Greta Lee

Summary

Good Hang with Amy Poehler – Greta Lee (June 23, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this lively and deeply personal episode, Amy Poehler welcomes her longtime friend and celebrated actress Greta Lee for an unfiltered, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation. They cover everything from Greta’s early years as a waitress in New York, ambitions in theater, and life as an immigrant’s daughter to her career pivots between comedy and drama, her parenting journey as a “boy mom,” her gardening obsession, and her recent leap into animation with Toy Story 5. The episode is rich with laughter, mutual admiration, and sharp, honest insights about acting, family, and the absurdities of adulting.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Well-Wishes Behind Greta’s Back

[02:18-12:43]

• Amy invites chef Alison Roman, who shares her admiration for Greta and gives Amy a question to ask her.
  • Alison fondly describes Greta:
    • “She is one of the hardest working and also kindest people that I've ever met...such a bright light in the world…exceedingly kind and generous, but...hospitable. She has like, a real, like, hospitality vibe around her.” (06:25, Alison Roman)
    • They reminisce about their shared restaurant days in New York, emphasizing the unique work ethic and hospitality that such environments foster.
• Enthusiastic discussion about the art (and hardships) of hosting, food, and Alison’s new grocery store.
• BONUS: Deep-dive into artichoke prep tips!

2. Greta’s LA Bounty & Amy’s Produce Preferences

[13:39-16:23]

• Greta arrives bringing gifts of garden produce—flowers, kale, eggplants, and gargantuan avocados.
• Lighthearted squabbling about eggplants:
  • Amy confesses: “...I don't like eggplants.” (14:34, Amy Poehler)
  • Greta good-naturedly tries to convert her.
• Amy praises Greta’s “success” as having a garden and sharing its bounty.

3. Early Years: Theater, Family, and Law & Order

[16:23-29:36]

• Amy and Greta recount their first meeting and the “waves” of New York women-in-comedy culture, including Broad City, SNL, Girls, and more.
• Greta’s background:
  • Raised by a classically-trained pianist mother and a physical therapist father: “My parents are weird. They're so amazing.” (19:36, Greta Lee)
  • Touching on being first-generation, ESL, and growing up with a “Korean Brooklyn accent.”
• Greta’s early performance chops:
  • Classical singing and conducting a children’s choir—starting opera arias in middle school!
• First acting job stories:
  • Booking “Law & Order: SVU” as her television debut, classic “incest episode”—awkward residuals and family moments.
  • Transitioning from Broadway (Putnam Spelling Bee) to the West End, working with Mark Rylance, and the art of disciplined performance.

4. Restaurant Life and Its Lifelong Lessons

[29:36-36:09]

• Amy and Greta compare notes on their NYC restaurant days.
  • Greta’s “powerful” stint as a hostess at David Chang’s Momofuku:
    • “I was a hostess. I was, like, basically encouraged to be mean. So great.” (33:08, Greta Lee)
    • Recalling the cultural cachet of NYC restaurants in the late 2000s, power dynamics with customers (finance bros), and the catharsis of telling someone they’d need to wait four hours: “That means it's not happening!” (34:10, Greta Lee)
  • Amy and Greta agree that the “being in the weeds” mindset and extreme multitasking serve her acting and life.

5. The Absurdities of Acting: Drowning, Running, and Physical Comedy

[36:09-45:49]

• Hysterical breakdown of filming physically demanding scenes—fake drowning (“Acting like you're drowning...is just drowning!” [36:32, Greta Lee]) and running for action movies, including the pain and toll on their bodies:
  • Greta’s recounting running “13 miles” for a movie shoot, ultimately shutting down a production with injury.
  • Amy’s ice skating traumas in “Blades of Glory.”
• The two bond over the absurd requirements foisted on actors and the importance of not being “good at things you don’t want to do.”

6. “Boy Moms” in Comedy and Life

[40:32-45:49 | 46:48-51:02]

• Warm and funny look at raising sons: Amy’s are teens, Greta’s are 7 and 9.
• Juggling outdoor activities, sports, and the quirks of “boy energy”:
  • “Why do you think I'm so tan?...I'm doing all of it.” (42:26, Greta Lee)
• Honest chats about faking athleticism as actors (“I’m really good at faking it.” 43:19)

7. Behind the Scenes: Collaborations, Identity & Stereotypes

[46:48-56:41]

• Reminiscences from the sets of Old Soul, Sisters, and Russian Doll.
  • Vivid anecdotes about waiting on set, improvisation, and generational feedback (Rita Moreno admonishing Greta for phone use).
• Digging into the complexities of playing identity-based roles:
  • Greta on her “Sisters” nail technician character:
    • “I have so much love for Hyewon because, like, I know that chick…in that moment, she is in total control.” (52:41, Greta Lee)
  • The comic tension between authenticity, representation, and stereotype navigation for performers of color.

8. Russian Doll & Character Repetition

[54:32-57:44]

• Greta’s initial reluctance to repeat her “birthday baby” line endlessly—but how she found joy in the repetition and her chemistry with Natasha Lyonne:
  • “First I said no…I don't know how to say the same line again and again.” (55:18, Greta Lee)
  • “It's just about friendship…” (57:34, Greta Lee)

9. Candid on Aging, Perimenopause, and Body Talk

[58:55-61:32]

• Greta and Amy joke about “frozen shoulders,” aging in Hollywood, and perimenopause taboos—breaking down generational barriers with humor and honesty.

10. Past Lives: Drama, Vulnerability & Facing the Gaze

[61:32-66:19]

• Amy lavishes praise on Greta’s performance in Past Lives; Greta reflects on:
  • The leap of acting in Korean, being #1 on a call sheet, and learning to “sit in the in-betweenness” instead of filling silence with jokes:
    • “The whole idea that the camera was gonna stay on my face with nothing happening, I could not handle it.” (63:59, Greta Lee)
• Meditations on being looked at, red carpet fashion as character acting, and the De Niro-like confidence (“It's acting. It's like character acting.” 66:19)

11. Upcoming: Toy Story 5 Villain, “Lily Pad” the iPad

[67:54-69:01]

• Greta teases her Pixar debut as a villainous iPad in Toy Story 5:
  • “I play the villain...Her name is Lily Pad. She's an iPad.” (68:22, Greta Lee)
  • Hints at the emotional weight and classic Pixar feels: “If you like Past Lives, you are gonna love Toy Story 5. I'm serious.” (69:01, Greta Lee)

12. What’s Making Greta Laugh: Stain Removal Videos & Gardening Realness

[69:14-72:47]

• Greta’s current viewing obsession? YouTube stain removal, specifically “Gentleman’s Gazette – Ink Stain Removal.”
• Gardener banter: Lettuce is shockingly hard to grow; “Rip it out!” (72:05, Greta Lee)
• Lighthearted jab at new-actor garden trends.

13. Memorable Closing

[72:47-end]

• Amy and Greta express mutual love and gratitude.
• Amy closes out with an impromptu “Polar Plunge” segment honoring Joan Cusack.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Restaurant Life:

  • “I was a hostess. I was, like, basically encouraged to be mean. So great.” (33:08, Greta Lee)

• SVU Days:

  • “I was in the incest episode...It did so well. Oh god.” (25:53, Greta Lee)

• Acting’s Physical Toll:

  • “Acting like you're drowning for something is just drowning!” (36:32, Greta Lee)
  • “If you're good at the drown, you're gonna get asked to do it again.” (37:47, Amy Poehler)

• On Motherhood:

  • “I'm obsessed with them...They're my little husbands.” (40:50–41:07, Greta Lee)

• Identity, Control, and Comedy:

  • “I know that chick…I know her so deep…in that moment, she is in total control.” (52:41, Greta Lee, about her Sisters role)

• Russian Doll Line Repetition:

  • “First I said no...I don’t know how to say the same line again and again...I asked you guys, can we just shoot it once and you can reuse that?” (55:18–55:33, Greta Lee)

• Core Drama vs. Comedy Instincts:

  • “The whole idea that the camera was gonna stay on my face with nothing happening, I could not handle it.” (63:59, Greta Lee)

• Toy Story 5 Tease:

  • “I play an iPad. Her name is Lily Pad...If you like Past Lives, you are gonna love Toy Story 5.” (68:22–69:01, Greta Lee)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Alison Roman on Greta’s Work Ethic & Restaurant Origins – [02:18–12:43]
• Greta’s Garden Gifts & Produce Antics – [13:39–16:23]
• Family, Theater, Law & Order Firsts – [16:23–29:36]
• Restaurant Culture & Life Lessons – [29:36–36:09]
• Physical Demands of Acting (Drowning/Running) – [36:09–45:49]
• Motherhood and “Boy Mom” Realness – [40:32–45:49, 46:48–51:02]
• Identity & Stereotype Negotiation in Acting – [51:25–56:41]
• Russian Doll Stories & Friendship with Natasha Lyonne – [54:32–57:44]
• Aging & Perimenopause Humor – [58:55–61:32]
• Past Lives: Process, Silence & Vulnerability – [61:32–66:19]
• Red Carpet Confidence & Fashion Philosophy – [66:19–67:54]
• Toy Story 5 Villain Reveal – [67:54–69:01]
• Stain Removal Video Obsession & Gardening Tips – [69:14–72:47]
• Sign-Off, Mutual Love, Joan Cusack Tribute – [72:47–end]

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Closing Notes

This episode is a masterclass in candor, warmth, and comedic timing—a true “good hang.” Greta Lee’s openness and Amy Poehler’s ease as host create a vibe as if listeners are eavesdropping on best friends catching up over coffee (or Diet Coke). From roll-up-your-sleeves restaurant war stories to the pressures—and pleasures—of starring on stage, screen, and now in major animation, Greta comes across as hardworking, deeply funny, hospitable, and perennially humble, with a dash of sly glam.

For fans of behind-the-scenes tales, cultural crossovers, and the comedy of everyday surviving, this episode is an absolute treat.

Transcript

[Amy Poehler]

This episode is brought to you by ebay. Lately, more and more people have been talking about selling on ebay, and we can see why. Everyone has stuff that no longer fits their lives. And selling on ebay is actually really easy. Just snap a few photos, write a description, and set a price. Suddenly, the stuff that's just been sitting around is in front of millions of buyers already searching for what's next. Find what you love. Sell what you don't on ebay. Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. Very excited to talk to my buddy today, Greta Lee. Greta is an incredible actress. You may have seen her film Past Lives. You may have seen her in the morning Show. She's been in Girls in Broad City and Russian Doll, and she's so talented and beautiful and wonderful. And we're gonna talk about a lot of fun things. We're gonna talk about being a waitress. We're gonna talk about how to drown on camera. We're gonna talk about all the fun we had making Russian Doll together. And she's also gonna explain her new part in Toy Story 5 in which she plays the villain, and that villain is an iPad. But before we get into talking to Greta, we're gonna speak to somebody who knows her, who wants to speak well behind her back, and give me a question to ask her. And that is celebrity chef Alison Roman. Alison Roman, an author, a podcaster, kind of a. A food expert, hostess with the mostest. And Allison is going to join us. I believe she has a cat that's also going to join as well. So let's hear from Allison and get a question. Hi, Alison. Uber Eats has all your summer favorites from Ulta Beauty, which means your sunscreen can just come to you. Your daily spf, that new cleanser you've been wanting to try. Whatever you need to glow this summer, delivered in as little as 25 minutes at the same prices you'd pay in a store. Shop their big sunscreen summer beauty sale through July 11 and get up to 40% off summer essentials with new deals every week. Shop Ulta Beauty on Uber Eats and get your summer glow on. Hi.

[Alison Roman]

Oh, my God. Amy.

[Amy Poehler]

Hi.

[Greta Lee]

Hi.

[Amy Poehler]

It's so nice to meet you.

[Alison Roman]

I can't tell you how nice it is to meet you.

[Amy Poehler]

Is this your personal kitchen?

[Alison Roman]

It is, yeah. I live here. It's like this big guy is here. This is Leonard. He's just such a big guy.

[Amy Poehler]

Leonard.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Alison Roman]

He loves to be in the mix.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, first of all, we're going to talk about Greta today. The great Greta Lee of course. But I do want to talk to you about First Bloom, which is your brick and mortar store that you open in the Catskills. And you're opening perhaps other places.

[Greta Lee]

Perhaps.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah. I started a little grocery store in 2023. We opened sort of like a. And I didn't. I didn't really have like a full plan. I was like, I'm gonna open a grocery store. And that was it. And then I did, and I was like, okay, well, now what? But it went really well and I love doing it. And yeah, we're gonna open one in Brooklyn later this year.

[Amy Poehler]

I listen to podcasts while I grocery shop or listen to music because I like the. I don't really wanna. I don't wanna chat.

[Alison Roman]

No, I don't wanna chat. Although I do. And part of. I mean, I guess it makes sense. Cause I did open a grocery store, but you know, like the, like the co ops, I don't know. LA doesn't really have.

[Amy Poehler]

This is very Brooklyn. This is very Brooklyn. Yeah, I don't fuck with the co ops. It's so stressful to me.

[Alison Roman]

Who is the time.

[Amy Poehler]

Exactly. It's my worst nightmare to walk into a place and people are already disappointed about my participation. Oh, yeah, like, hey, nice to see you. It's been a while.

[Alison Roman]

So that said, I did determine that, like, I thought if there was a job that I would. Would do at a co op, which doesn't exist, but, like, I would stand in the aisles and effectively, like, tell people what to do. Like, if people were like, what do I do with like red lentils? I'd be like, oh, well, I. Here, here are some great things. And then I just stand there. I don't have to do anything else.

[Amy Poehler]

That's really smart. You'd just be like. You'd be like the cruise director. Like, let's talk about ramps.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah. What are you really gonna be? Honest with you? With ourselves. Are they going to rot in the fridge? You're going to throw them away?

[Greta Lee]

You are.

[Alison Roman]

You're going to compost them. But like, the number of times I'm in a butcher shop and I hear like, a person, most often a man who doesn't know what they're doing, and they ask the butcher, and the butcher, like, gives them kind of vague advice. I sometimes pipe up and I'm like, oh, you don't want to grill that. That's going to be a nightmare. Or, you know, like, sometimes I actually like to sear it briefly, you know, like. And I'd say eight times out of 10. They are so uninterested in what I have to say. Like, they're like, thanks.

[Greta Lee]

Sure.

[Alison Roman]

I'm just a lady in the booker.

[Amy Poehler]

They're like, thanks, lady.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Alison Roman]

And I'm like, some people would kill for this.

[Amy Poehler]

You're like, babe, I.

[Alison Roman]

This is.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm a professional also. It's like. It's. You're like a doctor on an airplane. And they're like, is there a doctor on board? And it's like, I guess I got to. I guess I got to go save a life.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, exactly.

[Alison Roman]

And imagine. Imagine having a medical issue and the doctor comes over and the people are like, we're good. You know, that's sort of what it feels like to me. I'm like, being robust the butcher.

[Amy Poehler]

But okay, so speaking of Brooklyn, I feel like that is where maybe you met Greta.

[Alison Roman]

It is where I met Greta, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Didn't you work together at a restaurant?

[Greta Lee]

So we did.

[Alison Roman]

And I think, like, I was working at Milk Bar at the time, which was like, that we shared a kitchen with Sambar, which is where Greta worked. And. But we were, like, in the basement.

[Amy Poehler]

We were very separate.

[Alison Roman]

It was like Milk Bar people, and Sambar people did not necessarily co. Mingle. And so I knew of her. I think I saw her. Like, the hot person that worked at Sambar.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, like, the most beautiful person in the world.

[Alison Roman]

Exactly. You're like, who's this hot, cool person that's so well dressed and seems fun? Like, I can't be friends with them. I was talking to somebody about this the other day, like, how hard it is to be well dressed now because of the homogenous culture. And everybody sees everything and. But she so manages to, like, carry through. I mean, her style is the envy of every person with a. With, you know, awareness of the Internet that has, like, seen all of her appearances over the last few years. But, like, she's always had it. She's always had individuality that, like, really comes through.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's talk well behind her back. What do you love about her?

[Alison Roman]

I love that she is one of the hardest working and also kindest people that I've ever met. And I also. And this isn't really, like, you know, a virtue, but she is hilarious. She's so funny and so funny, so funny and, like, has a great sense of humor and is just, like, such a bright light in the world. And no matter where she goes and, like, how she shows up, like, just existing, she is as fabulous as you might think she is if you've never met her. And I have seen it with her kids and her family and her friends and with, like, a random server at a restaurant and with basically any human on the planet. She's just, like, exceedingly kind and generous, but. And, like, hospitable. She has like, a real, like, hospitality vibe around her, and I feel like she was always the person hosting. She was always the person inviting people over. It was, like, the more. The merrier energy every time. And that is such a rare personality trait, I think.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I mean, you. You are a great example of this, but it does feel like host. So much of hosting is the vibe you give off when you're hosting.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

So I love hosting. However, I'll just say that I realized that at times I was a little bit of a stressy host, but you

[Alison Roman]

feel like you've outgrown that. Like, you. You've moved on into a different era.

[Amy Poehler]

I've worked on it. Yeah, I've worked on it.

[Alison Roman]

Well, you also. You realize that, like, no one has a good time when you're stressed out. Like, everyone actually has a bad time.

[Amy Poehler]

I know, but, like, we all know these things, but you know when you're.

[Greta Lee]

You're.

[Amy Poehler]

When something comes out of your mouth and you're like, oh, fuck, I said that out loud.

[Alison Roman]

Like, I. I still do it. I'll be like, oh, it's fine. No, it's really fine. Like, it's not fine. It's not fine at all.

[Greta Lee]

Totally.

[Amy Poehler]

Or, like, I'm. I. You can eat that. But we're not. Not yet. You know, like, whatever stupid you say.

[Alison Roman]

And then there's like, the apology part where it's like, well, this was supposed to, but I didn't have the. And it's like, I even have to check myself. And because I'm so good at giving people advice to not do that. And then I do that, and I'm like, well, I'm a bad student of myself. Like, I have to, like, practice what I preach here. But, yeah, it's very hard. But I'm really happy to hear that you're on the other side of that, or at least on your journey.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm working on it with professionals day and night. Day and night. Okay, so we always start our episodes with a question for our guest. Do you have a question that you think Greta would like to answer or I should ask her?

[Alison Roman]

Yeah, absolutely. I was thinking about, like, what people don't know about her. Like, what people maybe don't ask her often. Or, like, I wonder how much they get into, like, that restaurant part of her, because I have a belief that once you're a restaurant person, you're always a restaurant person, and it teaches you a lot. So I kind of want to know how in this iteration of her life, in this career does what from restaurant days has she held onto? Or how has working in restaurants made her a better actor or multi hyphenate, as it were?

[Amy Poehler]

Allison, I love that question. I also was a restaurant person and waiter for many, many years in New York and wanted to ask just that because I do think it is incred. Training for life.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah. It's like the work ethic is unparalleled. And I think that, like, she has so much of that, and maybe that was pre restaurants, but I also think if you have it, you're more inclined to work at a restaurant, so it all kind of ties in together.

[Amy Poehler]

Before we go, I'm gonna ask you for some free advice, like people do to doctors and to chefs, which is. I feel like my artichokes, there's. I have to take so much off.

[Alison Roman]

I can't even tell you how niche this question already is. Specifically to suit my. I have a dried artichoke on my. In a vase right here. I did not. This is just on my counter. Like, I'm obsessed with artichokes. Me too.

[Amy Poehler]

I just got back from Italy. Not to brag. And the artichokes there were next level, divine. Incredible. I love. I love how it looks. I'm just starting to work with them, and it is like. It's must be like what a gardener feels like when they have to just like, crazy prune a rose bush. Like, it's like, I have to cut all of that away.

[Alison Roman]

You're like, I'm killing it. There's nothing left.

[Amy Poehler]

Cut the top, cut this now cut the stem. Get all the leaves, Almost all of the leaves off. I guess my question I'll make it is how do you like to prepare your artichokes these days?

[Alison Roman]

Well, forever and always. And let me also just say that I, too, have been to Italy. Not to brag, not recently, but it has happened. And the way that they do artichokes there is so, like, they're almost treating them like a trash vegetable. Like, they're so prolific and, like, the way that they grow and they, like, you see truckloads of them, and they. They peel or, like, pare back. Like, the whole thing, it's just the

[Amy Poehler]

heart, and they're like. The rest is garbage. They throw it away.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Alison Roman]

And I had never experienced that until I left The United States, obviously, because I grew up with basically a whole steamed artichoke where you trim the stem. But the stem is super edible. I love eating the stem. The stem is basically like an extension of the heart. So it's just as tender, it's just as edible. It's sweet. It's delicious. But I just trim the. The leaves just right beyond the thorn.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. And you cut the top and I

[Alison Roman]

leave the whole leaf. Yeah, I cut the top to expose a little rose in the center.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Alison Roman]

But that's honestly, just for esthetics. Like, that's not really serving a purpose, but I like to do it. And then I'll season it with salt, and then I'll steam them.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Alison Roman]

Like, you know, an inch or two of boiling water. Artichokes prop them up.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you take the fuzzy stuff out after they steam or before?

[Greta Lee]

After they steam.

[Amy Poehler]

I think I learned that. I think I learned that from you.

[Alison Roman]

I do a video online on how to eat an artichoke.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Thank you for confirming my positive artichoke bias. I can't believe you have a dried one right in front of you.

[Alison Roman]

I know. Just trim. Oh, also, I was going to say trim away, like, the tiniest leaves near the outside base of the sun.

[Amy Poehler]

Of course. I'm not an animal.

[Alison Roman]

And then once you steam it, if any of the, like, leaves on the outer part are too tough, just discard them. But, like, I don't trim it too far in advance.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. I love to hear this. Okay, listeners, I hope it's getting you hungry for artichokes. Thank you so much, Alison. What a pleasure. And I'm sure Greta will be so happy that we talk. So thanks again.

[Alison Roman]

I hope so. I love her so much. She's so wonderful.

[Greta Lee]

Bye.

[Amy Poehler]

Bye. Bye, Leonard. This episode is brought to you by Visible. How many of you are currently listening to this podcast on your phone? If you are chronically online, like we all are these days, your wireless network should be, too. With Visible, you get unlimited 5G data and unlimited hotspot, all powered by Verizon's 5G network. The perks of big wireless for half the cost. Visible isn't just a wireless plan. It's unlimited wireless, designed to always keep you connected and no contract holding you back. Switch [e-mail] plans start at $25 a month. Or get our premium Visible Plus Pro plan and save $10 on your first month when you use promo code. Hang an exclusive offer for podcast listeners. Terms apply. See visible.com for plan features and network management details. Hi, Hi, bub.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, I just want to stare at you. Oh, my God.

[Amy Poehler]

Greta. Greta is here and she has her arms full of gifts. Okay. Yeah.

[Alison Roman]

Okay.

[Greta Lee]

So, yeah, I have some flowers. It's a collection of natives and non natives. People really care about that. Here.

[Amy Poehler]

From your garden.

[Greta Lee]

My garden.

[Amy Poehler]

Come on.

[Greta Lee]

Look at that. We have some white sage and some, you know, well, lemon verbena and.

[Amy Poehler]

And you wrapped it in a paper.

[Greta Lee]

Paper people.

[Amy Poehler]

This is a professional wrapping job with a rubber band and everything. This is gorgeous. Thank you.

[Greta Lee]

Okay. There's more. I have this. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

What we also have.

[Greta Lee]

It's like, I'm worried. You don't. You don't have a grocery store. Like, you don't have access to.

[Amy Poehler]

This is kale. This is from your garden. Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And I have these eggplants. Honestly, you're helping me. I can't eat this all.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, I'm gonna say something. I'm very sorry.

[Greta Lee]

What?

[Amy Poehler]

I don't like eggplants.

[Greta Lee]

I knew. I knew it.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm so scared. Get this out. Get him out of here. I knew that was gonna happen.

[Greta Lee]

I love.

[Amy Poehler]

I love how they look. I. They're so funny. I love it as an emoji. Incredible.

[Greta Lee]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

But as you know.

[Greta Lee]

You don't like the taste. It's too slimy.

[Amy Poehler]

It's too slimy.

[Greta Lee]

No, but you can learn. You can. Listen, this is. This is the thing. Now I know there are a lot of things you can do.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

With eggplant. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

What about kale? You like kale? Love obsessed with kale. This looks like dinosaur kale.

[Greta Lee]

Dinosaur kale and curly kale.

[Amy Poehler]

Avocados. Incredible avocados for people listening. They're huge.

[Greta Lee]

They're huge. You can't eat them for, like, a year.

[Alison Roman]

You, like.

[Greta Lee]

You can't, like. Don't even give it back. Just leave it here. Just. It's like decoration. Don't even look at it. Don't touch it for, like, at least a year. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm pulling out a gigantic.

[Greta Lee]

That's an Oro Blanco. Excuse me.

[Amy Poehler]

See?

[Greta Lee]

Saint.

[Amy Poehler]

It's.

[Greta Lee]

It's a cross between a pomelo and a white grapefruit. They're delicious.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow.

[Greta Lee]

It's really. It's really nice. In a. Like an alcoholic beverage with. This is a Mexican lime.

[Alison Roman]

Wow.

[Greta Lee]

It's yellow. It's wonderful. And some of the lemon verbana. You can put, like, flowers in your drink. I live in LA now. What's happened?

[Alison Roman]

Well.

[Amy Poehler]

Hi.

[Greta Lee]

Remember me?

[Amy Poehler]

I know you're very L. This is very la.

[Greta Lee]

Look, you have your own kale.

[Amy Poehler]

Greta brought her own kale.

[Greta Lee]

This is bad.

[Amy Poehler]

She brought her own kale. I mean, in la, you have to have it in your car.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. At all times.

[Amy Poehler]

This, to me, is success. That you have a garden and you bring in your fruit to people. That is.

[Greta Lee]

Is it?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, gosh.

[Amy Poehler]

That's success.

[Greta Lee]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

We have done so much stuff together.

[Greta Lee]

We have.

[Amy Poehler]

I was, like, looking at what we've worked on together, and I want to talk about all of it. We've worked on Broad City. We worked on a show called Old Soul. We worked on Sisters, Russian Doll. And I just want to start by saying, here's what I love about you. Not only are you super talented and so good at so many things, but I feel like you. How I would describe you is you are a person who takes their work seriously, but not themselves seriously.

[Greta Lee]

Oh.

[Amy Poehler]

Would you think. Would you agree that that's kind of true?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, I do.

[Amy Poehler]

I agree. Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Next question. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

So how did we first meet?

[Greta Lee]

How do we first meet?

[Amy Poehler]

Because I don't remember when we met. I mean, we met on some project that we worked on, but which one

[Greta Lee]

did I audition for? You first. I mean, I'm sure we've met. Broad City, maybe. That time in New York gets really confusing to me.

[Amy Poehler]

Agree. Same.

[Greta Lee]

And I feel like I end up talking about it a lot because, you know, once you get in the habit of telling your story of how you started, and then you're, like, telling the story, and then soon you're like, I don't even.

[Amy Poehler]

Is this real?

[Greta Lee]

Did I. Am I lying? Because it's easier just to say the story.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And who can prove it? And then, you know, I was on Girls, and then it was this really special, really important time for women and women in comedy. And there was this moment. It was very distinct, too, because I think I was observing it somewhat from the outside a little bit, because I was coming off of doing theater, and I was like, really? Just, I want to do straight theater. But Abby and Alana and, you know, you and Tina and Maya and everyone on snl, riding the wings of that into Lena and Schumer and everyone, it was really. It was big.

[Amy Poehler]

I want to talk about going back because it's so interesting you bring up the theater part because in researching you, I did not know that you, before I met, you, had already been on the West End.

[Greta Lee]

No one cares. No one cares about that.

[Amy Poehler]

I care about that.

[Greta Lee]

No, you do not. Really?

[Amy Poehler]

Are you kidding me? First of all, I know you love theater. I don't know how people do it. So I want to ask you. Okay, okay, but hold on. Okay, going back even farther. Your mom classically classically trained pianist.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Your dad, doctor.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

What kind of doctor?

[Greta Lee]

He is a physical therapist.

[Amy Poehler]

I need him.

[Greta Lee]

Do you?

[Alison Roman]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's go.

[Greta Lee]

What do you need?

[Amy Poehler]

What's wrong?

[Greta Lee]

Well. What's wrong?

[Amy Poehler]

I said I wasn't going to bring it up. My fucking frozen shoulder is back, dude.

[Greta Lee]

No, I know.

[Alison Roman]

With that.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, so I need his number.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Dr. Lee.

[Amy Poehler]

And please, nobody call in. Nobody call in. This isn't even a call in show. Wait, nobody? I don't know.

[Greta Lee]

I got him to call in.

[Amy Poehler]

Nobody call in. Please don't give me your advice about frozen shoulder. I know all of it. I know all of it, and I appreciate it, but I can't. Okay. This. We're cutting all this.

[Greta Lee]

You're gonna cut out.

[Amy Poehler]

So stunning. Okay. Your dad is a physical therapist. So you have a left brain. Right brain. Household growing up.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

What was that? Is that true?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, I mean, I guess that's what they say. They're like. I don't know. My parents are weird. They're so amazing.

[Amy Poehler]

Tell me.

[Greta Lee]

Wild.

[Amy Poehler]

Um. What are they like?

[Greta Lee]

They are. Okay, well, I just took them to the Dior show. Okay, I saw that. I know.

[Amy Poehler]

So nice.

[Greta Lee]

But here's the thing. You know, they invited themselves. Like, everyone is talking about what an incredible daughter I am.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Okay.

[Greta Lee]

I got a text from my mom that was a screen grab of a picture of lacma. This is a venue for the show. And she was like. Didn't say anything. Just a picture of that and an announcement that said, Dior cruise show will be at the. At LACMA with the new David Geffen Gallery. And I kind of. I just. I didn't really respond right away, which I think made it.

[Amy Poehler]

You just gave it, like, a heart.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, I hearted it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Yeah. You sent an eggplant emoji. It was very confusing.

[Greta Lee]

She's like, I hate it when you do this. And no, she invited herself. She was like, so, I'm coming.

[Amy Poehler]

What time?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, and your dad's coming, too, because it's not fair. He's coming, too, if I'm coming. Which is funny because I was like, I didn't say you're coming.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, let's break this down, though, because do you feel obligated to say. You can say no, I could, but

[Greta Lee]

no, actually, I can't. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Greta Lee]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Okay. Because that's the dynamic a little bit

[Greta Lee]

when it comes to certain things. I also. Okay. I mean, to Be fair. I go to these things, and it's, it's exciting, but to go with your parents. To go with my parents, yeah. It is something special.

[Alison Roman]

It is.

[Greta Lee]

I mean, there's. They've never been to a fashion show before.

[Amy Poehler]

What did they think of it?

[Greta Lee]

They were amazed.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

They, they touched everything they wanted. Everything. They took there. These blankets that were meant to keep people. They, they grabbed all of them. They want. They, they have so many now. I mean, I, I, they. It was incredible. I, I don't know. I think they were. Because sometimes they get shy. I don't know if you have this with family or relatives, if you bring them together.

[Amy Poehler]

I wish my parents were shy.

[Greta Lee]

Okay, so they're not.

[Amy Poehler]

They go right up to, like, anybody.

[Greta Lee]

They'll go to, like, we're big fans of yours. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

We want a picture before the night's over. Like, that kind of thing.

[Greta Lee]

They're the demanding type.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Like a little entitled.

[Amy Poehler]

My parents were not shy, are not shy.

[Greta Lee]

Well, my parents, my, the thing. I would rather that. But what makes it even more confusing is they're, they're both. It's like a light switch. They're either, like, so, like, cosplaying, like some sort of, like, silent, shy, demure thing, and, and then it'll just switch to super aggressive, super demanding, you know? Do you know who my daughter is? Like that kind of stuff.

[Amy Poehler]

But your parents are first. Are you first gen?

[Greta Lee]

They immigrated and had me here. Okay. So I'm the first person in my family to go to school in America.

[Amy Poehler]

Got it. And they immigrated from Korea, met there, and then they spoke Korean in the. Or mostly English.

[Greta Lee]

Korean was my first language.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I had a really fucked up accent, actually, because we moved by kindergarten. I was in Brooklyn and I had, we were living in Canarsie, and I had, like, a Korean, Brooklyn accent.

[Amy Poehler]

What does that sound like?

[Greta Lee]

They won't tell me. I want to know.

[Amy Poehler]

Is there anyone that has that accent

[Greta Lee]

now that I keep pointing back at people? I'm like, like, her.

[Alison Roman]

Like that. And no.

[Amy Poehler]

And they're like, no, no, no.

[Greta Lee]

But I went to esl and I went to speech therapy and all of that. I'm dying to know.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, how funny does it sound like. Well, I want to talk about Langu. Cause a lot of your work is, like, circles around that. Especially the most beautiful film, my favorite film of the past five, ten years, Past Sisters. Sisters.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, that's right. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

But you're a little kid. You do singing competitions, classical singing.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

What's the difference between Classical singing and singing. Well, it was like.

[Greta Lee]

It was opera.

[Alison Roman]

It was.

[Greta Lee]

Okay. There we go.

[Amy Poehler]

It was another way to say opera.

[Greta Lee]

Well, yeah, but I did things. Like, I won, like, the Bach festival. I'm like, what was I doing?

[Amy Poehler]

I was just, like, being smart, doing

[Greta Lee]

good, doing so many things. But I was so into it. And my siblings. Both. My siblings can sing pretty much every Italian aria because of me. Like, they hate sing it at me now. But that's like, I was.

[Amy Poehler]

So you were singing Italian arias at what age?

[Greta Lee]

I mean, middle school. I started in middle school. I was like, a conductor of a children's choir at one point. Oh, my God.

[Amy Poehler]

Did they ask you to do it, or did you just.

[Greta Lee]

No, they didn't ask me to do it. I just did it. They were like, why is she doing that?

[Amy Poehler]

They were like, ma', am, you need to leave.

[Greta Lee]

Stop. Stop doing that.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, you're a big time achiever. I mean, you work really hard, and I do.

[Greta Lee]

I want to stop doing that.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I mean, what is, like, a through line in all of your stuff is that. And what I meant in the very beginning is, like, you really show up and you work really hard, but there's an ease to. When you work there. There's not a striving vibe about you at all, Greta. But you are when you look at what you've done. Like, before you arrived in New York, before you were getting all those acting parts, you were winning competitions, and you were, like, studying theater and in, like, Broadway shows, basically.

[Greta Lee]

I had my first job right out of the gate in New York City, actually, was Law and Order svu. I did one episode of those.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, pause.

[Greta Lee]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. So we love Law and Order at this show.

[Greta Lee]

Yes, you do.

[Amy Poehler]

We've interviewed Mariska the Great Mariska Hargitay.

[Greta Lee]

I did. I did a scene with her. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Now, I tend to sometimes stay a little bit away from SVU because.

[Greta Lee]

Too sexy.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, that's one way to put it. Why Mariska's too damn sexy. Because I get worried about, like, is it gonna be. Is a girl gonna be in the drawer? Is she hanging from the wall? Okay, well, it's a lot.

[Alison Roman]

What?

[Greta Lee]

I was in the incest episode. I knew it. I knew it.

[Amy Poehler]

I was so afraid to ask.

[Greta Lee]

It was such good residuals. Not so upsetting. It did so well. Oh, God. Wait.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, so you were. That is the thing. I. The young version of me wants to be an SVU or Law and Order, but you.

[Greta Lee]

Okay, it's a really big deal, but so imagine Though that's my first job. Right. Sure. And I call my parents, immigrant parents, and I'm like, I did it. Oh, my gosh. Okay. It's airing this time.

[Amy Poehler]

They.

[Greta Lee]

And they didn't tell them what it. No, I'm not going to tell them. But I'm like, okay, I don't know what. I don't know what they.

[Amy Poehler]

What do you remember about shooting that with Mariska and team?

[Greta Lee]

Were you just. I was like, like terrible. Like, you know, I. The bells are like, like the. I had no idea what it was. People don't know that.

[Amy Poehler]

That sometimes we're in like a big studio.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Before they start the scene, they like ring this giant scary bell.

[Greta Lee]

Tornadoes coming.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And instead of ducking and hiding or running, you're supposed to act.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And they're like, now go cry.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you have to cry?

[Greta Lee]

What did I have to do? Oh, no, I had to. I was the roommate of the victim. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

That's. That's.

[Greta Lee]

So I wasn't participating. Thank God.

[Amy Poehler]

Great. So you just were around.

[Greta Lee]

You were like.

[Amy Poehler]

You're like, I don't even know. I didn't do it. Kind of.

[Greta Lee]

Kind of. Oh, man.

[Amy Poehler]

You were like, I don't know. She was here last Tuesday night and. And then she wasn't.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. All right.

[Amy Poehler]

Putnam Spelling Bee is the next big job.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

What is it like to do shows? How did you. I mean, you're a young person at the time, but what did you do to prep and get ready? I'm always very curious about people that are on Broadway.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. The seven shows or eight shows a week. I don't know. I think a lot of things happening because I also, I graduated from Northwestern, which was a big ten school. Like, it was an incredible theater program and all of that, but it's also a big ten school. So I learned how to like do like a keg stand and made all kinds of friends from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. And it was very formative.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And I kind of then was bringing that sort of like, oh, I'm gonna like move to New York City and become an artist and live like a Sex and a city fantasy. But I had a very intense full time job. And you kind of. It takes so much discipline. And I think that, you know, it was hard.

[Amy Poehler]

I bet.

[Greta Lee]

I was 21. I was 21, 22. Trying to figure out how to be a responsible professional. Show up on time.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

You know, every time.

[Amy Poehler]

Right. But you're on the West End. I want to ask you about Mark Rylance.

[Greta Lee]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

I Love him. He's an incredible actor.

[Greta Lee]

Yes, he is. Yes. That whole experience was also very unique, very special. We did a play called La Bette. It's. It was set in 16th century France, and it was in iambic pentameter.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh.

[Greta Lee]

My character only spoke in words that rhymed with blue.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, dear.

[Greta Lee]

Well, you say oh, dear. Yeah. Oh, dear is right.

[Amy Poehler]

That would definitely be one of those things that I would show up and I'd be like, oh, man, I wish I knew this.

[Greta Lee]

No, I think you would be like, yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Really? I'd be into it.

[Greta Lee]

I think you would.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, cool.

[Greta Lee]

But this is like, when I guess in talking about this, I'm like, God, life is long. I'm like, I. Wow. There's, like, so much stuff people have no idea about, but you have had

[Amy Poehler]

an amazing, interesting bunch of jobs. You have toggled between very dramatic and very comedic, which few people can do well. And you have gone back and forth and back and forth.

[Greta Lee]

I don't know why. Well, because you're tiring. You're really good at both.

[Amy Poehler]

Stop being so good at both. Stop being good at both. I mean, I'm always worried that we're going to lose you because you're so naturally funny that you are gonna lose

[Greta Lee]

me into my garden. I'm gonna never come back.

[Amy Poehler]

You're gonna make jokes to the eggplant plants.

[Greta Lee]

They're gonna get bigger and they're funny.

[Amy Poehler]

No, I'm afraid we're gonna lose you to, like, the drama world and.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, you won't.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. All right, whatever.

[Greta Lee]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, so then here's something fun.

[Greta Lee]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

You and I have something in common that I don't think we ever talked about, which is that we both worked in restaurants.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And I do think there is, like, a very specific type of person that works in restaurants, especially, like, New Yorky restaurants. And you're younger than me, but I imagine we, at the same time in our lives, worked in, like, kind of, like fancy restaurants in New York. So we do something on the podcast where we ask a friend or someone to speak well behind your back and to give me a question. We talked to Allison Roman today.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, my goodness. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

We're Brooklyn buddies.

[Greta Lee]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

And she was with her cat, Leonard, and we were talking about. She was talking about so many things that she loves about you. Your ease as a person and as a host. Your incredible style, and, like, how you don't make anybody feel bad that you're the prettiest, coolest person in the room. You never make us feel bad. About it, which. Thank you, Greta. And also just your work ethic, like, how you have this way of kind of getting things done that feels like somebody who used to work in the restaurant. Because you were working with her, Right? Where were you guys working together?

[Greta Lee]

We were working for David Chang at the Momofuku restaurant.

[Amy Poehler]

What was that like? That was a hot restaurant.

[Alison Roman]

Crazy.

[Greta Lee]

It was so, so fucking crazy. Crazy. I just. So hard, so hard, so hard, so, so hard. But at that time in New York,

[Amy Poehler]

though, it's like, what year was that?

[Greta Lee]

From, like, 2007, 2008 to. I don't know. I mean, I was there on and off for a good five years, maybe more.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Like, I'd go do a job. I'd book something and think, like, oh, goodbye. I'd have, like, a big goodbye. Like, I'm never coming back. Yeah. Like, and, like, oh, and, like, pick up the tab, you know, like, oh, my God. My friends who worked in finance, I'd, like, book, like, one. One commercial and be like, I got this. I got these buddies don't even worry about. And then just come crawling back.

[Amy Poehler]

But.

[Greta Lee]

But that time for food was really exciting because, like, David Chang, and we're friends now. We have kids the same age, and, you know, we. We live really, really close, and we have mutual friends. And it's funny reminiscing about that time collectively, because there's just. It's like, chefs were rock stars, and being a part of that was really exciting for all of us.

[Amy Poehler]

What's it like working at, like, a restaurant that is so hot, you know, that everybody wants to get to. What was the. What was it like?

[Greta Lee]

I was so powerful.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I was a hostess. I was, like, basically encouraged to be mean. So great.

[Amy Poehler]

Incredible.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. As a. As a past hostess of a very fancy restaurant.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

What would you say to people? Never works. Oh, you know what I mean? Like, when would people get. You know, what would they do that? You'd be like, absolutely not.

[Greta Lee]

The culture was different then. And you would easily tell someone, okay, it's gonna be four hours. That's not even within, like, a meal, a stretch of a meal time. Like, four out. Like, dinner time is over. Like, if you're starting, four hours is crazy.

[Amy Poehler]

4 hours get seated or four hours to eat.

[Greta Lee]

Four hours to get seated. Wait times to tell someone, like.

[Amy Poehler]

And they're like, thank you, mistress. I have another.

[Greta Lee]

So do I just wait over here or do it like, do you want my phone? And be like, no, go away? That's what that means.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Four Hours means it's not happening.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, it's not happening.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you ever have people try to slip you cat?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And did they ever, like, try to, like, throw, like, fancy names around, like.

[Greta Lee]

Yes, but that. I. I think that that restaurant, though, I don't know where you work. That was really discouraged. So it was helpful. Like, that just wouldn't work.

[Amy Poehler]

Sure. I mean, I feel like when I was waiting tables, there was definitely a vibe of a finance vibe, I guess is the only way to say it.

[Alison Roman]

Where.

[Amy Poehler]

And let's be honest, it was finance bros who were like, I'm willing to spend a lot of money here. That was the vibe. Like, I know you might have a system and reservations, but I'm very r. Yes, I know. Like, I'm gonna have so many oysters.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Where did you work? Where do you want to seafood?

[Amy Poehler]

I went to a place called Aqua Grill.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, my God. Do you remember it? Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Rest in peace.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, my gosh. You were one of those bitches. Oh, I see it now.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, it was Soho. We were like a Soho gang.

[Greta Lee]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Very, like, seafood forward. A lot of ice trainers.

[Greta Lee]

Do you have to wear, like, a pressed shirt? A button down?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, I had to wear a button down and a button down, and I think it was a maroon apron. Oh, wow. Remember, maroon was really big.

[Greta Lee]

Yes, I do.

[Amy Poehler]

So Allison's question. Sorry. So let me get back to Alison. So Allison's question was a really good one, I thought, which was, like, what have you held onto from your restaurant days? Like, how. How does it help you as an actor? Does it. Do you think about any of that? Like, is there any connection to what you do now?

[Greta Lee]

I think, like, you know the expression being in the weeds, what that can feel like, and. And. And, like, the crush of it and how exhausting it is. And I feel like that part that. I don't know, that kind of like. Like, multitasking. Extreme multitasking, what we do.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I was, like, thinking about, like, something I shot where I. I was drowning.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. Acting.

[Greta Lee]

I know. Acting is so weird. Why do we do it? I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

I hate it.

[Greta Lee]

I hate it, too.

[Amy Poehler]

So why did you have to drown? And is this recent?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Is it.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, so you were drowning. It's in that other spoiler alert.

[Greta Lee]

But did you know, Amy, that acting like you're drowning for something is just drowning?

[Amy Poehler]

I. I can't.

[Greta Lee]

Did you know that this is why

[Amy Poehler]

you shouldn't do drama. There's no reason.

[Greta Lee]

Don't do it. It's not any.

[Amy Poehler]

And Even getting in water. Absolutely not. No swimming, nothing. So, yeah, right. They're like, okay, so do the fake drowning. Yeah, it's like, okay, I guess it's the swallowing water.

[Greta Lee]

You have to choke, and you have to. And when it's really good, they don't know if it's good, if you're acting or if you're dying. How are they going to know that? And they tell you things like. Well, you give them the signal, like hand signals, like, but if you're dying,

[Amy Poehler]

how are you going to give the signal? Yeah, you can't give them the signal because it really breaks the mood. It does.

[Greta Lee]

It breaks the mood. And also, you want to be good. So in here, I guess you're like, oh, turns out maybe you don't. But if you are successful enough at the drown, then you. It's impossible to distinguish between real and not, you know?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, this goes under a thing I like to say. Don't be good at things you don't want to do.

[Greta Lee]

Right.

[Amy Poehler]

So if you're good at the drown, you're gonna get asked to do it again. So be careful, because if. If that scene is.

[Greta Lee]

There was a lot of it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. And they're gonna be like, let's get Greta. She's good.

[Greta Lee]

She's good.

[Amy Poehler]

You just get scuba certified. Oh, my God. No scuba. No scuba. People should not scuba. Sorry, I have a lot of hot takes today.

[Greta Lee]

But scuba.

[Amy Poehler]

Absolutely not. This episode is brought to you by All Free Clear Detergent. Are you trying to be a bit more mindful of the things you buy for you and your family? You know, reading the labels, checking the ingredients, trying to understand what all those letters, numbers, and long words mean. I get it. Sometimes we don't really know what's in the things we buy, and we want to feel good about our choices. So when it comes to laundry detergent, choose. All free clear. 100% free from dyes and perfumes. All Free Clear detergent uses only essential ingredients that tackle tough stains and odors. And it's gentle on skin. It's a powerful clean you can feel good about. So go on, pick up a bottle of All Free Clear for your next laundry day. This episode is brought to you by Purdue Global. What no one tells you is how chaotic adulting really is. I swear, there's just no clearing the to do list these days. That's why a lot of times, chasing dreams gets put off until someday. But if you want to level up your education, Purdue Global meets you exactly where you are, right in the middle of real Life. The moment doesn't have to be perfect before it can be your moment. Start your comeback today at purdueglobal. Edu. Goodhang.

[Greta Lee]

Now streaming on Acorn tv. There's a killer on the loose. Brooke Shields leads an all star cast in the hit original mystery series. You're killing me.

[Amy Poehler]

I solve mysteries for a living.

[Greta Lee]

I think I'm good to go.

[Alison Roman]

Maybe in one of your books, not in real life.

[Greta Lee]

Catch every killer episode.

[Alison Roman]

Here's some who can vouch for your whereabouts at the time of the incident.

[Amy Poehler]

What are you, the alibi police?

[Greta Lee]

That's literally who I am.

[Amy Poehler]

Exactly who I am.

[Greta Lee]

You're killing me. All episodes now streaming on Acorn tv.

[Amy Poehler]

This episode is brought to you by Sephora. Life's busy. You got a lot going on. But your beauty routine doesn't have to. Just look to Sephora. They offer the best selection of products that fit seamlessly into your routine and support your beauty journey. At Sephora, you'll find brands like Merit with their weightless Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, Westman Atelier, Their Baby Cheeks Blush Stick melts into your skin. And Josie Moran with their Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter. Your short and simple beauty edit is here. Shop in store or online at Sephora. Okay. You have two boys.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And I'm the mother of two boys. And they are how old?

[Greta Lee]

Okay, let's see. Apollo is nine now and Raph just turned seven.

[Amy Poehler]

So having a seven and nine year old, those are kind of delicious times for boys. What's it like being the mom of boys?

[Greta Lee]

I'm obsessed with them.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, God.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I love them so much.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, it's so annoying.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. They're your little husbands.

[Greta Lee]

They're my little husbands.

[Amy Poehler]

Yep. Oh, yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

No, they're better, right?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

They're your best friends. They're your best friends slash son husbands. No. Let's get it right. How have you changed from being like, because you're a mom now. What's.

[Greta Lee]

I mean, everything's changed. Everything's changed.

[Amy Poehler]

I.

[Greta Lee]

God. I'm also a boy mom, and I think that is specific. And I never thought about that one way or the other. And I look at other moms who are not boy moms and I'm like,

[Amy Poehler]

oh, okay, let's talk about it. Because I also am a boy mom.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Wait, how old are yours?

[Amy Poehler]

My guys are getting old. They're like 15, almost 16 and 17.

[Greta Lee]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, they're. Oh, no.

[Greta Lee]

15 and 17.

[Amy Poehler]

They're like. Yes, I know. They're like driving and out in the World and.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, God.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. And almost voting and. But you. I want to talk about it because, you know, there's a joke about boy mom, but there is something very interesting about.

[Greta Lee]

Wait, what's the joke about boy moms?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, the joke is kind of that boy moms are, I guess, like, a little more worn down because, you know, not all boys, of course, but. And not all people. Kids that identify as male. But in general, you have to play a lot. There's a lot of play.

[Greta Lee]

Why do you think I'm so tan?

[Amy Poehler]

You're just always outside playing.

[Greta Lee]

I'm just outside. I'm, like, running on the bicycle. I'm like. Like, I'm doing stuff.

[Amy Poehler]

I know.

[Greta Lee]

With the boys.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. You're like. It's always like, camp. It's like, let's go run them out every day. Just. You gotta run them like dogs.

[Greta Lee]

You do. And. And, yeah, because. And I'm also talking about how much I want them to be outside and how much I want them to be in their bodies. And so what does that mean? I have to be outside? Like, I want them to play soccer. I'm playing soccer. Like, I want them to. I'm doing all of it.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you like doing it? Are you an athletic person?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I do like it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Did you play sports and, like, what was your sport?

[Greta Lee]

I did. I was like this. I'm such an actor. I was always, like, good enough. I'm really good at faking it.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. Me too.

[Greta Lee]

You know what I mean?

[Amy Poehler]

I was good with chatter.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Like, I didn't really quite have the

[Amy Poehler]

athletic thing, but I was. I was really good at.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, same. Yeah, same. But sometimes I get it wrong, and the kids are like, what are you doing?

[Amy Poehler]

Like, are you playing basketball? Balls. Do you run?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Knew it. Incredible.

[Greta Lee]

I know, but what's that like again? Had to do that for a movie.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, God. That's right. I do it.

[Greta Lee]

Don't run in a movie.

[Amy Poehler]

Don't worry. Nobody's gonna ask me to run for a movie. It is so hard. It is so, so hard.

[Greta Lee]

Running is so hard.

[Amy Poehler]

You run.

[Greta Lee]

It's bad for you. It's actually bad for you.

[Amy Poehler]

I absolutely agree.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. I had to run in something where.

[Amy Poehler]

What did you have to run in for?

[Greta Lee]

Tron. I had to pretend that I was gonna be killed if I didn't run for my life. Okay. So if you think about that movie and you think about, like, the end, like. No, I'm gonna say, like, half of that movie, my character is running. For her life. And I'm not like, you just have to sprint. There's no way to train for that.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And my character isn't a marathon runner, so it doesn't justify me. Like, it's just like, me in this state, then suddenly running, like, I don't know, like, 13 miles, like, in one, you know, a night shoot where I'm just.

[Amy Poehler]

What?

[Greta Lee]

I broke. Yeah. Again, I was like, why?

[Amy Poehler]

You ran 13 miles?

[Greta Lee]

I measured. And, yeah, with. I forgot how many takes we did. Where. This one? Yeah, it was a shot where I was, like, running along the length of a pier and they had to bring in the. We shut down production because the next day I took one step and I couldn't. I couldn't walk.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, of course. Because you basically ran a half marathon without any training.

[Greta Lee]

Half marathon, yeah.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I mean, I train. I train, I train, but I didn't train in the right way. I mean, I didn't know how. Like, I didn't know how, but I

[Amy Poehler]

remember doing Blades of Glory, this ice skating movie, and the. What did you do? We had an incredible, like, ice dancing coach who, like, was in the Olympics, and she would just be teaching me, and I was like, I'm not going to be able to do this. Like, I am an actor. I will try my best, but there's. I can't learn how to be an ice dancer. I don't. If you gave me, like. If you gave me all the money in the world, like, we're gonna to have to. We're going to work to work around this.

[Greta Lee]

So you would just tell her this, and then what. What would she say?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, really good coaches, you know, they just are like. They're like, yeah, but you got this, right? No, I'm like, I do not have this. And to your point about the chatter, I would. We would have our, like, workouts, which I dreaded, even though she was so wonderful.

[Alison Roman]

And.

[Amy Poehler]

And I learned. I was like, oh, you know, what if I get a little coffee in her and ask her a couple questions? I can burn some of this time because we only had an hour. So I would buy her coffee and we'd sit. And I remember she would sit in front of the clock and we'd be right behind her, and I'd be like, what is going on with your daughter? And she'd be like, okay, well, we have to get to work. But anyway. And she would. Because I was like, please don't put me on the ice.

[Greta Lee]

Anyway. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you train? But you now run on your own in life okay, good. Thank God. God. Don't run again. No, don't ever run again.

[Greta Lee]

It's really bad for you. Don't do it.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. When I met you, you had done a bunch of tv, like you said. You were on Broad City, you were on Girls. You were doing a bunch of different things. And we worked together on a show called Old Soul with Natasha Lyonne, a pilot that did not get picked up and was a basic idea, was Natasha was kind of the youngest person in a group of very old people. And we gathered these incredible actors. Fred W. Willard, Richard Benjamin, Alan Burstyn, Marla Gibbs, Rita Moreno. And it was a crazy cast shot. Not picked up.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Insane. Insane.

[Amy Poehler]

What do you remember about that? Do you have any memories at that time?

[Greta Lee]

I remember Rita Moreno told me I was on my phone too much. Really wasn't. I still think about. It's like one of those things that you just can't. You're. I can't let go of that because I'm like. Like, I was barely. And I'm. I'm not on social media now. Like, I'm very. I. I don't consider myself to be addicted. I'm not. I wasn't.

[Amy Poehler]

Well.

[Greta Lee]

But she told me I was.

[Amy Poehler]

It's funny, I'm having a memory that I did a movie with Charles Grodin, a movie called the X, and he said, you're always on your phone. And I put my phone down. Like, I remember just being like, thank you for that feedback. But Rita.

[Greta Lee]

Rita gave it to you? Yeah, she did. Yeah. But she also.

[Alison Roman]

She.

[Greta Lee]

I think she'd just written a book or. I don't know. She was giving a lot of sort of, like.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Life advice and sort of her take on things, and it was so fun. Yeah, it was really fun to hang out with that crew. I remember it feeling like such a sure thing.

[Alison Roman]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

I know, right? Okay. And then. Then we worked together on Sisters, which is a movie for people. Paul Lepel wrote it. Me and Tina were in it. It was a crazy, talented cast, none of whom worked enough, in my opinion.

[Greta Lee]

It was like, weeks and weeks. Why? How. Makes no sense what was happening? I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

It was just like you and Kate McKinnon and Bobby Moynihan, just, like, at craft service.

[Greta Lee]

Just like, just there waiting for so long. Because that sinkhole. Remember, there was soundstage. We had to be indoors the. The house. Like, all the plants were dying.

[Amy Poehler]

That's right.

[Greta Lee]

They were decomposing. We. Do you remember?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. We had to build a sinkhole that's right. It didn't start to smell there for some. They built us.

[Greta Lee]

Not you guys, but they built, like, Bobby Kate. Who else? John Glazer. These little plywood cabins, like little boxes to live in. They were like dog houses to sit in. To sit. I don't know what they wanted us to do in them, but that's what we had. And we were getting the box. Get in the box, and we would just wait. Why were we there for so long? That movie took so long.

[Amy Poehler]

It did.

[Alison Roman]

And.

[Amy Poehler]

And also, I can remember because everybody on the. John Leguizamo. There were a lot of, like, very talented people in the movie. John Cena was John Cena, and. And Baron holds so many people. But I can remember. And when you're smart enough to be working for a long time, there's definitely a feeling when you walk into something and you're like, okay, we're gonna be shooting at, like, a sinkhole for two weeks, where you start to angle. Like, you're like, do I need. Do you think my character is here?

[Greta Lee]

It needs to be like, I wonder

[Amy Poehler]

if she's already left the party or the sisters.

[Greta Lee]

Like, you are a sister, and you're like.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, could she have left the party? I feel like she's gone. And there was a couple moments where, like, camera was shooting this way, and whoever was in the background was like, oh, my God. Samantha Bee was in the. I was like, I'm gonna be in the background of this shot for the next two weeks.

[Greta Lee]

Oh. But.

[Amy Poehler]

So I apologize.

[Greta Lee]

Thank you. Thank you. I came here to accept this apology. Now I have it. But it's so nice, though, thinking about. I feel like that doesn't happen anymore.

[Amy Poehler]

I know.

[Greta Lee]

No one would say yes to that anymore.

[Amy Poehler]

Everyone would be like, what?

[Greta Lee]

Like, you actually can't.

[Amy Poehler]

Everyone would be like, no, that's. We.

[Greta Lee]

We have fought.

[Amy Poehler]

Our unions have fought for you to not do that anymore. Our unions have fought against the wooden boxes. No, but I remember. I remember that time when we got to improvise together. And I feel like that scene that we got to do do together is really funny. And I. But I. But I'm curious if you think it still holds up. Yeah, it does.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, it does.

[Amy Poehler]

I think it does, too. Why? Because it's tricky territory. So there's a scene in the film where Greta's character is playing, like, who.

[Alison Roman]

You.

[Amy Poehler]

What you first think is, like, this kind of submissive, quiet, but, like, secretly angry Nail technician. Nail technician who you think cannot speak English very well and is just kind of like, Dealing with these ridiculous women. And my character is doing that, like, gross kind of liberal thing where she's trying to connect, like, tell me about you. You. And how do you pronounce your name and all that stuff and.

[Greta Lee]

Let me save you. Yes, exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

Very white savior bullshit. And we are doing it back and forth, but it does walk a little bit of a line. And it is the bigger question for me about, like, in your career, I'm sure you've had to decide over and over again, do I want to play a character that could seem stereotypical? Do I want to. Do I want to speak Korean in this part? Do I want to. Like, what has that been like for you to have to try to figure that out? Everybody has to kind of figure out how they're going to exploit what they naturally know how to do at the beginning of their career, but it's not always based on their ethnicity. So, like, how do you juggle that or manage that or have you.

[Greta Lee]

It's annoying. Yeah, it's annoying to navigate. But with that, that was an easy decision for me because. And I understand the kind of. The conversation around it and what was tricky to navigate, but it's just. It's people. Like, I. I have so much love for Hyewon because, like, I know that chick. I know her. I know her so deep. And I. Some of my funniest experiences at nail salons, I was mora. I, you know, it switched. And I think that scene also works because, you know, status is inverted. And I think that it's easy to assume. And I think it's easy to assume if you are not in the marginalized position. To assume, like, oh, no. Like, this is hurtful or this is. But I think when you're looking at people, and for me, in that moment, she is in total control. Yeah, it's so funny. And I've been in that situation at the nails.

[Amy Poehler]

The thing about comedy, it's tricky, right? It's like, if it's funny, then there's something that's striking the right chord, but you can't always figure out what it is.

[Greta Lee]

And it's not funny unless you. It's true. And there's something about that that was very true. Yeah. And I felt like what we were doing and. And what the opportunity was was a chance to play something that rang very true for me. And I could see. I knew it was going to be funny. I knew she was going to be funny. And there were many opportunities for her to come alive and like, yeah, be a person.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then you play someone completely different in Russian Doll. You play this, like, beautiful, kind of like, sweet birthday baby, let's get ready to party. Like, the version of, like, who you want to have greet you at the door. Like, the ultimate hostess.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And also just this kind of, like, lost but free spirit. Like, so aspirational, this woman. What was your experience like on Russian Doll? What is it like to say a line over and. And, like, for that line to become so iconic and, like, also to be on a show that was such a hit.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. How wild was that? I mean, well, you know that first I said no.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I was like, there's no way I was. I just felt like, I don't know how to do this.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't know how to do this. Okay, why did. Do you remember why you said no?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, it was like, I don't know how to say the same line again and again.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I asked you guys, I said, can we just shoot it once and you can reuse that?

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Greta Lee]

And you said no.

[Amy Poehler]

Right. So for people who don't know, I produce Russian Doll along with Natasha and Leslie Hedlund, and we were talking about Greta's character specifically being like, this reset. You are the reset. You're kind of home for that character. You really are a safe person. You play us, even though you play this twinkly, sparkly, like, adventure crazy lady. You are safe. Yes.

[Greta Lee]

And they're with the chicken, and it's like. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

So you have to do the same line over and over again, because the shade, they start over and over again, and it's kind of like Natasha's character has to reset. So how did. What was it like to do it? Was it like. Did you get into it?

[Greta Lee]

Well, I said the line, I think, that way once, and then I realized that was the way I had to say it every single time. And I can't say. It felt like I. I had landed, like, the perfect way I wanted to say it. It was already die like I was. That's.

[Amy Poehler]

That's the one.

[Greta Lee]

Okay, great. Moving on.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's get her in. Let's get her. Let's get to her drowning.

[Greta Lee]

Yep. Okay, good.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's get to the drowning scene.

[Greta Lee]

Start running. Okay, moving on. Yeah, but you know that I love acting with Natasha.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

My buddy Tosh.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And it's been some time, but there is this thing with her where I feel. It feels different for me than. Than other people that I've acted with. There's something. There's something that happens when I act with Her. And. And that was true for Russian Doll too, because it's not. I can't say that there. I could lie and tell you that I came up with some like, int. Insane backstory and boarded like each time we went back, but it wasn't. It wasn't that. It was just about friendship.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And like, it's just like a connection that you have with someone. And Natasha over the years, I. I just, like, she's just one of those people that I had like a very instant connection with.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

And you just look into those huge fucking eyes and you are just so locked in and. And it's just. It's so nice. Yeah, it's.

[Amy Poehler]

It's. I think it's what anchored that show was the genuine chemistry between the two of you because you had worked together, you really had such great respect for each other. You work so well together. And that show is about like,

[Greta Lee]

who.

[Amy Poehler]

Who is. Who are my chosen family? Who are the people that are gonna be like, at my birthday party saving me from myself? Like, who are they gonna be? And you can't really fake that. And you definitely had that.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. But now I'm moving on to drink.

[Greta Lee]

Is it weird that I'm drinking Diet Coke? Honestly, like, I feel like.

[Amy Poehler]

No, I. You are the first guest to have a soda and it isn't a clear glass, which we probably forced you to do. Yeah.

[Alison Roman]

You know what?

[Greta Lee]

I'm so tired. I'm just tired now.

[Amy Poehler]

Is that a straight up Coke or a diet.

[Greta Lee]

It's a Diet Coke. I mean, that's what was available.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. You're not drinking any. Any judgment here. Sometimes you need a. So like a little soda.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Are you coffee drinker? Yeah. And why are you so tired? Too personal. No, I mean, what's going on with your sleep? Let's get to it.

[Greta Lee]

God.

[Amy Poehler]

I know, right?

[Greta Lee]

Look, I. I was like, I don't want to talk about perimenopause, cuz this is like all in. Like your frozen. Which one is frozen up again?

[Amy Poehler]

I said to Jenna. Yeah, I was like, I'm not. I said, I'm like not going to talk about it cuz it's like it makes me feel so old and women out there are suffering. You're not old. You're beautiful. But I am an old, old crone. I'm an old crony witch who can't lift her arms.

[Greta Lee]

I'm trailing behind you. And I'm right there.

[Amy Poehler]

Left, left shoulder. Millennials are just getting old. And I'm here to tell you as gen X. Yeah. First of all, welcome. Like, we welcome you. Like, like, coming on the other side of it is not bad. It's actually kind of nice to not be young, like, considered young. It's kind of nice.

[Greta Lee]

But you have a frozen shoulder.

[Amy Poehler]

But it's a nightmare for the body. It's a nightmare every day. The body.

[Greta Lee]

I know it's happening. I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

I, like.

[Greta Lee]

I don't actually drink soda. I am today. You know what I mean? Like, do you remember the truth?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, you're.

[Greta Lee]

Whatever it takes.

[Alison Roman]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Let's try it.

[Amy Poehler]

What is your sleep routine? What do you like to do? Like, how do you talk to me about your nighttime routine?

[Greta Lee]

My nighttime. Well, when I'm home. Right. And I'm.

[Amy Poehler]

Too much travel.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, Too much travel.

[Amy Poehler]

What? Yeah. Traveling for what?

[Greta Lee]

Oh, yeah, the trap. Yes. Too much. Like, oh, my God. I was in Korea two weeks ago, three weeks ago.

[Alison Roman]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

This is why you're so tired.

[Greta Lee]

But.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, but what were you doing in Korea?

[Greta Lee]

It was a film festival.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, speaking of Korea and thank you for that transition. Past lives. What? Greta?

[Greta Lee]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

I believe I may have texted you.

[Greta Lee]

I think you did.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, that movie is spectacular. Your performance in it, everyone's performance in it. Celine is so beautifully directed.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

It's just like we were talking about it earlier today in anticipation of this, and we were just talking about the meditative quality of it. The rhythm of it, like, the music of it. It's like everyone is. Is watching and being watched at different times. It's this big, beautiful triangle. The actors are so great. You are so good in. Must feel so wonderful to be in such a good movie. Does it?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, it feels so good.

[Amy Poehler]

It must.

[Greta Lee]

It feels so good.

[Alison Roman]

Of course.

[Amy Poehler]

It's so good.

[Greta Lee]

It feels good to be in a good mo. It feels really good. You want it all the time. That's what you want.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. Your performance in it is so beautiful. All the awards and, like, I know the award season is long over. That's been many. Did you win? I don't even know. Did you win?

[Greta Lee]

No. I was even nominated. Yeah. But, you know, no one even knows that. No one knows.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, no one knows 100%. No one ever remembers who won. I couldn't have introduced you as Academy Award winner, credit league. No one would.

[Greta Lee]

And I wouldn't have said any. I wouldn't have corrected you.

[Amy Poehler]

No, no, that's bullshit. Of course. Your.

[Greta Lee]

What.

[Amy Poehler]

What is Celine like to work with?

[Greta Lee]

Like, you know, it was her first. It was her first movie.

[Amy Poehler]

Crazy.

[Greta Lee]

I think it was her first time,

[Amy Poehler]

Celine song, the director of Past lives. So was it just collaboration City there?

[Greta Lee]

Were you. Yeah, it was its own thing.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I'm never gonna have anything like that. I felt like it's. I felt like, oh, we're making something that is gonna be something you did.

[Amy Poehler]

You felt it at the time. You could.

[Greta Lee]

You could feel that. And it felt very. Yeah. Extremely collaborative. She'd done a lot of theater, and it was so personal, and it was just. Everyone was taking such a big risk, too. Like, I had no idea if I was gonna be able to. To act in Korean. Yeah. And also, I'd never been the number one in a movie on the call sheet ever before. I'd never done drama in that way. Like, I hadn't done realism. Okay. You'll understand this. I realized this instinct that I needed to turn off where I would improvise my face off. And I needed to turn. I needed to stop doing that. Where I would fill the silence with jokes. Can you imagine past lives with, like, what that bagel? Where'd you get that? Russian daughters, like,

[Amy Poehler]

speaking my language.

[Greta Lee]

She'd be like.

[Amy Poehler]

She'd be like, stop.

[Greta Lee]

Stop that. And be like, what? Which is also such an immature response. Like, what?

[Amy Poehler]

What?

[Greta Lee]

I'm not doing anything. The whole idea that the camera was gonna stay on my face with nothing happening, I could not handle it. I would be like, cut, cut. We got it. Like, what do you do? Just long shots, Just looking out the window.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Greta Lee]

For so long.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes. That is. Thank you for sharing that, because I so relate. It is like, my hardest thing to just be kind of, like, still in the moment, like you said. Sit in the kind of, like, in betweenness of it all. And that film does that beautifully like you. That dreamy quality of the in betweenness of everything. Whatever you had to adjust, you adjusted perfectly because it is so I recommend to anybody who has not watched Past Lives. I mean, it's my favorite kind of, like, melancholy, nostalgic, kind of happy, sad, love, dream. And, yes, it was a side of you that, of course, I knew that you had, but I don't think a lot of people had got to see, which is to your point. The kind of space given to you and given to the project was really amazing.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. I feel like at one point, I counted how many seconds was the longest number of seconds that I'd been in one day. Take, like, literally for the frame for it to stay on my face for longer than I think it was like a couple of minutes, which was really wild.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you know what it makes me? It leads me to the question that I like and I want to form the right question because I, I. It's the idea of being looked at and watched in general. Even though we're in this profession and you would think we would be comfortable it. And yet what are we doing?

[Alison Roman]

What am I?

[Amy Poehler]

You are fashion. Like you are a fashion icon, Greta. You're basically a model.

[Greta Lee]

I don't.

[Amy Poehler]

You wore. You're so. You have the best clothes in the world. You're incredible at posing.

[Greta Lee]

Thanks.

[Amy Poehler]

And there's something that comes over you where you like.

[Greta Lee]

It's acting. It's acting. It's like character acting.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

I like, I think when ever since I was really little, I just wanted to be a male character actor. Like, I wanted to be one of the guys and I, and I think that posing on a red carpet is not anything close to like, you know, dairo or like.

[Amy Poehler]

But okay, I'm gonna make a connection to De Niro is when I see you being like when, when we're all watching you on the. I'm just talking about like fashion carpet stuff because it takes a certain like, like you have to kind of withstand the, the, the gaze, the, the, the male gaze usually, but, but just the general gaze that you have this very solid foundation in that moment that is very De Niro esque, which is, it's very baller like you, you have a very like confident vibe and you know, you have great style and you know what you like to wear.

[Greta Lee]

I do.

[Amy Poehler]

And for people.

[Greta Lee]

I have great people working with me also.

[Amy Poehler]

You're fucking Calvin Klein act.

[Alison Roman]

Jesus Christ.

[Greta Lee]

Running, but you know, and not running,

[Amy Poehler]

but the abs, dude, the abs.

[Greta Lee]

Oh, God.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, I don't wanna, I don't wanna objectify you, but you. What, what is going on with your body in my. It's like you're so ripped.

[Greta Lee]

Just.

[Amy Poehler]

I was actually rude. It was actually rude for people. Okay, okay.

[Greta Lee]

Toy Story 5. Yes. Toy Story 5. Calvin Klein to Toy Story 5.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Pixar.

[Greta Lee]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Is this your first time working with Pixar?

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Can you talk about the character you are in Toy Story 5? Can we talk about it?

[Greta Lee]

I play the villain. The main new villain.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. Exciting.

[Greta Lee]

I play an iPad.

[Amy Poehler]

No, that's right.

[Greta Lee]

I play. Her name is Lily Pad.

[Alison Roman]

Oh, perfect.

[Greta Lee]

She's an iPad. Oh, wow. Yes. It was just fun. And the movie's so good. Oh, I bet. Really? Joan Cusack. Oh, my God, I love Joan Cusack. I love her so much. What Joan does is just I mean, oh, my gosh. I think I cried six times during a screening. It was really embarrassing, like, with her and Tim, and I was just crying.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, God, I love a Pixar crying. There's, like, nothing like it.

[Greta Lee]

This is such a good. I think if you like past lives, you are gonna love Toy Story 5. I'm serious.

[Amy Poehler]

That's an incredible tagline.

[Greta Lee]

I'm serious. I'm serious. It's really good. It's really good.

[Alison Roman]

Oh.

[Amy Poehler]

I think I might be trying to put together what you're saying, but that sounds amazing.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Oh, wow.

[Amy Poehler]

Speaking of Joan and things, people that we love and people who make us laugh, I always ask my guests, who are you listening to? What are you watching? What video? TV show, movie? What are you reading? Anything that you're doing right now to, like, laugh and enjoy. High, low does not have to be fancy.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah. Okay, so are you ready? My something that I literally just started watching is my friend sending me these YouTube stain removal videos.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, let's talk.

[Greta Lee]

Okay. Yeah, yeah. So there's. There's one guy.

[Amy Poehler]

I love stain removal.

[Greta Lee]

You love it, too?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, I love it. All right, here we go.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

So what should we type in?

[Greta Lee]

Ink stain removal. Ink stain. I mean, let's start with the, you know, the toughest ones.

[Amy Poehler]

Ink stain is the toughest one. Okay, let's see.

[Greta Lee]

Gentle gentleman. Gentleman's Gazette.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Greta Lee]

The right ways to remove the ink stains.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. To remove ink stains.

[Greta Lee]

All right, so Gentleman's Gazette.

[Amy Poehler]

Greta's been watching the right way to remove ink stains. Here we go again. I have got to get my commercials off YouTube.

[Greta Lee]

I think actually YouTube reached out and.

[Amy Poehler]

And offered a thing, and I was like, I don't. This just seems too hard. What do you. What do you mean? Like, what do you mean, I gotta get a new account? I mean, it just seems too much. Okay. Oh, cute.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, right?

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, so this is a nice gentleman named Preston. This is a stain removal emergency.

[Greta Lee]

Go to this time to see our tips. Isn't that nice?

[Amy Poehler]

Everyone else, enjoy our standard intro.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, so he tells you if it's an emergency, skip the intro.

[Greta Lee]

He's going to tell you the first thing you need to do is make sure you get it off your hands.

[Amy Poehler]

I love this guy already. He's treating us like.

[Greta Lee]

Like we're idiots.

[Amy Poehler]

Dumb times.

[Greta Lee]

If you found your way to this video, then it's nice.

[Amy Poehler]

Really nice.

[Greta Lee]

And this is. He's. This is a condensed video now.

[Amy Poehler]

Preston is pulling out a fountain pen, which.

[Greta Lee]

Right. Oh, you don't use a fountain Pen.

[Amy Poehler]

You only sign your contracts in the fountain pen?

[Alison Roman]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Wait, I know we're finishing up, but are you gardening now? Are you getting into it?

[Amy Poehler]

Thanks for asking. I am. I'm getting into it. I'm getting into it.

[Alison Roman]

Great.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Greta Lee]

Like, what's going on? What are you making?

[Amy Poehler]

What are you growing right now? I've planted some lettuces. Like, easy. Like lettuces.

[Greta Lee]

Lettuce is hard.

[Amy Poehler]

Is it hard? Lettuce is hard.

[Greta Lee]

Lettuce is shit. Lettuce is the hardest.

[Amy Poehler]

It looks so easy. It's already done.

[Greta Lee]

Take it out.

[Amy Poehler]

Take it out.

[Greta Lee]

It's the hardest thing.

[Amy Poehler]

Rip it out.

[Greta Lee]

Because. Because it's too hot for lettuce here. Oh, damn.

[Amy Poehler]

Because this will happen. I'm not gardening here, honey. I'm gardening on the East Coast.

[Greta Lee]

Okay, good. Then you're fine here.

[Amy Poehler]

No way. Disgusting. Rip it out. Rip out the lettuce here. No, no, I'm doing it on the East Coast. But it's still gonna be hot. But you're right. It does burn, doesn't it?

[Greta Lee]

And it bolts. It flowers because it's too hot, and then it gets bitter.

[Amy Poehler]

I like that we're ending with gardening because. Because you're. You. You love gardening.

[Greta Lee]

I find it very gratifying and.

[Alison Roman]

But.

[Greta Lee]

But now a lot of actors are doing it, too. And I'm just like, oh, I hate to break it to you.

[Amy Poehler]

You're an actor.

[Greta Lee]

I am, yeah. I am.

[Amy Poehler]

We just found out. Academy Award winning actor. You heard it here first. That's right.

[Greta Lee]

That's right.

[Amy Poehler]

Greta Lee. Yep. Love you, Greta.

[Greta Lee]

I love you so much.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you so much for doing this.

[Greta Lee]

Thanks for having me. Of course.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you for my beautiful gifts of bounties.

[Greta Lee]

Enjoy it.

[Amy Poehler]

And my gorgeous. My gorgeous produce.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah, you can't eat that avocado anytime soon.

[Amy Poehler]

I really need to stare up with my shoulder.

[Greta Lee]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you so much, Greta Lee. You are so funny and talented and beautiful, and it's just such a pleasure to get to talk to you. And, you know, Greta has done so many things and worked with so many great people. And we talked a little bit about Joan Cusack today. So for this polar plunge, I just want to remind everybody yet again about the genius that is Joan Cusack. I mean, you know her from Sixteen Candles, from Working Girl, from School of Rock, High Fidelity Broadcast News. Do yourself a favor, open up a bottle of wine and watch Broadcast News tonight. Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, Joan Cusack. Just film and comedy at its best. So thank you, Joan. Thank you, Greta. Thank you all for listening and see you soon. Bye. You've been listening to good. Hang the the executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by the Ringer and Paper Kite. For the Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, cat Spillane, Kaia McMullen and Alaya Zaneris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.