Podcast Summary: Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Episode: Side Dish: More with Chris Perfetti
Release Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Guest: Chris Perfetti
Restaurant Location: Roberta’s, Studio City
Episode Overview
In this “Side Dish” from Dinner’s on Me, Jesse Tyler Ferguson digs into more laughs and candid moments with guest Chris Perfetti (best known as Jacob Hill on Abbott Elementary). Over pizza and pasta at Roberta’s in Studio City—a fitting venue since both New York and LA are home to branches of this beloved spot—the two connect over their shared theater roots, experiences with TV fame, working on beloved (and short-lived) shows, and the never-ending debate: New York vs. LA pizza.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Reuniting Old Friends (00:00–04:17)
- Jesse sets the scene: Roberta’s restaurant is a familiar setting, echoing Chris’s Brooklyn roots.
- They reminisce about working together on The Tempest at Shakespeare in the Park.
Theater Swag & Memories (04:17–06:52)
- The two exchange stories about theater apparel and the “cool” factor of having authentic crew shirts instead of the tourist merchandise.
- Chris shares a story about wanting a staff t-shirt from London’s National Theatre, and Jesse admits he “always wanted the shirts that the ushers wore” at Shakespeare in the Park.
- Quote—Chris Perfetti [05:22]: “The crew guys… yeah, this is cool.”
- Jesse’s motivation to visit his aunt in Chicago: a Steppenwolf Theater sweatshirt.
Life and Work Travel, Family Dynamics (06:52–07:59)
- Jesse details his frequent trips back and forth between New York and LA for work and to be with his kids.
- They warm up to a funny family anecdote: at Jesse's birthday party, his son Sully fell, was scooped up by Joshua Jackson, and proceeded to pee on Joshua’s shirt.
- Quote—Jesse Tyler Ferguson [07:29]: “Only a kid's skull on the ground makes that sound—it’s a sound that shouldn’t exist in the world. It’s so scary.”
- Quote—Chris Perfetti [07:48]: “Did you know that he ended up peeing on Joshua Jackson as he was handing him back to Justin?”
Halloween on TV & In Schools (08:43–11:51)
- Discussion of Abbott Elementary’s tradition of Halloween episodes—its third in a row—and reflections on Modern Family's own celebrated Halloween specials.
- Jesse describes attending his son’s grade school Halloween parade, highlighting witty costume moments (e.g., a Louvre burglar and even a kid as a vending machine).
- Quote—Jesse Tyler Ferguson [10:42]: “There’s this one kid… just a black shirt and a knit cap and holding the Mona Lisa. He was one of the Louvre burglars!”
Navigating TV Fame & Public Recognition (13:17–16:27)
- Chris talks about being recognized more frequently since Abbott Elementary’s success, especially in New York City—even with glasses, a hat, and a mask on the subway.
- Quote—Chris Perfetti [13:26]: “It’s truly beguiling how much you get recognized in New York—even with glasses and a hat and a mask on, on the train. People are like ‘So sorry to do this to you, but…’”
- Jesse reflects on his own challenges adjusting to fame, especially the loss of anonymity in New York versus the relative privacy LA provides.
- Quote—Jesse Tyler Ferguson [14:09]: “There’s nowhere to really go [in New York]…and I had a really tricky time finding comfort in this city that I love so much.”
On Directing, Writing, and Creative Input (16:27–17:21)
- Jesse asks whether Chris would want to direct an episode of Abbott Elementary.
- Chris is more interested in writing—teasing some “Jacob-centric” episode ideas for the future.
- Quote—Chris Perfetti [17:14]: “I’d much rather write an episode than direct an episode...I’ve got a couple doozies up my sleeve.”
Short-Lived TV Shows & Early Career Heartbreaks (17:39–20:44)
- Chris and Jesse swap stories about early television gigs that fizzled out.
- Jesse’s first major TV job, The Class, was canceled after one season; Chris recalls an NBC comedy that was filmed but never aired:
- Quote—Chris Perfetti [18:20]: “We shot… my first TV job ever was a comedy for NBC, and they canceled it before we aired. So we shot a show… and then they were like, ‘Actually, we’re good.’”
- Quote—Jesse Tyler Ferguson [20:19]: “I remember when [The Class] got canceled, I was like: well, that was it. That was my TV opportunity.”
Pizza Showdown: New York vs. LA (21:26–24:11)
- Chris admits he was never a “huge pizza guy,” but says LA can hold its own for great pizza—“Some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
- Quote—Chris Perfetti [21:35]: “Hot take: LA has really good pizza. Some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
- Jesse relives a summer in New York, nearly living off pizza after his play performances at classic spots like Joe’s and Bleecker Pizza.
- Fun anecdote: a friend eating pizza at 7-Eleven despite being surrounded by famed New York pizzerias.
7-Eleven (Japan vs. US) and Food Culture (23:23–24:14)
- Digression into Japanese 7-Eleven’s legendary offerings.
- Quote—Chris Perfetti [23:59]: “They just have all this incredible, incredible fresh food...it just has a very different function in society than the 7-Elevens in the States.”
First Brush with New York & Broadway Aspirations (24:14–26:23)
- Jesse shares his first-ever trip to NYC as a teenager, chaperoned by local community theater “bluehairs.”
- Stays in Times Square, sees Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and more, before skipping out to see Falsettos—his first real Broadway show.
- Quote—Jesse Tyler Ferguson [26:03]: “For me, New York was just the Coca Cola sign on 47th street—Theater District!”
Notable Quotes
- Chris Perfetti [05:22]: “The crew guys… yeah, this is cool.”
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson [07:29]: “Only a kid's skull on the ground makes that sound—it’s a sound that shouldn’t exist in the world. It’s so scary.”
- Chris Perfetti [07:48]: “Did you know that he ended up peeing on Joshua Jackson as he was handing him back to Justin?”
- Chris Perfetti [13:26]: “It’s truly beguiling how much you get recognized in New York—even with glasses and a hat and a mask on, on the train...”
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson [14:09]: “There’s nowhere to really go [in New York]…and I had a really tricky time finding comfort in this city that I love so much.”
- Chris Perfetti [17:14]: “I’d much rather write an episode than direct an episode...I’ve got a couple doozies up my sleeve.”
- Chris Perfetti [18:20]: “We shot…my first TV job ever was a comedy for NBC, and they canceled it before we aired.”
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson [20:19]: “I remember when [The Class] got canceled, I was like: well, that was it. That was my TV opportunity.”
- Chris Perfetti [21:35]: “Hot take: LA has really good pizza. Some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson [26:03]: “For me, New York was just the Coca Cola sign on 47th street—Theater District!”
Important Timestamps
- 00:00 – Jesse sets the scene at Roberta’s, connecting to Chris’s Brooklyn roots
- 04:17–06:52 – Theater swag and stories about show apparel
- 07:17–07:59 – Anecdote: Jesse’s son Sully, Joshua Jackson, and a birthday mishap
- 08:43–11:51 – TV Halloween episodes; school parade observations
- 13:17–16:27 – Talking about being recognized after TV fame
- 16:27–17:21 – Would Chris want to direct or write on Abbott Elementary?
- 17:39–20:44 – Early TV job heartbreaks; The Class and unaired NBC shows
- 21:26–24:11 – New York vs. LA pizza; 7-Eleven pizza and Japanese convenience stores
- 24:14–26:23 – Jesse’s first trip to NYC and his Broadway dream spark
Tone and Takeaway
The conversation is breezy, self-deprecating, and laced with genuine affection and humor—exactly the sort of candid “over wine and carbs” vibe promised by the show’s concept. It’s a celebration of theater kid nostalgia, the quirks of fame, family realities, and a hilarious exploration of culinary loyalties between coasts. Both Jesse and Chris keep things honest and warm, serving up stories that will resonate with anyone who loves pizza, Broadway, or the oddball detours of an entertainment career.
For more of this conversation, listen to the full episode of Dinner’s on Me. Next week: Mary Elizabeth Ellis joins for what’s sure to be another lively meal.