Las Culturistas – “The Mayor” (w/ Laura Dern)

Date: February 11, 2026
Podcast: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers & Bowen Yang
Guest: Laura Dern

Episode Overview

In this dynamic and deeply engaging episode, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang welcome true Hollywood legend Laura Dern for a wide-ranging, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation. Nicknamed “The Mayor” of Hollywood by the hosts, Dern reflects on her groundbreaking career, the evolution of women’s roles in film, the realities of show business, her cultural influences, and the moments that defined her both personally and professionally. Her wit and warmth shine as she shares anecdotes from film sets, industry award shows, and her unique upbringing, while also offering insights for the future of culture and the entertainment industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Laura Dern's Iconic Status (02:10–04:04)

• Laura enters described as a “burst of sunlight in pink corduroy”—the garment becomes a recurring in-joke, spotlighting her style and warmth.
• The hosts rattle off her accolades: Oscar, Emmy, SAG, and multiple Golden Globes, culminating in Bowen joking, “Not all awards are gold or brass or metal. Some of them are glass.” (03:06)
• She's compared to a “mayor” or the “R.A. of the Hollywood dorm”—someone approachable and omnipresent, but cooler.

2. On Anger and Acting Range (06:56–08:52)

• Discussion of Dern’s range, especially her skill at portraying anger:
  • Matt recalls her intense voice role in White Lotus and remarks, “for someone that's such a sunny person... you do anger the best of anyone.” (07:26)
  • Dern opens up: “I do like to look at life with glass half full… but I think… my characters have given me room to explore all the things I obviously have been feeling.” (07:45–08:27)
  • Connected to her role in Enlightened as Amy Jellicoe, and how that show gave her (and creator Mike White) space to unleash pent-up feelings and social critique.

3. The Genesis and Significance of Enlightened (08:27–11:43)

• Creative origins: Inspired by post-2000-election malaise and the pre-iPhone era, Dern describes conceptualizing Amy Jellicoe as “What if I Love Lucy became Norma Rae?” (09:41–10:16)
• Legacy: Bowen and Matt praise the impact of Enlightened, suggesting “now we’re all Amy” (11:01), reflecting the current overwhelming times where everyone feels a bit unraveled.

4. Changing Roles for Women in Film (11:43–13:51)

• Laura traces how shifting society led to fuller roles for women:
  • “Suddenly women, for the first time, were in leadership positions… so the characters changed because the world had changed.” (11:43)
  • Contrasts early roles (like in Citizen Ruth) where characters didn’t know they had rights, to later, more empowered performances.

5. Behind the Scenes of Big Little Lies (14:03–16:04)

• Matt and Bowen describe how Big Little Lies blended comedy and drama, breaking TV molds.
• Dern says much of Renata’s role was improvisational, due to director Jean-Marc Vallée’s approach: “...it created, again, room for... comedy... but also the rage and the violence.” (15:48–16:04)

6. Jurassic Park & Film Memories (20:07–22:28)

• Discussions about acting with animatronics and non-existent dinosaurs:
  • “The Brachiosaurus was an X on a piece of paper stuck on the tree. She wasn't there with us. But the raptors were there. And scary.” (21:25)
  • Playful banter about dinosaur names and humility in Hollywood.

7. Fame, Humility, and Industry Lessons (22:28–25:06)

• The conversation pivots to humility and ego, using Jeff Goldblum and industry personalities as examples.
• Fun digression into theme parks, ride experiences, and Laura’s “awkward” moment encountering her own action figures at Universal’s Jurassic Park ride.

8. Career Aspirations & Early Inspiration (29:55–33:40)

• When asked whom she still wants to work with, Dern tells a formative story:
  • As a child extra on Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, she ate 19 ice cream cones for a scene. Scorsese said, “she’s gonna be an actor.” (31:16)
  • She fell in love with the creative process more than “acting” per se—collaborating and storytelling in the moment.

9. Hollywood as a “Neighborhood” – The Evolution of the Industry (33:40–35:45)

• Dern reminisces about her Hollywood upbringing:
  • Industry used to be small and craft-focused, with few award shows and little glamor.
  • “It was a craft. And everyone made a little to go work in independent films, certainly in the 70s, into the 80s...” (33:57)
  • Contrasts with today’s fame culture and social media omnipresence.

10. The State of the Industry: Integrity, Culture, and Economic Survival (37:20–43:29)

• Laura expresses hope that “people with the money” (i.e., studios, financiers) keep supporting art and culture for the country’s “soul.”
  • Shares Billy Wilder’s advice: “You own a pool, they own you.” (38:44)
  • Addresses the struggles of maintaining health insurance and dignity in the acting profession, even for legends: “Actors don’t have that luxury, which is nuts. And our union should be changing that 100%.” (41:17)
  • Matt, Bowen, and Laura commiserate on the decline of local movie theaters and urge creative ways to revive them for “brilliant weird brains” everywhere.

11. The Culture that Made Laura Dern: Punk Rock Beginnings (47:28–51:28)

• Answering the podcast’s signature question:
  • At 13, filming the punk movie Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains introduced her to subcultures “ten years ahead of everyone else.”
  • “It was this defining moment of, oh, no, I get to have my own culture 100%. It’s this other stuff I was exposed to. Nobody even knows about it. But it’s my culture.” (49:39)
  • Later, Blue Velvet with David Lynch further defined her personal creative world.

12. Culture Gaps, Generational Shifts, and Real Housewives (52:08–56:15)

• Laura recounts a hilarious story of unknowingly meeting Heather Gay from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City at a hotel, not recognizing the reality TV reference:
  • “I said, girl, don’t put yourself down. You just told me you wrote a book. You’re so much more than a housewife... She’s a Real Housewife of Salt Lake.” (54:13–54:28)
  • The hosts and Laura joke about cultural disconnects and joining the “queer community” through shared experiences.

13. Queer Culture and the Ellen “Puppy Episode” (58:47–64:26)

• They discuss Dern’s role in the seminal Ellen coming out episode, reflecting on the impact and risk:
  • “I had the honor... of being part of Ellen DeGeneres’ coming out episode... Bomb threats, losing sponsors... major security. The world went, no, no, no. She lost her show.” (60:35–61:17)
  • The gravity of the moment, holding Ellen’s hands as she said “I’m gay” on TV, left a lifelong impact on Dern.
  • “The privilege... of feeling for someone in a moment was so beautiful.” (62:34)
• How culture “catches up” in hindsight to brave firsts.

14. Public Spaces, Pet Peeves, and "I Don't Think So, Honey" (78:44–82:03)

• In the recurring "I Don't Think So, Honey" lightning round, the participants sound off on their biggest pet peeves:
  • Matt: Doors that are both push and pull (70:40)
  • Bowen: The lack of underwater basket weaving classes (76:27)
  • Laura: People who treat public spaces like they’re private, e.g., slow crosswalk walkers, people clipping their nails in airports, and loud “Sarah” commentaries in theaters. “How about... in the airport? Clipping nails. No, as the nail is like flying into your face.” (79:36)

15. Taylor Swift and Cultural Moments (74:06–76:07)

• Laura shares her experience starring in Taylor Swift’s “Bejeweled” video and attending the first ERAS tour show.
  • “Her genius brain... you can now see in the documentary.” (76:03)

16. Final Reflections and Hopes for the Future (82:12–end)

• The hosts praise Laura’s legacy and versatility.
• She ribs about bringing them an underwater-woven basket (83:02) and floats “Olympic-style” bronze, silver, gold awards for the Oscars (84:09).
• Shared gratitude for storytelling, mentorship, and connection.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the evolving industry:
  “Suddenly women, for the first time, were in leadership positions. So suddenly the characters changed because the world had changed.” – Laura Dern (11:43)
• On defining your own culture:
  “It was this defining moment of, oh, no, I get to have my own culture 100%... But it's my culture.” – Laura Dern (49:39)
• On humility:
  “Life can teach you humility, for sure... But... there are some people that, no matter what happens, they will never know humility.” – Laura Dern (22:28)
• On taking risks in culture:
  “That's why you want culture to catch up later. That is culture. Culture's doing it when nobody's caught up.” – Laura Dern on the Ellen episode (61:59)
• On career beginnings:
  “This man [Scorsese] is figuring out how to film it. And these actresses are creating their characters, and together they're, like, feeding off of each other... I want to do that—where you're with your friends, telling stories together.” – Laura Dern (31:43)
• On pet peeves:
  “I don't think so, honey. Shared public spaces are not just for you. A crosswalk means we're waiting, we're being generous. Our cars are stopped. Yeah, take your time, but get across the street... This isn't your Abbey Road.” – Laura Dern (78:52)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Laura’s arrival & icon intro: 02:10–04:04
• Portraying anger, Enlightened: 06:56–11:43
• Evolution of female roles: 11:43–13:51
• Behind the scenes, Big Little Lies: 14:03–16:04
• Jurassic Park memories: 20:07–22:28
• Humility in Hollywood: 22:28–25:06
• Early inspiration & Scorsese: 29:55–33:40
• Hollywood as neighborhood/history: 33:40–35:45
• State of industry, economics: 37:20–43:29
• Defining culture—punk roots: 47:28–51:28
• “Real Housewife” mix-up: 52:08–56:15
• Ellen’s coming out, cultural trailblazing: 58:47–64:26
• “I Don’t Think So, Honey” segment: 70:15–82:03
• Taylor Swift & cultural moments: 74:06–76:07
• Reflections & closing: 82:12–end

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is full of irreverent, affectionate banter (the recurring “roller coaster” in-jokes, the pink corduroy discourse), but also delves into earnest territory—altruism, activism, and cultural change—with warmth and humility. Laura Dern matches the hosts’ self-awareness, humor, and pop-savvy with stories that are generous, sharp, and emotionally resonant.

Final Takeaway

This episode is a joyful, insightful deep-dive into Laura Dern’s formative moments, artistic drive, and perspective on cultural change. With contagious laughter and hard-won wisdom, she embodies both the “mayor” of Hollywood and its most passionate, humble champion. For listeners, it’s a reminder that the truest “culture” often happens out of step, before the world is ready—and that empathy and boldness pave the way for enduring impact.