Kristen Schaal

Summary

Senses Working Overtime with David Cross: Kristen Schaal Episode Summary

Released on April 24, 2025

In this engaging episode of Senses Working Overtime, hosted by David Cross, comedian and actress Kristen Schaal joins to delve into their intertwined personal lives, comedy careers, memorable experiences, and future aspirations. The conversation flows naturally, offering listeners a candid glimpse into their friendship, family dynamics, and creative endeavors.

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Reconnecting and Personal Histories

David Cross and Kristen Schaal reminisce about their last meeting before the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting their shared experiences and mutual support in the comedy scene.

• David Cross reflects on their last encounter: “The last time I saw you was at our friend's funeral” [02:03].

• Kristen Schaal adds a lighter note: “I hate it. I think the last time I saw you was at our friend's funeral” [02:03].

They discuss the challenges of maintaining relationships during turbulent times, emphasizing the importance of grounding family and friendships.

Family and Home Life

The conversation shifts to their family lives, particularly focusing on David Cross’s recent move to a renovated brownstone in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. David shares the emotional journey of settling down after years of moving around, aiming to provide stability for his children.

• David Cross expresses his joy: “It truly is a dream home in the sense that I've wanted a... beautiful brownstones, 19th century brick” [09:17].

Kristen discusses the dynamics of balancing motherhood with personal and professional life, touching upon their daughter's interests and challenges.

• Kristen Schaal shares about her daughter, Ruby: “She has crushes. That just happened like a few weeks ago... She really likes animals” [54:26].

Comedy Careers and Collaborations

Both comedians reflect on their journeys in the stand-up comedy world, sharing anecdotes from their early days and collaborations with notable figures like Jason Sudeikis and Daniel Kitson.

• David Cross recalls supporting Sudeikis: “I have apps on my phone that he made me put on... introduced me to who, but he's way, way, way into it” [04:33].

• Kristen Schaal reminisces about their performances: “We did a show at the 100 Club. And it was such a big deal for me” [22:04].

They discuss the differences between the American and British comedy scenes, highlighting the collaborative and supportive environment in the UK.

Adventures and Travel: Machu Picchu with Bob Odenkirk

One of the most captivating segments involves David Cross recounting an adventurous trip to Machu Picchu with Bob Odenkirk. The duo embarks on a challenging hike along the Inca Trail, capturing their journey through minimal equipment and sheer determination.

• David Cross describes the hike: “The struggle of hiking this 37 kilometer trail... it's just rocks and they carved it out of nothing” [46:21].

• Kristen Schaal humorously interjects: “Imagine if we'd been given that...” referencing their resilience [47:06].

The trek symbolizes their commitment to personal goals and the camaraderie that sustains them through arduous endeavors.

Reflections on Life and Growth

David and Kristen delve into personal growth, addressing past insecurities and the evolution of their social interactions. David opens up about overcoming awkwardness and enhancing his sociability after years of solitude and compensatory behaviors.

• David Cross reflects: “I'm much better. I had to make myself be, you know, and I'm glad I did” [26:00].

Kristen emphasizes the significance of genuine relationships and the essence of "home" being more about people than places.

• Kristen Schaal states: “Home is people, not anything else” [17:33].

Final Thoughts and Future Projects

As the episode winds down, Kristen highlights her upcoming projects, including her new podcast “The Extraordinarians” alongside Matt Oberg, focusing on interviewing individuals who have achieved remarkable feats.

• Kristen Schaal announces: “...interview people who have broken, like, world records and things like that” [59:27].

David wraps up with a humorous interaction prompted by his daughter’s question about Donald Trump, showcasing the lighthearted and familial tone of the podcast's conclusion.

• David Cross shares a poignant yet funny exchange: “My daughter Marla would like to know what is the least bad thing that Trump did” [60:27].

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Notable Quotes

• David Cross [09:17]: “It truly is a dream home in the sense that I've wanted a... beautiful brownstones, 19th century brick.”

• Kristen Schaal [26:00]: “Home is people, not anything else.”

• David Cross [46:21]: “The struggle of hiking this 37 kilometer trail... it's just rocks and they carved it out of nothing.”

• Kristen Schaal [54:26]: “She has crushes. That just happened like a few weeks ago... She really likes animals.”

---

Conclusion

This episode of Senses Working Overtime offers a rich tapestry of personal stories, professional insights, and heartfelt reflections between David Cross and Kristen Schaal. Their candid dialogue not only entertains but also provides profound insights into the life of comedians balancing family, career, and personal growth. Whether discussing the intricacies of comedy or the challenges of climbing Machu Picchu, listeners are treated to a heartfelt and humorous exploration of two beloved personalities.

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For more episodes of Senses Working Overtime, visit headgum.com or your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[David Cross]

This is a Headgum podcast with a.

[Kristen Schaal]

Five dollar meal deal with new McValue. You pick a McDouble or a McChicken, then get a small fry, a small drink and a four piece McNuggets. That's a lot of McDonald's for not a lot of money.

[David Cross]

Prices and Participation may vary. McDouble meal, $6 in some markets for a limited time only.

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[Kristen Schaal]

Smell.

[David Cross]

I got a water. So you're.

[Kristen Schaal]

It's just not as fun.

[David Cross]

I would. It's not as fun. Those were fun drinks that you were showing me.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. All right. Save it for the podcast.

[David Cross]

Yeah. I like how you were so presumptuous as to sit in the.

[Kristen Schaal]

Wait, is this your chair?

[David Cross]

No, No, I don't.

[Kristen Schaal]

I wasn't sure.

[David Cross]

I don't think he gave it much thought. Which is fine.

[Kristen Schaal]

I just started pod like the podcast world.

[David Cross]

But you've done it before, right?

[Kristen Schaal]

I've done it. Then. Then I was like, oh, I never want to do these because. Because you talk. Well, we'll save it. Will you talk? Because you talk to your friend.

[David Cross]

Right.

[Kristen Schaal]

And then you realize that it was just a big eavesdrop situation.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

And I hate it. I think the last time I saw you was at our friend's funeral.

[David Cross]

Katie, was that the last time I saw you?

[Kristen Schaal]

It's gotta be.

[David Cross]

That was a while ago.

[Kristen Schaal]

Cause it was right before COVID It was like a week before COVID No.

[David Cross]

You were at the wedding though, Therese, and.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, yeah, I saw you at the wedding.

[David Cross]

So I saw you at the wedding.

[Kristen Schaal]

That was fun.

[David Cross]

That was great fun.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Yeah. So that was. I. Oh, wait.

[Kristen Schaal]

Those were our bookings.

[David Cross]

Right. Because we went to. We went to the beach that day.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yes. The daughters were playing with the horse. Horseshoe crab.

[David Cross]

Horseshoe crab. My kid. I was, you know, proud and surprised. But she went and there was a horseshoe crab that had washed up and she Went and saved it, just like, on the left where we were playing. And she walked down the. You know, walked on the rocks, walked down to the beach, walked all the way, you know, across the rocks, went over there and picked it up and put it in the water. Like, wow, that's. That's very nice. And I gave her, like, a treat for that on her own. I didn't say give it.

[Kristen Schaal]

What was the treat?

[David Cross]

A pinball machine.

[Kristen Schaal]

What? Which one?

[David Cross]

Monster Bash.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, wow.

[David Cross]

Yeah. So it takes up most of her room. It's loud. She's trying to beat my high score.

[Kristen Schaal]

So I see. Do you play pinball?

[David Cross]

I do.

[Kristen Schaal]

Rich is really into it.

[David Cross]

Really?

[Kristen Schaal]

He's trying to, like, beat the Jaws pinball machine right now.

[David Cross]

Where does he go?

[Kristen Schaal]

There's two arcades here. Yeah. And one you can buy. Like, if you pay $25, you can play all day.

[David Cross]

I would hope so.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Jesus. 25 bucks. Play pinball. Yeah. I. I'm friends with Jason Sudeikis, who is a massive.

[Kristen Schaal]

I've heard huge.

[David Cross]

Like, he's. He. He. I have apps on my phone that he made me put on. I can't say made me, but he basically encouraged. And I was like, for you. And I have apps on my phone on where to find pinball machines if you're in, you know, Duluth and stuff like that. And. And there's a couple different things. And he's introduced me to a who, but he's way, way, way into it. And he has a house down the street from me, and his basement he just turned into. It's, like, filled with pinball machines and stuff. It's pretty cool.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's good.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

There's a basement in New York? Yeah.

[David Cross]

In Brooklyn.

[Kristen Schaal]

You guys have basements now? Do you used to live in Dumbo? You must have moved out of that apartment.

[David Cross]

Oh, years ago when. When Marlo was born.

[Kristen Schaal]

Okay.

[David Cross]

Yeah, we had a one bedroom. And when we knew we were going to have a kid, we're like, we have to get a second bedroom.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. You know, we don't want to add a basement.

[David Cross]

And a basement started. You know, I said, basement is priority.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, sure.

[David Cross]

And, you know, we could put the kid there if need be. And. Yeah, well, we got a. When. When we knew we were going to have a kid. And we had been looking really informally for about a year to split a place with John Benjamin and Amy Silver.

[Kristen Schaal]

And what does that mean, split a place?

[David Cross]

So a lot of the brownstones in Brooklyn are multifamily. Most of them are. I mean, to find A single family is pretty rare. And so you could, you know, you have people, you know, living down either one floor and then you have the top two floors or you have four floors and people are on top two and somebody's on the bottom. Whatever. But. So we were looking to do that, and then I was in London working, and then John said, what were you.

[Kristen Schaal]

Working on in London?

[David Cross]

Bliss, a show I did for Sky.

[Kristen Schaal]

Okay, go on. So what did John say?

[David Cross]

John said, where can I check out Bliss? And I was like, I don't know, maybe Britbox. It might be on Britbox. I'm not.

[Kristen Schaal]

Great title.

[David Cross]

Oh, it's really good. I'm very proud of it. I just wrote and directed it. I didn't act.

[Kristen Schaal]

What? You did?

[David Cross]

Yeah, I didn't act.

[Kristen Schaal]

But this is a TV show you made? Yeah, after Margaret Todd.

[David Cross]

After Todd Margaret. Yeah, it was. Oh, did I do Bliss and then do the third season? No, no, it was definitely. So I did third. Yeah, I did. You were in Hits, right? Weren't you in Hits?

[Kristen Schaal]

I wasn't in Hits.

[David Cross]

You weren't? Okay. It was in between the Hits and the. I don't know. Or it's somewhere in there, I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter. It's neither here nor there. But I was in London working. It was one of the most surreal 48 hours I ever had or whatever. It might have been like 64 hours, but Amber at this point is about seven months pregnant. And John had said, hey, we can't. We found a place. We can't afford it. It's like a fixer upper type thing, but you guys might. And, you know, check it out. Amber goes over there, takes video, does like a walkthrough, and she's like, I think this could really work, and blah, blah, blah. So I was in Bristol, England, on a tech scout at a dock and had to go do the tech scout, right. Get in a car from Bristol, drive to Heathrow, flew back to New York, woke up and we went and saw the. This is over the weekend.

[Kristen Schaal]

It's in Brooklyn. It's a brownstone.

[David Cross]

Yep. Went and saw it in person.

[Kristen Schaal]

What's the address? What borough is it? At least?

[David Cross]

What borough? It's Brooklyn. Oh, Brooklyn is a borough.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, sorry, then what section of Brooklyn?

[David Cross]

Clinton Hill.

[Kristen Schaal]

Okay.

[David Cross]

Yeah. And. And I was like, yeah, you know, asked a bunch of questions, you know, did a pretty thorough walkthrough and, you know, had like a late lunch and then got back on the plane, went back to London, like going through customs and The. And the. What do you. You know the time zone.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

All that shit. And. And just waking back up in the bed in my, you know, efficiency flat was the weirdest thing. And then, you know, that was like, Sunday.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

So I flew out on Friday, got there Saturday, spent Saturday, went back. It was Sunday. It was the weirdest. Like, what did I just do? That was crazy.

[Kristen Schaal]

And it was worth it.

[David Cross]

Totally worth it. It's. It. It. You know, we. It took a lot longer to fix, and every cliche about renovating a place, it all happened and it was. Went way over budget or our budget took way longer. And. But it's awesome. And I mean, it's. It. It truly is a dream home in the sense that I've wanted a. You know, that. One of those beautiful brownstones, 19th century brick. I love it. You know, it's brick and wood, basically. And. And something I've wanted for a long, long, long, long time. And. And the idea being, okay, putting roots down. My kid goes to school down the street. Great school. Public school. Awesome. We know a lot of our neighbors and. And it's great. I'm quite happy. It's because I've spent my whole life moving around and. Yeah, this is about, let's settle down here.

[Kristen Schaal]

You'll never, never move.

[David Cross]

We will move to Toronto or London based on the neck. How the next two years shake out.

[Kristen Schaal]

Well, I just realized that we saw each other in Toronto because we were potting together when Amber was working on.

[David Cross]

Oh, that's right. No, that was pre. The wedding, though.

[Kristen Schaal]

It was before the wedding. It was before the wedding, between the funeral and the wedding. We had a Covid potting situation.

[David Cross]

Yes, well, because there were a bunch of kids.

[Kristen Schaal]

That was a bad run for us.

[David Cross]

And what were you. Oh, you were doing what we do in the shadows.

[Kristen Schaal]

I was doing that. Yeah. Yeah. And we had a. And you.

[David Cross]

Oh, and I did a part on that.

[Kristen Schaal]

You had a part.

[David Cross]

That's right.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's right.

[David Cross]

That was so much fun. I think I shot for three days, maybe total. Maybe even two. I don't know. I think it was three days. But I was so miserable and depressed, and it was just an awful period of time for many, many people and myself included. It was, you know, scary frustrating. We were stuck in Toronto. There's no going back and forth. And we got our kid up there, and so it was nice to have a little community with other kids that were her age. Because Ruby's, what, a year younger, maybe. Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

And then there were, you know, some other kids that we. We'd all get together and play. And you had that awesome house.

[Kristen Schaal]

I had a really cool house in. What was it called?

[David Cross]

It was right on the river.

[Kristen Schaal]

There was a little stream.

[David Cross]

Stream.

[Kristen Schaal]

What was it called? What was that neighborhood called? Etobicoke. An Etobicoke. Because I was. So I got the job, and I shot one episode of season one of Shadows as this character. And then not the second season, so. But they had shot in Etobicoke season one. So when they told me that when I got the job, they were. I was like, okay, I'll find a place in Etobicoke. And then I found a place, and it was awesome. And then they were shooting away across town.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Like change. I never. They never bothered to tell me. I never bothered to ask.

[David Cross]

How far of a drive was it?

[Kristen Schaal]

It wasn't biz. A half an hour.

[David Cross]

That's not too bad. Considering Toronto. That's a massive. I love Toronto. I love it.

[Kristen Schaal]

I love it, too. I mean, I. I wanted to become a permanent res there. I looked into it. I'd started the process, but it was like. It was too much. It's a lot to be an immigrant, you guys. Like, really hard to like.

[David Cross]

It's not quite the same thing as not speaking the language and.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yes.

[David Cross]

No.

[Kristen Schaal]

But even having all those things, I still. The hoops to go through and to make it happen. It was still, like, uncertain. And even having a job there, it was like, who cares?

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Because Toronto's special.

[David Cross]

Yeah. I really like it. It's also great for standup. I mean, when I do sets there, they're just. The Toronto audiences are great.

[Kristen Schaal]

Where do you do sets?

[David Cross]

I usually. I mean, I've done the Queens Theater, I want to say, if that's right. And I've done the Danforth Music Hall a bunch of times. I recorded a CD there. I've done. And when I do, like, workout shows, I'll go to the Horseshoe on. What is it on Queen? I'm not sure, but the Horseshoe, which is, you know, music venue, but kind of tight and just standing room and it was. They've always been great. Any. Any shows I do in Toronto are great.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's nice.

[David Cross]

Yeah. And I'm going back to Canada next week.

[Kristen Schaal]

For what?

[David Cross]

Stand up.

[Kristen Schaal]

Just to do stand up.

[David Cross]

Just to do stand up.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's great.

[David Cross]

And maybe pick up a syrup.

[Kristen Schaal]

Pick up a syrup. Yeah. I mean, I'm not gonna brag about their food up there, but everything else is good.

[David Cross]

I had pretty good food. I mean, I didn't get.

[Kristen Schaal]

The sushi's good.

[David Cross]

The sushi is very good. And I found good places to eat.

[Kristen Schaal]

Me too. But I'm not gonna brag.

[David Cross]

You're not gonna brag? Why? They've got a big head.

[Kristen Schaal]

No, they don't.

[David Cross]

Canadians are known for bragging about their food.

[Kristen Schaal]

No, the food is good. But every time I come back to Los Angeles it's always like, ah, Los Angeles is just an edible delight in every way. Really good food.

[David Cross]

Look, LA is, has great food, no question. But the thing that. Here's the thing with great food in LA and, and it's. And it's not. You can't argue that there's great, lots of great food, but somebody will go, oh my God, the. I had the best soup dumplings. They're so amazing. I know you like soup dumplings. Yeah, yeah. I go to Blah blahs in Chinatown. Oh man, forget. These are better than the ones in Chinatown. Really? Yeah. And I mean it's not surprising. LA has a large Chinese community. All right. Yeah. So great. Where are they? Well, they're in Alhambra. And what you do is you take the, you got to take the 10 to the 110 and then you get off and you connect onto the 15 and that's about, you go about 45 minutes and then you're gonna get off and it's just like there's an hour and 20 minute drive to the great foods that people tell you about, which are there. But sorry, that's not.

[Kristen Schaal]

I mean, I guess I'm just gonna.

[David Cross]

And I don't even know where Alhambra is and whether it's anywhere near the 15, I don't know. So if you're.

[Kristen Schaal]

You sound like a typical New Yorker shitting on la and I'm not even gonna be here for.

[David Cross]

I'm not shitting on la.

[Kristen Schaal]

You are shitting on la. And I'm just sitting here for my London.

[David Cross]

I'm telling you a fact that people will often say the best blah blah is here. And you like whatever biria you check out, you know, the best deli in the world. I mean, I'm telling you, it's really good people, I trust and respect their, their taste and I'll go, oh, that sounds great. Where is it? And it's a fucking hour drive.

[Kristen Schaal]

It's a lot of driving here. And I'm. And that's not fun.

[David Cross]

Okay, so I'm not shitting on la. I'm just, I'm telling you that's the, that aspect of having a great whatever it is. Is attendant with. Whereas in New York or other places.

[Kristen Schaal]

It's better. Tell me how it's better.

[David Cross]

I am, I'm in the process of that. You just hop on the subway and a couple minutes later you're at the. Where you walk.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Where you bike.

[Kristen Schaal]

I am. I. I have so many. Well, what. Like I do. When the fires happened in L. A, it was. I love. I love.

[David Cross]

I'll give L. A that, I'll give L. A that. That they.

[Kristen Schaal]

That it can burn. Really?

[David Cross]

That it can burn very easily. It doesn. Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Well, it takes like a phenomenal 90 per hour wind. No, but you're right, normally it doesn't take a lot.

[David Cross]

Yeah, it doesn't. I mean, there have been plenty of fires without 90 mile per hour winds. No LA. I'll give LA that it burns easily.

[Kristen Schaal]

It burns easily. But it's my favorite city. I think it might be my favorite city because one of the, the main reason. So when the fires happened and it was like, whoa, that's. You know, you're like ready for an earthquake. But I don't think anybody was ready for the large portion of the city to go up in flames. And so many friends didn't just not have houses.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

So I was like, okay, well, where. Where do we. What if. If, if and when. Now it's an if and when we lose our house.

[David Cross]

Oh, another great thing about la.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

It doesn't lose your house.

[Kristen Schaal]

Doesn't feel good that way. Where do we go? And, And I really looked around and it was like, okay, like, home is. Home is people, not anything else. And there is someone in LA for me to see and enjoy and have a. And is funny. That's like finding, like funny people is very difficult. They all kind of end up in two cities.

[David Cross]

That is not true. That is not true. That is simply not true. No.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, no. I mean, like comedians.

[David Cross]

I'm also not sure there's people with good friends eventually.

[Kristen Schaal]

You're right. That's not what I mean. I, I'm. I mean people who are funny because you've known them for a really long time and you both get each other's jokes.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

So that's what LA has for me is good friends.

[David Cross]

So when I believe in your ability to make good, funny, interesting friends wherever you go.

[Kristen Schaal]

And I will, and I do.

[David Cross]

Okay. So.

[Kristen Schaal]

But I just like it here now.

[David Cross]

Okay, that's fine. You're here temporarily.

[Kristen Schaal]

I would like to go. Where do you stay while you're here?

[David Cross]

I always get a Airbnb, you know, they won't tell you exactly the address until, like, shortly before you come, but within a, like, 45 minute walk from this studio. Yeah, so I'm. Right now, I'm like, up Silver Lake shortly before it turns into Echo Park. And usually I'm like, on one of the one side of Sunset. That's how it's been. I've been. This is like my fourth trip out here. We thought about it and so, yeah, I mean, I'll be in a house somewhere, you know, in the back. Back house or whatever. And. And I like it. I don't have a car. I didn't rent a car. And, you know, I have friends in Highland park. And I'll, you know, lift over there.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. Are you gonna see Paul of Tompkins while you're here?

[David Cross]

Yeah, he did the. He did the podcast.

[Kristen Schaal]

Nice. What about Jay Johnson? You gonna see him?

[David Cross]

I. Oh, he's out of prison.

[Kristen Schaal]

I don't even think he stepped foot in.

[David Cross]

Oh, God, what a lucky.

[Kristen Schaal]

What a lucky.

[David Cross]

Yeah, what a lucky traitor. I don't even know where Jay is now.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, I don't either.

[David Cross]

I don't know if he's a proud boy yet or if he's.

[Kristen Schaal]

No, he is. That's why he was there, I think.

[David Cross]

Okay. I don't know.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's. It was a proud. It was a proud boy celebration.

[David Cross]

I didn't know that. Being so proud and be a boy.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. And they're boys.

[David Cross]

Yeah, proud boys.

[Kristen Schaal]

They're very proud, proud boys.

[David Cross]

Anyways, so where do you live? Where do you enrich.

[Kristen Schaal]

We live near here too. But I'm not gonna. For. I'm not gonna give that information away.

[David Cross]

No, just tell me the neighborhood.

[Kristen Schaal]

You live in the east side.

[David Cross]

Further east.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Because we are east, Right.

[Kristen Schaal]

We're pretty east. Right, Casey?

[David Cross]

Right. Yes.

[Kristen Schaal]

I have a question about. Okay, so. But. Oh, just to follow up is. I do want to. I was like, if my next move from LA would be back to New York, because I lived there for 12 years and I really loved it. And I feel. I really. I was like, told Rich, I'm like, if we leave, we'll go back to New York and stay in the city. We were like, oh, you could stay in a suburb. And then it's like, why would I stay in a suburb of New York? I'm in a suburb of New York.

[David Cross]

Westchester. Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

It didn't make sense.

[David Cross]

Who says that? What a weird piece of advice.

[Kristen Schaal]

I don't know. But just, like, because it's cheaper and there's more space and.

[David Cross]

Well, Go to Queens. That's kind of splits the difference. Right.

[Kristen Schaal]

Well, I'll go. I'm gonna live in Clinton Hill, I guess. Go to Marlo School.

[David Cross]

Why?

[Kristen Schaal]

Because you're there.

[David Cross]

Oh.

[Kristen Schaal]

And Amber's there. And then Amber and me, we'll go to Keens.

[David Cross]

We go to where? Oh, Keens.

[Kristen Schaal]

We'll go back to Keens.

[David Cross]

Oh, that's right. We all went to the Keen Steakhouse. Yes. With the. With the. With the pipes.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yes. So this is. Okay, so David Cross was one of my first cheerleaders of standup comedy.

[David Cross]

Yeah. I was an early proponent.

[Kristen Schaal]

He was. He. Right away, he did the hot tub show. And then you took me to London and we did a show at the 100 Club. And it was such a big deal for me.

[David Cross]

It was a big deal for me, though.

[Kristen Schaal]

Exciting.

[David Cross]

A two week residency at a place where, like, the who used to perform the Sex Pistol. Like, that was pretty cool. And it was in you. I don't know if you remember this, but it was literally the two weeks we were doing it were the week before the smoking ban. And it was the last time. In a basement with zero ventilation that was probably built in the 1880s. And. And it was just fucking sweaty and moist and hot. Like just. And everyone's smoking and there's no. It's downstairs.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

And it's. I remember it being hot and sweaty. Very. You know, and smoky.

[Kristen Schaal]

I loved. And then we went to the Phoenix and that was really fun.

[David Cross]

He passed, by the way.

[Kristen Schaal]

I know, you told me.

[David Cross]

Yeah, yeah. That was a good. That was. That was a really fun two weeks. And then both Eugene and I got on. What was the show where you call in and the.

[Kristen Schaal]

What was that?

[David Cross]

And we taped it and then we showed the video at the. It's a show. It's like a weird. Really weird. But it's like cable access type of thing where you can bet. And they have like, you know, pot woman, you know, dressed up and like. Okay. You know, and they what, do a roulette or something like that. And you can. Or is a acrostic type of word puzzle.

[Kristen Schaal]

I. Yeah, I wasn't in on that bit.

[David Cross]

But we fit. We got through, both of us. And so we filmed ourselves trying to answer the puzzles and just. And Eugene did a much better job just really fucking with them and trying to create words that were ridiculous. And then we ended up showing that at the show.

[Kristen Schaal]

I remember Kitson did a set. Daniel Kitson, I've never seen anyone destroy like that.

[David Cross]

Oh, he's absolutely one of My favorite comics. I first saw him, and I'd heard about him, first saw him at the Kilkenny Comedy Festival in Ireland, which I did not do well at. And just watching him, so disarming. Not care or seemingly not care and just be unbreakable. Just laughing and having a good time, even though, you know, people are booing and stuff. And he's just. He was amazing. And I get the sense that he doesn't care for me or my standup.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, really?

[David Cross]

I don't mean. I don't. I mean.

[Kristen Schaal]

Did you see him at my wedding? Did you talk to him?

[David Cross]

Yeah, briefly. And also I brought him over to New York and set up a show for him at Tonic, which I don't think is there anymore, but Lower east side. And he didn't seem. I mean it.

[Kristen Schaal]

Grateful.

[David Cross]

Grateful. And it felt like it was an obligation almost, and it was. And I just got the sense that he. And I was also trying to get him to be in Todd Margaret.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, he won't do tv.

[David Cross]

He won't do tv. And maybe felt like I was pestering him or.

[Kristen Schaal]

That must have been an unusual feeling for you, because I've fucking loved that guy. Like, worship the ground you walk on. So that must have been a real, like.

[David Cross]

Yeah, like, who the fuck are you to not.

[Kristen Schaal]

I'm David, Mr. Show. It's the reason you got in comedy. That kind of feeling. And that's not there. Oof.

[David Cross]

Well, also, I'm just such a huge fan of his. And. And it's just. It's. Look, I get. I come off a certain way and.

[Kristen Schaal]

I rub people like, how do you come off Now I think we're getting somewhere.

[David Cross]

I think people. Not even. I think. I know people can find me aloof or condescending or somebody who thinks they know more than they do or. Now I know that because I've. I've read comments about that. Nobody knows me, but, you know, I don't think people who know me really. I mean, I have a lot of close friends. I'm not sure they're. I doubt they'd be hanging out with me if they were. If they thought I was that kind of. But there are plenty of people who do.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

And. And I'm also more sociable now, like, in. In that kind of situation, because I had, you know, 20 years where I couldn't take a compliment, and I would be just awkward and weird, and I compensate by drinking, and then that would just make it, you know, worse. And I just. And when I remember doing a Mr. Show tour and we had a tour bus, so this would have been probably the first one, I think. And, you know, the show would end and I'd run, I just run out and get on the bus, so I didn't have to deal with, deal with people. And they're nice people, they're all lovely people. I mean, sometimes they're a little, It's a little awkward, but I'm much, much better. I had to make myself be, you know, and I'm glad I did. You know, I, I, I think I'm a better person for it. But I was very awkward and not comfortable with taking compliments and that kind of early fame thing, you know.

[Kristen Schaal]

Well, I remember, like, everybody that I came up with in the comedy world just worshiped Mr. Show. And it really was like, this is why I got into comedy. And I think we became friends because I didn't have cable growing up, so I didn't really. That kind of admiration towards you. Like, I'd seen one sketch when I was in college because someone had it in their dorm room and I was like, ah, this is funny. But I remember waiting in line at the Luna Lounge the first day I met you, and you were behind me. And I turned around, I was like, oh, this guy that's from. He's in that show. So I was like, oh, I like your show. And you were like, easily, thank you. He's in it too. And it was. Brian Poseidon was standing behind you. And I was like, okay, actually seen it.

[David Cross]

And like, I just pawned you off to somebody else. Like, oh, talk to him.

[Kristen Schaal]

And then I was like, I, I didn't know you were in it. And then I just turned around because the little lounge shows, I didn't talk to anybody. That was my.

[David Cross]

Well, that was an intimidating scene too. I mean, yeah, I mean, that was like the cream of the crop. And they were super fun shows to do.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, this was a show for you guys listening. That was in the Lower east side. It's not there anymore.

[David Cross]

Well, the building's not even there.

[Kristen Schaal]

I know. It's like a. Tore it down.

[David Cross]

Yeah, it's a, like a high rise condo.

[Kristen Schaal]

But it was Janine Groffalo and Mark Marin's show and they would just have. Everybody would do it and, and it was very alternative, I would say, I would argue. Like, that's the first time I saw Eugene doing like a weird. I feel like he was wearing like some sort of astronaut helmet. Like, it was just.

[David Cross]

Yeah, it was, it was fun. And did you, like, John Benjamin would go up and he had a.

[Kristen Schaal]

With Glazer a lot.

[David Cross]

With Glazer a lot. Yeah, John Glazer. But he would have. He did a thing at Luna Lounge where he had a. He had hired a bar mitzvah DJ and he. Or wedding dj. So he hired somebody who had no business being there. And it was part of his set to have this. Tj, I can't. I don't know, it was. It was pretty crazy. And I don't know if you were there. One of the last. One of the last nights was 9, the night before 9, 11. 9, 9. September 10th.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, wow. I wasn't there. Well, I was in New York, but I was shooting a show called Mr. Holland's Opus.

[David Cross]

Oh, the movie.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, sorry, it was. No, no, no, that.

[David Cross]

Wait, that's a real. That's a legit movie because it was.

[Kristen Schaal]

With Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Gayhearted and it was actually. It was called something. He was a teacher.

[David Cross]

That's a fuck up.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's a real fuck up.

[David Cross]

You're putting yourself in a well regarded.

[Kristen Schaal]

I wish.

[David Cross]

Yeah, I was in. I was in New York shooting Lawrence of Arabia. Oh, no, wait, that wasn't it. What was it? The original King Kong. I was in New York.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh my God.

[David Cross]

Shooting the original King Kong.

[Kristen Schaal]

Mr. Holland's. Which is better, Mr. Holland's opus or Whiplash? Go.

[David Cross]

Whiplash.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, yeah.

[David Cross]

I mean, that wasn't too hard. Also, I haven't seen Mr. Holland's opus.

[Kristen Schaal]

I've seen it, but it's been a long time. Okay, wait, so you're in it. So I know I was in it, but I just remember it was slow and the craft service was bad. When you did. When you're making shows in London, so you write, you direct, you're shooting them. Do you prefer working in London? Because the actors are so much more talented.

[David Cross]

For me, it's really great to work with people that American audiences might not be that familiar with because then you can buy into the character more. And not that that's the reason I shot stuff there. I shot because I had the opportunity. In fact, it was at the Hundred Club where Clelia Mountford and Jane Bell approached me after a show. And they were like, you know, we want to talk to you about co producing something here for here, you know, whatever. And I was like, okay, whatever. And they gave me a card and we were shooting Tequila and all that stuff. And then it was later, a couple days later, and I was like, hey, what? That lady said she wanted to do a show here. Maybe I should call her. And that eventually turned into the increasingly poor decisions of Todd Margaret and then that led to bliss. But it's. It's just nice to. There's like. You don't have to deal with a lot of bullshit that you have to as a producer here. There's. There's way less kind of hoops to jump through and. And if you have a good producer, which clearly is, you know, one of the best, they take care of a lot of the. The stuff that you might have an issue with and then you're free to. And there's so many talented people there. And yeah, one really stark memory I have, and I think it was. It was before Todd Margaret because I had. Olivia Wingate brought me to London to do a month residency at the Soho Theater on. On Dean street in Soho and at the end of Dean street and Dean street. And if you're listening is. It's a. It's where a lot. It's in Soho and it's where a lot of post is. So there's tons of actors and famous people just walking around. You know, it's. It's got, you know, businesses and coffee shops and all that stuff. But a lot of posts were condensed. You know, it's a tight city there. So you see, you see a lot of these folks. There's a pub at the end of the street called the Nelly Dean. And I remember going there and just getting a pint after editing session or whatever. And there is the amount of talent that was sitting at some of the tables. Just everyone's leaving them alone. Nobody gives a shit. It's crowded and some of like my idols are there, you know, and I. And everybody's. Nobody gives a shit.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

And it was. I remember that being like, you know, I went to have drinks with Charlie Brooker and Chris Morris. Right. I mean, two Mount Rushmore hello. Of British comedy. And we were in some. Again, a different pub in Soho and nobody like. And they knew who they were. But nobody's, you know, people here freak out if they see a Real Housewife, you know. And it was just. It was just so cool. Like I loved that aspect of it.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

That you can hang out in a pub with amazing people and no one's bothering them and no one's. And it's just a community, just like any other community. It's a. You know. But that happens to be showbiz folks and that was pretty cool.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. Just. Just a boy from Georgia hanging out at the Nelly Dean. Yeah.

[David Cross]

And this. With like this the. The Amount of talent there. And you know, because it takes a long time to be rich off of that stuff in, in the uk. So. And people work. You work and work and work. And now the one thing I will say is they, and it's frustrating as an American work used to working on American shows is they don't work as long hours as we will. Like they, you know, after pretty, whatever it is, 10 hours, they're all done and they're like. Not that they don't put in hard work when they're working. They do, they're, they're great. And I, I've used the. Mostly the same people every production. They're just really great. There's a shortcut between us two and, and talking and they know what I want, etc. Etc. But you know, when, you know, 5:00 rolls around, they're putting everything away.

[Kristen Schaal]

Gotta get to the pub like before the tube shuts down and you have.

[David Cross]

To call Grace constantly and you have to have like French, French hours. And, and you know, and it, that is one frustrating part is like because in America you just, you work until you get the shot.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

And. And sometimes you work in, you know, 12, 14 hour days and you get compensated for it. But they're long fucking days.

[Kristen Schaal]

Right.

[David Cross]

And, and it's just understood. You work until you get the thing you need. And that's just not how they, they approach it.

[Kristen Schaal]

You know, what America seems like isn't one of our biggest exports, our entertainment.

[David Cross]

I mean, I would imagine that doesn't surprise me.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, that's always kind of made me proud.

[David Cross]

Yeah. I mean we have good. We have, you know, a lot of crap, but we have some really amazing. We. Bob Odenkirk and I went to Machu Picchu last summer. You did? Yeah. Yeah. And he. Just the two of you and a skeleton crew? Yes. Why I wait?

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, to film yourselves being there or just to be friends, like uniting on a bucket list thing?

[David Cross]

Both. It started with, it started with me, you know, I've been wanting to hike the trail for, I don't know, 25 years and go to Machu Picchu since I saw it in a, you know.

[Kristen Schaal]

I saw it on Paddington just last week.

[David Cross]

Right, There you go. And wait, they shot in Machu Picchu?

[Kristen Schaal]

Well, I, I didn't do the research. I highly doubt it because it's a bear running around and they're like it up.

[David Cross]

I mean, you give it away, right? But that it's a bear.

[Kristen Schaal]

Well, that they're it up.

[David Cross]

Oh, the bear is up.

[Kristen Schaal]

They're getting in the Pichu and they're. And there's like boulders rolling around and crashes.

[David Cross]

Yeah, they probably, I'm pretty sure didn't film at the actual.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, yeah.

[David Cross]

Pinewood Studios.

[Kristen Schaal]

Don't. There's only one film I heard that was allowed to do so and that was Transformers and it was during COVID and it was because, like, shot at Machu Picchu. Yes, they were allowed to shoot at Machu Picchu, but they had major rules. Like, they weren't allowed to. Like they had to carry the equipment up. And I think there was even something where they were only allowed to put sticks down for the camp. Like, it was like major rules. But the people up through our huge Transformer fans. So they're like, yes to you, no to you. Padding. I haven't seen it, but. And then, you know, there's drones and everything.

[David Cross]

Sure, sure. But they have anti drone rules there too.

[Kristen Schaal]

Well, probably after Transformers, I guess I'm making this up, but. Sounds good.

[David Cross]

It sounds really good. I was totally buying it.

[Kristen Schaal]

No, I'm not making up the fact that they shot in Peru because one of. I met an ad who had just come from that job.

[David Cross]

Well then what were you making up?

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, that they, that they shot with drones. I'm making. I don't know if they did or not.

[David Cross]

They probably did. They have a. No, they have a rule about all kinds of stuff. They have, you know.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, wait, so you were there. Go back to. So you were there with Bob Odenkirk?

[David Cross]

Yep.

[Kristen Schaal]

Wow.

[David Cross]

And you know, I gave him a one day head start and then I like. Because he's healthier because I had a gun and he, you know, so I have been wanting to do it for a long time. And I was in a very nice family vacation in the water. Pleasant. Which I loved. I love swimming. I love, you know, whatever is really fun. Bunch of families together. And I was sitting there and it was really pleasant. I was like, I'm. I'm. I love this, but I don't. This isn't my thing. I'd rather. I want something challenging. And. And I was like, I've been saying I've wanted to climb machu picchu for 30 years and I'm going to fucking do it. I'm going to do it next year. No more. And I'm also more aware of my body not cooperating and I've got issues with my feet.

[Kristen Schaal]

How old are you now?

[David Cross]

60.

[Kristen Schaal]

You turned 60?

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Happy birthday. When was your birthday? September.

[David Cross]

No. Well, I'll be 61 in April. So.

[Kristen Schaal]

April. April what?

[David Cross]

Fourth.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, happy birthday.

[David Cross]

Thank you. Yeah. But anyway, I was like, I'm gonna do it. And then I. I thought, who can I get to go? Who likes hiking? And I thought of Mark Rivers. And then I was like, oh, wait, Bob. Bob loves hiking. He's a big hiker and he's in good shape. And who could tolerate me for a week camping out and stuff? And then I thought, oh, Bob. I'll ask Bob. And then my next thought was like, well, I guess we should probably shoot it if it's Bob and I. And so we got literally just two cameras and a sound guy and went.

[Kristen Schaal]

When you say two cameras, two camera men.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Okay.

[David Cross]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

You just didn't add that there was a person attached to the camera. The sound had a guy, but not the camera. So I didn't know if you each had a camera.

[David Cross]

I thought it'd be easier to say. Yeah, and then say two cameramen. Because then you'd say, did the cameramen bring their cameras? I guess you'd assume.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. Well, I just know sound. Gu Is bringing sound.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Right. Okay. Yeah. So two cameras that were attached at times to two gentlemen operating this crew. No.

[Kristen Schaal]

Because there's been a lot of time with you.

[David Cross]

Yeah, no, they were great. They were. And that was part of it.

[Kristen Schaal]

Were they Peruvian?

[David Cross]

No, no, no, they were American. They're out of New York. And, you know, Bob and I, when we decided to do this, we met with a bunch of different doc producers, film producers, and. And they were all great in their own way. And then we went with this company left. Right. Because of some of the stuff they had done already. And it's been great. And in fact, I go home to Sunday and I. Or Saturday, and then Sunday, Bob and I are in the editing room for four hours in New York at the office, reliving your trip well, trying to put it together and make it something. So. And I don't know why, how this came up. It was about hiking or. I don't even know.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, for this conversation.

[David Cross]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

I'm just keeping you talking. But wait, when you were in. When you were at Machu Picchu, what was it like? Did it feel? Because. Because I was just like. Is it just like. Because I don't think I'll ever get there. So is it just like, oh, those are old stones, or is there, like, a vibe?

[David Cross]

To be completely honest, I. Once we. So we hiked the Inca Trail to get there. There's two ways to get there. Either hike and it's either a four day or five day depending on where you camp out and whether you choose to do two passes in the same day or you take, which 95 of the people do take a train to this place and they take a bus up this winding thing and then you get to, and then you're just there and then you're there and.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, that's good to know.

[David Cross]

And it's in the middle of the Andes and I had no interest in that. And one of the, like he was going to be our guide but there was a, some reason why he couldn't be. And his dad, this guy Max and he, he's awesome guy and he grew up in Alante Tambo, which is a tiny, tiny little town. That is where you start the hike basically. And, and, and his dad like, what's the word? Not discovered a trail like created an alternate harder trail along the Salkante Mountain. And, and he, he was, he's just the coolest guy. And, and he was sort of a consultant and he told me we were having drinks one night and he's like, look, you know, by the time you get to Machu Picchu, which is beautiful, it's stunning, it's kind of, it's amazing. That's the middle of nowhere. How'd they do this by the time you get there? Because he's taken the, he's walked the trail like 20, 30 times. He's like, it's just a pile of rocks. And he could not have been more correct for the, the, the struggle of hiking this 37 kilometer trail that is not, it's just rocks and they, you know, and they carved it out of nothing. There was no trail, there's no. So they created the entire thing. And it's really steep ascensions and descending. It's, it's, it's difficult at times and there's lots of steps and, and at one point you're over 14, 000ft above sea level and you know, the oxygen is thin and, and you go through so much.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

And you also pass other ruins along the way. Not that are not even close to the extent and the grandeur of Machu Picchu. But.

[Kristen Schaal]

You mean that pile of rocks?

[David Cross]

That pile rocks. But by the time you get there and you get up to the sun gate and you go through and then it, they have a thing which is really cool. I'm glad they did this. Where if you got to Machu Picchu by the trail and there's only two ways, there's no other. You can either go and there's no left or right. Left is the mountain.

[Kristen Schaal]

Right crashes.

[David Cross]

Okay, well, he's a magic bear imbued with the ability to, you know, with cognitive. He's incredible grown up thinking and. Well, fucking get Paddington to tell you the story. How about that?

[Kristen Schaal]

No, I. Jesus, no. Because he had a lot going on. He had a different journey.

[David Cross]

Anyway, the point is this guy. So if you take the trail, you have access to other parts that the other folks don't.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's fair.

[David Cross]

And it is. I think it is pretty cool. And you're also there with. It's. It's a real true sense of accomplishment when you get there and you get to the end. Because it's hard that day three is a. And they all tell you that. They tell you that. But I remember at the end of the third. The third day, I was just like, if you told me I had to do this again tomorrow, I would say, no, I'm just gonna. I'm gonna take my time. I'll get there on my own. I'm not. I'm not doing this again.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

You know.

[Kristen Schaal]

And was Bob just like constantly being like, oh, this reminds me of when I was doing those lost in the desert scenes of Better Call Saul. And I survived that.

[David Cross]

Oh, that's what you've. You've brought it full circle. Because that's what I was going to talk about. So we went. And. Yes, he did, but we went to. So we were in Peru and he was constantly. I'm talking in Lima. Didn't matter where we were in Lima, in Cusco, in Ollantaytambo. And on the trail, constant in the airports, like, excuse me, Saul. Saul, can I get a picture? And like constantly.

[Kristen Schaal]

So I've seen Better Call Saul, the series twice.

[David Cross]

It's great.

[Kristen Schaal]

I love it so much.

[David Cross]

Yeah. And there are two moments in particular that are some of the best acting. One is when he. It's, I want to say, third season, and he's trying to. He's lying to the insurance lady and he's totally making it up about his brother and stuff. And he's all. But obviously it's a script that he's memorized, but he plays it so perfectly and you can see every little thing as he's making it up. But also imbuing himself with confidence. That. And just. That scene is great.

[Kristen Schaal]

Not to take anything away from Bob Odenkirk, but sometimes I'm like, imagine if we'd been given that. Given something so well written to perform.

[David Cross]

Of course. Yeah. But I mean, yeah, Bob is great and could pull it off, but, you.

[Kristen Schaal]

Know, I think, well, he's special and so are you. But wait, hold on.

[David Cross]

So you're it, Casey, so are you.

[Kristen Schaal]

We're all special. We're all really special in la. What? Wait, when you were. So when you got to Machu Picchu, there was the Sun Gate, you're saying. But I want to know what your. What your reaction was then when you. When you finally got there. Was it just like they said, like, a little bit overwhelmed?

[David Cross]

It wasn't about Machu Picchu anymore.

[Kristen Schaal]

It was about the hike.

[David Cross]

It was about the hike. And that was. I didn't expect that. There was a sense of relief, a sense of, you know, accomplishment, and also the idea that whatever. Because it happened, it got together so quickly. It was like what, six months ago. I was standing in the ocean going, I want to go to Machu Picchu. I'm going to go. God damn it. What other life you have? I mean, I. It's a thing that I.

[Kristen Schaal]

Don't defend it.

[David Cross]

No, I chose to do it. It's not. Anybody can have that life.

[Kristen Schaal]

Wait, wait, when you. When you. So you didn't experience any Machu Picchu citizen ghosts?

[David Cross]

No.

[Kristen Schaal]

At all. Okay. And did you take the train back or did you just slide on your butt back down?

[David Cross]

Oh, you. Yeah, there's no going back the other way.

[Kristen Schaal]

Okay.

[David Cross]

It's. It's a, you know, narrow trail and there's enough. If you stand against the mountain side, you can let people pass and stuff. And occasionally it's wider. In some places, somebody will have a donkey with, you know, packs and stuff. But it's not. I mean, mostly it's a. You're not going back 37 kilometers. That would be awful.

[Kristen Schaal]

Okay.

[David Cross]

You know, so you took the train. So you take the train. Everybody, basically, you get. Take a bus. You get there and there's, you know, it's. It's got its. It's fucking cool and beautiful. And you're. Again, you're in. And the Andes Mountains are particularly jagged. I don't know why, but just. And I think it's the youngest mountain range on Earth, I believe. But it's just a stunning. Every. Every. Every turn you take and everything.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's why it goes by Andy instead of Andrew.

[David Cross]

But I don't understand the Andes. No. I guess that.

[Kristen Schaal]

Because they're so young.

[David Cross]

Oh, okay. Okay. Did you get that right away, Casey? No. Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Honestly, you know, that's why I don't do stand up in Toronto anymore. Anywhere.

[David Cross]

Have you stopped doing stand up?

[Kristen Schaal]

I did stop. It's so nice.

[David Cross]

You're really. You're a wonderful stand. I mean, you made a lot of fans in London.

[Kristen Schaal]

I know, you're right. I. You know what, it's so funny because you. Do you remember Liam? Well, I'm forgetting his last name. Liam was around and he. He always did shows in New York.

[David Cross]

Liam.

[Kristen Schaal]

Liam, like mix something he sent me from Oasis. No, no, he. He was a standup in New York, but he produced a lot of shows and he did one. He taped one that I did at comics like 15 years ago or more.

[David Cross]

Yeah, that's been gone for a while.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. And he wanted. He asked if he could post it on YouTube. And I just saw it this week and it was, you know, it was so fun. I actually enjoyed my performance. And then I was like, oh, I could actually do stuff with that.

[David Cross]

Well, do you. Do you and Kurt.

[Kristen Schaal]

We had our 20th anniversary of Hot.

[David Cross]

Tub or doing and we ended Hot Tub, so. Oh, Officially.

[Kristen Schaal]

Officially, yeah.

[David Cross]

Nice.

[Kristen Schaal]

That was good. That felt good.

[David Cross]

Hot Tub was a fun show. You and Kurt were always had fun stuff.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Kristen Shaw is a horse.

[Kristen Schaal]

Kristen Shaw is a horse. A solid bit.

[David Cross]

Yep.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, I. I can see what I would probably do. Stand up again. But I have this, like, weird. I really like acting and then I really want to write my own thing. I want to write.

[David Cross]

You can do both.

[Kristen Schaal]

I can do both. But it's. I don't know about you, but, like, my day is packed with a kid. Like, you know, it's like, I get. I get her to school and then if you have like any other thing during the day, let alone like, I wish I could exercise, but you have jobs and other things. And then you. Then you. School, aftercare is over and then you're home and then I don't want to do shows at night right now. Like, I really like putting her to bed. She's having, like, trouble with nightmares. And so I just feel like.

[David Cross]

I get that.

[Kristen Schaal]

I want to do that.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

But. But I think I will always come back to that, I hope.

[David Cross]

Because what is. What is Ruby gravitating towards? Like, what is she starting to show you about herself?

[Kristen Schaal]

She. She has crushes. That just happened like a few weeks ago. And she. What else? She really likes animals. She likes nature. She loves. Does a thing too. I was like, God, if we move to New York, we have to make sure we go to Central Park a lot.

[David Cross]

We'll go to Prospect Park. I live in between Prospect park and Fort Greene.

[Kristen Schaal]

I would always imagine if I came back to New York, I would want to. My dream.

[David Cross]

You said you wouldn't be in the city.

[Kristen Schaal]

My dream living when I was in Brooklyn and maybe. Cause, you know, I had. I worked in Manhattan every day. So every day I was in Manhattan and all my fancy Manhattan friends never took the train to Brooklyn. And I was like, must be nice.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

I was like, if I ever come back to New York City, I'm gonna like, I'll be a Manhattan gal. That's what I say.

[David Cross]

But you did live in Manhattan.

[Kristen Schaal]

And then I did live in Manhattan. I forgot. With Rich for a couple years.

[David Cross]

You guys on all your Emmys. I still have shelves and shelves of Emmys. What's Rich doing now?

[Kristen Schaal]

He's like writing movies with Rob Anderson. I don't know if you know Rob.

[David Cross]

I don't.

[Kristen Schaal]

But he wrote this funny movie that they're not gonna make it, but it was about a QAnon person who. It's like, what if every conspiracy theory of QAnon was true? And so she just starts discovering that she's right the whole time.

[David Cross]

That's the movie that is kind of close to a crazy, you know, Mark Chappell at all.

[Kristen Schaal]

I don't.

[David Cross]

Writer, British writer. He had this idea and I was helping him with it that was about kind of similar thing where they discovered in Ukraine this. This guy, this guy who was. Who I was going to play, he was like this washed up. He had one hit and he was still living off that hit. And he lives in like a, you know, one room bungalow up somewhere off of West Hollywood. And people remember him, but it's. It was like a dumb thing and there was. And he was just a partied too much and blah, blah, blah. And this show took place in. In the Ukraine. And it was discovered that in the show that Russia had been interfering in the presidential election. All this stuff. And it was all kind of through this show that he produced in Ukraine and where he stumbles upon going like, wait a second, this is real. And. And then Russia invaded Ukraine.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh my God.

[David Cross]

We were like, well, there goes that. Yeah, there goes that idea. But it was kind of similar in the sense of like all the things that you've heard are, you know, it's.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Actually did happen.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

And you know, and people from the show have mysteriously died and all this stuff. And it really was a Russian inter. You know, he was manipulated into making this propaganda. Anyway, that was similar thing.

[Kristen Schaal]

Are you. Do you use Botox? Your skin is like so smooth and you don't have any, like, wrinkles?

[David Cross]

I. Yeah. I don't know. I mean, I've been told when they do nothing, I do nothing. No facials? No. No facials.

[Kristen Schaal]

But you must use some eye cream or something.

[David Cross]

I don't use eye cream. Do you have a moisturizer? I'll put moisturizer on my. Yeah, I'll rub it on my hands and rub it on my face and head. I did have a biopsy. If you take a look at that just recently.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh. Oh.

[David Cross]

It turned out to be benign. So no cancer. Oh, I gotta tell Amber. I forgot.

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, call her now.

[David Cross]

I'll call her after this. But, yeah, I forgot to.

[Kristen Schaal]

How's Amber doing?

[David Cross]

She's great. You know, she's. She's a little frustrated. You know, like anybody who has a period where they're not working like, they want to work. And so she's kind of going through that, and. But she just. She had this project. She was trying to write a new novel, and she went on this writer's retreat, and she said it all kind of clicked for her, and so that was good. So she has this thing to be working on, but. Kristen Schall, thank you so much. Is there anything you want to plug, let people know about upcoming stuff?

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah. As Casey knows, we have a podcast starting in April with your friend Tony Hale.

[David Cross]

Oh, great.

[Kristen Schaal]

And Matt Oberg called the Extraordinarians, where we interview people who have broken, like, world records and things like that. That. That's gonna be a big hit.

[David Cross]

Okay. You're doing that with head gum?

[Kristen Schaal]

Oh, yeah, I guess. So you'll be here? I'll be next door.

[David Cross]

Okay. Well, yeah. Literally right there.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

But in the studio. Yeah, the same. Okay.

[Kristen Schaal]

That's why I knew about this. This is a very good tea.

[David Cross]

Okay.

[Kristen Schaal]

Called London Fog from your other favorite city. How's Wendy?

[David Cross]

She just had to put down her dog today.

[Kristen Schaal]

No.

[David Cross]

So I gotta call her.

[Kristen Schaal]

Okay.

[David Cross]

Yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

God, you gotta do some calls and calls with your lady.

[David Cross]

I don't have cancer. Sorry about the dog. So I end every episode with a question from my daughter Marlo, who you know. And your question is going to be.

[Kristen Schaal]

Is this specific for me, or is it just questions? Okay. Oh, man.

[David Cross]

Kristen Schall. My daughter Marla would like to know what is the least bad thing that Trump did. What is the least bad thing? And that's a legit question. You feel free to answer it in any way.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, no, this is good. I mean. Okay, this is good. I. I feel nervous talking about politics just because only Because I feel like I need to read more stuff.

[David Cross]

Well, you're talking to a seven year old who. And she worded it that way. Least bad. What is the least bad thing that Trump did?

[Kristen Schaal]

I think the least bad thing. Well, okay. In my mind, when he was. When. Okay, when he was saying that he was gonna go talk to Kim Jong Un in North Korea and everybody was like, we don't talk to him because he's evil. And the way we handle evil people is we ignore them until they're good and then we'll. Then we'll just. Then we'll talk to them. And I kind of was a little. I didn't tell anybody, but I kind of like that he was like, I'm gonna go talk to him. I just don't know how that. It seemed like a good move, actually.

[David Cross]

There you go.

[Kristen Schaal]

I did it again.

[David Cross]

Perfectly acceptable answer.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah, just. Why don't chat to everybody.

[David Cross]

Yeah, just leave. The least bad thing he did.

[Kristen Schaal]

I think that might be police.

[David Cross]

Yeah. I'm not judging. I'm not giving you a. That's right. That's good. Or. But it's perfectly acceptable. And yeah.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Thank you.

[Kristen Schaal]

What else did he do? Oh, you know what? Wait, and also, Marlo, he did a pretty good job in Home Alone.

[David Cross]

Do you think so? I don't. Was that the original Home Alone or.

[Kristen Schaal]

The original Home Alone? Didn't he just say second Home Alone? Oh, there's Home Alone too. He just, like, looked at him, right? And then walked away.

[David Cross]

Gave him directions.

[Kristen Schaal]

That was it.

[David Cross]

Yeah, I thought that was the least bad thing you did.

[Kristen Schaal]

Yeah.

[David Cross]

Okay, great. Since is working Overtime is a Headgum podcast created and hosted by me, David Cross. The show is edited by Katie Skelton and engineered by Nicole Lyons with supervising producer Emma Foley. Thanks to Demi Druchin for our show art and Mark Rivers for our theme song. For more podcasts by headgum, visit headgum.com or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and maybe we'll read it on a future episode. I'm not gonna do that. Thanks for listening. That was a Headgum podcast.