Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out
Episode: Ben Stiller and Adam Scott: Working it Innie and Outie
Date: September 1, 2025
Guests: Ben Stiller, Adam Scott
Theme: A candid, funny, and at times vulnerable conversation about the creative process on Severance, collaboration, fame, and finding one’s artistic voice.
Overview
In this energetic and insightful episode, Mike Birbiglia is joined by Ben Stiller and Adam Scott, the creative minds behind Severance. The trio traverses topics ranging from physical self-consciousness (thanks to a New Yorker profile), fears over seeming too proud of one’s achievements, the intricacies of acting and directing, stories from cult series and blockbusters, lessons in humility and ambition, and the unique blend of mystery, vulnerability, and humor driving their collaborations. The conversation is lively and brimming with playful jabs, honest confessions, and a wealth of behind-the-scenes detail for fans of TV, comedy, and the creative process.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Physical Appearance and Perceptions in Hollywood
[00:00 – 03:39]
- Adam Scott humorously addresses a New Yorker description of his looks as “hunky and nondescript”—"She nailed it" (Adam Scott, 00:25)
- Ben Stiller recounts The New Yorker’s over-analysis of his own face, highlighting how media perceptions shape their public persona.
Memorable Quote:
- "I don't want anyone to think that I think I'm great… I just don't want to fall into the trap of anyone thinking that I think I'm great." – Adam Scott [03:00]
The Near Casting of Mike Birbiglia in Severance
[03:47 – 05:29]
- Ben considered casting Mike as Rickon but ultimately went a different direction.
- The trio discusses how creator-performer identities affect casting perceptions.
Notable Quotes:
- "I definitely regret it. But Mike, you… I feel like a little kinship with you… there’s that thing of being an actor and being a director and a writer and creating your own stuff." – Ben Stiller [04:10]
Collaboration and Creative Alignment
[05:32 – 08:17]
- Adam and Ben reflect on navigating creative decisions on Severance and trusting each other’s vision.
- Adam describes Ben as a director who "sees the whole grid," bringing confidence and cohesion to the set.
Quote:
- "With Ben, it’s all been worked out and make sense. So, yes, we’re aligned. But I also know if we’re at a fork in the road, I can totally trust going down his way." – Adam Scott [07:40]
On-Set Injuries and Aging in Showbiz
[08:17 – 12:21]
- Adam suffered a concussion on set; they joke about capturing the moment on film and the dark humor that often accompanies on-set accidents.
- Nostalgia about physicality in Night at the Museum and Ben’s recent "pickleball movie" mishaps demonstrate aging and stunt mishaps.
Admiring Each Other’s Work (and the Reality of Fame)
[12:21 – 16:29]
- Adam recalls being a fan of Ben’s early TV work and Reality Bites, pondering generational differences in attitudes to "selling out."
- Ben reflects on the weirdness of fame and the lasting impact of movies on people's lives.
Quote:
- "There is a big part of me that’s like, okay, I guess that happened… but there for the grace of God… a lot of it is luck." – Ben Stiller [15:16]
Authenticity, Vulnerability, and Success
[16:29 – 24:17]
- Mike and Adam discuss moving past idolizing collaborators and connecting as peers.
- Adam shares the experience of working with Ben on Walter Mitty.
- Running jokes about Adam refusing eye contact on set.
- Reflections on early “cult classic” TV – the 0.0 rating for Party Down and the fandom around underappreciated projects.
Early Career Name Changes and Ambition
[20:36 – 23:44]
- Adam recalls briefly trying out the stage name “Adam Cordero.”
- Both Ben and Mike reflect on youthful ambition and the embarrassment that comes with hindsight.
Lessons Learned as Directors and Actors
[24:17 – 26:55]
- Ben shares lessons from working with filmmakers like Noah Baumbach and Wes Anderson, such as “no chairs on set,” and “no phones” from Greta Gerwig.
- The importance of creating a respectful environment for both cast and crew.
Directing Styles: “Action” vs. “Begin”
[26:55 – 28:17]
- Some directors avoid shouting “action” to help actors ease into the scene; Ben credits Noah Baumbach and Jessica Lee Gagné for influencing his own more patient approach.
Working with Legends – Chris Walken and Intimidating Talent
[28:17 – 29:55]
- Ben confesses to being intimidated by Christopher Walken despite working with him multiple times.
- Adam remarks on how Walken’s lived-in, seamless performances blur the line between life and acting.
Quote:
- "He’s so lived in as far as the role goes and who he is… it is impossible to differentiate between life and what he’s doing on camera." – Adam Scott [29:27]
Vulnerability and Grief Processed Through Performance
[31:41 – 35:39]
- Adam discusses drawing upon real grief (the loss of his mother) when shooting a significant emotional scene in Severance, aided by guidance from Ben.
- Mutual gratitude and respect for the willingness to be vulnerable in performance.
Quote:
- "It’s so vulnerable, yet it’s what we all, as an audience, crave… it’s mystical. It’s a mystery." – Ben Stiller [34:59]
Comedy: Breaking on Set and Keeping a Straight Face
[35:46 – 38:08]
- Adam shares stories of breaking character while working with comedic powerhouses in Knocked Up and Step Brothers, with Ben teasing Adam as an “acting machine” who rarely cracks.
Advice for Auditioning and Building Confidence
[38:12 – 39:46]
- Ben’s advice to aspiring actors is to remember casting directors want them to succeed as much as they do:
"They want you to get the job almost as much as you want it… it’s so many factors that don’t have to do with your acting talent." [38:24]
The “Slow Round”: Life Lessons and Childhood Stories
[41:09 – 45:41]
- Adam and Ben swap stories about early career and childhood moments.
- Ben’s childhood story: convincing an airline to turn a plane around out of homesickness, only to leave his friend Lincoln to go to camp alone.
On Healthy Jealousy, Work Ethic, and Burnout
[45:41 – 47:20]
- Adam and Ben admit to feeling a “healthy jealousy” of each other’s work ethic and dedication.
- Adam admires Ben’s relentless productivity, while Ben notes learning from Adam’s approach.
Ironic Parallels: Apple, Severance, and Real-World Tech
[47:04 – 48:17]
- Mike muses on the irony of Severance (about corporate mind control) streaming on Apple TV+, to which Ben responds with tongue-in-cheek acceptance of the synergy.
Closing Bits: Too Handsome to Be Comedians & Causes That Matter
[49:06 – 51:16]
- Playful banter about their looks versus typical expectations for comedians.
- “Working It Out for a Cause”: Adam picks the Center for Reproductive Rights; Ben highlights the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), citing his ongoing advocacy.
Quote:
- "You are one of the people who shows up and does the work with that and travels the world and shows up for people who are struggling." – Mike Birbiglia [50:21]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "I definitely regret it. But Mike, you, I feel like a little kinship with you..." – Ben Stiller [04:10]
- "With Ben, it’s all been worked out and makes sense..." – Adam Scott [07:40]
- "It’s so vulnerable, yet it’s what we all, as an audience, crave... it’s mystical." – Ben Stiller [34:59]
- "They want you to get the job almost as much as you want the job." – Ben Stiller [38:24]
- Adam’s failed attempt at a stage name: "Pacino De Niro Cordero..." [20:45]
- Ben’s childhood story about turning a plane around out of homesickness, leaving his friend Lincoln to go to camp alone. [43:00–44:49]
- “I’m a busy person, but really filling the day up is something... I feel like my mind is too, like, chaotic to even organize it.” – Adam Scott on Ben’s work ethic [47:04]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – 03:39: Opening banter & media perception
- 03:47 – 05:29: Mike’s almost-role on Severance
- 05:32 – 08:17: Creative collaboration & trust
- 08:17 – 12:21: Injuries, stunts, and aging on set
- 12:21 – 16:29: Reflections on fame & generational perspectives
- 16:29 – 24:17: Admiration & working relationships
- 24:17 – 28:17: Lessons in directing, “action,” and process
- 28:17 – 29:55: Star power and intimidation
- 31:41 – 35:39: Vulnerability and grief in performance
- 35:46 – 38:08: Breaking on set in comedies
- 38:12 – 39:46: Auditioning advice
- 41:09 – 45:41: Slow Round: advice & childhood memories
- 45:41 – 47:20: Healthy jealousy & work habits
- 47:04 – 48:17: Apple TV+ / Severance irony
- 49:06 – 51:16: Philanthropy, playful self-promotion, and sign-off
Final Thoughts
This episode gives fans not just a behind-the-scenes view of Severance, but also a window into the mutual respect, self-deprecating humor, and emotional openness that Ben Stiller and Adam Scott bring to their work. Richly layered with personal anecdotes and creative wisdom, the conversation is both a tribute to their partnership and a masterclass in making art that matters—whether it’s comedy, drama, or something uncategorizable in between.
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