, you know, I was a co star.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Urie]

In the pilot. So that was just. And I had to convince my reps to let me audition for it because they were like, no, you do series regular roles. And I was like, I did one, and it didn't get picked up, and I've never been on TV again.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Urie]

So just let me audition for this little thing.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And was it just because they loved what you had done, or was there a conversation with the creators, like, this could be something bigger, that they brought the character back.

[Michael Urie]

It was really because of Vanessa Williams.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I think I remember you saying that.

[Michael Urie]

I played her assistant, and the idea was that she was gonna have a different assistant every episode, that she was so impossible to work for that everyone quit.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

And so it would be like a sight gag every time you'd go by her office. It would be some new person. And then I think actually knowing that gave me a lot of courage and freedom because I didn't, you know, I wasn't nervous about. I was like, well, this is. This is the gig, and I don't have to worry about getting fired or replaced or, you know, because I'm not gonna be.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Because your character will be fired and replaced.

[Michael Urie]

Exactly. Yeah, exactly. Right, exactly. And so I. I was just so free and I. And, you know, trying anything.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

And I remember that there was a scene where I was giving her Botox. I was like injecting her forehead Botox in the office. And that was the audition. And in the audition, we were about to start, and I'm sitting, you know, sitting in front of a camera in an audition room, and I just like leaned forward like this and they burst out laughing. And I was like, oh, they like, they like big, you know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

So I was just trying anything. And I had this idea that I would emulate her physically. I would, like, mimic her and try to, like. I wanted to be her. Wanted to be like her. So she would do. If she would do something, I would do it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michael Urie]

She would sit down, I would sit down. And she didn't know I was doing it because I was behind her and somebody ratted me out. Somebody on the crew went up to her and was like, do you know what that queen's doing behind you? He's mimicking you. He's mocking you behind you. And she came over to me and she's like, hey, I hear you're doing me behind me. And I was like, well, this is it. I'm getting fired.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God.

[Michael Urie]

And I said, yeah, sorry. And she goes, what else can I do that you can do? And so suddenly I'm pitching her physical ideas. And she liked me immediately and was like. And she was so cool and easy down to earth. And she was a last minute hire. She replaced somebody that had been like, go after the table read, Right. And, you know, you can imagine a role like that. Essentially like the Anna Wintour of the show is, you know, like if it had been some diva that had all these ideas and came in with all these plans, and then, here, here I come.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Urie]

But she was like, let's do this. This is good. Let's do what he's doing and let's play with him. And then she would say, like, scoot closer. You'll be in this shot. Like, you're not in the shot if you stand there. Stand here. And so. And then by the end of the pilot shoot, they called me in an extra day to be in the photo in the, you know, the gallery shoots.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, that's incredible.

[Michael Urie]

It was crazy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And when did you know, when did you know that they were gonna put you in the Rest of the show.

[Michael Urie]

So then I had. I was like, maybe they'll have. I thought, maybe they'll have me back. Who knows? And then. But then I was like, but don't get your hopes up. And I was a co star. I was a co. Not even a guest star. I was a co star. So I made, like, $3,000, and I was happy as a clam. You know, that covered rent for three months.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

So I just went off and I went to San Diego and did the Shakespeare rep for the summer, and I was there doing three Shakespeare plays, and it was so great. And my friend Graham.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

Who was tight with Ryan, America's boyfriend, then he came to visit, and he was staying, and he was like, hey, congratulations on Ugly Penny. And I was like, what are you talking about? And he said, oh, it got picked up and they're making you a series regular. Didn't you hear? And that's how I found out.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

How did he know?

[Michael Urie]

Because Ryan told him.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

America told me.

[Michael Urie]

Told Ryan, and Ryan told Graham, and Graham told me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's incredible. And that's how I found out that word went fast. That spread it very quickly.

[Michael Urie]

I know. And so then I called my agent, and I was like, hey, guys. Yeah, what the hell? And they're like, yeah, we did hear about this. And they were spiraling because I had no deal.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

You know, like, when you do a pilot, you sign your life away before.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You even go in for the final audition.

[Michael Urie]

Exactly. Before you even do a test deal. And I didn't do a test deal. I just, like, had a series of auditions, and so I had no deal. And so they were panicked.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Interesting.

[Michael Urie]

And ultimately, because I had no deal, I was a guest star for the first 13 episodes, and then when we got picked up for the back nine.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Could make a deal, I.

[Michael Urie]

Well, they didn't even give me a deal then. I was in such a bad position because they kept saying, like, take it or leave it. You know, we'll take it or leave it. In hindsight, I probably had more power than we realized.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

But I also. I sort of realized. I actually. This is crazy. I ended up firing my agents and my manager the same day because I knew I was stuck. I was stuck with this horrible deal, and everybody else had a great deal, and my role was as big as everyone else's. I mean, I had a huge role from the beginning, but I was like, a guest star, and I was getting paid, like, a guest star rate.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Not a lot of money at all.

[Michael Urie]

Which especially compared to whatever. And Especially compared to what, like, suddenly I had to do.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The show was a massive hit and.

[Michael Urie]

It was a big hit. Out of the gate hit. So the deal was once you. Once.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And sorry to interrupt you. You were a very popular character. Continue.

[Michael Urie]

Well, and I was in all these storylines because I was a nemesis to Betty and I was a sidekick to Integral. So I was like suddenly immediately Integral. And then when the show got picked up for the back nine, I was bumped up to series regular then. And they just doubled my top of show and that was it. Which was still less than I'd made on that weird pilot. So I knew that my agents were not going to be able to get me anything because they had. So I had to fire them. I had to fire them and my manager and I fired them the same day. And it was the day of the People's Choice Awards. And you guys won.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The class won.

[Michael Urie]

That's right, the class won. And I think. But I think we were a drama. I don't think we lost to you. I think we. But we did lose. We lost to Heroes or something like that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I remember thinking we were gonna lose to 30 Rock and we didn't. We beat 30 Rock.

[Michael Urie]

We were technically a drama.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, you were technically a drama.

[Michael Urie]

Cause one hour.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, that's right.

[Michael Urie]

So we lost to Heroes.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Got it. Well, yeah. Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

Isn't that funny?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Crazy.

[Michael Urie]

I fired them that day and we were together that night.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God.

[Michael Urie]

At that party or whatever. Whatever that was.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Michael tells me about how he dressed to impress at his final audition for Mark St. James. The ugly Betty revenge plot on the lot and diving back into theater after a long stint on television. Okay, be right back. It's starting to get a little bit chilly in la, and I've realized a T shirt and jean jacket just isn't gonna cut it. Lately, I've been going to Quint's to stock up on cold weather gear. Specifically cashmere. I mean, if I'm going to bundle up, I want it to feel luxurious. And Quince's Mongolian cashmere sweater is only $59.99. That's 50 to 80% less than similar brands. I mean, why not buy one in every color? I also gravitate toward the Flowknit Breeze performance tee. It's quick drying and keeps my odors at bay, which is really helpful when I'm sweating my butt off with Katherine Hahn at Pilates. The breathable fabric regulates my body temperature and keeps me from turning red as a tomato during my plank to Pike. And Again, it's only $29.99 which is 60% less than similar brands. So you're probably wondering how Quint is able to make high quality garments for a fraction of the price. Quint partners directly with factories, cutting the middleman and shipping directly to you. They also only work with factories that have safe, ethical, responsible manufacturing practices and I really love that indulge in affordable luxury. Go to quints.com JTF for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com JTF to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quints.com JTF so picture this. You're running a business and suddenly you realize oh no, you need to hire someone. Like yesterday. You've been there, right? But don't panic. I got you covered. Just use Indeed. Why waste time on other job sites hoping someone notices your post? Indeed's Sponsored Jobs helps you stand out and hire the right person and fast. Here's how it works. Sponsored Jobs bumps your post to the top of the page for all the right candidates. That gets your posts in front of the eyes of the people you actually want to hire. Indeed just makes hiring so much easier. I remember a time when finding the right person felt like a full time job in itself. If only I'd used Indeed back then, I could have avoided so much stress and maybe even found time to, I don't know, go to cooking school. Oh, and also, there's no strings attached. With Indeed Sponsored Jobs, there are no monthly subscriptions or long term contracts. You only pay for results. Want to know how fast they are? In the time it's taken me to tell you this, 23 hires were made on Indeed. 23. Yeah, that's pretty impressive. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed. And we're back with more dinners on me. Was it scary for you to have this huge opportunity to also be like having such a shifting of the guards with your management and agent? Or were you excited by that and the possibility because you did have a nice job to fall back on?

[Michael Urie]

I luckily had a job.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's a good time to do it. It's interesting. I mean like normally these steps are done, you know between jobs when you're you have a pilot and then like you get something else. Like you're trying to climb that sort of trying to get get what you're Worth and have people hustling for you. But it's interesting that that happened in the process of a job actually happening. Yeah, yeah. I've actually never heard of that.

[Michael Urie]

It was unfortunate because they weren't bad. They weren't a bad agent and a manager. I've seen them, you know, around, and it's. It's. It's cordial. But I think the reason that they didn't want me to do the costar, not only is it no money, you have no protections. They couldn't have guessed that I would become. That it would turn into what it turned into. But it was, you know, I used to get the breakdowns illegally. I used to, like, somehow get the casting breakdowns. And I saw this role and I said, please submit me for this.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Are you serious?

[Michael Urie]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So remember, like, the breakdowns, they used to be, like, the main characters would have a breakdown this long.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like three paragraphs long.

[Michael Urie]

Exactly. And I would read it and I'd be like, yeah. Yes, yes, yes. No, no, no. By the end.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's not by the end.

[Michael Urie]

I was wrong. This was Mark, no last name, bitchy gay assistant.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's all it said.

[Michael Urie]

That's all it said. And I was like, I could get that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes, yes, and yes.

[Michael Urie]

And then I auditioned a couple times. Or maybe Silvio was there. I think Silvio was there.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Silvia was the creator.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah, Silvio Orta, our creator. And he was super sweet. And then I was about to have my third audition, and a friend called. My friend Liz Kaplow called, and she was really close with Tiffany Canfield. Remember her?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michael Urie]

Who was in that office.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's right.

[Michael Urie]

Who's now out here. And she said, listen, you have a big call back tomorrow. Right? And I was like, yeah. She's like, all right, listen. Tiffany just called me and said that you. This is yours to lose. And I was like, okay.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God.

[Michael Urie]

And she's like, but this is the thing. You have to wear a suit. I was like, okay. She's like, you gotta wear a suit. They're just not seeing you in the.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

World of high fashion.

[Michael Urie]

Of high fashion. Cause I was going and dressed like, you know, like a poor actor that I was. And so I went and spent my last pennies on a suit. And, you know, like, some. It was a Donna Karen dk. I think it was Donna Karen dkny. And I had it for a long time. I don't have it anymore, but I had it. I kept it for a long time.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's been the Smithsonian.

[Michael Urie]

And I wore that to my. My final callback. I got it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's incredible.

[Michael Urie]

I know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, it's. It's incredible that it was such a hustle and it became basically something that was such a big break for you. I mean, so. So many things happened after that. What was.

[Michael Urie]

It was everything.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You know, I always think of you as a New Yorker, but I met you here in la. I mean, eventually, Ugly Betty did move to New York for, I think, like, two more years. And then the report was it was finished.

[Michael Urie]

We did the pilot in New York, and then they moved the show here for two years. And then because of tax incentives, they moved it there.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Back to.

[Michael Urie]

Back to New York.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

It was exciting to move to New York because the show took place in New York and it meant we were going to be able to shoot on the streets and really be close to the actual world of fashion. But we lost the whole crew.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

We'd become a family, and it was a hit. And they made the decision at the very end of the season, so the whole crew was planning on another season. And that was a bomb.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I remember how rough that was. Exciting and, you know, also disappointing.

[Michael Urie]

And did you know that I. I don't know if I've ever told this story on the record, but supposedly when they broke down the set of the magazine, Mode magazine, the set here in la, when they broke it down, someone had taken a. In the elevator. Oh, the set elevator has.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It had, like. It had, like, petrified or like, what do you call? But it, like, solidifies, like, becomes a fossil, really. Was it a fresh one?

[Michael Urie]

I think it was maybe. I don't know. I don't know. It was just somebody who was disgruntled, I guess. My God.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Why not?

[Michael Urie]

Yeah, rightfully. Yum.

[Kay]

So first we have our scallops with that vegetable, coconut milk broth and quinoa.

[Michael Urie]

Gorgeous.

[Kay]

Then our. Build your own barbacoa. Short barbacoa here your nixamilk. More tortillas and sauteed root vegetables. Vegetables, as well as all of the toppings. Pickled pearl onions, radish, lime, micro cilantro. These are a salsa molcajete and a salsa verde. We make all of our sauces and salsas here in house.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Gorgeous.

[Michael Urie]

Cool. Thank you so much.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Did you have a desire to do film and tv? I mean, going to Juilliard, I imagine that theater was probably something that was at the forefront and obviously probably something that you did back in Plano, Texas, right?

[Michael Urie]

Yeah, yeah, in high school. And I went to community college for a year and. Yeah, totally. Like, once I discovered theater, I mean, I started as a kid wanting to make movies. Be in movies and stuff. Well, not just, like, direct movies. I wanted to be a director first. I would, like, you know, play with my action figures and make, you know, imagine movies. Yeah. And then getting into Juilliard was like, oh, yeah, so I guess I'm gonna do theater. And then when I got out, I started getting more heat doing TV than theater.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Interesting.

[Michael Urie]

It wasn't until I was so the opposite of me. Yeah. So you. Did you not have any luck in tv?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I didn't even know there was such a thing as callbacks in television, because I never got one. Now, with theater, I would get callbacks and jobs, but on film and television. No, no, no, no. What they do in film and television is they just decide right then and there if you're right for the role. So I was telling myself, yeah, I could not get. I could not get a job. But you, you definitely did a great job of. Because I remember after Ugly Betty ended, you were on stage again. Pretty.

[Michael Urie]

Oh, immediately. Even before I started doing. I played Horatio to Hamish.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I saw you in that. I saw you in that.

[Michael Urie]

First hiatus. Yes, my first hiatus from Ugly Betty. I got on stage as soon as I could.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You both were great. That was down in San Diego.

[Michael Urie]

Graham was in it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

South Coast Rep. South Coast Rep. You're fantastic. We should say, for those who don't know what we're talking about. Hamlet.

[Michael Urie]

Hamlet.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And you played what role?

[Michael Urie]

I played Horatio and Hamlet played Hamlet. Dan Sullivan directed it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's right. I think, you know what it was is that I was about to go do Midsummer Night's Stream with Dan Sullivan, and that's what it was. And I was like, I got to go see Dan's play, and I know these guys that are in it, and that's. That's why I was. That was, like, the impetus.

[Michael Urie]

You've done a lot with Dan, right?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

A few shows.

[Michael Urie]

Graham and I used to joke he would come over and give us a note, and as he walked away, we'd be like, I love you, dad.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Yeah. You know who I feel that way about? Someone we both have worked with and I just worked with yesterday, Jimmy Burrows.

[Michael Urie]

Did you do Mid Century Modern?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I did it. I did an episode of Mid Century Modern. Right. So that was a. Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

He's such an I love you, dad.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I know. Totally. Totally an icon, you know, director of everything from Taxi to Mash to Cheers to Friends and Willingness and every Pilot. Every pilot.

[Michael Urie]

He was pilot of Night Court.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

Frazier.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

And every Will and Grace. Every. Cheers. Did he do every Class?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He did every episode of the Class. Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

The show I did with, I did a show that was 13 episodes. He did every Partners. Right?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That was Max Macnik and David.

[Michael Urie]

Yes. Yes. Was it fun?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, it was great. Matt Bomer, Linda Lavin, Nathan Lee Graham. It's incredible. Yeah. They had Judd Hirsch on as a guest star the week before. It felt very special and very buzzy.

[Michael Urie]

I'm so happy for Max and David that they're. I'm also really happy that there's, like, people want to do multicam.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, well, that's just the thing. It's like. It feels like it is a bit of a relic. And I think when it's done really well and, you know, with Mid Century Modern, they were able to. Because it's on Hulu, they're able to, you know, cuss, and it's like the reins have been let off. It's like Will and Grace on crack. It's so funny and so risque and fabulous. Yeah, it's pretty great.

[Michael Urie]

I just did Night Court a couple weeks ago.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, you did?

[Michael Urie]

I got to go do this show that I grew up watching, and I would sneak on the set. I mean, it's not like theater and it's not like single cam, but it is like, there is that great thing when you make an audience laugh. That's a really cool thing.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Michael tells me about being fired by Friends creator Jimmy Burrows and working with Hollywood love legend Harrison Ford. Okay, be right back. This episode of Dinners on Me is brought to you by Nissan. These days, it feels like the world and our lives are moving at hyperspeed. I mean, that's why I love doing this podcast. It's a chance to slow down, to truly connect with another human being and to enjoy the feeling of actually being in the present moment. On that note, I am very excited that Dinners On Me is partnering with Nissan, because Nissan understands that sometimes the greatest rush comes from not rushing at all. And with the all new Nissan Murano, you can enjoy an unapologetic refuge amidst the daily hustle and bustle of life. The Nissan Murano is not just a vehicle. It's a space where you can take a beat to catch your breath and re energize to be in the present moment. And trust me, this is the moment you'll want to be in and drive in. The Nissan Murano features an elevated modern interior design and a bold new exterior look. Plus, the expansive panoramic moonroof adds tons of natural light to the roomy cabin. With massaging leather appointed seats to help melt away the tension of the day. And ambient moonlighting with 64 color options to set the vibe just right. What's not to love? So thanks again to Nissan for sponsoring this episode of Dinners on Me and for reminding us to take a moment and breathe. Learn more about the all new nissan [e-mail] Panoramic moonroof, ambient lighting and massaging leather appointed seats are optional features. February is here, which means some of you snowbirds are packing up and heading somewhere warmer. I've been traveling a lot myself. I'm actually scouting some spots for a very special upcoming episode of Dinners on Me. And let's just say Salt Lake City is looking very promising. All thanks to Airbnb. And if you're leaving town for the season, why not let your home do a little work while you're off enjoying the sunshine? With Airbnb's new local co hosting feature, you can have a trusted local take care of everything, guest messages, check ins, even keeping things stylish so you can relax knowing your home and your guests are in good hands. So go ahead, chase that warm weather and let your home do the work for you. Visit Airbnb.com hosts for more information. And we're back with more Dinners on Me. Are there other, you know, being a fan of sitcoms growing up, the Cosby show is one of my all time favorites and Family Ties and all these great family sitcoms, like being able to do a multi camera show in front of a live audience was such a bucket list. The other thing that I just did that I was like, oh, this is a huge moment for me is I gotta do an episode of Wheel of Fortune.

[Michael Urie]

That's so fun.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Have you had like moments like that where you're just in Wheel of Fortune?

[Michael Urie]

Being in a Broadway musical, I mean that was like never thought that would be possible because I didn't, I wasn't musical, I didn't have a natural talent to sing or dance. And so it took like being on TV and being funny on TV and then finding a character that was not unlike that character. So I played Bud Frump, that my first musical was Bud Frump and How to Succeed, who was not unlike Mark St. James on Ugly Betty. So that's kind of how I got in.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Did you do that with Daniel Radcliffe?

[Michael Urie]

I did it with Nick Jonas.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Nick Jonas.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah, I replaced Christopher Hanke.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's right. That's right.

[Michael Urie]

I was supposed to be in it from the beginning. This is.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes.

[Michael Urie]

Do you know this story?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I do know this story. Yes.

[Michael Urie]

I was supposed to be in it from the beginning, and Jimmy Burrows fired me. This is Pre Partners.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wait, Jimmy Burrows fired you from how to Succeed?

[Michael Urie]

Because his dad wrote.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right. Abe Burrows wrote it. Yeah. Wait, this is good.

[Michael Urie]

So I did the workshop with Daniel Radcliffe.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Okay.

[Michael Urie]

And they were Craig, Craig and Neil. Craig Zaden and Neil Marin were the producers. And they were like, you're our guy. You're the guy. Don't book any other work. We're gonna start rehearsal in six months or whatever. And I was like, great. I can't wait. I'm gonna make my Broadway debut. Ugly Betty was just ending. It was perfect. And then literally, like, months go by, and all of a sudden somebody texts me and says, why am I auditioning for your role? And how to Succeed?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, no.

[Michael Urie]

Can you believe that?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That's how it came down.

[Michael Urie]

That's how I found out. And so I call my agent, and they're like, okay, so here's the deal. You have to go back in because one of the rights holders wasn't there at the workshop, and they want to see you and Rose Hemingway, who was also cast from the workshop.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

And I was like, okay. She's like, they're saying it's just a formality. You don't have anything to worry about. And I was like, okay. And so I go in. Rose and I go in, and it's Jimmy Burrows.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Jimmy Burrows was the guy who.

[Michael Urie]

Jimmy Burrows was the guy, the rights.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Holder who hadn't seen it because Jimmy Burrows. Dad wrote the book.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah. And Jimmy Burrows supposedly had never waited on any casting ever for his dad's music.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He had never weighed in on any casting until this moment.

[Michael Urie]

Until this moment. So I go in and I have to audition for Jimmy and Joe and the producers, and, you know, they're all there. And Rose auditioned, too. And then I was going to. I had this, like, weird summer plan where I was going to go shoot a movie in Scotland and then do the Fringe Festival, do the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and then come back and start rehearsal. And I'm literally on my way. I mean, at the airport at jfk, and my agent calls, and she's like, they're going to fight it. But he said, no. And I was like, I'm getting on a plane.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God.

[Michael Urie]

What are you talking about? And they're like, the producers are really Pissed and they're gonna fight. But it's a no right now. And Rose got a yes. Rose got cast that day. And I. And I still. There's a shoeshine stand in JFK Terminal 5 that I still see that I sat in and cried.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God.

[Michael Urie]

I was going to Scotland for this weird summer, and I was like, God. I mean, ultimately, it was an amazing summer, but I probably would have made different choices at the end of Ugly Betty if I didn't think I was going to go be on Broadway. And I tried everything. I wrote him a letter. Daniel Radcliffe went to bat for me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wow.

[Michael Urie]

The producers tried and tried and tried, and they wrote me this beautiful email saying he's just dug his heels in. And then apparently, he never waited on anything else again. But that was where he drew his line. And it wasn't between me and Christopher Hanke. Christopher Hanke came later. It was just me. It went back to the drawing board.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, God.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah. Crazy, right? And so then I went away. I came back. I started, you know, put my life back. I was so depressed. Put my life back together, and I had some good jobs in the meantime.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

And then Craig Zayden said, christopher Hanke's leaving. Nick Jonas is coming in. We want you back. And I was like, what about Jimmy Burroughs? And he was like, we're not even asking him this time. So I got to replace, and that was. Ended up being my Broadway debut. And then while I was doing how to Succeed on Broadway Partners, the pilot came up at Jimmy Burroughs directing at. Jimmy Burroughs was directing. And I was like, guys, this isn't gonna happen. He hates me. I'm not gonna audition for this. And they're like, just audition. It's not his decision. Just audition. We think they're into you. They like this idea. They like you for this. And I was like, all right, fine, I'll go. And I had to. He was at my test. And I was like, there he is. There's that monster who hates me.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

And I got it. And I loved him. I loved him so much. I ended up getting to work with him. And we never really talked about it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You have.

[Michael Urie]

I was just.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That was my expectation.

[Michael Urie]

We talked. He was like. I remember him being like, so you're still doing the show? When. When we shut the pilot, he's like, he's still doing. How's it going?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He knew that you had gotten.

[Michael Urie]

He knew I was in it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The role or you had gone into the part?

[Michael Urie]

Yeah, yeah. He knew that I was in it, but he didn't know. He was like, how's that Jonas? Boy, I like the checks I get. But we never talked about the fact that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God, Michael. I feel like if you ever have another encounter with him, you have to just ask him about it.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah, maybe now that I'm older. But then I was too nervous and then I loved him so much and he was so great to me. And he was. And he gave me, like, when we finished the pilot, because I had, you know, I would show up with ideas and I would be like, what if we tried this when we try this when we finished the pilot? And he's like, listen, I don't know if this goes. I don't know if I'll be doing it or not, but don't ever stop coming up with ideas. And he gave, and it was great advice and I love that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And his crew really is like, they're an extension of him. I mean, I just worked with him last week on Mid Century Modern, and there's so many people in the crew that I remember from the class that had already been with him for 15 years. You know, I mean, that loyalty doesn't exist in that same way in really any medium anymore. It's really beautiful to see that still happening.

[Michael Urie]

Yeah. It takes, like, a true powerhouse to be able to. To be able to staff them. They're, you know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

Bill Lawrence, who's the shrinking creator, he. He does that. But no, but, no, like, you don't see that very often. You don't see people who've been with the same group. But it's nice to see that because, you know, like, if these people have stuck it out.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah. Can we talk about drinking a little bit?

[Michael Urie]

Yes, I'd love.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I love it so much.

[Michael Urie]

Oh, thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Really, so good. I mean, I love the Lawrence. He's. I think he's so incredible. I love scrubs. You know, that was when I first fell in love with him.

[Michael Urie]

But I think he's been city. Zadin City.

[Kay]

You ready?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yes, please.

[Kay]

Beautiful.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wait, what's happening? Are you gonna light this on fire?

[Kay]

Possibly a little show. This is the Dia de los Muertos.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Ooh. Oh.

[Michael Urie]

Oh.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God. Look how beautiful that is.

[Michael Urie]

It's so gorgeous. Little skull.

[Kay]

Now, what you have here is a hand painted white chocolate skull filled with a cheesecake inspired mousse and an apricot chamoy center. It is resting on a bed of dark chocolate cocoa nib soil surrounded by almond brittle with Rompope crema and more of that apricot chamoy it would have.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Taken me three months to memorize what you just said.

[Kay]

Any coffee for you gentlemen?

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Do you need a coffee?

[Michael Urie]

I'll take a coffee.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'll take a little coffee, yeah.

[Kay]

Lovely.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Green sugar?

[Michael Urie]

Yes, please. Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

What has it been like working with Harrison Ford? First of all, that whole cast is incredible. Krista Miller.

[Michael Urie]

Miller is so good. God, she was. I just watched the last. The episode 11 last night. She's so funny. She's so funny.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So great.

[Michael Urie]

Harrison's awesome. He loves acting so much. He loves to work. And he has this really interesting. You know, I asked him once if he. Cause we were talking about theater and I asked him if he ever had any interest in doing a play and he said no, because he doesn't like to repeat himself. He doesn't like doing the same thing every day. Which is, you know, why being a movie star is so good for him. Because you don't do that. You don't. It's different every day. And. And I would say that that is how he works too, you know, like even on a show, like a series where you're kind of. You're not doing the same thing, but it's like. It is similar scene, you know, I've seen it in an office, seen in a cafeteria. Seen it. You know, like you are going back to the same kind of.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Right.

[Michael Urie]

Locations and issues and you know, but he looks at every scene like he starts from the beginning. Like it's okay. What is this scene? What is this scene about? And it's really cool. I mean, I can see why theater would be hard for him, that he would lose his patience because he wants to do something new every time he wants there to be a new adventure. Yeah, we had a long car scene with Harrison. Jason Siegel and I had a long car scene with Harrison where we were in a car all night. We were in a process trailer. And like put a car on top of a low bed trailer.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So they drive you around and they drive you around in the back of the car. Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

And you're like lit up like a Christmas tree. And I was like, hey, you guys are movie stars. Why do they call it a process trailer? And they were like, I don't know. And then Harrison was like, I gotta show you this process trailer we had on Indie. And cuz he just done the like the last Indiana Jones movie. And he's pulled out his photo. He's like, that motorcycles is really cool. Let me show you. How do I find photos of this? What? What, What? What is this, man? Damn. It. I can't find it. Then we just roll. And then.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Ah.

[Michael Urie]

And he's like, look at this fish I caught. Like, incredible. So, so funny. And he's just, you know, he's just an 82 year old man with an iPhone and a billion dollars.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

There's so many stories. I'm sure. God.

[Michael Urie]

And then, and then, because we were lit up like a Christmas tree, we were driving around, people would scream at us, you know, and. And somebody was like, jason.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Oh, my God, Jason.

[Michael Urie]

Jason. And Jason turned to Harrison and was like, did you hear that? Harrison was like, that really hurts my feelings. And then a few minutes later, somebody else screamed like. It was like, yes. And I was like, that sounded like a gay guy. I think that was my fan.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

That was for you. Yeah. And Harrison said.

[Michael Urie]

He was like, I've got gay fans. I was like, yeah, I know. Because a working girl.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah, of course.

[Michael Urie]

Absolutely.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

God. Working girl.

[Michael Urie]

The.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

That was my first in with him when we had a scene together. We were. I was. I. I was like, I want you to know that Working girl is gay canon.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

And he was like, he understands, right? He. He was like. He. He didn't quite understand. He was like, what do you mean? And I was like, he's like, oh, because of Alec. I was like, not because of Alec. Alec Baldwin.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Because of the brilliant writing.

[Michael Urie]

Because. Because of the. It's incredible writing. And it's three powerhouse women.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

Melanie Griffith, Joan Cusack and Sigourney Weaver. They're like gay men. They're basically drag queens. And he was like, yeah, they are. It was very, very cool.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But I do want to say congratulations on a Critics Choice nomination.

[Michael Urie]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Wow.

[Michael Urie]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Incredible.

[Michael Urie]

That's crazy. I'm not. That's my first. The only other nomination I have is three Teen Choice Award nominations. You probably have.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I don't have any surfboards. No, I don't have the surfboard. No.

[Michael Urie]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But it's so deserved. I mean, you're really, really incredible.

[Michael Urie]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And it's such a great show.

[Michael Urie]

I mean, thank you. I can't. I mean, I honestly can't believe it. Like, it was such a surprise and also, like, bittersweet, because it's the only nomination that the show got.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michael Urie]

But it's also, you know, like, then, you know, the wealth has spread, which is. Which is good. And it's like, I just didn't expect it. I mean, I didn't. I wasn't even thinking about it. I didn't know it was coming that day.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I didn't know the best way to happen. Literally everyone is standing up for me.

[Michael Urie]

I feel like there's so much more we could talk about.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

We could go, we could do a two parter. Listen, we're going to do a two parter.

[Michael Urie]

All my understudy.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I'm just going to follow you to the theater and we'll continue this in your dressing. This episode of Dinners on Me was recorded at Corteza at Sendero inside the Ritz Carlton in downtown Los Angeles. Next week on Dinners On Me. You know her as the director of the Last Showgirl, it's Gia Coppola. We'll get into growing up in such an esteemed filmmaking family, the movies that inspire her and her Covid era. Meet Cute with her artist husband. 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. Dinner is 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 Angela Vang. Sam Baer 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.