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- [00:01]
Amy Poehler
This episode is brought to you by BMW Certified. These days, it's getting harder and harder to know the real deal when you see it. Luckily, some things are verified to be exactly what they claim to be, like BMW Certified Pre Owned Vehicles. They're equipped with genuine BMW parts, an additional three years of roadside assistance, and a BMW certified warranty. Visit bmwusa.com certified-pre owned to learn more. Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. Oh, this is a good one. We have comedy legend Kristen Wiig. You may know Kristen from snl, from Bridesmaids, from Barb, and Star from Palm Royale. But we're going to talk about a lot of stuff today. We're going to talk about working together on a show at the same time. We're going to talk about Carol Burnett and how much we love Carol and everything she does. We're going to talk about the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and why I should start watching it immediately. And we're gonna talk about her new movie, Gabby's Dollhouse. So that's out. And we're gonna get into all of that good stuff. But we always like to start our shows with someone that knows our guest and can speak well of our guests behind their back and can give me a question to ask our guests. And we have another celeb, I mean, another comedy great, another former SNL cast member who I had the privilege to share the stage with. And that is Bill Hader. You all know Bill Hader. Barry, that's not what I need to say. You know, you know Bill, Bill, Bill, can you hear me? I'm going to get my cans on. This episode is brought to you by. Visible. Visible is the ultimate wireless hack. And now with the new Visible Inner Circle, you can forget about family phone plans with no flexibility. With Inner Circle, you can connect accounts with whoever you want for friends, family, neighbors, you name it. Unlock savings together with the freedom to leave, switch or change your circle anytime. Join for just $25 a month and with personalized payments, paying together or keeping it separate is up to you. Plus, it's all powered by Verizon with unlimited 5G data, so you get reliable coverage and a connection you can count on. Join now at visible.com and save on wireless month after month. $25 per month rate on the Visible plan.
- [02:34]
Kristen Wiig
Hi, how's it going?
- [02:38]
Amy Poehler
It's going good. I'm zooming you from the studio and wig is coming in today. Thank you for doing this.
- [02:46]
Bill Hader
Oh, no problem. Thanks for having me.
- [02:48]
Kristen Wiig
Of course.
- [02:48]
Amy Poehler
I hope I can get you in the stud.
- [02:51]
Bill Hader
Oh, man, I'd love to.
- [02:52]
Amy Poehler
How's life?
- [02:53]
Bill Hader
Life's good. We're just like. Yeah, just writing, you know, the girl. You know, Hannah's 16, Harper's 13. Wow. Haley's 11.
- [03:03]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, they're great kids.
- [03:05]
Bill Hader
Yeah, just very sweet kids. So very, very, very lucky. I mean, they play a lot of jokes. My. My 13 year old yesterday scared the shit out of me. She sent me a. I was in bed reading, and she sent me a text, and I looked at it, and it was a picture from underneath my bed. And I go and I hear, under my bed. I was like, she was underneath my bed. I was like, what the is wrong with you? And she just was dying laughing. She was like, oh, my God. All right, good night. Good night.
- [03:37]
Amy Poehler
Just like.
- [03:38]
Bill Hader
Like, just scared me. It was so creepy. I was like, why'd you do that? She was like, I don't know. Just hid under my bed.
- [03:45]
Amy Poehler
Because she's your child.
- [03:47]
Bill Hader
Yeah. My child. Yeah, exactly.
- [03:49]
Amy Poehler
Okay, so we're gonna talk about wig and, you know, I'm so, like, I'm getting ready for this interview today with her, and it's like, I don't even know where to start with Kristin. She's so good, so talented. She's done so many things during snl, after snl. Like, she's had this incredible career on her own terms always. I mean, you two have done so much incredible work together on the show and in Skeleton Twins, which is just beautiful work from the both of you. And I guess. How would you describe Kristen as a. You know, as a friend and a performer.
- [04:25]
Bill Hader
You know, Andy and I had started the show. Jason was already kind of. But we were all kind of in the same. We were freshmen all at the same time. And then Kristen came in, like, three shows later. So I remember going into her office and we were writing a Vincent Price sketch, and I was kind of like, I've been here for three weeks, so.
- [04:45]
Amy Poehler
Hey, newbie, I know where the bathrooms are.
- [04:48]
Bill Hader
I know where the bathrooms are. I know you have to change elevators this floor. And. And I said, hey, do you. We're writing this, you know, Vincent Price thing. You know, if you have any old character or something, you know, like, Amy's playing a cigarette girl. Do you remember that? We used Chesterfield cigarettes and you tap dance and Fred's doing something. And she went, oh, I'm. I'm a Maybe do Judy Garland. And I'm like, oh, what would that sound like? And she went, maybe like, oh, do you ever get the feeling that your hands Are made out of sand. And I went, okay, okay, so you're really good. Then I was like, never mind.
- [05:34]
Amy Poehler
Okay.
- [05:34]
Bill Hader
I didn't realize who I was talking to. That's a really good line. And the impression was, like, spot on.
- [05:38]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah.
- [05:39]
Amy Poehler
She's just so good at, like, at knowing how. What would work on the show, too. Like, just.
- [05:48]
Bill Hader
That's a perfect. Yes. I always say, like, I don't know if you. I felt like, here's what the show likes. Here's what I like. And I was trying to find this V. Venn diagram. And like, her. It was like the same diagram. It's like what she naturally found funny. The show, it just. It worked on the show. And I watched her for seven years, and at every table read, I feel like she did something different.
- [06:10]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, she's such a crazy range.
- [06:12]
Bill Hader
Yeah, the range. That's the word I'm looking for is. I was like, how did she. How did she do that? I know she played this Italian guy once that never got on the show, but she played this Italian man once, and he would just go, oh, yeah. And someone'd be like, I do. And he's like, oh, yeah. Oh, baby, yeah. And I was like, where did you fucking get this? You know? And you're just like, where did that come from? And she's like, I don't know, you know? But she just kind of. It just felt very effortless to her in a way that I always really admired and I really admired. And again, you know, you, Maya, you guys are this way. It was like, before the shows, it was, like, focused but cool as cucumbers. Could go out, do the show, come back and. And just had this confidence, and she had that as. As well, you know?
- [07:05]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, she really did. She, like. It felt like she entered the show a fully formed cast member ready to go completely.
- [07:14]
Bill Hader
Yeah. And she also, like, it's, like, made it look fun.
- [07:18]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [07:19]
Bill Hader
It wasn't. There wasn't, like, a science to it. There was not. I don't know if this makes sense. There was no, like, equational thing. She was just being goofy.
- [07:25]
Amy Poehler
Yes.
- [07:26]
Bill Hader
But it's. And it didn't seem disposable at the same time, though, and that's really hard. It was like, wow, that's a thing I'm going to remember. And that was fun. But she's still just loose and having fun with it.
- [07:36]
Amy Poehler
Yes, Totally hear you.
- [07:37]
Bill Hader
Does that make sense?
- [07:39]
Amy Poehler
It's 100% the best way to sum her up. I feel like when I was watching her do her sketches, I Could sense her laughing about them the night before.
- [07:49]
Bill Hader
I remember she did a Penelope sketch, and Liza Minnelli was in it at the end. And the Liza Minnelli. The Liza Minnelli and yes, the Eliza and she. And the thing was, Penelope was always making things up, and it was like, oh, I. I can't do that because I'm going out with Liza Minnelli and a tomato tonight. Right, right. And. And Liza Minnelli showed up at the end. And when Liza Minnelli came out on stage and goes, hey, Penelope. I just saw Kristen just try so hard not to laugh. It was like just hearing her go, hey, hey. And she had a tomato with her. She's like, hey, Penelope, me and tomato are excited to go out. Biting her lips, like, found it so funny.
- [08:37]
Amy Poehler
Yes.
- [08:38]
Bill Hader
Another one. I'll say real quick and we can. The other one I remember was I was. I was a game show host and a thing when. When Maya hosted and it came. It was a game show. She had written it with James and she was. Before the sketch even started on air, Kristen was looking at me and laughing really hard. I didn't know why. She was just laughing and shaking her head like, your first line is so stupid. I was kind of like, I think I. Yeah. And then. And they had changed it between dress and air. And my first line was to Vanessa Baer, who was a contestant. I go. Before we went to the break, you said. You said the answer to the question was beef. Sorry. The correct answer was nine. And as I was saying that, Kristen was, like, shaking her head, laughing like, I'm sorry, dude.
- [09:29]
Kristen Wiig
We couldn't think of anything else.
- [09:32]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [09:33]
Bill Hader
Like, that's what I think of her is just like, she's just having fun, you know?
- [09:37]
Amy Poehler
Yes, yes. So well said. So well said. Okay. So do you have a question? Do you think I should ask her anything about anything? Doesn't have to be about SNL or comedy, but anything that I could ask her on your behalf or.
- [09:52]
Bill Hader
I'm just always curious if she was always that confident in that ability. Was that. Was that a thing? When she started Groundlings, did she come in going, like, did she have. Because as you said very well. She came in fully formed. And I was like, was it always that way because she had such a confidence in her ideas?
- [10:10]
Amy Poehler
Yes, yes.
- [10:12]
Kristen Wiig
That.
- [10:12]
Bill Hader
That. That kind of. I remember asking her. I was like, how do you write this? Like, how did you do that? And she goes, I don't know. I just think it and I do it, you know? So, yeah, she just such a Massive confidence in her ideas.
- [10:25]
Amy Poehler
That's a good. Really good way to put it. That's a really good way to put it.
- [10:29]
Bill Hader
Forte was kind of that way, too. Would do a thing, and you would go, what?
- [10:35]
Kristen Wiig
How did you.
- [10:35]
Bill Hader
Where did that come from? And you know that look in their eyes where they're like. It never occurred to them that that might be a crazy idea or.
- [10:45]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [10:45]
Bill Hader
Like, my character has. Remember, I was in a sketch of hers, and I feel like a character. Either. I did. Her character had pepperoni nipples.
- [10:53]
Amy Poehler
Nipples.
- [10:54]
Bill Hader
Pepperoni. I was like, where'd you come up with that? And it was like, looking at you, like, well, run a sketch show, too, you know, I would take it too literally. I don't know. But, yeah, that would be a question. I was like, yeah. Where did that. Was there ever a moment. Early days. Where was that learned and honed? Or did that. Did she just come out?
- [11:15]
Amy Poehler
That's a great question. Thanks, Bill. I know Chris is going to be so psyched we talk today. Thank you so much for doing it.
- [11:21]
Kristen Wiig
All right.
- [11:22]
Bill Hader
Thank you.
- [11:22]
Amy Poehler
Thanks, buddy. Talk to you soon. Bye. This episode is brought to you by Wayfair, who are all about making your home into a happy place. And trust me, I know. Look, we used Wayfair to outfit our green room here. We have a little extra room next to us where people wait to get ready to come on good hang. They get psyched up, they get pepped up. They do their vocal exercises, whatever they need to do. And Wayfair has outfitted it. I mean, we have chairs and tables and couches and everything, you know, makes it comfortable and nice. And the overall experience has just been wonderful. So why not find something that makes your home your happy place? Head over to Wayfair.com and find something that's just your style today. That's W-A-Y-F A I R.com Wayfair. Every style, every home. Hi, bud. Thank you for doing this. You know, I know you don't do a lot of interviews. I feel very. I feel honored. I mean, you know, you. You do what you need to do for work.
- [12:22]
Kristen Wiig
Exactly.
- [12:23]
Amy Poehler
But you. And. And you follow through with your obligations with that.
- [12:26]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, yeah, I do my job.
- [12:28]
Amy Poehler
Yes.
- [12:29]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [12:29]
Amy Poehler
But you don't love to. You know, you want to kind of keep your. Your life private.
- [12:37]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah. And, like, if I'm promoting something, I'm happy to talk about that.
- [12:41]
Amy Poehler
Sure.
- [12:42]
Kristen Wiig
But, you know, there's such a. The line is so blurred now. I'm happy to discuss anything with you because you're My friend. But, you know, I know it's.
- [12:50]
Amy Poehler
It's.
- [12:50]
Kristen Wiig
When it's someone that you don't know and they're asking you certain personal things, you're a little bit like, I don't know.
- [12:56]
Amy Poehler
I know. And also, I learned something from you many years ago that I think about all the time, which is also. I mean, I. What I love about how you interact with your work is, like, you put it out there, but you don't necessarily. You kind of just, like, put it out there, and it's out there, and.
- [13:11]
Kristen Wiig
Then I run away.
- [13:15]
Amy Poehler
And you get under the blanket.
- [13:17]
Kristen Wiig
That's what it is. But you. I don't want to know.
- [13:20]
Amy Poehler
I know. And it's such a great. It's very healthy.
- [13:23]
Kristen Wiig
Because it doesn't matter.
- [13:25]
Amy Poehler
I know. I know it doesn't.
- [13:26]
Kristen Wiig
And actually, I remember Sandberg telling me a long time ago, like, during snl, you can read a million reviews and you can quote the bad ones, like, word for word. Like, I can remember things people said about me.
- [13:40]
Amy Poehler
Oh, yeah.
- [13:41]
Kristen Wiig
So I, like, I just happen having this movie come out, this kid's movie, and I texted my publicist and I was like, don't send me anything. Yeah, I will probably call her at some point and say, did they hate it? Do they like it? But I don't want to be sent and. Because it just gets in your brain and it's not what your experience is. I'm like, I don't know. And I'm easily. I'm sensitive, too. That's part of it.
- [14:06]
Amy Poehler
Same. And you said something to me that I think about all the time, which is I had, like, an evening where I was or whatever, wore an outfit, felt good in it, had a good time, and then went home and saw the picture of it and just was like. Like, just felt really sad. And you were like, oh, I don't. Like, I don't do that. I don't look at pictures after an event or something. Like, I trust that where, you know, like, I just kind of, like, remember the feeling of it. And I'm working with great people, and I. When I head out the door, I feel good. And I like. Like, leave it at that. And I think about it all the time because bigger than, like, how we look, it's just like, the idea of, like, the world weighing in on your mental. On your own.
- [14:45]
Kristen Wiig
And believe me, I got there because I would go and look, and then I would just feel horrible. I'm like, but wait, why do I feel bad?
- [14:51]
Amy Poehler
I. I know.
- [14:51]
Kristen Wiig
I thought I liked it, and Then in my mind, I'm like, well, now. Did I. I just.
- [14:56]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, I know. So I. I think about you all the time when I do try. When I try not to look at pictures of myself. But we are going to change our faces into cats for this. Oh, great. We're gonna put a cat filter. Yeah, we're gonna put. I'm gonna have flames coming out. We're gonna be. It's gonna be babies. This is good. Hang babies. And we're gonna.
- [15:16]
Kristen Wiig
I want to look 30 years younger, but naturally incredible.
- [15:20]
Amy Poehler
You look incredible. And I do feel like you are. Like, I don't. I wouldn't consider you an introvert, but I do think you introverted than people would assume. Right.
- [15:29]
Kristen Wiig
I would agree with that.
- [15:30]
Amy Poehler
Does that happen?
- [15:31]
Kristen Wiig
People are often disappointed. No, but it's true. I think, also because our people know us. Our origins into the public life is comedy. So people think if you're at a dinner table and someone says, kristen, tell that story, and 14 people look at you. That's my nightmare. I'm so bad at it. I'm really bad. And I was talking to my husband. I was like, I'm really bad at, like, telling stories. And he's like, yeah.
- [16:01]
Amy Poehler
He's like, I've noticed you're.
- [16:03]
Kristen Wiig
You are. And I was a little shocked. But then it made me realize that, like, it's true. I. I don't like that. I don't. Yeah, I'm not good at it. Halfway through, I realize everyone's looking at me, and then I'm like, how did this. How does this end? And, like, I'm not. And some people are so good.
- [16:21]
Amy Poehler
Oh, yeah. And some people, when they go in to tell a story, they, like, settle in. Like, here we go. Like a warm sweater. And I'm in.
- [16:28]
Kristen Wiig
And I'm like, don't stop. Because I don't want people to ask me to tell a story.
- [16:33]
Amy Poehler
I know, because it's. It is. It is. Like, I mean, there's so much to talk to you about today. And, like. Like, I don't even know where to start because there's so much good stuff to talk about. I want to talk about groundlings, and I want to talk about the beginnings of things, because I feel like I don't think a lot of people know your beginnings of things. Like, what were you like as a kid? Were you. You said that you didn't know. You said you had no, like, big plans to be an actor or a performer at all. No, no.
- [17:02]
Kristen Wiig
I mean, I. I would, like, watch movies and be like, oh, yeah, I want to do that, but I think that's like, everybody wanted to, like, were.
- [17:09]
Amy Poehler
You ever, like, in a school play or, you know.
- [17:13]
Kristen Wiig
No, I mean, I.
- [17:15]
Amy Poehler
An attention seeker in any way?
- [17:17]
Kristen Wiig
I think maybe a little bit just from, like, my parents getting divorced and being like, I'm gonna cause trouble.
- [17:27]
Amy Poehler
Oh, you became a little bit of a troublemaker.
- [17:29]
Kristen Wiig
Yes, I did.
- [17:31]
Amy Poehler
Excited. I did.
- [17:32]
Kristen Wiig
And I don't know if that turned into, like.
- [17:34]
Amy Poehler
But you caused a little problem.
- [17:36]
Kristen Wiig
It did. And I'm not bragging about it. I feel terrible, especially now that I'm a parent. Well, but what kind.
- [17:41]
Amy Poehler
Can you share any of that?
- [17:42]
Kristen Wiig
I mean, that was. Got detention a lot. I was suspended a handful of times.
- [17:47]
Amy Poehler
Exciting.
- [17:48]
Kristen Wiig
Police come to my house for, like, a prank. Prank phone calling stuff.
- [17:52]
Amy Poehler
Okay.
- [17:53]
Kristen Wiig
But still they came.
- [17:54]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [17:55]
Kristen Wiig
And that was scary. But I was, I think because. And I. And I. I'm bringing it back to, like, parents divorce, which. Don't turn this off. It's going to be funny. It really affected my life. Yeah. And I. I think I went into, like, my friend group, which I think happens a lot, where if things are, like, uncertain at home, like, your friends become your family. And I was just always with my friends and always sleeping over at other people's houses. And some of the people I was hanging out with were like, troublemakers, I guess. Yeah. And I just kind of like, got in with a little bit of the wrong crowd, I think. Young. And then I moved when my mom moved to Rochester and I moved with her the time I was like, I don't want to move. These are my friends. But thank God that, like, saved my life. Yeah, it really saved my life.
- [18:50]
Amy Poehler
It is true, like, especially now that you have kids. You know, we. We know that, like, it. That whoever you're around, the proximity of who you're around can really dictate what kind of choices you make. Yeah, I know.
- [19:03]
Kristen Wiig
And it's hard as a parent to know. I mean, my kids are five, so I'm not. I can't totally.
- [19:08]
Amy Poehler
But even when my kids were five, you'd see other five year olds. You'd be like, you got to stay away from them. I know.
- [19:12]
Kristen Wiig
You're like, do you really want to have a play date with them? Really?
- [19:16]
Amy Poehler
No.
- [19:16]
Kristen Wiig
Be like, are you sure? I don't know. I mean, they seem nice, but, like.
- [19:20]
Amy Poehler
And then you just pick up. You just hold the phone upside down and you're like, I just called their mom and they're not home.
- [19:24]
Kristen Wiig
They've moved. But we had school Monday.
- [19:27]
Amy Poehler
Their mom said no more play dates. Okay, so you. But where do you grow up? Where.
- [19:31]
Kristen Wiig
Where's hometown before Rochester? Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
- [19:34]
Amy Poehler
Right.
- [19:35]
Kristen Wiig
And then Rogers Amish town, which also.
- [19:39]
Amy Poehler
Probably added to a little bit of the mischief, like.
- [19:41]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah. Cause there wasn't a lot to do, you know, like playing. Playing down at the creek, running through the cornfields. I really was. But, Yeah, I. I don't know. I don't know if it's the place or just who I was hanging out with. I don't know.
- [19:58]
Amy Poehler
Yeah. And then is it really true that a psychic told you that you would be an actress?
- [20:04]
Kristen Wiig
Okay, let me just clarify this, okay?
- [20:07]
Amy Poehler
Is that a fake story?
- [20:07]
Kristen Wiig
Because it's not totally fake. I'll give you, like, the short version. But I. I was living in Arizona. I was going to school there. I was at the University of Arizona in Tucson. And I did not really want to be there.
- [20:21]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [20:22]
Kristen Wiig
And I just felt like I was supposed to be somewhere else. I was an art major. And I just. I wasn't, like. I wasn't connecting with something. I did take an acting class. It was like acting 101, I think that's what it was called. And I was terrified to do it because I hated speaking in front of the class. Like, would skip school, which is always the worst thing, because then you have to come back on a different day and do the book report when everyone else is like, we did this last week. It's just even more awkward. But I hated speaking in front of the class. I would just get anxiety. So I didn't want to take this class. I took it. I loved it. And I was like, I don't want to be here. I'm not supposed to be here. And I do have this theory that if you ask yourself questions in the mirror, you cannot lie to yourself. And it's very. Ooh, yes, that's deep. Like, looking in the mirror and just being like, where? What do you want to do? And it was like, I want to move to LA and try to be an actor. And that had kind of never come out of my mouth before. It just seemed like something so far, I'm not. I just didn't seem like anything that would ever happen, so. And at this time in Arizona, I was like, you know, going to, like, spiritual bookstores, as we do in our 20s.
- [21:54]
Amy Poehler
Getting crystals.
- [21:56]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, my God, pendulums for us. Like, I was like, really? In, like, a nice, like, healthy way. Yeah. And I wasn't, like, doing voodoo or anything. And I went into this bookstore and there was a sign that was like. I swear it said, like, psychic mic. It was like, a dollar a minute. And I was like, I'm gonna go see that guy. And I went in and I sat down, and he was like, oh, give me your ring. And he was, like, holding my ring. And he was like. He's like, what are you doing here? He's like, why are you here? He's like, you should have been in la, like, a year ago.
- [22:29]
Amy Poehler
No way. Just out of my life. Love it.
- [22:33]
Kristen Wiig
He could have said that to every person.
- [22:37]
Amy Poehler
He's like, what are you doing here? That's what he says to every person.
- [22:40]
Kristen Wiig
And you're just like. Because no one knows you don't go into a psychic because you know what you're doing.
- [22:44]
Amy Poehler
Right? Exactly.
- [22:45]
Kristen Wiig
But I. I, like, went home and packed up my car.
- [22:50]
Amy Poehler
Whoa.
- [22:50]
Kristen Wiig
Because my roommate at the time lived in la. And I was like, can I come stay with you? Didn't tell my parents. Packed up my car, bad girl, drugged my cat, drove to LA and just quit.
- [23:05]
Amy Poehler
Quit. Quit school.
- [23:06]
Kristen Wiig
Quit school.
- [23:07]
Amy Poehler
Dang, you are a rebel wig. Yes, you are.
- [23:12]
Kristen Wiig
I was very. I think, because I knew someone. Sure, it was less scary, but. Yeah. To, like, get an apartment and got a job.
- [23:26]
Amy Poehler
I mean, back then, it was. You only needed to know, like, one person to make a humongous career and life change. It was like, I'll just go. Same thing with me. I knew someone who had graduated from college, who was my old roommate, who was living in Chicago. So I was like, all right, I'll just move to Chicago. Like, she's there. Like, that's all you needed was one person.
- [23:44]
Kristen Wiig
And we didn't have, like, phones or anything like that. We just drove. We just drove with, like, a map.
- [23:52]
Amy Poehler
And a cat and a map. And we were just like. And then we just looked at. And then the signs were just arrows. Yeah, I just said Hollywood. Yeah, it just said success. Hollywood, Acting Town. And you just. And you pulled up. So you go to Groundling. What year do you get in Groundlings? What year do you start?
- [24:08]
Kristen Wiig
I. I waited a couple years because once I got to la, I was like, I've never acted before.
- [24:15]
Amy Poehler
Oh, so you didn't start?
- [24:17]
Kristen Wiig
I was like, what this town is full of? Every person here is trying to do that. And I got freaked out, and I worked at a hot dog restaurant, and then I worked at anthropology, and I was doing all these odd jobs. And then a friend of mine that I was working for when I was doing painting, I'd had a million jobs. He was like, have you Ever been to the Groundlings? And I was like, no, what is it? And he's like, you should go. He's like, I just think you like it. And, yeah, that first show, I'd never seen improv. I'd never seen live sketch, but it was like, Jen Coolidge, Michael Hitchcock. And I was just like, this is what I want to do. Wow. Yeah, this is it. Oh, my God. They're just making stuff up. I was like, I don't have to, like, read and say a line a certain way. That's, like, right or wrong. I could just, like, do that.
- [25:15]
Amy Poehler
And it was, like, nine. It was. It was the 90s. So you're doing sketch and improv and, like, like, everybody, like, hoping to get on snl.
- [25:23]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah.
- [25:23]
Amy Poehler
Just like, that was. The goal was like. And you're watching people go and get on snl. And.
- [25:28]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah, and then MAD TV came out, and that was the thing. And a lot of people were auditioning for that.
- [25:33]
Amy Poehler
Right, right.
- [25:34]
Kristen Wiig
Because that was happening out here.
- [25:35]
Amy Poehler
And remember, there was that time when it was like, you can audition for MADtv and SNL. It was very, like, one or the other. Like, choose now. And it was like, babe, no one's offering me either job. You're, like, having imaginary conversations in your head about, like, if MADTV asks, I'm gonna say no. It's like, they're not asking.
- [25:55]
Kristen Wiig
Wait, did you do sketch in college?
- [25:57]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, I did, like. And, like, an improv group in college, and we did, like, sketches at the end of the show. And it was. And, you know, it was. I loved my improv group. It was called My Mother's Fleabag, which is like. Sure. And, you know, I love an improv group name. And my Mother's Fleabag had been around forever, you know, and then. And we had. It was like, a little frat for, like, a little nerdy frat or sorority. And we had all these rituals and customs, and at the end of our show, we would go, it's. It's. It's my mother's Fleabag. Like, as if it was like, live from Sat. You know, like, we were doing some, like, version of snl, and we would do sketches and improv.
- [26:35]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, that's so cute.
- [26:36]
Amy Poehler
But you didn't do any sketch or improv in University of Arizona?
- [26:39]
Kristen Wiig
No, no, no, no, no, no.
- [26:41]
Amy Poehler
Amazing.
- [26:42]
Kristen Wiig
So then you go, can you.
- [26:45]
Amy Poehler
I mean, your audition for SNL is. It is weird to, like, have auditions out in the world. I don't know if. Did you watch any of the 50th stuff? When they were showing.
- [26:56]
Kristen Wiig
I haven't watched.
- [26:58]
Amy Poehler
See, you don't watch in school.
- [26:59]
Kristen Wiig
And I've never seen my audition. I never want to ever see it because I did, too.
- [27:04]
Amy Poehler
Okay, you audition and then what happened? Well, okay, you audition once and then you got it and you turned it down.
- [27:12]
Kristen Wiig
Turned it down. Because MADtv was coming back. No, I. I auditioned and then I didn't hear anything. And then the season started, and then.
- [27:22]
Amy Poehler
You were like, I'm not on. Okay.
- [27:24]
Kristen Wiig
I'm not there. And then. Oh, wait, no. How did it go? Maybe. No, no, maybe that's wrong. I auditioned. No, that's not right. I auditioned, didn't hear anything. Then they asked me to audition again, and I was like. I did everything. I was.
- [27:45]
Amy Poehler
That's a nightmare.
- [27:46]
Kristen Wiig
Okay. I don't even know what was in that second audition. And then. And then I didn't hear anything. And then the season started, and that's when I was like, I didn't get it. No. But then they called me and they were like, can you. We have a spot for you. Whatever.
- [28:00]
Bill Hader
I forget.
- [28:01]
Kristen Wiig
Can you come in, like, two weeks?
- [28:03]
Amy Poehler
I'm finding that out, that they hired you after the season had started.
- [28:07]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah. You guys had done three shows, and then they were like, come watch. I literally got there on, like, Friday. I came and I watched Lance Armstrong's show and then comedian comedies.
- [28:23]
Amy Poehler
Lance Armstrong.
- [28:26]
Kristen Wiig
But I remember being like, what? Because to watch a show from the floor, no matter what, is intense. But knowing that I was starting on Monday and nobody. No, no one knew because nobody told anyone else.
- [28:41]
Amy Poehler
SNL is notoriously not good at onboarding. No, no, they're not good at onboarding.
- [28:46]
Kristen Wiig
And then I just showed up on Monday. But. Yeah, but I do remember going to the party and going outside and calling my friend and, like, sobbing, because I was like, what? I was so overwhelmed. I didn't, like, know anybody. And I'm like, in. I was like, in New York. You know what I mean? I didn't. I didn't know the city. And I was so scared.
- [29:11]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [29:11]
Kristen Wiig
Because I knew no matter what I was going to be on. And I just didn't know what. Like, how do you get there from never even being on the floor to, like, eight days later or whatever, like, being on the show?
- [29:24]
Amy Poehler
I mean, the only thing I can compare it to, and I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but it feels like it is like an emergency room where someone's like, you're gonna have to save people's lives. Just watch what we're doing now. Like, that was how it felt. You were like. And again, it's not saving people's lives, what we did, but like, it's like this really well run emergency room where everyone knows what they're doing and they have a part and you're just like, in everyone's way.
- [29:46]
Kristen Wiig
Do you need a scalpel? No, totally.
- [29:50]
Amy Poehler
And they're like, you have to know how to do this. Like, no one's gonna teach you.
- [29:53]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah. Or like, you know, we have a meeting in 10 minutes. It's like. No, no. No one told me.
- [29:58]
Amy Poehler
Told me.
- [30:02]
Kristen Wiig
Did that happen when you were there?
- [30:03]
Amy Poehler
Oh, my God. I mean, I started at 9 11. So they were.
- [30:07]
Kristen Wiig
What was your first show?
- [30:08]
Amy Poehler
That's right. When. When. When.
- [30:11]
Kristen Wiig
Cut to camera.
- [30:14]
Amy Poehler
When.
- [30:14]
Kristen Wiig
When Rudy Julie.
- [30:15]
Amy Poehler
On my own to this cam. I just got a commercial.
- [30:19]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah.
- [30:19]
Amy Poehler
When Rudy Giuliani said, like, why be funny? And Lauren. Lauren said, can we be funny? And Rudy Giuliani said, why start now? And the first responders were on stage. That was my first show. And it was like. And everyone was like, I think comedy's over and. And, you know, but here. And I remember thinking, well, maybe like, hang in there for six more months so I can just tell my parents that I did the show. Yeah, that was. And that was.
- [30:42]
Kristen Wiig
I don't think.
- [30:42]
Amy Poehler
Talk about. No, no, not, not. No one told you where the meeting was, but people were, like, fleeing the building.
- [30:49]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah.
- [30:49]
Amy Poehler
Because there was anthrax in it. So there was anthrax sent to.
- [30:56]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, right, right, right.
- [30:57]
Amy Poehler
30 Rock. And like, two or three weeks in, people were running out of the building. And I was like, where's everyone going? And they're like, we're leaving because there's anthrax in the building. I was like, so we should go. We should leave then. I don't want to get in trouble. So. Yeah.
- [31:08]
Kristen Wiig
So you and I both had.
- [31:10]
Amy Poehler
It's. So there was no, you know, there was obviously shoemaker being one of them, like, great producers who took us aside and said, like, make sure you do this, whatever. But you were really thrown to the wolves, which I guess is kind of like how the show is.
- [31:23]
Kristen Wiig
And I think that's why it's great.
- [31:25]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, I know, but wig from the minute you started. And I did watch your audition, and it's so good. And it's. Every single character. I think every single character in your audition ends up being a fully realized character on the show, which is amazing.
- [31:40]
Kristen Wiig
I don't. That can't be true.
- [31:42]
Amy Poehler
I think it's true. And you're so, like, you arrive at that show, in my opinion, ready and confident to try. What is the job, which is, like, to try your dumb ideas. Do you think it was. It was Groundlings that got you ready for that? Like, do you think that's what I think?
- [32:01]
Kristen Wiig
Groundlings help me realize what I do and my voice, like, as a writer and as a performer. So I was kind of like, I'm gonna do that, and if that doesn't work, then I know I'm not gonna, like, work here. So I remember that first, like, Tuesday. No, Wednesday. Read through.
- [32:22]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [32:23]
Kristen Wiig
My God. I was like, if they don't get it like this. This is where I know if, like, it doesn't translate beyond that theater on Melrose and that, like, I'm in a different place. Do you know what I mean?
- [32:34]
Amy Poehler
Yes, but that's. That's, you know. Okay, so we do this thing on the show where we talk to people. We talk. Well, behind people's backs. We talked to Bill Hader today, and your brother and Hayter and I were talking about you and how great you are. And we were saying that there's this feeling that we always got from you, which is exactly that. Which is like you were putting up stuff that made you laugh, and you were like, well, this is what I enjoy. It was. You know, there wasn't that feeling of, like, let me try to get something that might get on or, let me try to get something that might please the host or whatever. It was always, like, your, like, confidence in your idea. And his question for you is the one that, like, I feel like I'm asking right now. Which is, like, when. How did you get the confidence in your own ideas? Where did it come from? I.
- [33:24]
Kristen Wiig
It's weird because I don't see it as confidence. I think I just kind of. I don't know. I'm just talking. I've never really answered this, but I think I kind of wanted to know where I was in the world as far as, like, my point of view. And, like, the more I would put up that I thought was funny, the more I could kind of, like, hone what. What kind of works and what doesn't. Does that make sense?
- [33:57]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [33:58]
Kristen Wiig
But I do remember Forte telling me once in his office, me saying something like, I don't know if Lorne would like this. And he was like, don't do that. He's like, never write for. If you think someone else is gonna think this is funny. He's like, right, if you think it's funny. And I always carried that with me.
- [34:18]
Amy Poehler
I mean, you and Will Forte share that. You guys both share that feeling of, like, when it comes from either one of you, there's no doubt that the two of you have been laughing about it and, like, you find it funny.
- [34:32]
Kristen Wiig
Just die a slow. But I love those times, too. Same writing those. I remember you and I wrote something that to this day, like, James and I quote, when we were, like, performers in, like, a cafe. Oh.
- [34:48]
Amy Poehler
And it died a terrible death.
- [34:50]
Kristen Wiig
It died. And I remember we were, like, describing the way someone looked as a pencil because they had a yellow outfit on and, like, a pink hat or something. We just said they look like a pencil. I don't know. That's. Well, it didn't work here either, maybe the way James. But there was something about it that when you're doing it and you know that little moment where, like, this is the little hook where the audience laughs, and when they don't and you have, like, four more minutes.
- [35:21]
Amy Poehler
Oh, I know. It's exquisite, though. It's. It's like a sweat that if you get through the fever of it, then you feel like you. Your immune system is like.
- [35:30]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah.
- [35:31]
Amy Poehler
Stronger.
- [35:31]
Kristen Wiig
Also, you were seeing your heroes. I'm sorry. For me, you included. Everyone's doing their best, and everyone has stuff. Sometimes it doesn't work.
- [35:41]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [35:41]
Kristen Wiig
And you're like, oh, okay. This happens to everybody.
- [35:45]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [35:45]
Kristen Wiig
But the cool thing about it is when you show up and there's, like, 50 sketches to read, people think that they're gonna work, and you just never know.
- [35:55]
Amy Poehler
I know.
- [35:56]
Kristen Wiig
It's so weird.
- [35:57]
Amy Poehler
So much of your stuff worked. Like Crush. I mean, it's like. Okay, well, you've talked about this, and I've heard talk about it and really made me laugh. You're for the first sketch you were in at snl.
- [36:08]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, yeah. Was when you. Right.
- [36:13]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [36:13]
Kristen Wiig
Were pregnant in the butt.
- [36:16]
Amy Poehler
My character was pregnant.
- [36:17]
Kristen Wiig
Your character.
- [36:20]
Amy Poehler
But it's funny because.
- [36:21]
Kristen Wiig
Back it up, even to, like, my first pitch. Cause that was JB Smooth.
- [36:26]
Amy Poehler
Right? The great writer, performer. JB Smooth.
- [36:29]
Kristen Wiig
The great everything but the best pitcher.
- [36:31]
Amy Poehler
Incredible.
- [36:32]
Kristen Wiig
And he pitched this thing where you were pregnant in the butt and everyone was laughing. And I didn't know that. Like, he's like. He just does, like, funny pitches.
- [36:39]
Amy Poehler
Right.
- [36:39]
Kristen Wiig
And he wrote it.
- [36:41]
Amy Poehler
I think he often.
- [36:43]
Kristen Wiig
Jb.
- [36:44]
Amy Poehler
I think you often pitch stuff that maybe you weren't gonna write.
- [36:47]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [36:47]
Amy Poehler
You know what I mean?
- [36:48]
Kristen Wiig
I always pitch stuff. I wasn't gonna write same.
- [36:49]
Amy Poehler
That was kind of the thing on Monday night. You would be like. And you just kind of bullshit Your way to get a laugh. And then you'd be like, okay, now I really have to buckle down. But I think because the response was so funny, JB was like, I should write.
- [37:00]
Kristen Wiig
I gotta write this. That's the other thing. And you're like, I wasn't really gonna write that thing.
- [37:03]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [37:04]
Kristen Wiig
It was my very first sketch. Jason Lee. Jason Lee was those Foo Fighters?
- [37:11]
Amy Poehler
Yes, Foo Fighters.
- [37:12]
Kristen Wiig
Foo. Foo Fighters. I did say that kind of thing. Foo Fighters. I'm so happy. That was my first sketch.
- [37:20]
Amy Poehler
That was your first sketch. And do you remember the first, like, I mean, the first character. You have so many. But do you remember the first one that was a recurring that you thought. Was it Target Lady? Like, where you felt like, oh, I'm gonna get to do this again? Like, I have some kind of. I don't know. I know it might. Was it a holes with Sudeikis?
- [37:37]
Kristen Wiig
It was either a holes or Target Lady. Yeah.
- [37:40]
Amy Poehler
I mean, for people who don't remember, you know, Kristin has done so many characters. I mean, we could talk about them all day. But there was Target lady, who was, of course, very, very excited about things getting approved and had an incredible haircut. Great wigs. Thank you. Incredible wig. And then another great wig. And another character was a holes, which is Sudeikis. Jason Sudeikis.
- [38:02]
Kristen Wiig
And you.
- [38:03]
Amy Poehler
And you guys were kind of like, just like the worst people to show up anywhere.
- [38:07]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [38:08]
Amy Poehler
And you did a great move where you would play with your hair and chew gum.
- [38:14]
Kristen Wiig
Real simple.
- [38:17]
Amy Poehler
So there you are, you're at SNL crushing it. Bridesmaids comes out. Bridesmaids comes out while you're on the show.
- [38:23]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [38:24]
Amy Poehler
That's. I don't think people understand that. I mean, I don't think I did either. The timeline of that. You were still on the show when the gigantic, incredible explosion that is Bridesmaids happens and you're still. And you know, a lot of people have to kind of launch and then figure out their way after they leave the show. You're kind of having this moment while you're still having a full time job on the show. What was that like? Was it hard to balance, like, going back and forth or shooting or press or any of that stuff? Or do you remember it being kind of smooth?
- [38:56]
Kristen Wiig
I don't really think I knew how well it was doing until, like, later, until I was off the show.
- [39:02]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, you had some more perspective on it.
- [39:04]
Kristen Wiig
I think so.
- [39:05]
Amy Poehler
And you and Annie Mumelo, who wrote it together, like, did you guys get to have a moment where you said looked at each other and said like, holy shit.
- [39:12]
Kristen Wiig
Later. Yeah, because I remember after opening weekend, they were like, well, we tried. We were like, sorry.
- [39:22]
Amy Poehler
Really? Why?
- [39:22]
Kristen Wiig
Because, because, you know, opening weekend was always the thing. It was a comedy and it didn't make a certain thing. And we were like, oh, well, okay. We just thought like that was it.
- [39:34]
Amy Poehler
Wow.
- [39:35]
Kristen Wiig
And then I think just more and more people kept seeing it and then.
- [39:38]
Amy Poehler
It kind of happened later.
- [39:39]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah, it was a grower.
- [39:40]
Amy Poehler
Wow, that's so cool. I mean, it's still. We talk, we're talking about stuff from 20 years ago, but it still remains a lot of people's favorite comedy. And it's still a spec for what it looks like to have like a bunch of women in a film together writing their own material. Like, what a hard, well done, mostly female. Com. Like, it's still such a superior piece of work. Wig.
- [40:06]
Kristen Wiig
Thank you, Amy. You're welcome.
- [40:10]
Amy Poehler
No question.
- [40:12]
Kristen Wiig
Got the commercial.
- [40:19]
Amy Poehler
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- [40:56]
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- [42:15]
Kristen Wiig
And.
- [42:15]
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- [42:25]
Amy Poehler
There's so many funny characters that I want to talk about, but I won't embarrass you by going through them. But I've said this to you before. My favorite character is the surprise lady. Thanks.
- [42:36]
Kristen Wiig
That's one of my favorites.
- [42:38]
Amy Poehler
I love her. I love her for a million reasons. I love her because the way you play her is so funny. I love her wig. Fantastic wig. Always in a turtleneck.
- [42:47]
Kristen Wiig
Always. Well, she had to hide in it. She had tied in it.
- [42:51]
Amy Poehler
That's right. That's right. Did you. Did you write.
- [42:56]
Kristen Wiig
It was in the script that we. Like that we pulled it over. Yes. And when I. When I say that was one of my favorites, that comes from doing it. Yeah. Like, I. I like being. I like doing. Being in a sketch where there's a lot of people and there are moments where everyone is looking around, like, what is going on? I love that moment. Yes. I love a cut to Kenan. Just.
- [43:24]
Amy Poehler
Like, we gotta get out of here. Like, Keenan is nuts.
- [43:28]
Kristen Wiig
It's my favorite thing.
- [43:29]
Amy Poehler
That actually would be a really good way to sum up a lot of your characters. Oh, yeah.
- [43:33]
Kristen Wiig
Most of my sketches, if you go back and look like, no, you gotta cut to people being weirded out by me to remind the audience that.
- [43:40]
Amy Poehler
But why I love the surprise lady so much is because there's a lot of wig in it. I think because she is nervous but excited and she loves a party and she cannot wait to deliver that good news. She can't wait. And the physicality of her and the way. So funny. God, I just watch clips of it all the time. Yes. I love it so much. It's so funny and stupid. Funny and stupid.
- [44:14]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [44:14]
Amy Poehler
Which is the best.
- [44:15]
Kristen Wiig
Which we know is the highest praise in comedy.
- [44:17]
Amy Poehler
Agree.
- [44:18]
Kristen Wiig
Like, the. The more people go, oh, that's so dumb.
- [44:22]
Amy Poehler
That's so dumb. And you're like, yay, I did it. Okay. Speaking of, like, hilarious, funny and physical, can you Just talk for a minute about what it's like to work with Carol Burnett on your season is coming out November 12th. Season two is coming out November. Okay. January 12th.
- [44:39]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [44:39]
Amy Poehler
Palm Royale.
- [44:43]
Kristen Wiig
So many things I could say about Carol. When I met her, I just fully cried, and I was not expecting it. And I don't. That is never. Except for when my kids were born and I saw them and I cried. I can't remember a time when I just. I didn't think I was gonna cry. And then they just. It just, like, burst out of my eyes. I wasn't expecting it. I. I watched her as a kid. There's. She's, as you know, she's just the greatest person.
- [45:14]
Amy Poehler
She was very important to us.
- [45:16]
Kristen Wiig
Yes. So important to us. And the fact that she just did it as a woman during that time, and so many people said no.
- [45:24]
Amy Poehler
It makes perfect sense that you guys were working together, because you definitely. I mean, you have that thing that she has, which is you're able to enter a scene and just dominate in that way in a hilarious, joyful, and confident way. But you also like tiny, small, and grounded things, too. I think you have a lot of other interests, too. Like, I actually think you, like, for people who don't know you're an artist, you love to. And you're a musician. What's your relationship to music and singing and making music?
- [45:59]
Kristen Wiig
Well, music is definitely the thing that I need to create anything else. Like, if I'm gonna draw, I have to have music on, or if I'm writing something, it's always to, like, music that I am picturing will be in this part of the thing. I think it, like, opens up that part of my brain that allows me to go in and be like, what do you really think? Because if I just sit there, I think, like, oh, what will they think? Does that make sense? Yeah, for sure. And then, I mean, I've always sang. Like, I sang in, like, you know, the choir when I was a kid.
- [46:37]
Amy Poehler
Have you ever thought about wanting to sing? Sing Sing?
- [46:41]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah.
- [46:41]
Amy Poehler
Like, I mean, you do sing sing, but, like.
- [46:43]
Kristen Wiig
But I would love to do, like, a. I know. Like, I know.
- [46:46]
Amy Poehler
Do a record.
- [46:48]
Kristen Wiig
I would love to do that.
- [46:50]
Amy Poehler
You should. You should.
- [46:51]
Kristen Wiig
But I don't even know how to, like, get started.
- [46:54]
Amy Poehler
Just this. Just. You just sing.
- [46:56]
Kristen Wiig
Can you weigh in on the comments on this?
- [46:59]
Amy Poehler
How does Kristin get started?
- [47:01]
Kristen Wiig
How did you get into the music business?
- [47:04]
Amy Poehler
It also feels like you could do. You could dip your toe into some version of it where it didn't have to feel so like, yeah, like.
- [47:12]
Kristen Wiig
Like a thing.
- [47:13]
Amy Poehler
Yeah. Like you could join someone's band. Whose band should you join.
- [47:19]
Kristen Wiig
Again? Weigh in. If you've got a band, just take them in a new direction. Just.
- [47:26]
Amy Poehler
Just quieter. It's just a little bit quieter.
- [47:28]
Kristen Wiig
Just calling them up. Be like, guys, I know you have your thing and your thing works great, but you've been doing it a long time. And we think, what if you chose.
- [47:37]
Amy Poehler
And your fans would love to sit down and I've got the music for it.
- [47:41]
Kristen Wiig
Your fans would love to put their arms down.
- [47:43]
Amy Poehler
Do you go to meet. Still go to rock shows anymore? Because when we were young and out and about, we did it up. We did it up.
- [47:51]
Kristen Wiig
That's why those. Honestly, the best years of my life, like being in New York and on.
- [47:55]
Amy Poehler
We and being young and we did it up. And now I do not do it.
- [48:00]
Kristen Wiig
No, don't do it. The thought of going to a concert.
- [48:05]
Amy Poehler
The thought of getting ready to go out at 11 o', clock, which is what I used to do.
- [48:09]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, my God, never.
- [48:12]
Amy Poehler
Can you imagine?
- [48:13]
Kristen Wiig
I go out to dinner with my friends at 6 o'. Clock.
- [48:15]
Amy Poehler
Okay, let's talk about sleep.
- [48:16]
Kristen Wiig
6Pm because I want to be home.
- [48:19]
Amy Poehler
I love to eat dinner at 6pm Me too. What's your ideal bedtime?
- [48:23]
Kristen Wiig
Well, you mean sleep or get in the bed? Great question, because those are different from ours.
- [48:30]
Amy Poehler
I would say, what is your ideal time to be in bed? When do you try to get in bed at 8:30?
- [48:37]
Kristen Wiig
9 o'. Clock.
- [48:38]
Amy Poehler
Love it.
- [48:38]
Kristen Wiig
Asleep by 10.
- [48:40]
Amy Poehler
10.
- [48:42]
Kristen Wiig
10:30.
- [48:43]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [48:43]
Kristen Wiig
Because I do like waking up early.
- [48:45]
Amy Poehler
Yes.
- [48:45]
Kristen Wiig
When everyone else is asleep. So I can have my. My little quiet time.
- [48:49]
Amy Poehler
Yeah. Because you have little ones and you have to kind of get ready for that. Because morning is intense.
- [48:53]
Kristen Wiig
Morning's tough.
- [48:54]
Amy Poehler
Yeah. Now that I have teenagers, it's really funny now, like, oh, there's my. Mornings are. I have five hours before people wake up. I'm like, it's 10:30. Yes. You have to get up.
- [49:04]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah, but don't they say it's like a brain thing?
- [49:06]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, they have to let them sleep.
- [49:09]
Kristen Wiig
And a teenager wrote that.
- [49:11]
Amy Poehler
I was like, mom, here. I heard it was a brain thing. You're supposed to sleep. The scientist said, okay, we're gonna get to Gabby's Dollhouse, which just came out.
- [49:23]
Kristen Wiig
Okay.
- [49:24]
Amy Poehler
So cute. Is it fun to play a villain? You've played him. Yes, I know. That character looks so funny and fun.
- [49:31]
Kristen Wiig
Well, my kids love Gabby's Dollhouse. Okay. And so I knew that this was gonna be. This was gonna go A long way for me at home.
- [49:40]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [49:41]
Kristen Wiig
And then the script happened to be really cute, and Ryan Crago, the director's dream. Awesome. Yeah. And it was just really fun. And we had the premiere on Saturday, and I got, like, a little emotional watching it because it's so positive. It is so.
- [50:02]
Amy Poehler
Mm.
- [50:03]
Kristen Wiig
It's got such a great message. And you know when you're in a theater just with other people having the same experience and, like, you're just completely blocked out from what's going on in the world. There was just something so like, oh, this is gonna go out in the world. And it's like, really nice.
- [50:18]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, I feel you, man. It's like the world is rough right now. And it's like anything that's like some kind of, like, funny or peaceful or I guess just like anything that just can, like, take you away.
- [50:31]
Kristen Wiig
I can't do anything dark right now. I can't do it.
- [50:33]
Amy Poehler
No, no, I can't. It's already. Everything is already so dark. I mean, that's why I ask my guests this and I'll ask you. This is like, what. What's making you laugh? Like, I'm asking people all the time, like, what are you. What do you watch on. We gotta fly. We gotta fly, right?
- [50:50]
Kristen Wiig
Uh oh.
- [50:51]
Amy Poehler
We gotta fly. Let's get it.
- [50:53]
Kristen Wiig
I was told there'd be no flies in here. I had a sweep before I got here.
- [50:57]
Amy Poehler
I have a fake. I have fake. I have fake bread that has a quarter in it. Let's see if we can catch the fly with that.
- [51:03]
Kristen Wiig
Why is there a quarter?
- [51:04]
Amy Poehler
I don't know.
- [51:04]
Kristen Wiig
I think because you need to have something in there, right?
- [51:06]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, it's a.
- [51:06]
Kristen Wiig
You don't want to feel bad for the.
- [51:08]
Amy Poehler
And then it's ceramic and. Yeah. There's change in it.
- [51:11]
Kristen Wiig
Do you have that thing sometimes when you feel bad for inanimate objects? Yes. So do I.
- [51:15]
Amy Poehler
Have you seen Julio Torres's stuff? He does a bunch of stuff about with inanimate objects. He's a stand up. He's hilarious.
- [51:22]
Kristen Wiig
But I think that's like a thing.
- [51:24]
Amy Poehler
And it is a very. Where I look at things and I feel like, oh, he's lonely.
- [51:29]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [51:30]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, I do.
- [51:31]
Kristen Wiig
That happens to me.
- [51:32]
Amy Poehler
Yeah. How does it manifest for you? How do you see it?
- [51:34]
Kristen Wiig
I remember so specifically I was in the bathroom, and you know how you have like. It's like a pill thing and maybe it's like. I don't know if it was like allergy pills and you pop them through and there's like two Right. And I needed two, but there was one left over. And so I grabbed that one and then one from the other one. And my dad was like, why didn't you just get two from this one? I was like, well, that one's been by itself for so long. And I. I feel like he thought that was cute, but I wonder if he was like, oh, no. Yes. I remember thinking, well, clearly I wouldn't just. These two have been together the whole time. This one's been by itself. Now I sound crazy.
- [52:13]
Amy Poehler
No, I completely relate. Like.
- [52:16]
Kristen Wiig
Like, when you're a kid, stuffed animals, like, you have to, like, make sure that, like, they can breathe.
- [52:22]
Amy Poehler
Why are you laughing? Yes.
- [52:23]
Kristen Wiig
Okay.
- [52:23]
Amy Poehler
And I often rotate because I think, well, you've had a good view for a while. And this one has been back. I feel bad when I'm like, this one has been behind the other one or in a drawer. And I'm like, that one has been in. In the dark for too long. Yes, I totally do that.
- [52:40]
Kristen Wiig
Okay, me too.
- [52:41]
Amy Poehler
And same with of just a random objects. And I wonder if there is some kind of, like, well, what's the. We're anthropomorphizing things. We're making them feel like they're human. But there must be some kind of connection to, like, our.
- [52:53]
Kristen Wiig
Or maybe we don't want to be left alone. Cut to commercial.
- [53:00]
Amy Poehler
Cut to commercial. Cut to a slow commercial.
- [53:03]
Kristen Wiig
Is that lip gloss? Cut to a.
- [53:05]
Amy Poehler
Cut to a sad lip gloss commercial.
- [53:10]
Kristen Wiig
Do you know how much money a makeup that would be so, so smart.
- [53:13]
Amy Poehler
Would be smart just having people put.
- [53:15]
Kristen Wiig
Their makeup on, but everyone's sad and.
- [53:17]
Amy Poehler
They'Re crying because people be like, did.
- [53:19]
Kristen Wiig
You see that commercial?
- [53:20]
Amy Poehler
You're right. That's a great idea.
- [53:22]
Kristen Wiig
Happy, like, putting on their makeup. What if people are just bummed out?
- [53:25]
Amy Poehler
You're so right. If they're bummed, tears are coming down.
- [53:28]
Kristen Wiig
And they're like, I remember that. I'm buying that.
- [53:31]
Amy Poehler
Or they come. They come home after a long night, and they're like. They throw up. And then they put their makeup back on.
- [53:36]
Kristen Wiig
Yes. And then they put it back on.
- [53:37]
Amy Poehler
You're so right.
- [53:38]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah. Clinique.
- [53:45]
Amy Poehler
So what are you listening to? Watching. Do you watch comedy?
- [53:50]
Kristen Wiig
No.
- [53:51]
Amy Poehler
I know it's hard, right?
- [53:52]
Kristen Wiig
I can't do it. I have a hard time watching. It's not hard. But as a kid, I think what made me fall in love with TV and film is that I would get. Get completely lost in it. Now I'm like, oh, they shot this at night. Did they eat before like, is this the beginning of the night shoot? You know what I mean?
- [54:14]
Amy Poehler
Hair is different. Oh, his hair is different. They shot this out of order.
- [54:17]
Kristen Wiig
I noticed that stuff, and it drives me insane.
- [54:20]
Amy Poehler
Me, too. And my kids sometimes, you know, I'll be like, this isn't in Canada. They'll be like, mom. I'm like, oh, it's not Canada.
- [54:27]
Kristen Wiig
I totally noticed that too.
- [54:29]
Amy Poehler
The trees, and they're just like, mom, stop.
- [54:32]
Kristen Wiig
I totally do that too.
- [54:34]
Amy Poehler
Okay, so.
- [54:35]
Kristen Wiig
So I. I do watch reality.
- [54:37]
Amy Poehler
Oh, what kind of react.
- [54:39]
Kristen Wiig
Not ashamed.
- [54:40]
Amy Poehler
You shouldn't be.
- [54:40]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, I'm a Bravo gal, for sure.
- [54:42]
Amy Poehler
Okay, what.
- [54:42]
Kristen Wiig
Who. Who are you all?
- [54:45]
Amy Poehler
Have you done the bra? Have you done Andy Cohen and talked about watch. Have you done that and talked about the housewives? Who are your faves? Who do you love?
- [54:54]
Kristen Wiig
So many. I mean, there's. It depends. Like, different cities have different. I'm. I'm about to. Salt Lake just started a new.
- [55:02]
Amy Poehler
A new season.
- [55:03]
Kristen Wiig
Yes, A new season of Salt Lake, which is one of my favorite.
- [55:07]
Amy Poehler
Okay. Jenna just said, what makes Salt Lake so good for people like myself that don't know.
- [55:13]
Kristen Wiig
It's just bonkers.
- [55:17]
Amy Poehler
Great.
- [55:19]
Kristen Wiig
Everything that makes. Just the fashion. The what? The ladies, they're just. I love it so much. I have noticed, like, at night, it probably isn't the best thing to watch before I go to sleep.
- [55:33]
Amy Poehler
Because it gives you nightmares because of.
- [55:34]
Kristen Wiig
The yelling and the brightness and, like, all the things you're not supposed to have before you go to sleep.
- [55:39]
Amy Poehler
Right. The yelling and the brightness.
- [55:41]
Kristen Wiig
But I love watching non acting.
- [55:47]
Amy Poehler
Yes.
- [55:48]
Kristen Wiig
It helps my brain, not. It helps me turn it off a little bit.
- [55:53]
Amy Poehler
Now I get a little embarrassed for people and stressed for them.
- [55:57]
Kristen Wiig
Watching reality. Oh, reality. Yes. Oh, I. Yes. But.
- [56:02]
Amy Poehler
But what is it about watching non acting that, like, relaxes you? Because I've heard that quite a bit from people who watch it. It's like. It's weirdly relaxing, even though there's, like, conflict and all that stuff. Can you. Do you know why?
- [56:15]
Kristen Wiig
Well, I think with acting, you're watching someone who has looked at a scene, studied a scene. They're doing the scene. They've edited it. It's the best version. There's effort there. There's so many people working on it. And then with reality, it's just like this just happened. These two people were talking and this lady said that thing and. Oh, my God. And I just. I don't know. I like just being out in the world and seeing these people.
- [56:42]
Amy Poehler
Yes.
- [56:43]
Kristen Wiig
Walk around and just their parties and their outfit.
- [56:47]
Amy Poehler
There's so many parties.
- [56:49]
Kristen Wiig
I love these women.
- [56:51]
Amy Poehler
Can we watch a clip from Salt Lake that you would if you were to. If. I've never. I've never watched Salt Lake. Oh.
- [56:58]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, my God.
- [56:59]
Amy Poehler
I know this is hard, but what would be one? I guess maybe Jen is also waiting.
- [57:03]
Kristen Wiig
What about when. When the. The van. When Jen Shaw gets. I would say yes. Sprinter van.
- [57:10]
Amy Poehler
Sprinter van.
- [57:11]
Kristen Wiig
You can't just write sprinter van because you will get every franchise.
- [57:15]
Amy Poehler
We're always in a sprinter van going this way. I genuinely don't know what I'm going to see here.
- [57:21]
Kristen Wiig
Okay, should I give you some context? Please, please. So Jen Shaw is currently. Right. Or she get out. Incarcerated.
- [57:29]
Amy Poehler
She's incarcerated.
- [57:30]
Kristen Wiig
Okay, okay. With Elizabeth Holmes. They're in the same.
- [57:34]
Amy Poehler
And they're buddies. One can help. One can help.
- [57:39]
Kristen Wiig
They were going on a trip and the FBI.
- [57:46]
Amy Poehler
There's so much exciting laughter. Because that's what I'm taking my time.
- [57:50]
Kristen Wiig
Up to talk about. About.
- [57:51]
Amy Poehler
No, I love it.
- [57:52]
Kristen Wiig
The FBI was raiding her. I'm just looking at you, Jenna. Raiding her house.
- [57:56]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [57:56]
Kristen Wiig
So she, like, didn't show up. And it's the. All the girls on the van realizing what is happening. I'm not selling it as well. You have to.
- [58:06]
Amy Poehler
So, okay, when the FBI shows up, is this.
- [58:11]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah, maybe that's it.
- [58:13]
Amy Poehler
There's a couple here, but the police are looking for.
- [58:17]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, but it's when she's on. Oh, this is what it is. She's on the van she's in, and she's like, oh, okay.
- [58:24]
Amy Poehler
She finds out and she leaves, saying.
- [58:27]
Kristen Wiig
That her husband's in the hospital.
- [58:30]
Amy Poehler
Oh, is that the clip where she goes on a long rant about my husband's in the hospital? No, that's not Jen show. Okay. Okay, here we go. Let's see what this is. This is incredible. What if she's on the run?
- [58:45]
Kristen Wiig
Like, get a head start hurt.
- [58:47]
Amy Poehler
Yeah, that's true. They're all on the phone.
- [58:59]
Kristen Wiig
Wait, you think call Sharif. You think she got a tip off call that this was.
- [59:05]
Amy Poehler
Okay. They're all on the phone in the sprinter van, all with sunglasses on.
- [59:09]
Kristen Wiig
I'm just gonna messenger.
- [59:11]
Amy Poehler
No one's taking their sunglasses off.
- [59:13]
Kristen Wiig
Amy. This is.
- [59:14]
Amy Poehler
That was one minute of an entire episode almost.
- [59:19]
Kristen Wiig
I can't recommend it enough.
- [59:20]
Amy Poehler
I gotta tell you, when you explain it, it does sound fun. I mean, there is something about Real Housewives, which is like, if you didn't get on board, it's like, I don't even know where to start.
- [59:30]
Kristen Wiig
I can tell you what season to start. With any city. Because there are seasons to miss.
- [59:34]
Amy Poehler
Okay. Okay. That's good to know. I wouldn't mind that because I have heard. I mean, Las Coltristas, Bowen, they're obsessed and they talk a lot about Salt Lake.
- [59:42]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [59:43]
Amy Poehler
And I do feel like now might be the time to start. If there's a new season starting.
- [59:46]
Kristen Wiig
If you have 3,000 hours to kill.
- [59:54]
Amy Poehler
Now is the time. Now is the time.
- [59:57]
Kristen Wiig
You know, the holidays are coming. You're going to be all smuggled in.
- [60:00]
Amy Poehler
But I kind of get it. It's like, with the world being like. So there's so much like that these stakes are relative. I mean, she did go to jail.
- [60:08]
Kristen Wiig
She did.
- [60:09]
Amy Poehler
She went to jail. And not one person took their sunglasses off the whole time.
- [60:13]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, Amy. They can't.
- [60:19]
Amy Poehler
Amazing. Amazing. Oh, my God.
- [60:21]
Kristen Wiig
All right.
- [60:22]
Amy Poehler
Love you, wig. I'm so grateful you came and did this. I hope you had a good time.
- [60:26]
Kristen Wiig
I had the best time. Is it over?
- [60:27]
Amy Poehler
Is there anything I asked you about Hayter? Is there anything else we need to ask?
- [60:33]
Kristen Wiig
And thank you to Bill for doing this. That was really sweet, Bill. I know. Love that guy.
- [60:37]
Amy Poehler
I know. And you guys are so good in Skeleton Twins, by the way. What a great. I mean, so many. You've done so many great things, like. But the. The. The way in which you naturally. Like, it's just very brother sister stuff there.
- [60:51]
Kristen Wiig
Totally.
- [60:52]
Amy Poehler
It's so natural there. Do you believe in past lives before we go?
- [60:56]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [60:56]
Amy Poehler
You do?
- [60:57]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, my God, yes.
- [60:58]
Amy Poehler
And do you feel like there are people in your life that you've known before?
- [61:00]
Kristen Wiig
Oh, yeah. Oh, fully. I think especially people in your inner circle have been there before for sure.
- [61:09]
Amy Poehler
Yes. I do, too. You meet someone and there is something about you and Bill in that film that feels very familial.
- [61:16]
Kristen Wiig
I love that. Maybe. Yeah.
- [61:18]
Amy Poehler
I wonder.
- [61:20]
Kristen Wiig
I believe in all that stuff.
- [61:21]
Amy Poehler
You do. What's the most woohoo thing you believe in? Do you believe in?
- [61:26]
Kristen Wiig
Yes. I mean, I probably do.
- [61:32]
Amy Poehler
Do you believe in God? Ghosts?
- [61:35]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [61:35]
Amy Poehler
Have you seen a ghost?
- [61:37]
Kristen Wiig
No, I haven't seen one, but I've felt them. There have been times when I've gone into. I can. When I go into a place, sometimes I can.
- [61:46]
Amy Poehler
You can feel the energy.
- [61:47]
Kristen Wiig
Especially if, like, maybe someone died there.
- [61:49]
Amy Poehler
Do you believe in astral projection? Like people visiting each other in dreams?
- [61:53]
Kristen Wiig
Yes.
- [61:54]
Amy Poehler
You do?
- [61:54]
Kristen Wiig
Yes. My great aunt visited me in a dream after she died. Wow. Yes. Totally.
- [62:00]
Amy Poehler
What was that like? What was.
- [62:01]
Kristen Wiig
I woke up and I sobbed and I was like 14, but I knew she was there.
- [62:08]
Amy Poehler
Wow.
- [62:08]
Kristen Wiig
Yeah. Wow. I believe in all that stuff.
- [62:12]
Amy Poehler
I know. What do we know? What do we know? I'm trying to be less of it.
- [62:15]
Kristen Wiig
Is, like, science based.
- [62:17]
Amy Poehler
Yeah. I'm trying to be more open, and that's actually a goal of mine is like, to try to be, like, less of a detective when it comes to that stuff and just kind of of like, open it up into my life. I don't want any ghosts. I don't want to see.
- [62:31]
Kristen Wiig
I don't want to have anything to do with. I love ghosts.
- [62:34]
Amy Poehler
I respect them. I just don't want to see them.
- [62:36]
Kristen Wiig
No. I have had my house ghostbuster, though. Yes.
- [62:43]
Amy Poehler
A professional ghostbuster.
- [62:45]
Kristen Wiig
Online? Yes.
- [62:46]
Amy Poehler
Okay.
- [62:47]
Kristen Wiig
Online.
- [62:50]
Amy Poehler
No.
- [62:50]
Kristen Wiig
My friend had her house ghostbusters ghost busted. And she was telling the story. She's like, I don't know. I call her. She lives in New Mexico. I was like, that's crazy. What's her number? Because she told me things that had happened after post bust, and I was like, oh, this is interesting.
- [63:09]
Amy Poehler
And we've learned from psychic Mike that you will pack up if somebody tells.
- [63:14]
Kristen Wiig
You to pack up. I will get out of there.
- [63:15]
Amy Poehler
Yeah.
- [63:15]
Kristen Wiig
And I did it, and I swear to God, my house felt different.
- [63:23]
Amy Poehler
She did it online.
- [63:24]
Kristen Wiig
I love her, though.
- [63:25]
Amy Poehler
That's great. I love you, Wig.
- [63:27]
Kristen Wiig
Thanks for doing this.
- [63:28]
Amy Poehler
So much. Meant so much that you did it.
- [63:30]
Kristen Wiig
Thank you.
- [63:32]
Amy Poehler
Thank you so much. Kristen, you are awesome. You just. It was so fun to have you here. And, like, I really do count myself lucky that I got to be on the same timeline as you, let alone the same show as you. And for this polar plunge, you know, we. I didn't even know where to start to talk about the hilarious comedy that Kristen has given us over the years. So I just. I want to take this time to just remind everybody of all of the ridiculous, hilarious characters that Kristen has given to us over the years. Denise from the Lawrence Welk show and Gilly and Penelope and who else? God, so many. We target lady. And we talked about the lady who couldn't wait to, you know, ruin a surprise. And Judy Grimes and oh, my God. And. And Shanna Shauna, the, like, sexy lady at the office and the Hollywood dish lady who spits her water out. And Mindy Grayson, the woman who can't get password. I mean, this looks like I could. I can't stop and. And won't stop. But anyway, I just. Just do yourself a favor and look those all up. I mean, honestly, if you're looking for something to make you laugh, any clip from Wig Anytime is going to do that. So thank you so much for coming and doing the show Wig. Appreciate it and thanks so much for listening and check us out again soon. Bye. You've been listening to good hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weissberman and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by by the Ringer and Paper Kite for the Ringer production by Jack Wilson, cat Spillane, Kaia McMullen and Alaia Zaneris for Paper Kite production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.
- [65:31]
Kristen Wiig
Your teen adjective used to describe an individual whose spirit is unyielding, unconstrained, one who navigates life on their own terms, effortlessly. They do not always show up on time, but when they arrive, you notice an individual confident in their contradictions. They know the rules but behave as if they do not exist. New teen the new fragrance by Miu Miu defined by you.