Steve Carell

Summary

GOOD HANG WITH AMY POEHLER: STEVE CARELL
(The Ringer Podcast | March 24, 2026)

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Main Theme & Episode Overview

This episode of Good Hang is a joyful, nostalgia-soaked and revealing conversation between Amy Poehler and Steve Carell, with a special opening segment featuring Stephen Colbert. The focus is on long-time friendships in comedy, the formative days at Second City, working on projects like The Dana Carvey Show, The Daily Show, and The Office, as well as exploring Carell’s craft, his notoriously collaborative nature, and his new HBO show, "Rooster." The tone is warm, self-deprecating, and laced with industry insights, laugh-out-loud moments, and Boston cultural pride.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Second City Memories & Friendship Origins

(00:00–15:47) Guest: Stephen Colbert

• Stephen Colbert shares memories of coming up the comedy ranks with Carell at Second City, including taking classes to get by and the competitiveness between IO and Second City ("It was like Lincoln Avenue, North Wells situation going on." (04:33, Colbert)).
• Early camaraderie and shared hardship – including sleeping on friends' floors and working various odd jobs to support improv dreams.
• Musical talent: Colbert reveals Carell's musical dexterity, especially his skill with the baritone horn/euphonium ("If it's made of brass, he can play it." (05:49, Colbert); "He played the baritone horn, which is like a little tuba." (06:55, Colbert)).
• Legendary story: When Colbert had to understudy for Carell and teach himself the baritone horn in under a week, aided by Carell ("I don't know how to play the baritone horn. And they said, OK, we'll ask Adzit to do it… No, no, no. I'll learn it." (07:19, Colbert))
• "The joy of failure" was a key lesson at Second City—laughing together at each other’s stage flops and the idea that finding joy in both failure and success is the essence of a life in comedy. ("The joy of failure…I'd be dumb not to pursue this for the rest of my life." (10:41, Colbert))
• Question for Carell: Colbert wonders how Carell approaches drama vs. comedy, reflecting on his unmatched versatility and relentless work ethic ("I wrote it down…to remind myself. And it just said 'work.'" (12:40, Colbert))

2. Amy & Steve's First Impressions and Boston Roots

(15:50–23:24) Carell joins Poehler

• Recollections of first meeting: Poehler describes Carell and his peers as the “cool seniors” when she arrived at Second City.
• Tight-knit world: Poehler’s parents accidentally “booked” Steve as a guest after running into him in a restaurant—leading to a charming recounting of Massachusetts coincidences and hometown connections.
• Boston sensibility: Both reflect on being Boston kids—the brusque but honest, “you’re not better than me” energy that shaped them ("There is a brusqueness. And honestly, I’m going to say it, there’s just like, 'you’re not better than me' quality about Boston that I love." (20:58, Poehler))
• Carell relays a classic Bostonian fan interaction: “Hey, Steve, I know you. That thing you did was good. Don’t get cocky." (21:09, Carell)

3. Breaking Into Comedy and Second City Lessons

(23:25–28:22)

• Carell outlines his leap from Denison University (not as a theater major: "Oh, I was a history major." (22:40, Carell)) to Chicago’s comedy scene, inspired by seeing a Second City touring show.
• Living arrangements and first jobs ("$600 split three ways, all utilities included" (24:16, Carell)), as well as the thrill and terror of performing for unpredictable Chicago audiences.
• The critical importance of learning to “fail together” on stage, embracing bombing as a vital rite of passage.
  • “We used to challenge each other to embracing the awfulness…the badge of honor: we’re going to drive this into the ground.” (25:59, Carell)
  • “It’s like a little death.” (27:22, Carell)
• Relationship beginnings: Meeting his wife, Nancy Walls, at Second City while teaching her improv class—a simultaneously awkward and heartwarming story. ("You were like, ladies, I've got a baritone." (57:24, Poehler))

4. The Dana Carvey Show, The Daily Show, and Anchorman

(34:07–46:56)

• Candid history of The Dana Carvey Show: Carell’s breakthrough after a slump in Chicago, the creative freedom (and notorious network panic), especially the infamous “Clinton breast-feeding puppies” opening sketch ("At that point, ABC was not…not happy." (37:23, Carell))
• Parallel experiences working at The Daily Show: Echoes of performance camaraderie and improvisational freedom.
• Approach to field pieces: “It has to be about what an idiot I am.” (40:42, Carell). He preferred characters who were clueless and sincere rather than mocking the subjects.
• Anchorman: The pure joy and creative freedom with the cast, and the ritual of watching dailies over hot fudge sundaes ("That's what you would dream. And it was just pure joy." (43:26, Carell))
• Thoughts on improvisation in film: “I think it’s a great tool, but I don’t think it is The. The. I think it’s a means to an end. I don’t think it’s…let’s just do a big improv thing." (47:07, Carell)

5. The Office & Parks and Recreation: Process, Legacy, and Process

(47:34–56:22)

• Poehler and Carell trade war stories about pilot episodes: Both The Office and Parks & Rec had rocky starts, with terrible test audiences and skepticism from peers. ("Our pilot was the lowest testing pilot…people really hated it." (49:55, Carell))
• Approach to lead characters: Protecting character integrity as shows change hands and grow successful; for Poehler, this was aided by showrunner Mike Schur.
• Carell on Michael Scott’s arc: From desperately seeking love and approval to outgrowing his need for public celebration ("He doesn’t need it…he wants to say goodbye on his own terms." (53:50, Carell))
• The comfort role of The Office and Parks and Rec during hard times (e.g., pandemic comfort viewing), with both actors reflecting on the peculiar, profound impact their work had ("What does that feel like when people tell you that?" (54:45, Poehler))
• Behind-the-scenes: The much-discussed "Pam at the airport" scene, and the playful refusal to reveal the mystery ("I leaned in. I went just to make it look like I was saying something." (55:55, Carell))

6. Process, Craft, and Working Relationships

(56:22–66:07)

• Musical talent: Carell’s origin as a baritone horn player, performing in bands and at Second City.
• Lifelong friendship with Colbert, the value and rarity of someone who "knew you when."
• Carell’s acting process: No distinction between playing drama or comedy—the character is never aware of their genre. Deep authenticity is key; never "wink" at the comedy ("A character doesn’t know if they’re in a comedy or drama, they’re just living their life." (62:37, Carell))
• Channeling Alan Arkin and Peter Sellers: Commitment to character beats self-conscious comic mugging.
• Social dynamics: Both Poehler and Carell admit to being shy and introverted, despite outsized comedic personas. Humorous recollections of dinner party mishaps (missing the Oscar telecast's big awards), and envy of Will Ferrell’s public abandon.

7. New Projects & What’s Making Steve Laugh

(70:50–77:03)

• “Rooster” on HBO: Carell’s new series as writer-in-residence Greg, a dramedy about family, academia, and shifting relationships. ("It's about my character, Greg, is a writer…becomes the writer in residence at this college" (70:59, Carell))
• Improvisation: Celebrates show’s freedom and talented ensemble ("Everybody’s a great improviser…everybody’s so good at that." (72:00, Carell))
• Current comedy obsessions: "Righteous Gemstones" (with standout Edie Patterson); appreciation for unexpected performances and improvisational energy.
  • "When you see someone that just comes out of the blue…so unique and specific." (75:57, Carell)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Musical Comedy:
  • "He plays the baritone horn in that. Do I have to play the baritone horn? And they said, yeah, yeah. I said, I don't know how to play the baritone horn." (06:55, Stephen Colbert)
  • "What's an embouchure?" "That's the thing that makes the sound in the horn." (07:48-07:49, Poehler/Colbert)
• On Failure:
  • "The joy of failure… There’s so much empathy for what’s happened to the person who’s eating it." (10:41–11:21, Colbert)
• On Boston:
  • "Hey Steve, I know you. That thing you did was good. Don’t get cocky." (21:09, Carell)
• On Field Pieces:
  • "I never felt good about mocking someone who doesn’t deserve it… so I tried…my character was someone who didn’t quite understand, didn’t quite get it…" (39:02–39:46, Carell)
• On “The Office” and Character Integrity:
  • "If I cannot detract from everyone else being funny…that’s usually what I feel my job is." (44:06, Carell)
  • "[On Michael’s last day]…he leaves the day before because he doesn’t need it…he’s sort of beyond being celebrated that way." (53:50, Carell)
• On Acting Philosophy:
  • "A character doesn’t know if they’re in a comedy or a drama, they’re just living their life." (62:35, Carell)
  • "If you can tell a character knows they’re in a comedy, it’s intrinsically less funny." (63:04, Carell)
• On Social Perception:
  • "People think you’re gonna be the life of the party. Oh, no." (66:07, Carell)
  • "Last three shows, I’ve been killed." (70:33, Carell)
• On “Rooster":
  • "It had that sense of freedom and that sense of anything can happen at any time." (72:00, Carell)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:00–15:47 — Stephen Colbert reminisces about Second City, early Carell, and asks a central process question.
• 16:22–23:24 — Amy & Steve recount first meetings and Boston roots; family-run booking at the local restaurant.
• 23:25–28:22 — Second City days, living on a budget, "bombing" stories, meeting Nancy Walls.
• 34:07–46:56 — The Dana Carvey Show, The Daily Show, "Anchorman" backstage fun and improvisation.
• 47:34–56:22 — "The Office," legacy, pilot disasters, protecting character arcs, comfort TV reflections.
• 56:22–66:07 — Baritone horn adventures, lifelong friendship with Colbert, acting philosophy.
• 70:50–72:34 — New show "Rooster" explained, ensemble improvisation.
• 75:20–76:58 — What’s making Carell laugh: "Righteous Gemstones" and Edie Patterson.

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Tone & Style

Throughout, Amy and Steve are warm, collegial, and unafraid to be self-deprecating. The conversation is peppered with affectionate teasing, mutual admiration, and a palpable sense of belonging in a community forged through years of comedic trial and error. Old friends call in, family members get involved, and the joys (and mild traumas) of show business are relived with real affection.

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Final Thought

The episode is essential listening for fans of improv, The Office, or comedy craft; it’s a deeply human exploration of friendship, work ethic, and the pleasure of laughing with your peers—on stage and off.

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“A character doesn’t know if they’re in a comedy or drama, they’re just living their life.”
— Steve Carell (62:35)

“The joy of failure…there’s so much empathy for what’s happened to the person who’s eating it.”
— Stephen Colbert (10:41)

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End of summary

Transcript

[Amy Poehler]

This episode is brought to you by Subaru. For me, going the extra mile means taking the long way home if you're going to grab snacks and the 10 minute trip turns into a two hour journey. Suddenly you're on a new street. Then your ice cream is melted in the back and you know, we've solved the meaning of life. But luckily in my Subaru Hybrid, that's right, I have one and I love it. That extra mile is built right in with longer range and better fuel efficiency than ever before. The Subaru Forester Hybrid and the Subaru Crosstre Hybrid. Great cards. I have them both. Love goes the extra mile. Visit subaru.com hybrid to learn more. Hello everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We have a comedy legend on today, a hilarious leading man, box office giant and sketch comedian who I first saw on the stage at Second City and you know, wanted to be like ever since Steve Carell joining us. Steve and I are going to talk about a lot of things. We're going to talk about Second City, we're going to talk about Anchorman, we're going to talk about the office, we're going to talk about the smooth tones of the baritone horn and we are going to talk about his new HBO show, Rooster Out. Now so we get into a lot of fun stuff and before we talk to Steve, we talk to someone who knows Steve so we can speak well behind his back and get a question for me. And we are joined by his old Second City buddy, his old roommate, a person who was there from the beginning and who is also another hilarious and famous Steve. And that Steve is Stephen Colbert. Hello, Stephen Colbert. Bonjour. This episode of Good Hang is presented by Subaru. Some cars go the extra mile long range. Subaru hybrids take that to a whole new level with up to 500, 297 miles per tank in the Crosstrek Hybrid, a car that I've given my family and up to 581 miles per tank in the Forester Hybrid, another car that I also enjoy. Subaru Love goes the extra mile. Visit subaru.com hybrid to learn more. Range based on EPA estimated combined fuel economy and a full tank of fuel, actual mileage and range may vary. I just want to start by saying, you know, you were the senior to my freshman when I arrived at Second City in Chicago and it was you and Amy Sedaris and Carell and Paul Dinello and you are all getting ready to go do exit 57, which was at the time just the thought that you could go and be like the captain on stage and then go have your own sketch show. It just felt like such a dream.

[Stephen Colbert]

We had no idea what we were doing. And we thought that the answer was, what if we just. 24 hours a day? Wouldn't that make things funnier? And it made things weirder because you would fall into a chemo psychosis.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And not have any sense. And I go back and I watch those sketches now. I go pick up the pace.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah. Oh, God, yeah. I. I look at our old sketches and I'm like, you want to go six minutes on this? You. You really got it. You're gonna stay up all night fighting for cuts? I think. I think we'd play a little better if it was half the time. Was second C where you and Steve first met?

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, I. Matter of fact, I was there. I got. I mean, I worked there in the box office because I didn't have any job. I had gone. I'd done a gig overseas, and then I came back with no money. I mean, literally, I was sleeping on a friend's floor. I didn't have a dime. And my friend Ann Libera said. She was the box office manager, and she said, you can answer phones here, like two days a week if you need, like, basic cash. So I started answering phones. And then I found out that you could take classes for free if you worked there, even if you're like, part time, like I was. And so I said, well, I mean, I never imagined that I would be at Second City because I was. I was real improv. I had done, you know, IO, improv, Olympic. And those people talked a lot of shit about Second City.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, there was a fun East Coast, west coast thing happening.

[Steve Carell]

100%.

[Stephen Colbert]

It was like Lincoln Avenue, North Wells situation going on. And I was very much. Cross currents. That's where we would. I did it across currents.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Old school.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I was like, no, man, I do. And then I went there and I saw the show and I went, oh, everybody here cares just as much as anybody else. They just happen to be sold out every night and there's liquor. Like, I kind of like this. And then I took classes and I didn't know Steve. Steve had gotten there a year, year and a half ahead of me. Something like that. He was a little bit ahead of me in that you might call process or like, kind of rep system there. And. And I didn't know him at all. A year later, a year after I started working there, I was invited to audition and I auditioned and I got into the national touring company, which was like, a red letter day in my career. I got into the Turco, and I think I got hired, like, on a Thursday. And then, like, on Saturday, they said, can you go in at Northwest? Because there used to be the theater on the. At Northwest. And I went, yeah, sure. I learned whatever I needed to learn as quickly as I could. I went up there, and I met Steve kind of like, from backstage, watching him on stage. I met him in rehearsal. He's so gifted. You know how gifted musically he is.

[Amy Poehler]

I did not. I did not know that.

[Stephen Colbert]

He. If it's made of brass, he can play it.

[Amy Poehler]

You're kidding me. I did not know that.

[Stephen Colbert]

He can pick up a tin whistle, a recorder. He can. He can play. He plays the. I. I understudied for Steve when I was at. When I was in Turco. I finally said, like, I either gonna put me. You're gonna let me understudy, or I'm gonna leave. And Joy said, down. Threaten. I don't respond to threats. I'm like, it's not a threat. I've been here for four years, or almost four years at this point.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm like.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I love doing it, but I got to go figure out what else I can do. I hope this isn't a threat. And so literally the next day, they said I understudied, like, etc or something. And then they said, corel's got to go. He's got, like, a Brown's Chicken commercial.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, big deal.

[Steve Carell]

Like that.

[Amy Poehler]

You could live off that for years.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, shit, man.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah, we were all jealous.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wait. He got a bacon bit spot.

[Steve Carell]

And so

[Stephen Colbert]

he's selling funeral insurance to children.

[Steve Carell]

Jesus, that sounds like a great gig.

[Stephen Colbert]

So anyway, they said, could you. Could you go in for Carell? And I said, he plays the euphonium. He played the baritone horn, which is like a little tuba. And he goes. He plays the baritone horn in that. Do I have to play the baritone horn? And they said, yeah, yeah. I said, I don't know how to play the baritone horn. And they said, okay, we'll ask Adzit to do it. And Scott Adzit.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I said, no, no, no, no. I'll learn it.

[Steve Carell]

I'll learn it. When do I. When do I need to go in?

[Stephen Colbert]

And they said, six days.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

And so I. And they wouldn't rent me a horn.

[Amy Poehler]

I got the horn too expensive.

[Stephen Colbert]

It cost, like, 250 bucks, which is like what you'd get paid in a month at Second City. But I had to go in the main stage. And so I went to Carell and I said, would you. I can't read sheet music. Can you please write out the fingering for the horn and teach me an embouchure?

[Amy Poehler]

What's an embouchure?

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, that's the. That's the thing that makes the sound in the horn and, like, you can get, like three different.

[Amy Poehler]

I knew I was gonna learn a new word from this interview. I knew you were gonna teach me a new word.

[Steve Carell]

It was great.

[Stephen Colbert]

Embouchures are great word. Especially if someone cuts a fart in front of you. A nice thing to say is you go. Just go, oh, nice amateur.

[Steve Carell]

You know,

[Stephen Colbert]

really tight on that arboucher and French horn. And so anyway, I. I was dating this girl now, my wife, Evie McGee in New York, and I was supposed to go see her that weekend. What did we do all weekend? We sat in her apartment, and I. I learned Anchors Away, Pretty Woman, and Taps. Oh, you're hearing those drums?

[Amy Poehler]

Wait, no. Who is? Listeners, I don't know if you can hear, but there's some drums happening in your house. Is someone playing?

[Stephen Colbert]

That's my son.

[Steve Carell]

Oh, that's so cute.

[Amy Poehler]

Wait, you're talking about music and your son is starting to play drums down in the basement?

[Stephen Colbert]

My son is practicing because he's going into his brother's band. They got a gig next weekend.

[Amy Poehler]

Come on.

[Steve Carell]

In Brooklyn.

[Stephen Colbert]

And so he's going down there to practice because their drummers out for the week. He's subbing in for his brother.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, that's kind of like all you want. That is all you want. That's exactly. I was going to say the sound of your son practicing to sub in for your other son, that's like a dream.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. I met Carell. I met Carell at Northwest back in. In 1988.

[Amy Poehler]

And so when you guys were on the Daily show together, it was like Jackson Carvey together. That's right. You weren't. By the way, that viral clip I'm sure you've seen on your phone of you guys reacting to the incredible ad for the Dana Carvey Root Beer Variety special album.

[Steve Carell]

It's so I Don't Want to Die

[Amy Poehler]

for people that don't know. That show that you wrote on was incredible and so ahead of its time. But there's a really funny moment where both you and Steve are shown an ad from that time where you are following a very special episode of Home Improvement. And in it, Jonathan Taylor Thomas's character, I believe, thinks he is going to die he thinks he's ill or sick. And he says, like, it's very sweet, and him and Tim Allen are having a moment, and he says, I don't want to die, dad. And then the next voiceover is.

[Stephen Colbert]

And the mug root beer Dana Carvey show tonight on abc.

[Amy Poehler]

So funny.

[Steve Carell]

It's so.

[Amy Poehler]

And watching you and Steve laugh is so funny. It's so.

[Steve Carell]

It's.

[Amy Poehler]

And to me, that's like. I don't know how to explain it other than the joy of. That, to me, sums up what it feels like to have funny friends and get to make things with them.

[Stephen Colbert]

The joy of failure.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was something that I said early on at Second City that I realized, oh, I think I should do this for the rest of my life, meaning comedy, Because I was kind of fighting whether I was gonna do drama or comedy, because I was doing straight theater in Chicago at the same time. But we'd laugh so hard when we. Or someone else on stage would fail, but the other person on stage who was failing would also laugh. And I went, if this. If it can be this joyful in failure and there's also another joy in success, then I'd be dumb not to pursue this for the rest of my life.

[Amy Poehler]

That's so beautifully said. That it is joyful in failure. That is beautifully said. That's exactly.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's almost like. Because there's so much empathy for what's happened to the person who's eating it.

[Amy Poehler]

But. But if, you know, just to extrapolate on that even more, there has to be a belief that you'll be okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

I know you asked to. For me to think of, like, what I would want to ask.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, what. What would you want to ask Steve? Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

The amazing thing about Steve is his ability to do anything is I know a lot of talented people, but I don't know many people who can do almost anything.

[Steve Carell]

And.

[Stephen Colbert]

And first of all, I mean, I remember one of my really early impressions of Steve is, wow, he can make anything funny.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

He can make any moment very full. Not funny, but funny, but also very full. Very full of presence and energy and what we would call tensiveness, like a scenic tension. And I see that same ability. Like, I marveled at that ability. And also how he would never fuck around. He was always very professional. And I remember looking at him backstage at Second City and going, why is he so good? And I came up to this conclusion, and I wrote it down on a piece of paper with a calligraphic pen, and I taped it on the back of my Little locker area to remind myself. And it just said work. Because what I saw at Steve was that he worked really hard and he never phoned it in. And I'm curious what his process is like when he does drama, or what people would perceive as drama versus comedy, or what people would perceive as comedy. And the reason why I say perceive is is it all the same to him?

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Different character intention or with a different energy intention. Or is he really just approaching in a totally different way? He's like, well, that's, you know, that sketch. Or that's something incredibly broad like Anchorman or, you know, Dinner for Schmucks, or now I'm doing Foxcatcher.

[Steve Carell]

Like.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Does he do it in a different way? Because I admire him so much in both directions.

[Amy Poehler]

Same. And.

[Stephen Colbert]

And. And as far as I know, he's never talked about his process, so I don't. I mean, I've never seen him do it, so I don't. And I've worked with him since 1988. I mean, we roomed together practically for 10 years, and I don't know what it is.

[Amy Poehler]

That's a great question. And, I mean, you're really good at. Really good at this. You should. You should try to make this your job, asking questions.

[Stephen Colbert]

Are there any. Are any of these jobs left?

[Steve Carell]

No.

[Stephen Colbert]

No. Okay. No, the podcast it is.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I thank you so much for this time.

[Stephen Colbert]

What a pleasure. Thanks so much.

[Amy Poehler]

And do we know what song your son is playing down in the basement before we go? Do you know? Is it an original?

[Stephen Colbert]

He's either playing bossa nova or he's playing Deep Space Nine, which. Which has one of my favorite lyrics in any of his songs, which is your. Your head's in Deep Space Nine. I'm not taking you to family Thanksgiving Vape vape clouds destroyed your mind I'm not taking you to family Thanksgiving, which is. Love really tells a story.

[Amy Poehler]

It's like you're a swifty with your own children. Like, you're just trying to break down all the lyrics. You know what I mean? Yeah. I mean, I think Steve's gonna be so happy that we talked because. And we could talk about your relationship a lot today, and I hope we do, because it's very special fact that

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm associated with him, that people still come up to me and say, Steve Carell. Like, they'll still get the name wrong.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, sure, sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

I just love it.

[Amy Poehler]

I feel that way about, like. I feel like you and Steve have a little bit of what Tina and I have, which is we're just like people put us together all the time. And I couldn't be happier about it.

[Steve Carell]

Sure.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

I still.

[Stephen Colbert]

Someday I'll do something. Someday I'll do something with him again. Ask him what he's doing because tell him I need a gig.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, great. Yeah, we'll let Karel pick your next gig.

[Steve Carell]

Okay, perfect.

[Amy Poehler]

All right. All right. Thank you so much, buddy.

[Steve Carell]

I appreciate you have a great conversation.

[Amy Poehler]

Thanks. So nice talking to you and seeing you. Okay, take care. Bye. This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. That's smart. Not checking the meaning of a word all the kids say before using it yourself. Not smart. Not slay worthy. Yeah, checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote. That could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary, subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. Thank you for doing this, Mike.

[Steve Carell]

Thanks for having me.

[Amy Poehler]

Steve Carell is here. And Steve, I feel like you always feel the way you feel about somebody, like, based kind of on the first time you see them. Like, you know, you just get, like, imprinted with when you first meet them. And I first met you when you were on stage. I never really knew you in Chicago. I just watched you perform. And you were the senior when I arrived with my bags, like, being like, am I gonna try to do this business? Like, what is this? And you guys were like, the cool seniors.

[Steve Carell]

Well, we also. You hear about the people who they've just hired, too, and you're one of those people that stuck out immediately. You know, people were talking about you super early on, and you always kind of keep tabs like, well, who's. Who's next? Who are the. You know, who are the up and comer?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And you were. You were definitely one of those people.

[Amy Poehler]

You were in the very. Like, you were in that class of people that, number one, were crushing it on stage and then also went on to do things. Like, you had jobs, you got hired, made money, you got commercials.

[Steve Carell]

That was always so exciting to. To meet. You remember Ken Campbell?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, sure.

[Steve Carell]

So Ken Campbell was the first one of, like, our group to kind of step out and got. He got a. He got a show called Herman's Head.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah. Where they were all, some could say, inside. A precursor to inside out.

[Steve Carell]

That's right. Yeah, exactly. He was the first person to have a job, and it was astounding. Like, oh, my. He's really doing it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. He's really gonna get paid to do it.

[Steve Carell]

He's getting paid, and he's in Hollywood, and he's a big shot.

[Amy Poehler]

He's gonna have insurance, everything.

[Steve Carell]

I remember coming out and visiting him, and we were doing a little. I don't know, some weird little theater show, like, one night. And he and his wife were there. Just watch. And I remember he ordered steak, and I thought, oh, man, that guy is. He's got it made. He's rolling in. It's sitting in the restaurant, ordering steak, watching the show.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, speaking of steak and speaking of restaurants, before I go any further, I need to point out you're the first guest that technically, my father booked for me. Bill Poehler.

[Steve Carell]

They are.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, let's tell the story. What happened?

[Steve Carell]

Nicest people. So back in.

[Amy Poehler]

Back in Massachusetts, we'll see how this story goes.

[Steve Carell]

We. You have issues. Clearly, you have issues.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you were in my mom's house.

[Steve Carell]

I don't want to open a can of worms.

[Amy Poehler]

All I know is I got a phone call saying, good news. We saw Steve Carell at a restaurant, and we told him that he should be on your show. So we think we've booked him, is what my parents said. And I was like, my dad. And I was like, what did you say?

[Steve Carell]

That's exactly. No, he's, you know. Amy does a podcast. Like. I know.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, let's set the scene. You're in Massachusetts at a nice restaurant.

[Steve Carell]

A nice restaurant out in the burbs.

[Amy Poehler]

Like Gibbon Hill or something like that.

[Steve Carell]

Gibbet Hill Farms. Gibbet Hill Farms out in Groton.

[Amy Poehler]

Yep.

[Steve Carell]

Like, it was nowhere near where we live either. We just. I was meeting my brother out there.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, my parents were out there.

[Steve Carell]

I know.

[Amy Poehler]

With their friends Tom and Sue.

[Steve Carell]

Lovely. Lovely foursome. They introduced themselves, and. And we got to. They were very charming. Lovely. And I know that surprises you, and. And. And your. You know, your dad brought up your podcast, and your mom said you should be on. And I was like, I've never been asked to be off.

[Amy Poehler]

You were like, I think I have to be asked.

[Steve Carell]

I'm not gonna just throw my hat in, like, hey, I want to be on.

[Amy Poehler]

Did they get awkward? And they were like, oh, there must. They got quiet. There must be a reason why they retreated. They were like, forget it.

[Steve Carell]

Oh, no, no. Maybe she doesn't have a park. I don't remember what she did. Maybe. No, no, that's not right. It was somebody else we were thinking that had a podcast. They were so nice. Yeah. So I think maybe that planted the seed.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, I forget that you're a Boston boy.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah. I grew up in Acton.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. And why do. I mean, you don't seem very Boston to me.

[Steve Carell]

How so? Like, well.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you're polite. And thoughtful and considerate.

[Steve Carell]

There's a different, I will say politeness registers differently in Massachusetts.

[Amy Poehler]

That's true.

[Steve Carell]

When you go back and people recognize you, do you have a different experience than you do here or in New York?

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, I love Boston. I love where I'm from. I love the directness. I love the real loyal, just really, really good, honest people. But there is a definiteness to it. There is a brusqueness. And honestly, I'm going to say it. There's just like, you're not better than me. Quality about boss.

[Steve Carell]

Exactly it.

[Amy Poehler]

That I love. But it's sometimes tough to be on

[Steve Carell]

the receiving end if you, if, you know, if you can anticipate that.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

It's actually very charming, Very true. And you just kind of take it at face value because I remember going back and, you know, shop around. I was in the supermarket. One guy came up to me and said, hey, Steve, I know you. That thing you did was good. Don't get cocky. Just don't get away. Don't get cocky. It's all that love ya. Don't get cocky. Oh, yeah, don't, don't. You're one of us. Don't embarrass us.

[Amy Poehler]

Don't you dare grow or change.

[Steve Carell]

Mostly change.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Where did you go to college?

[Steve Carell]

Denison University.

[Amy Poehler]

And then how did you get Ohio. And then how did you find out about. Second City?

[Steve Carell]

Touring Company came through Ohio State University and we bought tickets. And right then and there I thought, that's funny. Nancy and I were just talking about this exact thing.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

That the touring company seemed like. And she saw a touring company too. It seemed like the most fun job to have.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

Of any job I could even imagine. And you roll into a college town, you do all of these great sketches that are bulletproof because they've been tried and true and have been at Second City for years and years. And they always work. So you feel like just. You're on top of the world. It's not even your material. You're just going out and performing someone else's stuff and it's making people laugh. And it just. I thought, that's it. That's what I want to do.

[Amy Poehler]

When you were in college, you were thinking about being an actor?

[Steve Carell]

Oh, I was a history major.

[Amy Poehler]

Ah. That makes sense.

[Steve Carell]

So I was not allowing myself to kind of consider that seriously because you

[Amy Poehler]

probably didn't know a lot of people who were actors growing up who had that job. Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

No, it didn't seem. I mean, in Massachusetts.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

Your neck of the woods, too.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. It just doesn't seem like. It's like it's a real. It didn't seem like a real job exactly.

[Steve Carell]

It's like I'll either be that or an astronaut, you know? It didn't seem like a plausible final destination in terms of a career. So I always. I thought maybe history, maybe law school. Something. Something that sounded. Something that sounded good to my parents. Yeah. Honestly, I really wanted to. After all they invested in me and my education, my brothers. I. I just felt like I owed them.

[Amy Poehler]

So they could. Like when. When. When you're older, they could go up to someone in a restaurant and say, you should join my son's law school. They could bother someone in a restaurant.

[Steve Carell]

I never got a chance to say that.

[Amy Poehler]

And so then you're in Denison. You see the touring company. You think, I'm gonna go to Chicago.

[Steve Carell]

Two friends of mine from Denison, after we graduated, they gave me a call randomly and said, we're moving. We're going to Chicago.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow.

[Steve Carell]

And I don't think I would have had the guts to do it myself, just by myself. But we're getting a place. We're going to start an educational theater company, which will help pay some of the bills, and we'll get jobs and we will pursue careers as actors. And that's. And I was in.

[Amy Poehler]

What year was that Then you arrived here?

[Steve Carell]

85.

[Amy Poehler]

And you just were living in a cheap. Do you remember the rent of Your first apartment?

[Steve Carell]

$600 Split three ways, all utilities included. Fantastic.

[Amy Poehler]

What was your job then? What were you doing?

[Steve Carell]

I waited tables at Houlihans in Chicago.

[Amy Poehler]

That was a hot spot.

[Steve Carell]

Houlihan's. Houlihans on Division.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. That's. I mean, it was so fun back then to be in that city. That city felt like it was. I don't know, maybe just because I was young when I was there, but it felt like it was. Something was crackling and happening. I mean, when you think back about those Chicago times, what comes up for you? I mean, it's such youthful, exuberant, enthusiastic times. But what feelings and thoughts come up for you?

[Steve Carell]

I think. Well, like all of the things we learned in class at Second City. Having that freedom to fail. And there were very few constraints in terms of what you could try and at Second City itself, it was the same thing. Like being on stage every night and working it out and figuring that audience is such a great barometer, and if you're not doing it well or right, they'll tell you, you'll feel it. And it was so much fun.

[Amy Poehler]

So much fun. And also, you know, I think about it now, as you're talking about it, is I think sometimes when I think back at sketch and improv, I kind of, like. I don't know, I think, like, oh, I wasn't working material, like a standup or something. But that's not true. We really had to. We had different audiences every night, rowdy audiences expecting stuff from us.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And like, you had to learn how to kind of be hung out to dry a little bit on stage and be okay with it.

[Steve Carell]

Did you embrace that?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

We used to challenge each other to embracing the awfulness of the scene and challenging each other not to leave because it's so easy if something's failing. You just want to bail during an improv scene. But it was sort of a badge of honor. We're going to drive this into the ground.

[Amy Poehler]

It's an exquisite feeling.

[Steve Carell]

It's.

[Amy Poehler]

So get your partner and be like, we're bombing.

[Steve Carell]

We're. And we're. And let's hold hands and let's. Let's do this together. And sometimes you'd be able to pull it out of a nosedive. And other. A lot of times it just. The lights just slowly, slowly faded.

[Amy Poehler]

But what do you like about it? I know what you mean. What is that? What is the thing about it?

[Steve Carell]

I don't know. I think it's. I guess, just throwing everything off of you. Like, throwing all of the worry, all of the concern of this isn't working and getting into your head about why isn't it working? We have to make it work. Everybody gets sweaty. Everybody. Everybody starts trying too hard. But sometimes when you can just allow it to kind of wash over you, the things that you might find are really interesting. I mean, embracing is like a little death.

[Amy Poehler]

Is it the closest it feels like you are? I mean, I'm trying to think because I. When you're explaining it, I'm getting this, like, feeling of what it felt like when it was. When you. I mean, one thing is we weren't usually alone. No, we weren't bombing alone.

[Steve Carell]

And that's. I can't imagine. Did you ever do standup?

[Amy Poehler]

I occasionally like when I would be asked to do small shows and I didn't mind it. I kind of liked it, but I never really, like, honed a set.

[Steve Carell]

I bet you would be. I bet you were great at it.

[Amy Poehler]

I. I found it easier or I liked doing it as I was older. When I was younger, I just didn't think I understood. I had like a lot of respect for the art form and I didn't. And I wanted to be with people. I wanted to perform with people too. So I think that that's what I mean is the bombing with people was like a special joy.

[Steve Carell]

I completely.

[Amy Poehler]

But the one. Well, of the many things that Second City, I know it like, created lifelong friendships and like, you know, you got your. We all figured out how to like get our 10,000 hours on stage and all that stuff. But you met your wife.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

How did you meet Nancy Wallace? The great, hilarious Nancy Wallace?

[Steve Carell]

This is going to sound super creepy, but I was teaching class at Second City.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Steve Carell]

And she was in my improv character class.

[Amy Poehler]

Dang.

[Steve Carell]

And she was hilarious and super smart, beautiful. Like, I. I have to remember she

[Amy Poehler]

was a real catch back then because Nancy is so funny and also beautiful. And I remember everyone being like, this is not quite fair. It's not quite fair how tall and pretty and funny she is. Like you usually get.

[Steve Carell]

You don't get.

[Amy Poehler]

You can get about one.

[Steve Carell]

She's so nice and.

[Amy Poehler]

No, so nice and cool.

[Steve Carell]

Cool and nice and sweet to everybody.

[Amy Poehler]

But you really snagged the babe.

[Steve Carell]

Tell me about it. Ye so. But I thought she hated my guts because I'd be teaching and talking and I'd look over at her dead. Nothing like dead eyes, no affect in her face at all. And I was like, boy, she is not buying any of this. She hates me, hates this class, knows I'm a phony. And it turns out she was just nervous. That's what she told me later.

[Amy Poehler]

And when she gets nervous, she gets like stone faced.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah. She just doesn't want to show anything.

[Amy Poehler]

That's a powerful move to do because it really makes the other person work for it.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And she worked across the street. She was a waitress across the street at a bar called the Last Act.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Carell]

So after shows or after class, I used to go over and I used to sit at the bar and I'd order a Diet Coke and we'd talk. But it took so long because we both kind of talked around the whole thing forever. And never like, finally one day the conversation went something like, you know, if we're talking about people that we like or like, what's your. Who would you go out with?

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. That's such a funny convo to have.

[Steve Carell]

And it was all just, just this circuitous. You, you know, someone down the bar is just saying, get to it. My. Come on, you're annoying everybody. And I think I finally said, you know, if I, if I were gonna ask somebody on a date, it'd be somebody like you. Like, you'd be like that template of somebody that I'd love to go out with. And she's like, you know, somebody like you asked me out. That would. I would love it. It would be fantastic. Then there was a pause and I said, do you wanna go out? So lame. It was so super uncool. She's like, yeah. So we went two doors out of the other bar, you know, like, then that was the beginning of it.

[Amy Poehler]

And then you could. When you left Chicago, were you. You weren't married yet?

[Steve Carell]

No, we were engaged. We got engaged a week before she got snl.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow.

[Steve Carell]

So, yeah, we went on our honeymoon and came back and moved right to New York for her to start rehearsals.

[Amy Poehler]

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[Steve Carell]

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[Amy Poehler]

So people know, like way ahead of its time. Dana Carvey show that you and Colbert and others, Smigel and Conan were all

[Steve Carell]

writers on a bunch of people. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

An incredible cast of writers. And you were also in the rep company. Did you. You did stuff with.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And I mean I was.

[Steve Carell]

Dana calls the sketch of tears.

[Amy Poehler]

Can we talk about Dana Carvey for a second? Because Dana Carvey was so. Was really important to me. Like he was. You know, you always kind of fall in love with that cast that when you're like 13 that you see in SNL and it was Dana and Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks. Like, Dana is so funny.

[Steve Carell]

He is so funny.

[Amy Poehler]

He is so funny.

[Steve Carell]

I don't know if there's anyone funny or live too like two. To be in a room with him is incredible. He's just a super funny, incredibly nice guy. Like I owe him and Smigel everything for that opportunity on that show. Because I was at a point in Chicago, my agent had told me if something doesn't happen for you soon, it's not going to happen. My agent. Way to build me up. I was feeling very good about myself.

[Amy Poehler]

Dang. That's hard.

[Steve Carell]

So I move. I. I moved to New York.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And was able to. The next thing I got was Dana Carvey.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And it. That really changed everything.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

That was my first kind of step into something other than Second City.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I mean that show. I remember it being this. It felt like an experiment.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

It felt like it was like you guys got an opportunity to make whatever you wanted with other People's money. And then they noticed that you were doing it, and they said, stop. They said, stop doing that.

[Steve Carell]

Well, you heard about the first episode. Did you hear this story?

[Amy Poehler]

Tell us again.

[Steve Carell]

The first scene of the first Dana Carvey show was Dana playing Bill Clinton. And he was sitting at a desk in the Oval Office talking about how he is the nurturing president. And at a certain point, he opens his shirt to reveal a prosthetic breast plate. Like teats, if you will.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, teats.

[Steve Carell]

And I think he had eight nipples.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Steve Carell]

And they brought. Which had real milk, which were rigged to lactate. And so they brought a bunch of puppies and stood them on the desk, and the puppies started suckling. Because he was the nurturing president. Right. And so we started. We. We're following Home Improvement, And they said the ratings went from Home Improvement and they could chart it. Like, at the beginning of this sketch,

[Amy Poehler]

it just, like, you could hear the drop off. It was.

[Steve Carell]

It was done. It was. The show was over. And that was the first episode. First scene.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, God, that's great.

[Steve Carell]

At that point, ABC was not. Not happy. No, it was.

[Amy Poehler]

But somebody had to approve that. That was the first sketch. Somebody had to.

[Steve Carell]

I mean, it was not a surprise, to her credit. ABC allowed it to happen. Yeah, they took some huge swings. And it was fun because, like, Colbert and I shared an office and we could. And we worked together a lot at Second City. We were in a bunch of casts together, and we come up with an idea and go down to Smigel's office, Robert Smigel, and just pitch something. And he'd say, let's. Yeah, let's go and do it on the show that night. I mean, it was the kind of. It was as close to live as you could get without being snl.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, you really did work on a bunch of, like, really specific, interesting places. Like, the Daily show is its own system that kept changing with different kind of versions of the same thing. But what was it like? What was that feeling like when you were all there, young, working on that and it being so well received?

[Steve Carell]

It was similar to Second City.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And I think those are the. I guess those are the kind of environments that I am drawn to, that everyone is just in it together, and there's a spontaneity to it, and we don't know if it's gonna work, but we're gonna give it our best shot.

[Amy Poehler]

It was a lot of improvising on

[Steve Carell]

that show, you know, in the field pieces. Yes. Because you just had. Especially early on they didn't know that we were comedy show, so we were kind of undercover.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you ever feel bad when you were tricking people?

[Steve Carell]

I did not like it, especially at first, because I was new and I was kind of following the template. And I never felt good about mocking someone who doesn't deserve it. So I tried and I know Colbert. Stephen gave me great advice, which was come up with a character and that will make it much more palatable. And my character was someone who didn't quite understand, didn't quite get it, but was super serious about everything he was asking. But it was not. The onus was on me to be right.

[Amy Poehler]

I was.

[Steve Carell]

I was the idiot.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, yes.

[Steve Carell]

And to take the. To take that off of the people. I remember doing one field piece which were. It was a Klingon speakers convention. And, you know, you go, and obviously the idea is, let's make fun of people who meet and learn how to speak Klingon. And they were the nicest, gentlest. I really liked these people a lot. They were very kind. And I thought, well, who are they harming? No one. I mean, it's just harmless fun. It's just people enjoy each other's company and have a shared hobby. I mean, how is it any different than a woodworking club or a photography club? It's just. It's what they did. It's what is where their interests lie. And it made them happy. And I thought, no, it has to be about what an idiot I am.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, you're really good at that, Steve. You're so good at playing someone who's frustrated by their own lack of understanding comedically.

[Steve Carell]

That's such an interesting way to put it.

[Amy Poehler]

Just like, God, just get this right. It's so.

[Steve Carell]

Why is the world so wrong?

[Amy Poehler]

And that energy of that is so funny and so funny.

[Steve Carell]

But Steven was right. And Steven, that took a lot of it, a lot of that strain away, because then it wasn't making fun of people. And there, you know, I just. There's no. I don't like playing pranks in terms of being unkind or trying to make someone looks stupid unless they deserve to look stupid. But more often than not, these people didn't. They were, you know, some of them were just eccentric, but who cares? Like, that's. Yeah, that's the spice of life.

[Amy Poehler]

And so do you think that Adam McKay, who wrote and directed Anchorman, wrote Brick with you in mind?

[Steve Carell]

I don't think so. No, not at all.

[Amy Poehler]

Because, I mean, we've all seen the audition. It's so that Character is chef's kiss.

[Steve Carell]

That might have been the most fun I've ever had professionally, like, with those guys. Well, one of the things we do every day when we were shooting, and it was really like my first big. It's one of the first things I ever did. And I just. I couldn't believe my good fortune. I thought this might be it. You know, this might be the one that I just. This might be one and done. And I'm going to. I'm going to enjoy it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

But we used to do during. They used to do dailies every day and watch them.

[Amy Poehler]

And you'd watch.

[Steve Carell]

Everyone would watch them. They have a dailies trailer on set. And it was all on film still. So you'd watch from a few days before they develop the film, and you just see selections from a few days earlier. And so we'd have lunch. This was every day we'd have lunch. And then the four of us and other cast members too. And the producers would go into this trailer and we'd all get hot fudge sundaes at catering before we came in, eating hot fudge sundaes and watching the dailies.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. And acting is so hard.

[Steve Carell]

I know. I know. I mean, I thought this is this. What is. Is this it?

[Amy Poehler]

As a little kid, this is what you would dream that acting would be.

[Steve Carell]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Steve Carell]

It's what you would dream. And it was just pure joy. Oh.

[Amy Poehler]

And you would just laugh at what you had done a couple days before.

[Steve Carell]

And most. You know. And I'm sure you're the same way, watching yourself. You're like, nah. Yeah. But get to somebody else's stuff.

[Amy Poehler]

Totally.

[Steve Carell]

And it's just to watch what everybody else is doing because you can't really watch while you're in it. While you're doing it. But to kind of watch objectively.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, I know. You mean, like sometimes I've known, like, I don't know if I nailed it, but I'm gonna be in a funny movie. I don't know if I. Yeah. I don't know if I'm gonna be the funny one in the funny movie. But I'm gonna. But I'm gonna be in one if.

[Steve Carell]

If I can not be. If I cannot detract from everyone else being funny. That's usually what I feel my job is. If I. Because I feel like when people. You can tell when people want to be the funniest thing.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And are trying. When it gets sweaty and they're trying super hard.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And I don't know how you feel about improv as used in film?

[Amy Poehler]

I have a strong feeling about it, actually. Well, because I feel like. Especially during that time. So I was in Anchorman. I got cut.

[Steve Carell]

You were in the fight, the battle scene.

[Amy Poehler]

I was in the.

[Steve Carell]

Weren't you in one battle?

[Amy Poehler]

No, in the original one. In the original Anchorman, there was a whole other. If you remember that giant.

[Steve Carell]

The Alarm Clock.

[Amy Poehler]

The alarm clock, that's right. So there was. I wasn't in the Alarm Clock, but there are people who have the DVD extras know, there was, like, a whole other world of, like, bad guys that got cut out of that movie. I think an hour's worth of material. Maya Rudolph, Chuck D from Public Enemy, because, of course, Kevin Corrigan. They were like the Weather Underground. They were this, like, you know, feisty group of rebels, you know, trying to upset the city. I don't know how it had to do with you guys, but it was pages and pages and months and months, and I was. I did a scene with them where I was, like, up bank teller. You know, like a belligerent bank teller or something. But I went and worked for a day, and so I have a picture of me and Chuck D and me and Maya in a great outfit, and we're like, we're gonna be in anchorman. And then McKay was like, we're not gonna be doing it. There's a whole other movie out there.

[Steve Carell]

Well, there was another, like, a flashback scene that I don't know if we shot or whether it's kind of a blur. But the idea was there's. It's. It's a bit of a brick backstory origin story that he was their platoon leader in. In Vietnam, and he was, like, the biggest badass.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, wow.

[Steve Carell]

And then, like, follow me. We're getting this shit done. That kind of thing. And then you cut to now he's. He's their trusty mascot.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

But you don't know what happened in between.

[Amy Poehler]

Really funny. That's really funny.

[Steve Carell]

But in. In terms of. There was a lot of improv.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. During that time, there was a lot of, like. And Adam loves to improvise. And, like.

[Steve Carell]

Great.

[Amy Poehler]

And I used to love it because I felt like I. I could do it well. But it also, it. It did wear me down a little bit as the years went on.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah. No, I. I agree. I.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you feel this way about improv. I do. Which is sometimes people are like, it's great. You can improvise. And I'm like, oh, it's here.

[Steve Carell]

Here's my take.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. What's your take?

[Steve Carell]

I. I think it's. I think it's a great tool, but I don't think it is The. The. I think it's a means to an end. I don't think it's. Let's just do a big improv thing. Yeah. Because. And I think this was true on the Office. The scripts were great on that show. Like, really strong every episode. And. Can I ask you a question about Parks and Rec?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

So you led that show for so many years. Did you ever. How did you maintain the. The dignity of that character? And, like, how did. How did you. How are you able to center that character all the way through? Because I think it's very easy for, you know, when writers turn over, when staffs turn over. Sometimes new writers are more fans of the show and are kind of writing to the most obvious elements of a character as opposed to, you know, people who are like, the creators of the actual. The writers who created the character. So how did you feel like you protected your character going through.

[Amy Poehler]

That's a good question. I feel like the short answer is Mike Schur, who really was the best captain and just kept everyone's characters very sacred and safe and really paid attention to what we would and wouldn't say. I think we started off, like, a little wacky, and we had to adjust on the fly. So we did some, like, early adjusting on that show and then locked in after that. But I know what you mean. Like, there would be times where I would have to say, like, I don't know if. I don't know if this is too far. I don't know, but not a lot. I feel like everyone was in flow there. Everyone really got it. But it's funny that you bring up that. That exact thing, because Parks and Recreation came after the Office, and there's really only two people that I've been told I am a poor man's version of, and one of them is you, which I take. I take that as high compliment. And. But, like, we came here.

[Steve Carell]

I would take that as a huge insult.

[Amy Poehler]

Were all, you know, Parks and Rec had the worst launch ever. Everyone was like, this is not the Office. We don't like this. I just remember being like. And we're like, you're not Steve, and you're not. We don't like it. And I remember being like, oh, I think I just dissociated and was just like, well, our.

[Steve Carell]

Our pilot. You heard about our pilot.

[Amy Poehler]

I know, and I want to talk to.

[Steve Carell]

Our pilot was the lowest testing pilot in the history, I think, of NBC. It, it. People really hated it. Like, not just kind of, they actively hated it. Actively hated this show. And I don't quite know how it got legs after that.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I remember the moment. So Mike Schur, who was writing, was running Update, and I wasn't doing Update then, but I was just a cast member on snl and we were watching the British Office like everyone else and loving it. And I remember they were gonna make the American version and everyone was like, this is a terrible idea. This is a terrible idea. No one can be as good as Ricky Gervais. No one can do that show. And then we heard it was you, and we were like, oh, oh, whoever's making the show wants it to be funny, you know, like it was this thing of like, oh, that's a very, very good choice.

[Steve Carell]

Well, Greg Daniels is a great producer and he's also kind of, he's very adept at putting together casts like the Alchemy and the chemistry between those people. And we all got along so well. We all bonded instantly and we all felt like we were a part of a team. There was no hierarchy at all in that cast. So I attribute that to him. But, you know, I'm a poor man's Ricky Gervais.

[Amy Poehler]

But you never watched the.

[Steve Carell]

I didn't.

[Amy Poehler]

Never have watched the uk no. Even now?

[Steve Carell]

No. I've watched all of his other shows, but I've never watched.

[Amy Poehler]

I know what you mean. I don't know if I would have wanted to watch either. I just would have felt too stressed about.

[Steve Carell]

I watched like a minute of one of the show of him and he was so good and so specific and so funny. I thought, if I watch a second more, I'm just gonna go on an audition with that. I won't be able to think, even imagine it a different way.

[Amy Poehler]

And I mean, are you like me? I mean, I don't enjoy comedy. No, I never. Especially with me and comedy that's done well.

[Steve Carell]

No, no, pass.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. So you went in not knowing you're not watching the.

[Steve Carell]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And well, it's funny that you guys all heard, oh, oh, the, you know, they're doing an American version. And everyone had the same reaction. And I remember Rudd Rhett pulled me aside, was like, don't do it, man. Don't, don't, don't audition. It is like, there is no, there's no way.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Everyone was like, don't even touch this, don't touch this 10 foot pole. And did you have like a, a major premise or theme about Michael's arc. Like, if you would. To sum it up, would you say what was. Like. What was his. What was kind of his simple mission statement as a character?

[Steve Carell]

Early on, this was like a dream come true for him, to be in a documentary and be able to not only be in charge of all of these people, but to have the ability to perform and be watched and be loved. I think so much of. Of who he is was about being loved, just being wanting. I wouldn't even say respect. I think he just wanted to be loved. And the last. Like, a year before I knew I was going to leave, I talked to Greg about what potentially the last arc for him would be. And I did want there to be a sense of growth for him that I said, one thing I'm going to pitch is that the last day is not the last day. Everyone thinks that they're going to have a party for him, but he leaves the day before because he doesn't. He doesn't need it. He wants to say goodbye on his own terms, and he's sort of beyond being celebrated that way. And he's. That's. That's. That I thought would be an interesting way for him to go out.

[Amy Poehler]

The Office is a show that people watch when they're stressed, when they're sad.

[Steve Carell]

Parks and Rec is exactly the same.

[Amy Poehler]

And during. I'm sure you had this happen too, like, during the pandemic. Everybody rewatched those shows. They went back to it, like, you have provided, and everyone on that show has provided this, like, feeling of safety and security in a time when people are very, very anxious and they return over and over again. What does that feel like when people

[Steve Carell]

tell you that I've provided a public service, really? And in that way, I think I'm more than an actor.

[Amy Poehler]

Uh, oh, you got cocky. You got cocky.

[Steve Carell]

You got cocky. Don't get cocky.

[Amy Poehler]

Don't get cocky. No, but it's true. But it's true.

[Steve Carell]

It's nice.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, we fell in love with the journey of Michael, and we really, really, we do. We love him. And I will say, like, what your. What your. What the Office did for me and watching it with my kids is, like, exactly the way in which they enjoyed and learned this feeling of what the kids would call, like, cringe. But the sparkly, weird feeling of, like, oh, no. Like, tension and a little bit of stress about what is Michael gonna do and say, and how is he gonna do it? And then watching him swing and miss over and over again while still being loved is like they just. They didn't know how to put that into words, but they loved that. They loved that about him. It's such a. I mean, congrats on a great show. I don't know what else to say. I have no question here, you know. What did you say to Pam at the airport? Tell us what you said to Pam.

[Steve Carell]

I leaned in. I went just to make it look like I was saying something.

[Amy Poehler]

You did. You didn't.

[Steve Carell]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

No. You did say.

[Steve Carell]

No. We had a very. A very emotional, shared moment.

[Amy Poehler]

I love that moment. Such a good moment. Okay, so we do something on the show where we talk to people who know our guests and who are friends of our guests to get a question to ask them, and we talk well behind their back. And so we talked to Stephen Colbert today.

[Steve Carell]

Oh, my gosh.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. He was in his living room. It looked like a living or study. I was so psyched to talk to him because, like, you, Steven, you both were. You know, I kind of only got to know you later. I didn't know you in Chicago, and you were both these examples of, like, you know, aspirational performers who I wanted to be in any way like. And Stephen talked a lot about those early times with the two of you and what it was like to watch you on stage. And he talks about, like, how you can do almost anything, you know, like, that you have this ability to be really, really big and really small, and you can have these characters that are really shallow and really deep. He told us that you can play any instrument, which I did not know that you're, like, very good at brass instruments. Is that a lie?

[Steve Carell]

It's pretty amazing, isn't it?

[Amy Poehler]

Did you learn. Did you take lessons?

[Steve Carell]

I took lessons.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, what was your instrument of choice?

[Steve Carell]

Baritone horn.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, dang.

[Steve Carell]

I know, right?

[Amy Poehler]

You were like, ladies.

[Steve Carell]

I don't.

[Amy Poehler]

You were like, ladies. I've got a baritone.

[Steve Carell]

I play the baritone horn in the march.

[Amy Poehler]

Why'd you pick the baritone horn?

[Steve Carell]

I love the tone.

[Amy Poehler]

I want to know what it sounds like.

[Steve Carell]

It's sometimes. It's also called a euphonium. It's basically a small tuba. I know. Sexy

[Amy Poehler]

baritone.

[Steve Carell]

I play the small tuba and. Yeah, and I also play.

[Amy Poehler]

Would you like to go on a second date?

[Steve Carell]

Do you like that?

[Amy Poehler]

The fife?

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Sorry, I can't. I gotta get commercials off of my YouTube. YouTube? If you can find a way to. Okay, here we go.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah. Somewhere between a trombone tuba and a French horn.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, Tony is a trombone. Trombone teacher.

[Steve Carell]

I'm telling you, this podcast is going to Elevate baritone horn. Play like never before.

[Amy Poehler]

I love Tony. Here we go.

[Steve Carell]

Right, young player starting.

[Stephen Colbert]

Euphonium.

[Amy Poehler]

You'd probably need euphonium or baritone horn. Right. Well, I. It's a quite a large instrument.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah. You hold it like this.

[Amy Poehler]

Yep.

[Steve Carell]

And I had the bell that went out like this.

[Amy Poehler]

And did you play in the band?

[Steve Carell]

So I played in the band. I played in the jazz band. I played. Yeah, I played it. I played it at Second City. Stephen Colbert had to learn how to play the baritone horn because he was my understudy.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes, he mentioned that he had to understudy and he had to learn the baritone horn in, like, six days.

[Steve Carell]

Unbelievable. And he did talk about somebody who can do anything. Like, I mean, I'd played the baritone horn since I was in fourth grade. He learned it in six days, so. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And he told me that he also taught me a word. I've completely forgotten it. It's a word that describes when you make the sound of the V. Do you remember the name of the word?

[Steve Carell]

Embouchure.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes. Embouchure. You taught him an embouchure. What was it like working with Steven? And what do you remember about meeting him for the first time?

[Steve Carell]

Wow. I just think. I think about him a lot, to be honest. I'm in awe of him. He's so smart. He's so funny. He is someone who can literally do anything. He can sing. He's a great writer. One of the funniest people I know, and a wonderful father and husband. Like, just like one of these straight arrow. I would trust him with my life kind of guys. And we got a lot working with him. You know, when you work well, you and Tina, when you know someone can finish your sentence.

[Amy Poehler]

I mentioned that to him that, like, there's a feeling as we get older, when people knew us when that feels really, like, beyond special and valuable. It's like you just have been through a lot with someone.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And when you've met them at the beginning of what eventually will be, like, the best thing about your life other than your family.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And your partners, is like, you just. They knew you when you were struggling, like, in that you just. They. They have a part of your life in them and you and theirs.

[Steve Carell]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

And that's what it feels like with the two of you.

[Steve Carell]

Well, for me, too. To learn at the same time and to be going through. And I'm sure certainly you and Tina experience that and others to have that. As you were saying, those sort of formative years when you don't really know what you're doing, but you're having fun, and you're all having fun together, and you're trusting each other. And I think that's one of the great things about Second City was just learning how to trust other people. And I just trust him. And as a person, as a performer, he's just fun. He's a. I can't wait to see what his next thing is, because.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, we were talking about it, and we think you should decide what his next thing is.

[Steve Carell]

Well, I'm always pitching the two of us doing a play.

[Amy Poehler]

I love that. That's a great idea.

[Steve Carell]

I'd love to do a play with him. I think it would be. Or anything, honestly.

[Amy Poehler]

That's a great idea.

[Steve Carell]

Do anything with him.

[Amy Poehler]

His question for you, because, of course it was. Was very thoughtful and interesting, which was, you know, he was saying, like, I've known Steve for so long, but I don't really know his process. We've never really talked about it in terms of, like, is there a difference between when you're doing something dramatic and doing something comedic? Do you think about it differently? Do you approach it differently?

[Steve Carell]

I'll preface this by saying whenever I hear an actor start to talk about

[Amy Poehler]

their comic and we're gonna cut the answer.

[Steve Carell]

A character doesn't know if they're in a comedy or a drama. They're just living their life.

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Steve Carell]

And so if funny things happen around this character, then the movie or the show is a comedy. But if it's tragic or scary or whatever, it's. It leans towards drama. Sometimes it's a mixture of both. But I think if you can tell a character knows they're in a comedy, it's intrinsically less funny.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Steve Carell]

I look somebody like Alan Arkin or Peter Sellers, and they always seem very true to their characters. They were never like. You couldn't tell whether Alan Arkin was doing something intensely dramatic or something crazily funny. Yes, it was the same. Like, not the same kind of. Not the same acting. He'd play different characters, but he was equally committed to both of them and never letting on. He was never winking. Like, I'm in a comedy. Yeah, Here we go.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

Watch this joke. You're gonna laugh. Do you ever sense actors sometimes waiting for the. Waiting for the laughter in a movie?

[Amy Poehler]

They're like, look around. Like.

[Steve Carell]

Like. Like a punchline. Like, wait a second. Where the.

[Amy Poehler]

Also, the other thing that makes me so stressed out and, like, sweaty is in real life, when people say, like, I'm funny and I'm like, oof. I don't know. I don't know if you got to say it out loud. I don't know.

[Steve Carell]

Have you ever had an executive? I. I had an executive once say, listen, I know comedy, okay?

[Amy Poehler]

Like, I know it, I know it, I know it. I've studied it, okay?

[Steve Carell]

It's such a subjective thing.

[Amy Poehler]

And reverse it, right? Like, if you. If I went up to, like a. You know, like, if I went up to Meryl and I was like, I'm pretty dramatic. Like, reverse. It'd be like, I'm pretty good at being pretty sad. I'm pretty. I can get pretty sad, and people will buy it.

[Steve Carell]

I think when I cry, I'm gonna make other people cry.

[Amy Poehler]

So I've cried something different. A lot of my friends have seen me cry. But Steve, I mean, I'm gonna glaze you for a second. Beautiful boy. Foxcatcher, the Patient. You're so good at. That series was so incredible. I loved you in four seasons. I loved that series, and I look forward for season two. And your ghost, obviously haunting the set. I don't know.

[Steve Carell]

I just think I should be in background. I think I should just.

[Amy Poehler]

Just like, where's bald?

[Steve Carell]

I should be in background. And I just, like, turn. But, like, almost inscrutable. Like, you can't. Yeah. You can't tell if it's me or not.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. But. But I love what she said about the two of you working together. Cause I do think that you both have similar qualities. You. You work really hard, you're very professional, and you're shyer than people would think, both of you.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah, well, I. We talked about that. Like, we worked together before, and it took us 15 years after that to become friends. Because it is true. I'm very. I think closed off is what with the word you're looking for. I'm not shy. I'm just impenetrable.

[Amy Poehler]

But. But are you.

[Steve Carell]

I'm pretty shy, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I guess I bet people think, like, you're gonna be the life of the party.

[Steve Carell]

Oh, no.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

Do you remember coming to my house for the.

[Amy Poehler]

I loved your house, but tell that story.

[Steve Carell]

So Nancy and I had a dinner party for the Oscars one year that was so fun and had a few couples over, and it was really fun. It's fun to have everybody over, but that's. That's very unlike us. Like, we don't.

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know.

[Steve Carell]

We're not. I think we're more social now. I've. That we're getting older. I Guess time's running out to solidify some of these friendships. But so the Oscars. And we had a very nice dinner, and we taped it. We put it. You know, we were taping the Oscars.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. We ate first, like, civilized. And then we were going to be like, let's go.

[Steve Carell]

We're going to sit down, and then we're going to go in and we'll watch, and we can fast forward through the awards that we like. And we looked at the tape and we hadn't added the extension. And Oscars always go long, so, like, the big awards, we completely missed.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And we were frantic. Like, I think somebody got online. We just started announcing, like, who won the awards, kind of acting it out.

[Amy Poehler]

My. My memory of that time and feeling was that it was really fun. Like, so I can only imagine the stress of, like, oh, we didn't record the Oscars. But also, I mean, that was just fun. That was so fun. But. But, yeah, I think that people probably assume that you're going to be kind of crazy.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah, I'm pretty. Yeah, I'm. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

I'm not. I'm not out there. Know who I really envy? Envy I admire is Will. Like, he just owns it.

[Amy Poehler]

Will Ferrell.

[Steve Carell]

Like, he'll show. Yeah, Will Ferrell, he'll show up at a King's game. He was wearing a ref's uniform the other day, just sitting in his seat. He came as his character from Elf year before last and was just smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer. But he just. He just kind of owns it.

[Amy Poehler]

I know.

[Steve Carell]

And he loves it, and people love it. And I'm way too introverted to do that. Yeah, I won one time, and I would never do this, but I thought, I'm just gonna do it. I was in Beverly Hills, I was driving around, and a tour bus went by, and I thought. Thought, I'm gonna. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna wave. And I went, hey, everybody. Not a person. They were like, knowledge. They were like, what? Who's that? And I shrank into this little ball. Like, last time I'm ever doing anything.

[Amy Poehler]

They were like, what have you been in? And you were like, you just start listing your resume.

[Steve Carell]

Oh, man. I was like, why did I even do that? It was certainly no gift to anybody. That was like, no.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, God. Oh, God. I mean. I mean, that is what I love about you, Steve, is like, I feel like. Well, for many things. One is that I feel like you're just such an incredible actor, performer, and collaborative person to work With. And I do look forward to being in the play that you and Steven do together.

[Steve Carell]

Yes. How about who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Want to do it?

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Steve Carell]

All right.

[Amy Poehler]

Two things, though. I like to go to bed early and I don't want to do as many performances as they make you do. I think about our times when, like, the hardest part of our day was at the end of our day when we would do our shows and it was like in jeans, shuffling out there, being like, can we get a word to get started? Like a bunch of lazy motherfuckers.

[Steve Carell]

Shout a few things out. Shout it. Just shout it out.

[Amy Poehler]

Where do we work? Where do the two of us work?

[Steve Carell]

What's our relationship? What's my first line? What's my last line? And what are some of the lines in between?

[Amy Poehler]

But you have been killed off on a couple shows. Morning show. You were killed off.

[Steve Carell]

Morning show. The Patient. The last three shows.

[Amy Poehler]

The last three shows.

[Steve Carell]

The last three shows, I've been killed.

[Amy Poehler]

What's going on?

[Steve Carell]

People love to see me killed off. It's a thing.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. Now your new show, you're not. Okay, let's talk about Rooster. Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

Season one. So far, so good.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. It just came out. It just came out on hbo.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

What is it about?

[Steve Carell]

It's about my character, Greg is a writer, not unlike Carl Hiaasen, whose daughter is a professor at a prestigious east coast university. I go to that university to just do reading and in order. My. My daughter kind of gets into some trouble and the president of the university. This is a long winded version, President of the university asks if I'll stay on as a resident, you know, a writer in residence. And so I become the writer in residence at this college that my daughter. And so it really changes the dynamic between me and my daughter.

[Amy Poehler]

And it's like you stepping into this, like, academic world. I like to see you as a professor. I like that a lot.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah, it's fun. Yeah, I think it's really. And the cast is stacked. Such a good, good group.

[Amy Poehler]

What's it like doing another show with, like, how does it feel?

[Steve Carell]

Really? It was great. It had that sense of freedom and that sense of anything can happen at any time. We can try stuff. Everybody's a great improviser. People talking before about improvising in character, on point. Everybody's so good at that.

[Amy Poehler]

So great.

[Steve Carell]

Very well written and funny. I love it. I really love it.

[Amy Poehler]

Congrats on that. It's great. It's gonna be my parents favorite show.

[Steve Carell]

I hope to run into Them at that restaurant.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, I was hoping. Actually, would you mind if we just FaceTime them quick?

[Steve Carell]

Oh, my gosh.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you mind?

[Steve Carell]

No.

[Amy Poehler]

Because I told them that we were interviewing you, and my mom texted back, okay. It was the Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton, Mass. Now, when I called my dad before, when I texted my dad and said, where did you see Steve Carell? He didn't answer me back. And mom said he was at the gym. Let's see if we can get a hold of him. Hi, Mama. I've got Steve Carell here. Oh, my God. How are you?

[Steve Carell]

How are you? How was your meal?

[Amy Poehler]

It was very nice. I believe I had the stuffed scrod. Scrod?

[Steve Carell]

Now, scrod is a Boston fan.

[Amy Poehler]

I don't care what I am. We were talking about how Steve doesn't seem like he's from Boston. He doesn't have any kind of accent, but neither do you, Mom. Oh, don't even make fun of me. I know you're gonna ask me to say something. How mad is dad gonna be that he didn't answer the phone? He's at the gym. No, he's right here. Oh, Bill's right here. Steve, do you mind?

[Steve Carell]

Of course.

[Amy Poehler]

Steve Carell's on the phone. Here, sit up. Steve Carell.

[Steve Carell]

Hey. Are you just lounging on the couch?

[Amy Poehler]

Lounging on the recliner. He's in his recliner. What time is it there?

[Steve Carell]

Hi, Pop.

[Amy Poehler]

Look who you secured for me.

[Steve Carell]

Yes. Do I get any benefit from that?

[Amy Poehler]

What do you call it, like, a fine finder's fee?

[Steve Carell]

Yes. Find his fee.

[Amy Poehler]

Boston.

[Steve Carell]

You know, what are you. When you go out to restaurants now, are you just going to be, like, scoping for people for the show? You'd be interested to know what I said after you left. I said, his wife is beautiful.

[Amy Poehler]

Weird.

[Steve Carell]

Weird.

[Amy Poehler]

Thanks, dad.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah. What's that about? Hey, Mrs. Poehler. That's not right. That's weird. Don't let your husband talk. That's. That's gross.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm filing for divorce, now that I think about it. Well, thanks, you guys, for the assist. We had a great interview. And, Dad, I owe you a couple bucks. Bye. So, Steve, thank you for being with my parents. And before I finish, I gotta ask you my most important question, which I almost forgot to ask you, which is, what is making you laugh these days? What are you watching? Reading. Who's making you laugh? What do you like?

[Steve Carell]

Nancy and I just started. We're late to it, but just started watching the Righteous Gemstone. And that first season was such a Joy. Loved it.

[Amy Poehler]

Dani.

[Steve Carell]

Incredible.

[Amy Poehler]

Incredible. But can we talk about Edie for a second? Edie Patterson on that show.

[Steve Carell]

I'd never seen her before.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God, she's so funny.

[Steve Carell]

So see, that's when you start when you see someone that just comes out of the blue.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Steve Carell]

And unexpected and like a completely different approach to a character. So unique and specific.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, I know. And talk about, like, improvising in character. She, like everything she's saying is tumbling out of her mouth, it seems like. I don't know how much is written or improvised, but it looks like a lot is improvised, but.

[Steve Carell]

I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

But everything is kind of tumbling out of her mouth, but it's never ever a false note. She's just staying in that. All those characters are nuts.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah, I really like it.

[Amy Poehler]

That is an amazing cast. John Goodman. I love John Goodman.

[Steve Carell]

I do, too.

[Amy Poehler]

Adam Devine.

[Steve Carell]

Yeah, it's really good. And it's one of those. It just kind of slipped by. Like it didn't was under our radar and on a whim we just said, you know, I've heard good things and started watching it.

[Amy Poehler]

Let me call my parents and see what they think.

[Steve Carell]

Okay, let's see.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you, Steve. Thank you for doing this. Thank you, Steve Carell. Thank you for talking to my parents, you know, for this polar plunge. I just want to reiterate how grateful and lucky I am to be a Boston girl. You know, me and Steve are Boston kids who made it big. And it is really nice always to feel like you are part of a community. And that's why being from Boston feels like. So don't come at me, Boston. If I said one thing that made you mad, all right, let it roll off your shoulders, all right? Because you're still the best. Number one. Don't forget Boston forever. Go, socks. Okay, thanks for listening and we'll catch you next time on Good Hang. Bye. You've been listening to Good hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weissberman and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by the Ringer and Paper Kite for the Ringer. Production by Jack Wilson, Cat Spillane, Kaia McMullen and Alaya Zaneras for Paper Kite. Production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.

[Steve Carell]

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Brewing Company. No matter how you do game day, on the couch, in the crowd, or manning the snack table, Athletic Brewing fits right in with a full lineup of non alcoholic beer styles. You can enjoy bold flavors all game long. No hangovers no buzz, no subbing out for water in the second half. Stock the fridge for tip off with a variety of non alcoholic craft styles. Available at your local grocery store or online at athleticbrewing.com near Beer Fit for all times.