Be Free, Be Yourself, and Be Crazy with Will Ferrell

Summary

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Podcast Summary: IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

Episode: Be Free, Be Yourself, and Be Crazy with Will Ferrell
Date: July 1, 2026
Host: Higher Ground

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Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson sit down with comedian, actor, and former Saturday Night Live (SNL) star Will Ferrell. Together, they explore Will’s journey from his childhood and early comedic inspirations to his iconic roles in “Elf,” “Anchorman,” and his newest Netflix series, “The Hawk.” The episode is filled with hilarious anecdotes, advice for aspiring creatives and parents, and unfiltered reflections on family, parenting, and embracing your quirks. Will’s trademark self-effacing humor is matched by warm recollections and actionable advice for listeners facing real-life dilemmas—including a special audience question about parenting a so-called “force of nature” three-year-old.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Will Ferrell’s Comic Beginnings and Family Dynamics

• Early Influences (16:51):
  • Will describes himself as a “conscientious class clown,” crediting his comedic foundation to a supportive but grounded family, particularly his educator mom and musician dad.
  • Quote: "I'd goof around to a point. If I got the [teacher’s look], I’d be like, you got it? No problem. I’ll shut it down… I would know how to tiptoe up to the line…" — Will Ferrell (15:31)
• His father's career as a musician taught Will the instability of entertainment jobs and inspired his initial desire for a stable "real job.”
• Family dinner table was filled with subtle humor: “There was always us, my brother and I putting on little shows in the living room and trying to be funny…” (19:08)

SNL Audition Stories & Early Career Struggles

• Breaking Into Comedy (22:42):
  • Will recounts starting at The Groundlings comedy troupe, the value of team-based comedy, and the crucial advice his dad gave:
    • Quote: “If it was based on talent, I wouldn’t worry about you… but there’s so much luck… Don’t get discouraged, you didn’t fail, you tried.” — Will Ferrell (23:36)
• Will’s SNL audition involved performing the now-iconic “Get off the shed!” dad sketch and doing Harry Caray in a dramatic reading, blending absurdity with real tension.
  • Quote: “…you could just run right now… [but] the door flew open: ‘Next!’ and you just had to step up there…” — Will Ferrell (28:03)
• Tried (and failed) to bribe Lorne Michaels with novelty money in his second-round meeting. The failed gag became a recurring joke.
  • Quote: “I walk in there with my briefcase, and the atmosphere is like, not that. No… Throw out my entire audition.” — Will Ferrell (35:07)

Defining Iconic Characters & Creative Process

• On Playing Buddy in 'Elf' (07:24, 09:53):
  • Will expresses the pressure and creative uncertainty of filming “Elf,” highlighting the delicate line between a career-defining hit and disaster.
  • Quote: “[Dressed as Buddy the Elf]…This could be it. This could be the end right here. This is either a home run or a complete strikeout.” — Will Ferrell (08:46)
  • He shares his character-building approach: “What is the essence of this guy? He has to think the mundane world… is the greatest experience ever.” (09:53)
• “Anchorman” was a hard sell in Hollywood; the team pushed for maximum absurdity.
  • Quote: “People were like, I don't get why this will be funny. And we’re like, just trust… Let’s make it as crazy as we can.” (39:21)

Reflections on Teamwork

• Comedy as a Team Sport (21:14):
  • Will prefers ensemble work, viewing it like team sports. He embraced whatever role the writing team assigned, prioritizing group success over the number of lines he had.
  • “If you need me to deliver a pizza in a sketch… I’ll try to make it funny. And give me that one line. If it’s off camera, I’ll figure it out…” (21:14)

Real Talk: Marriage, Parenting, and Family Life

• On Meeting and Marrying His Wife, Viveca (44:03):
  • Will describes their on-and-off early relationship, evolving from friends to lifelong partners.
  • Quote: “She just had this easiness about her… And so I lucked out big time.” (52:29)
• Parenting Three Boys (54:27–61:43):
  • Honest about the chaos and joy, Will and the hosts trade stories about navigating family life—discipline, sibling fights, and maintaining humor as a coping mechanism.
  • Quote: “I’ve lost my temper… It just turned into—because I said so.” — Will Ferrell (57:42)
  • “I just try to find fun ways to defuse the tension, so… I would just come out in my underwear and go, ‘Guys, we got to be serious about this…’” (59:15)
• Will’s sons are following their passions: Magnus (music), Matthias (acting), Axel (sports).
  • Proudly shares a clip of Magnus's music career:
    • Quote: “This is this little five-year-old you met… now, he’s got music out there. Magnus Farrell.” (62:11)

New Project Spotlight: 'The Hawk’ (69:53)

• Will introduces his latest Netflix series, playing Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins—a washed-up, narcissistic golfer trying for redemption.
• Describes the show as “very silly,” “not holding any punches,” and a more “old school” style comedy.
  • Quote: “There’s not a big message… It’s not Buddy the Elf. This guy… he does have a heart, but he’s a colossal jerk!” (70:41, 71:02)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Don’t turn away. I still have feelings for you.” — Will Ferrell, as Harry Caray in a dramatic reading (00:26, 29:53)
• [On SNL auditions]: “Pick a character of your choice… or if you don’t do any of that, be funny.” — Will Ferrell (26:50)
• “If there was anyone I would marry, it’s you.” — Will to his wife Viveca (50:20)
• Parenting teens: “Now the boys are 16, 19, and 22, so there’s not as much of that [disciplining].” — Will Ferrell (57:31)
• “She’s like, ‘What if I love the dogs more than the baby?’ … I doubt that’s going to happen, but we’ll work it out.” — Will Ferrell (56:04)
• [On children’s sibling rivalry:] “I want to hear—hermano Sampras. No! I’m throwing the Xbox in the pool!” (59:26)
• On his presence: "Regular Will Ferrell is kind of a nice guy, right?" — Michelle Obama (83:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Early Career & Family Comedy Roots: 14:00–22:42
• SNL Audition Stories: 25:39–35:14
• Breaking Down 'Elf': 07:24–11:27
• Teamwork in Comedy: 21:14–22:42
• Marriage & Family Life: 44:03–54:27
• Parenting Insights & Stories: 54:27–61:43
• Magnus Ferrell’s Music: 62:00–65:15
• 'The Hawk' Netflix Series: 69:53–72:28
• Listener Parenting Dilemma (Lena): 73:14–83:09

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Listener Question: Parenting the “Force of Nature” Kid

[73:14–83:09]

• Lena, a mother of four, seeks advice on parenting a strong-willed, high-energy 3-year-old.
• Advice Offered:
  • Will: “You have to let kids be who they’re gonna be, but at the same time try to set up some boundaries.” (75:23)
  • Michelle: “Part of what you said, Will… there’s some weathering the storm, you know. It will pass.” (76:19)
  • Craig: Offers practical tips: Give 3-year-olds choices to empower them (“Little control”) and consider why that child seeks extra attention or power. “When kids are acting a little bit bratty, they’re just looking for a little control.” (82:44)

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is playful, honest, and full of the kind of familial warmth and subtle ribbing fans expect from Michelle and Craig—but with an added dose of absurdist fun courtesy of Will. The hosts embrace Will’s comedic energy, sharing in his self-deprecating jokes while uncovering meaningful insights about risk, resilience, parenting, and creativity.

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This summary provides a structured, comprehensive guide to the episode’s themes, standout moments, and practical advice. For anyone who hasn’t listened, it delivers all the substance and flavor of the conversation, with quotes and timestamps to jump straight to favorite topics or revisit Will’s most hilarious stories.

Transcript

[Will Ferrell]

Then I did Harry Carey.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

At a play reading. Doing a play reading. It was emotionally rot, like Eugene o' Neill type. Like, damn it, Carol, what happened to us? Like, who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? I thought we still loved each other. You're breaking my heart.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Look at me.

[Will Ferrell]

Don't turn away. I still have feelings for you.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

This episode is brought to you by Chase Home Lending.

[Craig Robinson]

Hey, little girl.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Hi, Craig. How are you?

[Craig Robinson]

I'm really fine. I'm excited.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That's good. Now, we will caution our listeners, you do have a bit of a cough. An allergy cough.

[Craig Robinson]

I have an allergy cough. But we're narrowing down. It could be an air conditioner, so.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, thank you.

[Craig Robinson]

So I either need a scarf. Oh, maybe I'll put my hood on.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Don't do that. Don't do that because you'll get makeup on your hood.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, that's right.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You got makeup on your hood.

[Craig Robinson]

I got makeup on my head.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You're not used to wearing makeup.

[Craig Robinson]

I'm not used to it. And why don't we give our listeners a little inside baseball?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

On what?

[Craig Robinson]

On changing when you have makeup on. My strategy of using, you know, I think.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You know, again, you think it's a new strategy. Women, we've been doing this our whole lives. But please share as if you've discovered air.

[Craig Robinson]

So I went home after one of my early tapings in season one, and there was makeup all over my shirts. And my wife Kelly said, hey, what happened here? And I was like, oh, I was changing my shirt and got makeup on it. She was like, oh, let me give you a little hint. Use a shower cap. Put it over your head and face. Take your shirt off. Put it back on.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Wow, Craig, tell us more.

[Craig Robinson]

It worked.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Really?

[Craig Robinson]

Yes.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I never thought of that.

[Craig Robinson]

Unless you're in show business or something. How would you know that? Being a woman or a woman But a guy, 50% of the power you have to know you have to be successful.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I know, but that's what I'm saying. See, when men discover something, they talk about it. Like, I just figured this out.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, gosh.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

So, yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Thank you, listeners. Some inside baseball and how Craig discovered how to deal with makeup. Craig Robinson, thank you for sharing.

[Craig Robinson]

My pleasure. My pleasure.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Well, we've got a fun, fun conversation happening. One of my favorite comedians, one of my favorite people on tv, I will talk about this. But my favorite movie on the planet of all time, the only movie that I watch again and again and again, this man was in. We'll talk about it when he Comes on, but I don't think I've ever told him.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, okay.

[Will Ferrell]

All right.

[Craig Robinson]

Because I know what it is. But I.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Why don't you introduce our guest, Will Ferrell.

[Craig Robinson]

All right. Will Ferrell is an acclaimed actor, writer and producer behind some of the film's most iconic comedies and a seven year Saturday Night Live standout. Widely regarded as one of the show's greatest cast members. He is also the co founder of Gloria Sanchez Productions. This summer, he will star in the first scripted comedy series, the Hawk for Netflix, which you and I both watched the first two episodes and we're cracking up. In which he plays a fictional golf legend, which. This will be interesting because I'm not a golfer, as you know.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay, let's get him out here.

[Craig Robinson]

Without further ado, Mr. Will Ferrell, I am not a golfer.

[Will Ferrell]

Are you a golfer? I am a golfer. I'm actually a golfer. Yeah, a little bit.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Thank you.

[Will Ferrell]

Thank you.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So you're also going to get a little brother and sister dynamic where there's always just a little edge of arguing underneath it.

[Will Ferrell]

Right? Okay. Yes.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Just a little edge of, oh, my big brother.

[Will Ferrell]

And by the way, Craig, I did know about the shower cap.

[Craig Robinson]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Another reason. And why would he know Craig? Do you know why?

[Craig Robinson]

Because he's in show business.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Exactly.

[Will Ferrell]

Well, no, because my mother would give us a shower cap every Christmas. A new shower cap for the reason you just described.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It's like, honey, when she was way

[Will Ferrell]

ahead of the curve.

[Craig Robinson]

She was.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

She raised you to be an independent man, knowing about shower caps.

[Craig Robinson]

We haven't met, but we were in the same place together at one of the White House parties.

[Will Ferrell]

Right.

[Craig Robinson]

And I want to see if you remember this, because I think that you were doing this on purpose. But, uh. Oh, my wife is like, no. Is he? And you were walking around the White House with the straightest of faces, not looking at anyone like this.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Uh, oh.

[Craig Robinson]

And I said, do you remember that?

[Will Ferrell]

Do you remember doing that? No. I'm trying to piece it together.

[Craig Robinson]

I could never forget it because I know it was you, and I have a witness to go along with it. And I was like, he's doing some sort of gag or bit. This was before I knew what bit was. Cause now that I'm in show business, I know what the term bit means. So I wouldn't have said bit back then, but that's what I meant. And you had the straight face. You were dressed like you had come to a party.

[Will Ferrell]

Right, but was it like a party?

[Craig Robinson]

Was it not 300 people that you've been to those parties, they were like people you said. Not one word to anybody for the time that I saw you. Not one word. And everybody's talking, the music's going, and you had the straight face. And I looked over at my wife, and I was like, see, this is why this dude is the funniest dude in the world right here.

[Will Ferrell]

I was getting credit for being funny without. I know. I was just having a Chauncey Gardner moment.

[Craig Robinson]

No way.

[Will Ferrell]

No. I don't know what you're talking about.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

I wouldn't. That's fine. I think I was just literally being

[Craig Robinson]

a visitor to the White House. Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. Checking out.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay. Sconces. Fair enough.

[Will Ferrell]

On the White House.

[Craig Robinson]

Fair enough.

[Will Ferrell]

Checking out wallpaper.

[Craig Robinson]

This makes it even better.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Thank you for being here.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, my God. My pleasure. Thanks for having me. I love what you do with it.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

The done with the place.

[Will Ferrell]

It's wonderful. Well, yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

What do you think? I mean, you. You. You're in this business, you know. What do you think about yet?

[Will Ferrell]

No, no.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Set design, you know, atmosphere, atmospherics. Yeah. It looks like. Does it feel like we're at home at the kitchen table?

[Will Ferrell]

Sponsored by Plezi.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, good. I'm glad you pointed that out.

[Will Ferrell]

That's one of our virtues of Plesi.

[Craig Robinson]

That's like.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah, yeah. It's a good drink. Hydration drink.

[Will Ferrell]

I hope it is.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah, It's. It's amazing. It's amazing. But it's good to have you here. That and my team didn't realize this when we were just sitting down, getting ready for you to come, because I don't know if I had said that, because they were saying that you left Saturday Night Live. One of the reasons was because you knew of this project about Santa Claus and the idea of Elf. Was it sort of. What was that?

[Will Ferrell]

I left. But I'd been there seven years, and, you know, you always. You know, you have to. You have to leave at some point. Unless you're. Keenan. He's still there.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

He doesn't.

[Will Ferrell]

He's literally the only one who could pull it off and still be there. And you love seeing him every time now. Short of Keenan. Yeah. You are thinking about a time of, like, when's a good moment to fly the coop, so to speak. And it just felt like I'd had enough momentum. But it's not like I had a stack of scripts waiting for me. But we were developing this one movie about a human who was raised by elves at the North Pole, and it was. It was an Amazing concept, but it needed a lot of work. And so we kind of rewrote the whole thing and. But that. It. But it's such an interesting thing to have become what it's become. I know only because two weeks of film, I'm sitting in New York in my little tiny trailer. Cause that was one of my first bigger movies, but it was still a little tiny trailer. Looking in the mirror dressed as Buddy the elf in my yellow tights, going, what did I.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Buddy, what was I thinking?

[Will Ferrell]

Literally, Buddy, this could be the. This could be it. This could be the end right here. This is either a home run or a complete strikeout. And people are gonna be like, what happened to the guy on snl? He's pretty funny. So I had no idea that we had, like, lightning in a bottle. But we. We did.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It is my favorite movie of all time. I mean, it really is. I don't rewatch movies. Yeah. But it. It is hilarious every other second. And it is so sweet. And it just does all the things. It presses all the buttons. So whenever I want to feel better. No, literally. And then I make other people watch it with me so that I can say, wait here. Oh, my God, the angry elf. You know, and so it was a. It is a thing for a reason. And, you know, the level of sweetness and all that. How do you. How do you, like, for a character like Buddy, do you know what, you know you want to do with him before you put on that elf costume?

[Will Ferrell]

No.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And those tights.

[Will Ferrell]

Because we shot. We shot. We shot Buddy discovering New York. All the exterior stuff. First we shot two weeks in New York, and then the rest is all shot in Vancouver. So I had to quickly figure out. And the game that we. And we kind of figured out at the script level, but that, okay, so what is the essence of this guy? And I think he has to be the kind of mundane world that we take for granted. He has to think it's the greatest experience ever. And that's when I wrote the joke. I was like, you know, those. Those just bodega type coffee shop places that say, like, world's best drop of coffee. He literally thinks that's the truth. So that when we burst in like, congratulations, you did it. And then, you know, all the staff looking at me like, what? But, you know, you know, don't. Don't eat candy when you go. And him discovering the gum and, like, I can't resist it. And just, like, taking it off, but not knowing that a taxicab. The yellow ones won't stop so just like the wonderment, the naivete, and I was like, oh, just. I'm gonna. I'm gonna lock into that and just. He's just gonna be. It's gonna be wondrous to him. And then I just built upon that. But it was like. It was like, hurry up and figure this guy out.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Is it's life or death?

[Will Ferrell]

Yes.

[Craig Robinson]

Moving into a new place is always a big moment. And thanks to Chase Home Lending with branches and home lending advisors, right. In your community, they can help you feel supported all the way home. You know, the home really becomes the foundation for family traditions, milestones, and lasting memories. And mish, what are some of your favorite family traditions that we used to. Do you remember when dad used to make peppered steak?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah. That would be the one time he cooked once a year and he would make apple pie. So, you know, mom wouldn't touch pie. But dad made the apple pie.

[Craig Robinson]

He made apple pie. But he would make the peppered steak once a year, and he'd make apple pie once a year.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

He made apple pie a few times a year. But the fact that dad would cook, that became a special milestone. I loved our New Year's Eve tradition where our mom would, instead of having a full dinner, we would stay up until midnight. She would make all these little amazing hors d', oeuvres, those little cheese puffs on Ritz crackers and smoked oysters and fondue. I mean, she would be trying out all of these Betty Crocker little appetizer recipes on ours.

[Craig Robinson]

I remember.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And it got so popular that our aunts and uncles, who were young at the time, stopped going out for New Year's Eve and came over ours, hung out with us.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, man. And it just reminds me of a few more traditions. You remember pumpkin carving? Every year we carved pumpkins. And every Easter, we decorated eggs and hid them. Yes.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Or mom would.

[Craig Robinson]

Mom would hide them.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

So if you're ready to start your own journey, Chase Home Lending is here to help you build a future, create lasting memories, and feel connected to your community all the way home. Visit chase.comimo to take your first step. Member FDIC equal housing opportunity.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So the real Will Ferrell right here. Like, the guy that, you know, is not a character, you know, is just a man trying to walk around the White House looking at stuff without people thinking he's doing a bitch. A poor guy.

[Craig Robinson]

You don't have to laugh at her. You don't have to laugh at her. You don't. You don't have to Laugh at her mind of what that moment was. I knew I was gonna like you when I was doing the research and I found out what a terrific athlete you were.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes.

[Craig Robinson]

I had no idea.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Are you hearing that say that?

[Will Ferrell]

Terrific athlete.

[Craig Robinson]

Terrific at three sport athlete.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Four.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, what a. What's that?

[Will Ferrell]

Soccer.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, wow.

[Will Ferrell]

You guys, basketball.

[Craig Robinson]

What's the fourth football you play?

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, you were a kicker. That's right.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I mean, I know. That's why we forgot about it.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. But you were captain of the basketball team.

[Will Ferrell]

I was as the sixth man.

[Craig Robinson]

Ooh. Now, you know what? That says a lot. Sees real leadership. Yes, that says a lot, folks.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay, tell us more.

[Craig Robinson]

Because usually your captain is your best player and rarely is your best player the sixth man. Although the sixth man gets to take more shots than the starters.

[Will Ferrell]

Guess how much I averaged my senior year.

[Craig Robinson]

How much?

[Will Ferrell]

My point point average.

[Craig Robinson]

13.

[Will Ferrell]

1.25.

[Craig Robinson]

No way.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes.

[Craig Robinson]

That makes it even better.

[Will Ferrell]

I only average, like two points a game.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So what was your goal?

[Will Ferrell]

Because I figured I was defense, I was rebounding. I usually guarded their better post player, and I was just unselfish player. I could set a mean screen.

[Craig Robinson]

How much did the locker room help your comedy?

[Will Ferrell]

Well, I think all of high school was formed. I mean, whether it was the locker room, whether it was the classroom, whether I was a benefited from a really funny group of friends. I used. I described myself as a conscientious class clown. Cause my mom in education. So I like, respected the teachers. But I would, like. I'd goof around to a point. If I got the. I'd be like, you got it? No problem. I'll shut it down. Keep talking. No, I'm enjoying the lecture. Yeah, no. Aren't we? Yay. So I would, like. I would know how to tiptoe up to the line to where the administration, the vice. We would work out bits during the school assembly where I could make fun of the vice principal. And he was like, hey, let's do that thing and you make fun of me and I'll give you a look. And so we would do sketches, we'd do morning radio announcements that were. So. It was already like the beginnings of, you know, this is really fun. But I didn't dare dream yet because I grew up in entertainment. My dad was a musician, and I saw how up and down that was.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

He just wasn't any musician.

[Will Ferrell]

No. Yeah, he played with the Righteous Brothers and toured around, but he had a lot of, like, piano bars and, you know, cocktail lounges where he'd have a gig for six months. And then he's like, gotta find a new gig. I'm like, why? What happened? He's like, nothing. Yeah, they're done. And I'm like. I just remember thinking, oh, I'm gonna get a real job.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

I don't know what that is, but I'm gonna carry a briefcase and I'm gonna work in an office.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Did you feel it. Did it feel unstable in the household because of your dad's sort of up and down in and out?

[Will Ferrell]

It did a little bit. I mean, my voice. My folks divorced at a pretty early age. I mean, they did a really good job of kind of co parenting. But, yeah, there were. You know, they tried to make my brother and I feel as kind of middle class as we could, but they were like, if I knew I needed new basketball shoes, we were gonna take all Saturday to comparison shop.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

To where I was like, bummer. I think I can go another. There was a whole. My dad would take us to like nine different places, and I thought it was such a drag. I look back on it now and I was like, no, he's teaching us

[Craig Robinson]

the value of $.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. And really wise in a way. But a bummer when you're 15.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

But, yeah. So, yeah, I saw how. Oh, this is very much living hand to mouth. And while my mom was putting herself through school, graduate school. So, yeah, I saw that. That was like, I want more stability. So. And I thought I was going to be like a sportscaster. I love sports. So I thought the merge. The merge of two things would be. I'd be a talking head on espn.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So, yeah, your dinner table that you were growing up in, what did that feel like? Was there funny? There were. Did you save the funny for school or was your mother also.

[Will Ferrell]

She's very funny.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Were you getting on her nerves too?

[Will Ferrell]

Probably both. She's funny in her own way. My dad, obviously, being an entertainer, he had a. My. My mom and dad came from the small. The same small town. Where was it they known each other since the second grade and Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. So he. She would tell. So he was always the prankster growing up in school and that sort of thing. So dad was very. And my mom had this really sly sense of humor and this and that. So, yeah, I think there was always us, my brother and I putting on little shows in the living room and trying to be funny and being funny amongst our friends. And I think that's like your first comedy crowd are your friends. And then you kind of advance into going to Parties. Walking around a room not looking at anyone. No, no, I'll never lose that. No. But we would go to high school parties and mess with other. Like, we didn't go to really party. We would just start taking stuff out of the freezer of someone's and microwaving meat and like, okay, don't worry, we're.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, no.

[Will Ferrell]

The kid who was throwing apart is like, what are you doing? Like, well, someone told us to start emptying the freezer. Like just random crazy stuff. Like why someone told us to defrost all the meat in your freezer. I'm sorry, were we not supposed to.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh my God.

[Will Ferrell]

And then we would just create havoc and then we go to another part. Like we just threw the weirdest, dumbest stuff.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

How many were in your little.

[Will Ferrell]

Like four or five. Yeah, yeah. And then we were like, that was pretty funny. Let's go. That works. Let's do that. But not other people who didn't know us aren't really laughing. We're just like amusing ourselves and. Yeah, just indulging that part of your brain.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Well, how were you with the girls being so obnoxious? How'd that work for the day to day life?

[Will Ferrell]

I was a late bloomer. No one wants the funny guy.

[Craig Robinson]

Really?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That comes later.

[Will Ferrell]

That comes later. Yeah. But back to team sports. There was something about like. And I think that's why I loved when I started kind of exploring comedy. And it started with a little bit of standup and then I found the Groundlings out here in la, which is a big sketch comedy theater that tons of people would come out of. I loved the form of sketch. I loved the team. And that's what I loved about snl. That's what I love about moviemaking. That's what I love about all this stuff is that you're working on a team. And I told the writers my first year on the show because I'd seen some of the cast members get offended if their part was too small. And I would pull that right and I'd go like, I don't care if I have one line. If you need me to deliver a pizza and a sketch, because I'll try to make it funny. And give me that one line. Give me. If it's off camera and needs someone just yelling something, I'll figure it out. Like just. And then. And, and you know, ingratiating yourself in that way. And it was, it was like usually a bonus to just walk into a scene and say one stupid thing and then walk out. I'd either at least make my fellow cast members laugh or, you know.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, but.

[Will Ferrell]

But that team thing, you know what.

[Craig Robinson]

At what point were you like, okay, I'm gonna give this a try?

[Will Ferrell]

It was. I was taking classes at the Groundlings. I was working my way up through. So they have a school that you do all this training with, and then they start putting you in. They have like, their. Their minor league team, which is the Sunday show.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

And then you have the main company, which is Friday and Saturday nights, four shows a week. And I was. I was really enjoy. I was kind of. I was like, God, this just feels right. So I went to lunch with my dad. I was like, dad, I really want to give this a shot. What do you think? And he. Excuse me. To this day, he gave me the best showbiz advice ever. He was like, if it was based on talent, I wouldn't worry about you. He's like, I've seen people. I'm gonna tell you, you've got talent, but there's so much luck.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And give it a shot, but don't get discouraged if you get down the road and you're like, this is just too hard. You didn't fail. You tried. And just. You're capable to just pivot and do something else and walk. And so even though that's not like a rah rah speech, it took the pressure off to see that. And I thought, well, I'm not gonna make it anyway. Let's just have fun. And it just allowed me to be loose. And there still was. There still was luck. But.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You know, what was the first lucky break for you?

[Will Ferrell]

The first kind of lucky break was I had a week out here in LA where I had grown my hair out for some. I was doing like a one act. I've seen it like Pearl.

[Craig Robinson]

Like the Pearl.

[Will Ferrell]

Like the Pearl look, which was during Semi Pro.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And Craig saw that and was like, is that his real hair? Is he wearing a wig?

[Will Ferrell]

That's a real. Yeah, that's. That's where I see.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That's where your real self looked like a. Again.

[Craig Robinson]

Right.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, Right. So I had that length hair for this. This play I was doing.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

And I went on. I got three different parts on sitcoms in one week. I booked a Living Single. I booked Grace Under Fire, and I booked the George Wendt show, which was. Oh, yeah, after he left Cheers, he

[Host (possibly a female host)]

tried to do a show on cbs,

[Will Ferrell]

and I might have booked another one. Anyway, it was like, bam, bam, bam. They were all one line. And this is before snl and I got my SAG card or I got my after paid for everything. I had a little bit of money left over, like very little. And it was like so cool and validating. And then six weeks later, we were getting. We got the word that SNL was gonna go through a real change.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Who was on at the time.

[Will Ferrell]

That was the year before I got there was the last year for Sandler and Farley and Phil Hart and David Harvey and Mike Myers and that whole entire crew. They were only keeping Tim Meadows, Molly Shannon, nor MacDonald, David Spade and that they were going to do a nationwide search for a brand new casting. Groundlings was on the list. And so.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So did you know they were when they were there scouting you?

[Will Ferrell]

We knew they were in the audience the night they came. And it was a really great. Everyone got to pick, like their favorite sketch. And then because I was willing to write with everyone or they encouraged that. Encouraged everyone to write with her. I was in three other sketches that were other people's favorites. So I had like four sketches. And yeah, myself, Sherry o', Terry, Jennifer Coolidge.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And Chris Kattan were all flown out to New York for that first round of auditions. And then that led to the.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

What are the auditions like when you got here?

[Will Ferrell]

Very fabulous. Very like, it was like, pick a character of your choice. A political impersonation if you do one, A celebrity impersonation if you do one, five to eight minutes long or if you don't do any of that. Be funny.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Go.

[Will Ferrell]

That was it. Wow. On in the SNL studio on the spot where the host delivers the monologue.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That's crazy.

[Will Ferrell]

With a camera and like one spotlight and a disinterested guy holding like a boom mic. Like,

[Craig Robinson]

what'd that feel like? Were you just over the moon nervous?

[Will Ferrell]

Are you kidding me? Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Gabriel.

[Craig Robinson]

No, that's what I imagined.

[Will Ferrell]

I literally was standing. So then you stand out. You're standing outside the stage doors by the page desk and you're waiting. I'm hearing the audition in front of me, but I'm looking on the walls of all the hosts of that year.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, man.

[Will Ferrell]

And past cast members and everything. And I literally remember. I remember thinking, you could just run right now.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Remember what your dad said?

[Will Ferrell]

You could just get right in that elevator and go right back and say,

[Craig Robinson]

yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And then as the door flew open,

[Host (possibly a female host)]

they're like, too late.

[Will Ferrell]

Well, next. And then you just had to step up there and it was like.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Do you remember what you did?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, I did. I did this character that made it on the first show. This guy who's yelling at his kids to get off the shed, which is so weird to talk about. Yeah, it's like a dad at a barbecue. He was just talking about school and golf and this and that. And then he's like, hey, hey, buddy, wanna do me a favor and get off the shed? Like, we don't see what the shed is. It's just like a gardening shed or whatever. And then back to the conversation. Anyway, yeah. Hey, what'd I say? Get off the shed. Anyway, so yeah, I took my car and get off the shed. And so it was just a game of, like, yelling at the person and then going back and then the. The people around me, like, getting so nervous. That was one thing I did. Then I did Harry Carey.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

At a play reading. Doing a play reading of, like. Which was a sketch I'd written at the Groundlings during the baseball strike that Harry Kerr was unemployed. So now he was doing a play. But it was a. It was a. It was emotionally rot, like Eugene o' Neill type. Like, damn it, Carol, what happened to us? Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? I thought we still loved each other. You're breaking my heart.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Look at me.

[Will Ferrell]

Don't turn away. I still have feelings for you. So I did that. But you gotta understand, it's dark, no one's laughing.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, man.

[Will Ferrell]

Lauren's in the back of the room, you know, lip cigarette, but no feedback. No feedback. And then I did. I think I did, like, Ted Kennedy doing stand up comedy. I don't know.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, come on. What did that sound like?

[Will Ferrell]

It was. What did I do? Like, I don't remember the jokes at all. But. But I would do Ted Kennedy like this. And what did the chicken say as he crossed the road now?

[Craig Robinson]

I don't know.

[Will Ferrell]

I was, like, doing that. Yeah. And that was it. But. And then you left. And then you had no idea.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

How long did it take for them to get back to you?

[Will Ferrell]

We kind of heard after the fact, like, the Groundlings had done really well.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

So there was a little bit and then flew back to la. But once again, at that time, I was doing. I'd got great advice. I was doing a class, which was a cold reading class, which is you just show up and they're just like. They hand you script. This guy, Ian Tucker, I think his last name, great teacher. And it was just. It was such a cool class because you had to get out of your head and you just went, like, you play Sam, you play Barbara, Go. And you just had to, like, be in the moment. And so after class one day, I'm like, ian, guess what? I got an SNL audition. He went, you did what? Oh, no good. He kind of was a little too. He was like, whoa.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, whoa.

[Will Ferrell]

And I go. Cause he had worked with Lisa Kudrow and from Friends, and he worked with a couple of. I'm like, do you have. He's like, wow. Okay, Just. You know what? Once again, he took the pressure off. He's like, you're just throwing darts at the dartboard here. Treat it, if you can, as a trip to New York, have a great time. If nothing happens, and you can at least come back and maybe have a meeting with an agent, say, hey, I got to audition for snl. It's still a cool thing. I was like, okay, let's just treat it that way. So they did call back all the grant. We had to do a second audition in which you sat down with Lorne Michaels. First you came up for two days, and then he had me change everything. I had to rewrite my audition the night before.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Well, how did you get that feedback you sat with?

[Will Ferrell]

He's like, what are you thinking about doing tomorrow? And I had always heard in callbacks for network, like, just do the thing you've been doing, because that's what brought you there, and just keep. Don't try to change anything. And so he said, what are you thinking about for tomorrow? I'm like, well, I'm thinking I'm going to do this. And he's like, no, I wouldn't do that. No, no, no. The only thing. He's like, okay, do the get off the shed thing again. In hindsight, what he was. He was doing a favor because he knew the executives in Burbank were watching, and he wanted me to. Just show your range. Exactly.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

So there I was, sweating it out in my tiny New York, you know, hotel room, trying to figure out what I was gonna do. And then that's when I did. On this audition tape, there's. You can look it up. I. I'm a guy who plays with cat toys. I don't know if you've ever seen this.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I will look it up as soon

[Will Ferrell]

as we leave with cat toys. I did that. I was like, what do you think of this stuff on the fly? Well, no, it was another sketch I'd done at the ground.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, yeah, okay. Okay, I got you.

[Will Ferrell]

And then so I just tried a couple other different things, and then I really had no idea. But then a couple weeks went by, and then I heard they were gonna come see us at the show.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And then what was it like seeing the show anyway, it took about Lorne Michaels. What was he like that first meeting? Were you just scared out of your face?

[Will Ferrell]

Lorne was very. Yes. In fact, he thinks the story is so funny now. But I had read a story how Adam Sandler had done some crazy bit and had a five minute meeting and was hired on the spot. And I thought, well, that's be free, be yourself, and just be crazy and you'll get. So my version of craziness was I bought a whole bunch of fake money from a novelty store, and I had a briefcase, and I was gonna let him talk, and I was just gonna start piling money on his desk. I was like, lauren, we can keep talking till the cows come home, but we know what really talks.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Money.

[Will Ferrell]

And I'm gonna stack this money up on your desk. And it was bad. Counterfeit money, toy money. I'm like, and no one's gonna know. You can take it or leave it. It's up to you. And then I was gonna pack up my thing and walk out, and that was gonna be my meeting.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, God.

[Will Ferrell]

I walk in there with my briefcase, and the atmosphere is like, not that. No.

[Craig Robinson]

So you didn't even get to do it?

[Will Ferrell]

What comedian walks in with a briefcase? I got my little briefcase, and I'm like, okay, so don't do that.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Throw out my entire audition.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

And then I'm leaving, going, he thinks I'm an idiot. I have a brief, like, what? What weirdo walks in with a leather briefcase?

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

It's not like I had sketch and even Steve Higgins, who was hired as the new. Who's still there today. Lauren was like, steve, do you have anything you want to ask? He's like, nice briefcase. And I'm like, yeah, thanks. You have no idea. And then when I finally Lauren wanted me to meet with me again, and they were very vague as to why it was the meeting where he told me I got it.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

So then I was in my apartment out here, and I was like, damn it, I'm bringing the briefcase back. I'm gonna show him. I'm gonna stack the money. I'm gonna do it this time. I'm doing it. I walk in, the assistant goes, you can leave your briefcase. I'm like, okay. So we sit down. He has, you know, Lauren can be obtuse at times, and I didn't even know I had the job. And he's like, so have you ever lived in New York? I go, no, no, no.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Thanks for small talk.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Love it.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. It'd be fun, though. He's like, well, we're bringing Sherry, so you won't be alone. I'm like, what do you mean, I won't be alone?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

What?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, what? He's like, and I think, you know, since you guys know each other. So Sherry was at the Groundlings, too, and we'd work together there, too. And I'm like, what do you mean, so I won't be alone?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, this is the meeting.

[Will Ferrell]

This is the meeting. And then. And then I got self conscious that I didn't leap up out of my chair.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And so he's like. So anyway. And I'm like. And I stood up. And I'm like, thank you so much. And I'm like. I was like, well, I'm going to shake your hand. And he goes, do what you have to do. And then I leave. And I'm like. I'm like, oh, my God, I gotta call. You know, I gotta call my folks. I gotta. I gotta find a payphone.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

You're right.

[Will Ferrell]

Really young people. Yep.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That's the thing.

[Will Ferrell]

I gotta literally find a payphone. I found one on Melrose. I, like, I grabbed my briefcase, and then now everyone in the office is like, going. Conquered it. Go. They had to keep it a secret.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And I go, hold on. I've been trying to give this fake money to him twice. Will you just give it to him and say, this is what I was trying to do. I was gonna stack all this fake money. He got it later. He thought it was so funny that I tried twice to get it. So he laughed later.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Do you have a favorite character? I mean, I know everybody has theirs of yours, but of all the many characters you played, is there one that, you know, it's like, they're all like my children, but everyone has a favorite.

[Will Ferrell]

That's true. Do I have a. I'm lucky enough to. When people come up and bring up various things, it's so fun to hear what their kind of favorite movie is. And I'm lucky enough to have, you know, have worked on enough of these movies that, for whatever reasons, have, you know, landed. Hit the zeitgeist in the right way. The one. I mean, Talladega Nights was so much fun. That's where John and I first got to work, and then we got to do Step Brothers. So those characters are near and dear to my heart. And then probably the silly. I tend to land on the square of Ron Burgundy and Anchorman only because that was super hard to get made. We had so many rejections. People were like, I don't get why this will be funny. And we're like, just trust.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Trust.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, it's just buffoonish, guys. And it's not so much. It's a little bit satirical. It's more satirical than we ever thought. And now it's just really what the news is like. But that was such a struggle, and we finally got to make it, and it felt like we were playing with the house's money, and we were just like, we never thought we'd get to make this, so let's make it as crazy as we can. And so that one's Bron Burgundy's pretty great.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

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[Host (possibly a female host)]

When did you meet Vivienne? Where in your journey did she show up?

[Will Ferrell]

We were in an acting program down in Orange county here in California. And so part of. So when I graduate from college, I immediately moved back home. I had a lot going on, a lot of prospects. I moved back home because I thought, okay, am I gonna try the sports casting thing? But I the comedy thing, you know, so I'm trying to. I'm working at like a local cable news station. I'm also doing some standup comedy. And my mom says that's okay, you can move. Let's just treat this as your graduate school.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Your gap year.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, your gap year.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And she gives me a gift of a scene study class. It's the first acting class and there's a great theater down in Orange county called South Coast Repertory Theater. It's a Tony Award winning and we had grown up there going to see plays. My mom would be a docent from time, you know, she'd take us, we were like 10 years old watching Chekhov going, I don't know what's going on, but it looks like it's good. And they had a summer conservatory program and I thought, oh, I should audition for this. And anyway, that's where I meet Vivica. Wow. So she was in the same program and we were both. She was like. She thought I was some rowdy frat guy.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Because you kind of were.

[Will Ferrell]

Because I kind of were. Yeah. Like, I think. But I think the only thing that evidenced that was I wore my hat backwards one day and she was like,

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I know your type.

[Will Ferrell]

Like, really? And then I thought she was some erudite, stuck up actress girl.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And so you did. You saw her?

[Will Ferrell]

I saw her.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

She stood right away.

[Will Ferrell]

I think she auditioned after I did because I think I was like, who's this girl in the hallway going, oo. She was practicing. She's doing vocal works. I was like, what? Who does that? La la la. I'm like, who's that chick? And then I had my hat on backwards. What's up? But like, Biff, I think that was you. That. She's like, yeah, I think. I think I used to do those. And she was a. Yeah, she was an art history major and a theater minor and soccer player out at Pomona. And so, yeah, we met there. We were just. But we dated a little bit and then we were friends for five years and then we kind of doubled back to what?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Wait, wait, you dated and then became friends?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

What happened? What did you do wrong?

[Craig Robinson]

In first date, you wore your hat forward.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

How did you get friend zoned?

[Will Ferrell]

How did. It was Viv. Viv was like, we really liked each other. She was like. She was the more mature. She was like, what are we gonna do, though? Where's this going? And we're. We were just both kind of the one that got away for each other for a while there, but we had the same circles of friends, and so we'd see each other all the time and then. And we always had this connection, like, where if someone thought I was weird, she was like, that was really funny, by the way. I saw that. And we just. We just kind of were like, yeah. I don't know how it just became a friendship to the point where, like, I had a steady girlfriend. She would tell me about her dates. She's like, oh, wow. She's like, let me ask your opinions. Is it bad if a guy pulls out a coupon on a first date? I'm like, probably not.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Good.

[Will Ferrell]

I don't know. I mean, I don't want to. I don't want to cast judgment, but maybe not.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah, maybe.

[Will Ferrell]

Maybe. Maybe. Keep looking.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And so when did you guys make it a first time?

[Will Ferrell]

When I got Saturday Night Live. No, no, I'm just kidding. But it kind of coincided a little bit.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

But

[Will Ferrell]

I was on my first year of the show, and I came back to LA during one of our breaks. I called her up. She was like. I remember. This is how I knew. I really, still really liked her. It was the Lakers, Houston playoff game.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It begins with basketball.

[Will Ferrell]

It does. And Die Hard, Laker fan saw Magic and Bird play on their first game together. That's how Die Hard I am up in the rafters at the Forum in eighth grade. Okay.

[Craig Robinson]

Congratulations.

[Will Ferrell]

Okay, thank you.

[Craig Robinson]

Congratulations.

[Will Ferrell]

Do I get. Do I get some pleasant for that?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You're right.

[Will Ferrell]

You can.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

We'll give you a kid. You do.

[Craig Robinson]

There's three of us in the room. Five of us in the room who can appreciate.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay, I stopped listening.

[Will Ferrell]

So it starts the basketball. Vivica calls me. He's like, hey, do you want to go for a walk in Runyon Canyon? And I was just gonna go walk the dog. And I was like, yep. I'm like, wait a minute. I'm blowing off watching the Laker game to go. So we go for this really fun walk. We're laughing, we're talking the whole time. She's like, hey, what are you doing? Do you wanna stop by my place and have a beer? I was like, okay. I hope she's okay with me telling us anyway. Too late, honey. Sorry.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It's us. Yeah, we'll just keep it between us.

[Will Ferrell]

She gives me a beer. And she drank her beer in two sips. Yes. And she's like, do you want another one?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

He's the frat boy now.

[Will Ferrell]

No kidding. And so she drinks it and she's like, do you want another one? I go, I haven't even finished the first one. And I go, sure. So I'm like, double fisted. And she's really nervous. Yeah. And I can't figure out what's going. Once again, I'm telling you, we're just friends. Like, I've lost. I blew it with her. And so she sits down. She's like, so. I mean, I just want to tell you, I still really like you. And I said what? I go. And of course, I can't play it cool. I go, you're not gonna. I just told my uncle, if there was anyone I would marry, it's you.

[Craig Robinson]

And then she goes, did you really say that?

[Will Ferrell]

I swear to God, yes.

[Craig Robinson]

You said that.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You turned into Buddy the elf.

[Will Ferrell]

I turned into Buddy the elf. And then she was like, okay. And then we didn't know what to do. And then she drove me home, and I thought it was like, game on. And I went in to give her a kiss, and she gave me the cheek. And then I was like. And then. And then it was. Yeah. And then we were in this weird kind of thing of, like, we had both.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It was out there. It was out there at the table,

[Will Ferrell]

but we were friends. And then. She's kind. By the way, I'm still kind of. By the way, I'm also dating someone right now. Like, wait a minute.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

What are you doing to me?

[Will Ferrell]

What's going on? And then I was like, okay, well, okay, I take back what I said. Then I got. And then we saw each other when the season's over. She's like, by the way, I broke up with that guy. Just so you know. I'm like, okay, well, good for you. So. And then, anyway, it's been a whole summer of corporate, of just, like, hanging out, going to get coffee.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That's cool. Did she move to New York? Eventually.

[Will Ferrell]

And then by the end of that summer, we're like. I think we're dated, right? We're like. And then. But she was still working out here. And the SNL schedule is so conducive. There's so many breaks. I could go back and forth, so she'd come visit. And we. You know, we still. I still did SNL when we were married, and we still. We just knew we'd end up back here.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Got it.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Did that settle you down? Did you feel. You know, did that help you in your career? Feeling like, I got my person, you know, my ride or die. She gets me. I'm not doing this thing alone. Or was it, you know, was it harder because now you.

[Will Ferrell]

No, she was. She's kind of just a very unique person in the thing that she was always. Cause you'd work on something and someone would be on the phone, you know, and it's like, that's. My girlfriend asked me, how much later? How much longer are we gonna shoot? And Viv would never. She'd be like, I get it. Yeah, it's a movie. And she just had this easiness about her. And I think, because she tried acting a little bit, and she. But she had this understanding of, like. And we'd always have this open discussion of, like, if I was gonna take on a project, I was like, I may be here for three months. She's like, don't worry, we'll come visit. But we also made a plan that I always would take the summer off for the most Part, So we just. We would bank the time when we could, and she was just like, no, this is what it takes, you know? And so I lucked out big time.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You sure did.

[Craig Robinson]

How long were you all married before you had kids? Your first kid?

[Will Ferrell]

Four years.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. Magnus was born in 2004.

[Craig Robinson]

So you're still at Saturday Night Live, then? No.

[Will Ferrell]

You lived in. No, I just left. Okay. I left in 2002.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Ooh. So big. Big wrists moving. Big jump, and then, baby. Yeah, Way to go. Way to double down on it all. How did that feel?

[Will Ferrell]

Left. Left the set of Kicking and Screaming. I don't know if you guys remember that movie. Left the set when I heard Viv was in labor and the crew was like, yes, Way to go, Will. They thought it was so cool, even though it was worked out ahead of time. And, yeah, we just built in a little break and Magnus was born. Yeah. Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

How was it being a dad? How did that change you?

[Will Ferrell]

I did not like it.

[Craig Robinson]

I was like.

[Will Ferrell]

I didn't like it.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It's like he's messing up everything.

[Will Ferrell]

No, it was. It's been amazing, like, every step of the way. Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So she's surrounded by four big, stinky men.

[Will Ferrell]

Yep.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Poor thing.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Does she have girlfriends that help ease the sisters? Anything to break up that testosterone.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, she. I mean, once again, she's kind of unfazed. She was actually like. I remember when our youngest son was born, and one of the nurses at the hospital was like, you gotta go for the girl. And I was like, no, we're good. That's three. That's three. We're good. And she's like, who am I kidding? I'm just not gonna have girls. And she's like. And I don't know if I might. I don't know if I'd be a good girl.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Mom.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I always thought I was gonna have three boys. I don't. You know, where does that come from? Right, right.

[Will Ferrell]

Where does that come from? Exactly?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You know, my two girls are amazing, and I was not going for the boy. You know, it was just like, I got two healthy girls and Barack was in politics, So I said, that's your third child right there.

[Will Ferrell]

Right, right, right. So, yeah. But, yeah, we kind of just. I mean, there's obviously a transition, but I don't remember it. I mean, now it's so long ago, but not that long ago.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. But having a new baby around, we just kind of. It was a new thing we were doing. Even though Viv. Viv was Never the type who's like. She's like, I wanted to have kids, but she was not obsessed with it. And so when it finally happened, and she is the biggest dog person in the world, and I remember when it was getting really close to her due date, and she collapsed on the floor one day, very hormonal and feeling everything and feeling that. And I'm like, what is it? What? What? Are you okay? She's like, what if I love the dogs more than the baby? And I. I was like. In my head, I'm like, is that a thing? Is that a thing?

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

And then.

[Will Ferrell]

But I was like, then we'll just work it out. I was like, I doubt that's gonna happen, but we'll work it out. And sure enough, when we came home with Maggie, she's like, dogs stay downstairs. And it was all.

[Craig Robinson]

That changed.

[Will Ferrell]

It all took over.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, man.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. Oh, that's great.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

What kind of dad are you?

[Will Ferrell]

Strict disciplinarian.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

We don't believe that.

[Will Ferrell]

I wouldn't say I'm strict, but, yeah, I've had to learn. I've gotten more frustrated than you would think, though, in a way where I've. I've lost my temper.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Get off the shirt.

[Will Ferrell]

That's become real sometimes. And I've learned to. Once again, now the boys are 16, 19, and 22, so there's not as much of that. But, yeah, growing up, I was surprised at where it'd be like, I tried to use all the parenting techniques, and then it just turned into. Because I said so.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yes.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

Mm.

[Will Ferrell]

And so I'd turn into that guy.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And they look at me like, who are you? You're crazy. And so I'm like, uh, oh, that's. That's not good.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

But are they funny?

[Will Ferrell]

No. I was like, I think I never pushed anything about. Or we never talked about my work. And if I happen to have a billboard of a movie, they'd be like, oh, there's papa. Oh, yeah.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Oh, yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, that's gonna come out soon.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

We just kept it, like, how old were they?

[Craig Robinson]

When they could figure out what was really going on, though?

[Will Ferrell]

Like, when they started school, like first grade, second grade, kindergarten, they started realizing, oh, okay, other kids know who you are. And. But then I would try to always, like, I just try to find fun ways to diffuse the tension so there'd be, like, a big argument, and then I would just leave for a little while and just come out in my underwear, nothing but my underwear, and go, guys, we got to be serious about this.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay? That's great.

[Will Ferrell]

Look at me, listen to me. And they would. They try not to. They'd just start laughing. And I was always trying to, like, just, change up, change up.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I want you for a dad.

[Will Ferrell]

And then I would always have them do this thing. If they got in a fight, I'd be like, okay, you guys don't get to do this. Whatever you want to do. Whatever. The thing we've just worked out. Hands in the middle. Hermano Sampras. Which is brothers. Always. They're like, what?

[Craig Robinson]

What?

[Will Ferrell]

Just say it. They'll be like, hermano Sampras. Nope. You gotta say it like you mean it. You gotta say it. Right? Hermano Sampras. No, I'm sorry. I'm throwing the Xbox in the pool. I want to hear. And then they'd be laughing again and. Yeah. Because my mom would do things like that with my brother and I. Yeah. Make us run around the car 10 times on a car trip. And by the time we were done, we were laughing. So I would try to do those sorts of things.

[Craig Robinson]

But people don't realize when you have boys, they're gonna fight, but it's not a real fight, Right. It's like, you don't have to worry about Em killing each other, right? Yeah, but they fight.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we've been lucky that our. And we got three big guys, and they've never had the full. Cause my brother and I had had some full. Like, throwing punches. And the guys. It's been one punch.

[Craig Robinson]

And they're like, ah, yeah, yeah. Nobody fights anymore. Right. But we told our boys that if you guys can fight.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

But when you're done, you have to kiss and make up on the mouth.

[Will Ferrell]

Okay, I like that.

[Craig Robinson]

And it ended everything. How about that?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Who thought of that?

[Craig Robinson]

Kelly.

[Will Ferrell]

That's so good.

[Craig Robinson]

I was like, where'd you get that?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Really?

[Craig Robinson]

Yes.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Like, well done, well done, well done.

[Will Ferrell]

Thank you. Viv was. Viv was always good because she learned. She, like, had, of course, read all the books and everything, and then she was just like, okay, so, Magnus, what do you want? What? What would you.

[Craig Robinson]

What.

[Will Ferrell]

What upset you about what Matthias just did? Yeah, hold on. Let us be. Okay, Matthias, what would you like to see from Matt and, like, do this conflict negotiation, which worked great at first, and then as I got older, like, do we have to do this again? They see right through it. They're like, I know you're gonna ask me what I. My problem.

[Craig Robinson]

I have.

[Will Ferrell]

And I'm gonna say this, and I

[Host (possibly a female host)]

don't wanna do that.

[Craig Robinson]

Did they follow in your footsteps as a three sport athlete?

[Will Ferrell]

Not. You know, sports are so different now. It's all so specialized.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah, it is.

[Craig Robinson]

It's a shame.

[Will Ferrell]

Right?

[Craig Robinson]

But they were.

[Will Ferrell]

Magnus is a big athlete. Big soccer player.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Matthias is basketball and volleyball and Axel's basketball and volleyball.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

College players. Are they playing in?

[Will Ferrell]

No, no. Magnus is singing now. Yeah, he's got music out there. Magnus Farrell.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Way to go. He's got music out?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

What's his genre?

[Will Ferrell]

Can I play you a little something?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Please.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Right.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Is that okay? Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

Okay. Sorry.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Proud dad. I love it.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

So proud. But like, this is this little five year old you met in the map room. Oh, yeah, yeah. When they brought whoopee cushions.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, the boys brought whoopee cushions to the White House.

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, nice.

[Will Ferrell]

But this is.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

They were ready for prime time.

[Will Ferrell]

They were ready for prime time, but this is that kid,

[Craig Robinson]

So.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Wow. He's got a groove going.

[Craig Robinson]

Right. Wow.

[Will Ferrell]

Okay.

[Craig Robinson]

Gruffy.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Right.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh. Oh, my gosh.

[Will Ferrell]

22.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Right.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay. Magnus, is he this cute?

[Will Ferrell]

He's more handsome than me. And I'm pretty handsome.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

True.

[Will Ferrell]

But this way.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Hold on. Okay,

[Craig Robinson]

This next question. Craig,

[Will Ferrell]

coming up. This is for you, Craig, in your Airbnb.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Okay.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, yeah.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Okay. Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Anyway.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Magnus, perhaps.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Is that out? Is it.

[Will Ferrell]

That's out right now. Asleep talking.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Asleep talking. Did he write?

[Will Ferrell]

He's on Republic Records label.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Wow. He's got an amazing groove.

[Will Ferrell]

He writes and he.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

He.

[Will Ferrell]

His buddy Gabe, they met in seventh grade. Jazz band at Harvard Westlake. They were the competing piano players.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Magnus was very hated. Gabe, in fact, wrote his college entrance paper on how he hated the guy who eventually became best friend.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, that's cool.

[Will Ferrell]

And they. They. They left USC music school sophomore year to go do. And they're both making stuff like this.

[Craig Robinson]

Wow, that's good.

[Will Ferrell]

So anyway.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That's good.

[Craig Robinson]

Okay.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Very soulful.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, very.

[Will Ferrell]

Right. It's throwback, kind of R and B. Oh, God. Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And it's right up. You know, it's. It's. What's. What's happening. And he's got a. He's got a good voice. That falsetto is just so.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I mean, you can sing too.

[Will Ferrell]

I can. Not like that, but yeah, sure.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So where does the music come? That's your father. Did your mom sing? Does Vivica.

[Will Ferrell]

I mean, Viv's a really good singer. It was in bands in college and did like. Was Rizzo in Grease?

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay. Yeah. All right.

[Will Ferrell]

And so she's really musical. The boys all grew up playing piano and so. Yeah. In terms of following my so. And then Matthias is doing some acting stuff and Axel's playing ball for right now, but he can sing too anyway, so we'll see. You know, that's so. But we're just happy they are because there's so much like mental anger. Like it's so tough out there and they're finding stuff they're just passionate about and it's just like, go.

[Craig Robinson]

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[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Mmm.

[Craig Robinson]

Too good. Grab one at your local grocery store or head to aloha.com extremely proud to say that I finally found the finishing touch for my patio and it was less than $150 on Wayfair. So Kelly and I had the chairs, we had the table and but the outdoor space was still missing something. Then I was browsing Wayfair and found the Malaya Herringbone outdoor rug. It's got this really clean brown and tan herringbone pattern, which brings the whole area together. They had it in other colors as well, like navy blue, gray, and green. I might go ahead and add one of those to the cart too. I'll never get over the feeling of opening up something from Wayfair and just being blown away by the quality. The rug is going to truly stand the test of time. If you come over to our house and compliment a piece, there's a good chance we snagged it on Wayfair. I always go to them first because you can't beat the price and quality. Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. That's W A Y-F-A-I R.com Wayfair Every style, every home. This back to school season. Spend less on your kids with Amazon. You know, one thing nobody prepares you for when you have kids is how quickly they go through school supplies. I cannot imagine when I was growing up going through backpacks as quickly as my kids do nowadays. But somehow once a year it's back to the store we go, or to two stores or three. Not to mention how fast it all just manages to disappear. The school year isn't half over and somehow we're out of pencils, erasers, notebooks, and 30 other things. That's why I really appreciate Amazon during the back to school season. Whether you're shopping for school supplies, backpacks, lunch gear, clothes, or all those last minute items that I know you don't want to be running around for, Amazon has it all. You can compare brands instantly and read reviews, knowing that what you buy will actually last. Basically, Amazon makes it easy to get what you need and get back to your life. So remember, with Amazon's low back to school prices, just spend less on your kids because every dollar you don't spend on them is a dollar you haven't spent on them. Let's talk about the Hawk.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, yeah, right, the Hawk.

[Craig Robinson]

How'd that come out?

[Will Ferrell]

Coming out on Netflix.

[Craig Robinson]

Yes. We got to see a couple of episodes.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, okay.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

It's good.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

It's very silly.

[Craig Robinson]

Very funny. Very funny. Very funny. Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

No, that's. I play a kind of a down and out golfer, Lonnie the Hawk Hawkins, who's who still. He's down in the minor leagues of golf, the Korn Ferry Tour, which is a real thing.

[Craig Robinson]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

Hanging on to his dream of winning the fourth major.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

And he's a jerk.

[Will Ferrell]

He's a jerk. Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Very selfish.

[Will Ferrell]

He's very narcissistic.

[Craig Robinson]

I wasn't ready for the first episode, though. I was looking forward. I don't want to spoil anything, but man, you hit it hard right at the beginning.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It's very.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes, it's. Yeah, it's. It's kind of an old school comedy where we don't really hold any punches and there's not at all. There's no, there's not a big message

[Host (possibly a female host)]

other than Buddy the Elf.

[Will Ferrell]

It's not. No, it's not Buddy this guy. But as you watch the series, he. He does have a heart.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah, yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And. But he's competing.

[Craig Robinson]

Good. Because the first episode, this dude is colossal jerk. Oh, man.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, he just. When you think? Yeah, he's kind of a broken, flawed guy. Yeah. A bit of a scallywag. Does everyone know that word?

[Craig Robinson]

Oh, yeah.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Okay.

[Craig Robinson]

The older people.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah. We were like, yes, of course.

[Will Ferrell]

But it's a really funny. Molly Shannon plays my ex wife, who's everyone thinks his ex wife, but I refuse to sign the divorce papers. Jimmy Tatro is my son.

[Craig Robinson]

Is that the son? He's good.

[Will Ferrell]

He's great.

[Craig Robinson]

He's really good.

[Will Ferrell]

And he's the next prodigy in golf, which I'm very proud of, but compete against at the same time. I want to take credit for his

[Host (possibly a female host)]

success and kind of the polar opposites. You don't eat well, you don't train. Your caddy is crazy and he's like the Uber. You know, he's training and eating the right stuff and living just a totally different life. Yep.

[Will Ferrell]

But yeah, it was. It's just a super fun cast, super fun comedy where we kind of explore golf in a. Make some comments about golf that haven't been made. And the PGA was very cool and was on board and we're like, yeah, poke fun at us. We're good. We're good with it.

[Craig Robinson]

Good.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah, they need it, so. Yeah, they need it.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

Yeah. I was telling our colleagues that. And thank you, by the way, because you are one of a handful of actors that I can watch. Whatever you do. You.

[Will Ferrell]

Robert did.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You are still that One line. If you've got one line.

[Will Ferrell]

We'll take Robert. I'm in good company.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Oh, yes.

[Will Ferrell]

Wow.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Well done.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You've brought a lot of joy to a lot of people and we're just grateful to have you here.

[Will Ferrell]

Thanks for having me.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah. We usually do listener questions. This is, in my opinion, so we try to offer some advice to people. Write in.

[Will Ferrell]

All of us. Chip in.

[Craig Robinson]

We all chip in.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay.

[Craig Robinson]

We all chip in.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Do you think this is a good time for our listener question?

[Craig Robinson]

Lena.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Lena.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Lena from Lena, who is in her late 30s, from the state of Washington.

[Craig Robinson]

As opposed to Washington, D.C. yes, Washington state.

[Will Ferrell]

Seattle, Yakima. Let me guess, Olympia. Some water.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Unknown.

[Will Ferrell]

Unknown.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Okay. Oh, boy.

[Will Ferrell]

I've got more.

[Craig Robinson]

That's pretty good.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I know.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

I am the parent to four amazing children. A new baby, a three year old, a five year old and an eight year old. They are my whole world. However, to be frank, my three year old is a total shit disturber. He's super, super smart, really energetic and is incredibly sweet. But he can also use all of his charm and strength to kind of bully his older siblings into doing things his way. He's a great kid, but I think just so high energy and advanced that he gets bored very easily. He's a little force of nature. And we're tired. I've literally had family tell me, I think lovingly, that this kid is either going to discover the cure for cancer or be a serial killer. I have two questions. One, how do I make sure he ends up going on path one? And two, my actual question, how do I parent a kid who demands a lot of time and energy without sucking the whole family and especially the other children into all of these antics? And that's Lena in Washington in her late 30s.

[Craig Robinson]

Whoa.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

That sounds like a perfect question for you.

[Will Ferrell]

Four. I'm just thinking about four.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You just start there.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It's like they. She went for the one you did not.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, right. And it's the three year old, right?

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

That's in question.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

Lena, I think you're screwed. No.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Now.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. What? I mean, you gotta kind of tie yourself to the mast and weather the storm and let these. You have to, you know, I think you have to let kids be who they're gonna be, but at the same time try to set up some boundaries that won't compete with the other. Well, it sounds like an infant, but the other two who are conscious of that stuff because it sounds like this little guy needs to stretch out and do his thing. Yeah. I don't know. You just have to try to find a way to manage both sides of it in a way. Right.

[Craig Robinson]

No, go ahead.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I'm still, you know, I'm still trying to figure out how to help Lena, but, you know, it's. Three is a unique time. So.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

You know, I think part of what you said will. There's some weathering the storm, you know, it will pass. Yeah. Where he is at 3 developmentally, he still is. He may still be formulating language. He might, you know, he might. He's got a lot of growing up to do and so you gotta give him a little grace of just three year old. Three year old boys in particular. And I didn't have boys and I know that there's a distinct difference between girls and boys. I mean, my girls, you know, girls can sit in color, you know.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And even when we would have. When we just had two of the boys, for whatever reason, we were like, why is it so calm? Like, what's. And then the third one would come along and there'd be no rhyme or reason. They just seek chaos and then smack someone in the head and then it Was game on again and like, oh, so that's just gonna happen.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

I mean, and he may need a different kind of attention. I mean, if the other two kids, they're older and they probably can be a bit more self sufficient and the baby is a baby and you know, this is the one thing I learned. Babies are, you know, good. You don't, you don't need to put tons of time into the. If you're dividing, it's like let the baby, feed the baby, you know, have the baby around. The baby's learning through osmosis, through all these other kids and they're gonna be okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

The older kids put them in activities, you know, get them focused on some stuff so that maybe you can give the three year old the tension that he's craving, you know, so that it's not, you know, don't consider it a suck. Right. It may just be that you might need to give him a little extra

[Will Ferrell]

time if she has that time.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

So that's why I'm saying try to create it where it isn't. Doesn't feel like it sucks. The baby is good.

[Will Ferrell]

Or take this little guy to the dog park and just let him run around in an enclosed area.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

But she may need to figure out what motivates you.

[Craig Robinson]

What motivates me?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, I agree.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

She doesn't have the time to really focus in on what is he really asking for. Is it time? Does he need more attention? Does he need to run more? She might need to solve him. And it may take her a minute. And now she has four. I'm sure she doesn't have the time that she had with the two older kids to see them and to really be like, this is who you are. And if there's a way to do a little divide and conquering for a minute, you know, I don't know if she has a husband, she has friends or family members that can take the easier kids for a period of time. And it doesn't have to be forever.

[Will Ferrell]

Right, right, right.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It might just. He may need to be. It's like the puppy. He may need to have an individual walk. Yes. Or run or whatever it is, you know, she's gonna have to experiment with some things, you know, but with all kids, I think you can set boundaries, you know, you can, you just have to, you know, and it takes, may take an extra level of energy with this one, but you gotta kinda keep at it, you know, he still has to follow some rules and not be a jerk and be nice and listen, you know, it's just harder with that many kids to stay on the one. It's nicer when they just cooperate. Right. Well, she's got one that's like, no, I need to hear it a hundred times. You know, I think now is the time to try to figure him out. And if the other two kids are relatively okay, the older ones, then I would spend some time on this three year old just to try to figure out what buttons need to be pushed for him.

[Craig Robinson]

So both of you give good advice, but I've got a couple things that I wanna.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Okay. And thank you. Thank you for that encouragement.

[Craig Robinson]

I wanna couple things I wanna tell Lena. First of all, the likelihood of him becoming an axe murderer is pretty small.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It is.

[Will Ferrell]

That is tragic.

[Craig Robinson]

So don't let those folks into thinking this guy's gonna be a psychopath. But when you. I've got four kids, but I had two older and two younger, so I didn't have this dynamic. But I suspect if we did have this dynamic, this would be how we would attack it. And that advice, our mom would say that whenever there was a new baby around, babies don't need a whole lot of attention. She would always say, give the attention to the kid who's the next one up, or whatever you have, because they're feeling the addition of that kid. And when you look at these ages 8, 5, 3 and newborn, the 3 year old got sandwiched between a short age, like the eight year old got to have, got to have his time. And then the 5 year old has a 3 year older kid to help with, with sort of socialization. There was nobody.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Right. And so probably got treated more like an only child. Like got a lot of initial.

[Craig Robinson]

So the three year old is feeling the brunt of all of this. And what I would say to Lena is start with when you, when you're, when you give the three year old choices, make them two choices or three choices, however many you're gonna give them, where you don't care which one they pick.

[Will Ferrell]

So they feel empowered.

[Craig Robinson]

So they feel empowered and feel like you're treating them like a five year old or an older kid. We've always found that that worked. When kids are acting a little bit bratty, they're just looking for a little control. Little control. Like, okay, like your wife said, all right, what do you need in this situation?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

And you know, as long as it's not candy, we can probably figure it out. And so I just think Lena needs to be just a tad bit more strategic. And don't take the tongue in cheek. Psychopath, ax murderer to heart. Cause it's unlikely to happen.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Well, Will, thank you.

[Will Ferrell]

You guys are so much fun.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

It was so much fun.

[Craig Robinson]

This was really neat.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Regular Will Ferrell is kind of a nice guy, right?

[Will Ferrell]

Kind of nice. I mean, normally.

[Listener/Caller (Lena)]

Yeah.

[Craig Robinson]

More normal than I would have thought.

[Will Ferrell]

We thought. Yeah.

[Host (possibly a female host)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So now you know. He was just staring.

[Craig Robinson]

He was just looking at the artwork. You were looking at the artwork.

[Will Ferrell]

But now that we know each other, I'm. When I know people, I'm. I'm. I'll be funnier if I don't know you. I'm like, I can't wait to right now. But now I know you. Oh, I'm going to be so funny. Sam.