Rachel Dratch

Summary

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Episode: Rachel Dratch

Date: October 7, 2025

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Overview

This joyful, nostalgia-soaked episode of “Good Hang” sees Amy Poehler welcome her longtime friend and comedic collaborator Rachel Dratch for a warm, riotous conversation that spans their parallel Massachusetts upbringings, career origins, the legacy of “Debbie Downer,” astrology, Broadway dreams, friendship, and why Annie changed their lives. With signature quick wit, vulnerability, and warmth, Amy and Rachel deliver a longform catch-up between old friends—complete with props, tangents, and behind-the-scenes SNL and theater tales. Notably, Kevin Cahoon (actor and friend) helps kick off the episode with heartfelt Dratch appreciation and pointed questions about theater influences and fighting doom with laughter.

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Key Segments & Insights

1. Kickoff with Kevin Cahoon—Friendship, Theater, and Psychic Readings

[02:19 – 12:20]

• Kevin Cahoon joins via Zoom to share stories of his friendship with Dratch, which began doing Minsky’s in LA. He credits a birthday psychic reading (from Amy) for foreshadowing their show closing out of town.
• Kevin and Amy reflect on Rachel’s steadfast, nourishing friendship, describing her as a “cheerleader” who’s always there for her friends in good times and bad.
• Kevin lauds Rachel’s theater chops, noting her “remarkable” Tony-nominated Broadway debut, and admires her versatility: “She can do everything. That’s why you hire Rachel Dratch.” (09:14)
• Kevin’s questions for Rachel: What musicals and performers inspired little “theater kid” Dratch? And, as the creator of Debbie Downer, what lifts her out of her own gloom?

"Life is a little brighter when Rach is around."
—Kevin Cahoon [06:13]

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2. Amy & Dratch Reminisce: Headphones, Laughter, and Zodiac Chaos

[12:57 – 20:00]

• Rachel kicks off by bringing her “world famous” (tangled) headphones as a running gag prop—a nod to the group chaos that launched the podcast.
• The duo dissect the viral first-episode laughter, the uncontrollable nature of true comedic breaks, and Dratch’s “many kinds of laughs.”
• Astrology comes up: Rachel’s extreme Pisces-ness (confirmed on TikTok) gets Amy’s Virgo commentaries—"Pisces are kind of the fish that are floating through life, and Virgo is the virgin setting the rules." (18:36)

"I feel like you do definitely have a dreamlike approach and an adventurous approach to life."
—Amy Poehler to Dratch [19:05]

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3. Parallel Upbringings: Massachusetts, Annie Obsession, and Early Comedy

[19:53 – 27:15]

• Both grew up in neighboring MA towns: Lexington (Rachel) and Burlington (Amy). They reminisce about working at the same ice cream store, Chadwick's, and their parallel “short, blue-eyed Massachusetts girls” lives.
• Rachel’s early years: Shy, SNL fan since grade school, but not focused on acting as a career. Earned “class clown” superlative.
• Both discuss formative, funny families—Rachel cites her dad’s classroom impressions.

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4. From School Plays to College Improv

[27:15 – 33:40]

• Rachel describes discovering improv at Dartmouth during an otherwise “conservative” era, joining “Said and Done,” and the impact of finding her people.
• Both women share how college improv gave permission and opened new doors—Amy’s group was “My Mother’s Fleabag.”
• Both had little concept of entertainment as a realistic career path and harbored ordinary childhood ambitions (“marine biologist,” “therapist,” etc.).

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5. Chicago: Second City, Early Struggles, and Meeting Amy

[33:40 – 39:10]

• Dratch details moving to Chicago to “give it a shot,” facing rejections (“everything I did I kind of didn’t get the first time around”), but persevering through Second City classes, eventually joining the touring company and mainstage.
• Amy and Rachel recall their first meeting—Amy remembers seeing Rachel perform (“she’s so funny!”), Rachel remembers Amy’s “sunshiny” demeanor.
• Rachel notes that Amy and the UCB crew’s move to New York felt “pioneering.”

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6. Second City Mainstage & The Arrival of Tina Fey

[39:10 – 46:47]

• Tina Fey arrives on Second City’s mainstage, forming a trio with Amy and Rachel—three women was then a “revolutionary” move.
• Dratch fondly remembers four years on the mainstage as “such a fun job. It might have been my favorite job ever.” (33:42)
• The collaborative theater writing process at Second City—differences from SNL writing.

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7. Saturday Night Live: The Debbie Downer Era

[46:46 – 56:38]

• Rachel joins SNL as the only new cast member in fall 1999; describes the challenge and loneliness (“it was hard, because that place is like... you're kind of just wandering the halls…”).
• The difficulty of translating stage sketch to SNL, the memory of her first cut scenes, and the anxiety of trying to get on the air.
• Behind the scenes of “Debbie Downer”:
  • Rachel shares the true origins: A therapist-mandated solo trip to Costa Rica, “law of attraction” discussions with strangers, and a dinner conversation that turned awkward—sparked the “Debbie Downer” archetype.
  • The famous Disney World sketch: Written with Paula Pell, it was “just for ourselves” before the idea of the trombone sound effect was added.
  • The now-legendary first airing: “I just flubbed one of the lines... we all started... But thankfully you just, like the good Pisces fish, you went along for the... It’s so joyous watching it because it is just... what real live TV is supposed to feel like.” (52:55–53:37)
  • Discussion of why true creative ideas rarely result from forced effort, but from those “open channel” moments.

"I have to laugh every time I watch it."
—Rachel Dratch on watching the original Debbie Downer sketch [45:28]

"It's the serotonin boost."
—Amy Poehler, on why she re-watches that sketch [46:33]

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8. Friendship, Lifting Out of the "Derblues," and the Importance of Good Company

[55:00 – 58:40]

• Amy (via Kevin’s question) asks what lifts Rachel out of the Debbie Downer blues. Rachel’s real answer: “Meeting with friends out in New York... that's my honest answer.” (56:22)
• The pair tear up discussing how much they lift each other’s spirits.
• Rachel describes the value of having friends you can be your true self with: “I like if you show up to a friend and you don't have to be anything other than what you're feeling…” (57:23)

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9. Broadway Dreams & Tony Nominations

[58:52 – 61:24]

• Dratch recounts performing in POTUS with a “disparate group that meshed really well,” relishing the “freedom and fun” of stage performance.
• The visceral thrill of “just you in the audience,” and connecting with their energy.
• On receiving her Tony nomination: Rachel was at home, casually watching, and was completely shocked: “When you're in comedy, you just don't really think like that.” (60:44)

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10. Theater Influences & Musicals (Kevin’s Question)

[61:24 – 64:53]

• Rachel’s three formative influences:
  1. Annie—"Everyone's your age. How do I get in this?" Also, so many girl parts.
  2. Comedy icons (Gilda Radner, Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin)—major TV and stage influences for young women (“You're just seeing that and you're not delineating…”)
  3. Fame & Hair—the musical Fame, its soundtrack, and “Hair,” especially the movie’s bittersweet emotion and music.

“This is probably the same too—Gilda Radner, Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin.”
—Rachel Dratch [63:23]

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11. Stage Versatility & Show Biz Tangents

[64:53 – 68:49]

• Both recount the “Once Upon a Mattress” school play—Amy as Winifred, Rachel as Lady Larkin (hilariously bland in her sanitized middle school version).
• Amy and Rachel riff on the lack of contemporary “Hair” revivals for people their age.
• The comedy of playing “maids” and comedic side characters—embracing clown work and making merry.

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12. Rachel’s Podcast “Woo Woo” & Creative Openness

[70:30 – 73:27]

• Amy plugs Rachel’s podcast Woo Woo, “for people who like weird, ghosty, spooky stories.” Dratch describes her accidental increasing openness to the woo world, channeling fun stories from friends.
• Both recall being pregnant together and consulting a psychic—the forecast for Dratch becoming a mom at 43 (which came true).
• Dratch’s position: “Why not believe that that thing was not a coincidence?”

“Once you're kind of open to it, the more open you are, the more woo woo you might become.”
—Rachel Dratch [73:09]

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13. Lightning Questions & The Chadwick’s Ice Cream Chant

[74:52 – End]

• Amy asks an impromptu conflict-style/zombie scenario—Dratch declares she’d “freeze.”
• They close with a detailed recreation of the Chadwick’s ice cream shop birthday chant and “Belly Buster” lore—a loving, absurd tribute to their mutual Massachusetts roots.
• Joking about haunted ice cream shops and failed attempts by teens to finish enormous sundaes.

“Ghost of Chadwick’s… For my podcast.”
—Rachel Dratch [78:09]

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Notable Quotes

• “Life is a little brighter when Rach is around.” —Kevin Cahoon [06:13]
• “Pisces are kind of the fish that are floating through life, and Virgo is the virgin setting the rules.” —Amy Poehler [18:36]
• “You bring this up and, you know, I ask this question to people on this podcast, and I truly feel like it is because of Debbie Downer that I ask this question. Again, I owe you a lot of money and thank you for building this podcast with me.” —Amy Poehler [45:05]
• “Meeting with friends out in New York... that's my honest answer.” —Rachel Dratch, on what lifts her out of gloom [56:22]
• “You are a friend in good times and bad, in sunny weather and stormy weather, and you just can always show up as the version of yourself.” —Amy Poehler [57:33]
• “Once you're kind of open to it... the more woo woo you might become.” —Rachel Dratch [73:09]

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Episode Timestamps – Highlights

| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|--------------| | Kevin Cahoon intro and Rachel origin story | 02:19–12:20 | | Dratch’s headphones bit & viral laughter | 13:09–14:49 | | Massachusetts upbringing, Annie, class clown| 19:53–21:04 | | Theater camp, discovering improv | 24:07–27:15 | | Meeting Amy in Chicago, early improv | 33:40–39:10 | | SNL, Debbie Downer genesis | 46:46–53:37 | | Friendship, lifting out of “Derblues” | 55:00–58:40 | | Tony nom and Broadway experience | 59:02–61:24 | | Annie, Gilda, Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin | 61:24–64:53 | | Woo Woo podcast and psychic stories | 70:30–73:27 | | Chadwick’s birthday chant | 75:37–78:55 |

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Conclusion

This episode is a masterclass in joyful vulnerability and comedic nostalgia. Amy and Rachel embrace their shared past, dissect the factors that sparked their careers, and openly celebrate the enduring power of friendship, creative resilience, and laughter. The conversation is peppered with listener-friendly asides, signature props, and loving tangents that reveal both women as brilliantly silly—but deeply sincere—friends and collaborators.

Fans of sketch comedy, SNL, or just two friends making each other laugh will find “Good Hang” at its most affable and memorable in this Rachel Dratch episode.

Transcript

[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-preowned to learn more. Hi everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I am so excited about this episode. It is the great Rachel Dratch, my friend for almost 30 years and America's favorite. And we are going to talk about so much good stuff. We're going to talk about growing up in Massachusetts, we're going to talk about our love for the musical Annie. And we're going to go behind the music and do a deep dive into the world famous clip that kicked this podcast off and that has kept us laughing ever since. So get ready for a great interview. Before we start, we always like to talk to someone who knows our guest is a fan of our guest, has a question that they want to give me and I'm very excited to talk to Kevin Cahoon today. Kevin is a dear friend of Rachel. He is an incredible actor, musical theater pro, Tony, nominated for the great musical Shucked, and you can catch him in a million other things. And Kevin is zooming in to get things started. Kevin hi. This episode is brought to you by Palmolive. Some of the best memories you'll ever make are around the dinner table. You'll never regret trying out those new recipes that may or may not go sideways or putting on a spread so big that your in laws are still talking about it years later. Brownie points. So when it comes to the dishes, it's nice to know there's a product that works as hard as you do. Palmolive Ultra removes up to 99% of grease, leaving your dishes sparkling clean. Visit palmolive.com shop now.

[Rachel Dratch]

Hi.

[Amy Poehler]

I feel so lucky.

[Kevin Cahoon]

I'm the luckiest I get to see you on this Tuesday.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. I wish we were having margaritas with Dratch.

[Kevin Cahoon]

Hey, listen, wouldn't that be great? That's a good hang right there.

[Amy Poehler]

That is for listeners. I've had a few margaritas with Kevin and Dratch over the years. Pre show, post show because both of you are on Broadway.

[Kevin Cahoon]

Well, listen, anytime I can hang out with you.

[Rachel Dratch]

How are you?

[Kevin Cahoon]

I'm so great. How are you?

[Amy Poehler]

Where are we talking to you from?

[Kevin Cahoon]

I am in Texas at my mom's place. Rural Texas Outside of Houston, it's a sunny day. We've had four days of torrential rain, and I'm dealing with these wild hogs. I know this is crazy. They're wild feral hogs that show up in the middle of the night and they tear up your property. They travel in packs of 30 and I've set up alarms all around and I think they're working. But last night we had a few come and the alarms went off in the middle of the night, which there's nothing more terrifying. And I'm good with animals and I grew up with a lot of animals and I'm fine with animals. Not these animals. Not a fan. It's worth a Google if anyone wants to Google Texas wild feral hogs.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I mean, the, the, the thing.

[Amy Poehler]

That I was so excited to talk to you about today is that you, like many of us, deeply love our guest, Rachel Gretch Beyond. Tell me how you two first met.

[Kevin Cahoon]

We met doing a musical called Minsky's in la, written by Charles Strauss and Susan Birkenhead and Bob Martin. It was coming to Broadway, a star studded cast. And it closed in la, which is, you know, the, the great showbiz tale. But what you take away from experiences like that are the people and you usually have one or two from each show. And I fell in love with Rach immediately. What's not to fall in love with? And she had told me she had gone to a psychic, that I think you had bought her this psychic reading for her birthday.

[Amy Poehler]

That's right. I should talk to her about that because if she's open to it, because her and I both went to the same psychic at the same time. When we were both pregnant.

[Kevin Cahoon]

Yes, that's right. And she had gone. We had. Before the show, we would go, I would go to her dressing room and we would have a day catch up. What'd you do today? Who'd you see? Where'd your lunch? And she had said, I went to the psychic. And the psychic told me that our show was going to close out of town. And we were like, they're crazy. That'll never happen. We're moving into the St. James Theater. Well, the psychic was right. But anyway, that was probably 15, 16, 17 years ago. And it has just been the most nourishing, fulfilling, steadfast friendship that I could have ever, ever imagined. And then I've gotten to have new friends like you that I have met through Rach. And you know that they're a good friend when you meet their friends and those Friends become your friends as well. So it, it's just been the most rewarding friendship I could have ever imagined.

[Amy Poehler]

I hear you. I feel the same. I feel like there's a few friends that. And it's proven to be true now that Rachel and I have been friends for almost 30 years. There's a few people that, you know in success and in, quote, failure, in good times and in bad times, they're gonna weather that storm with you. And that's not always the case with everyone. Sometimes people are better when things are going badly. Right. They're like, they like that. And sometimes people wanna hear when you're succeeding. That's what they. When they wanna be along for the ride. But Rachel Dratch definitely is there for both if you're lucky enough to have her as your friend.

[Kevin Cahoon]

That is so true. And she's a wonderful gift giver. She never forgets an occasion where she's gonna bring you a little something. You know, I did a Broadway show that ran nine months and she was there opening night, she was there closing night, she was there in between, she came again. She brought friends. It's just. She is a cheerleader for those that she loves. She is a champion. She'll go to bat. She just. Life is a little brighter when Rach is around.

[Amy Poehler]

Kahun, let's talk about Shucked, which is the show you're talking about.

[Kevin Cahoon]

That's true.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

I loved you in it and loved that show so much.

[Kevin Cahoon]

You were so dear to come, so it meant the world to me. And let me tell you what, Amy Poehler, you're one of those friends because not only did you come to Shuck, I did a production of La Cage Fall in the Fall. You came to LA Cage. You are there. I mean, you're, you know, you birds of a feather fly together. You guys are just exemplary friends.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, friend, thank you for saying that. That means a lot. And I love. I mean, it's not hard work to go to a really fun show and watch you. Before we get to your question, I do want to. I'm going to talk to Dratch a little bit about her Tony nom and, and how, I mean. Cause I know from being her friend how positive an experience that was for her, like great women, that she became really good friends with a Tony nom. A hilarious part. Do you remember that time and what she said about that experience when she was working on that show?

[Kevin Cahoon]

Well, here's the incredible thing, and it's so rare she got a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut Damn. Ever happens. That is, like, remarkable. And I've seen Rachel on stage so many times at the Public Shakespeare in the Park, Manhattan Theater Club. She is always the standout. And when you do a Broadway show, whether you want to admit it or not, there's always a part of you that thinks maybe, just maybe, that childhood dream would come true. That show that I watch once a year in June, maybe I could be a part of that show. And then when it happens, it is just. It's the most. It's the biggest embrace you could ever imagine from a community that you've always wanted to be a part of. And, you know, a lot of people probably know Rachel from television and from film, but her theater career is just as sparkling and just as dynamic and diverse as her impact on tv film.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, she's played so many different types of characters. It's actually a good question. She's played, like, men and dogs and people and, like, mothers and robots and whatever. She. She can do it all.

[Kevin Cahoon]

She can do everything. That's why you hire Rachel Dratch, you.

[Amy Poehler]

Know, it's so true.

[Kevin Cahoon]

It's so true. We should all be as versatile as Rachel Dratch, you know?

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

So, Kev, what do you think? I mean, I could talk to Dratch and will probably today forever about so many things. The past, the present, the future. Any you think I should ask her today?

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes.

[Kevin Cahoon]

It was hard to pick one question. I have two that I think are sparkly. One is about the theater, because I feel like a lot of people don't realize that Rachel Dratch was a theater kid, and she went to theater camp, and her dream and ambition was to be in plays and in musicals. And then her career took a brilliant detour. I would ask her, little Rachel Dratch going to theater camp. What were her three beacons of light in the American theater? A musical, a performer. Who was it that filled her with, I want to do that. That's what I want to be when I grow up?

[Amy Poehler]

Such a good question.

[Kevin Cahoon]

That was the one question. And then this is something that inspires me about Rachel. She brought us all Debbie Downer, one of the most iconic American comedic characters. When Rachel Dratch is thinking about feline AIDS and North Korean train accidents and insurrections, what is that catalyst that gets her out of her doom and gloom and brings her back to reality? That would be another question.

[Amy Poehler]

Debbie would want me to point out that it is good that you brought up feline aids, because it is the number one killer of domestic cats.

[Kevin Cahoon]

Well, that's true. Listen, we've talked about feral hogs and feline aids. What's next, baby?

[Amy Poehler]

Texas baby? These are such good questions, Kevin. And she. I don't think she knows that I'm talking to you today.

[Kevin Cahoon]

I did not tell her.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, good. I didn't tell her either.

[Kevin Cahoon]

I even had a little. We had a little Kiki yesterday, and I was zipped, lipped. So.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God, I'm so happy because she's going to be so happy. These are really good questions. And I think nobody loves a good question more than Dratch. Like, if you ask Dratch a good question, she's like, that's such a good question.

[Kevin Cahoon]

She will say that. I guarantee you she will. And I had told Blake Lee, who was on. Who's a dear mutual friend of ours who was on for Dakota. I told him not five days ago, Amy, I was like, you were so incredible on Amy's podcast. It's so fabulous that you were on there. It is so chic. What a cool thing. I'm so proud of you. And then my phone dinged, and it was you.

[Rachel Dratch]

And cahoots.

[Kevin Cahoon]

It just. I can't thank you enough.

[Rachel Dratch]

Are you kidding me?

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you for taking a break from fighting the hogs. And. And if, you know, if you are eventually eaten by them, just know that our time together was so special to me.

[Kevin Cahoon]

It was. And I cherish every single minute.

[Rachel Dratch]

All right.

[Amy Poehler]

I can't wait to see you in New York, friend.

[Kevin Cahoon]

I love you so much.

[Rachel Dratch]

Love you.

[Amy Poehler]

Thanks so much for doing.

[Rachel Dratch]

This.

[Amy Poehler]

Message is brought to you by Apple Card. Each Apple product, like the iPhone, is thoughtfully designed by skilled designers. The titanium Apple card is no different. It's laser etched, has no numbers, and earns you daily cash on everything you buy, including 3% back on everything at Apple. Apply for Apple Card on your iPhone in minutes. Subject to credit approval. Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch terms and more at applecard.com Rachel Dratch is here.

[Rachel Dratch]

Are we starting? Is it official? Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And we need to talk about. Wait, what? What do you got?

[Rachel Dratch]

Let's get started here. I'll get this. Rachel's pulling out the world famous. You've seen it. You've seen them before. This is my new trademark, everybody. Smithsonian. These are going in the Smithsonian Academy of tv, by the way. I didn't tangle this. This is how it came out where I was storing it. This is the. These are the. This is in their natural state. World famous Rachel Dratch headphones. Shot fired, heard around the world. These headphones is where it all began. The chaos beginning. Oh, my. Look at that. Now that I'm with Amy, everything's all right. Okay. We don't even use these, but I had to bring those up.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, God. Dratch.

[Rachel Dratch]

Historical item. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

Of course, Dratch brings a prop.

[Rachel Dratch]

Brings the prop from home.

[Amy Poehler]

For people that didn't see our first episode of Good, Hank Dratch was in the group that was talking about our guest, Tina Fey, and boy, did we.

[Rachel Dratch]

Have a. Oh, my God. That was, like, probably my biggest laugh of the year.

[Amy Poehler]

I just watched it again on the way over here, and we're going to get into it today. That there are.

[Rachel Dratch]

Of course we are. People need to hear the behind the music. Where were you? Where were you when you saw the clip?

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, I owe you money for that clip.

[Rachel Dratch]

I owe you money for that clip.

[Amy Poehler]

But it really was, like, it started off the entire vibe of the show. Like, I'm so grateful for it, because it's exactly what I was hoping, which is I was hoping that this would be, like, fun and easy and a laugh. And that was the deepest laugh.

[Rachel Dratch]

It was such a good laugh. Like, I mean, imagine like, your best laugh ever, and then it's. And then it's, like, recorded for you to watch again. Like, that never happens. Cause you can't plan that.

[Amy Poehler]

No, no. And also having Fred and Seth and Zarna there, and there's really no better, I would say, like, partner than Seth when Dratch is Dratching, because he's so good at keeping things moving in a way or something.

[Rachel Dratch]

He was making me laugh so much, so hard. He's like, dratch, we're probably gonna cut all this out. And then when I was like, I'm holding everything up, and he's like, no, this is how she wanted to start. He was the perfect foil, the comedy foil. Also, the thing that gets me, which.

[Amy Poehler]

Is such a improv and such a good example of what good listener you.

[Rachel Dratch]

Are, is that at the very end, you clap, which is what we asked you to do 15 minutes before to get started. God, that clap. End it with the beginning, people. Comedy 101.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Rachel Dratch]

Second prop use of this podcast is.

[Amy Poehler]

Dr. Swirling her ice drink.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay. No, but it is like that.

[Amy Poehler]

I. I have to say, when I was thinking about what to talk about today, I was like, we have had deep laughs.

[Rachel Dratch]

We have.

[Amy Poehler]

It's like the. And you love. You love to laugh. And the way Dratch has many kinds of laughs and you have like. I know people have done your laugh to you.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Also, when you go into, like a level two laugh, when you're going down deep, you go.

[Rachel Dratch]

Like. You get very old school. Oh, my gosh. Wait. I just need to say, though, that when that was happening, that I didn't know that was going to be used for on camera, which I didn't tell you. You did not tell me. I looked back at the texts and I'm very sorry. No, no, I don't mean that. I mean, it was the best thing ever. But I just mean for people wondering, like, why did she order food? Right. When I was. There was a podcast happening, like, we could argue still with audio.

[Amy Poehler]

Why did you.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, because I thought it was like. Like half hour of time.

[Amy Poehler]

True.

[Rachel Dratch]

And then it came very quickly. And then my dog barked and then. And your dog's name is? My dog's name is Ruffles. And Ruffles started barking. Anyway. Sorry, go ahead.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you remember, I think we talked about it. There was a hilarious. Whoever is the Tiktoker who did this. Somebody posted. There were many clips of it. And then someone went and looked at your chart.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes, my. My horoscope, whatever. Zodiac. Well, so I'm. What's a Pisces? I didn't know this word. So stellium means all your things are in the same sign. Like every single thing. But I guess there's one little thing. But this woman, she did my chart on TikTok and she was laughing really hard. She's like, how is this woman surviving with everything in Pisces? She's like, she is. She somehow. She's making it work. But then I guess there's like one thing in Capricorn. She goes, this Capricorn is holding the whole rest of it all together. It's doing the work of, you know, 10,000 men or something.

[Amy Poehler]

And that kind of Pisces final boss.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes. And I have wondered if I. Other people were talking about adhd, I guess, and I have wondered if I have that as an adult. I don't know. I don't know. But that if you look at that clip, you're gonna be like, yep. I feel like it's like.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, we talk about it like in, you know, the Pisces being a shorthand for like, you know, it's in its best chaos.

[Rachel Dratch]

I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. But we're opposite.

[Amy Poehler]

We are signs.

[Rachel Dratch]

Amy's Virgo, by the way. I don't know much about signs, but I Just know about this. I just.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't know. I do like astrology. I think it's cool. We like astrology. We like Enneagram. We like anything that, like, is about personality stuff. But what's fun about talking about Pisces in Virgo is Pisces are kind of the fish that are floating through life, and Virgo is the virgin setting the rules. I don't know, but I find, like, we do do. I mean, I feel like you do definitely have a dreamlike approach and an adventurous approach to life.

[Rachel Dratch]

I would say that. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes. I think you are like a curious traveler, and you definitely don't feel shy. She got shy.

[Rachel Dratch]

Did you see what happened? The curious traveler. I try to be myself.

[Amy Poehler]

I can't see Drotch.

[Rachel Dratch]

Just.

[Amy Poehler]

It was like a cloud. A shy cloud came over.

[Rachel Dratch]

But you are kind of shy. I am shy, yes.

[Amy Poehler]

It goes without saying. We've been friends for 30 years. We are often mistaken for being the same person. Or, like, just the other day, someone. We were in a public bathroom, and someone's like, I saw your sister in the bathroom. Like, they think we're sisters. But you and I did definitely have, like. If life was like a rom com, we would be, like, growing up next.

[Rachel Dratch]

To each other, walking by each other in the mall, probably. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Talk to people who don't know. Like, Early Dratch. Where did she grow up? What was her life like?

[Rachel Dratch]

Early Dratch grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, next town over from Amy. But we didn't know each other, although, well, we did work in the same ice cream store, which we always have to say called Chadwick's. And if you don't know that by not even living under a rock. But anyway. But yeah, grew up in Lexington, and I don't know. I was shy when I was little, but I was always. I mean, I watched SNL when I was in third grade at someone else's house, at a sleepover. Like, their older brother was watching it. And I was immediately like, what is this? But I definitely was. I mean, I don't know about you either. I wasn't like, I'm gonna be an actor when I grow at all. No, I didn't. It was just for fun.

[Amy Poehler]

You even knew that was a job, really?

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, it was sort of like, maybe a little dream with the back. Like, when I saw Annie, you know, the musical, I'm like, how are they up there? Where do I get one of those buckets? You know, like, annie. Annie is.

[Amy Poehler]

There should be a documentary about women our age and how we were affected by Annie.

[Rachel Dratch]

So. But yeah, and then I did school plays, but I definitely was not, like, the queen of the drama club, you know, I just did it for fun.

[Amy Poehler]

You did get a superlative, though. And it was.

[Rachel Dratch]

I did. I got class clown. Did you get class clown or did you guys do those?

[Amy Poehler]

We had class clown, but I didn't get it.

[Rachel Dratch]

What? I'd like to know who did.

[Amy Poehler]

I was the second runner up for most casual.

[Rachel Dratch]

You don't know this, but, I mean, most casual, it's like, what did that even mean?

[Amy Poehler]

I don't know if it's in manner or dress, but didn't even get close. Second runner up to superlace.

[Rachel Dratch]

Kind of casual class clown. But then. Let's see.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't know.

[Rachel Dratch]

Then. Oh, and then also. Well, my dad was very funny, as, you know. Paul Dratch. Paul Dratch. And so we just kind of had, like, you know, he would do, like, kind of. Oh, this is funny. I ran into someone whose dad had gone to high school with my dad back when I was in high school. You know, we were at the house and then she said, oh, my dad said, your dad used to always do impressions of the teachers when they left the room and have everyone laughing. Cause he was doing it. Yeah. So, like, I just sort of had that. It was in my blood. No, but I mean, it was sort of like in the atmosphere and then.

[Amy Poehler]

But you did school plays. I mean, getting class clown, you gotta be funny in real.

[Rachel Dratch]

I guess, like in junior high, I started to kind of like, pipe up one liners from the back of the room kind of thing. But much to the chagrin of teachers, I'm sure. But then when I got to college, then there was an improv group there. And then I was cut. Like, I didn't even know what improv was back then. Now it's like when you go to.

[Amy Poehler]

So you're in high school in Lexington, Massachusetts, which a shot heard around the world we just mentioned, like, the birthplace of democracy. Right next to it was Burlington, Massachusetts, where I was from. And let's be honest, they were not different at all. There was maybe. Right.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, my God, look at Jack. She dressed bland the first time she said it.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I was gonna say I exaggerated for effects.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay, okay.

[Amy Poehler]

I exaggerated.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay, okay. But we shared them all.

[Amy Poehler]

We shared them all.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I often hung out at the Burlington Mall. Yes. We probably passed each other.

[Amy Poehler]

We did.

[Rachel Dratch]

I think we did at the Brighams or something.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, we definitely. I felt like we had very parallel lives. Like Short, blue eyed Massachusetts girls who, like, were good students but wanted to be funny. And the Lexington. I always used to joke that Lexington is like for Parks and Recs fan, like Parks and Rec fans. Lexington was the Eagleton and Burlington was the Pawnee. Is how it felt like we thought Lexington was where the rich people were. And what did you think was Burlington?

[Rachel Dratch]

Burlington? Oh, I didn't think about. No, I'm just kidding. I'm like, how do I. How do I get Amy to see. No. First of all, I worked at Caldors.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Rachel Dratch]

Which is in cross the Burlington line. I crossed town lines to rank at Caldors with the Burlington bad girls.

[Amy Poehler]

And our teams played each other.

[Rachel Dratch]

Our teams played each other on Thanksgiving Day. And so since then, we always call it. Well, now they don't anymore, but we used to call each other up on Thanksgiving. Yeah. We used to trash Burlington.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, we used to try trash talk each other on Thanksgiving. And then you go to Dartmouth.

[Rachel Dratch]

I went to Dartmouth.

[Amy Poehler]

Ivy League. Rachel.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

And very, very like, what was your experience there? Like, did you like it?

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, great question. It was. I went back in the 80s and it was very conservative back then, which I didn't even really know what that meant, but it was just like it took me a while to find my people there. I had friends at the beginning and everything, but then the general ethos of it, I didn't feel like I really matched with. And then I saw the improv group, like some friend of mine from acting class or whatever was like, come check this out. And as soon as I saw it, I was like, not like this, but I was kind of like, I feel like I could do this.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, this is. We have very similar stories because. Same thing. I went to Boston College. I was trying to figure out how I fit in. Big. Really?

[Rachel Dratch]

I didn't know that part of it.

[Amy Poehler]

Big sports school, like, and lots of like private school people.

[Rachel Dratch]

Which, as much as we joke about Lexington, like, we didn't have like that prep school vibe of like.

[Amy Poehler]

No, we were.

[Rachel Dratch]

And I was like, school kids person is the. Yeah, that was a big vibe.

[Amy Poehler]

I can remember going into people's dorm rooms and being like, how do you know how to get your dorm room so ready so fast?

[Rachel Dratch]

And they're like, I was living in Deerfield. I spent three years at Deerfield and that's how. But I didn't know that you felt that way too. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And so I saw an improv group my freshman year.

[Rachel Dratch]

My mother's fleabag.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Rachel Dratch]

And yours was said and done. There was nothing like those improv group. Improv group names? Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Our friend Brian Stack, who is a performer at Tekken City, used to love to talk about good and bad improv names and how they would either be really goofy, like pun filled, or they would be very serious and pretentious.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, I haven't heard this since there was one.

[Amy Poehler]

And if anyone's listening, and as part of the group, I enjoy your work and I respect your work, but one of them, he said, was called Society's Mirror.

[Rachel Dratch]

No. Is that real?

[Amy Poehler]

Good question. I don't know. There's no way to check.

[Rachel Dratch]

Like, I could look at it on.

[Amy Poehler]

My laptop, but I think it's out of batteries.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Rachel Dratch]

So you.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you do. Were you in, set and done?

[Rachel Dratch]

So then. Yeah, so then I got into said and done. And then I was like, oh, like, these are the fun people, you know?

[Amy Poehler]

But you were a theater kid.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I mean, I don't know. I just did. Like, you did plays, right? Did you. Plays. Did you go to theater camp? I did go to theater summer theater camp, yes. But not like one of those. Like, I'm not saying this to be like, it wasn't like those ones, like the real ones. It wasn't like professional, like, you know, kids that were really. It was just like suburban Boston, like, you know, whatever. But. But yeah, then I. That. That's where I met our pal Alec. But. But yeah, I wasn't like, like the star of anything. Like, I wasn't like rolling in and then like the lead and everything. I started out, like, everything. I started out like the chorus. And then you move up a little bit the next year. Yeah, that kind of thing.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. And I think like, me and you, like, we didn't really know anyone that were actors or writers growing up, so I just never thought that would be a job.

[Rachel Dratch]

Right, right, right.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you have, like, an idea as a kid what your job would be?

[Rachel Dratch]

I mean, like every kid in third grade, I wanted to be a marine biologist. Like us. All right. But no, anyone wants to be a marine biologist.

[Amy Poehler]

What do we think? Think we're gonna do that?

[Rachel Dratch]

I don't know, like, play with dolphins and save the nature. I mean, I actually legitimately was like, very in. And still I'm like, nature, like a career for in saving nature was like something I actually, when I was little, like, then when I got then, as you know, I wanted to be a therapist. But I also, like, every time I'd see a movie, I was like, ooh. Like, I was just really intrigued But I had no idea how you ever did that. And I also to be really like not self deprecating, but it wasn't like I had felt like I had special stuff skill in acting or anything. But I loved like cracking jokes and doing comedy.

[Amy Poehler]

But yet you don't think you're smart, but like.

[Rachel Dratch]

Cause it's like not like, well, I'm an actor. Like, not like that, but just like I like comedy and I like watching it. And like I had a group of funny friends too. So we would always like, you know, I mean, legit funny friends. So that was also sort of like practice, you know what I mean? Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, so you get to Dartmouth, you graduate, and what was your degree in?

[Rachel Dratch]

It was drama. And then I minored in psychology.

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Rachel Dratch]

And then. Oh. So my improv group sophomore summer were on campus. We took this little like trip. Cause one of the guys from the group was from Chicago. So we went out to Chicago for a week just to like check out Second City Improv Olympic and just like, you know, go to all the little sites there. And then I was like, okay, maybe when I graduate I'll come back here and like try this, you know. And I sort of just wanted to try it more to know that I'd given it a shot. I don't know how you were about this, but I was kind of. All you hear is like, it's so hard, you're never gonna make it. Like, that's all you hear when. So then I was like buying into that. And then I was like, okay, I'm just gonna go out and try Chicago and then I won't make it. And then I'll come back and be a therapist in suburban Boston and. But then like, very okay. Then like, I mean, I don't know how much detail, but right when I got there, I did not get into classes at Second City. Like I heard like everyone auditions gets into classes. And then I didn't get into classes. And then I was like, oh. Like, what did I do? You know. But then I just stuck it out. And then I took class like later. Like everything I did I kind of didn't get the first time around. Sort of.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, interesting, Interesting.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, like that. And then like touring company, I auditioned. Didn't get in. Then like, well, snl. I auditioned two times. Like just. But then you kind of get used to that, I guess. I don't know. But. But anyway, yeah, so then I eventually got into the classes and then did like little theater things there and eventually got into the touring company.

[Amy Poehler]

So you get to Chicago and do you remember when we first met?

[Rachel Dratch]

I do. Well, in my memory, we were in the lobby, Second City, and you had just moved there, and you were in the touring company, I guess. I don't know if you were in it yet or just coming around to check it out or something. But anyway, I remember meeting you, and I remember you being really friendly and, like, I would just say, like, sunshiny. Like, it's not you. You don't always remember meeting someone for the first time. But I do remember, at least in my mind, this was the first time. And I just remember you were, like, very, like. Like you are. You were very friendly and smiley and, you know, cute little blondie.

[Amy Poehler]

I remember meeting you, but I didn't meet you. I saw you. So I arrived, and you were kind of the junior to my freshman in Chicago, I would say. And I saw you on stage. You were in Lois Kaz, an improv show. Very, like, kind of famous improv show named after a woman.

[Rachel Dratch]

A woman that worked in the office or something. I don't.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, sketch and improv and comedy. It's just like, music, right? Like, it's like, oh, go check out this cool band. Like, oh, these two people are singing together. You know, you just were, like, watching groups and trying to figure out what was good, what did you like? And Lois, the show that you were in was just like, oh, these are the cool, good improvisers. Go see them. And I remember. So the first time I saw you, before we met, I saw you on stage, and I just remember, you know, I think, like, when you see someone on stage for the first time, it's a very interesting dynamic. Like, you're just like, forever looking up to them. Like, it feels like. And I just was like, oh, she's so funny. Like, just loved being, like, watching you perform. Like, just. And, you know, subsequently, like, we got to know each other in Chicago, and I was your understudy for Touring company, for sure.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

So what is touring company for people who don't know?

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, it's like your first step to getting into Second City. And you're not out on the road, like, for big, long times. You're just like, you're going to Indiana for the weekend, like, that kind of thing. Yeah. And it's just sort of like cutting your teeth. And, I mean, you get paid a minimal sums. You're like, it's your first. Like, I'm a working actor, you know, and it's sort of your first step to moving up the little ladder. There. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

So we didn't get to tour together. Cause I was only filling in when you were.

[Rachel Dratch]

And then Amy struck out and moved to New York and started ucb, which I told you before that I was always just like, what do you guys do? Like, I didn't know you guys that well, but I was just like, what are they doing? Like, they're on track to. You know, you were already very successful in Chicago or, like, whatever. Successful. Like, known to be good improvisers, whatever. But. But then, like, you definitely would have moved up the ranks at Second City, but you guys had this, like, pioneer spirit of moving here and starting this.

[Amy Poehler]

Kind of, like, if we're. If the Dratchen Polar rom com is happening, this is where the. We kind of separate for a little bit to go find our own.

[Rachel Dratch]

Right.

[Amy Poehler]

Because I moved to New York. You're on main stage in a very famous show at Second City. And then meet Tina Wen.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, so then Tina joined, then the next show. Then they changed it to Three Men, three women, which was, like, revolutionary.

[Amy Poehler]

I was like, what?

[Rachel Dratch]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

Three women together.

[Rachel Dratch]

I know. But then Tina came in for the next show, my second show on mainstage called Citizen Gates, and she was, of course, hilarious from the get go. And then we did two shows together. And then I started to get more comfortable up there and, like, being better at creating characters and all that. And then Tina went off to write for SNL after the second. Her second show. And then I stayed there.

[Amy Poehler]

How many more years did you stay there?

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I was four years on the main stage, and it was such a fun job. I mean, it might have been, like, my favorite job ever. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Take us back to what it was like, a day when you were on the main stage.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, my gosh.

[Amy Poehler]

What was that day like?

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I mean, I remember, like, you'd sleep really late much later than I do now, but I just. But then you're writing the show. If you're rehearsing, you're writing the show by day, so you're in rehearsal all day, so. And that. But you never wrote like, how we did at snl, where you were, like, at a typewriter. What? A typewriter. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

Word processor. When you were at a. I think.

[Rachel Dratch]

I got a good one here. Give me more paper. I'm on a paper. Schultze Ding. Okay. Computer is what they're called now. But no, like, it's not like SNL when you're like, oh, let's think of something. We're in an office. It was all on its feet. And like just someone had an idea and you just. And then you'd try it out in front of the audience or the audience would give a suggestion and then a scene would really hit from an audience suggestion. Let's try that again. But let's change this. So that's how we wrote the thing. And then eventually the show would be done and it'd be set and then you just do the show night after night. But the show is sketch for those that don't know, like snl. And then afterwards you'd improvise every night pretty much. And that's how you get really good at improvising, by just night after night after night. Because if I had to improvise right now, I'd be like, I'd wait. Linger in the back line. If you keep doing it like well oiled machine.

[Amy Poehler]

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Join us [e-mail] medication requires a prescription. Not all customers will qualify. See site for important safety info and additional details. So talk to us about your on you get to SNL. What year?

[Rachel Dratch]

99, right? Yeah, fall of 99. And I was the only new person that year. Well, the only new actor, Ali was a new writer. But yeah, so you just get like.

[Amy Poehler]

Who'S on the cast when you get.

[Rachel Dratch]

On, when you Just said snl. I just got a little tense.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, this show comes out on Tuesdays, and to me, I just realized I was like, oh, this is like, a new way to change Tuesdays for me. Cause Tuesdays used to be writing night at snl, where it was like, the dread of Tuesday. Like, oh, no, this is the night where I have to try to get on the show, because you audition basically every week, and I haven't written anything yet, and I'm so tired, and I'm gonna let the host down. I'm gonna let myself down. Now that there's, like, this show comes on Tuesdays. I don't know. There's just something like. But yes, I think people are aware of the dread. But what just came up for you? Which particular type of dread?

[Rachel Dratch]

I don't know. I just thought of, like, walking in there, and I'm pitching the hallway, and I think I thought you were gonna, like, go to the audition, but no, then I'm like, right in that hallway. I'm in the hallway, Amy. I'm in the hallway.

[Amy Poehler]

Stay in the hallway.

[Rachel Dratch]

Stay in the hallway.

[Amy Poehler]

Stay there, Rachel.

[Rachel Dratch]

I can still feel this.

[Amy Poehler]

I can feel your feet on the ground.

[Rachel Dratch]

Here comes Lauren down the hallway. Okay, so you're there by. That's hard.

[Amy Poehler]

Being the only new cast member.

[Rachel Dratch]

That was hard. Yeah. I cannot tell a lie. That was hard, because that place is like. Well, I think, you know, some people, like, when Will Ferrell came in, I think is the year that, like, a whole bunch of new people, they were like the freshman class. And then you're all, like, in it together. But when you come in new, like, no one's like, you know, here's how this works in here. And it's just. You're kind of just like, hey, guys, what's, you know, wandering the halls kind of. It definitely.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, it feels like the high school version of, like, your tray in the lunchroom. Like, where do I sit?

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, for sure. I mean, Tina was there, so that was good, because she knew how already. She knew the system, obviously. But, like, I had someone to write with, because some people come in there and they're great, but if they don't know how to write, like, also, the writing for SNL is very different from writing for Second City. Like, a scene that killed a Second City. You couldn't get it on snl. Cause it's just different. Like, and at the time, you're like, but this is awesome. And why don't you. But now, like, with more wisdom, I'm.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, why wouldn't it work?

[Rachel Dratch]

Just because, like, a scene in the theater, like, could take longer to get going. You didn't need to have, like, laugh, laugh, laugh. Like, it's just people in the theater are just, like, into seeing this character kind of do their thing. But at snl, had to be like, you need laughs. Like, off the bat, we need to know what this is right away. And. I don't know, just one thing.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you remember the first scene on SNL that, like, you were getting laughs and you thought, like, it's working? Like, that felt like.

[Rachel Dratch]

No, gosh, I don't remember the first. Cause I remember the first few times I got on, like, I wasn't even. I left my body. So I don't remember. Like, this is going really well. I was just like, I'm on, like, that kind of thing. Well, the first. Very first show, I wasn't in, like, the, you know, season premiere, whatever, right? And, like, you've told all your friends, like, I'm on, and everyone's watching. Your scene gets cut like it does. And then the next week, the same thing happened. Scene got cut. So it was like, the third week.

[Amy Poehler]

Who was the host?

[Rachel Dratch]

Do you remember the one that I got on was. I should know this. Oh, my God. Well, I know the first one was Jerry Seinfeld, then It was Norm MacDonald, and then it was. Does not compute. Oh, my God. I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

It's funny. The brain remembers trauma. So you remember the two shows that you were on?

[Rachel Dratch]

Dana Carvey. I'm gonna have to go long.

[Amy Poehler]

They're gonna do those three episodes.

[Rachel Dratch]

Look on your computer.

[Amy Poehler]

What year was it, dratchy?

[Rachel Dratch]

It was 1999. Third episode.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, this will be a fun game.

[Rachel Dratch]

Dana Carvey.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, I'm gonna. And I'm gonna have you guess the musical guest, because that's always fun, too. See, 1999. I don't remember anything.

[Rachel Dratch]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

1999. SNL hosts. And don't worry, we're gonna keep all this.

[Rachel Dratch]

Let me tell you one cool thing, though. Let me. I just heard that. Wait. Let me tell you one cool thing, though.

[Amy Poehler]

Please.

[Rachel Dratch]

Please. The very first musical guest was David Bowie. And when I was. I've told this before, but when I was getting my photo taken for, like, the very first opening credits, like, it was on the stage, you know, like, in 8H. And David Bowie was. It was Thursday. He was rehearsing with the band. So, like, I'm getting my picture taken, and he's right over there singing Rebel, Rebel. I mean, I have chills every time I think about that, because that was just like. I mean, I don't even have words for, like. Like, the surrealness. That's a very.

[Amy Poehler]

That's a. Like, to have a soundtrack of that moment for your life. And it's David Bowie playing David Bowie, icon.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah. So I remember that.

[Amy Poehler]

Should we tell the Black Crows?

[Rachel Dratch]

So one time. So I don't do drugs at all. So then one time, the Black Crows were the musical guests, and someone in the user department came up to me. He's like, hey, do you want. That's my drug offer voice. Hey, do you want. Whatever you call it. Joint. Not a joint, but just, like, a hit off a joint.

[Amy Poehler]

I see.

[Rachel Dratch]

And I was. I don't know. I've tried it a couple times. It's never really worked. I've never really dug it. And then I was like, okay, sure. So I took, like, one puff off of this Black Crows. Am I gonna get sued? The Black Crow's pot took a hit off the Black Crows. I took a hit off the Black Crow's pot. And my cousin was visiting me, my cousin Zach. And I came back to the table, and I was like, oh, I guess this is like, I'm really high right now. And I was so embarrassed. Cause, like, it was my little cousin, and I never, ever, ever get high. And then I came back and I was kind of like. I don't really remember if I told him or not.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, he didn't. He might not even know.

[Rachel Dratch]

I don't even know. But that was my one. Like, I remember you telling me you.

[Amy Poehler]

Couldn'T get up from your chair.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, I don't remember that. But it's possible.

[Amy Poehler]

It's possible that you were kind of stuck.

[Rachel Dratch]

I was just like, really, like. Anyway. And that's why I don't do drugs. I mean, no, I'm just not into.

[Amy Poehler]

No, you're not into that feeling.

[Rachel Dratch]

Only if it's from the Black Crows.

[Amy Poehler]

And then.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes. Chris. Chris Robinson. Call me. Call me. I just love that that was the particular strike. Also. It wasn't. It wasn't like I was, like, partying with the Black Crows. It was, like, secondhanded. Made it down to the music guy. And I was told it was from the Black Crows.

[Amy Poehler]

But it's so interesting that you took.

[Rachel Dratch]

The hit that you. At least. I don't know why I was feeling a little jaunty that night. I don't know. I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

I know, but drugs is not your thing. Never.

[Rachel Dratch]

It's not my thing. No, you know I like a margarita. I know you're look at. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Or perhaps you like to sail to the Pinot Grigio.

[Rachel Dratch]

Pinot Grigio Islands. Amy and I will occasionally sail to the Pinot Grigios.

[Amy Poehler]

We'll text each other and say, shall we take a trip to the.

[Rachel Dratch]

To the Grigios. Yeah. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And then when you were at snl, like, I feel like we got. I was thinking today about all the stuff we got to do together, and we got to do a lot of dumb.

[Rachel Dratch]

So fun.

[Amy Poehler]

So fun stuff.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, my gosh.

[Amy Poehler]

But you know, and I was thinking it was like, I mean, in many ways, I wish we had. I wish we had more time together when I was more experienced there because I was new and kind of stressed and you were again, the junior to my senior, and I felt like I loosened up more and figured out how to, like, just have more fun as I got older there. But we did get to do some fun stuff together.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, first of all, you were in the original Debbie Downer, and that was so fun. I mean, just to be laughing there with you.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you bring this up and, you know, I ask this question to people on this podcast, and I truly feel like it is because of Debbie Downer that I asked this question. Again, I owe you a lot of money and thank you for building this podcast with me. But Debbie Downer, I've said it many times before, was and is the thing that I go to also maybe now replace the clip.

[Rachel Dratch]

The clip of this podcast. I watched the clip a lot of times. And I just wanted to clarify. I don't go, like, watch my work. Like, I don't go watch, like, a movie I did because I just like to have it in my head. But that it's like I said, it was like seeing your biggest crack up. And just like, I have to laugh every time I watch it. Me, too.

[Amy Poehler]

And Debbie Downer was like that for me during very dark times because it was the combination of us all having fun.

[Rachel Dratch]

You.

[Amy Poehler]

Your, like, the way in which you were physically trying to hold it together. Like, the way, like, the laugh was like something you were trying to hold in, combined with the zoom in and the sound effect.

[Rachel Dratch]

And we've watched it so many times. Like, Emma Spivey knows every single. Like, this is the part where your lip starts quivering. Because there's one part where at the very beginning, I'm going. And then there's the part where something falls backstage and I look away. My eyes start over there. Like, we know every single moment.

[Amy Poehler]

It is it's like the Zapruder film.

[Rachel Dratch]

Like frame by frame.

[Amy Poehler]

And it proves it just, it got me. It's such a serotonin boost. Before we move on, talk to us about the. Like, who did you write Debbie Downer with and how did it start?

[Rachel Dratch]

Like the origin of the.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, the origin of. People will wanna know.

[Rachel Dratch]

So. Well, it really started cause I went on a vacation by myself that had been suggested to me by a therapist. And I often leave that detail out, but since I'm on this one on one Amy interview. No, I said it like once or twice, but usually I leave that part out for the masses. But no, not like this number one masses. But no, she was, she just like, she kept saying like, take a trip by herself. And I was like, why? Like I don't want to do that. I could go with friends. Like I don't want. And I just kind of took it as like doctor's orders. Like I just like, I'm doing this and I like self propelled myself to the jungles of Costa Rica. No, but I wanted to pick somewhere that I wasn't going to be like, like honeymooners. And like I wanted to pick somewhere that was like just like, I don't know, somewhere kind of remote, I guess. So it was like very remote. It was in the OSA Peninsula. You had to take like the big plane, then you take the smaller plane, then you take the two hour jeep drive. I mean I was going deep out of society.

[Amy Poehler]

And each time they were like. It was like Barbara potty one.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, no, so I picked this. It was like this eco lodge thing. So I went there and then it was just like a. It was so there was like these communal. It wasn't like a lot of people there and it was actually really cool. Like. And I did meet really cool people and I met these two sisters that like they were older, but they're like my age right now. But I mean the age I am now. And they were sort of like. They sort of told me like the rudimentary fundamentals of what is later known as the Secret. Like, did I tell you when I.

[Amy Poehler]

Was on this trip, people should know Dratch knew the secret before anyone knew the secret.

[Rachel Dratch]

And I learned it from the Judge Jungles of Costa Rica from two white ladies that were from Colorado. But anyway, so, so, so they like, they were just weird, you know, because you're like chatting and I gotta say, like, hats off to the suggestion because I never would have talked to strangers if I was with a friend.

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Rachel Dratch]

You know, right so I'm like, having this conversation and these women were telling me about, like, you know, basically, like, what's the law of attraction? I guess. But they put it like, you know, if you. If you think on positive things. Positive. And if you're. If you're focusing on lack, you'll attract lack, basically. But then it almost like the whole thing got like, sealed because then we were on this, like, you know, you could do like, nature walks or whatever. And we're on this, like, walk on the beach, like, with the little, like. It wasn't like a group. It was like, whoever's here and wants to go on this thing. And this woman was saying, like, there were these, like, beautiful birds overhead, these like, scarlet macaws and, like, way up in the sky. And this woman goes, I want a feather to bring home for my daughter. And I swear, like 20 seconds later, from like, way, way up high, this feather starts to just go bloop, bloop, bloop. It falls down. We all like, kind of see it, like, and it lands, like, right at her feet. Whoa. Amy doesn't believe in any of this stuff. I do.

[Amy Poehler]

I. That's cool.

[Rachel Dratch]

That's cool. But I just. That was cool, though. So then I was just like, sold, I'll join your cult. No, but then, okay, this isn't anything about Debbie daughter. This is just. Just other stuff on that trip. But anyway. But then the Debbie D story is that when later it was like sitting at dinner like, you're with randos that are there, and people just making chit chat, and someone said like, where are you from? And I said, new York. And then they said like, oh, were you there for 9 11? And it was like three years after 9 11. It wasn't like it just happened. It was kind of out of. And then I was kind of like, yeah. And then. And it's kind of like, just like in Debbie Darn, you had to like, get the conversation back because it was like vacation times. Right. And then like about a week later, after I got home, I was like, out listening to some band, which isn't something I usually do, but I think that's kind of interesting because, like, doing something you don't usually do, and then your brain is kind of like, I don't know, you're not on your usual channels, I guess. Yeah. But then I just had that idea of this kind of based on that, like a Debbie Downer popped into my head of like.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Rachel Dratch]

And then. Which. This is kind of just talking creativity I found at snl. You couldn't just go in there and like, okay, let's think of a scene. Like, it had to be like, moments like that. Like, and to me, that only happened like once or twice a year. Which is why, like, you might sit there at home and be like, why isn't there, like, SNL man? But it's like thinking of really original characters that kind of, like, hit on something. It's not something you can, like, steer the ship on. Like, to me, like, it has to, like, vibe out with you. I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, you have to be like, you have to. To your point. You have to, like, keep the channel open and, like, find the muse and, like, let it find you. It just can't be, like, churned out.

[Rachel Dratch]

Exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

And how.

[Rachel Dratch]

Then I took it to Paula Pell, who we wrote with often and is hilarious. And everyone knows Paula now because I love Paula's like, out there more in front of the camera. But. But anyway. And then we were on writing night, we were trying to write it. We set it in an office, and it just kind of wasn't really flowing. We. It just wasn't really jiving. And then we were like, maybe we need to put her somewhere really happy. So then we thought of Disney World, of course. Happiest place on earth. And then. And then while we were writing it, like, when, like, of course Paula was cracking me up with these one liners and everything. And then we started just going, like, just. Just for ourselves. And then we're like, what if we put that in the scene with the actual trombone sound? So then for read through, we had. I don't remember if we had, like, the live person or someone just had done it, but then it read through like it killed. But then you never know because sometimes something can kill at the table. And then when we were in dress rehearsal, Jimmy and Horatio were kind of laughing and I was thinking, like, you guys, like, I feel like this could work. Like, yeah, keep it together, guys. And then, like, on air, I just flubbed one of the lines. And then I don't even know. I guess I was like, so nervous.

[Amy Poehler]

Sure.

[Rachel Dratch]

And then we all started, like, on you.

[Amy Poehler]

But thankfully you just like the good Pisces fish. Like, you just like, you went along for the. Like, it's so joyous watching it because it is just the. It's like what real live TV is supposed to feel like. Like, it just felt like a special moment in time. And also, I mean, you are such a good performer that you're able. You were able to like, do it and have. And enjoy doing it at the same time. It was like, just. It's very. Sometimes when people are stressed, it's stressful to watch. Like, it's not good to watch.

[Rachel Dratch]

That's how I feel.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I mean, but you don't seem stressed in that moment.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I love watching performers that, like, this is what, like, you know, I feel like I've had so much time now that I'm older to, like, think of, like, what makes a good comedian. Everything like that. And, like, I love watching people, like, you can tell that underneath it, they're also, like, laughing inside. Like, I mean, better to keep it inside. But I mean, like, like, yeah. And I feel like you have that. Like, I was just talking about you. I forget, like, in what context, but, like, you are always, like, you can see the joy of performing. Like, there's two levels happening. There's, like, what you're performing and then this sort of joyful, like, under bubbling that's also happening. Like, I just, like, Steve Carell just popped into my mind as, like, someone that, like, you can see the fun happening behind the other one. Will Ferrell. Oh, my gosh.

[Amy Poehler]

Mischievous dance underneath it. We're there having fun. Circling all the way back to Debbie Downer and all the way back to the question that I ask my guests. This brings up the person that I spoke to earlier before this podcast. Oh, so, you know, we always like to talk well behind people's backs. I talked to the great Kevin Cahoon about you today.

[Rachel Dratch]

You did? Oh, my God. I was wondering who my person was gonna be.

[Amy Poehler]

Cause I want him to lead us into Broadway, which we're going to next, Rachel.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

This Virgo has a plan.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

And I'm taking you there, babe. I'm taking you there. I got notes.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay. I'm aware of the time.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm aware of the time.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay. I could hang all day, but.

[Amy Poehler]

No, I'm just kidding. But I talked to Kevin and. And he had a couple really good questions for you. And one was, what? And it's a similar question to what we ask on the podcast is, like, when you're feeling that. When Rachel is feeling like that Debbie Downer feeling, what do you do to get yourself up out of it? And that's a question we ask here, which is, what do you watch, listen to when you've got Derblues, as we.

[Rachel Dratch]

Like to call it?

[Amy Poehler]

How do you get up out of it? What makes you laugh? You know, for me, it is a lot of Debbie Downer and clips. I Mean, it is a lot of you, Rachel.

[Rachel Dratch]

That's so nice.

[Amy Poehler]

It is. You, like, you really get me out of the dumps. You really do. You're like an elevator that helps me get up out of there.

[Rachel Dratch]

Uh, oh, tears, tears. But you really get your shoe me.

[Amy Poehler]

Way up, and it's cause of the laughter.

[Rachel Dratch]

You do that for me.

[Amy Poehler]

Is there anything else that, like, you.

[Rachel Dratch]

Like to go to. To just, like the bottom of a tequila bottle?

[Amy Poehler]

The worm.

[Rachel Dratch]

I eat the worm. I ate the worm.

[Amy Poehler]

That was such an 80s thing.

[Rachel Dratch]

Like, she ate the worm. I know. Now there's no worms anymore.

[Amy Poehler]

No, there's no worms.

[Rachel Dratch]

Let's see. I forgot that you asked this. And, like, I feel like I don't have, like, healthy. I'm serious. I mean, honestly, the real thing that elevates me is, like, meeting, like, meeting with friends out in New York. Like, that's like. That's my honest answer.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Rachel Dratch]

You like the Margs nights and. And, like, meeting with my lady friends. That's like. Because, like, I feel like I have this great, you know, group, various groups of people, but they're all, like, fun. But then, like, I love a friend who is really fun and, like, sees the joy in life and, like, can laugh through, like, the. The foibles and all that, but also has the side that's like, you know, the amateur psychologist, like, you know, that we can help each other out. And if you're. If you like. I like, if you show up to a friend and you don't have to be anything other than what you're feeling because, like, there's certain friends where you can just do that. You can come in and you're like, you know, I'm not gonna be bringing my A game. And, like, that's fine. And I like not having to exert extra energy to pretend I'm, like, somewhere I'm not. And I hope that I'm not for other people too.

[Amy Poehler]

That's exactly how I described you, by the way, to Kevin. Exactly that. Which is you are a friend in good times and bad, in sunny weather and stormy weather, and you just can always show up as the version of yourself. That's exactly how I described you.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, that's what I like in others, too. So this isn't like a joy thing. This is more like a. A mindset thing, like a settle your mind. I like doing those word puzzles in the New York Times. That's my ritual, as I do all those. Because it sort of makes me forget all the. You can't be emotional when you're trying to think of the word.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I would say, as a person that has now known you for 30 years, has vacationed with you, has. Our kids are friends. We are in a lot of different ways in life together. That those kind of quiet, puzzle y moments is a dratch. Recharge.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah. That is a recharge. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Because you are a very interesting combo of introvert, extrovert. Like, you are very extroverted and especially on stage. But your everyday, like, you definitely need quiet time.

[Rachel Dratch]

I guess.

[Amy Poehler]

So would you say no?

[Rachel Dratch]

I don't know. I think I used to need less of it. I think now I'm a little more like, I just need, like, the. The recharge moment. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Kevin also had a question, too, that leads us into Broadway.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

And you were in an incredible show called potus. Tell us about that experience, what it was like working with those women and what it was like being nominated.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I mean, it was a lot like the mindset of doing so. It was this comedy with all women. And I just got, like, called up to do this show with Susan Stroman, who I had done a few readings for. And the part was very much like the clown in the show. So I got to do a lot of, like, physical. Just, like, make up your own bits and all this stuff. And it felt very much like being back at Second City, like, in the best way. And also, I love, like, just. I mean, the theater schedule's no joke, as any Broadway person will tell you, but. Cause, you know, you have to kind of, like, sign your life well, like, you're not going out on the weekends, all that stuff. But the thing that I love about theater, it's just you in the audience. Like, there's no one saying, like, we think this should go this way. Like, of course there's a director in developing this part, but once you're up and running, it's just like that feeling, that connection of you and the audience, like. And that was like harkens back to Second City. Like, oh, how long am I holding this laugh? Or, oh, if I do this little tiny thing, it gets laughed. Like, you don't even. I love all that stuff. So it was just very freeing and fun. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And you loved the women you did it with.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

You guys became really fun.

[Rachel Dratch]

It was a very disparate group that was all, like, meshed really well together. Yeah, it was.

[Amy Poehler]

And where were you when you got your Tony nom for your Broadway debut?

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, you know, the nominations come out, like, in the morning. And you can just, like, watch it online. I was just like, okay, I'll check this out. You know, and then, like, they said my name, and then, you know, your phone starts going off the hook. And, I mean, that was something like, you know, as a comedian, like, comedy often doesn't get, like, award stuff. But all that to say, like, I didn't expect, like, getting nominated was never anything that I thought would be happening. Because when you're in comedy, you just don't really think like that.

[Amy Poehler]

But the Tonys are an exception. I think the Tonys often do get for good comedic performances.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, that's true. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I think they really are, like. They really respect the craft.

[Rachel Dratch]

They do. The craft. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

So Kevin had a question about you being, like, young Rachel. Like, what were some theater performers, some musical, some shows that, like. I think his question was, like, what are the top three pieces of theater that you, like, really inspired you when you were young? Ooh, you know, maybe scratch some little sparkles.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I guess, as mentioned, Annie.

[Amy Poehler]

Can we just, for one second talk more about Annie? Because Annie. So many female parts. So many parts for girls, right? Like, that alone, like, a lot of shows just don't have a lot of parts. It's like there was. You know, Rachel and I were both in Once Upon a Mattress.

[Rachel Dratch]

We were. Amy had the lead, and I had the boring part. But we weren't in the same production.

[Amy Poehler]

We weren't in the same production.

[Rachel Dratch]

Both of our schools. I was in the sixth grade production. Oh, this is funny, though. And Amy was in the high school. Yes, high school. Were you a senior? And Amy, if. You know, Once Upon a Mattress, Amy played Winifred, the princess, the clown. The clown.

[Amy Poehler]

Carol Burnett originated on Broadway.

[Rachel Dratch]

And I played this character, Lady Larkin, who's the boring part. But let me also say this, that because it was in sixth grade, the only comedic hook that Lady Larkin has is that, well, she's pregnant. And so they're in a hurry to get married, you know. Cause they're in the castle, so they need Winifred to get mar. Well, in sixth grade, they take out the pregnancy, of course. So I had nothing to play. There's no there there. I'm just a lady in waiting. And I wasn't pregnant, by the way. I don't even think I knew that the original characters. But they changed the lyrics because the real lyrics were in a little. In a little while, you and I will be 1, 2, 3, 4, like kids. And they just, like, you and I will be together. That's what they Change it to.

[Amy Poehler]

And you're like, I got nothing to play.

[Rachel Dratch]

I got nothing to play.

[Amy Poehler]

So.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay. Okay. So, okay. Annie, of course.

[Amy Poehler]

But I think also orphans, you know, orphans.

[Rachel Dratch]

Like, one other thing is with Annie, everyone's like, your age. Like, literally, if you're 10 and they're 10, she's like, how do I. How do I get in this? Like, that kind of thing. Right? And.

[Amy Poehler]

And also a dog.

[Rachel Dratch]

A dog. A dog.

[Amy Poehler]

We love a dog.

[Rachel Dratch]

Did you have the album? Oh, my God, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I knew every single song, and I wanted to play every part, and I loved it so much. Okay, so Annie.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay, so Annie, then also. Well, of course, this is probably the same, too. Like, Gilda Radner, Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin. Yes. I mean, just those.

[Amy Poehler]

And they were on stage. Like, they were. They were.

[Rachel Dratch]

I mean, I only saw them, obviously. Like, I saw them, like. I mean, when I was really little, my parents watched, laughing, and I remember Lily Tomlinson being Edith Ann in the giant chair. And that's the truth. Sorry. And then Carol Burnett, of course.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Rachel Dratch]

And, like, oftentimes we get asked till we're blue in the face about women in comedy. Right. And, like, I just think growing up, seeing them, you're not thinking like, oh, these are women in comedy. You're just like, this person's really funny, and they're being really brash and bold, and they're, you know, not afraid to look weird. And here she is with the curtains as a dress, and just like, you know, she's, like, the center of it all. And, like, you know, Gilda Radner making all her faces and everything, like, so I just think you're just seeing that and you're not delineating, you know? And then, like, I mean, the first season of Us and all that cast, like, I did watch, like, you know, John Belushi, Steve Martin. That's why, like, when Steve Martin hosted SNL's like, oh, my God, Steve. Like, I still have that. When I. I'm. When I see Steve Martin, I'm like, when I'm hanging out with Steve Martin. No, that never happened.

[Amy Poehler]

Not true.

[Rachel Dratch]

I've seen it. But. But anyway, I think, like, seeing them was influence but not knowing it. At the time.

[Amy Poehler]

Of course, fame.

[Rachel Dratch]

Fame, which, of course, we all had, played that on the piano.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you can play the piano.

[Rachel Dratch]

No, but I was, like, plunking it out. But out here on my own. Oh, Coco. When I'm down and feeling blue Everyone wants to hear this. I close my eyes so I can.

[Amy Poehler]

Be with you and then what was the third one. And then I would say hair.

[Rachel Dratch]

Hair. Hair.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't think enough people are talking about hair these days. No, the musical.

[Rachel Dratch]

No, Hair was so big.

[Amy Poehler]

Like the music and the. I think like, like the movie.

[Rachel Dratch]

The movie. Cuz that was the first, like. I mean, I just remember like. Excuse me. That had like major, like tragedy in it and sadness and. But also like. Yes, I remember seeing that. The Lexington Movie Theater.

[Amy Poehler]

And must have been nice. Must have been nice.

[Rachel Dratch]

We had plush. We ate gold.

[Amy Poehler]

We had gold covered popcorn. Hc had a chandelier at your own party.

[Rachel Dratch]

Golden popcorn. And we drank champagne out of.

[Amy Poehler]

We showed up, she was on the side of a barn side of the mall, side of the dress barn at the mall. That's where we showed our movies.

[Rachel Dratch]

Dress band. Oh my God. No, but I remember hair was like, like emotional and. But also just the music. So good.

[Amy Poehler]

So good.

[Rachel Dratch]

And.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, anyway, I think they like, they should do a new production of Hair, but there's no parts in it for us. Like, that's all new. While young, there's gonna be some like, old lady who tells the kids, get.

[Rachel Dratch]

Out of my lawn. No, not get off the lawn. Get out of the park. I'm walking my dog.

[Amy Poehler]

You should cut your hair.

[Rachel Dratch]

That could be us.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, that could be us. Or like a businesswoman who comes in and goes, listen, people.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, this.

[Amy Poehler]

This bunch of hippies could really make us some money. And they go, get out of here, lady. That's what I would put like a New Yorker who comes in a. And the vibe.

[Rachel Dratch]

Right?

[Amy Poehler]

But you have played so many different things on. On. On in. Like, you have played like. You played a man. You played a. You were. We love a Marco Polo because we are women of a certain age and we love to Marco Polo each other. You were Marco Polo ing me one time wearing a. Having a mustache.

[Rachel Dratch]

A mustache In a production of Was.

[Amy Poehler]

It Anything Goes or.

[Rachel Dratch]

No, you were Guys and Dolls. Guys and Dolls. Else. Yes, I played a dude. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, but you've played a lot of different things on stage.

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, I mean, as have you. So we are but the makers of merry. We are but clowns for your pleasure. We don't win Oscars, but we shall make you laugh.

[Amy Poehler]

We are here but to be the fool.

[Rachel Dratch]

We are but fools, Dratch.

[Amy Poehler]

And I always say, if we were back in those times, we would definitely be not only jesters, but we'd be the.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, we'd be the maids.

[Amy Poehler]

We'd be the maids.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, we'd be the maids. At the bottom of the Castle.

[Amy Poehler]

We'd be the scholarly maids at, like, scrubbing things.

[Rachel Dratch]

I think that's the role that I think I'm born to play is like, some. Cause I would love to do. I'm gonna put this out there. A Broadway thing. Like a really secret doing the secret. Like a really, really funny Broadway thing. And maybe I'm playing this person scrubbing. This is my aspiration for listening. I just watch is just making a face scrubbing scrub on Broadway. Yeah, Yeah. I scrub my way to a Tony. You listen. You listen, you big muckety mucks.

[Amy Poehler]

I had the Jonas Brothers on, and we were singing Les Mis, and they were like, you would be really good in Master of the House. I was like, I know, 20 years old. I'd be the old lady master of the house.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, by. You can cut this. But we will. But. But I got to audition. Got to. I made the mistake of auditioning for Les Mis on Broadway for that part, and I'm like, you know I can't sing. Right? And they're like, just go in. And then I like. I even went to, like, a voice lesson. But, like, that part is like, you really have to sing.

[Amy Poehler]

And it's an incredible part. An incredible female actors have played it. Incredible singers. But it. And it's definitely the most comedic part of the Les Miz.

[Rachel Dratch]

But you have to have a good voice, which I, like, realized when I was in front of these people in the room. Just like. I mean, because they. They didn't just give me the Master of the house song. There's another song that's, like, very complicated. Yeah. And I just like. Like, I skulked out. I will stick to making merry without song. If it please you.

[Amy Poehler]

If it please you.

[Rachel Dratch]

I can't be singing for the king again.

[Amy Poehler]

For me to not sing.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Katua is like, how do you like your potatoes?

[Rachel Dratch]

We could do a duo.

[Amy Poehler]

We could do a.

[Rachel Dratch]

We could do together.

[Amy Poehler]

We could play maids.

[Rachel Dratch]

By the way, it would be a.

[Amy Poehler]

Very funny idea for show is like, you know, upstairs, Downstairs. It should be, like, called Downstairs Downstairs.

[Rachel Dratch]

And it's just us.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, yeah. We're just washing clothes and we have.

[Rachel Dratch]

Dirt on our faces. For sure. We're having groove this morning. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

And the last thing I just wanted to talk about, because we talked about it a little bit, is your wooness, because we're gonna talk about your podcast, your great podcast Woo Woo.

[Rachel Dratch]

And Amy was a guest on it.

[Amy Poehler]

Absolutely.

[Rachel Dratch]

One of my favorite episodes. You need to listen to Amy on Woo Woo, my podcast.

[Amy Poehler]

There's so many Great stories on there. And you are very open to psychic experiences. You are not judgmental in any way. I would say that.

[Rachel Dratch]

No. Oh, that. I'm not judging. No. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And you have. I would say you are also a little bit psychedelic or you. And, like, you have that channel open. Speaking of channels, what is that?

[Rachel Dratch]

Woo Woo World. So I started this podcast called Woo Woo. And, like, I'm not. I always say, like, I'm not really woo woo because I don't, like, I don't live my life, like, I gotta ask my psychic guy. I don't have a psychic. But anyway, I always feel the need to say. I know, but I always feel the need to say, like, I'm not like, super woo. But then I started doing this, and it's making me. Definitely making me more woo woo with the stories I'm hearing. But the reason I thought of doing this because I just had sort of collected these stories from friends over the years, and I was like, oh, these stories are really cool. Would you come on and tell this? So that's kind of how it started. And then you came on, which was really fun. And you're not like a huge woo believer, but you're not, like, totally shut down. But Amy came on and talked about the Enneagram, which she lives her life by.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, for those who care, Rachel is an Enneagram 9, if you haven't noticed.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, the ultimate 9. The ultimate 9.

[Amy Poehler]

Peacekeeper. Peacemaker.

[Rachel Dratch]

But. But yeah. So I guess. What else do I say about it?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I was going to say that there's a couple Woo Woo things that have happened with us. I feel like a little tiny woo with most of my Woo woo things have happened with you. And we were pregnant at the same time. Our sons are close in age, and I'm happy to say, like, real friends, which is so great. And we. I can remember a very, like, hot summer where you and I were waddling around the city, like, both really pregnant. And you can tell from our height, like, we didn't. We carried out front, you know, there's not a lot of place. So I just remember us being, like, going to movies, like, watching movies because it was so hot out and going to a psychic to talk about our kids. And you brought me to this really cool psychic who, you know, like, just. You just have introduced me to a lot of. Just like, give this version of life a try, I guess is the best way to say it.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes. It's kind of like, why not believe.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Rachel Dratch]

That that thing was not A coincidence? I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Rachel Dratch]

I think once you're. It's almost like what we're saying about writing sketches. I think once you're kind of open to it, then you start to, to see, like you just. I don't know, I don't want to say, like you get messages or whatever, but I just think the more open you are, the more woo woo you might become.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you think that, like, that. Has anything happened lately that has felt a little like in the woo woo world for you?

[Rachel Dratch]

Well, first of all, as Amy said with the pregnancy thing, that a psychic told me that I was going to have a kid when I was 43 and I wasn't even with anybody. And then that happened. So that was. So that was my first, like, little, like, this is really strange.

[Amy Poehler]

And you write about it really well in your memoir.

[Rachel Dratch]

Thank you. Girl walks into a bar and. Let's see, I don't know, something lately.

[Amy Poehler]

I just like to hear your. Is there any vibe you're getting right now? What's the vibe of this room?

[Rachel Dratch]

The vibe of this room is great. It's good.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Rachel Dratch]

Any ghosts in this room, outside this room? Not good. Things are not good. Once you leave this room.

[Amy Poehler]

The vibes are not good.

[Rachel Dratch]

That's so true. But this room is a good hang and it's fun and bright and cheery.

[Amy Poehler]

But you just like you. But I feel like you do that. I mean, like, you're really fast at being like, this isn't a good vibe. This isn't a good hang.

[Rachel Dratch]

That's true.

[Amy Poehler]

This isn't a good, like, you're really good at reading people fast or experience like rooms or people.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

You're like, I don't like that. I don't get a good feeling from that.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah. And I start to like, again older. I get like, listened to that. Like, if you're. If you get that feeling of like, you're allowed to not hang there or whatever. I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

And last question. Are you afraid of zombies? Would you. In a zombie movie? How would you. This is my new question. I'm just, I'm just thinking about it right now, but maybe I'll ask people moving forward. Cause, drat. You're always inspiring me.

[Rachel Dratch]

I might just freeze. Is that what you're about? I think you're about to swing.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I was gonna say it kind of gets into like, conflict styles.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, gosh. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

But it is.

[Rachel Dratch]

Sometimes I think, I think with conflict.

[Amy Poehler]

I freeze, which isn't always the bad choice. You don't like you're not fanning.

[Rachel Dratch]

I just noticed it about myself, though. So if zombies were coming, I guess I'd freeze.

[Amy Poehler]

You'd turn into a statue.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

And you'd hope that they went by.

[Rachel Dratch]

You can't end on this note.

[Amy Poehler]

We're gonna cut this.

[Rachel Dratch]

We can't. You know what?

[Amy Poehler]

Let's sing the song from Chadwick.

[Rachel Dratch]

Oh, okay. The chant.

[Amy Poehler]

So Chadwick's was an ice cream place that Dratch and I worked at.

[Rachel Dratch]

Not at the same time.

[Amy Poehler]

Not at the same time. But I have to say, probably the highest percentage of SNL people from any ice cream place.

[Rachel Dratch]

Probably too. Yeah. And it was a purple building.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, I'm gonna put. I'm gonna do a lip balm break before we sing. Do you. Do you need any.

[Rachel Dratch]

No, I think I'm okay.

[Amy Poehler]

So it was a purple building.

[Rachel Dratch]

Purple building ice cream. You had to wear a styrofoam barbershop quartet hat.

[Amy Poehler]

You had to off. We often had a kazoo.

[Rachel Dratch]

We often had a kazoo. And I feel like we attracted to the drama and the showmanship. The showmanship, not drama. The showmanship of Chadwick's. Because when it was someone's birthday, you got a free Sunday. Yeah. And they did not check. So people came in a lot.

[Amy Poehler]

That's right.

[Rachel Dratch]

With birthday Sundays. But then there was a. A little chant. Birthday chant that you did. Like this. Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to have you here at Chadwick's today, but we're especially happy to have Amy because she.

[Amy Poehler]

Came here to celebrate her birthday. So the sound of the drum.

[Rachel Dratch]

Please join in singing, Amy, a loud, embarrassing Happy birthday.

[Amy Poehler]

Then they would order a giant ice cream.

[Rachel Dratch]

And it was called the Belly Buster.

[Amy Poehler]

And it was carried out by two.

[Rachel Dratch]

Two men holding a stretcher thing with a big bowl in the middle of it that had. Oh. And then this was a separate thing. If you ordered the Belly Buster, There was an announcement for the Belly Buster.

[Amy Poehler]

And it went.

[Rachel Dratch]

And it went something like this. Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to have you here Chadwick's today to introduce you to the belly buster. 10 scoops of ice cream, five different toppings, mounds and mounds of whipped cream, cherries, and nuts. Chadwick's own Belly Buster. And then we'd, like, do, like, drum, drum. And then the two guys would come up the thing in the stretcher, like, pretending to struggle under its wings. Wait. And then it would land at the table. And if you ate. Rumor had it, the lore was that if you ate the Belly Buster by yourself, you Got it for free.

[Amy Poehler]

That's right.

[Rachel Dratch]

Do you remember that?

[Amy Poehler]

Yep. And there used to be, like, teen boys vomiting. Vomiting and drinking the ice cream juice in an attempt to get it done in time.

[Rachel Dratch]

Yeah, the vomit was separate from the ice cream juice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

The teen boys were trying to get it done. And I don't think I ever saw it happen.

[Rachel Dratch]

I don't think I did either, Lore. But Laura says now Chadwick's no longer exists.

[Amy Poehler]

Nope. It's just in a landfill filled with ghosts.

[Rachel Dratch]

For my podcast, the Ghost of Chadwicks.

[Amy Poehler]

But that's a good ending. That's a good ending.

[Rachel Dratch]

That is. Okay. Love you, Drucci. Love you. This was fun. So fun.

[Amy Poehler]

Thanks for doing it, buddy. And thank you again. I really do owe you a lot. Always in my life and on this show. So come back anytime. And bring your headphones. Always.

[Rachel Dratch]

Ways. Hold on.

[Amy Poehler]

We're going to wrap it up.

[Rachel Dratch]

Okay, There. Well, now they're clean.

[Amy Poehler]

We still can't get them.

[Rachel Dratch]

This isn't a good ending. Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

It is still hard for you to get them on, though. Okay, here we go. And.

[Rachel Dratch]

What the. Oh, here we go.

[Amy Poehler]

Nailed it.

[Rachel Dratch]

Dratch out.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you, Dratch. You are the best. My baby. Dr. My little Ray.

[Rachel Dratch]

Ray Ray.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you for coming on. And, you know, we talked a lot about a lot of things. You know, the idea that, you know, life can be a series of interesting and unexplainable events, and it can be really woo woo if you let it. And so as part of this polar plunge, I do want to just remind everyone to check out Rachel Dratch's podcast.

[Rachel Dratch]

Woo woo.

[Amy Poehler]

Her and her co host Irene, they listen to people's interesting, ghosty, spooky stories. They get into that. That those chills that you get when something weird or unexplainable happens. And so check out that podcast. I have gone on the podcast and I have said that I've never seen a ghost and I'd like to keep it that way. So I'm fine with that. But if you have seen a ghost, contact woo woo. And not me. Okay. But good for you. And it's not a competition. But I am glad I. I didn't. Okay, thanks for listening. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. 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. Cats Below Lane, Kaia McMullen and Alaya Zaneris for Paper Kite Production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.