"Four Seasons Ambassador" (w/ Natasha Rothwell)

Summary

Episode Summary: "Four Seasons Ambassador" Featuring Natasha Rothwell

Las Culturistas, hosted by Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, delves deep into the vibrant tapestry of culture with their special guest, Natasha Rothwell. In this engaging episode released on March 26, 2025, Natasha shares her insightful journey through the entertainment industry, her experiences on the acclaimed series White Lotus, and her personal growth both professionally and personally.

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Shoutouts and Celebrations

The episode opens with Matt Rogers expressing heartfelt gratitude to their listeners and supporters:

Matt Rogers [02:45]: "By the way, we should say shout out to anyone who voted for us for podcast of the year, which we won for a second time."

He reflects on the nine-year journey of the podcast and the joy of having Natasha Rothwell as a guest, highlighting the strong bond and admiration they have for her.

---

Introducing Natasha Rothwell

Natasha Rothwell, renowned for her roles in Insecure and White Lotus, joins Matt and Greta in a moment filled with excitement and nostalgia:

Natasha Rothwell [02:33]: "Thank you for having me."

Matt Rogers [04:23]: "We are three Pittizens in the room. Is that the title of it? I love that."

The term "Pitizens" refers to alumni of The Pit, an improv group at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), underscoring Natasha's deep roots in the improv community.

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Natasha’s Career Journey

Natasha recounts her path in the comedy world, emphasizing the pivotal role The Pit played in her career:

Natasha Rothwell [11:05]: "And then I went to the pit, and Ali was just like, oh, you can teach. And then I was able to start teaching, and then I auditioned and got on a team."

She discusses the challenges of breaking into UCB and how The Pit provided her with the necessary opportunities to flourish, eventually leading to her groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live (SNL).

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Life in New York: Struggles and Growth

Reflecting on her early days in New York, Natasha shares candid moments of financial hardship and personal resilience:

Natasha Rothwell [06:22]: "Like, I became an adult in New York. Like, I found out my voice in New York. I made mistakes in New York. New York truly raised me."

She vividly describes instances like picking up Metro cards from the ground and ordering pizza from South Jersey, painting a relatable picture of the hustle and grind in the city's competitive environment.

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The Changing Comedy Scene and Pipeline

Natasha and Greta discuss the evolution of the comedy scene, noting how the pipeline from improv to television has transformed:

Natasha Rothwell [09:16]: "Like the pipeline from improv to TV, like it's not what it used to be, you know, like they don't have it. Like we did."

They lament the diminishing presence of diverse writers and performers in mainstream comedy, underscoring the importance of community and support among artists of color.

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Deep Dive into White Lotus and Belinda’s Journey

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Natasha's role as Belinda in White Lotus:

Natasha Rothwell [19:07]: "When we see her at the end of season one, right. It's like she's devastated. Her hopes were dashed. And then we see her starting something new, doing something that's out of her comfort zone."

She explores Belinda's character development from a place of grief and optimism to facing existential threats from antagonistic forces within the show. Natasha praises director Mike White's collaborative approach:

Natasha Rothwell [59:42]: "But what I will say, there are moments where I improvise, and there are moments where he wants to get it as written, but will give you direction to play with it."

This blend of scripted direction and improvisation allows Natasha to bring authenticity and depth to her character, enriching the show's narrative.

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Personal Growth: Overcoming People-Pleasing and Embracing Self-Worth

Natasha delves into her personal struggles with people-pleasing and the journey toward self-acceptance:

Natasha Rothwell [36:29]: "And I also have learned more of myself in my 40s. It's like I'm now a boundaried baddie because I know that I recharged solo."

She discusses the concept of the "guilt tax"—the internalized guilt that comes with prioritizing oneself—and how therapy has helped reduce this burden:

Natasha Rothwell [38:23]: "The amount of guilt tax you pay decreases the longer you're in therapy."

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Experiences Abroad: Embracing Identity in Tokyo

Natasha shares her transformative time in Tokyo, highlighting the cultural contrasts and personal revelations:

Natasha Rothwell [64:44]: "I was black in Japan. Barack wasn't in office yet. He got elected that year. And I just remember, like, riding my bike around town and people shouting like, Obama. And I would just like, I just, like, wave."

She reflects on the homogeneity of Japan and the unique space it provided for self-reflection and identity affirmation:

Natasha Rothwell [65:27]: "I was so seen and so watched, it was just like, okay, bitch, audit who you are and who you want to be and how you present yourself."

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Cultural Touchstones: The Impact of Grease

Discussing cultural influences, Natasha and Matt delve into the timeless appeal of the musical Grease:

Natasha Rothwell [28:01]: "I thought, 'What is it about Grease for you?' Because, for me, I was just like, I want to perform."

Natasha recounts her high school experiences performing in musicals, drawing parallels between her past and her current acting roles:

Natasha Rothwell [32:32]: "I did musicals. So I was Mama Rose and just... I met Audra when I was in college."

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Interactions with Celebrities and Iconic Moments

Natasha reminisces about memorable interactions with celebrities like John Waters and meeting co-stars at high-profile events:

Natasha Rothwell [44:11]: "So I go up to him. I was like, 'Excuse me, Mr. Waters?' And he's like, 'Yes.' And I was just like, 'My name is Natasha Rothwell. A huge fan.'"

These encounters highlight the blending of personal admiration and professional respect within the entertainment industry.

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Building Community and Support in Comedy

Towards the end of the episode, Natasha emphasizes the significance of community and mutual support among comedians:

Natasha Rothwell [93:11]: "And what you do, I mean, it's smart, it's timely, it's needed, and I'm just like, I just want to keep putting a mic to you so that way your voices can continue to be amplified because the world needs you."

Her remarks underscore the collaborative spirit that drives the comedy scene forward, advocating for solidarity and amplification of diverse voices.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Throughout the episode, several poignant moments capture the essence of the discussion:

• Natasha on Self-Worth:

  [36:29] "I am a people pleaser. Recovering people pleaser. So, like, I would exhaust myself, as I'm sure you know. It's just like, I will give until there's nothing left."

• Natasha on Character Development:

  [19:07] "And when we meet someone on sort of, like, the precipice of change and, like, you know, in entertaining optimism, it's an exciting role to play because she's doing something familiar."

• Natasha on Directing Style:

  [59:42] "But what I will say, there are moments where I improvise, and there are moments where he wants to get it as written, but will give you direction to play with it."

• Natasha on Therapy:

  [38:03] "There’s a guilt tax, and I think too, the... The. The amount of guilt tax you pay decreases the longer you're in therapy."

• Matt on White Lotus' Impact:

  [57:38] "I think you are rooting for. I hope they go all the way. I hope we see these brothers make it to the altar together."

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Conclusion: Mutual Support and Future Endeavors

The episode wraps up with heartfelt exchanges, expressing mutual admiration and support:

Natasha Rothwell [93:11]: "And I'm just like, I just want to keep putting a mic to you so that way your voices can continue to be amplified because the world needs you."

Matt and Greta reciprocate the sentiments, celebrating Natasha's achievements and looking forward to future collaborations.

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Key Takeaways:

• Career Resilience: Natasha Rothwell's journey underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of industry challenges.

• Character Authenticity: Her approach to portraying Belinda in White Lotus highlights the value of empathy and authenticity in character development.

• Personal Growth: Overcoming people-pleasing tendencies and embracing self-worth are central themes in Natasha's narrative.

• Community Support: The episode emphasizes the significance of community and mutual support within the comedy and entertainment industries.

• Cultural Reflections: Natasha's experiences abroad and her reflections on cultural influences offer a nuanced perspective on identity and self-awareness.

For those unfamiliar with the episode, Las Culturistas delivers an enriching exploration of Natasha Rothwell's multifaceted career and personal growth, set against the backdrop of contemporary culture and the evolving landscape of comedy.

Transcript

[Matt Rogers]

This episode is supported by FX's Dying for Sex, starring Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate. Inspired by a true story, this series follows Molly who, after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, decides to leave her husband and explore the full breadth of her sexual desires. She gets the courage and support to go on this sex quest from her best friend Nikki, who stays by her side through it all. FX is dying for sex. All episodes streaming April 4th on Hulu.

[John Cameron Mitchell]

This is John Cameron Mitchell and my the new fiction podcast series Cancellation island stars Holly Hunter as Karen, a wellness influencer who launches a rehab for the recently canceled in the future we will all be canceled for 15 minutes, but don't worry, we'll take you from broke to woke or your money back. Cancellation Island's revolutionary rehab therapies like bad touch football, anti racism, spin class and mandatory ayahuasca ceremonies are designed to force the council to confront their worst impulses. But everything starts to fall apart when people start disappearing. Karen, where have you brought us Cancellation island, where a second chance might just be your last. Listen to Cancellation island on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Bowen Yang]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here?

[John Cameron Mitchell]

Ow.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Go slower.

[Bowen Yang]

From Blumhouse TV, iHeart podcasts and Ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst as he unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person? Sleep with everyone he knew, obviously. Listen to the hookup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Matt Rogers]

Catch the new Hulu original comedy Mid Century Modern from the creators of Will and Grace, executive producer Ryan Murphy and director James Burroughs. When three best friends move in together, Palm Springs will never be the same. They're fun, they're fabulous, and they're turning life's lemons into spiked lemonade. Shake up a batch of cocktails, relax by the pool and get ready for some serious shade. Mid Century Modern stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham and Linda Lavin. Mid century modern premieres March 28th. Streaming on Hulu. Look, man, there. Oh, I see my eye. Oh my. Bowen, look over there.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Wow.

[Matt Rogers]

Is that culture? Yes.

[Greta Titelman]

Goodness.

[Matt Rogers]

Wow.

[Greta Titelman]

Las Culturistas Ding dong.

[Matt Rogers]

Las Culturistas calling a day of days.

[Greta Titelman]

A day of days. A day that feels right in the heart. The soul, the mind, the body.

[Matt Rogers]

You know what I was thinking? This Morning. I was like, this is someone we've actually wanted on this podcast since we started it. And by the way, we should say shout out to anyone who voted for us for podcast of the year, which we won for a second time.

[Greta Titelman]

Yes.

[Matt Rogers]

And it's nine years in and I'm just thinking about, like, I know our guest is here today and it's someone we've looked up to since, but even before we started the podcast and all these years later, it feels like a wonderful little moment.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

So thank you all for that. And also just to have our guests in this, like Star Ascending moment, it's just like, it's feeling I'm a little.

[Greta Titelman]

Emotion, I'm a little emoted. This is someone who and wonderful vulture piece on our guest. And it just made me realize what we've known along, which is, oh, this is someone who both is someone and plays people that you just root for. We just love you so much.

[Matt Rogers]

I know.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's so mutual.

[Greta Titelman]

It's like a decade in the making.

[Matt Rogers]

It's. No, seriously. And like. And so basically we're about to bring our guest in, but just know, like, I mean, obviously the White Lotus insecure. How to die alone. I mean, there's so much to talk about. But for me, I was literally, when we finally met our. I finally like, really in person met our guest, which feels crazy. Like the other night after the Oscars and I was like, you know, you to me will always be that flight attendant in UCB basement. If you know, you know, on mod night.

[Greta Titelman]

Not even ucb. This is a UCB pitizen.

[Natasha Rothwell]

This is a story.

[Matt Rogers]

Pirate and legends. And we are three.

[Greta Titelman]

Three pittizens in the room.

[Matt Rogers]

Three pittizens in the room. Is that title of it. I love that.

[Natasha Rothwell]

No.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, my God.

[Greta Titelman]

I'll jump. Wait, we gotta bring her. Let's go.

[Matt Rogers]

Let's go.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Everyone.

[Greta Titelman]

Welcome to your ears.

[Matt Rogers]

Natasha Rothwell.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Thank you for having me.

[Greta Titelman]

Thank you for coming on.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh my God, you guys are making me emote.

[Matt Rogers]

Sorry. It's such an emotional moment. But that's like so special. You know what I mean? To just have those people that are from way back that you knew were special then pop off like. And that happens all the time now.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I feel, I feel that about you two. Are you kidding me?

[Matt Rogers]

What else?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I think game recognized game. And even on our come up, watching the two of you work, it's just, you know, you know, but you know.

[Greta Titelman]

That I was going through the whole process of screen testing for snl, then being offered to write and I remember reaching out to you and being like, what do you think I should do? Because I just respected you to the fucking mountains. And at that point, you were already insecure. Kelly was already the one. And I was just like, Natasha had such a unique. Everyone has a unique journey there. And you had a very unique journey. And I was just like, I need to know. Cause at that point, I'm gonna say you could count on one or two hands, the number of writers of color, let's say. Not to put it on those lines, but it was a meaningful thing to reach out to you specifically.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. I remember when you did, and I remember saying that it was hard for me, but, like, the juice was worth the squeeze. Right. Because it's just, like, going through that, you know, iron sharpens iron. You become better at what you do. And it wasn't perfect.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I have notes. Yes, we all do. But I think ultimately it was the stamp in my passport, you know, professionally, that I needed to open some doors that I think I would have eventually opened, but maybe take a little longer to do, so.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah, totally. I mean, does being back in New York make you reflect on this? Obviously, right?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Like, it's like.

[Greta Titelman]

Like, from the PIT days to the UCB days to the snl, like, on every level.

[Natasha Rothwell]

On every level. Like, you know, like, in a car where this says, like, you know, things in this mirror are closer than they appear. Like, for me, that's like, literally being so broke that I was, like, picking up Metro cards off of the ground at the train stations on my way home to check them the next morning. And so, like, having calling my mom in fucking South Jersey to order me pizza in Brooklyn from Jersey because I didn't have anything in the bank. And it's just.

[Greta Titelman]

You had Jersey pizza.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I had Jersey pizza.

[Greta Titelman]

That's not bad.

[Matt Rogers]

Which is a better pizza than a lot of New York pizza. As a Long Islander, I can say this too. When you're outside of the city, they take their time on the pizza.

[Greta Titelman]

Right, right, right.

[Matt Rogers]

That's actually real culture number 46. When they're outside of the city, they.

[Greta Titelman]

Take their time on the pizza.

[Natasha Rothwell]

That's true.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But no, I'm full of gratitude and even just writing here, here today, so much of my experience in New York was based on where I was, my socioeconomic level. And I feel like for every different stratosphere, there's a different version of the city. So the version of the city that I'm getting to know now, it's different than the one that I knew, but I missed the one that I used to know. You know what I mean? I missed that kind of hustle and that grind. I was never more poor than I was when I was grinding in comedy. But I was so happy.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

You know what I mean?

[Greta Titelman]

And it just ropes like the early mornings for like a story pirate show, like made like an early call time.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Scene, like tech for your mod show at like 3:00am, you know, and paying for it.

[Matt Rogers]

Talk about notes. This again is the old ucb. But no, but I mean, like, it's really something. Like when I remember I had taken like a long time away from New York, probably cause of the pandemic, obviously. And then I got back and my immediate instinct, it was raining a little bit. I was like, I'm still gonna take a walk. And I did have like a. I don't know why I'm frightened moment. I was just like looking around, sort of really getting tearful because we did like, this is. This is really where we grew up.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, yeah. When people ask me. Cause I'm an Air Force brat and I grew up all over, I was just like. But I became an adult in New York. Like I found out my voice in New York. I made mistakes in New York. New York truly raised me. And so even though I didn't live here super long, it was only eight years, but even just driving here, I was just like looking at cars. Like, I remember crying on that corner. I remember that bagel shop that ATM lets you take it out. You can get a five out.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, wow.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Tell us about that dollar each year I found one. So it's like all of those things and you're just like, oh, I'm so grateful to have had that. And it feels like a collective experience, you know, like no one quite knows what we went through. And the improv industrial complex is like that. Like the pipeline from improv to tv. Like it's not what it used to be, you know, like they don't have it. Like we did.

[Greta Titelman]

Like there was a time of being in New York or la, doing comedy in the way that we did, where it felt like so cool anytime. And it felt kind of frequent, I'll say is the word. But it felt like there was a regularity in like, oh, this person got raptured up into the show. Businessmanship.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes, yes.

[Greta Titelman]

And now I feel like. I feel like I'm not. Like, my ear isn't to the ground maybe, but like, I don't know. I don't know of that same sort of machinery that's happening.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, I mean, I don't either, but the scuttlebutt is that it's maybe not the same as it used to be. And I think that, like, the. The beauty of what was it was, you know, like, if you liken, you know, UCB to, like, Catholicism and then the pit to, like, you know.

[Greta Titelman]

I.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Felt like we were all worshiping the God of comedy 100%. You know what I mean? And it's just like, when you go through that kind of, like, radicalization, it's just like you see someone else and you're just like, zip, you know?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, 100%.

[Greta Titelman]

Wait, I'm about to destroy parrots as veggietales.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Veggie tails.

[Matt Rogers]

That's right. That's right. Hilarious. I'm about to get a little niche. But, like, when you were. Cause I remember think. Cause we were pit people because we weren't embraced by UCB at the very start. It actually took us a little bit same. Is that the same with you? You were like. Cause you were one of the queens of the pit. And we. I remember thinking of you being like, well, Natasha's here at the pit putting in the hard yards. And, like, that means that, like, we'll get to ucb.

[Greta Titelman]

Natasha's on the poster. Like, these are our alarms.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Well, I just remember I had come to New York with six years of mainstage experience in D.C. like, Washington improv Theater, and tried to jump the line at UCB of just like, I've been doing this for, like, professionally six years, and I've been teaching, and they're like, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. Take a number.

[Matt Rogers]

And I was like, okay, yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And then I went to the pit, and Ali was just like, oh, like, you can teach. Like. And so I was able to start teaching, and then I auditioned and got on a team. And so.

[Greta Titelman]

So bless the Pit then for like.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, also where they held the showcase for snl. When I auditioned, it was.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, that was a famous night.

[Natasha Rothwell]

That was a famous night.

[Matt Rogers]

That was a big night.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And so it was just. I think the pit allowed folks to be a little bit more. Yeah, it's less rigid than the Catholics.

[Matt Rogers]

I remember also feeling like. Than the Catholics. I remember at the time, like, there was something really performative about that space. Cause you're a performer. You're a real performer. And I remember thinking. I think we identified that as that, too, maybe, because UCB felt, like, very. It felt cerebral. Cerebral. You know what I mean? Like, you had to learn a language that like, those guys were speaking. But at the pit, it felt like you could. Maybe it was just like the proscenium, the literal stage. It felt like it was welcoming a different kind of performer. And I kind of felt enthusiastic about that opportunity.

[Natasha Rothwell]

No, I loved the pit stage, and it was so much fun also to meet the folks that were, like, devoutly Pit.

[Greta Titelman]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And would never go to ucb. I know. It was so. And I just felt like an interloper where I'm just like, nah, I got to go UCB later. But I'm gonna do this show now.

[Greta Titelman]

Which, like, that's the best, though.

[Natasha Rothwell]

That's, like, best.

[Greta Titelman]

And, like, shout out to the Magnet people. Like, magnet.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

Magnet is still such a wonderful vibe. The Baptist.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, they were the Baptist.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Listen, we have figured it out. Magnets were the Baptist.

[Greta Titelman]

By the end of this episode, we'll figure out what the Groundlings is. Even though we're not LA people, but we're gonna. We're Gonn and Second City and all that stuff. But I just remember seeing you at the Pit doing the flight attendant, and I was just like, okay, this is someone who. She's gonna go the fucking distance. You know what I mean? I think you are one of those people who we just modeled ourselves after. Anytime there was a story pirate story, that there would be link to every story, every stock story. I feel like. Were you in Emergency Pawn Show? You were.

[Matt Rogers]

You did. It was a story pirate sketch called Emergency Poncho about a kid that gets a poncho put on him at a Mets game because it starts raining and it bec. And you were in the tutorial for it, and that was one of the ones we always had to add.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'm actually dead about that.

[Matt Rogers]

We really are like, emergency Poncho. Emergency Poncho. It looks like a garbage bag. Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, wow. See, that's like. I remember, like, the story parts of it all really pushing me forward. Cause I'm like, yes, the community is what's important. And that remains true. And I feel like something about you is you're always in an amazing ensemble, and you always put together an amazing ensemble. You just won the Indie Spirit award for ensemble in a new series and with our pal Conrad, and, you know, even that connection to, like, Fire island being this great ensemble. And I see you in Obviously Insecure, and now, famously, two seasons of the White Lotus, and you're in that family. That's obviously not an accident. It's like, you're not booking purposefully these things, but it seems to Follow you?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. I'm always drawn to the collaborative arts. I think that's why I never, like, I have deference for standup, but it's never been my bag, because I don't want to fail alone.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Do you know what I mean? To me, it's just like, can we get a team together to believe in one thing? And even if we lose, it's together, so there's still a win.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I also find that in. And again, like, it does feel like it's chosen me more than I've chosen it, but I feel like of the ensembles that have chosen me, my entry point is always sort of with a character that's kind of carrying sort of like, the torch of empathy. And I think that's just innate in me. That's how I move through the world. And so whether nature, nurture, I'm always drawn to parts and characters that bring humanity to people who look like me. You know what I mean? And I don't consider it, like, an obligation or sort of like a burden to me. I get excited by that opportunity. And that's like. When I sat down with Mike for White Lotus Season 1, I had reservations because at that point, he hadn't had the scripts written, and. But I loved him. I'm talking, like, love him from Freaks and Geeks, enlightened all the way through, you know, good girl, everything. But then he, like, it's so good, right? But then he hit. Then my. My team's just like, okay. And I was like, well, how many in the cast are people of color? And it was just like, it's you. And then there's one other girl, but, like, mostly it's like, you. And so I'm in a servile position. And I was like, that didn't, like, make me want to, you know, say no. I was just like, is he going to collaborate with me to help sort of, like, discover this character? And we found that empathy. We found that, like, heart in the heart of who she was. So, yeah, for me, characters and empathy are always sort of like the true north.

[Greta Titelman]

And then he kind of has a sympathetic sort of instinct with you, where it's like he went page by page with Belinda, and it's like, okay, what's the deal here? And you get to be like, oh, I want her to wave hello at this family that's at the resort. Like, those moments, that moment really stuck out to me. And then reading this piece and seeing all these interviews that you're doing, talk about that specific thing, I'm like, this is the importance of Belinda as a character, of you as an actor.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And it's important of directors to know who they have and how to use. Like, we have the same hyphenates, Mike and I. We're both actors, we're both writers, we're both directors. And so as writers, we were able to sit down and geek out. And he's so aware that he's not a black woman, right? And so he's just like, well, what are the ways that we can add that authenticity? And I tell him all the time, I was just like, I wish more directors took, you know, a page from that book of being able to know I have a deficit. But this character or this actor who's playing this character might be a resource to me, but I have to humble myself to do that. And Mike is one of the kindest, most humble, like, gentle, sweet souls that I've ever met. And so for him to do that with me, season one, and I was fucking nobody. Season one, you know, like, I mean, well, Kelly was. I mean, Kelly was a thing. But also, it was just like, well, anyway, maybe.

[Greta Titelman]

Sure, sure, sure, sure.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I should say, I felt like, why was he listening to me?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, it would be hard to walk into an ensemble cast like that and be like, yep, of course. For anyone.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And so, like, I felt so, like, ahead of my skis. But he was so excited. And then when, you know, I was asked back for season three, he hooked me up. He's like, when we gonna zoom? And I was like, I got you booze.

[Matt Rogers]

He was already there.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And so we, like, did that. We chopped it up again.

[Matt Rogers]

One of my favorite things about this season, the characterization of Belinda, is it does feel like there's a little bit more you in there. Like, some of my favorite moments are when you're in your place of, like, attitude is gratitude. And then a lizard will jump out and it will be a full shutdown. Like, I feel like that humor and that sort of on guardness. Yes. It's like, it serves as just great comedic relief in any of these given moments, especially interacting with the environment, which is so much of what the show is about. But also for me, it speaks to the fact that, like, you're dealing with less bullshit now. Like, you are a version of Belinda now that is like, no, fuck that. I will self preserve. So it means more to me than just those small interactions. And where we find Belinda right now in this season, and we've seen the six episodes so far, is a place of true fear and existential terror, because she's now being like, you know, Greg is in the midst, and they see each other in a real way. So I wonder, like, what do you think of that progression? And where do you think she's at.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And going, I love this question. So for me, when we see her at the end of season one, right. It's like she's devastated. Her hopes were dashed. And then we see her starting something new, doing something that's, you know, out of her comfort zone. And I feel like when we do that, it speaks to hope and optimism. So it speaks to some kind of. Between the time we last saw her and when we meet her, she's grieved that loss and is trying again.

[Matt Rogers]

Finally.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Finally. And when you meet someone on sort of, like, the precipice of change and, like, you know, in entertaining optimism, it's an exciting role to play because she's doing something familiar. Yes, it's massage, but it's in a completely different country. She's learning a new technique. She's raising the bar for herself. And when we see her in six, all of the hope that she has is now being threatened by Greg, and her son is there. So mama bear's kicking in, so she can't just recede, which is what she's used to doing when, you know, things get bad or scary. Now it's fight or flight, and bitch is gonna fight. You know, like, we want to see that activation.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Is she gonna be successful? I hope fucking so.

[Matt Rogers]

But, like, me too.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's, like, to pit her against, you know, Greg in this way. I think Mike was so smart in the writing because it's. It's. The recognition is so heavy, and it hits so hard when audiences see that. And he's very sinister. And in John in real life, he's such a dear friend. He's also so sweet.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Like, so sweet.

[Greta Titelman]

And.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But when he got in character, there is one tape actor. Oh, I. I jumped. I was like, don't. You can't smile at me like that. Because he would just, like, smile and, like, raise his eyebrows.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah. And the variations of that character he's given us, like, you really don't know if in that very first scene he appeared in. In season one, if that was a long con from the beginning, if it was something he figured out. There's so many things that are under the surface, obviously, with every character, but him being sort of the big boss of the show now at this point, the main antagonist of the show, every time you see him, it gets scary because it didn't start that way.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. And you know what he's capable of, literally. Right. So it's just like, it's all in.

[Greta Titelman]

That first interaction that you two have this season, though, I feel where you approach him at dinner. I love that scene. It's both of you volleying it in this way that is, like, incredibly tense. Like, you're not looking. You're not, like, on your phone while you're watching this show. You know what I mean? It's like, it's one of those. And I bring that up because this is a bad habit of mine now, where I'm just like, okay, whatever. I'm putting on a reality.

[Matt Rogers]

Our broken brains.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

You know what I mean? But, like, this is the thing that I think we're talking about, which is you can fill in the gaps as a viewer on Belinda's journey between one and three seasons. One and three, where it's like her hopes were dashed. She has convalesced in the intervening time of, like, I'm gonna self start again, like, since being disappointed and feeling like I had this life preserver thrown at me.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. I feel like the empathy that she in the favor that she couraged season one is there, and we see that, like, she has found a way to do that for herself, you know, like, support herself and cheer herself on and. Yeah. And I also think, like, it's fun to see her on a quasi vacation because, like, we all have these vacation identities that we try on when we go out. It's just like, you know what? I got my vacation braids on. Let me, like, go out and wear these shoes that I'd taken the tag off. I never wore them before, but I'm wearing now.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So it's just, like, playing with identity and, like, who she wants to be. And I think it's really beautiful to play with someone who's such, you know, putty, ready to be molded.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And now she's about to be molded by circumstance. Right. Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

I wonder how many months, cumulatively, have you spent living in four seasons?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, boy.

[Matt Rogers]

Is it like, almost a year doing this show?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, it would be more because I did. I did Sonic in Hawaii, and that was four seasons as well.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, wow. So you have. You're a membership.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I basically, like, at this point, if they don't make me an ambassador, I don't know what else. I don't know. But it might.

[Matt Rogers]

It might scare people, though. Like, did you hear about that cruise that's like, we'll take you to all the white Lotus locations. You can have a white Lotus inspired vacation. It's, it's some vacation package.

[Greta Titelman]

Hawaii to Thailand, Italy.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, like there's something you can do that's.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, that's.

[Matt Rogers]

Well, first of all, it's Greg Money.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's Greg Money.

[Matt Rogers]

But also like, it's like, you know, to have a white Lotus inspired vacation. It's like, you know what happens in the show. A lot of, a lot of stuff. Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

There's someone said on set was just like they must have the best PR team. They don't let. They bury it all. Pun intended.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh my God. I'm Matt Rogers from Las Closariesas. You know, for many, the American dream means starting your own business and working for your. If you're a small business owner, launching a company or dreaming of starting one, then you'll not only want to make sure you're using a platform like Intuit QuickBooks, but you'll also want to check out season three of Mind the Small Business Success Stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Intuit QuickBooks. In every episode, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres talk to small business owners about how they've grown and maintained their business and tackled the hurdles and challenges that come with being your own boss. From tracking money in and out to cutting through the complexity with an all encompassing platform like QuickBooks, you don't want to miss these inspiring stories of small business business journeys. Listen to Mind the Business Small business Success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[John Cameron Mitchell]

This is John Cameron Mitchell and my new fiction podcast series, Cancellation island stars Holly Hunter as Karen, a wellness influencer who launches a rehab for the recently canceled. In the future, we will all be cancelled for 15 minutes. But don't worry, we'll take you from broke to woke or your money back. Cancellation Island's revolutionary rehab therapies, like bad touch football, anti racism spin class, and mandatory ayahuasca ceremonies are designed to force the council to confront their worst impulses. But everything starts to fall apart when people start disappearing.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Karen, where have you brought us?

[John Cameron Mitchell]

Cancellation island, where a second chance might just be your last. Listen to Cancellation island on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Kevin Smith]

Hey, kids, it's me, Kevin Smith.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And it's me, Harley Quinn Smith.

[Kevin Smith]

That's my daughter man, who my wife has always said is just a beardless dickless version of me. And that's the name of our podcast, Beardless me. I'm the old one.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'M the young one.

[Kevin Smith]

And every week we try to make each other laugh really hard. Sounds innocent, doesn't it? A lot of cussing, a lot of bad language. It's for adults only. Or listen to it with your kid. Could be a family show. We're not quite sure. We're still figuring it out.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's a work in progress.

[Kevin Smith]

Listen to Beardless me on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bowen Yang]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here?

[John Cameron Mitchell]

Ow.

[Bowen Yang]

Go slower. From Blumhouse TV, iHeart podcasts and Ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst as he unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend. And Santi was gone. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person. Sleep with everyone he knew, obviously. Hmm. Pillow talk. The most unwelcome window into the human psyche. Follow our out of his element hero as he engages in a series of ill conceived investigative hookups. Mama always used to say, God gave me gumption in place of a gag reflex. And as I was about to learn, no amount of showering can wash your hands of a bad hookup.

[Matt Rogers]

Now take a big whiff, my bruh.

[Bowen Yang]

Listen to the hookup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Matt Rogers]

Okay, so we have to ask you the question that we asked all of our guests and I'm excited to ask you. What is the culture, Natasha Rothwell, that made you say culture was for you?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I thought about this question a lot also because I'm a fan of the show. And so I was just like. And I will say also, I've been trying to get on the show for 10 years, but my schedule's been so dumb.

[Matt Rogers]

No, I mean, like, we've been trying.

[Natasha Rothwell]

We've been chasing each other. So this is.

[Matt Rogers]

But this is the moment.

[Natasha Rothwell]

This is right now.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I'm like, low key embarrassed about what I'm about to say, but it's so true. And it is the movie Grease.

[Matt Rogers]

Let's go.

[Greta Titelman]

Well, I got.

[Matt Rogers]

At least you picked the best movie of all time.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I will say I feel like Grease 2 is not talked about enough.

[Matt Rogers]

No, certainly not about it.

[Greta Titelman]

Let's talk about it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Okay. I just feel like one. You have a girl for all seasons. We have Cool Rider. I feel like we get to see, like, Michelle Pfeiffer getting dirty. She's straddling a ladder. Yeah, but Grease, like the OG Yeah. I just watched, like, I wore out the VHS cassette.

[Matt Rogers]

It would be on my Letterboxd 4. I think if I ever get asked that question by that incredible organization, I will say one word. Grease.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Grease.

[Matt Rogers]

And then I'll figure out the other three. But what is it about it for you? Because for me, I think there's something about. It's some amalgamation of the costumes and the way that actors are committed to those insane characterizations and obviously, the incredibly catchy music. But is there anything specific for you?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Well, the music, for sure, but also, like, I grew up in the church, very chaste. And so I related with a, you know, Sandra D. Yes. Good girl gone bad. Come on.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah. I was like, give me that narrative.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I was like, yeah. So it was so much fun watching someone just, like, get pursued by the bad boy. And, like, there was all of this kind of, like. You know, it felt Austinian because they're, like, longing dances. There's just this tension of just like. Like, when are they gonna kiss? And it just. The cameras.

[Matt Rogers]

Sort of thing.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And it's just the tension play. Like, we don't even get to see that, like, the magic of that until, like, the end.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

Because.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And then Cha Cha Diego, the best.

[Matt Rogers]

Dancer at St Bernadette. I think it's one of those things that, like, by osmosis, I do know every line, and I think maybe most people do and don't even realize it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, it'll come on. And then every once in a while, it's just like, oh, I don't know where my keys are, but I know exactly this line.

[Greta Titelman]

The VHS of Greece would be, like, at any sort of, like, rented apartment that you would, like, you would go to on a family trip or something. It would be in the person's closet or something. For me, the thing about Grease, which is the thing that musicals on some level should be, because they are musicals, because the emotion is so heightened that they. Yeah, you can't do anything but sing. Is that. It's the highest fantasy. It really is fantasy in the best way.

[Natasha Rothwell]

They drive off in the car.

[Matt Rogers]

Beauty school drop off.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I was like, are you kidding me?

[Matt Rogers]

He came from heaven Heaven. That's actually not talked about enough. It's really culture Number eight. Beautiful dropout.

[Natasha Rothwell]

He came from heaven he came from.

[Matt Rogers]

Heaven he literally came down to give her her guidance.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh. I also think that, like, I was. When it came out, I was like. I wanted to perform, like. And I saw that as such a. Like, like, it was catharsis right on screen where I was just like, oh, that I want to do something where I get to build it up to that point. And my God, like, it's like the.

[Greta Titelman]

Spirit inside you, like, wants to emulate that. That is, like, the strongest link that you can have as, like, a viewer.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. And it's so funny, too, because, like, the movie couldn't be more white, but, like, for me, it was more about, like, the good versus evil, like, bad and good. And, like, I was able to sort of watch it through that lens. And I mean, just the jackets, like, everything about it. I just remember watching it and, like, doing the little. Like, you wanna. Like, the little.

[Matt Rogers]

Yep, yep, yep. Everyone had. I remember when. When I was little, we would do, like, our little dance contest. Like, that's one of the things that me and my friends would do, like me and the girls. And it was always, you're the one that I want.

[Greta Titelman]

It was always Summer night.

[Matt Rogers]

Summer night. Oh, please.

[Greta Titelman]

One of the best group numbers in any musical ever.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes. So good.

[Matt Rogers]

It's so good. And also, then when you get a little older and you can really appreciate the depth. There are worse things I could do.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I mean, come on.

[Matt Rogers]

I believe this is my, like, hot take. That might be a cold take because everyone might have it. Stalker Channing. That should have been an Oscar nomination.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I agree.

[Matt Rogers]

What she brought to. There are worse things I could do. That's a moment in movies.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It is everything. And you see her because then she haven't. Or she had an abortion or she lost the babe or something.

[Greta Titelman]

She lost the baby.

[Matt Rogers]

It was like a false alarm.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

It was like. It was a false alarm.

[Natasha Rothwell]

She's having these conversations.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And that's like. That's a lot. And the whole movie is a lot. Like, they're talking about, like, you know, during Grease Lightning.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Those are some lyrics. And I. That was. That was my kind of, like, chaste brain. Missed that until I was much older. And then I was like, oh, no.

[Matt Rogers]

Right.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I know what that's about.

[Greta Titelman]

You know what that's about.

[Matt Rogers]

Did you do musicals in high school?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I did. So I was Mama Rose and just.

[Matt Rogers]

You were not. See, you need to take over for Audra.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I know. And I met Audra when I was in college. She came to visit University of Maryland, and we were doing you can't take it with you.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, gag.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And she was in the hallway, and I have this, like, fun picture of me and her back then. But, wow, you guys did, obviously, musicals and stuff.

[Greta Titelman]

We did musicals.

[Matt Rogers]

He did. I didn't. Oh, yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

He was like, at high school, he was like Zac Efron in High School Musical. Like, was an athlete, but, like, secretly wanted to perform.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Right. It's your dad's sports.

[Matt Rogers]

Sports, sports, sports, sports. But that wasn't really what held me back. All he wanted me to do was be involved. It was more just like gay on Long Island.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Right.

[Matt Rogers]

With all stuff up here. But I found it eventually.

[Greta Titelman]

I just want. I just want to own up to the fact that Natasha said I was Mama Rose and my brain glitched. And I thought you meant Mama Morton from Chicago, but.

[Matt Rogers]

Tour de force.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But I did meet Queen Latifah at the Variety party. That was really nice. She came up to me.

[Greta Titelman]

She was amazing.

[Natasha Rothwell]

She was amazing.

[Greta Titelman]

Shines.

[Matt Rogers]

There's something about her that, like, it's. I remember I met her years ago when I was doing the NYU newspaper, and I went to go interview her for Secret Life of Bees, and she came in with her platinum blonde hair and sat down and just. It was like, oh, now I know what it's like to be in the presence of a superstar royalty. She radiates.

[Natasha Rothwell]

She is a queen. Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

Obsessed Mama Rose, that is. I need to see that. You do need to take over for Audrey.

[Natasha Rothwell]

We had my. The guy who played my husband in that show was so gay.

[Greta Titelman]

He was so gay.

[Matt Rogers]

Herby.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So Herbie. He was so gay. And the kiss that we have was on, like. I believe it was on the cheek. I was just like, I believe it was on the cheek. I believe it was upon my cheek. I just remember there was. We had. I mean, it was so bootleg. It was high school, right? Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

The.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Have an egg roll, Mr. Goldstone, all of that. We had, like, a prop issue, and it wasn' And I did improv, right. Since I've been doing improv since high school. So, like, did you object. Work it? Yes. And people were just like, that was. It was a choice. And like, oh, I didn't know. And my director was just like, thanks for saving the scene. I was like, you got it. And I was just like, embarrassing.

[Greta Titelman]

What? No, that is.

[Matt Rogers]

That is.

[Natasha Rothwell]

My most embarrassing moment was auditioning for Wait. My Fair Lady. He did My Fair Lady. This was my junior year or my sophomore year, and I decided to learn sign language to the song that I was going to sing to because I didn't have confidence in my pipes. And so I forgot the lyrics to the song or the sign halfway through singing it, but my hands were already extended and Moving. So it was just interpretive dance. I don't even remember what I was singing, but I just remember I was just, like, moving my hands and I left. Left sobbing.

[Greta Titelman]

But wait a minute.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But I was cast.

[Matt Rogers]

But you were cast. There's something special about that audition. He leaves the room and I'm like, I don't know what that was. I want her in my show.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I want her in my show.

[Greta Titelman]

What?

[Natasha Rothwell]

That move.

[Matt Rogers]

Because it's gonna be fun to watch.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, boy.

[Matt Rogers]

Half signing sobbing.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It was so. It was just. Yeah, it was a clusterfuck of beauty.

[Greta Titelman]

No, but like, this is the Natasha Rothwell thing of I'm gonna power through.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

And it's gonna be compelling enough and you're gonna fucking gag and love it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

You know, there's anything about me. It's like, it takes a lot for me to give up generally.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And to the point of like. And I think it's also my brain. I'm neurospicy a lot. And so I love solving problems.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So like a no. Or like some. Like, I'm just like, oh, that's just. I'll figure it out. Or I'll. I'll work through it.

[Matt Rogers]

That's an obstacle currently.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

Yes.

[Matt Rogers]

But it will not be the definitive answer.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Correct.

[Greta Titelman]

But to be neurospicy and to be, like, collaborative is killer combo, I feel.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I think. Yeah, it's a one, two punch. But I also have learned more of myself in my 40s. It's like I'm now a boundaried baddie because I know that I recharged solo and I knew that before, but I am a people pleaser. Recovering people pleaser. So, like, I would exhaust myself, as I'm sure you know. It's just like, I will give until there's nothing left.

[Matt Rogers]

I think we all understand. When did you clock that and adjust that?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I want to say in my 30s, I felt that, well, SNL kind of happened in my mid-30s. And it was around that time where it was just like, you know, you understand when you're on the show, you have to promise them everything. And making time for other people came at, like, a cost. And so it was one of those things of, like, I could hang out with you and make you feel good, and I would feel good for making you feel good. But then I would be like a shell of a human tomorrow. And so having to make those calls and then I think it's still taken me. I mean, I'm still in the process of releasing the guilt. I have for choosing me. Oh, wow. Do you know what I mean? So, like, even though I've learned how to do it, it's. But it's still like not letting go of that guilt and consider myself worthy of the choice.

[Greta Titelman]

But the guilt, probably, and this is not me saying this in a dire way, I've learned to just not accept it, but live with it. Because it's gonna regenerate itself with every interaction, with every choice you make for yourself. It comes with that little tax. You know what I mean?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

That guilt tax.

[Natasha Rothwell]

There's a guilt tax. Guilt tax. And I think too, like, the. The amount of guilt tax you pay decreases the longer you're in therapy. So for me, the more I've worked on myself, I used to have to pay a heavy toll and now I pay a lot less. And maybe I'll have an easy pass at one point and I won't have.

[Greta Titelman]

To worry about it, but then they'll throw congestion prices. Yeah, it's impossible.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's impossible.

[Matt Rogers]

That is it. I think for me it was like. It was honestly the pandemic, it was being forced to be alone that made me realize, like, maybe I've always needed this. You know what I mean?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Listen, I was three months in and I was just like, I'm good.

[Matt Rogers]

Right. Do you remember feeling like that?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I was like, oh, wow, okay. Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

And then you deal with the anxiety of when things lifted. I remember feeling like, am I crazy and weird for feeling like I don't wanna necessarily go back to the life I had because I was exhausted all the time. Because I think that it also connect. Connects back to us having to grind so hard.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Like, I think that we all have different experiences of not being in exactly the mold of what was, you know, out there, being shown as like a successful comedian, whatever it is.

[Greta Titelman]

Like.

[Matt Rogers]

And I remember feeling like, oh, I have no choice but to exhaust myself because they won't just give the opportunities. There will be someone that they see in a more one to one way.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

So all of a sudden you. Your wheels have spun so fast in your 20s and into your 30s. And then something says like, hey, cosmically, we're stopping. And then it's like, that was when I was like, oh, thank God I'm in therapy because I have to deal with the fact that I don't wanna rejoin society.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, interesting.

[Greta Titelman]

But wait, so would you say that it's like an opposite trap in terms of what Mel goes through and how to die alone? It's like this is someone who wants to sort of break out of her solitude in a way.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. Right.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I think it's also. I basically wrote the show as kind of like a love letter to that unhealed version of myself where it's just like, I don't even know if she knows herself enough to decide what it is, you know, like, so it's breaking out of. Of the comfort of the known and going into the unknown. And I think in doing that, it's not guaranteed that you're gonna love it. You know what I mean? Like you might hit. And that's why we always called her like our human Roomba. Like you hit wall after wall after wall, but you're still getting your shit clean. And so like for her being able to like, make those mistakes and like take risks and figure out if she is a people person, you don't know if you don't allow people in your life. And I do think that like, aspirationally I attacked her affinity for being around people onto the character. Because for me, and I love people, but I'm a small dose girl.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Do you know what I mean? Like, I love give me like y'all two conversation. I will talk for eight hours and.

[Greta Titelman]

Then we'll be good for a little bit. Yeah. And that's perfect.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And that's perfect. Do you know what I mean?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah. 100%.

[Natasha Rothwell]

A room full of people like, don't need it.

[Greta Titelman]

Don't need it.

[Matt Rogers]

How were you the other night then at Vanity Fair while we saw you? Cause that I get rid of really anxious about those things. And then I find when I'm there, I'm okay. And I'm actually like there's even enjoying it sometimes, but it takes me a lot to drag ass there.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I. Okay, how do I say this so I get invited back. No, no, say it, say it, say it, say it. We love about being there, so I loved being there. My default is not that environment, of course. And so I parked myself towards the entrance and people watch. That's kind of my happy place.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So I was just watching the like the looks come in, watching the people watching conversations. And I tend to default in any environment, not just high stakes Oscar weekend parties. I want to find a corner, I want to watch and then I want to find like a person or a couple of people that I'm going to have probably a oversharing conversation, you know, like.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, like whatever.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Like let's get in. So what about your father?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

You know, like type of conversations.

[Matt Rogers]

An anchor.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Anchor, anchor. And so I went there, I took up her pranalolo because beta blocking. So that way my nerves don't get the best of me. I brought the director of development of my production company, and she was tasked by. She was tasked by my publicist to make sure that I did turns around the room.

[Greta Titelman]

Oh, that's an amazing accountability.

[Matt Rogers]

Can we make sure that Natasha does at least some turns?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Just turns around the room?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So I would sit there, and then she'd be like, you ready to go do a lap? And I'm like, okay. And then I do a lap.

[Greta Titelman]

That's Austinian as fuck.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It is, right?

[Greta Titelman]

A turn around the.

[Natasha Rothwell]

The room.

[Matt Rogers]

Turn about the room.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I should have said that as the pop culture that changed my life. The miniseries.

[Greta Titelman]

Oh, of course. Absolutely.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Well, that too.

[Matt Rogers]

But Greece is. I mean, connecting Greece as Austinian is important.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I feel like I did some work just then.

[Matt Rogers]

You did. What you did was you taught the children.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I taught the children.

[Matt Rogers]

It has been a while since we genuinely taught children. A long time. No, we haven't taught the children.

[Greta Titelman]

We're just chasing the new. And now it's like, no, let's go back.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Let's go back and teach them.

[Greta Titelman]

Okay, so. So you did. You did a couple. You did a walk about the room. And it was good.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Good. It was good. And it's. It's. I don't. This sounds so, like, twee and, like.

[Greta Titelman]

No, I'm like.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But it was so cool to see people that I've only ever seen on TV and film.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And, like, I'm not someone who fan girls, because I do feel that there's a distance between me and them.

[Greta Titelman]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Even though I'm in the same room. And this isn't some kind of, like, woe is me, like, you know, imposter syndrome. It's really just like, you reside on that stratosphere and you're allowed to be there. And I just. My joy is just observing, you know? So that was my journey. That night was just like watching. I did go up to one person. You'll never guess one person out of all of the people there.

[Greta Titelman]

Okay.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I didn't approach anyone, but this one person.

[Greta Titelman]

Is this someone trying to think who. Who we saw is this someone who is, like, has been around for a while or someone.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, long time.

[Greta Titelman]

Okay. I'm gonna say. I'm gonna say Billy Crystal. Cause he was there.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, was he? No.

[Matt Rogers]

Because now I'm thinking. Cause honestly, what I'm realizing is that we did what you said, but it was with Jon Hamm at the bar. We were so Happy to just park with him. We're like, hi. And so now I'm realizing I didn't see a lot of people, so I can't even guess. So I'm just gonna throw out a guess and say Lithgow.

[Natasha Rothwell]

No. John Waters. Oh, John Waters was there. So he was like, oh, my God.

[Matt Rogers]

Didn't even know.

[Natasha Rothwell]

University of Maryland, Maryland girl. Tracy Turnblatt. She was a fatty baddie. Before I even knew I, like, could be one. And he was standing there in his suit with the mustache drawn on, pink, huge sneakers.

[Greta Titelman]

So handsome.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And then all these, like, gorgeous starlets were just walking past him. Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

No, no, no.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Not knowing that he was. And so he was by himself. And I was just like, just do it, Natasha. Just do it. You can go up to him. Just do it.

[Matt Rogers]

100%.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So I go up to him. I was like, Excuse me, Mr. Waters? And he's like, yes. And I was just like, my name is Natasha Ro. A huge fan. I went to University of Maryland. He was like, maryland, Baltimore. I love it. And I was just like. And I. I just. Thank you for Tracy Turnblad. Like that and everything. And he was just so warm. And then I just kind of, like, stood there and then ran away.

[Matt Rogers]

That's such a good moment.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I mean, he's such an icon.

[Greta Titelman]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Such an icon.

[Matt Rogers]

Walking, talking icon.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So that was, like, a cool moment. And I felt like. He felt like he was. Even though he wasn't against a wall, but he was, like, by himself on his phone. I was like, oh, I see you.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

You know what I mean?

[Matt Rogers]

Even you, John Waters.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Even you are just, like, by yourself. Parked.

[Greta Titelman]

You know what I mean?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

And hairspray, by the way, like, in obvious ways and also in spiritual ways that are, like, not as obvious to Greece.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes.

[Greta Titelman]

You know what I mean?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Absolutely. I think that, like, they both dealt with different eras, obviously. And I feel like the. Yeah. The. Just the culture of Baltimore, he just was such. He's the. You know, the. The grand poet of Baltimore. Could be Poe, but I think it's him.

[Greta Titelman]

It's him. Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Wait.

[Greta Titelman]

Okay. But this is the thing. Like, the distance that we feel at these events between ourselves and, like, the people that are walking by.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

It. Like, it works in every direction. Because I was saying this on our last episode. Like, we were just talking, chatting it up. I think it was right before I saw you that we saw you. The person who ran up to me and tapped me on the shoulder and was like, oh, my God, Thank God you're here. You'll never guess. Yeah, Megan, thee stallion.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Shut your mouth.

[Greta Titelman]

She was like, oh. She was like, hey. Oh, hi. Oh, my God. Thank God you're here. Like, I don't know anybody here. And I was just like, meg, Meg. What are you talking about?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Hot girl, man, I'm your comfort titty out. Meg.

[Matt Rogers]

She looked amazing. I turned around and I looked at her and I just go, period. And she goes back, period. Yeah. And that was our homework.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I saw her come in and I was just like, oh, damn.

[Greta Titelman]

God damn, the nipple cover.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But I feel like everyone. I mean, I feel like that level of, like, social anxiety feels so unique.

[Matt Rogers]

Right.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And it's hard to accept that someone else like her is like, oh, my God, I might have said the wrong thing. I just like my areola showing. Like, mine was page six.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah, no doubt.

[Natasha Rothwell]

There's a little. There's a little slip. But it was fine.

[Greta Titelman]

It was fine.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But no, I feel like I had. My mind just runs a mile a minute. And to know that someone like her is also a head case, it's kind of. It's nice, but it's hard to understand.

[Matt Rogers]

That's what you have to remember is it's like, not only are these all human beings, but they're also human beings who are in the arts. And at one point, like, we're just like the weirdos that wanted to be accepted, et cetera. And this is a big night for pretty much everyone. Of course, you know, somewhere in the crowd in there, I'm sure we had our like, major ego narcissists, but like, not that we talked to, you know what I mean? It was kind of nice.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

I'm Matt Rogers from Las Clotaristas. You know, for many, the American dream means starting your own business and working for yourself. If you're a small business owner launching a company or dreaming of starting one, then you'll not only want to make sure you're using a platform like Intuit QuickBooks, but you'll also want to check out season three of Mind the Small Business Success Stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Intuit QuickBooks. In every episode, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres talk to small business owners about how they've grow and maintain their business and tackle the hurdles and challenges that come with being your own boss. From tracking money in and out to cutting through the complexity with an all encompassing platform like QuickBooks, you don't want to miss these inspiring stories of small business journeys. Listen to Mind the Business Small Business Success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[John Cameron Mitchell]

This is John Cameron Mitchell and my new fiction podcast series, Cancellation island stars Holly Hunter as Karen, a wellness influencer who launches a rehab for the recently cancelled. In the future, we will all be canceled for 15 minutes, but don't worry, we'll take you from broke to woke or your money back. Cancellation Island's revolutionary rehab therapies, like bad touch football, anti racism spin class, and mandatory ayahuasca serum are designed to force the council to confront their worst impulses. But everything starts to fall apart when people start disappearing.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Karen, where have you brought us?

[John Cameron Mitchell]

Cancellation island, where a second chance might just be your last. Listen to Cancellation island on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Kevin Smith]

Hey, kids, it's me, Kevin Smith.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And it's me, Harley Quinn Smith.

[Kevin Smith]

That's my daughter, man, who my wife has always said is just a beardless dless version of me. And that's the name of our podcast, Beardless Me. I'm the old one, I'm the young one. And every week we try to make each other laugh really hard. Sounds innocent, doesn't it? A lot of cussing, a lot of bad language. It's for adults only. Or listen to it with your kid. Could be a family show. We're not quite sure. We're still figuring it out.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's a work in progress.

[Kevin Smith]

Listen to Beardless with me on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bowen Yang]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here?

[John Cameron Mitchell]

Ow.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Go slower.

[Bowen Yang]

From Blumhouse TV, iHeart podcasts and Ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst as he unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend. And Santi was gone. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person? Sleep with everyone he knew, obviously. Hmm. Pillow talk. The most unwelcome window into the human psyche. Follow our out of his element hero as he engages in a series of ill conceived investigative hookups. Mama always used to say God gave me gumption in place of a gag reflex. And as I was about to learn, no amount of showering can wash your hands of a bad hookup.

[Matt Rogers]

Now take a big whiff, my bruh.

[Bowen Yang]

Listen to the hook on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Matt Rogers]

Bringing it back to the White Lotus. What I love about it, too, is it feels like Mike really gets together people who are freaks in a way. It's like. It feels like a theater troupe in a way. It's not like a collection of celebrities. Like, of course, there are those names that you kind of just know that pop out, like your Jennifer Coolidge or Aubrey Plaza. That feels like there's moments of like, oh, you're Parker Posey. Like, we know who she is.

[Greta Titelman]

Like Goggins.

[Matt Rogers]

But what I love is that it's giving. It's like a community of people who are, you know, as actors and artists and giving them the platform to now be tearing it up on the most popular show in the world.

[Greta Titelman]

In the world.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's so insane. Because truly, season one was meant to be a limited series. One and done right. And so for it to be what it is now, yeah, you would think it would change the recipe, but Mike has not changed it. No, it's like theater camp. Like, you go there, and every single person there loves the craft. They use words like the craft.

[Matt Rogers]

You know what I mean?

[Natasha Rothwell]

And, like, being able. I remember when I got to set, just flew in, crashed that night, walked down to set just to watch, and I stayed and to watch the girls. They were shooting their first breakfast scene. The three ladies.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I was just like, oh, I'm just watching masterclass. Like, I'm just, like, watching them cook. Like, it was so cool to be like, oh, yeah, we're back. And it felt like the same pure show that I was on originally. It's the DNA. Everything is still there, even though they got a bigger budget. You know what I mean?

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah, totally.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And more cast members, but, like, each person. I mean, like you said, everyone's a freak. Everyone's obsessed about what they do, and each of them brings something so special and unique.

[Matt Rogers]

I mean, I'm working with Leslie Bibb now, and I was watching her process, and I'm like, wow. I didn't. I was like, she really has, like, this amazing process, and she's so excellent. And then I obviously knew she was cast in White Lotus, but I'm watching White Lotus, and I was thinking back to, you know, watching her do what she does, and I'm like, this has to be, like, such an exciting environment because, you know, that's the way Carrie Coon does it. Like, I'm loving Michelle Monaghan on the show, and also, again, like, the idea of. Of the very specific examination of three old friends on a vacation.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's one of my favorite storylines. I told Mike when I Cause I binged the whole show when I got all the scripts, and so. And that was one of the first things I was just like, you have embodied.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Adult female friendship.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

In a way where I'm just like. It was uncanny.

[Greta Titelman]

And something specific. So specific about one of them being a TV star.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, God.

[Greta Titelman]

Right.

[Matt Rogers]

That's paid for it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes.

[Matt Rogers]

Which I feel like. And now that we're getting to the point where it's like, you kind of get the sense that she's, you know, gonna maybe use that or something. Might bring it up. Like, might. Might do the big boss vacation friend thing. It's getting so thick in that way. And just, like, the way that she ticks and the way I can't decide. And this is a huge testament. Like, I'm talking to some people who are like, oh, those women really hate each other. But then I'm like, no, I think they really love each other. Just frustrated by the way life has changed them. And they're. I think they're all really trying to connect with each other. I don't think that it's a. Of course, they've got their envies and jealousies and, like, their own personal insecurities, but I don't think we're watching three women that hate each other.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Well, I think that, like. And I don't know if you guys find this, like, when I go back home for the holidays or whatever, you revert back to the version of yourself when you're around people who knew you when. And so I feel like what we're seeing is them in high school, in middle school, behaving with. Or trying to communicate with their actions instead of their words, Right?

[Greta Titelman]

Yes. Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And so there's this passive aggressiveness, and I think it looks like a lack of emotional intelligence when they all possess it, but they're opting not to, I think, because they're. When. When the. When these three are gathered, they turn back into the versions of their self that felt jilted, that felt like they did everything, that felt like their beauty was all that there is. And so watching them play those subtleties, and then they're. The tension is they're to, like, resist who they were and become who they are. And then they're also all trying to become something else. Like they're trying to grow together. So it's like, such an interesting intersection of all of those. Like, all of that tension, you know?

[Greta Titelman]

Well, like, when they go into town and they get, like, hosed down by these kids.

[Matt Rogers]

I love that.

[Greta Titelman]

It kind of is the reset for the. Or. No. It's like them being shoved back into adolescence in a way. Like they're being picked on. And then the rest of that day plays out in a way where they're, like, trying to, like, compete for, like, male attention. And that feels like the most dangerous, treacherous teenage circumstance.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

And it's so well crafted in that.

[Matt Rogers]

I mean, from the first episode, her single sob like a child. That's my favorite cut to. I mean, she's. Forget it. And then, like, Leslie, like, in that episode where it's revealed that she's got, let's just say, political differences. And the way she, like, looks at them longingly, like. But there is such a disappointment in herself. Like, are they right? And I think that that's something that's really jumping out towards the end here, is they are returning to a childlike state. Like, every single time it's insinuated that they're old. The way that Michelle, like, her line readings of panic about, like, what are you talking about? We're not old. We can still have fun. To the point where they're going to push each other into a situation that is truly dire and uncomfortable. Because youth is all that matters to her. Or that she's been told that that's all that should matter to her.

[Natasha Rothwell]

That's right. That's right.

[Matt Rogers]

And there's just. It's really. He's done it again, if you can believe it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

How are you and John, I'm curious, how are you guys playing those interactions? Because there is, like, palpable fear from you.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

And I'm feeling it watching from home. Like, oh, my God. No, Natasha. Like, you're like, terror. It's terrifying.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. And it's also, I think so. We had him on set the whole time, but it was a secret.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

He hung out with us, but it wasn't a ton in the beginning. And it was just like, trying all that kind of stuff. And so I think being on set with him was always a treat. Cause I was like, oh, I get some John time today. Cause he was off exploring or doing whatever. And he is such a chameleon that, like, in those moments where he's just, like, looking at me and then he kind of tilts his head and smiles. It's just like my, like.

[Greta Titelman]

So it just works on you on, like, a primal level.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes. Like, fear. And also it's just like, it preys upon all of sort of, like, my natural inclinations to, like, be liked and wanted. And, like, why does he hate me? And, like, what does he want to do? And, like, you know, how can I fix this? And, like, oh, he's a bad guy. And like, well, do you want it hurt? Like, there's. She's filled with fear and curiosity at the same time. And that tension is where she's living, which is just like, no way to. And John is just so. And he. Yeah, his character's so antithetical to who he is as a person. And so when he just plays those. Oh, when he comes out and surprises me. I watched it and screamed along with myself. That's how much I was like, oh. I was like, there he goes. Yes. Wow.

[Matt Rogers]

So just to, like, ask about Mike White as a director, because, like, he does everything, but I feel like I'm very curious as to the process of, like, the scene work, because that is what I think is so amazing about the show is the dialogue and the scene work and the small things.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Is he encouraging of any improv? Like. Like, I would imagine with you someone that's, like, got such a strong background and someone that he trusts and has done this, like. Or is it kind of clinical on the page? Because I could see it being either.

[Natasha Rothwell]

He plays. So we're. There's a scene in next week's episode. I won't spoil anything.

[Matt Rogers]

Seven? You mean seven.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, no, it's not seven. Is it seven?

[Matt Rogers]

If it's up through six, we can talk about it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Okay, then I won't talk about it.

[Matt Rogers]

All right. Okay.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But what I will say, there are moments where I improvise, and there are moments where he wants to get it as written, but will give you direction to play with it.

[Matt Rogers]

A fun run.

[Natasha Rothwell]

A fun run. Yeah, but he. It's less a fun run. It's more just, like, he wants options. And I remember I told the cast this because, like, he's unlike any director I've ever worked with. And again, just being such a people pleaser and, you know, the. Ever the good student, if you give me a note, I'm gonna do that note.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I will not vary from that. And so, like, he will come in and give, like, a completely opposite note. And so I take that as I totally fucked up that last note. And I remember talking to him about it, like, season one, and he was like, no, I just want options. And he's like, you nailed it. I want options. And so. And I also know him to be the kind of director, like, he's not gonna move on until he has it. And that's the benefit of, like, being directed by the guy who's also working alongside an amazing editor, John Valerio. And John Valerio, he's on set. So the editor is there with you. So they know, oh, we got that. So I had to take my ego off the table and that allowed me to work with him as a director in a way that felt like I was having fun because I was like, I, I could play around. And he also knows like my improv chops and so. And some of the scenes where Belinda's like, you know, having a little bit of a comedic moment, he's just like, have fun.

[Greta Titelman]

That is where the comfort and the trust lies in, in terms of an actor and a director, where it's like, you're not going to move on until we're, until you're happy. And that way I'm confident in the knowledge that like you got it like, that you have what you need.

[Matt Rogers]

It takes a minute to learn that though, you know what I mean? Because I think, and maybe this again speaks to the fact that it was a lot of self grinding and hard work in so many different areas that there is. Tends to be, I think especially when I was like first starting out, booking jobs, I don't know how you guys feel, but it was really never enough in a way that I realized at one point was actually hurting me, not helping me. Like it wasn't helping me to walk away from every setup being like I didn't do a good enough job. Because also people can see that and what they're thinking as a director is, oh, they don't trust me. They don't know that I got this correct. When that relationship is one of the most important things.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

And yeah, when you learn that also.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Just like there's that inner critic, right. That I've had to wrestle my whole life of just like that. Not enough in literally every aspect of my life. And I feel like the place that I've gotten to, I have such confidence in my creative and professional life and that is trickling down into my personal life. But it took me a long time to be able to, for example, create an award winning, critically acclaimed TV show and have it canceled. And to be like, I did that shit.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Do you know what I mean? Like, I, I don't know where it broke down. I don't know where it broke down. But I can look back at what I've done with a sense of pride and not, not enoughness. And that was a moment where I was just like, oh, a had some.

[Matt Rogers]

Growth and that's a good speech.

[Greta Titelman]

At this. At the indie spirits was I. I like stood up.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

You know what I mean?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, it was. I mean, how the distance of like accepting award for a show that's canceled, it was just kind of like it all came up. But I think that like that. That not enoughness. I think when I reacted to that news, I obviously had feelings. But when I was able to. Yeah. The boomerang back, you know, just being able to come back to myself and know that like I did what I was supposed to do and there's circumstances out of my control and sometimes things aren't fair.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

But you take this and you. And it extrapolates forward into like the rest of your career. I can't wait for who the did I marry.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Thanks, babe. I'm so excited.

[Matt Rogers]

It's gonna be.

[Greta Titelman]

Gonna be fucking. I mean, it's. That is what a saga.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It was such a saga. And there's so much more. You don't even know. Are you.

[Greta Titelman]

Are you talking to Teresa?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

Okay.

[Natasha Rothwell]

That's the homie. Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

I love it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's. And it's so lovely. And Marty Knox said who's incredible legend.

[Matt Rogers]

Unreal.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, Unreal.

[Matt Rogers]

Let's talk about unreal.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Can I. Can we though?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

When I moved to la, I went to my very first, like LA thing I did. I went to an FYC panel for Unreal.

[Matt Rogers]

Who was there?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Everybody.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, everybody. Sherry Appleby. That should have been an Emmy. An Emmy win. That like, that was. That was amazing. Constant Zimmer, obviously, the whole cast, everything.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But she's with me, we're co creating and so she's kind of like. And she's. Yeah, her writing and everything is incredible. And she'll tell you she lived a similar story. So like her, she's such a value add. But yeah, hopefully we'll be bringing that soon.

[Greta Titelman]

I love it. Wait. I've always been curious. I've never gone to ask you about this. And now I'm like a new Weeb, as they say, like a new otaku. Like, I went to Japan for the first time and I'm like, this is my place. But what was your time in Tokyo like, so different because you were working? It was like.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

A different time in your life?

[Natasha Rothwell]

In my. I was 26, 27 when I got there. I was teaching English part time. I started performing at the Tokyo Comedy Store, which is like their version of Boom Chicago, where it's just like they had expats performing for a lot of like, largely expat audience. It was Wild. I was black in Japan. Barack wasn't in office yet. He got elected that year. And I just remember, like, riding my bike around town and people shouting like, Obama. And I would just like, I just, like, wave. I'm like, yes. Like, I was just, like, owning it.

[Greta Titelman]

Oh, wow.

[Natasha Rothwell]

People would even pre his inauguration, like, people would take pictures with me, pull my hair and just like, oh, God.

[Greta Titelman]

But I didn't mind it, okay?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I didn't mind it because it came from a place of curiosity and it wasn't steeped, sure. In the fucking, like, like trauma response that is living in America as a black person. You know what I mean? So, like, it was just like, little, like, people were just like, oh, my God.

[Greta Titelman]

But, like, how long did it take for you to like, have that understanding of like, oh, this is. This is just a curiosity Pretty quickly.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Because it's such a homogenous country.

[Greta Titelman]

Sure.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And the only kind of, like, racism that I peeped it was like, if you were African American, they were cool with you. But if you were from the continent, wow. They were kind of like a little suspicious. And I didn't know that because one of the guys that I was working with at the school where I was teaching, he was African American, but he looked like he was from the continent. And we were going to this, like, karaoke bar and they wouldn't let him in. And we were just kind of like, well, what's going on? He's like, I know this happens sometimes. Let's go to another one. So that was wild. But I loved, like, the. I, of course, the best time.

[Greta Titelman]

I loved it and I was obsessed with it. And then towards the end, and it dawned on me. I was like, the reason the toilets are so clean and all that shit is because the reason why everyone knows where they have to go and fall in line is because it's homogenous.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

And like, is that, like, a worthwhile thing to aspire to? You know what I mean?

[Natasha Rothwell]

That's what I'll say about that. I don't aspire to homogeny, but I think when you are in an environment where you are othered, you see yourself more clearly. I felt like I was wearing polka dots to a stripes party. Everything that I was trying to run from, I saw more acutely. And for me, being in an environment where I felt so seen and so watched, it was just like, okay, bitch, audit who you are and who you want to be and how you present yourself. And I think that, like, while it's not ideal, I do think moments of Homogeny can remind you of who you are and require you to show up for yourself. And I think that when I was there, you know, I was so, you know, I had lived in dc, Graduated from University of Maryland. I knew I wanted to go to New York, but I was terrified. I was like, I want to live some life. So I did this, like, little adventure, and wherever you go, there you are.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I feel like that's also, like, white.

[Greta Titelman]

That's why Lotus.

[Matt Rogers]

I was gonna say that's why Lotus. Especially when you're on vacation, you're supposed to relax. I feel like that's one of the greatest things about it. Is it really?

[Greta Titelman]

It's the best thing about the show. Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

It picks apart the idea that it's like, okay, I'm relaxing and now I'm alone with my brain and I'm alone with these people who are close to me that I've elected to spend time with and their brain with no tech.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I did that once for a. I did a Buddhist meditation retreat for four days. Five days, four nights.

[Matt Rogers]

How did it go? Withdrawals.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, yeah. This was like, no. No tech. No speaking.

[Greta Titelman]

Oh, damn.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, I've heard of these.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's not.

[Matt Rogers]

I've heard of the no speaking thing.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, yeah. No.

[Greta Titelman]

And you do hear the thoughts more loudly or what? Like, what's going on?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I felt like I was at like a rock concert.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Because there was no way to. And here's what I did. So, like, again, rule follower. Before we entered the silence, you could ask questions. And I was just like, books, I brought books. And he's like, nope, because you're just like distracting yourself. And I was just like, so no books? No. Like, I'm trying to go through all the things. Like, I know, no gadgets. But I was like, what are the tactile sort of like analog things I could do to like so again. And he was just like, journaling. That's the one thing that was permitted. My hand was throwing up gang signs. I wrote so much. I was like. I was like cramping because I needed to have some place to put it. But I will say it was clarity. Clarity times den. It was amazing.

[Matt Rogers]

Eventually you got there.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Eventually I got there, like, kicking and screaming. Clarity. And then now I'm also just like glued to my phone.

[Matt Rogers]

Again, one of the most anxiety inducing scenes of all of White Lotus so far. And obviously it was. Cause it was the first scene and I was waiting to see what was happening. But when Zion was sitting in meditation, I was just like, it Always just makes me anxious.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I know.

[Matt Rogers]

People always feel like, you know what? You go, yeah, go home and meditate. I'm like, see, you're driving me nuts. And I also think that there's something to that in the whole show. This idea of what happens when you sit with yourself. Are you even able to entertain that idea?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

And I just think those themes are becoming even more clear as we get to the end. Like, who are you really?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Who are you really? And, yeah, it's just reconciling who you want to be and who you are. And I think that's the constant struggle. And I think the more you resist. Resist the truth of who you are and don't adjust your. Your. Your aspirations to be in line with who you are.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

That's just where the tension lies. I think Mike does that so beautifully in the show. You have all of these people, like, hitting who they are, like, head on.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah. I mean, it's. It's just really interesting because in. In now thinking about this thing of, like, the absence of tech and all that stuff. It's like, it's a place that's asking you to let go of all those things. And now we have, you know, the older Ratliff gentleman, like, panicked. Cause he can't communicate, needing to do that to, like, get information, and it's driving him crazy. Parker has lost her drugs. You know what I mean? She's gonna be without her things. I think, honestly, Patrick Schwarzenegger, no one wants to fuck him in that entire place. And he's got this, like, thing in his head that that's where his power lies and his, like, you know, vitality and sexual prowess, and he's just getting. All he can get that from is his goddamn brother.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

And.

[Matt Rogers]

And it's just been a really interesting, specific test of all those things.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. I mean, and it's. I think, too, like, with each of them, you see the ugly coming to the surface. And I feel like with Zion played by the very symmetrical Nicholas Duvernesh.

[Matt Rogers]

What a beautiful man.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It was a very, like, Oedipal complex moment.

[Matt Rogers]

Have you met your son?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I was thinking your son. I was like, mom, Mom. Alike. And he was.

[Matt Rogers]

He was in the pool in this last episode. And I turned to Greta, and I was like, when he gets out of this water, it's gonna be on site, it's gonna be something else. And lo and behold, doesn't make it worse.

[Natasha Rothwell]

He's like, such a good dude.

[Matt Rogers]

Lovely as Derm.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I remember saying to him, we had dinner, like, the first week we got there and I was just like, you are too symmetrical to be this nice.

[Greta Titelman]

And I was like.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And he was just like, what? I was like, no, I was like, a lot of guys who look like you aren't this nice. But no, I think, like, you know, everyone's bring ugly.

[Matt Rogers]

Trust me, I've seen the.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah, you've seen that. You've done a tour.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

But, yeah, I think, like, everyone's working on their. But I think, like, with Zion, you see it's bringing his good out.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

You know what I mean? Like, he's rising to the occasion. So I do think that, like, things that test us, you know, they. Yeah, they prove your metal.

[Matt Rogers]

I'm so scared about what's going to happen now.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'm terrified.

[Matt Rogers]

And the thing is, like, it's like, it would be one thing if we knew this was a show where like. Like, they wouldn't kill Belinda, but that's not what this is. I mean, we saw Jennifer Coolidge fall right off that boat and hit her head.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I screamed. People think.

[Matt Rogers]

I knew.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I had no idea about that.

[Matt Rogers]

So your insight into season two was nothing?

[Natasha Rothwell]

Nothing. I was at home watching. I'm like, I love this for her. And then, like, watching and, yeah, when she fell off, I screamed. And then.

[Matt Rogers]

Perfect ending for that character, but so tough.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And famously, she's a. She hates the water being on it and gets famously. They had a bedazzled buckle bucket for her season one to puke into. So I remember saying to Mike, I was like, the cruelty of this moment. And he was like, well, I had to write, you know, she had to do it.

[Matt Rogers]

And one of the most iconic scenes is the ashes in the water during the fantasy.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. They put her on the water both seasons.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, she's on vacation on the water for sure.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's so funny. And Mike and her, like, best, best, best friends. And so it's so funny. I'm just like, oh, Mike, you're gonna have to pay back.

[Greta Titelman]

Payback mean, I hope Belinda kills Grandma Greg. This is what I'm hoping for.

[Matt Rogers]

That's what I hope.

[Greta Titelman]

I'm just comforted to, like, see you and be in the same space as you because I'm just, you know, I'm alive, cuz. I know you're alive.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'm here.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, you're okay. I'm Matt Rogers from Las Cloguristas. You know, for many, the American dream means starting your own business and working for yourself. If you're a small business owner launching a company or dreaming of starting one, then you'll not only want to make sure you're using a platform like Intuit QuickBooks, but you'll also want to check out season three of Mind the Business small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Intuit QuickBooks. In every episode, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres talk to small business owners about how they've grown and maintained their business and tackled the hurdles and challenges that come with being your own boss. From tracking money in and out to cutting through the complexity with an all encompassing platform like QuickBooks, you don't want to miss these inspiring stories of small business journeys. Listen to Mind the Small Business Success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast Podcasts.

[John Cameron Mitchell]

This is John Cameron Mitchell and my new fiction podcast series, Cancellation island stars Holly Hunter as Karen, a wellness influencer who launches a rehab for the recently canceled in the future we will all be canceled for 15 minutes, but don't worry, we'll take you from broke to woke or your money back. Cancel Appalachian Island's revolutionary rehab therapies like bad touch football, anti racism, spin class, and mandatory ayahuasca ceremonies are designed to force the council to confront their worst impulses. But everything starts to fall apart when people start disappearing. Karen, where have you brought us Cancellation island, where a second chance might just be your last. Listen to Cancellation island on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Kevin Smith]

Hey kids, it's me, Kevin Smith.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And it's me, Harley Quinn Smith.

[Kevin Smith]

That's my daughter, man, who my wife has always said is just a beardless d Ckless version of me. And that's the name of our podcast. Beardless Me. I'm the old one, I'm the young one. And every week we try to make each other laugh really hard. Sounds innocent, doesn't it? Lot of cussing, lot of bad language. Language. It's for adults only. Or listen to it with your kid. Could be a family show. We're not quite sure. We're still figuring it out.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's a work in progress.

[Kevin Smith]

Listen to Beardless me on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Bowen Yang]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here? Ow goes lower. From Blumhouse TV, iHeart podcasts and Ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst to see un unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend and Santi was gone. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person. Sleep with everyone he knew, obviously. Hmm. Pillow talk. The most unwelcome window into the human psyche. Follow our out of his element hero as he engages in a series of ill conceived investigative hookups. Mama always used to say God gave me gumption in place of a gag reflex. And as I was about to learn, no amount of showering can wash your hands of a bad hookup.

[Matt Rogers]

Now take a big whiff, my bruh.

[Bowen Yang]

Listen to the hookup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Matt Rogers]

Speaking of being here, we probably should move into I don't Think so Honey, which is where we're all asked to be here and present in a 60 second takedown of culture that absolutely must occur. And I feel I need to speak to some response that happens to the White Lotus this season. I just want to check people. I want to check people and truly, I think make a point about. Let's just put you on top.

[Greta Titelman]

This is Matt Rogers. I don't think so, honey. His time starts now.

[Matt Rogers]

I don't think so, honey. People saying that the White Lotus incest this season is too much. Where were you during Game of Thrones? You had nothing to say when it was heterosexual incest. And then all of a sudden now that it's horror, homosexual incest, now that we see some making out and some jacking off, all of a sudden people are up in the clutching their fur. I'm sorry. There was incestual procreation on Game of Thrones and you said nothing. Maybe you thought it was a little silly, but you weren't like, it's too much for me. Close friends of ours saying, that's disgusting.

[Greta Titelman]

30 seconds.

[Matt Rogers]

I don't want to see that. I don't want to go there. This is White Lotus. You didn't think it was going to go there? I don't think so, honey. You better love and enjoy. Get your popcorn out. When these two men kiss, because I am rooting for. I hope they go all the way. I hope we see these brothers make it to the altar together. I want the White Lotus to White Lotus all over the place. Ba ba ba ba ba bam. I'm pretending to be two gay brothers who are doing it all over each other.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Grow up.

[Matt Rogers]

I don't think so, honey.

[Greta Titelman]

And that's one minute.

[Matt Rogers]

That might be my best one in a long time.

[Greta Titelman]

I can't follow that.

[Matt Rogers]

No, I had that in my me.

[Greta Titelman]

Matt Rogers caper for gay incest on tv.

[Matt Rogers]

Grow up, cuz. I. All I'm saying.

[Greta Titelman]

You're right. No, there's not. There was not this much noise during Game of Thrones.

[Natasha Rothwell]

No.

[Matt Rogers]

Certainly nothing even approaching it.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. I think it's because, like, you. You can't really project yourself onto one of the characters of Game of Thrones and be like, that could really happen to my children. Do you know? But like, you're watching this, you're like, I might be dating a guy who did. Like, sure. You know, like. Or like there's all of these things.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

I'm telling you, it's these. Well, let me not. But let me. It's these families with a lot of money that things go back a very long time. That is where the weird stuff happens.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Weird stuff happens.

[Matt Rogers]

And it is no mistake that they are that kind of like family and they're engaging in this type of thing. And what I'll also say is that the discomfort with it is. And this is very intentional, I think, on Mike White's part. And he's been like this from the beginning. There is a fascination with the male butt and it makes people think of gay sex factor they're in. And I'm just saying that is the way we make love. Get over it and grow up.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Grow up.

[Greta Titelman]

Theory of the abject. You're. You don't like it because it's. It's poop is nearby.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah. That's what I'm saying is it's like, that's part of.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's gotta.

[Matt Rogers]

It's scatological. And what I always think, like, is he doing a butt call for his male actors. Because it's always popping off a butt call. Adam Tamarco, we will not forget. I'm just saying, like, it's. I see what that is.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

And therapy.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And it's very. It's Shakespearean.

[Greta Titelman]

Right, Right.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Like, to me, I feel like that's the cool thing about the motifs he's using this season. Like, it. It feels very classical. Classical, Yes.

[Matt Rogers]

I would agree. And also I really appreciate that in the second season too, with the opera of it all.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Like, I thought that that was. There's really. And you kind of. It blows my mind that he can make these shows. Obviously they're. They are white lotus and they. They come with those themes. We have, of course, have this very similar setup every season, but this like, real commitment to and fascination with the culture surrounding the places he decides to Explore, I think, is even more impressive than people realize.

[Greta Titelman]

Absolutely.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, this season is incredible.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

I'm seeing a lot of people who have a deep knowledge of Thai music history of, like, the rock and the disco and all these different genres that have, like, moved through Thai. Like, people being like, no, the way that they're. The music supervising on the show is excellent. The way they're using Thai music is very, very, very, like, sophisticated.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah. I feel like Thailand, for me, feels like a character on the show this season, of course. And I think it's a beautiful love letter to the culture of Thailand. And I learned when I was there, I had no idea they've never been colonized.

[Greta Titelman]

Oh, really?

[Natasha Rothwell]

They've never been to war. And they call it the land of S.M. miles. And so it's just the foundation of Thailand is this openness and it's pervasive. And it, like, the. The Thai crew was like, every Thai hand that touched this production was just like, did it out of love. And I've never been surrounded by that, you know, in the same way. And yeah, I think that, like, from music supervision to all of the things. Performances, obviously, I mean, of course. And. And just, like, they tapped, like, Thai royalty to be a part of the show. I mean, Lalisa, of course.

[Greta Titelman]

This thing segueing into mind.

[Matt Rogers]

So fabulous.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I just feel like. I mean, it's impressive.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah. This is segueing into mind.

[Matt Rogers]

With that segue, I'm gonna whip out the phone and say Bowen Yang clearly has and I don't think so, honey.

[Greta Titelman]

Today, yours is about too much being said about something. Mine is about not enough.

[Matt Rogers]

And with that too much, not enough narrative. This is Bowen Yang's. I don't think so, honey. His time starts now.

[Greta Titelman]

I don't think so. So, honey. There should be a huge din of conversation around Lalisa's performance in White Lotus Season 3. I'm not seeing enough chatter discourse about the groundedness with which she is performing this character. All the scenes between her and Gaituk are so sweet. I'm nervous for that something is. Something bad is gonna happen there, and I don't like it. I don't like this feeling in me that I've been sitting with for weeks, but she is blowing me away, obviously. Blackpink Stan lilies. At least for she was someone that. My. My starstruck moment at the Oscars was honestly walking past her as I was coming off presenting and she was about to walk on for performing, and we waved at each other and I was like, oh, my God, Lisa that smile, that million dollar smile. I love Lisa so much. Why aren't we. Why, why aren't the gays talking about this more? Why aren't there more? You know, I just want to see the memes. I'm not seeing enough Lalisa memes.

[Matt Rogers]

I'm seeing a lot of Parker. We love Parker. I'm seeing a lot of Patrick.

[Greta Titelman]

We love Patrick. I need to see. I need to see Belinda memes. I need to see Lisa memes. And that's one minute.

[Matt Rogers]

And that's one minute. You know what it is? It kind of goes hand in hand with the thing of like, oh, this season feels slow. Feels slow.

[Greta Titelman]

Feel slow.

[Matt Rogers]

No, I feel like this season is the most cinematic because what is going to happen? And I know with Lisa, I know there's a twist coming. I know that there's going to be something that goes down with her character that, like, makes it bigger than it is. And I feel like. Because it has to be because it's her. Her.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's just so. The eyes closed. I know. I love her so much.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I met her mother on set. She's so down to earth. She's just real and so sweet and, like, just loves the craft of acting. And, like, is so. Was so nervous and she is like, she would. She would be out and about, like, if we were like, oh, let's go grab dinner here. Whatever, whatever. Mobbed by people, like in Thailand.

[Matt Rogers]

International superstar.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Like, it was insane. Like, Beyonce level fandom over there. And she is so gracious and, like, kind and.

[Greta Titelman]

But the acting is out of this world. Out of this world.

[Matt Rogers]

Well, talk about someone who is used to working her fucking ass off. I mean, like, you know, have you seen the documentary? Like, it's.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's my watch.

[Matt Rogers]

Before, Before I went to.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I was like, I need to do some more research. I can't just listen to the music. Like, you need to watch the docs.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah. We saw them at Coachella. It was like four machines.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Wow.

[Matt Rogers]

It was. It was wild. And I mean, like a person like that, I would say, like I say about Beyonce.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

Don't put anything past someone that works aside.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I don't know.

[Greta Titelman]

Oh, we need to find a Virgo as well.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I mean, I would feel like she moves like a Virgo, you know?

[Matt Rogers]

We need to find out what are you.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Can you guess?

[Matt Rogers]

Wait, because I would have said Leo. But now as a result of this conversation, I don't know. Are you a Scorpio?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'm Libra.

[Matt Rogers]

You're a Libra? Okay. So we had Cate Blanchette yesterday and she was saying people who are Libras aren't necessarily as out and proud about their Libra ness. Are you out and proud about your Libraness?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I love my Libraness.

[Greta Titelman]

Libra is not something to not be proud of.

[Matt Rogers]

No, no. I love it. But we were just saying, like, Libras don't feel like they need to tell everyone they're a Libra. Like, we're a Pisces and a Scorpio and we're so loud and proud. My dad here.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Pisces, Scorpio, Bestie.

[Matt Rogers]

100%. Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

Water signs. Okay. She's an Aries.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, I like that there's a fire. I love that. I like that.

[Greta Titelman]

In fact, I was looking at forward.

[Matt Rogers]

One of those, like, you know, you know, swipe through Instagram things today that's like, here's what a cancer needs. And it made a point about Pisces and Aries. So I might have to text Lalisa.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I feel like you should.

[Matt Rogers]

I'll get her. I'll get her information. She love that. Oh, boy, she'll love it. Okay, is it time for you? I don't think so, honey.

[Kevin Smith]

Or what?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'm so nervous.

[Greta Titelman]

Don't be.

[Matt Rogers]

Do not be. You're made for this moment.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Okay?

[Matt Rogers]

Okay. This is Natasha Rothwell's I don't think so, honey. And her time starts now.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I don't think so, honey. Stop asking me about White Lotus spoilers. First of all, the emotional labor black women have had to carry this country down. I do not want a nary nother person asking me to drop the bag that I have secured in an effort to make you sleep at night. It's not my job to make you sleep at night. You need to put yourself to bed. Stop asking black women to heal you. Watch the fucking TV show. Get your answers by watching the show like everybody else. Let me enjoy the fact that I'm on something that's exciting and I don't have to walk around being worried that I'm gonna spoil something because you keep trying to sneak in questions and traps. And do you really think you in the middle of target that you serve that I met and don't know you're the one that's gonna make me give up the ghost. No time to go fuck yourself. And stop going in the 15 items or over five seconds know you got 20 items. You're a liar. I'm not. And I'm not telling you fuck shit about the show. Watch.

[Matt Rogers]

I don't think so honey, that's one minute amazing high energy.

[Greta Titelman]

I don't think so.

[Matt Rogers]

Honey's today.

[Greta Titelman]

Natasha. Yeah. These are some Hayatsu.

[Matt Rogers]

Not going to be you, man. And torture. And it's not gonna be you and it's not gonna be the man in Target.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Man in Target, the bellboy, the. The guy in the cat. Like people have been harassing me, but.

[Greta Titelman]

It'S like, it's like you want to tell them you don't want it. You don't want to find out this way.

[Natasha Rothwell]

No, you don't want to find out this way.

[Greta Titelman]

Experience it through the viewing process like the way it's meant to be.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I think also White Lotus is hearkening back to way. You know, it's water cooler television. It's once a week and it's just like appointment television. And folks are so gimme, gimme, gimme. They can't wait. You know what I mean? And so for me, I'm just like give in to what this show is. You know, it's harkening back to like fucking Dallas. They had hour long hours, episodes. You know, like being able to tell a story over time. I feel like the anxiety of the culture is just like making people.

[Matt Rogers]

Yes. Need more and more and more and it gets people mean about it too. Like I find that that's obviously trickled down to online. Blah, blah, blah. Boring conversation about how Twitter sucks. But what I'm saying is we should be so lucky to be in a time when we have an HBO prestige show that is water cooler on every Sunday night. We are always living in a better world when that is the case.

[Greta Titelman]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes.

[Matt Rogers]

And it feels like we had a golden age there and now we kind of like, you know, we're just. To put it mildly. We are eating right now.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes, yes.

[Matt Rogers]

And so enjoy your food. Enjoy slowly by chew, swap, hollow. Take time to digest because more courses are.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I'm not gonna be the one. Like, I like, work too hard. No, I was like, if anybody's got loose lips, it's Parker. That's just true.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah. I think she's already slipped.

[Greta Titelman]

She's already slept.

[Matt Rogers]

No, wait, did she. She said stop?

[Greta Titelman]

She was. I think it was unfound or something.

[Matt Rogers]

Someone came out and said, oops, I accidentally said something wrong. Maybe this was about something else.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It's not on the text chain yet. So maybe, I don't know, maybe, maybe.

[Greta Titelman]

We'Ll cut this out. But I mean, you've been sitting on this information for like a year at this point anyway, right?

[Natasha Rothwell]

No longer higher Bob. So I got cast before the strike.

[Greta Titelman]

Oh.

[Natasha Rothwell]

And I was sitting on it secretly while I was shooting how to Die Alone.

[Greta Titelman]

Yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Then they announced it, thinking we were going to shoot that October.

[Greta Titelman]

And then the strike.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So I was the only one announced. And then no one else was announced. And for a whole year. Well, yes. Well, no. That was. When was the strike? May.

[Greta Titelman]

May.

[Natasha Rothwell]

May through. I didn't shoot again until I got to Thailand in February.

[Matt Rogers]

Lord.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So I've been sitting on it for that plus. So two years.

[Greta Titelman]

Almost two years.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yeah.

[Greta Titelman]

You're not going to give up the ghost.

[Natasha Rothwell]

No, not.

[Matt Rogers]

More than that. Target. So we're not going to Target right now. Change the policies.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Change your policy.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, Target.

[Greta Titelman]

I will admit I did go in yesterday to buy the exclusive Gaga vinyl.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, well.

[Greta Titelman]

But I think people. People on threads at least have. Have given each other a pass.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Yes.

[Greta Titelman]

The little monsters have been like, you can go to Target just to buy the vinyl. But I've been proud of myself. My Amazon and Target shopping way down.

[Matt Rogers]

Has the Chick Fil A consumption.

[Greta Titelman]

Chick Fil A consumption is virtually gone as well.

[Matt Rogers]

Okay.

[Greta Titelman]

Virtually gone.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Virtually gone as he picks chicken out of his teeth.

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah.

[Natasha Rothwell]

You smell like the flu.

[Matt Rogers]

I proud of myself.

[Greta Titelman]

That's not easy for me.

[Natasha Rothwell]

My addiction to both Target and Amazon. Like, obviously on the blackout day, I didn't.

[Matt Rogers]

Sure, yes.

[Natasha Rothwell]

This is.

[Matt Rogers]

This is really.

[Greta Titelman]

It felt chic.

[Natasha Rothwell]

It felt chic. But here's some shady shit I had. I filled up my cart.

[Greta Titelman]

Wait, 24 hours later, period.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Press it.

[Greta Titelman]

That's okay. Did you follow the blackout?

[Natasha Rothwell]

I followed the blackout. I was like, today I'm going to press by, but tomorrow morning, I'mma press by.

[Greta Titelman]

You better believe at the stroke of 12, I was like, all right, I'm.

[Matt Rogers]

No, but you should have seen me driving around LA with 2 miles of gas in my car. Like, I was like, I can't. I was like, getting where I need to go, like, on empty. Because you couldn't get gas that day.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Oh, God.

[Matt Rogers]

I was like, now, this is the true test.

[Natasha Rothwell]

This is the true test.

[Matt Rogers]

And you get somewhere on two miles. Like, how much do you want to black out? I wanted it bad. Oh, I'm proud of us.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'm proud of us. We are changing the world.

[Greta Titelman]

Yeah.

[Matt Rogers]

One economic blackout at a time.

[Greta Titelman]

Absolutely. You certainly are. We're. God, what a long time coming.

[Natasha Rothwell]

What a long time coming.

[Matt Rogers]

We just so enjoyed having you here.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I want to do this again. But also, let's hang out without Mike's.

[Matt Rogers]

100%, so we can really Say, and not. We will be the guys. Okay, So, I mean, obviously, White Lotus Sunday nights, where I guess six episodes are out right now, we're coming up on that finale. Obviously watch everything Natasha does because it's the best ever. I mean, we just adore you. Thank you so much for making time for us.

[Greta Titelman]

Truly thrilled for you. So happy. No one. No one is more like up in this. I mean, unfortunately, you're up on this pedestal. But the thing is, you've been up on that pedestal for so long for us, and you have never, ever, ever, ever disappointed us. And that's not pressure or anything. It's just. It's just love. It's pressure. No, it's just that we love you so much.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Ditto. And just know that, like, I'm rooting for y'all. So heavy. Like, everything you touch now or will touch, I'm like, just know that I'm in your corner. And for me, watching what each of you guys do and how you have come together to, like. Like, it's just beautiful to see, especially in the comedy community, that. That kind of support. And I think that, like, what you do, I mean, it's. It's smart, it's timely, it's needed, and I'm just like, I just want to keep putting a mic to you so that way your voices can continue to be amplified because the world needs you.

[Matt Rogers]

Oh, my God. That is the kindest thing anyone's ever said. Thank you so much. I mean, this is so meaningful, and I feel we do end every episode with a song. And people have been talking about how they haven't been hearing this enough, but when this theme jumped out in the show, I was like, okay, I think this is Mike White telling us White Lotus is about to. White Lotus. We all know the refrain. Honey, come on.

[Greta Titelman]

The remix, how to throw some grease. Bye. Lost Culture is a production by Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and iHeartRadio podcasts.

[Matt Rogers]

Created and hosted by Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, executive produced by Anna Haznier.

[Greta Titelman]

And produced by Becca Ramos, edited and mixed by Doug Baime and Monique Laborde.

[Matt Rogers]

And our music is by Henry Komursky.

[John Cameron Mitchell]

This is John Cameron Mitchell and my new fiction podcast series, cancelled. Cancellation island stars Holly Hunter as Karen, a wellness influencer who launches a rehab for the recently cancelled. In the future, we will all be canceled for 15 minutes. But don't worry, we'll take you from broke to woke or your money back. Cancellation Island's revolutionary rehab therapies, like Bad touch football, Anti racism, Spin class, and mandatory Ayahuasca serum are designed to force the Council to confront their worst impulses. But everything starts to fall apart when people start disappearing.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Karen, where have you brought us?

[John Cameron Mitchell]

Cancellation island, where a second chance might just be your last. Listen to Cancellation island on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bowen Yang]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here?

[John Cameron Mitchell]

Ow.

[Bowen Yang]

Go slower. From Blumhouse TV, iHeart podcasts and Ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst as he unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person? Sleep with everyone he knew, obviously. Listen to the hookup on the iHeartrade radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Welcome to Pod of Rebellion, our new Star Wars Rebels Rewatch podcast. I'm Vanessa Marshall, voice of Harrison Duelist Specter 2. I'm Tia Sirkar.

[Matt Rogers]

Sabine Wren, Spectre 5.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'm Taylor Gray as Bridger Spectre 6.

[Matt Rogers]

And I'm John Lee Brody, the Ghost Crew Stowaway moderator.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Each week we're gonna rewatch and discuss.

[Greta Titelman]

An episode from the series and share.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Some fun, fun behind the scenes stories.

[Matt Rogers]

Sometimes we'll be visited by special guests like Steve bloom voices Zabarellio Spectre 4 or Dante Bosco voice a Jai Kel and many others.

[Natasha Rothwell]

So hang on because it's gonna be a fun ride. Cue the music.

[Matt Rogers]

Listen to Potter Rebellion on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Natasha Rothwell]

Hey y'all, it's your girl, Cheekies. And I'm back with a brand new season of your favorite podcast, Cheekies and Chillies.

[Matt Rogers]

You.

[Natasha Rothwell]

I'll be sharing even more personal stories with you guys and as always, you'll get my exclusive take on topics like love, personal growth, health, family ties and more. And don't forget, I'll also be dishing out my best advice to you on episodes of Dear Cheekies. It's going to be an exciting year and I hope that you can join me, listen to Cheekies and chill season four on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.