Will Ferrell Talks Decades of Comedic Roles and His Favorite SNL Sketches (February 2025)

Summary

---

Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: Will Ferrell Talks Decades of Comedic Roles and His Favorite SNL Sketches

Release Date: August 17, 2025
Host: Willie Geist
Guest: Will Ferrell

---

Overview

In this engaging episode, Willie Geist sits down with iconic comedian and actor Will Ferrell at a restaurant near Rockefeller Center. Their wide-ranging conversation covers Will’s new film with Reese Witherspoon, heartfelt insights into his Will & Harper documentary, reflections on his early comedy days and SNL, his approach to memorable movie roles, and the enduring cultural impact of his performances. The tone is light, self-deprecating, and warm, peppered with laughter and signature Ferrell humor.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Will Ferrell’s New Film: Working with Reese Witherspoon

(03:39–09:07)

• Film’s Premise: Two couples accidentally book the same destination wedding; Ferrell and Witherspoon star as the contrasting parents.
• Genesis: Nick Stoller, a longtime friend, pitches the movie, which begins as a simple, funny concept (03:55).
  • Memorable moment: Stoller’s “maniacal laughter” after pitching the wedding premise.
• Casting Reese Witherspoon: Both stars wanted to work together. Ferrell praises her comedic roots and their instant chemistry (05:13).
  • “The funniest things are executed by committing to the character. No matter how silly the premise is, you have to believe that you’re doing it for real.” – Will Ferrell (05:51)
• About His Character, Jim: A single dad, devoted to his daughter, skilled at “hair, makeup, and baking,” returning to a significant family location (06:24).
• Film’s Tone: Balances nostalgia with unexpected emotional depth; rated R mainly for language (07:30).
• Ferrell’s Current Criteria for Roles: Seeks projects with people he admires and unique spins – does it “feel different?” (07:56)
• Humor and Heart: The famed “emotional touchstone” scene involves wrestling an alligator (08:54).

---

2. "Will & Harper" Documentary: Friendship, Transition, and Kindness

(09:08–19:32)

• Story: Chronicles Ferrell’s cross-country trip with longtime friend and SNL writer Harper Steele after her transition at age 59 (09:36).
• Harper’s Announcement: Email subject line: “Here’s a weird one” (09:36).
  • “In some ways it’s really sad it took me this long…in other ways it’s so beautiful that my psyche wasn’t allowing me to suppress this anymore.” – Will Ferrell (09:52)
• Purpose: To support Harper, and explore how America receives her as a trans woman; also to learn and ask questions on behalf of curious or nervous allies (11:55).
  • “She makes it really clear: ask me anything…if you make a mistake in the way you’re asking, just ask.” – Will Ferrell (12:19)
• On-the-Road Experiences: Encountered far more kindness than hostility; “for most people, their resting place is kindness” (13:35).
  • Touching Grand Canyon moment: a retired therapist shares her own regrets about counseling a trans patient (14:17).
• Filmmaking Doubts: Initially believed “nothing happened,” but it turned out to be a powerful story (15:57).
• On Risk and Political Conversation: Ferrell acknowledges risk due to politicization but wanted to support his friend and follow his instincts (17:32).
  • “If no one wants to watch my movies…that’ll be a good one to go out on.” – Will Ferrell (17:37)
• SNL-style moments: Filming in disguise in Vegas leads to comedic mishaps, like a mustache falling off (19:20).

---

3. Early Years and Finding Comedy

(21:22–27:03)

• Family Life: Raised in suburban California by a musician father and teacher mother; did not view entertainment as a stable path.
• Comedy’s Role: Always loved making friends laugh, but initially pursued “real jobs” (bank teller, sports journalism) out of caution (21:56).
  • “I’d rather do standup comedy on the Tonight Show naked than go to work today.” – Will Ferrell quote about bank teller nerves (23:54)
• Bank Teller Stories: Recalls fumbling with money counts, being the worst teller, leading to “character building moments” (24:50).
• Deciding to Try Comedy: Took a Groundlings improv class to scratch an itch. Quickly realized he’d found his calling (26:25).
  • “There was no…it does not feel like work to me…this is what I want to do.” – Will Ferrell (26:25)

---

4. Saturday Night Live: Auditions, Fame, and Favorite Sketches

(27:03–37:59)

• SNL Audition: Intimidating, surreal experience; required to impersonate celebrities to an empty studio (27:21).
  • “You could run right now. You could just get in the elevator and go back.” – Will Ferrell (27:55)
  • Second audition: improvised a surreal cat toy bit, trusting his comedic instinct (29:19).
• The Briefcase Bit: Intended to impress Lorne Michaels by bringing fake money, but never had the right moment (29:55).
  • “The tone is not fun and games…what comedian carries a briefcase?” – Will Ferrell (30:18)
• Memorable SNL Characters: Cheerleaders, Dubya, cowbell guy, “old prospector,” “the lovers” with Rachel Dratch.
  • Overlooked Favorite: Old Prospector. Born from index-card challenges with Harper Steele: “You need to write that sketch,” Harper prompted (33:43).
  • Lovers “hot tub professors” sketch: aim was “to make the other people break” (34:46).
• Leaving SNL: Hard, scary decision. At first, Hollywood prospects were uncertain; took a “leap of faith” (35:11).
  • “If someone had said…you only get to do Saturday Night Live, I would have signed on the dotted line.” – Will Ferrell (35:14)
• Breakthrough Films: Old School, Elf, Anchorman—none were locked in when he left (37:02).

---

5. Movie Legacy and the Art of the Fool

(40:28–47:15)

• Signature Roles: Anchorman, Talladega Nights, The Other Guys, Old School, Elf, Step Brothers.
• Comic Thread: Plays “the guy next door” with a “rug pull”—audiences relate to him and are surprised by his outrageousness (40:47).
  • “I’m like the guy who lives next door that you don’t think I’m gonna say the things that I say. And that is the rug pull that has worked for me.” – Will Ferrell (40:51)
• Central Archetype: Men with unwarranted, supreme confidence fascinate him: “Ron Burgundy, Ricky Bobby…” (42:13).
• Legacy Quotes: Frequently cited lines include:
  • “Did we just become best friends?” (Step Brothers)
  • “You’re my boy, Blue!” (Old School)
  • “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” (Elf)
  • "Shake and bake," “Milk was a bad choice,” “Glass case of emotion,” “Stay classy,” “Go f yourself, San Diego.”
  • “People will yell things I don’t recognize as a quote from my movie.” – Will Ferrell (42:50)
• Audience Love: Ferrell delights in stories of families quoting him, and gentle ribbing about earning royalties for catchphrases (44:21).
• Public Persona: Not “on” all the time, but loves occasional outlandish public appearances (e.g., Buddy the Elf at a LA Kings game, Conan with a parrot, the nunchuck cameo in Wedding Crashers) (45:08, 46:19).
  • “It’s just fun to still be out in the world and do weird stuff like that.” – Will Ferrell (45:58)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Commitment to Characters:
  • “You don’t wink at the camera ever, even if you’re going off a cliff.” – Will Ferrell (06:02)
• On the "Will & Harper" Road Trip:
  • “For most people, their resting place is kindness…when you really sit down and have a conversation, it becomes less mystical, less scary.” – Will Ferrell (13:36)
• SNL Audition Pressure:
  • “You could run right now. You could just get in the elevator and go back.” – Will Ferrell (27:55)
• Iconic Movie Quote Interactions:
  • “People just get mad at me…‘Why are you so sweaty?’ I was riding a bike! ‘No, from Step Brothers!’” – Will Ferrell (42:50)

---

Highlighted Timestamps

• 03:39 — Discussing new movie premise, casting, collaborating with Reese Witherspoon
• 09:36 — Harper Steele’s coming out email; the beginning of “Will & Harper”
• 13:35 — Discovering kindness across America during their documentary road trip
• 17:32 — Weighing the “risk” of participating in a transgender visibility project
• 21:56 — Ferrell’s childhood, suburban upbringing, and attraction to comedy
• 27:21 — SNL audition story, surreal empty studio
• 29:55 — The “briefcase of fake money” bit for Lorne Michaels
• 33:43 — Old Prospector and The Lovers: favorite SNL sketches
• 35:11 — The difficult leap from SNL to Hollywood
• 40:47 — The thread through his beloved movie characters
• 42:13 — The character archetype: “supreme but unwarranted confidence”
• 44:21 — Family-quoted lines, “breakfast of champions” moment
• 45:58 — Enjoyment of doing eccentric public appearances

---

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode feels like a back-and-forth between old friends, filled with Ferrell’s trademark dry wit and Geist’s genuine admiration. Ferrell is candid about career doubts, grateful for his success, and always ready to undercut himself with a self-effacing joke. The mood remains warm, informal, and celebratory throughout.

---

Useful For:

• Fans seeking a deep-dive into Will Ferrell’s career and creative processes
• Those interested in behind-the-scenes SNL stories and comedic development
• Viewers wanting insight into the making and purpose of “Will & Harper”
• Anyone looking to better understand the evolution of modern American comedy through one of its icons

---

Transcript

[Unidentified Female Patron]

Wasn't that delicious?

[Will Ferrell]

So good. Your bill, ladies. I got it. No, I got it. Seriously, I insist.

[Nature's Bounty Advertiser]

I assisted first.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, don't be silly. You don't be silly.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

People with the Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card prefer to pay because they earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

[Will Ferrell]

Okay. Rock, paper, scissors for it. Rock, paper, scissors. Shoot. No.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

The Wells Fargo ActiveCash credit card. Visit Wells Fargo.com ActiveCash terms apply.

[Chevrolet Advertiser]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist, and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet. Together, let's drive foreign.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Hey, guys.

[Willie Geist]

Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit down podcast. My thanks, as always, for clicking and listening along. I know I say often how excited I am to bring you a conversation, and I always mean it because I love our guests. But I may be a little extra excited this week because we have one of my favorite people in all of entertainment. For my money, the funniest man on the planet. He is Will Ferrell. I will not waste your time or insult your taste in high comedy with a long, winding introduction because, you know, this man also am battling a sinus infection and nobody wants to hear this voice for very long. We actually got together a little restaurant right off the rink at Rockefeller center, in the shadow of the building where he held an office and and sat and performed for those seven seasons on snl. Also, the rink where he skated was Zoe Deschanel, an elf. Remember that? So anyway, you know the story of Will Frell. Irvine, California. Grows up, his dad is a keyboard player for the Righteous Brothers. Goes to usc, gets a job as a bank teller, tries to have what he calls a real job. Then he goes, this isn't working. Joins the Groundlings, the Improv Group in LA discovered there by Lauren Michaels, hired in 95. Seven seasons there, and then right out of SNL, those make or break years where you're not sure if your favorite cast member is going to make it in this new chapter, he comes out with old school elf and anchorman, all within the space of just about a year. And in the rest is history. The man is off to the races. So a really fun conversation with Will. He was so great to Be with. So relaxed, obviously. So funny. And I'm so thrilled to bring you a conversation right now with Will Ferrell on the Sunday Sit down podcast.

[Will Ferrell]

Will, this is your restaurant, right? Yes. That you own?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yes.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Do you like it?

[Will Ferrell]

It's okay. Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

We're not serving yet, unfortunately, so just the water. Bottomless, though. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Start simple. Simple menu, water as much as you want.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Unlimited. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

It's bottom.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

The waiter will be around shortly as it gets. That gets lower.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Perfect. So happy to have you on the show.

[Will Ferrell]

Great to be here.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

We've been doing this show for a little while now, and you've always been at the top of our list, so thank you for doing this.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm glad I did not fall off.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

You didn't?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And when we asked previously, you were adamant, I will not sit at a table with that guy.

[Will Ferrell]

I was pretty adamant. And then I've lowered my standards. And here we are.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Here we are.

[Will Ferrell]

Here we are together.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Well, it's great to have you. Either way. Congratulations on the movie.

[Will Ferrell]

Thank you.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

It is so much fun. I was just talking to our producers. It feels to me like a return to, like, two people. I really like. Meet the Fockers, Wedding Crashers, all those just fun movies where worlds collide. What did you love about the idea when you heard it?

[Will Ferrell]

I just. Nick Stoller, who wrote and directed the movie, who's done so many great comedies, he and I have been friends for a long time, and. And he just. He said, hey, I want to give you a call. I've got this idea for a movie. And I'm like, great. And he calls me. He's like, so it's basically two weddings booked at the same destination on the same date, and that's all I have. And then he starts maniacally laughing, of which I'm like, okay, yeah, let's do it.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

That was it.

[Will Ferrell]

So that was it. And then we also started spitballing about who would. The other person. We're like, someone like Reese Witherspoon. What about Reese Witherspoon? And then she said, I'm in as well. And here we are. But. But people are loving it. People like. Like you said, I think there's, like, this nostalgic quality to this type of film and this type of comedy, and at the same time, they're. They're getting surprised at kind of, you know, how much heart it has.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Also, you mentioned Reese. She has said, on the other side of it, she got a similar phone call and said, bucket list for me to work with Will Ferrell. And she didn't hesitate before she jumped in. What was it like working with her?

[Will Ferrell]

She's. She's fantastic. You know, I think this will remind people how funny Reese is and that America's Sweetheart got started in comedy. And she's just so good. She's so good. We played really well off each other, and it was like that from the first read through. And we just. We kind of share the same sensibility in that the funniest things are executed by committing to the character. No matter how silly the premise is, no matter how stupid your actions are, you have to believe that you're doing it for real. And so we just fit perfectly.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I would argue there's a thread through all of your characters in movies, what you just described. Just commit to it. Go all the way.

[Will Ferrell]

You don't wink at the camera ever, ever, even if you're going off a cliff. But, I mean, that's what's guided me this whole time.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

There's so many bits in the movie that I won't give away in this interview because people want to go see it. But let's just talk a little bit about the premise. Who is Jim and where is he in his life at this moment?

[Will Ferrell]

Jim is a single parent. He's dedicated his entire life to raising his daughter, who is kind of like his best friend, and he wants her life to be perfect and finds out that she's engaged, just coming out of college and at a very young age, which is a surprise to him. At the same time, he wants her to have the perfect wedding. And because he grew up as a single parent, he. He has a lot of skills that a lot of single dads wouldn't. He's a very good hairstylist. He knows hair and makeup.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Sure does.

[Will Ferrell]

He's an excellent baker. He's made her wedding cake, and he's going back to the place where he and his wife were married. So this Palmetto island is a very significant place to him, as it is for Rhys's character and her family, which is why the stakes are so high.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

We should point out. It's got a good edge to it, too.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Our rating.

[Will Ferrell]

Right.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Language situations.

[Will Ferrell]

Right. Mostly about language.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

But, you know, in a good way. In a good way. Yeah. It's. It's. It's. Yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

So when you get a phone call to do a movie these days, given where you are in your career, what does it take to get you out the door and away from your family for a couple of months? What's important to You.

[Will Ferrell]

I want it to be, you know, now I. I want to work with people I really want to work with. I want it to be something that just feels different from what I've done. It doesn't have to be totally different, but just at least in a slightly different category. And yeah, it's really about just having the most fun and working with great people is where I'm kind of at right now.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

When I finished the movie yesterday, I thought that's what a movie should be. I just had a good time. It didn't ask a lot of me. I don't feel like it was teaching me a grand lesson. Maybe I missed it. Correct me if I'm wrong. Oh boy.

[Will Ferrell]

That you didn't think about your life.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Well, actually, I take that back. I have a daughter of a certain age where some of the themes did kind of destroy me very briefly before you brought me back and wrestled an alligator.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Level set. Level set us.

[Will Ferrell]

That's the, that is the emotional touchstone scene of the movie when I wrestle an alligator. Yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And people have to watch to understand how or if that makes sense right within the context of the movie. Congrats. It's really fun. Really fun.

[Will Ferrell]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Also have to give you congratulations for the reception for the documentary Will and Harper. That was really. Talk about being touched by something and moved by something. For people who haven't seen it, a SNL writer you worked with for a long time who was hired, I think the same week you were in 1995, her name's Harper Steele, sends you an email during COVID saying what?

[Will Ferrell]

That at age 59 that she will be transitioning. And of course always the comedy writer, the subject heading was here's a weird one and just throws it away. But yes, at age 59, I will be transitioning to a woman. And that it's something. In some ways it's really sad that it took me this long to get to this point. In other ways, it's so beautiful that basically my psyche wasn't allowing to suppress this anymore and so just reached out to her and said, wow, congrats, I love you. Can't wait to see you soon. And. And then that started. I started thinking about the fact that one of the things that Harper loves doing and really defines her are these cross country road trips that she loves taking. And everyone who knew Steel and knows Steel is like, oh no, she allows. She takes four or five of these a year. And I started thinking, oh, I wonder how that's going to change now. As A trans woman. And can she go to the same places that she wouldn't have thought twice before? And when we finally got a chance to meet in person, I brought this up to her that would you want to go on a road trip? And I'll go with you as your advocate, your friend, and go to these places as your new self, and maybe it'll make it less awkward, more comfortable, and at the same time, it'll give me an opportunity to ask all these questions I have so that I can be a good friend. And. And. And we'll film it. P. S. We're gonna film it. Which she immediately, she was like, that's the sweetest thing. I can't believe you're bringing this up. But no, there's no way. And eventually she came around to thinking, you know what? This could be a. A neat opportunity.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah. You mentioned, and I think among the many beautiful parts of that film is because of your friendship, you had the ability to ask all these questions on that long trip that, frankly, a lot of us have and don't have an opportunity to ask or afraid to ask. Don't know if we're allowed to ask. Do you think that was an important part of this journey, was to speak for a whole lot of people, not just the two of you in the car, for sure.

[Will Ferrell]

And she had the grace to kind of, you know, for anyone who's seen it, she makes it really clear, like, ask me anything, like, you're my friend, like, I don't care if you make a mistake, quote, unquote, in the way you're asking, or just. And so I think that's the beauty of what Josh Greenbaum, our director, did. He kind of let you know, warts and all. It shows me kind of stumbling through the process and making sure I'm. I'm kind of, you know, phrasing things the right way. And you see. You kind of see my transition as someone who becomes more well versed in what it means to have a friend who's. Who's trans. But, yeah, I think that was. That's one of the takeaways people get from watching it.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Were you surprised, Will, one way or the other, by the response you got out on the road? I'm thinking of the scene where you go into the bar, the roadhouse, kind of joy, and she sits down and finds a group of friends to talk with. Or you go to the race, or you go to the steakhouse. What surprised you about the trip?

[Will Ferrell]

I think we. I think we were. I think we were pleasantly surprised. I mean, of course there's hate out there, there's pockets of hate, and that's a reality to anyone in the LGBTQ community. But I think we were pleasantly surprised that I think for most people, they're kind of resting places. Kindness that when you really sit down and have a conversation with someone and it becomes less mystical, less scary. And when we'd have these conversations, people were like, well, great to meet you and you're welcome anytime. And I think that's really who we are as Americans. I think the media tries to get us to. And politics and stuff tries to get us to, to be at odds with each other, but, boy, there's just a lot of nice people out there. And yeah, we were really surprised at some of those environments. We were really surprised at. There's a great moment at the Grand Canyon in which this couple who were traveling around, it turns out she's a retired therapist and she comes up and is actually is making amends for. And Harper's now the therapist. And as she's bringing up the fact that she thinks she gave a patient bad advice and wanted to transition, and she's like, I'm sure I talked them out of it. And Harper was like, give yourself a break, it's okay. So we just had a lot of beautiful moments like that, that. The funny thing is, is you spend 17 days in a car, you're talking, you're going along, you're not necessarily remembering what just happened from the previous day. And when we got to LA and we're there at the beach in Santa Monica and it was a wrap, and we're walking back to our cars and Harper and I turned to each other like, God, we will never forget this. But I don't think there's a movie there. I don't, I don't. Nothing happened. You know, there was. There wasn't a dramatic. There wasn't. And sure enough, you know, the skill, the filmmaker, he found that movie. So that's why it's been such an amazing journey to go from that moment where we didn't even know there was a movie. And we're still, you know, you know, deep down, we're still governed by being self loathing comedians. So we're like, no one's gonna watch this to, you know, it's been from January to this. January, last January to this. January has been the, the best year, especially for Harper. She's. It's been phenomenal.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Starting at Sundance a year ago. Like right now. Yeah, for a full year. Yeah, Yeah, I totally agree with you about the kindness thing that we gin up this and these cartoon versions of people who are different. As someone said, it's hard to hate up close. You meet somebody, go, oh, you're a person and you're funny and you have all these things that I like about people.

[Will Ferrell]

Someone doesn't necessarily agree or understand, they're going to keep it to themselves. They're not going to, you know, shake their fist in your face. So that was nice to be reminded of all that.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Did you see Will Any risk in it? You were so universally beloved by everyone, no politics involved because of your career. Did you see any risk into stepping into what for some people is a political conversation?

[Will Ferrell]

Absolutely. I recognize that it could carry that, but I was willing to take that risk. And I just thought, okay, what's the worst thing that could happen? No one wants to watch my movies. No one. You know, I get shunned for doing this. Okay, it'll be a good one to go out on. But it just didn't, I don't know, I, I, I've had a pretty good success rate on, on going with that first thought and not second guessing it. And this was just another example of that. And I was, I was willing to roll the dice and, and I think at least I had that feeling that we were at least going to be slightly humorous throughout it with our conversation. We know each other so well. It wasn't a get up on your soapbox type of thing. It's really just a conversation between friends and advocacy, regardless of what anyone's going through, in a way. So I kind of landed there with it.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah, the dinner in Vegas was particularly.

[Will Ferrell]

And here's the weird thing, I'm dressed like that and there's a camera crew. Obviously, no one comes up even looking like that guy. David Abernathy. Abernathy. Very good. Thank you. Even looking like David Abernathy. No one approached me. So the, so the disguise did work.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I love how the waiter, too, just had to keep his professionalism and tell you about the specials and John.

[Will Ferrell]

John. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Do we think John knew at the end of the day?

[Will Ferrell]

I think John did at the end.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Eventually he knew.

[Will Ferrell]

Eventually he knew. Yeah, but when your mustache falls off, there's a good chance that was a.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Very SNL moment where just comes off and you're desperately trying to glue it on.

[Will Ferrell]

It's another kismet moment in shooting that, that scene in that movie.

[Willie Geist]

Hey, guys, thanks for listening to the Sunday Sit down podcast. Stick around to hear more from Will Ferrell.

[Nature's Bounty Advertiser]

Right after the break, your body is brilliant. Nature's Bounty has a bounty of solutions to help you thrive, supporting your systems from your head to your heels. Nature's Bounty High absorption magnesium glycinate supports heart, bone, nerve and muscle health, while just one hair growth capsule a day helps grow thicker, fuller hair. Delicious new Nature's Bounty probiotic gummies contain prebiotics and postbiotics, supporting gut health, regularity and immune health. Nature's Bounty it's in your nature. Learn [e-mail] these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[Chevrolet Advertiser]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist, and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.

[LifeLock Advertiser]

Sometimes an identity threat is a ring of professional hackers. And sometimes it's an overworked accountant who forgot to encrypt their connection while sending bank details.

[Will Ferrell]

I need a coffee.

[LifeLock Advertiser]

And you need Lifelock because your info is in endless places. It only takes one mistake to expose you to identity theft. LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second. If your identity is stolen, we'll fix it and guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year at lifelock.com specialoffer terms apply.

[Willie Geist]

Welcome back. Now more of my conversation with Will Ferrell.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

So let's talk about SNL right across the street from here. And if I can, before we get to it, just to go back to sort of the genesis of where comedy enters your life, because you're obviously people know your dad was the keyboard player for the Righteous Brothers, your mom's a teacher, you were an athlete, you were in student council in high school, all things like, I'm a suburban American kid, right? What a good upbringing. At what point does comedy become important in your life, if not yet a career goal, but something that you know you're good at?

[Will Ferrell]

It's I've had enough times answering this question that I, I think I finally have the answer. I, I, it's just something I always wanted to do, but I didn't give it kind of any thought or any, any weight because I just saw how unpredictable my dad's life was as an entertainer. So I thought, I'm just not going to do that. There's no way. I, you know, I want a real job. And I didn't know what that meant, but I envision myself carrying a briefcase to a job somewhere in a building. Briefcase comes back into play.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

It does.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. And so I just didn't allow. But I loved making my friends laugh. I loved consuming comedy any way I could. And it just, it continued through college. And even though I pursued sports journalism, once again, something that was comedy, it felt like entertainment, but was still more of a real job. And it really wasn't until I. I graduated and I took my first class at the ground. I thought, you know what? This is like an. This is an itch that if I don't scratch it, I'll. I'll have it forever. So it was just that moment where I thought, I better. I better just give it a shot. And. Probably not gonna happen, but I'll. At least I'll know.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Let's see.

[Will Ferrell]

Let's see.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah, you graduated college, moved back home. I did the same thing.

[Will Ferrell]

Great.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Drove a liquor delivery truck in Jersey.

[Will Ferrell]

That's a sign of greatness.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

It is.

[Will Ferrell]

Moved back home, bank teller. Drove the liquor truck, Drove the liquor truck.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Is it true, and I hate to put you on the spot here.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

That the count was off some days when you were a bank teller, that there was some money?

[Will Ferrell]

I'm not at liberty to say.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Not yet.

[Will Ferrell]

Is this being recorded, this whole interview?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Your attorney's right over there.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh. Can I say anything? I was such a bad bank teller. My first day. I remember leaving the house. I said to my mom, I would rather do stand up comedy on the Tonight show naked than go to work today. I'm so nervous about making a mistake. So I go, I'd get through my. I would make one transaction and then shut my window down. And then. Is everything okay? Open my window again. Next, it was like one every 15 minutes. And we get to the end of the day and you cash out. And I was like, $300 short. And the manager's like, that's okay. So. And so was 300 over and the other, you know, window. Maybe you guys just traded money. I was like, yeah, maybe we did. Who? Let's. Like, that's bad management.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

But it wasn't malicious. You just counted incorrectly.

[Will Ferrell]

And I know, I know we didn't trade money. So I just went, yeah. I mean, may. Yeah. And then the next day, I was off by the weirdest number like $258.37. I'm like. She's like, what's going on? I'm like, I don't know.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I'm very nervous.

[Will Ferrell]

I'm very nervous. And then I had. Then I was good. Okay, but the first two days.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And maybe someone was pranking me this whole time, but nice.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

The manager gave you another shot after two straight days of.

[Will Ferrell]

You have to know, I was. I was so nerv. Like, the nerves never calmed down to the point where there was a regular customer who'd come in every Thursday to, like, cash or check or whatever, and I couldn't do the thing they wanted. And he just said, let me call your manager over. And he's like, this is your worst teller. He's awful. And he's like. He's sweaty and weird. And she's like, hey, that's not nice. I'm like, no, it's true. But he berated me in a really calm way to her, and she was defending me, and I was like, I can't argue with anything he's saying. So those are, you know, character building moments.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

So needless to say, that was not the future.

[Will Ferrell]

That was not the career, the financial world.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

No, no. You stepped out of that world and onto a stage with the Groundlings.

[Will Ferrell]

Right, Right.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

You catch the bug, you get pretty serious about it, and then you say, maybe this is the thing that I could do with my life.

[Will Ferrell]

There was no. It was like, if. Like, I know it's still a very hard business, but, oh, my gosh, this does not feel like work to me. And. And, yeah, that. That's just a wonderful. Groundlings in Los Angeles is kind of what Second City is to Chicago and. And, like, what UCB is now to New York. And that. That was. Just met so many amazing people who just. We all just wanted to make each other laugh. And it was. I was like, I could. This is what I want to do. Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Then Lorne Michaels comes and sees you and your group.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And sometime in 95. Right. And he likes what he sees, clearly invites you to New York for audition process. That was confusing. Is that fair to say? And terrifying.

[Will Ferrell]

All of the above. Yeah, it was, you know, do five to eight minutes of a political impersonation, a celebrity impersonation, and a character of your choice. And if you don't have any of that, just be funny at 8H studio, 8H on the spot, where the host delivers the monologue to an empty studio except for a camera operator, a boom mic operator, and I Think it was the old stage manager, Bob Van Rye, who'd been there since the show began. And you're just in this empty.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And Lauren's somewhere in the dark, Lorne's somewhere.

[Will Ferrell]

He's in the background. But he wanted to, you know, he wanted to create the. The tension of live television. And I just remember. And they'd call you in one and you'd wait outside the studio doors while the next person in front of you was auditioning. So I could hear an audition. And I'm looking at the pictures on the walls of all the past hosts, and I was like, you could run right now. You could just get in the elevator and go back and, like, hands trembling, weak in your knees kind of feeling. And then you go through that door and it was almost so intimidating that then it just. The pressure melted away because it was like, this is ridiculous. Right. And so, yeah, there I was doing Harry Cary in a void to no laughter. And my second audition was even weirder because Lauren called us back and said, he's. He's like, I. I want you to change everything you're going to do. Because I. In hindsight, it was like he wanted me to give a different look to the, to the network. And that's when I. I did this. This thing where I'm. I'm playing with cat toys and I'm. It's so surreal to not do it in a sketch, but I was, like, taking calls at my desk and then playing with cat toys.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Right, you're like an executive.

[Will Ferrell]

Exactly.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

And then hold that call and I go lie on the ground. I'm playing. And I almost started laughing because no one's laughing. I'm just a weird guy playing with cat toys in an empty studio. I thought, well, at least you're going for it. And I guess it was enough. Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Like, well, this is over.

[Will Ferrell]

It is, yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I don't want to get mired in every detail of your life and career in our short time, but I will ask you this about snl.

[Will Ferrell]

Can I. Would you.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Can we do the briefcase real quick.

[Will Ferrell]

Just because we referred to it? Yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Was that after. Is that the second audition or when was that?

[Will Ferrell]

So I get the word that I'm being called. There's going to be a callback, and this time you're going to fly back to New York, you're going to have a meeting with Lauren, and then the next day, you. You'll. You'll do an audition. And I had read this magazine article about how Adam Sandler did this Funny bit in the office with Lauren. I forget what he did, but that he was signed on the spot. And I was like, God, that you have to have that initiative. So I don't know why I thought that was funny. I went to, like, a magic kind of toy store place and bought all this fake money, toy money, somewhat realistic looking money. And I thought, well, I'm gonna walk in with a briefcase and just start stacking piles of money on Lauren's desk and be like, lauren, look, we can talk to the cows. Come home. But we really know what talks, and that's money. And I'm gonna walk out of this room, and you can either take it or leave it. And I get. And I have a brief, and I get into this meeting, and I can tell the tone is not fun and games. And so I'm sitting here with a briefcase, and that's making me go crazy. Cause I'm like, what comedian carries a briefcase? And I can't pull the trigger on the bit because he's telling me I need to change my audition. And there was a tone of gravity there that did not lend itself to comedy. So I walk out, not having done my big joke, only to meet him again a subsequent time a couple weeks later, which was the final meeting where I finally got the job. And I'm about to walk in, I'm like, gosh, I'm going to do my briefcase bit. I walk in, the assistant goes, you can just leave your briefcase there. I don't know why you want to bring it. Bring it. I'm like, you're right, this looks stupid. Anyway, Lauren, in this moment now tells me I have the job. I shake his hand, I walk out, and I'm like, hey. I grab a big pile of fake money. I'm like, I've been trying for two months now to give him this counterfeit money. Would you just give him. It's probably $2,000. And she goes, oh, okay. He later told me how or I heard later he thought it was so funny that I couldn't.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Oh, my God.

[Will Ferrell]

So the. The briefcase did come back. Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Just the visual of you nervously clutching a briefcase and him wondering what is in the briefcase.

[Will Ferrell]

Right. Why is he bringing, like, does he have just stacks of scripts? What. What is he doing?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Hey, it worked. Eventually, something in there worked. Yeah, for all your famous SNL characters. And we know the mahogany did W, the cheerleaders, cowbell, all of those. Is there one that you think isn't remembered the way it should be? In other words, is there one you Love that people don't talk about as much as the others.

[Will Ferrell]

Huh?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I have one. But, no, I want you to go first because it's.

[Will Ferrell]

It's really hard to go back in the memory banks. I mean, I will say that I was so fortunate that a fair amount of them landed. And, you know, it's. Yeah, it's hard to. But I don't know if I. I'm sure if you bring something up, I'll go, oh, that's a good. That's a good thought.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

What's your notion for SNL fans? They know it, but I don't know if broadly, as many people do, the Old Prospector with those clangy pots and pans ahead of the invasion.

[Will Ferrell]

Of course, in fact. And that was my last season, and that's when Harper and I would challenge each other, and I had, like, I had a corkboard with index cards with just titles, and one just said Old Prospector. And so we would give each. And so she was like, you need to write that sketch without any idea of what it was. And so we wrote. She wrote the Old Prospector.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah, it's really great.

[Will Ferrell]

It's really fun.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

It's really great. And to watch the dominoes fall of your castmates just losing it, I think, oh, okay.

[Will Ferrell]

I don't know if the lovers with Rachel Dratch in the hot tub, the two professors, that maybe doesn't get as much attention as it should.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

That should be in the pantheon.

[Will Ferrell]

But that was always trying to make the other people break.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And you did.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Jimmy Drew, right.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. There was a lot of pinching underneath the bubbling surface of the water, poking and prodding.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And then the great Will Ferrell thing at the end where after all that slow, lovely talk, hey, my back. And you start yelling at your love hug.

[Will Ferrell]

Horrible human being. Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

So when you decide to leave after seven seasons, is that a hard decision? Because it's worked for some people on SNL and not worked for others. And people go, hey, why did he leave snl? Was that it worked out great, obviously, but was that a tough call?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, a little bit. A little scary, for sure. You're doing. You're doing this show that if someone had said to me, you only get to do Saturday Night Live and that's all you'll ever get to do, I would have signed on the dotted line. And so it's my dream job. I loved it so much, but there was just. It was the right time to go in terms of certain amount of momentum I had. And. And I think any artist you're just wondering what's. What's next? And so I had a movie that I'd shot called Old School that was being held, which is never a good sign it was being held onto and wasn't going to be released until much later. And I'm back in la, and the only other thing we have is we'd written a script called Anchorman that had gotten rejected by, like, 20 different studios in Financier. No one wanted to do it. And then there was a script that needed a lot of work about a human who grew up at the North Pole, raised by elves. But that was it. There was no. Like, it wasn't like I was getting offered movie after movie, part after part. So it really was. It really was a leap of faith. But I know if I. If I'd stayed an eighth season, a ninth, a tenth, I think it just would have been so comfortable that I probably wouldn't have even left in a way. So. But, yeah, I just. I just decided to go for it.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

In hindsight, it's like, oh, of course he left Old School Elf, Anchorman. But you didn't know that going into it.

[Will Ferrell]

That's a. I think that's a. That's a. People are like, Saturday Night Live. What a launching pad. Well, not for everyone. Not for a lot. It's. It's. It's. It's a different world out there. And so it was great that those. The first three movies were Old School, Anchorman or Elf and then Anchorman.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I mean, the fact that Elf now is the Christmas movie for families, that my kids and young kids, that it's become like the miracle on 34th street, except.

[Will Ferrell]

Except for the scary, lifelike version of me at Home Depot. Have you seen the scary mannequin?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah. When you walk in and it starts talking.

[Will Ferrell]

They just sprung it on me on the Today show.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Oh, did they?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, I wet my pants. It was not cool.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

They've gone a little too far, buddy.

[Will Ferrell]

The Axe Murderer.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

It's horrible and completely unsanctioned, probably.

[Will Ferrell]

I have to believe 100%.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Can you do that? I guess you can just do that.

[Will Ferrell]

I don't. I. Trust me. There were some phone calls that were made.

[Willie Geist]

Stick around for more of my conversation with Will Ferrell right after a quick break.

[Dr. Sarah Rahal (Armra Advertiser)]

I'm Dr. Sarah Rahal, the founder and CEO of Armra. I developed armor colostrum because I know your body was designed to thrive. It's your natural state, your birthright, and you can reclaim it. Colostrum is the first nutrition we receive in life. With every essential nutrient our bodies need. It's nature's original blueprint for health. After a devastating health crisis almost took my life, I made it my mission to harness this power. Using proprietary technology, armra captures over 400 bioactive nutrients in every scoop, delivering over 1000 benefits that transform your health at its foundation. Whether for gut health, metabolism, skin, hair, immunity, mood, energy, fitness or recovery, I invite you to join this collective revival of health and discover radical transformation for yourself. Visit armr.com that's A R mra.com and enter code culture30 for 30% off your first subscription order. The statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

[Unidentified Female Patron]

Ready for a healthy, stress free back to school season? Thrive Market's got your back with easy high protein meals, brain boosting lunchbox staples and low sugar snack packs. Everything to simplify your busy mornings. Their groceries are high quality and no junk. Over 1000 sketchy ingredients restricted and all trusted by parents so you can shop worry free. Plus their big back to school sale makes it the perfect time to stock up. Go to thrivemarket.com podcast for 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift.

[LifeLock Advertiser]

Sometimes an identity threat is a ring of professional hackers. And sometimes it's an overworked accountant who forgot to encrypt their connection while sending bank details.

[Will Ferrell]

I need a coffee and you need Lifelock.

[LifeLock Advertiser]

Because your info is in endless places. It only takes one mistake to expose you to identity theft. Lifelock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second. If your identity is stolen, we'll fix it, guaranteed, or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year at lifelock.com specialoffer terms apply.

[Willie Geist]

Welcome back now to the rest of my conversation with Will Ferrell.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Man, you go on that incredible run from Anchorman and then just into Talladega Knights and go through the other guys and all these incredible movies. What do you think is the thread through all of those? What, what is it about those that people just fell in love with those characters?

[Will Ferrell]

I, I think there's some, some rather solid premises that drew people in, but I think as a performer, I'm, I'm, I'm just, I'm like the guy who lives next door that you don't think I'm gonna say the things that I say. And that is the rug pull that has worked for me. And I just think the audience, I've made them feel comfortable in the sense that they're watching me. Going, I can't believe he's doing this. And that builds, you know, that I don't take myself that seriously. And I've always just tried to put the fun I'm feeling in making these and have it project through the screen. And hopefully you feel at home, because it is. I have the greatest job in the world. I get to create all these fun characters with the help of a lot of talented people as well. Great writers, directors, and, yeah, I've lived a charm, professional life, so why not show that? You know, show that in my work.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I think the thing you've mastered, too, and you've talked about this is the guy with supreme but unwarranted confidence.

[Will Ferrell]

That's always been fascinating to me.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Ron Burgundy, Ricky Bobby, all of them.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah. And I see it every day to this day. And I'm like, why does that guy think he can act like that? Oh, that's amazing. And it just makes me laugh.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah, me, too.

[Will Ferrell]

It makes me laugh.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

How do people get like that? It's amazing, right?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

This is a hard one because there's so many. A quote most often thrown at you when you see somebody, because I know you're like, bill Murray has been his whole career with Caddyshack and Ghostbusters. You're going to get the quotes. Is there one or are there two that people throw your way the most?

[Will Ferrell]

It just depends. I mean, I. There's a lot. I think more of the threat is people will yell things at me that I don't recognize as a quote from my movie. I was driving one time, and I had literally been riding a bike, so I was sweaty. And this woman pulls up. She's like, why are you so sweaty? I'm like, oh, because I was riding a bike? She's like, no. From stepbrothers. After you play the drums, John C. Reilly says, why are you so sweaty? And you say, oh, right, right. Because I was watching Cops. Never mind. People just get mad at me.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

She's mad.

[Will Ferrell]

She's mad.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Like, hit your cue, man.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, exactly. I set you up, but, I mean, that's. You know. Did we just become best friends?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

You're my boy. Blue buddy the elf. What's your favorite color?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

Shake and bake.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Sure.

[Will Ferrell]

Milk was a bad choice.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Always. Yep. Glass case of emotion.

[Will Ferrell]

Stay classy.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Yep.

[Will Ferrell]

Go f yourself. San Diego. You can say that about any city. That's why it's applicable nationwide to one.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

You may not know that. I hear a good bit between married couples is pretty nice little Saturday. Like if we're like, yeah. Literally going to Home Depot or no. So what'd you do? Pretty nice little Saturday from old school.

[Will Ferrell]

That's good. Okay.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Frank the Tank.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

It's a subtle one, but it's there.

[Will Ferrell]

Yes. At my boys basketball game, I had someone holding up a cup of coffee and going, breakfast of champions. And I had to. I go kicking and screaming. He's like, yes.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Oh, nice.

[Will Ferrell]

And he was like, you have no idea how often you're quoted in our household. I was like, I do now, and I need to be paid. I'm gonna file suit.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

The fact that you just said that, you owe me a check.

[Will Ferrell]

7 cents.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

It seems you enjoy too well occupying this place and embracing who you are to so many people. Like the elf stunt at the LA Kings game, showing up at the Lakers game and effectively arresting Shaq. Things like, you lean into that stuff. You love sort of performing out in the world.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Is that right?

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah, I. It's funny. I'm not really. I'm not someone who's on all the time. I don't have to be. And yet there's certain moments where I'm think, oh, gosh, that'd be funny to go to a hockey game, sit on. On the glass, not shave for a week, and just get a cheap buddy elf costume with a cigarette and just be sitting there drinking a beer and not explain it. It's kind of my Andy Kaufman side and that I love the questioning of it as much as any sort of adulation I may get. Yeah. So that's. I don't. I can't explain it.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Well, it's like the talk show appearances when you go sit with Conan and have a parrot on your show. But I was real clear I didn't want to talk about the bird.

[Will Ferrell]

And. Yeah, like, Conan would be like, do it. I love it. Whatever ideas you have. Yeah. It's just. It's just fun to still be out in the world and do weird stuff like that.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Well, because I have you sitting here, I have to say, you have brought so much joy to so many people for so many years.

[Will Ferrell]

And thank you.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

You're the kind of guy we're just happy to see when he comes on the screen. I'll never forget in Wedding Crashers, there's a silhouette at the top of the stage, and you're literally saying, please let that be Will Ferrell. And there he is.

[Will Ferrell]

And David Dobkin, the director, said, when they tested the movie, the audience was literally buzzing, that. Is that who we think it is? Which is so cool. Yes. So, yeah, I don't know what to say.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And the nunchucks were a nice touch.

[Will Ferrell]

Right?

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

And obviously yelling for the meat, which.

[Will Ferrell]

I carry on me at all times. Inez, do you have my nunchucks? Okay. Thank you. They're at the ready.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

You have to.

[Will Ferrell]

If you were to come at me.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Right now, and I'm about to.

[Will Ferrell]

I'd be so ready.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Well, thanks, man.

[Will Ferrell]

Thank you.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

I appreciate you doing this.

[Will Ferrell]

I loved it.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Thank you.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

My huge thanks again to Will for a great conversation. You can stream. You're cordially invited now on Amazon Prime. And my thanks to all of you for listening again this week. If you want to hear more of these conversations with my guests every week, be sure to click follow so you never miss an episode. And don't forget to tune in to Sunday Today every weekend on NBC to see these interviews in living color. I'm Willie Geist. We'll see you right back here next week on the Sunday Sit Down Podcast. Bubba Wallace here with Tyler Redick. You know what's more nerve wracking than.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

Waiting for qualifying results?

[Will Ferrell]

Waiting for the green flag to drop.

[Willie Geist]

Instead of pacing, you rev up with Chumba Casino's weekly new releases.

[Will Ferrell]

It's like a fresh set of tires for your brain.

[Willie Geist]

Play for [e-mail].

[Will Ferrell]

Let'S Jumba.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

No purchase necessary.

[Will Ferrell]

VGW Group void where prohibited by law.

[Interviewer (likely Willie Geist)]

CT and C's 21+ sponsored by Chumba Casino.