Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Ariana Grande
The Ringer – November 18, 2025
Summary by Podcast Summarizer
Episode Overview
This episode of Good Hang features Amy Poehler in conversation with pop superstar, actress, and noted funny person Ariana Grande. The discussion is lively, vulnerable, and delightfully candid, revolving around Ariana’s comedic background, her family, career trajectory, love of musicals, “Wicked 2”, collaborations with icons like Mariah Carey, and her approach to both art and life. Regular guest and friend Bowen Yang also joins for a segment, giving insight into his friendship with Ariana and posing questions only a true friend could ask.
Tone throughout is easy, playful, and open, full of laughter, genuine admiration, and lots of behind-the-scenes goodness.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Bowen Yang on Ariana & Their Friendship
[03:00–09:31]
- Bowen details how he met Ariana during Wicked rehearsals and the uncertainty around his participation due to SNL.
- Ariana intervened directly with Lorne Michaels to help Bowen secure time for the film:
"They were like, okay, I think we're going to deploy Ms. Grande to pick up the phone and call up Lorne and try to convince him to let me do it." – Bowen Yang [06:21]
- Their friendship blossomed organically, bonding over movies and games without forcing it.
- Bowen’s assessment:
"I think she's someone who is strength in softness. She is, like, you know, incredibly vulnerable. And that is why people adore her." – Bowen Yang [09:24]
- Bowen poses two questions for Ariana:
- What does she see as the throughline of her career?
- What’s her favorite note to sing?
2. Ariana’s Comedic Roots & SNL Stories
[12:31–18:35]
- Ariana credits her love for Christopher Guest's Best in Show and SNL as formative.
- Family bonding centered on comedy, especially Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler.
- First memory of making people laugh came from impersonating an old man for her grandparents.
- Deep connection between music and comedy ("Both made me feel safe and like I could relate").
- On working with her best friend Liz Gillies and the joy of playing stupid or vulnerable characters.
- SNL behind-the-scenes tales: fighting for sketches, specific bloopers, and the anxiety of index cards moving during show planning:
"I would never. But we were in Lauren's office, and we were going over the run of show... I was like, Lauren, I'm so sorry. Please, can we at least try it at... address?" – Ariana Grande [23:24]
3. Career Trajectory, Authenticity, & Following Instincts
[25:48–28:33]
- In answering Bowen’s "throughline" question, Ariana shares:
"I just am feeling a lot more connected to myself and my art since I started doing different things... following those authentic impulses... feels like a really good idea." [25:56]
- Describes moving away from solely pop into choosing roles and projects based on what feels right rather than outside demands.
- Acknowledges privilege and growth in being able to make more deliberate, varied creative choices.
4. Favorite Notes, Music Theory, and Musical Theater Upbringing
[29:06–31:16]
- Discusses her favorite notes to sing—landing humorously on G and C, but mostly taking delight in the music-theory ride:
"I did learn a lot about music theory today. Thank you so much, Amy Poehler, for my..." – Ariana Grande [30:01]
- Reflections on performing in Annie and other formative musicals as a child, the impact of those stories on her and women in her generation.
5. More SNL & Sketch Comedy Insights
[31:32–41:11]
- Recounts a wild SNL moment involving a chimpanzee grabbing her wrist and how nerve-wracking live TV can be.
- Details developing the "Game Night" sketch based on her actual family dynamics—a competitive, hilarious Italian family.
"Sometimes life has to inform art... there's no reason that this happened if we're not supposed to use it." – Ariana Grande on sketch writing [20:11]
- On her mom’s pride and being the inspiration for the sketch.
6. Musicals: From Broadway to ‘Wicked’
[34:26–40:17]
- Amy and Ariana agree on the power and ridiculousness of musicals—when done well, they’re transcendent; when not, awkward.
- Ariana’s training for Wicked was deeply rigorous: daily vocal and acting coaching to find Glinda’s very different voice.
"I trained my voice for months... retrain that falsetto, operatic area... so that by the time we were in it... that wasn't a stress." – Ariana Grande [35:23]
7. Voice Work, Mimicry & Gender Fluidity in Performance
[40:17–43:38]
- Discussing Ariana’s affinity for impersonations (Eugene Levy, Judy Garland), and her interest in playing more male characters.
- Amy praises Ariana's fluid masculine/feminine energy and her support for such exploration in both her own work and others:
"You have a very interesting masculine, feminine energy that you're always playing around with it." – Amy Poehler [42:26]
8. Collaborating with Icons & Navigating Fame
[44:03–46:07]
- Surreal moments singing with Mariah Carey, whom Ariana still considers a peer and idol.
- On Mariah:
"The vocals and the sense of humor... her pen and her producing ear... are just what make her, her, you know?" – Ariana Grande [45:04]
- Touches on Lady Gaga, Celine, Whitney, and the ongoing inspiration of sharing space with legends.
9. Upcoming Projects & Set Life
[46:38–49:32]
- Ariana currently filming "Focker in Law" (a new entry in the Meet the Fockers series), co-starring Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. Her character is, comically, a triathlete.
- Shares stories of extremely active co-stars and balancing her own preferences for exercise (walking and Pilates over running).
10. On-Camera Female Friendships and Fighting Comparison
[49:48–54:42]
- Amy commends Ariana and Cynthia Erivo’s radical, supportive approach to their “Wicked” press tour—subverting expectations of female rivalry.
- Ariana shares their conscious decision to create a safe, supportive environment through the enormous project.
"I want you to know there's nothing that we can't talk about. You don't have to face something alone... I am on your side already." – Ariana Grande [51:35]
- They maintained honest check-ins throughout the process.
11. Personal Traditions, Rituals, & Family
[57:27–64:11]
- Light-hearted "lightning round" touches on Ariana’s height (she’s 5’2”), baths as self-care, and favorite Italian food (pasta with marinara, like her Nona made).
- A sweet, funny story about her late Nona’s reaction to Frankie coming out.
“Frankie, have you seen a pair of breasts?... Didn’t do anything for you? Well, you’re gay.” – Ariana retelling a family moment [62:21]
- Highlights the instant love and acceptance in her family, which she wishes for all kids.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Authenticity:
"Following those authentic impulses... feels like a really good idea." – Ariana Grande [25:56]
-
On Comedy & Music:
"The thing that I love about both... music and comedy... they’ve always made me feel so, like, safe." – Ariana Grande [15:15]
-
On Building Female Friendship Amidst Public Scrutiny:
"If you need help with something, I am on your side already. I don’t even know what it is yet, but we’ll get there together." – Ariana Grande [51:51]
-
On Impersonating Her Mom for SNL:
"Since the wig... is your hair, you do have to know I’m you." – Ariana Grande [20:24]
-
On Singing with Mariah Carey:
"Every time I cross paths with her... I have to pinch myself... she's a wonderful, kind person." – Ariana Grande [44:29]
-
On Family Acceptance:
"What, are we going to love him any less? We got dinner reservations at Positano, let’s go." – Ariana Grande quoting her grandpa [63:42]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [03:00] – Bowen Yang on meeting Ariana; friendship origins during Wicked
- [13:46] – Ariana’s love for Best in Show; comedy’s role in her childhood
- [17:32] – SNL blooper stories and behind-the-scenes dynamics
- [25:48] – Bowen’s core question: what’s the throughline of her career?
- [35:23] – Vocal training and preparation for Wicked
- [40:22] – On mimicry and playing male vs. female roles
- [44:03] – Performing with idols like Mariah Carey
- [49:48] – Supporting Cynthia Erivo & navigating the press as women in film
- [57:34] – Lightning round: baths, bugs, nostalgia, and Italian family stories
Final Thoughts
This episode supplies fans and newcomers with a refreshing, deeply genuine portrait of Ariana Grande. Listeners hear not just about her mega-successes but about the vulnerabilities, work ethic, relationships, and humor that fuel her artistry. Amy’s warmth and mutual respect frame the conversation, while Bowen’s questions pull out truths only close friends can. Altogether, it’s a good hang in the truest sense—full of laughter, heart, and meaningful connection.