Rob Delaney – on sobriety, musicals, and working with Michelle Williams in ‘Dying for Sex’

Summary

Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Episode: Rob Delaney – on sobriety, musicals, and working with Michelle Williams in ‘Dying for Sex’
Release Date: July 29, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Dinner’s on Me, host Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with acclaimed comedian and actor Rob Delaney to delve into his journey through sobriety, his passion for musicals, and his collaboration with Michelle Williams on the Hulu series “Dying for Sex”. Recorded at the elegant Brasserie Max in Covent Garden, London, the conversation offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of personal growth, family, and the nuances of life in the public eye.

Meet the Guests

Jesse Tyler Ferguson kicks off the conversation by introducing Rob Delaney, highlighting his roles in the FX series “Catastrophe” and “Dying for Sex” on Amazon Prime. Jesse shares his admiration for Rob's ability to blend comedy with profound personal experiences, notably Rob's poignant book about the loss of his son, Henry, to a brain tumor.

[02:50] Rob Delaney: “I first became aware of Rob Delaney when I discovered his TV show Catastrophe. It was a show that started when I was already doing Modern Family...”

Rob Delaney's Career and Personal Life

The discussion transitions to Rob's life in London, where he resides while working on “Catastrophe”. Rob reminisces about his move from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the bustling city of New York, sharing the cultural shock and the vibrant opportunities it presented.

[04:14] Rob Delaney: “When I first came to London, I came here for a press tour for Modern Family very early on. I think in the season one, it's the perfect stop for actors.”

Rob details his experience in London's theater district, mentioning the proximity to renowned venues like the opera house and numerous pubs. He also shares a fun anecdote about spotting Kate Winslet dining at Brasserie Max.

Michelle Williams' Journey from Musical Theater to Acting

Michelle Williams joins the conversation, shedding light on her early passion for musical theater in high school and her transition from stage to stand-up comedy, and eventually to television and film. She emphasizes the importance of balancing her artistic pursuits with her role as a mother.

[05:07] Michelle Williams: “I was in Marblehead, which is like a half hour north of Boston on the water. And I just started doing musicals in high school...”

Michelle discusses the supportive community she found in musical theater and how her experiences shaped her approach to acting, ultimately leading her to roles that combined her comedic skills with dramatic storytelling.

The Role of Sobriety in Their Lives

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on sobriety. Rob Delaney opens up about his decision to stop drinking eight months prior to the episode, highlighting the positive changes it has brought to his life, including improved health and deeper connections with his children.

[15:44] Rob Delaney: “I stopped drinking about eight months ago, but I had done other stints...”

Michelle shares her own journey to sobriety, detailing the challenges and the profound sense of relief it has provided. Both guests discuss the emotional and psychological benefits of living alcohol-free, emphasizing the importance of self-care and mental health.

[17:33] Michelle Williams: “If you're an alcoholic and there's things that can help you, like meetings and the 12 steps and stuff, like dive in...”

Family Life and Raising Kids in London

The trio delves into their family lives, discussing the joys and challenges of raising children in London. Michelle reflects on her decision to stay in the UK for the sake of her children's education and social connections, despite occasional longing for the natural landscapes of the United States.

[21:04] Rob Delaney: “This is near your home?”

They share touching stories about their children, including memorable moments like a child losing a tooth and the emotional experiences of parenting across different cultures.

Living in London vs America

Rob and Michelle compare their experiences living in London with life in America. They highlight the convenience of public transportation in London, the proximity of diverse cultures and landscapes, and the differences in social interactions, such as the British way of asking "How are you doing?"

[30:44] Rob Delaney: “The thing I'm having a really hard time adjusting to is the Brits, their version of how are you doing? Is you're right.”

Michelle appreciates the structured formality brought by the British production crew, while Rob admits to finding certain British phrases anxiety-inducing, showcasing the cultural nuances that come with living abroad.

Working on ‘Dying for Sex’

The conversation shifts to their professional collaboration on “Dying for Sex”. Rob expresses his admiration for Michelle's performance and their seamless chemistry on set. Michelle discusses the depth and sensitivity required to portray characters dealing with terminal illness and grief, underscoring the show's blend of humor and emotional resonance.

[41:51] Michelle Williams: “They had the confidence to kind of forget [the rules] and just try to do something as real as possible.”

Rob shares his initial nervousness about the show's heavy subject matter, finding comfort in the authenticity and heartfelt performances that made the series impactful and relatable.

[43:09] Rob Delaney: “I was nervous to watch because I knew subject matter, and within literally 30 seconds, I was like, oh, okay.”

Challenges and Anecdotes in Acting

Michelle recounts her audition experiences, including almost landing the role of Phil Dunphy from “Modern Family” and reading for Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” series—a role she humorously regrets not securing.

[45:05] Michelle Williams: “I recently read for Hagrid in the new Harry Potter. But I was so relieved when I didn't get it because, like, that would have been a long, potentially long job.”

Rob shares amusing stories from “Modern Family”, including Eric Stonestreet's misunderstanding of slow-motion scenes, highlighting the camaraderie and unexpected moments that occur on set.

Closing Remarks

As dinner concludes, Jesse, Rob, and Michelle reflect on their friendship, professional collaborations, and the enriching experiences that come from blending personal lives with careers in the entertainment industry. They express mutual admiration and look forward to future projects, reinforcing the episode's themes of resilience, creativity, and the enduring bonds of friendship.

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Notable Quotes:

• Rob Delaney [15:44]: “I stopped drinking about eight months ago, but I had done other stints...”

• Michelle Williams [17:33]: “If you're an alcoholic and there's things that can help you, like meetings and the 12 steps and stuff, like dive in...”

• Rob Delaney [30:44]: “The thing I'm having a really hard time adjusting to is the Brits, their version of how are you doing? Is you're right.”

• Michelle Williams [41:51]: “They had the confidence to kind of forget [the rules] and just try to do something as real as possible.”

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This episode of Dinner’s on Me masterfully intertwines personal narratives with professional insights, offering listeners a profound look into the lives of those who navigate the complexities of fame, sobriety, and familial love. Whether you're a fan of Rob Delaney, Michelle Williams, or simply intrigued by meaningful conversations over a meal, this episode provides both laughter and reflection.

Transcript

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

So I'm currently traveling abroad in London right at the moment, which is why so many of my episodes have people with British accents right now. It's amazing here.

[Rob Delaney]

I love it.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

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[Rob Delaney]

You know him from the FX series.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Dying for Sex and Catastrophe on Amazon Prime. He's an amazing comedian and writer. I have been a fan of his for so long. It's Rob Delaney.

[Michelle Williams]

Theater actors and musical actors warming up is one of the most godless embarrassing things about. About the whole business. Yeah, that's more embarrassing than, like, being walked in on pooping.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

This is Dinner's on Me, and I'm your host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

[Rob Delaney]

I first became aware of Rob Delaney when I discovered his TV show Catastrophe. It was a show that started when I was already doing Modern Family and everyone in the hair and makeup trailer was talking about the show. I absolutely loved it. I also then discovered his Twitter account, which was equally hilarious. He has written a few books that I absolutely adore. One of them is a series of essays and the other one is an account of the death of his son Henry, who died of a brain tumor. It is an absolutely incredible book and the way he siphons his grief through this vessel of comedy is absolutely astounding. It's a book I cannot recommend enough.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Rob is living in London, where he.

[Rob Delaney]

Has been since he has done the show Catastrophe.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And so I grabbed him for a.

[Rob Delaney]

Lunch at Rosserie Max in Covent Garden.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

The Covent Garden hotel is actually the first place I ever stayed.

[Rob Delaney]

When I first came to London, I came here for a press tour for Modern Family very early on. I think in the season one, it's the perfect stop for actors.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It's right in the theater district.

[Rob Delaney]

The opera house is close by. There's lots of pubs and wonderful concert venues.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I actually once saw Kate Winslet eating.

[Rob Delaney]

At this restaurant at the bar.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Fun fact. It's a great place to come for.

[Rob Delaney]

A Martin before a show or settle.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

In for a crudite beef carpaccio or.

[Rob Delaney]

Some lovely lemony Dover sole.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

It felt like the perfect spot to.

[Rob Delaney]

Sit down with my new friend, Rob Delaney. You studied musical theater? I did, at Tisch. So I'm a big musical theater nerd.

[Michelle Williams]

I know.

[Rob Delaney]

Talk to me about when you got involved in musical theater in Massachusetts. I assumed.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Were you, like, near the Berkshires and.

[Rob Delaney]

Like, all that stuff that was happening in Massachusetts?

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, I was in a town called Marblehead, which is like a half hour north of Boston on the water. And I just started doing musicals in high school. You know, my school had a good drama department and so, yeah, started doing musicals and chorus and choir and all that and just loved it so much. And then I figured since I'd been doing musicals and since an actor, you know, all they have is, like, their body and their voice, that I should train those as well as I could. So I thought, you know, studying musicals would be the best thing to do to be an actor rather than just be in a class. I also feel the orange, but also.

[Rob Delaney]

Like, straight boys and musicals, they're a rare breed.

[Michelle Williams]

A little rarer.

[Rob Delaney]

I just feel growing up, it was definitely, for me where I found, like, my. My. My posse of, like, weird kids that I, like, related to.

[Justin Makita]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

No, I met wonderful people that I remain friends with to this day and just loved it desperately. I mean, it was the best part of high school.

[Rob Delaney]

What musicals did you do when you were growing up?

[Michelle Williams]

West side Story. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Oklahoma. Guys and Dolls. Showboat. Oh, yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

Next question. Ensemble or did you have singing speaking roles?

[Michelle Williams]

I had roles in all of them, maybe because I was straight.

[Rob Delaney]

You know what I mean?

[Michelle Williams]

Exactly.

[Rob Delaney]

Right.

[Michelle Williams]

Like, they were like, he's such an anomaly. Totally lightning in a bottle. I mean, there were other straight kids. I'd say there were plenty of straight kids in high school, but then when I got to college, then I was in the major minority.

[Rob Delaney]

Right, so you went to Tisch.

[Justin Makita]

I did, yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

Which is a great drama department in New York City. We moved to New York around the same time. I came from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to New York, and that for me, was such a culture shock, but in the best way possible. I mean, I felt like I finally was able to breathe in this city that a lot of people feel intimidated by.

[Michelle Williams]

I loved it because, you know, I will say, I compare it to, like, you got two college educations at once. You know, you were at a great school, but then you're in New York City, which it becomes at least 50% of your experience. So you're going to museums, you're going to the theater, you're going to concerts, you're rolling down a hill in a park, and Frisbee and all crazy stuff.

[Rob Delaney]

And was the housing for Tish down in the NYU area?

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, East Village.

[Rob Delaney]

And then that's an incredible area to be in.

[Michelle Williams]

Totally.

[Rob Delaney]

I was way up in the Upper west side on, like, 79th and West End Avenue, but, you know, we were so far away from anything cool. Like, I would have to get on a train and go a little farther downtown than I was probably comfortable with. It's. You know it's 17, 18 year old kid.

[Michelle Williams]

Totally.

[Rob Delaney]

But that's such a great area to be in. Did you go to like, did you wander into like a lot of comedy clubs? There's a lot of great.

[Michelle Williams]

Not so much not until I was a senior and then the Upright Citizens Brigade had a theater there. So I didn't sort of discover live comedy seriously until my final year. And then everything changed very dramatically.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, you made quite a shift because, I mean you just completely abandoned musical theater wholesale.

[Michelle Williams]

I was like, see you later. I mean, I love musicals, I'd love to do one.

[Rob Delaney]

Did you ever have any like desire to be on stage professionally?

[Michelle Williams]

Not once. I started doing stand up and then had the good fortune to get cast in TV and film. So it's kind of like there's like stand up here and then film and TV here. Being on stage in a place like in the middle. But that itch gets scratched by doing these two things. So I get to be on stage and have people go like yay. And I get to tell stories, you know. So for that reason I haven't pursued theater seriously. Plus I have a bunch of children and I wouldn't want to miss like a few months of bedtime.

[Rob Delaney]

I'm here doing a play at the national and I did bring my kids with me, but it is the worst schedule for parents.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You do you miss all that stuff?

[Rob Delaney]

You miss the bedtime? Yeah, it's. It's really, it's really hard.

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, you've got to figure out the balance. The dance.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Around the time that you started becoming.

[Rob Delaney]

Very successful with your standup. It's. Is it also around the time that you had. You became sober as well?

[Michelle Williams]

No, actually I got sober in 2002 and then I didn't. Nobody knew who I was in any capacity until about 2010 or 11. So I had a good sort of gentle ish ramp up into things. And luckily for me, I was sober, married and a dad. So I was pretty in the groove of the most important things before anybody really knew who I was. So that was good.

[Rob Delaney]

When you look back at those, those years before sobriety, I mean I'm. I also stopped drinking. Yeah, just like, I mean I just, I have my 8 month chip. I got it yesterday.

[Waitstaff]

Ready to order?

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, I think why not?

[Rob Delaney]

Let's do it.

[Waitstaff]

Something.

[Rob Delaney]

Sure.

[Waitstaff]

We've got some brasserie Max classics like Chicken schnitzel, which is coming.

[Rob Delaney]

Oh, I've had that. It's huge. Delicious.

[Waitstaff]

And anchovies. I've got a sort of suckling Wingy. It's coming. Just very classic with garlic and parsley. If you would like, start with some starters. Maybe pea and mint soup with the cheese straw. Or the buffalo salad, the asparagus, broad beans. Trying to use our seasoned products from our friends from Costco.

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, that sounds nice. I might try that buffalo mozzarella salad, of course.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And then I'm actually do the Caesar.

[Rob Delaney]

Salad with chicken, if you are fine.

[Michelle Williams]

With anchovies and that.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

And I'll have the schnitzel.

[Rob Delaney]

So. Good.

[Waitstaff]

Would you like some side production? Maybe the minted peas and broad beans or butter.

[Michelle Williams]

How about the steamed asparagus?

[Waitstaff]

Steamed asparagus.

[Justin Makita]

Thank you.

[Rob Delaney]

So I stopped drinking about eight months ago, but I had done. I had done other stents. Whereas, you know, I'd have, like, long periods, and then I would be like, I can do it. And then I'd be like, no, I can't.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

First of all, I'm so happy you got sober, and that's so incredible. And I also am always in awe of people who have that many years and did it at such a young age. Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

I mean, I'd been trying to quit for years before I finally did, because I knew I had a problem. So it wasn't that. So I would put a few months together, and I'd be like, you can drink a beer again or smoke a joint or whatever. And then it would not work out well. But for me, worse than, like, being in jail in a wheelchair, which I was worse than. That was, like, the way that I felt. You know what I mean? Cause, like, jail, you get out of bones knit. But the feelings are. I feel like the common denominator in people who do decide to put the plug in the jug. That's the worst part, you know, so you just feel so awful, both physically, and then there's, like, the guilt and the shame and all that. And so to not live my life in a way where it's, you know, resulting in feelings like that is the best part. You just don't want to feel like a bucket of garbage. And anything you can do to. To put that behind you is just so great.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we return, Rob and I discuss how sobriety has changed our lives and the ways it's sharpened certain feelings and created new vices. Okay, be right back.

[Rob Delaney]

Now that Beckett is five and Sully.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Is not far behind at three, I've been thinking a lot about school options. I want to set them up for success, but Also make sure they're learning in ways that actually for who they are. That's why I love what K12 powered schools are doing. These are tuition free online accredited public schools for kindergarten through 12th grade. Kids can learn at their own pace, in their own space with the curriculum that meets them where they're at. And let me be clear, this isn't homeschooling where you're on the hook for teaching everything. K12 has state certified teachers trained in online education using interactive tech that actually keeps kids engaged. Plus they offer clubs, social events and activities that make sure students miss out on connection. With over 25 years of experience, K12 has helped more than 3 million families. And it might be just right for yours too. Go to k12.comJTF that's the letter K the number 12.comJTF to find a tuition free K12 powered school near you. Hosting dinners on me means I'm often away from home, recording with amazing guests, trying new restaurants and sometimes traveling more than I should probably admit. And while I love every minute of it, it also means leaving the house behind a lot. That's why we use Simplisafe. We've installed their full system, cameras, sensors and 247 professional monitoring. It gives both Justin and I peace of mind when life gets a little hectic. Simplisafe doesn't just record what's happening, it works before anything happens. If someone's lurking around, Simplisafe's agents can see it in real time, talk to the camera, flash spotlights, even contact the police before anyone gets inside. No contracts, no cancellation fees. Monitoring starts around a dollar a day and there's a 60 day money back guarantee. If it's not the right fit for you, visit SimpliSafe.com Jesse to claim 50% off a new system with a professional monitoring plan and get your first month free. That's S I M P L I S A F E dot com Jesse there's no safe like Simplisafe. And we're back with more dinners on me.

[Rob Delaney]

I guess what's been a revelation to me is that realizing that it's more than just me drinking and me wanting to drink, that it's a whole behavior that like I still feel alcoholic behavior like and if I don't keep on top of those things, whether or not I'm drinking or not, which I really don't have a desire to drink. Like, I love myself much more without booze. I like the way I feel in the morning. I like the way my skin looks you lose weight, it's like, there's always, like, incredible perks.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

And I just. I remember moments with my kids in.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Ways that are more vivid and they're.

[Rob Delaney]

More in color than before. But there's certain things that, like, you know, my people pleasing or my ego and, like, all these other things that I didn't realize. Oh, that's actually more the alcoholic behavior that I need to sort of deal with.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And for me, that's been such a revelation, but also such a kind of.

[Rob Delaney]

A weight off my shoulders because, like, oh, this is, like, if I stick with this, I'm only doing myself good spiritually as well. Like, it's beyond, you know, just feeling.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Better and having better skin.

[Michelle Williams]

Totally. My favorite definition of alcoholism that I've heard is, like, drinking results in bad consequences in your life, and you still drink. Yeah, that works for me, you know, but whether you're an alcoholic or you're not, life is extremely difficult. And by the time you get to our age, you need so much scaffolding to, like, keep you upright and keep you moving forward. And you need to take care of your mental and emotional hygiene and all that stuff. And so it's like, if you're an alcoholic and there's things that can help you, you know, like meetings and the 12 steps and stuff, like, dive in, because we're lucky to have that stuff. And it's funny, once you start to learn about that stuff, you're like, oh, I wish other people could have this. You know what I mean?

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

And everybody's. Everybody's, like, wandering around in, like, total confusion whether you're alcoholic or not. So it's, you know, let's use the tools we have.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

I had a friend who was allergic to alcohol. I was like, oh, my God, how convenient would that be? Like, that you just really couldn't drink it. It's just not possible. Yeah, it's like, oh, that would just take so much off the plate because I enjoyed it, you know, and it's like. And I didn't like the consequences or the worst.

[Michelle Williams]

There was this funny. This is. I feel tacky doing this, but there's this tweet where I saw one time where somebody was like, I always fantasize about, like, getting a blood test and them finding out that I'm missing some vital, you know, vitamin or whatever, like K12 or whatever. And they're like, oh, that's what it is. I'm missing vitamin K12, you know, and then I get it, and then I'm fine.

[Rob Delaney]

You Know what I mean?

[Michelle Williams]

And not too terribly long ago, I had a small medical thing where they did a blood test, and I'm like, oh, God, I hope they find out that I'm missing the substance, whatever it is. And they were like, everything's perfect. And I was like, God damn it. You know, couldn't it be K12?

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah. No. You mentioned Twitter. Are you still on Twitter now that it's.

[Michelle Williams]

I'm not. No. Last year, I got off of all social media.

[Rob Delaney]

All of it.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

And I'm glad that I did. I gave it plenty of attention for plenty of years, and it just wasn't serving me anymore. But, yeah, social media is something that I said goodbye to.

[Rob Delaney]

I'm really impressed. That's the next thing. Like, now that's what I'm jealous of, because I want to not have that under.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

I feel the weight of that. I feel the weight of social media, and it's almost like having given up alcohol. Like, that's one of my vices now.

[Michelle Williams]

Thank you.

[Rob Delaney]

You know, they always say you're gonna find other things that you. That you cling on to. I buy my nails too much. I love sugar. And I feel like I'm starting to become addicted to social media.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

In a way that's.

[Michelle Williams]

Well, I would just say, like, let's say, like, what are you getting from it? Certainly nothing. And then are you doing anything good with it?

[Rob Delaney]

There's some funny videos, Rob.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, sure. But, you know, you don't need social media for those. And then with. Are you getting. Are you putting anything out there with it? And so I thought for a while, like, oh, I could maybe help with the number of followers that I have, I could help, you know, foment positive change or get positive things out there.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

And I no longer believe that that's really possible. So. Not that it isn't possible to have a positive effect on the world. I just think it's more stuff that you do in person with people.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah. I love the story of how you and your wife met. It is so brilliant. It ties in so many colors of your life. Like, so. So many threads of your. Of who you are are, like, brought together in that moment of how you and your wife met.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, my God, I love hearing you say that.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

For people who don't know, my wife and I met volunteering at a camp for people with disabilities. I met a guy in recovery, and he was resuming some volunteer work that he'd done when he was younger and he was starting his Own camp for people with disabilities in California. And so I did that with him, had a wonderful time, and then found out that. That the camp that he had started was an offshoot of a camp back in Massachusetts that had been there for decades. So I went to go do that one.

[Rob Delaney]

This is near your home?

[Michelle Williams]

No, in fact, this is called Camp Jabberwocky. It's on Martha's Vineyard. Not ridiculously far, but you do have to take a boat to get there. And so at that camp, I met my wife, who was also volunteering there. She was a teacher. And in between. Sweet. Switching from one school to another. So had that summer. And, yeah, we met there and fell in love. And we've been together for 21 years. That means we're in our third decade together.

[Rob Delaney]

That's incredible.

[Michelle Williams]

Super bananas. And what a gift and what a joy it has been for me not.

[Rob Delaney]

To talk about your ups and downs too much, but, like, to go through so much with one person.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

Is. I mean, and also, like, the change.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Of a country together.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, my God.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

I mean, do you ever, like, look back on those 21 years and, like, be like, oh, my God, Remember when we were meeting each other in swimsuits at this camp and like, we were children and like, oh, my God, Yeah. The stuff we've. Like, the things we've been through together.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, it seems insurmountable.

[Rob Delaney]

If you met each other at that young age and said, we're gonna go through these things together the next 21 years, wouldn't you be like, fuck, no.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

I mean, just. It be staggering.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

And your head would explode.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

I mean, I remember the year. The years where she was the breadwinner as a middle school English teacher.

[Rob Delaney]

Wow.

[Justin Makita]

In la, you know.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Does she still teach?

[Michelle Williams]

She does not, no. Because when we moved over here, she wasn't allowed to for a while. And then we had more children. And so she does a tremendous amount of volunteer work at nature reserves and food banks and stuff like that. So she's quite busy.

[Rob Delaney]

Do you Miss America at all? Do I Miss America? Oh, yeah, totally.

[Michelle Williams]

I love America. I love Americans. And we didn't flee America. We came here because I got the show. Catastrophe picked up.

[Rob Delaney]

And then life kept you here.

[Michelle Williams]

And then life kept me here. So we've thought a couple times about moving back. A couple years ago, we thought very seriously about it, but then we kind of all collectively realized we've just made too many friends here and are too plugged into the school system. Plus my older boys are 14 and 12, and they really want to be here, you know, and at this age, you've got to factor in what they want and care about. You know, it's, you know, be at your peril. If you were like, yeah, screw your feelings. We're moving. You know, sure, we're the adults and ultimately make the decisions, but we care what they think. And between them and my wife and I, like, I think, how's your youngest? Should say six.

[Rob Delaney]

Okay.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

I mean, because there is that point.

[Rob Delaney]

Like, you know, I'm sure you hate to think about this. Like, my son just lost his tooth the other day, and my husband and I were both in tears because it's like, oh, my God. It's like it's happening.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

He's only five. And I was like, how does he already have a tooth missing?

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

Like, it's since us on, like, an emotional journey for a whole day. We were not. Okay.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

But, you know, 15. I mean, like, in three years, four years, they might be off at college. I mean, there might be a time when, you know, I guess you could make that move if you wanted to and not disturb what they wanted to do.

[Michelle Williams]

This is true.

[Rob Delaney]

Like, if you were to move back, do you think it would be back to Massachusetts? Would it be New York?

[Michelle Williams]

God, I have no idea. So I worked the show that we were talking about earlier, Dying for Sex, filmed in New York, and I sometimes wish that my career had taken us to New York, because that would be halfway between my family in Massachusetts and halfway between my wife's family in North Carolina. My career did not take us there. It took us to London, which is, like, the same thing. I mean, it's a little more difficult to get from London to Boston than it is from la, just because you have to do, like, customs, you know?

[Rob Delaney]

Right, right, right.

[Waitstaff]

Did you finish with your starters?

[Michelle Williams]

I'm good.

[Rob Delaney]

I'm gonna.

[Michelle Williams]

I think I have.

[Rob Delaney]

I'm saved room for the salad.

[Michelle Williams]

Thank you.

[Rob Delaney]

This was delicious, by the way.

[Michelle Williams]

Are you excited about my. Excited about my schnitzel?

[Rob Delaney]

Okay, calm down.

[Michelle Williams]

Jesse's letting me have schnitzel, but. Yeah, but we're here. We're here in London, and that's simply how it is. And there's a lot that I love about it. Like, I desperately miss the insane nature of the United States, national parks. You know, like, if you're living in la, it's not hard to get to Sequoia or Kings Canyon or just go jump in the ocean in Santa Monica, you know, So I miss the Banana Bananas. Nature that is so readily available in the United States. And our extended families that said we were in la, so, again, we weren't that close to them. But I do wish there was a fantasy world where we somehow lived near both our families and I could do the job that I do with relative ease.

[Rob Delaney]

I mean, the crazy thing about being over here is like. Like I was just saying Justin was, like, going to go to Paris for a concert tonight. I mean, that's.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

Bonkers.

[Michelle Williams]

I mean, you could be on a Greek island in two and a half hours. It's crazy.

[Rob Delaney]

Justin took our younger kids to Paris. When we asked Beckett what he was most excited about seeing in London, he told us it was the Eiffel Tower.

[Michelle Williams]

Incredible.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah. So we planned a trip to go to Paris. Of course, I'm doing the show, so I was only able to. To join them for my days off. So Justin went from Thursday to a Monday, and I joined them for the Sunday. And when I went to see them, I went right to Disneyland Paris, which is, you know, just beautiful. Talk to me.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

It's one of the best Disneylands.

[Rob Delaney]

It really is. But it's certainly not Paris. Yeah, but it's great. And so I wasn't able to go with. With Beckett and Sully to the. To the Eiffel Tower, but I was seeing these photos of them in front of it and seeing him with that smile in front of the Eiffel Tower, I started crying. Because I was able to take myself to Paris for the first time when I was in my late 20s and I barely could afford to do it. I stayed in a small little hotel.

[Michelle Williams]

That I could afford.

[Rob Delaney]

It was not nice, but I gave myself that experience. And there was something about Beckon and Sullivan just being able to be in this city that they, you know, they've only lived. Beckett's lived five. Five. It's five years and Sully's lived three. But, like, they've talked about it and.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Like, that they were there. And I was like, I'm so proud.

[Rob Delaney]

That we could do that for them. And I just feel like this being over here, there's so much I'm sure your kids have been exposed to that they wouldn't have been had you been.

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, I mean, no, it's true. Because we can go to Portugal, you know, faster than you can get to North Carolina from California or sometimes from.

[Rob Delaney]

Silver Lake to Santa Monica.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

Depending on the traffic.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

Or like Iceland.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

So it's really absurd how many wonderful things are so close together here. It's. That is a big, big, big benefit of living in Europe.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Now for a quick break, but don't go away. Rob shares why he stayed in London after Catastrophe. The very interesting methods he used as an acting teacher, given what he knows and what it was like playing neighbor guy opposite Michelle Williams in the Hulu series dying for sex. Okay, be right back. Okay, let's be honest. Staying hydrated is the only thing keeping me from turning into a raisin these days. That's why Fiji water is always close by. Fiji water really is from the islands of Fiji, 1,600 miles from the nearest continent. It's filtered through ancient volcanic rock, naturally protected from external elements. And it picks up a unique profile of electrolytes and minerals along the way that gives it more than double the electrolytes of the other top premium bottled water brands. And that soft, smooth taste that I absolutely love. Unlike some other top premium bottled water brands, Fiji's water electrolytes are 100% naturally occurring. And Fiji's water has a perfect balance. I have no idea what that means, but I like the word perfect score.

[Rob Delaney]

Okay.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And since 2022, Fiji's water's 330 and 500 milliliter bottles have been made with 100% recycled plastic. So whether I'm backstage at home with the kids or planning our podcast recording, I know I'm hydrating the earth's finest way. Fiji water. It's Earth's finest water. This episode of Dinners on Me is brought to you by Huggies Snug and Dry. The new Huggies Snug and Dry are luxuriously soft and ultra dry. And I can personally vouch for that because when Beckett was around a year, he went through this phase where he refused pants. He just wanted to run around in diapers and nothing else. And I thought, well, if that's the outfit of choice, it better be a good one. So I gave Huggies Snug and Dry a try. And honestly, I. I was shocked. They were unbelievably soft. Like, wait, is this a diaper or a cashmere throw?

[Rob Delaney]

Kind of soft.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

And let's be real. Listen, Beckett has standards. If something's even remotely itchy, it's coming off. But these, he didn't even try and tug at them. Experience the unexpected softness and up to 100% leak protection of Huggies Snug and Dry diapers. So even if your toddler is running a diaper only fashion show through your living room, you know they're comfy and covered. More parents choose the New Huggies. Snug and dry softness versus the leading premium diaper Huggies. We got you, baby. And we're back with more dinners on me.

[Rob Delaney]

The. The thing I'm having a really hard time adjusting to is the Brits, their version of how are you doing? Is you're right.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

And I'm really. I can't relax into that phrase. Every time someone asks if I'm all right, I feel like I'm presenting as if there's something wrong. And it makes me very anxious and kind of angry. And I usually snap back, I'm like, I'm fine.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah, yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

And I can't get used to it.

[Michelle Williams]

No. It's interesting because. But then the American sort of analog to that is, if you think about it just as weird, how are you? Fine.

[Rob Delaney]

You know, like, are you all right?

[Michelle Williams]

Okay. I don't know. You know, like, both of them. We should be more German and just be like, truth, you know, or whatever. And no question.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

Why are you interviewing me? I'm trying to just go get a cup of coffee.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it's, it's. I'm having a very hard time with it. And. Yeah, it's my whole. The whole crew of the show is. Is English and they're always asking if I'm all right. I'm like, I'm. I'm fine. I'm fine.

[Michelle Williams]

But then there is something nice about having like an English stage crew. Like, I was like working with a British first ad, you know, because it brings a formality to things.

[Rob Delaney]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

If you're not in show business, first AD means first assistant director, and they're the person who appears to be in charge on set. Yes. The director's in charge, but the first AD makes it all happen. And if you have a British first ad, things are. Are just. It's just easier to fall in line and do what you're told.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, yeah. In the theater, you know, you usually get. It's a places call in the States, you know, you get place. This is your places call. And here it's beginners call.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Beginners.

[Rob Delaney]

We're going to begin the show. It's just so civilized and easy. Although they do love their warm ups here, which is something that I haven't also not embraced.

[Michelle Williams]

Okay.

[Rob Delaney]

A lot of warming up.

[Michelle Williams]

Okay.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

Don't love theater actors and musical actors. Warming up is one of the most godless embarrassing things about the whole business.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

That's more embarrassing than like being walked in on pooping like you should go in a bathroom and close the door when you do that stuff.

[Justin Makita]

So true.

[Michelle Williams]

I don't wanna hear it.

[Rob Delaney]

I did this show in New York at the Circle in the Square theater, which is also a school, and it's a Broadway theater and a school. And you have to walk through the lobby in order to get into the theater. And I remember going into, like, my rehearsals and walking over people that were lying on the floor in masks, like, humming. And that's what they were doing that day in acting class. And it was weird because I was doing the job that they were probably all hoping to do one day, but literally stepping over them as I was.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Going to that job.

[Michelle Williams]

It's so funny because, like, now, having acted a lot, if I taught acting school, this is what I would do. First off, I would just give people a scene, Whatever. It doesn't matter what scene. And then I would turn the heat up in the room to an absurd level so that they were like, jesus, I'm burning up. And I'd be like, well, guess what? When you're acting professionally, no matter what the production is, there will be a scene where it's super hot for some reason, because either they had to turn off the AC or it's just the day they could get that location. It happens to be the hottest day of the summer, and you have to act like you're not burning up. I would do that. Then I would turn the air conditioning on super high and make them just put on little T shirts and be like, now act like you're not freezing. Because that's the other thing. You know, you'll be freezing frequently on the same production. You'll be boiling hot and then freezing, and you have to act. That's what real acting professional is.

[Rob Delaney]

Can you act hot?

[Michelle Williams]

Can you act cold?

[Rob Delaney]

It's so funny.

[Michelle Williams]

What else would I do? Walk artificially, slowly, but act like it's normal. Cause for the camera, that can look totally normal, but to you, it feels so weird. You know what I mean?

[Rob Delaney]

Eric Stonestreet admitted to me when we were doing Modern Family. He's played Cam, my husband. He had to do his first slow motion scene. And he didn't realize that that was something that they would do in post production.

[Michelle Williams]

I did the same thing happen to me on a movie once.

[Justin Makita]

Yep.

[Rob Delaney]

And so he was, like, trying to walk in slow motion. Like, what are you doing?

[Justin Makita]

Yeah, yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

He's like, you told me it's gonna be in slow mo. Like, oh, no, we're gonna. You just walk normal. Yeah, we'll do the slow motion part in post production.

[Michelle Williams]

Same thing happened to me and it brought the crew such joy that my idiocy. They were like, oh, it was everybody's favorite day.

[Rob Delaney]

So good. Oh my God.

[Michelle Williams]

Eric Stonestreet, I should say. I used to see him do shows at Improv Olympic all the time before Modern Family.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. He. That was a big, big break for him. I mean he was doing, you know, a lot of commercials and guest spots on shows. He would. And he still is. He was such an advocate for the working actor.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

You know, anytime a Modern Family, if they wanted to hire a celebrity for a guest spot star, he would always like suggest a friend or two of his.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, cool.

[Rob Delaney]

And occasionally they would get it. Oh, that's wonderful.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

But yeah, no, Eric was such an.

[Rob Delaney]

Advocate for giving people opportunity cuz, you know, that's what happened to him. But yeah, he is a good, good guy. We all, in the trailer when Catastrophe started, we're all talking about it, loved it so much.

[Michelle Williams]

Such a great show.

[Rob Delaney]

It also felt like such a client because it was something that aired here in the UK and then Amazon prime picked it up and it was in that time when streamers were still sort of like it wasn't a huge thing. Now it's like that's exactly where everything goes. But that was such a big, obviously huge moment for you as a writer and an actor. What did it feel like to first of all have the success here and then have it transfer so brilliantly in the States?

[Michelle Williams]

Well, first I just want to say now that I'm eating, I'm not going to answer any more questions just because this is quite good and I don't want to. So if you could imagine what my answer might have been judging.

[Rob Delaney]

I'll fill them in later. We'll do it in post.

[Michelle Williams]

No, it was. God, it was outrageous, you know, and it's funny because over here it was on Channel four, which is like a terrestrially broadcast old fashioned station that you get even if you don't have cable. Being on old fashioned tv, which we were lucky enough to be like every episode, we really had to like, like put our best foot forward and like really nail it and finish strong or people wouldn't tune in the next week. But then in the US it was on streaming, so we had to kind of think of it like a movie as well, you know. So I think one of the secret weapons of catastrophe, which we didn't realize at the time, was that we were consciously making it for like two types of viewer you know, and I think that might have helped, like, secretly strengthen it.

[Rob Delaney]

Did you feel with the success of Catastrophe, that That also, in some ways, I mean, it cemented, you know, you were working here, you're creating the show here, and it was a big hit. Did it feel like you were cementing a career here in the UK and like, that your work was going to be.

[Michelle Williams]

No, it didn't.

[Justin Makita]

It felt.

[Michelle Williams]

Because I am American, and we did make the show for American consumption, and thank goodness people watched it there. I always felt sort of like one foot here and one foot there, you know, and, you know, in the 11 years I've been here, I think the only time I've played somebody British is on the CBBC show Horrible Histories, where I played King Arthur and that, you know, so nobody's like, oh, you know who we should get to play our British guy in this thing we're filming, literally in England. The answer is never me.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you know someone that was working on Dying for Sex that you had a relationship with already or.

[Michelle Williams]

No, I didn't. That was. So I'm at the point in my career where sometimes I read for stuff, sometimes it's an offer, and this one happened to be an offer, I guess, you know, they had seen Catastrophe, Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, who made the show, so I did not know them, and they kindly offered me the role.

[Rob Delaney]

First of all, the scripts were, I mean, incredibly special. It's based off of a podcast that was very popular. Y. I didn't listen to the podcast. I've just been watching the show. I am a fan of everyone involved. Yours. I love Jenny Slate. I don't know. It seems wrong to say that. I feel like Michelle Leon's underrated because she has been nominated for so many things and has won so many things, but I really do feel like she's one of the greatest actresses we have.

[Michelle Williams]

No question.

[Rob Delaney]

Outstanding. And your work with her is so incredible and rich, and you have unbelievable chemistry with her.

[Justin Makita]

Thanks.

[Rob Delaney]

I would. She's someone I would love to work with. I was actually meant to do a play with her back in 19 or 99 or, like, 2000, and she had to drop out of it to do a movie called Brokeback Mountain.

[Michelle Williams]

Wow.

[Rob Delaney]

So actually probably was, like, 2002.

[Justin Makita]

Okay.

[Rob Delaney]

I just think she's such a special person.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, God. I agreed.

[Rob Delaney]

What was your. Did you know Michelle before?

[Michelle Williams]

No, I hadn't even met her. So.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

So we met beforehand, and we're pretty unified in kind of what we wanted to do with Molly, her character and neighbor guy. My character. And. Yeah, just a really special person. Incredibly generous scene partner and. Yeah, good. Good person. You know, really just a thrill to work with.

[Rob Delaney]

And, I mean, the subject matter on paper is very heavy. It's about this woman who is diagnosed with a very terminal. With terminal cancer, has an infinite amount of time to live. Infinite. That's not the right word.

[Michelle Williams]

The opposite one.

[Rob Delaney]

The opposite of infinite.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

I do this all the time.

[Michelle Williams]

I mean, spiritually, we're all infinitely.

[Rob Delaney]

Yes, sure, sure, sure. She has a few months to live, and she decides she wants to go on a sexual journey. And she separates from her husband, who is J. Duplast. Yeah, he's so great. I love him, too. Another one. Literally, the whole cast is people I just adore. And you are one of the guys who she ends up connecting with. But it's so funny. And you have a very keen way of dealing with grief and bringing it through a comic lens, which I think is very comforting. It just felt very. I don't know. I guess it's cheesy to say, but I felt like I was in very safe hands watching you with this character.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, well, that's a real compliment. And Michelle as well. I guess we both felt that our lives had prepared us to play those parts with some understanding of what it might be like. And in terms of the tone of it, you know, funny things can happen when you're grieving and in great pain. So I think the show did do a great job of. I don't know if they so consciously had to be, like, constantly thinking about the tone of the show, but I think Liz and Kim, who wrote it, had written enough that they could kind of relax a little bit. And they had the confidence, I hope I can tell, as an observer. They certainly have the authority to do it, but they've done enough where they've learned all the rules to the point where they can kind of forget them and just try to do something as real as possible. Understanding that sadness and humor and fear and passion and all those things can all be ingredients of one day in your life, certainly in one episode of television. So they just did such a great job with that.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, it's really impressive. And I was just very moved by it. I had. You know, it was a show that. I'm really honest with you, I was nervous to watch because I knew subject matter, and within literally 30 seconds, I was like, oh, okay. And I breathe a sigh of relief.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

And, you know, obviously, the cast is responsible for so Much of that, obviously, the writing, but it was a real breath of fresh air, and I just. I was so surprised by it.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

I mean, since I didn't write it or produce it, I feel like I can say yes. You're right. I mean, it's a remarkable show, and I'm really lucky to be a part of it.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, you should be. Are you? I just. I also just watched your most recent comedy special.

[Michelle Williams]

Wow.

[Rob Delaney]

I started watching it, and then I was. I got on a lime bike. So then I switched over to Spotify and just listened to.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, funny.

[Rob Delaney]

It's great.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, fantastic. Thanks.

[Rob Delaney]

I mean, that's. That's. That special specifically is such a. Like a masochist love letter to your family. I mean, it's like you talk about them all. I mean, the stories you tell is so great. And, I mean, no one escapes unscathed. You talk about everyone.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

And you also put yourself in the seat of, like, the one who's made fun of the most. I mean, like, you were really very honest with a lot of your stories that you tell. I specifically loved the story at the end of the special about your boys realizing that they could marry other boys and wanting to marry their best friends.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Yeah.

[Michelle Williams]

So cute.

[Rob Delaney]

So sweet. Yeah, I think I'm good.

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, I'm finished.

[Waitstaff]

Thank you very much.

[Justin Makita]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

What else.

[Rob Delaney]

What else is there to talk about?

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, I. Silly thing. I actually auditioned years ago for Phil Dunphy.

[Rob Delaney]

I feel like.

[Michelle Williams]

I feel like this now. My understanding is that it was, in fact, really written for Ty. However, the network was still like, well, you still have to see people, so let's go through that formality. So I do remember going in and reading for that and being like, this script is amazing. And then watching it and being like, oh, good thing they cast him and not me.

[Rob Delaney]

Well, you know, Ty had a very difficult time landing that role.

[Michelle Williams]

You're kidding.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah. They basically rejected him, like, three or four times. He went all the way to network, and then they're like, no, we don't think he's funny. And at. Steve Levitz had. And Chris Lloyd basically had to go to bat for him. And it got to the point where Steve actually filmed the audition scene in his own backyard with Sarah Hyland and Nolan Gould, who ended up playing his children and Ariel Winter as well. And they showed the network that, and they were finally like, oh, now we get it. Okay, that's interesting.

[Michelle Williams]

That's good.

[Rob Delaney]

Oh, yeah. I had no idea. We could have been brother in laws.

[Michelle Williams]

That would have been funny.

[Rob Delaney]

Are There other things that you've auditioned for that you feel like, oh, I wish I could have that slipped through my fingers, or.

[Michelle Williams]

No. Oh, I recently read for Hagrid in the new Harry Potter.

[Rob Delaney]

Oh, no way.

[Michelle Williams]

But I was so relieved when I didn't get it because, like, that would have been a long, potentially long job, you know?

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, no, I did.

[Waitstaff]

Would you like to have a look on dessert menu?

[Michelle Williams]

I'll look at it.

[Rob Delaney]

I'll look at it. Apple tart. What do you think, Rob?

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, I will have the apple tart, please. Good for you.

[Rob Delaney]

Thank you.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

Can I do the lemon tart?

[Waitstaff]

Lemon tart.

[Rob Delaney]

Thank you.

[Waitstaff]

Thank you very much.

[Rob Delaney]

What are your kids into, like, right now? Are they.

[Michelle Williams]

They love cars. They love fast cars, which is interesting because we don't even have a car, because in London, you don't need one. Great public transportation. Taxis. I ride my bike everywhere.

[Rob Delaney]

Do you own a bike or do you use the.

[Michelle Williams]

Both.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, I own.

[Michelle Williams]

I own a bike. And I will frequently ride a lime bike.

[Rob Delaney]

Me too.

[Michelle Williams]

Here on a lime bike, because they just frequently get you there faster than a taxi.

[Rob Delaney]

Let me tell you my problem with lime bikes, though. Every single one of them is a moving trash can. They have these great, huge bins that.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

You can put so much into, and people, even if there's a trash bin.

[Rob Delaney]

Right next to them, they're ultimately always filled with at least a banana peel.

[Justin Makita]

Yeah.

[Rob Delaney]

An empty coffee cup.

[Michelle Williams]

Right. It's weird because, like, you'd think, like. Because they're owned by Uber.

[Rob Delaney]

Right.

[Michelle Williams]

So if something's owned by Uber, you. You want to use it as a trash can. You know what I mean? They're a foul company, but it's not like Jeff Uber, who gets punished by that. It's like, other people riding it. So as tempting as it might be to use your Uber thing as a trash can, just remember who's gonna be dealing with that.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, it's me.

[Michelle Williams]

Yeah, it's Jesse. Oh, wow.

[Justin Makita]

Thank you.

[Rob Delaney]

Thank you so much. I'm so glad you did this.

[Michelle Williams]

I am, too. Thank you. Really great to meet you.

[Rob Delaney]

Yeah, it's really nice to meet you. I've been such a fan for so long.

[Michelle Williams]

Oh, me too.

[Rob Delaney]

Of you. And I know we have a million mutual friends, and I was thrilled to hear that you were living here. I had no idea this is where you were. Yeah.

[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]

This episode of Dinners on Me was recorded at Brasserie Max in Covent Garden, London, next week on Dinners on Me. You know her from shows like Catastrophe and Bad Sisters. It's the newly minted Emmy nominee Sharon Horgan. We'll talk about growing up on a turkey farm in Ireland, stepping into versions of herself on screen, like her alter ego Sharon Morris in Catastrophe and her lovely relationship with Irish actor Barry Ward. And if you don't want to wait until next week to listen, you can download that episode right now by subscribing to Dinners On Me. Plus, as a subscriber, not only do you get access to new episodes one week early, you'll also be able to listen completely ad free. Just click Try free at the top of the Dinners on Me show page on Apple Podcasts to start your free trial today. Dinners On Me is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and a kid named Beckett Productions. It's hosted by me, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. It's executive produced by me and Jonathan Hirsch. Our showrunner is Joanna Clay. Our producer in the UK is Grace Laker with production support from Matias Torres Soleil. Our associate producer is Alyssa Midcalf. Sam Baer engineered this episode, Hansdale. 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.