Podcast Episode Summary: "How Bowen Yang Got Trisha On SNL & Spilling the Tea On Wicked Part Two"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Just Trish
• Host: Trisha Paytas
• Co-Host: Bowen Yang (Guest)
• Episode Release Date: December 10, 2024

1. SNL Auditions and Trisha's Debut

The episode kicks off with Trisha Paytas reflecting on her and Matt's simultaneous auditions for "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). Trisha shares the emotional rollercoaster of being selected while Matt wasn't, leading to tension in their friendship.

• Trisha Paytas [00:00]: "Matt and I auditioned around the same time, and then it was a really crazy time in the friendship because I got it and he didn't."

Bowen Yang discusses his future aspirations beyond SNL, hinting at bigger movie roles.

• Bowen Yang [00:07]: "I'm going on to do big movies."

Trisha excitedly confirms her continued involvement with SNL's second part.

• Trisha Paytas [00:14]: "I'm in part two. I'm in part two."

2. Navigating Fame and Personal Challenges

Trisha delves into the complexities of her newfound fame, especially juggling demanding projects like her Christmas shows and participating in "Wicked."

• Trisha Paytas [00:54]: Discusses the sold-out Christmas show in San Diego and her excitement for the Beacon Theater performance in New York.

She candidly shares her struggles with mental health amidst her busy schedule, highlighting the pressures of balancing career and personal life.

• Trisha Paytas [73:22]: "Just being alone for a lot of it. Even though I had Ari and I had Ethan and I had, like, Cynthia and Bronwyn there... I was dissociating. I was fully dissociating."

Bowen encourages openness about mental health, emphasizing the importance of support from friends.

• Bowen Yang [74:14]: "I was like, you need to actually, like, get real help."

3. Behind the Scenes of "Wicked"

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Trisha's experience working on "Wicked," a major film project. She shares insights into her role, the filming process, and interactions with co-stars.

• Trisha Paytas [39:50]: "So yeah, Part two, we're filming. It's all in the can."

Bowen expresses admiration for the improvisational aspects of the film and praises Trisha's comedic talents.

• Bowen Yang [40:33]: "It's the most iconic part. That's why you were hired. You're so smart and so fun."

Trisha recounts memorable moments on set, including challenges like dealing with heavy costumes and maintaining her appearance during filming.

• Trisha Paytas [35:40]: "Because they were so heavy. Like pure brass, really."

4. Building Connections and Overcoming Nervousness

Trisha and Bowen discuss the importance of building genuine connections in high-pressure environments like SNL and film sets. Bowen shares his initial nervousness meeting Trisha and how their shared interests, such as meditation, helped them bond.

• Bowen Yang [15:08]: "Do you feel like you're manifesting, like, all the goodness in your life?"

• Trisha Paytas [15:54]: "Sometimes we get so deep already."

5. Celebrating Diversity in Comedy

Trisha emphasizes the diverse backgrounds of the current SNL cast, highlighting how this diversity enriches the show's comedic landscape.

• Trisha Paytas [18:54]: "I just think it's like, you know, comedy is like, something is wrong. There's an error in the system."

Bowen echoes this sentiment, appreciating the variety of comedic styles brought by different cast members.

• Bowen Yang [19:10]: "It's a huge part of it."

6. Reflections on Comedy and Personal Growth

Both hosts reflect on their personal growth through comedy. Trisha shares her journey from struggling with stand-up to finding her niche in improv and sketch comedy, while Bowen discusses his transformation from a pessimistic individual to a more positive outlook.

• Trisha Paytas [16:27]: "I really was so nervous when we first met."

• Bowen Yang [15:29]: "I feel like over time, it just shows. It's only been, like, you know, it's been a few years."

7. Discussing "Wicked" and Future Projects

The conversation shifts back to "Wicked," where Trisha and Bowen discuss favorite scenes, character dynamics, and the fast-paced nature of filmmaking. Trisha reveals surprising elements of her role and how her ad-libs were incorporated into the final cut.

• Trisha Paytas [40:31]: "And I'm like, damn. I gotta like, that's permanent now."

Bowen expresses excitement for the upcoming sequel and praises Trisha's dedication to her roles.

• Bowen Yang [33:23]: "Wait, really? Is that."

8. Humor and Light-Hearted Banter

Throughout the episode, Trisha and Bowen engage in playful banter, discussing topics like fashion mishaps, favorite celebrities, and humorous anecdotes from their careers.

• Trisha Paytas [94:00]: "And then you said it was like, oh, my God. Like, we were just like."

• Bowen Yang [99:08]: "I'd be a great Madam Orble."

9. Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

As the episode concludes, both hosts express gratitude for their collaboration and excitement for future projects. Trisha hints at a significant announcement related to her upcoming Beacon Theater show and teases upcoming episodes of "Hot Topics."

• Trisha Paytas [14:10]: "There'll be another big announcement tonight or in the morning."

Bowen reflects on the memorable experience of working with Trisha and looks forward to continued friendship and professional endeavors.

• Bowen Yang [100:54]: "Thank you."

Notable Quotes:

• Trisha Paytas [00:00]: "Matt and I auditioned around the same time, and then it was a really crazy time in the friendship because I got it and he didn't."

• Bowen Yang [15:29]: "I feel like over time, it just shows. It's only been, like, you know, it's been a few years."

• Trisha Paytas [73:22]: "Just being alone for a lot of it. Even though I had Ari and I had Ethan and I had, like, Cynthia and Bronwyn there... I was dissociating. I was fully dissociating."

• Trisha Paytas [16:27]: "I really was so nervous when we first met."

• Bowen Yang [40:33]: "It's the most iconic part. That's why you were hired. You're so smart and so fun."

• Trisha Paytas [35:40]: "Because they were so heavy. Like pure brass, really."

• Trisha Paytas [14:10]: "There'll be another big announcement tonight or in the morning."

Conclusion:

In this episode of "Just Trish," Trisha Paytas and guest Bowen Yang offer an intimate look into the behind-the-scenes experiences of working on "SNL" and the film "Wicked." They candidly discuss the challenges of fame, personal growth, mental health, and the importance of diversity in comedy. Their genuine friendship and mutual admiration shine through, providing listeners with both insightful and entertaining content. The episode wraps up with hints of exciting future projects, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating what's next.