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Craig Ferguson
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Craig Ferguson
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Jim Rash
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Jim Rash
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Jim Rash
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Jim Rash
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Craig Ferguson
This is me, Craig Ferguson. I'm inviting you to come and see my brand new comedy hour. Well, it's actually it's about an hour and a half and I don't have an opener because these guys cost money. But what I'm saying is I'll be on stage for a while anyway. Come and see me live on the Pants on Fire tour in your region. Tickets are on sale now and we'll be adding more as the Tour continues throughout 2025 and beyond. For a full list of dates, go to thecraigfergusonshow.com See you on the road, my dears. My name is Craig Ferguson. The name of this podcast is Joy. I talk to interesting people about what brings them happiness. Welcome to the Joy podcast. Welcome to the Kids super studios here in Brooklyn, New York. We're inside the tent today. My guest will. Because this is one of the rare shows we're going to do remotely. And the only reason I'm doing this show remotely, as in it's kind of like a zoom call, like the way I'm talking to you right now. But I'll be talking to my guest, Jim Rash. Jim is a writer, an actor and performer and an improv guy who was a frequent guest on the old late night show of mine. And he was in a show called Community, which was one of the great American sitcoms. Slightly unsung. Those who are in it are really into it and those who are not into it. I've never heard of it. Kind of like me. Please welcome Jim Rats. Jim?
Jim Rash
Yes.
Craig Ferguson
I've broken my rule for you. I, I had this rule that I wasn't going to do any more remote podcasts.
Jim Rash
Oh.
Craig Ferguson
But, but I've broken it for you for two reasons. One, because it's you and I adore you.
Jim Rash
Thank you.
Craig Ferguson
Because I heard you had your kitchen done. But I'm on the East. I'm on the east coast and I, and I wanted to be able to see it, but at the same time, I wasn't prepared to make, you know, a trans continental flight for just that.
Jim Rash
And I know I've talked up this kitchen and, and you've been going on and about it and, and dying to see it. So this is, this is a win, win for both of us because I'm so very proud. It.
Craig Ferguson
You should be proud. Now let me. Did you design it yourself? Are you a design. Are you a house designee person?
Jim Rash
No, not at all. And for those watching, I feel like.
Craig Ferguson
I'm stereotyping you there a little bit because I feel like I'm like, oh, you probably do your own design, if you know what I mean, but you probably don't.
Jim Rash
No, I just get it. The gays get it. No, I have a friend who is much better at this. I'm one of those people that point and go, I like that, you know, that kind of, that kind Of I. And then you always want somebody who's going to do something that you don't even think of. So, not that this kitchen is like out of the ordinary and most people listening are going, oh, do you really have this kitchen done? But this is like 7 years old. And come on, it's not that crazy.
Craig Ferguson
I think it's pretty great. And also what. What you want over the designer is you want cohesion. Cohesion.
Jim Rash
Cohesion.
Craig Ferguson
Because I like. I can. I do what you do. I go, wow. Like that. But I designed to say with that is nice, but you've got to have, you know, if you're going to have that, you've got to have that.
Jim Rash
You don't want to do, like, you know, theme rooms, like the Madonna flag.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. Thing.
Jim Rash
Plan. Yeah. This is.
Craig Ferguson
This is my kitchen.
Jim Rash
Yeah. Is that your kitchen, actually. Okay.
Craig Ferguson
No, I mean, it's a choice.
Jim Rash
It's a choice.
Craig Ferguson
It is a choice. But I'm in a tent in Brooklyn. What it. What it is. I mean, I don't know if you've been to Brooklyn. Williamsburg recently. Have you been to Williamsburg?
Jim Rash
Not recently. I have. I have been.
Craig Ferguson
You remember the TV show Portlandia?
Jim Rash
I do, yes.
Craig Ferguson
Right. It's that. It's. That's where I am.
Jim Rash
Oh, okay, understood. So you brought a little bit of Portland to Brooklyn?
Craig Ferguson
Well, I didn't bring it. It was here. I just turned up and bringing a little bit. I brought a little bit of Scotland, but not much of Scotland, though.
Jim Rash
So you're just squatting in some tent in Brooklyn?
Craig Ferguson
I have a tent and I'm squatting in Williamsburg. Where are you from? You're not.
Jim Rash
You're all rights.
Craig Ferguson
I do have.
Jim Rash
Right from la? Is that what you're going to ask?
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, I was going to say I. I think. I think of you as being east coasting, but you're actually not, right.
Jim Rash
No, I am east coasty in the sense of southeast. I grew up in North Carolina, so. So, yes, in that sense. But I grew up in Charlotte.
Craig Ferguson
I love Charlotte. Did you ever. You know, they. They have that really good comedy club there, the Comedy Zone, I think it's called.
Jim Rash
I have never been there. It's also been a hot minute since I've been in Charlotte. I've lived in LA for 30 years and I was at school in Chapel Hill. And that was just a. Quite a bit ago. So that was. You know, I have family still there, but I don't get there as much these days.
Craig Ferguson
Why wouldn't you go back to Charlotte? It's.
Jim Rash
I Mean, oh, I just told you I have family there and I just don't get there that much.
Craig Ferguson
That's why I don't go to Scotland. I also have family in Scotland. Yeah, that's true.
Jim Rash
You know, it, I don't, I, that's not the reason. I just haven't been back east and sometimes they've been coming here. So that's it, you know.
Craig Ferguson
Right.
Jim Rash
It's probably my turn now.
Craig Ferguson
I haven't seen you in a while. Did you get damaged in either. Have you been rioted or fired? Not fired as in work fired, but.
Jim Rash
Fired as in on fired before, but not in that way. But no, I, I, you know, gratefully did not have to. I left my house at one point because there was the. A fire when a very brief one broke out in Runyon Canyon.
Craig Ferguson
Oh, yeah.
Jim Rash
And that was one of those ones where you're looking at and you go, yeah. Even though it's not close. Too close for me. So I went one night to a friend's house, but that was put out pretty fast and, but no, no, I, I, I'm, I'm thankful. Unfortunately, I have friends who were not who live in Altadena and stuff, but, you know, it was quite a time. Quite a time.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. I mean, watching it from afar. I mean, I lived in LA for 23 years and watching it, the, the, the neighborhoods go up, I was like, oh, my God, that's crazy. Like, I mean, it's nuts.
Jim Rash
It's very itchy. Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
What's it like now? Is it the air better and stuff?
Jim Rash
Well, I guess so. But, you know, that season's coming, so, you know, everyone got like the watch duty app, which was like saved. Probably everybody, you know, it was very up to date. And that's already, you know, now and then going off. They're small, like quickly put out things, but, you know, that's. It is that time of year is coming to us.
Craig Ferguson
Fire season. I don't know that fire should be a season is one of the reasons why I don't need.
Jim Rash
No, I live in the east coast now.
Craig Ferguson
I live in New York City now. And it's, it's different. It's. Every day is weed, pee and rat smell.
Jim Rash
That's, that's the season. But that's a, at least you expect one season sort of how LA is almost the same temperature. You get up in the morning, you know, grape pee, rats. All is right in the world. All is right in the world. Yeah. Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
I don't, I feel like it's a, it's a little bit of an imposition, the weed smell. Because I don't smoke weed. You smoke weed.
Jim Rash
I do not.
Craig Ferguson
Right.
Jim Rash
That's not said as a judgment. I just don't know.
Craig Ferguson
I'm not judging people for doing it. I just don't feel I should have to participate in it. You know what I mean? I'm getting a lot of secondhand weed smell.
Jim Rash
Yeah. Understood.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, I don't care for it.
Jim Rash
I'm just, I was bad at it, you know, Like I've done, I've even nibbling an edible. I did it wrong. I just, I don't like, I guess some people, some people just know how and their personality or something that reacts right way. I just am the one who gets quiet, which might be great for other people, but I get quiet and I get in my head and then all I'm doing is having a dialogue where I'm like, you're not speaking, Jim. You're not saying anything. And I was like, while that might be beneficial to those around me, it isn't to me in my head. So I was like, I'm not doing this correctly.
Craig Ferguson
You ever write when you're like that? Because, I mean, I think of you obviously as a performer, but I always think of you as a writer too. Do you ever have any, do you have any good ideas when you were like. Because there is this myth. Well, maybe it's not a myth for some people. For me, I could never come up with anything when I was high. No, Nothing.
Jim Rash
No, I don't think it does me creatively. Right. Not that I can remember because obviously I don't do it. So if I did, I would have kept doing it if it was more fruitful than me just staring at a blank page, cold sober.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. I think that that kind of terror is what gets me to work, is when I see that, you know, if I don't do anything here, there's going to be a problem as opposed to I'm busy thinking. Like, I think, type first, think later. That's my approach. And, and certainly that seems to be, yeah, you know, observable in my output. Like, clearly, he types first, then thinks later.
Jim Rash
Oh, yeah, yeah. Well, then somebody's going to say, you know, every, every book is going to say their version of that. Oh, right from your first pass, just right from your heart. Don't, you know, don't edit or whatever. I, I find that enviable, but personally impossible. I, I, I write, rewrite, but the same.
Craig Ferguson
You got to, you got to rewrite, you got to like go back and go back and go back. Go back all the time. Are you writing right now? Are you writing anything just now?
Jim Rash
I am. I just, I just finished editing something I had written closer to Pandemic year and, and just start means something at the moment. So.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, it's a movie. Are you doing a movie?
Jim Rash
It's a movie. It's, it's based on. It is a, A true story, which I've never done, like something. A real person story, but I'm, I'm taking a stab at it and, and seeing if I. Do you remember team? Well, they went by a team name, Team Hoyt. Last name H O Y T. Uh, the. The father pushed his quadriplegic son who had cerebral palsy, through Boston marathons, triathlons. And so they were a team for. Good lord. They ran 30 marathons, you know, and he would just push his son through all these things. And then they were very high in activism for differently abled people and, and, and quite an inspirational story.
Craig Ferguson
Do you have any connection to that world? Are you close to anyone who's in that position?
Jim Rash
No, no, I just, it was just. I think I'm working with Nat Faxon, who I often work with, and I think it's just a beautiful story and there was like a lot of elements to it that I thought, felt that we felt fit within the things that we like. There's a lot of comedy and drama happening at the same time, which I'm always attracted to. So we're just starting that process of digging through all. Because when you're doing these kind of things, there's so many interviews, so books and stuff, so you're really. There's a lot to dig through and you're spanning a long period of time. So that's another challenge.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, that was great. I'm glad you brought up Nat, because I was. I, I didn't know if you and that were still working together or if you had some horrible argument and they weren't talking to each other. So I'm glad to hear that you're not.
Jim Rash
Well, the second statement is true. There's always a horrible argument, but we are still together. I find him. I find him. And I say this with love, just reprehensible.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. You know, it's funny. You are a very odd couple. I mean, I know you're not a couple, but, but, but you're, you're an odd duo. You, you seem very different and yet the stuff that you do has a very definite voice to it, like all of its own it's kind of. It's interesting to me. Have you ever thought of appearing as the Odd Couple? I think the Neil Simon play with you and that fact. There's something there, you know.
Jim Rash
You know, the one thing I do know is no one's tired of watching the Odd Couple on stage or ever. So. So. No, I'm serious. It is, it is. It is a, A, A coupling that always works.
Craig Ferguson
Now. We.
Jim Rash
We will maybe one day we'll get into regional theater and actually do the Odd Couple. Odd Couple. But we are. We are very different and I think that works to our benefit. You know, we have. And that's how we operate at the Ground Lanes. I think you just find people that comedically and, and then I think we just have a nice way of working together for the most part, which means. Which is comfortable, which is me saying, nat, get out of here and let me just do this.
Craig Ferguson
Get out now and let me finish this. Yeah, yeah, I, I feel like I, I observed that as well. Is that where you met? At Groundlings?
Jim Rash
Yeah, we met at Groundlings in what's called the Sunday Company, right before the main company.
Craig Ferguson
What's the, The Sunday Company?
Jim Rash
Well, there's so many their levels. You know, you start the school and everyone starts at the same place. You know, you have like basic improv and intermediate improv and then you work out your way to the Sunday Company, which literally performs on Sunday and sort of like your last stage to hopefully make it into the. The main stage, the main Ground Lanes company. So a lot of people spend up to a year and a half in the Sunday Company and then hopefully get into the main company. So it's a very fun time. I did, I made it. I was in the. I was actual main commitment for 13 years and I still, I still perform the day. I'm getting ready to direct the next main show. So I have never left. I just, you know, at one point you become an alum because you don't want to deal with mass emails and voting.
Craig Ferguson
Right. And I feel like. I feel Groundlings is a bit like Catholicism, that once, you know, once you're in, you don't. You. You don't get out. Like maybe the mafia, you know, comedy in, comedy out.
Jim Rash
Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
There's no, no way of doing it any other way.
Jim Rash
No, it's one way through.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, it. It does seem like a. Like, is it. Can I say it's a cult? I think it's a cult. Yeah. I mean, I know it's not, but I like saying it is.
Jim Rash
I mean, Let me. Are we drinking blood?
Craig Ferguson
Sure. Yeah.
Jim Rash
But I mean, other. Other than. Because if you don't have someone else's blood in the taste of it, you can't perform or find a comedic connecting thread. I mean, that's a lot.
Craig Ferguson
A lot of people don't know that about show business, that you have to drink blood before you get on stage.
Jim Rash
UTA Hagen said it. Even in acting, you really need to taste blood of your partner in order to really connect on stage. And don't anybody look that up. But that's what UTA Hagen said.
Craig Ferguson
I love that you referenced UTA Hagen.
Jim Rash
You're welcome.
Craig Ferguson
That's no reference to Nina Hagen.
Jim Rash
No.
Craig Ferguson
Nina Bean wasn't Nina Hagen. 99 Luft Ballons.
Jim Rash
Oh, I did not know that. But I. I love that.
Craig Ferguson
99. Love balance. We're just looking up right now. You remember 99?
Jim Rash
Yes. No. Yeah, I knew it because you would either hear it, well, it was partly in English or there was also probably an all English version.
Craig Ferguson
Yes, I think it was an all English version which was released for America. She did not sing well, that's who. Nina Hagen didn't.
Jim Rash
We're wrong.
Craig Ferguson
Oh, no. It was a woman called Nina, but her second name wasn't Hagen. No, it was the Hagen thing I got.
Jim Rash
I was gonna say, because I remember Nina Hagen to be Ooda's sister who always did not care for Ooda because she was always assigned to be Prop MA for UDA's acting classes. You remember Nina?
Craig Ferguson
That would be a lot of work. Luft Balog. I said. Well, I think that's what I said. Louf Balog.
Jim Rash
I don't think we should.
Craig Ferguson
Let's talk a little about UTA Hagen, though. I don't want to let this drop just yet, because I don't. I feel like I don't know really anything about UTA Hagen. Do you know much about Utter Hagen? Talk me through it.
Jim Rash
I do not. The fact that I referenced her was mostly a bit. I will say. I will say I. I took it. I deactivated and took a little mental ish break from Instagram. But at the time, Instagram, someone was uploading old clips of UTA Hagen and teaching her acting classes, which were a dream to watch as she's showing, you know, actors in whatever period this was from certain tricks and how to be in a scene. And that was enthralling. But that's as much as I have. I have a mental picture in ahead of her. That's it.
Craig Ferguson
I think UTA Hagen was the person I remember talking about the illusion of Spontaneity. I think she said that you have to look like you just thought of it. Well, you understand, towards the illusion of spontaneity. But I feel like that was her. But that could have been Utta Lemper as well. It was certainly an UTA. Or maybe. Or maybe it was Nina who sang 99 Loft Balog.
Jim Rash
That's right. Right.
Craig Ferguson
And every time she sang it, it was like the first time.
Jim Rash
Yeah. It's safe for us to assume that there are a lot of udas out there and a lot of people, last name Hagen, who are very, very key in our lives.
Craig Ferguson
You know that Sammy Hagar's real name.
Jim Rash
No.
Craig Ferguson
Is Utah Hagar.
Jim Rash
I can see why he switched it up a little bit. Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. And I think that was the right choice. I mean, Sammy. So we're kind of rock star relatable. Hey, Sammy, how you doing? Yeah, because that's how. That's how rock stars talk, apparently.
Jim Rash
Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
How are you going?
Jim Rash
And you also. I'm sure there were concerts where instead of yelling out a song they wanted to hear, they go, tell us something about acting, you know, like.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, like what about the illusion of spontaneity?
Jim Rash
Yeah, forget. And I know this is not him, but forget Freebird. Tell us how the best way to block a scene.
Craig Ferguson
Yes, that's what is the best way to block a scene. I always think it's good to have all the actors standing in a line shouting towards the front, and then everybody is able to pick up on what's going on.
Jim Rash
I always tell them, don't cheat out, be out, be out. Don't look at your scene partner. Connect only with the audience and throw everything right at them.
Craig Ferguson
And as loud as possible. If you have to shout. No, that's okay.
Jim Rash
I don't say project to the back. I say project to another state.
Craig Ferguson
That's right. Just. Just yell as loud as you can. And it does. It's okay to look like you're yelling. A lot of people, they'll get it. They'll understand what you're trying to do.
Jim Rash
Yeah. And then I tell them, if the scene is about anger, choose one note and stay there.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. And start big. Like, if it's an angry scene, start really angry and stay really angry.
Jim Rash
I always say, anyone who tells you to build from a place doesn't know what it means to construct a scene. That person needs to quit and go open up any type of shop. But don't tell me how to build a scene. Start big and go bigger.
Craig Ferguson
I always, like, there's a Very complicated. I call it the, the Bon Jovi acting technique. This is how I like to do it with your Bon Jovi songs where you do big noise, then there's a little bit of things, then a big noise. That's how I like to do it.
Jim Rash
Right.
Craig Ferguson
Shout something. Then I do.
Jim Rash
Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
Then I shout it again.
Jim Rash
Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
And then it's a big.
Jim Rash
Acting is like performing a song. There's a verse, there's a chorus, there's a bridge. Right. So if I'm, if the scene is, you know, I'm upset, I'm telling this person to get out, out of there. I'm like, get out. And here's what you're gonna do. Don't look at me, but you better believe now, should they be able to hear what the stuff I'm saying quietly? Not necessarily. If they read the script. If they've read the script, they already know. So you always act because you know what's happening in the scene. Don't.
Craig Ferguson
I? I feel, I feel as well that I don't know if you have the I. When I ever. I work as an actor, I don't read the script, I read the line. So I just lead the lines that I'll be saying because I figured then it'll come as a nice surprise when the other actors say, what?
Jim Rash
That's 101. It's not my job to know what their lines are. It's my job to know my lines. And if I choose to skip a couple pages, that's my right.
Craig Ferguson
I always tell myself that they can fix it in post.
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Craig Ferguson
Hey Meta, what's the weather tonight?
Jim Rash
Tonight will be clear with temperatures ranging.
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Craig Ferguson
Hey Meta. Post this video on Instagram.
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Craig Ferguson
Hey Meta, what can I make for dinner with what's in the fridge?
Jim Rash
You can make a delicious spinach and chicken salad or add the baby spinach to pasta with some garlic shrimp.
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Jim Rash
It's so easy for a year to go by and you're in the same place because there's so much going on in the world today. Hey everybody, it's Tony Robbins. So the real question is, how do you really get yourself to be in a place where you truly follow through, where you actually get the results that you really want? Listen, you really need to get yourself A coach. You need a professional who's already got results. You need something outside you. Someone that's like what a coach does.
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Craig Ferguson
If I want to play in that league, I have to model what the successful people do, period.
Jim Rash
Our company ended on 6, 69% revenue.
Craig Ferguson
Growth, which is ridiculous because we're talking.
Jim Rash
About millions of dollars.
Craig Ferguson
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Jim Rash
If you'd like to test out one of my top coaches, we will give you a 30 minute free coaching session.
Craig Ferguson
Go to tonyrobbins.com to get started today. That's tonyrobbins.com hello, this is Craig Ferguson and I want to let you know I have a brand new stand up comedy special out now on YouTube. It's called I'm so happy and I would be so happy if you checked it out. To watch the special, just go to my YouTube channel at the Craig Ferguson show and it's just right there. Just click it and play it and it's free. I can't. Look, I'm not going to come around your house and show you how to do it. If you can't do it, then you can have it. But if you can figure it out, it's yours. You mentioned something which I'm quite interested in because I feel like everybody I talk to has, has said this, that you said you were, you came off of Instagram, you came off of social media. Was, did you find it was becoming intrusive in your life in some way?
Jim Rash
Very much so. I, I, yes, I felt I, it, it was robbing me. I think I was getting distracted, I think. And it wasn't even me posting. So, you know, people go, I don't post much when I go, but it' posting that bothers me and because I do enjoy there look, I, you know, I understand the joys of it. I enjoyed that kind of stuff. But I found myself getting to the place where if we're going to a party and you say to your friend, oh my God, you went to Europe. Like in other words, back in the day you would not know this information. But then you're, it feels like we're so caught up on someone's life, we walk in and we just, we fill it in because we don't need to have a conversation. You just, you just, you just got that puppy.
Craig Ferguson
Oh yeah.
Jim Rash
Oh, he's adorable. And then you move on and that's the end of that. Anyway, I just didn't like, and also we're getting, you know, you get hit with a lot of news at the same time so you're just trying to like, I think, take care of yourself.
Craig Ferguson
I've stopped looking at the news completely now I don't look at the news at all.
Jim Rash
It seems like it's going well.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, I think it's going great. I know that if I like sometimes if I walk by a TV repair shop of which, you know, Manhattan is legendarily, there's thousands of them. I live in the Upper east side which is mostly TV repair shops.
Jim Rash
Oh, that's, that's favor.
Craig Ferguson
I walk by a TV repair shop and the news is on. Seems like Los Angeles is doing great, particularly in the last couple of days.
Jim Rash
Yes, it's, it's, it's a pleasure to refresh your news and just, and, and, and, and then everything's either the opposite. This is happening, this isn't happening. And it's, and it's like, you know, LA is a giant place. So it's, we're talking about something that's like downtown at this moment and, and rightfully so protesting this moment, you know, and you hope, you hope it doesn't get to a place of violence, but it's just sort of, it's, it's pretty crazy to think it's just downtown right now, you know.
Craig Ferguson
No, it's funny though. Have you ever been part of a, of a protest or something like that? I mean it's something. I've never really found myself in that position. I've never thought, well, you know what, it's time I said this and join in with my friends. Maybe it's because I do what I do for a living so you kind of get it out another way. But, or maybe I should, maybe I have absolutely no civic responsibility and I'm a horrible person. It could be that quite easily.
Jim Rash
Well, you know, these are great places where you put a mirror in front of yourself and you have to look at yourself, Craig, and decide right. Say what, what are you for?
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, I, well, you know, mostly for at this point in my life. I'm now 63 years old, Jim. So I, I'm, I'm kind of mostly for sitting down. I'm, I'm all about sitting down.
Jim Rash
That's good for protesting. That's, that's who they need. They just want you to sit down. They need a lot of keep it calm.
Craig Ferguson
If there's a sit in somewhere comfortable, like if they're going to be. Well, we're all getting together, we're going to sit in this very comfortable lounge to protest. Then you're like, well, I feel like I want to be part of that.
Jim Rash
You need a glamping version of activism.
Craig Ferguson
Welcome to my tent. I'm in a tent right now. A glamping tent.
Jim Rash
That's. Yeah, it's called, that's called full circle. Full circle conversation.
Craig Ferguson
That's one of those writing slash acting techniques. And they teach you that in the ground. Like, what are you learning your first day at the ground length?
Jim Rash
I call it full circle. In other words, if you get lost in the scene and you don't remember it, just go back to the first line and see if you get it right. And so the audience will get it. Oh, we're going to go back and we're going to start over. It's called full circle.
Craig Ferguson
You know the, you know the idea of the callback when the comedian will call back to a joke that they did earlier. I've been working on a technique recently called the reverse callback, where I reference jokes which I haven't told yet. Seems to, I think audiences really like that. They're like, wow, this is clever.
Jim Rash
Yeah, I, I love it in the sense that you just keep doing it. Go, how about for that, for a callback? And then just keep going. And then someone goes like, I really, I wasn't listening very well. I kept missing, missing stuff. I didn't remember when he talked about barbershops, but he came right back to it and he says, you know, hair and a, and a shave dun, dun, like that. And I kept, I didn't know why I kept going. And I think that is it hair and a shave cut. Isn't that what it is?
Craig Ferguson
Hair and a shave done done is like shave and a haircut too bit. It's too predictable. And I think hair and a shave done done is. I still want to know what you teach the first day of your. When you go to Groundlings as a fresh faced young improvisationer. Like, I'd like to be an improvisationer.
Jim Rash
Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
What is day one when you sit down and. And what do you do?
Jim Rash
Well, really it, truthfully, it is to jump up and just start doing it. And I find it very interesting to watch what happens when you get a class or two of just throwing them up there and doing improv exercises and then take a moment to sit down and break down, if we want to call them rules or like structures, and then watch how it deconstructs them. And then they get terrible. Me included back in the day because I Realized when we don't know any rules and we just jump in. It's fun to watch people do it without any, any, any parameters at first that won't be great scenes, but there's a spirit. And then when they hear the rules, they shut down. And then they get very apprehensive, like, oh, here we are at the cake place. Oh, yes, I love this cake. It's good. Yes. Let's, let's, let's keep making this cake. Oh, boy.
Craig Ferguson
And the only rule I know is the. The yes and rule. Is that a real rule? Yes. And you just have to keep adding. Is that, Is that real?
Jim Rash
I think, I think it's a, A good rule to be learning in the very beginning and the idea of being in agreement. In other words, I'm going to zig with you. If you're gonna zag, then I'm just gonna go with you. In other words, I'm not going to not. And I'm not going to negate that. I think improvisers who are doing it for a while, there is a version of no. That they come to understand that keeps the scene going, you know. But I think in the beginning, knowing that I am going to let go of any preconceived ideas about where this scene is going. And if you decide that you're. That we're. That the building got on fire, then we're going to play that.
Craig Ferguson
You know, I find it fascinating improvisation because it's something that I've never really been comfortable with in groups. I mean, look what I was doing. Late Night Josh and I, who was doing the Skeleton, that's all we ever did. We never wrote. But actually the kind of slightly more. I don't know about structured, but certainly branded sort of improvs that, you know, okay, there's four riffs on stage, we're going to play. What is it they used to call. There was one of the games. I, I can't remember the name of the something they would call. Was it the pussy? I don't know if it was the pussy.
Jim Rash
That was so vague. It was called the something. Well, everything's called something, Craig. What was the idea of the improv?
Craig Ferguson
It was like a long form thing where you would tell a story. I can't. A long form improv, which I don't really. I genuinely don't understand. I'm not trying to be obtuse. I don't know what it means when you say long form improv. What does it mean?
Jim Rash
Well, I mean, I think long form Improv is. You might just get one suggestion, as I understand it. Let's just say like a group gets up there and says, we're going to perform long improv. Just give us the title of this play. And they don't. They're not going to get anything else from the audience. They're just going to go with that one thing. And then for me, long, long improv. And then like, you know, Second City. And they do heralds, which can be based on one thing.
Craig Ferguson
That was the one. That was the one that. The heart. No, it was the herald or the, or Harold.
Jim Rash
Well, I always said Harold, but that's, that's. I don't know if it's the man's name or like Harold as in a. But I, I, Someone who has to do with. Well, Harold. But also I was thinking of something that flows into each other because the idea is that, you know, if you're doing a correct herald. Now, I, I'm not proficient on them, but it's like, I think like three separate scenes get started and then, as they say, some kind of game happens and then the scenes are revisited with time and then it all comes together. If you nailed it, as they say in the herald world. Now, someone on here who knows a herald listening going, you know, just swerved in their car and said, jim. And know what he's talking about.
Craig Ferguson
Right. Well, which is completely fair. Well, but that, but they're breaking the rule of, you know, keeping the scene going because they've swerved the car, they've stopped the car and they've said, jim doesn't know he's talking about. Doesn't give you anywhere to go. Doesn't give you anywhere to go.
Jim Rash
If I heard that, I would say, you just negated what I just said. Which I, I said, was this true statement about a herald.
Craig Ferguson
Right. That was the one. I always felt intimidated by it because when I was doing the Drew Carey show, that's just when those Drew and Ryan Styles and those guys were putting together Colin Mochrie were putting together Whose line is it Anyway? And they would go and practice at the improv club in Los Angeles. And I went once and I thought, I don't like this. I don't understand it. I don't feel comfortable doing it. And they were like, no, you're not the perfect sort of person for this. And I'm like, but I don't feel like I am. I can't connect to it.
Jim Rash
What was throwing you off? Was it the pain of those games?
Craig Ferguson
I think I don't like people. I don't work well with others.
Jim Rash
Yeah, that's difficult.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. Cranky loner, I think is what. Okay, I was working, but aren't you. You're a bit of a cranky loner. I feel too. I mean, how dare you. I see you there in your kitchen.
Jim Rash
Am I cranky right now? No. Am I lo. Yes, Always. That part I get.
Craig Ferguson
I like, I like being alone. I like, I like working alone. I like being on stage in my home.
Jim Rash
That's. That's fair. It's like you're. And I'm just gonna say it because I think you're saying it. You're selfish. You want all of the glory on stage.
Craig Ferguson
Yes. Yes, I think that's right. Selfish. Mean. Mean spirited. I think is probably.
Jim Rash
That's fair.
Craig Ferguson
That's.
Jim Rash
That's your. That's your brand and I think it's working.
Craig Ferguson
I'm known for it. I am known for it.
Jim Rash
No, when I was getting on here, I text a friend, I said, oh, I'm getting ready to go on this really mean spirited, selfish loner. And he goes, oh, Craig Ferguson. I go, yes.
Craig Ferguson
Oh, God. That's alarming, but true, I guess. What about the idea of working alone for you? Like doing stand up? Have you ever done stand up? I don't think of you as a stand up.
Jim Rash
No, I've never done stand up. I envy those who have that skill set. That doesn't seem like it's my jam, if you will not to be jam, but I will say what I have done alone on stage, which brings which I love so much. And I didn't create the show, but I've done it before at the Groundlings. A former Groundling created a show called One and One is the idea that a performer will get up there and improvise. Completely improvise with nothing. Obviously a one person show. So I get up there.
Craig Ferguson
I'm so fucking there for that. Can I do that?
Jim Rash
Yes, it is. You would excel at this. It's so fun. It's terrifying all day. You're like, this is one of those shows where you're like, maybe not be for you, but for me. You're wired and the day is shot because you're trying to do everything else and you just know eight o' clock's coming and you're like, why the. The am I doing this show? Why? Because it's terrifying and the audience is so on your side because they know the idea. But the idea is you get up there and the director will get the. This Is Jim. I'm not playing Jim. Like, it'll get a fake name just so they separate. This not Jim Rash's one person show. It's like just a made up name. Whether you use that or not, other than your intro. Then you get the name of this pretentious sounding, you know, one person show. So it would be like, you know, my father never loved me or the waves crashed at midnight, whatever it is. And then she sets up audience members get to create like three little stages using blocks and stuff that I have to justify as different set pieces. And then I just go for an hour and I just create a whole one person show. And it's basically. I love this idea. Oh, it is. It is terrifying. And then when you get off stage, you're like, I want to do it again. And then you book it and then you go, why am I doing this? And then you. I want to do it again because the audience is so there. And so you get to do this type of improv that I've never done where you just have to trust that there is going to be lulls. Like you look up at this clock and it's like 40 minutes in and you just hit, which is natural, like a party where you just lose conversation. And you're like, oh, my God, something needs to happen. And then you just pull yourself out of it. And so you play a bunch of characters. You talk to yourself as different characters and it gets insane, of course, but it's fun.
Craig Ferguson
I am not kidding. I've never heard of this before. I feel like I might have been doing a version of this my entire career. And I want to. I want to do this. I genuinely want to do this. I need you to. I need you to give me a number at the Groundlings. Or do you have a New York branch of the Groundlings?
Jim Rash
No way. Way, way back, way before me. They had an attempt at an expansion, but this was long, long ago and they don't. It's just la. But yeah, Deanna Oliver, who is a fantastic writer as well, and she is Groundling alum and she created the show. So I will give her a talk because, yes, it's a blast.
Craig Ferguson
I. That's. This is perfect for me. This is actually perfect me. I feel like. Are you allowed to drink two cups of coffee before it?
Jim Rash
I think one and a half, but that's just because. Because that'd be enough. Well, you know why I say one and a half? That's the folklore of. It's very Shakespearean. Never drink two cups of Coffee before.
Craig Ferguson
A play is it causes an even number or makes you go to the back.
Jim Rash
I think it was either again, UTA Hagen or Shakespeare who said it. So I don't rem which of the two said it, but it was something of like he who he or she who has one cup, your talent runneth over. Two talent to the door she go. But a half do well. And I think that's the exact same.
Craig Ferguson
One and a half will do well.
Jim Rash
Two, one will do you well. The talent will be for you. Yeah, some of these words are going to change when I tell you the second time, but just give me a second to get it right. It's like one cup of coffee will do you well, and talent will be forthcoming. Two will make it leave the door a half cup more and talent shall be fine. I'm pretty sure that's what it was.
Craig Ferguson
It's interesting because it does change quite a lot every time you say it.
Jim Rash
Which I don't think so. Have one cup of coffee and you will do fine. And talent will come much more. 2 and it will leave the door. A half a cup more will do you fine. See, it's the same, right?
Craig Ferguson
I feel like. I feel like. I feel like I have it now. And that's great. Now, Shakespeare, this is. Look, I'm sorry to bring this up, but I feel like I must for the sake of historical accuracy. I don't think Shakespeare knew what coffee was.
Jim Rash
Oh, okay. Well, if. Good luck, go to Wikipedia and you'll find out you're wrong.
Craig Ferguson
Well, I just feel like coffee might have arrived in Britain after Shakespeare. I think up until that thing, they drank only mud. You know, they were. They were experimenting with different brown liquids. There was mud, there was poo, there was sewage water, there was, you know, dysentery and stuff. But they didn't have actual coffee until coffee time, which was.
Jim Rash
Was that a proclamation? Coffee time was. Was that an act or. Or a.
Craig Ferguson
It was the coffee Mac of 1702, when coffee was. I think coffee is a new world thing, though, isn't it?
Jim Rash
So the. The king proclaimed it. I mean, to me, you said mud, but that. That to me is slang for coffee. Like, oh, cup of joe, cup of mud. So maybe you just don't understand translation of text and that's just. That's okay if you don't know it.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, it's possible.
Jim Rash
I think.
Craig Ferguson
I think it's possible that I don't understand mud. Although growing up where I grew up, I feel like I have a very firm grasp of swampy conditions. Okay. And. And the, the mud. I'm pretty sure Shakespeare didn't know who Coffey was. And I feel like his plays would have zipped along a bit faster if he did. I think particularly King Lear. I think it would have been King Lear. Oh, I'm old. These kids is driving me crazy. What are you gonna do? There's your three acts right there. King Lear. Oh, I'm getting old. These kids are driving me crazy. What are you gonna do?
Jim Rash
Yeah, I mean, I think it's good for a couple productions to give it a shot of espresso, as we would say. Like, let's give the Shakespeare a shot of espresso and move on. Esp.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. But I feel like as well, if he was doing the Two Gentlemen of Verona, which was of course set in Italy in the town of Verona, the Shakespearean play. I feel like he would have put coffee in that if he knew what coffee was. Hey, let's go for a cup of coffee. I'm with you, my gentleman friend.
Jim Rash
What accent were you just doing?
Craig Ferguson
That was Groucho Marx. Sorry, Chico Marx. Oh, Chico Marx in Two Gentlemen of Verona. His one man show. That was the twist.
Jim Rash
No, I. I closed my eyes and I was like, holy am I at that show? And then.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. What's the coming ago? He's a me, your friend from Verona. Chico.
Jim Rash
Chico, yeah.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. And have you ever been to Verona or anywhere around that or Italy?
Jim Rash
I have been only to. Is it. Is it called Turin or Torino, like northern Italy?
Craig Ferguson
I know exactly the town you mean. I would call it Torino, but I feel like that might be. Because if ever I'm reading the news on tv, I like to. If the story is about Nicaragua, I always like to say Nicaragua.
Jim Rash
Oh, yeah. All right. Instead of me saying Turino Torino. But that's the only. I have so much of Italy to see and that's the only place I've been.
Craig Ferguson
I would say that. Be careful when you go to Italy because if someone has bad eyesight and they can't really see, they might think that you're Stanley Tucci.
Jim Rash
No, I. I get that. Or Moby. And Moby doesn't live that far from me either. So we could do a great Freaky Friday. But he has tattoos, so. And you should be able to tell the difference.
Craig Ferguson
I know Moby quite. I know Moby quite well. I feel like now as you mention it, you know what you do? You guys do look quite similar.
Jim Rash
No, that's the one I would get more than Stanley Choo Choo. However, I was in a lobby, hotel lobby and a woman approached me and said, oh my God, I'm a big fan. Can I get a selfie? We were posing for her, you know, her handheld selfie. And she said, I love your show on Italy. And then I go, oh, I'm not Stanley Tucci. And she did not snap that picture. And it was just a slow, you know, her hand slowly came down. She didn't, I jokingly said, you probably don't need this picture. And she didn't take it. And then I told her who I was. Not that that registered on her, but I really burst that bubble. I should have just said I'm as Joel Mch told me. I should have just said, yes, I'm Stanley. Just kept going. But anyway, I was humbled by, because I was like, oh, I wish I had that kind of acting talent. But thank you.
Craig Ferguson
I, I think you do.
Jim Rash
I think you could pass. She's amazing, but I will take it. Thank you.
Craig Ferguson
No, I, I, he is amazing. He's an amazing actor actually. He's, I, because, but I, I see him in Italy and I think, you know, I don't think he's acting there. I think he's genuinely having a good.
Jim Rash
Time, I would imagine. Yes.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I do love Italy. Where is the name Rash from? That's not an Italian name, is it?
Jim Rash
No, no, I should say I'm adopted. So I'm not going, I'm not going to be representative of this. But, but as I understand, Rash, as according to my grandfather found, is Welsh.
Craig Ferguson
Oh, I thought it, I thought it was an Ellis island thing from Rash from Germany because R E S C H E Rash.
Jim Rash
Yes.
Craig Ferguson
Is a German name.
Jim Rash
I according to whether this is right or not, he said this particular Rash is a Welsh thing.
Craig Ferguson
I believe it.
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Tonight will be clear with temperatures ranging.
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If I want to play in that.
Craig Ferguson
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Jim Rash
Have you ever been to Wales, like as a teenager? So it's been a hot minute obviously, right? Yes. As a teenager we did the whole. Yeah, Wales, Scotland.
Craig Ferguson
Oh, you did? Where did you go to in Scotland? Because that's where I'm from.
Jim Rash
I know I'm not. All I remember is as a kid is wanting to go as many like castles and castle ruins. So I couldn't tell you everywhere we.
Craig Ferguson
Went I've lived in most of them.
Jim Rash
And we road trip through so we just kept going, you know.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, it's probably a good idea. Did you, were you very, you were a teenager?
Jim Rash
Probably a preteeny. Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
Right. So did you eat the food there?
Jim Rash
Well, if I was a kid, if I was complaining, I do remember how jet lagged we were experienced hitting London. You know when a family hits a place and everything goes off the rails immediately and it's about being hangry and like Coca Cola didn't have ice in it. So that probably freaked me out for a second.
Craig Ferguson
Nothing has ice in it and to this day they're still like, still. I'm afraid we don't have any ice. We could put it on the cold shelf. Have you ever experienced the cold shelf in Britain?
Jim Rash
No. What is the cold shelf?
Craig Ferguson
It's a shelf but it has no refrigerating quality. It's just a shovel. I've got some on the cold shelf. It's a shelf near the door. That's it.
Jim Rash
Is that true? Wow.
Craig Ferguson
Yes. It's 100 true. Mostly.
Jim Rash
Yeah. If you're hot, go sit on the shelf, baby. They say that to people.
Craig Ferguson
Why, why don't you? Nobody Calls anybody baby. In Britain, you can't say baby.
Jim Rash
That's not.
Craig Ferguson
You have to be an actual baby in Britain, legally. Get cold, baby. You can't say, hey, baby, what's up?
Jim Rash
In the south, it's just. Okay. I would just naturally go and go, hey, baby, why don't you go sit on that shaft? Y' all, y' all, y' all, sugar, y' all, y' all go sit on that shelf. That's not. That's not very.
Craig Ferguson
Now, in Brandon, if you call someone baby, if you say, hello, baby, it's a baby. It's an actual baby.
Jim Rash
Oh, it's an actual baby.
Craig Ferguson
And so the chances of you getting a. A reply or. Limited.
Jim Rash
Yeah, I was just probably being a nice, you know, one of. One of my aunts or something calling me that to tell me, go sit on the shelf. But, yeah, you're right, you're right, you're right, you're right.
Craig Ferguson
So if I go to the south, the next time I go to the south, if I call people baby, they'll think it's okay. Hey, baby, can I have a service?
Jim Rash
I haven't lived there in 30 years, but I'm pretty sure, you know, it's classic. Hey, y' all. Hey, baby.
Craig Ferguson
I don't know. I see. I feel a great affinity for people in the south because I also walk the earth meeting. Everyone I meet feels they can do my accent better than me. That I think people in the south also experience that. What are you doing? You can't do it. Yeah. Hi, y' all. Hey, baby. Do you have. Do you have any toothpicks? There you go.
Jim Rash
Oh, that's a classic. Y' all have toothpicks, which actually probably is. Everyone likes to pick their teeth because you would go to those restaurants like Sizzler, which, you know, anybody knows Sizzler or something, or any of those, like, chain steak places where you're getting, like, a Waffle Hut.
Craig Ferguson
Waffle Hut.
Jim Rash
Waffle. Waffle House, Waffle Hut, whatever they're called, you know? Yeah, you'd have that little thing where you would rotate the little plastic dial on the side and it would get one toothpick in it and. And the toothpick would come out.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. Y' all have any toothpicks in your dial? Your dial. You have the dial up toothpicks?
Jim Rash
Yeah, yeah, that was like, you know, that was pre. Covered. They knew how to get one single. One touch. One touch. Toothpick device was already invented way before all that.
Craig Ferguson
Did you get covered, by the way?
Jim Rash
Twice.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, me too.
Jim Rash
Yeah. I had.
Craig Ferguson
How about. How bad was it? Was it pretty bad?
Jim Rash
The first one was. I, I guess it's all subjective, but it was like, you know, the, the fever. Don't feel like doing anything, sit on the couch for a couple of days, and then it just sort of broke. The second time, felt like nothing had happened.
Craig Ferguson
Did you get vaccinated? Am I allowed to even ask you that? I don't know.
Jim Rash
I mean, I'm not afraid to say it, of course. Yes, I did.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. No, I, I get vaccinated. I took ivermectin. I, I, I drank bleach.
Jim Rash
That's so smart. Yeah.
Craig Ferguson
I feel like I, I took all the precautions.
Jim Rash
I. Oh, well, some of those things are just wonderful things. You don't want to let go. Like, I keep wiping down my groceries just for nostalgia, you know, I love to wipe them down. Let me just, Let me just. Oh, I'm gonna wipe down these turkey burgers and just get them nice and clean.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, I, I still bulk buy enormous amounts of toilet paper just in case it comes back.
Jim Rash
Yeah, so smart.
Craig Ferguson
Just huge amounts of toilet paper. Truckloads.
Jim Rash
I bought big things of ketchup. I really thought that was going to be a, you know, a possible, you know, empty shelf. But anyway, I was wrong. I had plenty of ketchup.
Craig Ferguson
In Britain, you get your ketchup from the cold shelf.
Jim Rash
Well, you know, it probably makes sense because everyone debates whether ketchup should be in the fridge or not be in the fridge.
Craig Ferguson
Well, here's the thing, though. It's not called ketchup in Britain. It's called tomato sauce.
Jim Rash
Right. Classic.
Craig Ferguson
And, and it goes with the other sauce they have. Is. And I'm not kidding, brown sauce.
Jim Rash
And what is brown sauce? Is it like an A1? Is it like a, you know, gravy?
Craig Ferguson
Like it was like a steak sauce thing, but they call it brown sauce. Have you any brown sauce? I think a color shouldn't be the name of a sauce.
Jim Rash
No, not at all. And I also think whoever invented brown sauce has always been offended because they were like, the ingredients deserve some respect. And he goes, wait till you taste this. Oh, I love your brown sauce. And they go, no, no, no, it's.
Craig Ferguson
Your brown sauce is delicious, baby.
Jim Rash
It's 10 ingredients. Oh, I don't care. It's brown sauce.
Craig Ferguson
Brown. Brown will do fine. I think that's probably what Shakespeare called coffee. Now when I think of it.
Jim Rash
See, again, full circle. And now we know.
Craig Ferguson
You know what? I think that is as good a time as any to say good Day, then.
Jim Rash
Oh, great. That was it.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, that's it. That's it. We don't go on forever with this thing, you know, we. We get it done. Whatever. We call each other, baby. We talk about pre Shakespearean beverages, and then it's time to move on.
Jim Rash
Heaven. That's heaven.
Craig Ferguson
It is heaven. It's heaven to see you again. I.
Jim Rash
It's good to see you from afar.
Craig Ferguson
I. I wish I could be in the room with you because I, you know, it is kind of an open secret of how delightful you smell. And I wish I could be in the room. I can only imagine what your kitchen is like. It must smell like.
Jim Rash
It's just all. It's like chamomile and Dracar cologne. It's just a beautiful collection of scents.
Craig Ferguson
It's like going to Diptyque. I think that you know the. The candle shop.
Jim Rash
Yeah. You. Yeah. You make your own candles or you just. You just smell.
Craig Ferguson
They give you little sticks and they say, what does that smell like? And the. All the sticks to me, they all smell the same since I've had Covid. Yeah.
Jim Rash
Oh, okay. So you had that problem. So it all is lavender to you or something?
Craig Ferguson
Yeah. Well, everything at this point, because I'm now 63, everything smells like lavender and pee. But I think that's just because I smell like lavender.
Jim Rash
You know, it's so great to have all these things to look forward to. The different chapters, you know, certain ages.
Craig Ferguson
Those parts of life that are just where everything just falls the apart.
Jim Rash
No. I remember sitting around the southern campfire. My grandfather would tell stories of how, you know, he could. He knew, you know, the love of his life was coming around the corner because urine and lavender wafted into the house. And I remember how romantic it was to think, oh, here comes grandma.
Craig Ferguson
Yeah, he smelled of it even then.
Jim Rash
No.
Craig Ferguson
I heard the rustle of her bag, and I knew she was the one here.
Jim Rash
She was. And then crackle, crackle, the fire. Those are the memories.
Craig Ferguson
Jim, God bless you.
Jim Rash
Bless you.
Craig Ferguson
It's great to see you, baby.
Jim Rash
So good to see you. That was so much. Such a joy to talk to you.
Craig Ferguson
It's lovely to talk to you and congratulations on your kitchen. I know I'm seven years late, but still.
Jim Rash
Thank you. What a journey, right? What a journey.
Craig Ferguson
I mean, I feel like we've all been on that journey 2018 to 2025. You know, it's been a long road, but we got that kitchen. And look, it's a beauty.
Jim Rash
All worth it.
Craig Ferguson
All right, take care, my friend.
Jim Rash
Thank you. Bye.
Craig Ferguson
Thanks.
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This is an I Heart Podcast.
Joy Podcast Episode Summary: Jim Rash on Finding Happiness Through Creativity and Connection
Podcast Information:
In this engaging episode of Joy, Craig Ferguson welcomes acclaimed writer, actor, and improv artist Jim Rash. Conducted remotely from Jim's newly renovated kitchen, the conversation sets the stage for a deep dive into the sources of joy amidst a seemingly chaotic world.
Craig Ferguson introduces the setting and guest:
[02:04] Craig Ferguson: "Welcome to the Joy podcast. My guest will be Jim Rash, a writer, an actor, and performer..."
The episode opens with Jim proudly showcasing his newly renovated kitchen. Unlike many who design their own spaces, Jim opted to collaborate with a talented friend, emphasizing the importance of cohesion over personal design flair.
Jim discusses his design approach:
[04:13] Jim Rash: "I just point and go, I like that kind of... I always want somebody who's going to do something that you don't even think of."
Craig appreciates the balance, highlighting the need for cohesive design elements.
The conversation shifts to their living environments. Jim, originally from North Carolina and now based in Los Angeles, contrasts his experiences with Craig's life in a tent in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Jim shares his geographical journey:
[06:07] Jim Rash: "I grew up in North Carolina... I've lived in LA for 30 years and was at school in Chapel Hill."
Craig humorously describes his unconventional living situation:
[05:41] Craig Ferguson: "But I'm in a tent in Brooklyn. What it is. I mean, I don't know if you've been to Brooklyn."
Jim recounts a personal experience with a fire outbreak in Runyon Canyon, expressing gratitude for his safety while acknowledging the recurring fire seasons in California.
Jim reflects on the fire incident:
[07:40] Jim Rash: "I left my house at one point because there was a fire... It was put out pretty fast, but no, no..."
Craig relates by discussing the consistent air quality issues in Los Angeles:
[08:30] Jim Rash: "It's very itchy. Yeah."
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the intrusive nature of social media. Jim explains his decision to deactivate Instagram to regain control over his focus and mental well-being.
Jim discusses distancing from social media:
[28:06] Jim Rash: "I felt it was robbing me. I was getting distracted... We don't need to have a conversation, you just got that puppy."
Craig shares his own coping mechanism:
[29:07] Craig Ferguson: "I've stopped looking at the news completely now I don't look at the news at all."
Jim delves into his creative processes, distinguishing between his roles as a writer and performer. He discusses his current project—a movie based on Team Hoyt, an inspirational story about a father and his quadriplegic son running marathons.
Jim outlines his movie project:
[12:03] Jim Rash: "It's based on Team Hoyt... They were a team for good lord. They ran 30 marathons..."
Craig probes into Jim's collaboration with Nat Faxon, highlighting their enduring partnership despite occasional disagreements.
Craig on working dynamics:
[13:46] Jim Rash: "Well, the second statement is true. There's always a horrible argument, but we are still together."
A deep dive into Jim's roots with the Groundlings improv troupe reveals insights into the art of improvisation. They discuss the strict yet rewarding environment of the Groundlings, likening it humorously to a cult.
Jim explains the Groundlings experience:
[15:07] Craig Ferguson: "Have you ever thought of appearing as the Odd Couple?"
Jim responds with humor:
[16:39] Jim Rash: "I mean, Let me. Are we drinking blood?"
They further explore improvisation techniques, referencing acting coaches like UTA Hagen and discussing the "Yes, and" rule fundamental to improv.
Jim on improvisation rules:
[34:06] Jim Rash: "I think it's a good rule to be learning in the very beginning... I'm not going to negate that."
The duo engages in light-hearted banter, sharing personal stories such as Jim being mistaken for Stanley Tucci and their humorous takes on British culture, including "brown sauce" and unique British behaviors.
Jim shares a humorous encounter:
[46:06] Jim Rash: "I was in a hotel lobby and a woman approached me saying I'm Stanley Tucci..."
Craig adds to the humor with anecdotes about British "cold shelves" and cultural misunderstandings:
[54:37] Jim Rash: "That's not a very... That's not very..."
As the episode wraps up, Craig and Jim reflect on their friendship and the joy found in their creative journeys. Jim expresses gratitude for the renewed connection and the satisfaction of his kitchen project, symbolizing personal growth and stability.
Craig wraps up the conversation:
[61:14] Craig Ferguson: "I feel like we've all been on that journey 2018 to 2025... it's a beauty."
Jim concludes with warm sentiments:
[61:28] Craig Ferguson: "Take care, my friend."
Notable Quotes:
Jim Rash on Design Collaboration:
[04:24] "You just want somebody who's going to do something that you don't even think of."
Craig Ferguson on Groundlings as a Cult:
[16:26] "There's no way of doing it any other way. I think it's a cult."
Jim Rash on Social Media's Impact:
[28:49] "We're so caught up on someone's life, we walk in and just fill it in because we don't need to have a conversation."
Craig Ferguson on Creativity:
[10:25] "You ever write when you're like that? Because there is this myth... No, nothing."
Jim Rash on Improvisation Rules:
[34:06] "I'm not going to negate that. I think improvisers... in the beginning, knowing that I am going to let go."
Key Takeaways:
Collaboration vs. Personal Design: Jim highlights the value of working with others to achieve cohesive and aesthetically pleasing results, as opposed to solo design efforts.
Impact of Environment on Well-Being: Both Craig and Jim discuss how their living environments influence their happiness, mental health, and overall joy.
Navigating Social Media: The conversation underscores the importance of digital detox and managing social media usage to preserve personal joy and authentic connections.
Creativity and Discipline: Jim emphasizes the balance between spontaneous creativity and structured processes in writing and acting, illustrating the complexities of the creative journey.
Value of Improv and Community: Their discussion about the Groundlings reveals how improvisational communities foster creativity, resilience, and lasting professional relationships.
Humor as Connection: Through anecdotes and playful exchanges, the episode exemplifies how humor and shared experiences contribute to finding joy in everyday interactions.
For those seeking inspiration on harnessing creativity, fostering meaningful collaborations, and navigating the digital landscape to sustain happiness, this episode offers valuable insights through the candid and humorous dialogue between Craig Ferguson and Jim Rash.