Fresh Air: Will Arnett – December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this compelling interview, host Terry Gross sits down with actor, writer, and comedian Will Arnett to discuss his new movie Is This Thing On?, his creative evolution, and key moments from his multifaceted career—including his breakout in Arrested Development, his iconic voice work, and heartfelt anecdotes with longtime friends and collaborators. The conversation journeys through vulnerability in middle age, the search for identity, and the tightrope walk between comedy and drama in life and art.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

The Film: Is This Thing On?

• Premise & Double Meaning
  • The film’s title refers to both the classic comic's phrase and the uncertainty in the protagonist’s marriage. Arnett plays Alex, a middle-aged father whose relationship has unraveled, leading him to a transformative open mic night. (01:45)
• Source Material
  • Inspired by British comedian John Bishop’s real-life story, Arnett was drawn to themes of reconnection and communication.

    “He found a thing that allowed him to reconnect to himself and his wife... they were frustrated, but didn’t have the language to talk anymore.” (07:45 – Arnett)

• Not About Fame
  • Unlike Bishop, Arnett’s character doesn’t become a famous stand-up. The story focuses on rediscovering meaning and identity; “becoming a successful standup was really the icing on the cake...reconnecting with his wife...that stuck with me.” (07:45 – Arnett)
• Middle Age & Change
  • The film explores how middle-aged couples face dissatisfaction and the struggle to redefine themselves beyond their traditional roles. (07:04)

Preparing for Stand-up: Method Acting

• Immersion in Comedy Clubs
  • Arnett performed at New York’s Comedy Cellar as “Alex Novak”—his character’s alter-ego—to authentically capture the nerves and insecurity of a newbie.

    “I went to the Comedy Cellar almost every night for about six weeks and performed under the name Alex Novak.” (04:28 – Arnett)

• Audience Reaction
  • Some audience members recognized him and were confused; he incorporated that into the awkward humor of his sets.

    “People would be Googling me in real time trying to figure out what was going on.” (05:04 – Arnett)

• Script & Development
  • Sets were rewritten daily, evolving with his character’s emotional state and relationship context. (05:51)

Honesty, Relationships & Vulnerability

• Therapy, Honesty & Middle Age
  • The film (and Arnett’s perspective) emphasizes the importance of honesty and vulnerability later in life.

    “I think I’m much more willing to get in the deep water now myself than I was when I was a younger man, for sure.” (10:19 – Arnett)

• Therapeutic Questions
  • The scene where a couple confronts what they “hate” about each other is rooted in Arnett’s personal philosophy of going deep, even at personal risk. (09:32)

Bradley Cooper & Life-Changing Honesty

• A Pivotal Conversation
  • Clip from SmartLess (12:20) features Bradley Cooper discussing a dinner where Arnett’s directness revealed Cooper’s struggles, catalyzing Cooper’s sobriety:

    “That was the first time I ever realized I had a problem… And that moment was when I stopped pursuing this sort of mean humor thing.” (12:20 – Bradley Cooper)

• Arnett’s Perspective
  • Arnett reflects on risking everything out of love and loyalty:

    “I had to be willing to risk it all because I love him and I wanted him to be okay.” (13:48 – Arnett)

  • He credits his own mentors and relationships with teaching him the importance of such honesty. (13:53)

The Evolution and Iconography of Will Arnett’s Voice

• Distinctive Voice & Casting
  • Noted for his deep, gravelly voice, Arnett discusses its development and impact on his career:

    “When I first moved to New York... I had a baby face... it didn’t quite match [my voice] and maybe gonna affect getting roles.” (16:21 – Arnett)

• Voiceover Highlights
  • Long-standing as the voice of GMC trucks:

    “I’ve been doing the ads for GMC since 1998. This is the anniversary month, December of 1998.” (20:34 – Arnett)

  • Voicing legendary characters like LEGO Batman and BoJack Horseman; his natural voice is BoJack’s. (25:03)
• Comic Demonstrations
  • A playful segment revisiting an appearance with Conan O’Brien, where Arnett parodies his own ads:

    “Innovative, creative, and tough as nails. That’s the American Spirit. And that’s the all new GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck.” (18:13 – Arnett)

Character vs. Life: Art Imitating Life?

• BoJack Horseman Parallels
  • Arnett addresses frequent questions about similarities between his life and his characters:

    “There’s a lot of retrofitting... people trying to hang it on my life, and they’re very, very different.” (25:35 – Arnett)

• Process as an Actor
  • Emphasizes that the job is connecting with parts of a character while maintaining distance. (26:54)

Breakthrough with Arrested Development

• Early Struggles and Breakout
  • Arnett faced many years of frustration in New York before Arrested Development changed everything:

    “I’d done a bunch of pilots... and had tons of frustrations... Arrested Development came along and really changed my life.” (28:21 – Arnett)

• Finding the Character: Job Bluth
  • He locked into Job’s character through a specific line in the audition:

    “How are you, Job?”
    “Incredible. I’m having an incredible year.” (30:00)

    • Recognizing Job’s bravado as a mask for deep pain, Arnett knew exactly how to play him. (29:47)

Upbringing & Artistic Direction

• Family Background
  • Son of Jim Arnett, a self-made man who rose from humble origins to become a CEO.

    “He said [he stayed in Canada] because I have an obligation to give back to the system that allowed me to come up.” (34:04)

• Rebellion & Boarding School
  • Expelled (“asked not to return”) from prep school mainly for minor trouble and smoking. (35:37)
• Moving into Comedy
  • Did not initially plan on a comedic career; wanted to be a dramatic actor but “fell backwards into comedy” via sitcoms. (37:54)
• No Formal Comedy Training
  • Envious of those with formal improv experience; credits friends (including ex-wife Amy Poehler) for inspiration. (37:54)
  • Comic timing developed naturally. (38:15)

Audition Nerves & Returning to Vulnerability

• First Auditions
  • Recalls painful nerves and “out of body” feelings before early sitcom auditions. (39:27)
• Full Circle: Middle Age Vulnerability
  • Filming Is This Thing On? brought him back to feeling excited and scared as in youth:

    “Nervous and excitement, those two senses, they’re really close to each other... I think I’ve shed a lot of that stuff and hopefully a lot of the ego.” (39:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Real-Life Inspiration

  “He found a thing that allowed him to kind of reconnect to himself and his wife... they didn't have the language to even talk to each other anymore. That was the thing that really got me.”
  — Will Arnett (07:45)

• On Deepening Honesty in Middle Age

  “I'm much more willing to get in the deep water now myself than I was when I was a younger man, for sure.”
  — Will Arnett (10:19)

• On Life-Changing Conversation with Bradley Cooper

  “I had to be willing to risk it all because I love him and I wanted him to be okay.”
  — Will Arnett (13:48)

• On Voicing BoJack Horseman

  “It's my voice.”
  — Will Arnett (25:03)

• On His Breakthrough as Job Bluth

  “Incredible. I'm having an incredible year.”
  — Will Arnett (30:00)

• On Rediscovering Vulnerability

  “I've realized now as I'm older, that I don't have all the answers... I was unsure if I could do it or if I could be available in that way, be vulnerable in that way.”
  — Will Arnett (39:49)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [01:45] Overview of the new film (Is This Thing On?)
• [04:28] Arnett discusses performing as “Alex Novak” at comedy clubs
• [07:45] On the true-life inspiration and thematic focus of the film
• [10:19] Discussing vulnerability and honesty in relationships
• [12:20] Bradley Cooper’s story about Arnett on SmartLess
• [13:48] Arnett’s reflection on risking honesty in friendships
• [16:04] The evolution and use of Arnett’s voice in his career
• [18:13] Conan O’Brien voiceover segment
• [25:03] Voice work for BoJack Horseman and character connections
• [28:21] The impact of Arrested Development
• [29:47] Auditioning and shaping the character of Job
• [34:04] Reflections on his father’s values and upbringing
• [35:37] Being expelled from prep school
• [37:54] Transition from aspiring dramatic actor to comedy performer
• [39:27] Early audition anxiety and reclaiming vulnerability through the new film

Tone and Style

Terry Gross’s signature interviewing style—thoughtful, intimate, sometimes gently probing—elicits candid and open responses from Arnett. The conversation is marked by warmth, self-deprecating humor, and moments of poignant vulnerability as Arnett reflects on his craft, personal challenges, and deep friendships.

Summary

This episode of Fresh Air with Will Arnett blends wit and introspection, using the lens of a new film (and the life behind it) to explore: why honesty in relationships matters; how we find new versions of ourselves at life’s crossroads; the intersection of comedy and pain; and the evolution of a comic performer into a multi-dimensional storyteller. Arnett’s openness, complemented by behind-the-scenes anecdotes (from comedy clubs to podcasting with friends), offers insights and encouragement for anyone navigating change, connection, or creative risk.