Will Ferrell Talks Latest Comedy and His Favorite SNL Sketches

Summary

Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist: Will Ferrell Talks Latest Comedy and His Favorite SNL Sketches

Release Date: February 9, 2025

In this engaging episode of NBC's "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist," host Willie Geist delves deep into the world of comedy with none other than Will Ferrell, celebrated as "the funniest man on the planet." The conversation spans Ferrell's illustrious career, his recent projects, memorable moments on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), and his passion for performing both on and off the screen.

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1. Introduction and Career Highlights

Timestamp: [01:06] - [04:07]

Willie Geist kickstarts the conversation by expressing his excitement about having Will Ferrell as a guest, highlighting their long-standing professional relationship and Ferrell's pivotal role in launching his career through SNL.

Willie Geist ([01:06] - [04:07]): "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."

Ferrell reflects on his journey from Irvine, California, to becoming a comedy star, emphasizing his time with The Groundlings—a renowned improv group in Los Angeles—and his subsequent hiring by Lorne Michaels in 1995.

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2. Recent Projects: "Meeting the Fockers" and "Wedding Crashers"

Timestamp: [04:07] - [09:35]

Ferrell discusses his latest film endeavors, describing them as a return to the beloved dynamic seen in "Meet the Fockers" and "Wedding Crashers."

Will Ferrell ([04:23] - [05:28]): "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... he said, hey, I want to give you a call. I've got this idea for a movie. And I'm like, great."

The collaboration with Reese Witherspoon is a focal point, with Ferrell praising her comedic prowess and their on-screen chemistry.

Will Ferrell ([05:38] - [06:31]): "She's so good. We play really well off each other. And we just... share the same sensibility in that the funniest things are executed by committing to the character."

He underscores the importance of wholehearted character commitment, regardless of the silliness of the premise.

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3. Documentary on Harper Steele’s Transition

Timestamp: [09:37] - [17:29]

The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Ferrell talks about Harper Steele, an SNL writer and long-time colleague who sent him an email about transitioning to a woman during the COVID pandemic. Ferrell's response led to a road trip documentary aimed at supporting and advocating for Harper.

Will Ferrell ([10:06] - [12:24]): "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..."

The documentary not only chronicles their journey but also serves as a platform to address broader LGBTQ+ issues, highlighting moments of unexpected kindness and human connection.

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4. Experiences and Insights from SNL

Timestamp: [27:48] - [33:07]

Ferrell shares anecdotes from his time auditioning for SNL, including the infamous briefcase story that eventually led to his hiring.

Will Ferrell ([27:35] - [33:07]): "I grabbed 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."

He recounts performing absurd characters like the Old Prospector and Jimmy Drew, emphasizing the comedic brilliance of fully embracing the characters without winking at the audience.

Will Ferrell ([34:00] - [35:07]): "All the way. You don't wink at the camera ever, ever, even if you're going off a cliff."

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5. Decision to Leave SNL and Transition to Film

Timestamp: [35:07] - [38:37]

Ferrell reflects on his tough decision to depart from SNL after seven seasons to pursue film opportunities. This leap of faith led to iconic films like "Old School," "Elf," and "Anchorman," despite initial rejections and uncertainties.

Will Ferrell ([35:38] - [38:37]): "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, I just decided to go for it."

He acknowledges that while leaving a beloved show was daunting, it was the right move that allowed his film career to flourish, making "Elf" a perennial Christmas favorite.

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6. Memorable SNL Sketches and Characters

Timestamp: [33:07] - [47:12]

The duo reminisces about favorite SNL sketches, debating which ones deserve more recognition. Ferrell highlights characters like the Old Prospector and Jimmy Drew, attributing their success to mutual challenge and creativity.

Will Ferrell ([34:43] - [35:21]): "Jimmy Drew, Right. Yeah. There was a lot of pinching underneath the bubbling surface of the water..."

He also fondly recalls the process of creating these characters, often leading to moments of genuine laughter among the cast.

Will Ferrell ([34:48] - [35:05]): "It's really fun. It's really great. And to watch the dominoes fall of your cast mates. Just losing it, I think."

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7. Iconic Movie Roles and Public Performances

Timestamp: [40:24] - [47:12]

Ferrell discusses the enduring popularity of his film characters, attributing their charm to his relatable persona and the authentic enjoyment he injects into his performances.

Will Ferrell ([40:45] - [42:07]): "I'm the guy who lives next door that you don't think I'm going to say the things that I say and that that is the rug pull that has worked for me."

They exchange favorite quotes from his movies, with Ferrell laughing about fans misattributing lines outside their original context.

Will Ferrell ([42:09] - [43:51]): "I do. I do now, and I need to be paid. I'm gonna file suit."

The conversation also touches on Ferrell's love for spontaneous public performances, likening his antics to Andy Kaufman's avant-garde style.

Will Ferrell ([45:02] - [46:09]): "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."

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8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [47:07] - [47:12]

As the interview wraps up, Will Ferrell expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss his journey and the joy he derives from bringing laughter to audiences worldwide.

Will Ferrell ([47:07] - [47:12]): "Thank you. I loved it."

Willie Geist concludes by thanking Ferrell and encouraging listeners to stream the full conversation on Amazon Prime, inviting them to follow for more insightful interviews.

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This comprehensive dialogue offers fans and newcomers alike a heartfelt glimpse into Will Ferrell's comedic genius, his commitment to his craft, and his enduring friendship with Willie Geist. From the hallowed halls of SNL to the expansive landscapes of Hollywood, Ferrell's story is one of passion, perseverance, and unparalleled humor.

Transcript

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[Willie Geist]

Hey guys, 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 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. What I will say is that it was so cool to sit with Will. We've been doing this show Sunday Today for almost nine years now. Always been at the top of our our list for a sit down. Finally got together and made it happen. And the timing was perfect. The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, the show where he was hired in 199530 years ago, spent seven season and the show that launched him and made him a comedy star. Too many memorable sketches to go through, but we do talk about them in the conversation. We actually got together at a little restaurant right off the rink at Rockefeller center, in the shadow of the building where he held an office and sat and performed for those seven seasons on snl. Also, the rink where he skated was Zooey Deschanel, an elf. Remember that? So anyway, you know the story of Will Ferrell, 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 Lorne 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?

Yes.

Yeah.

Do you like it?

It's okay. Yeah.

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

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

Unlimited. Yeah. It's bottom. The waiter will be around shortly as that gets lower.

Yeah.

So happy to have you on the show.

Great to be here.

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.

I'm glad I did not fall off.

You didn't.

Yeah.

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

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

Here we are.

Here we are together.

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

Thank you.

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. Just fun movies where worlds collide. What did you love about the idea when you heard it?

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 just starts maniacally laughing, of which I'm like, okay, yeah, let's do it.

That was it.

So that was it. And then we also started spitballing about who would the other were 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.

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.

Yeah.

What was it like working with her?

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 play 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. You're doing it for real. And. And so we, We. We just fit perfectly.

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

Yeah, you.

All the way.

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

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. The premise, right? Who is Jim and where is he in his life?

Jim is a single parent. He's dedicated his entire life to raising his daughter, who is. 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 has a lot of skills that a lot of single dads wouldn't. He's very good hairstylist. He knows hair and makeup. Sure does. 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.

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

Yes.

R rating language situations.

Right. Mostly about language, but, you know, in a good way. In a good way. Yeah.

It's.

Yeah. Yeah.

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?

I want it to be, you know, now 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.

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. That you didn't think about your life.

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. Level set, level setups.

That is the emotional touchstone scene of the movie. When I wrestle alligator. Yeah.

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

Thank you.

Thank you. Also have to give you congratulations for the reception for the documentary. Will and Harper, that was really talking about being touched by something and moved by something. For people who haven't seen it. 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?

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 in it and that, you know, 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 I. It might. Basically, I wasn't. 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 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 no 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, as a trans woman. And can she go to the same places that she wouldn't have thought twice, you know, 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, 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 we'll film it. P.S. we're going to 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 neat opportunity.

Yeah. You mentioned, 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.

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 are 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 kind of phrasing things the right way. And you kind of see my transition as someone who becomes more well versed in what it means to have a friend who's trans and. But yeah, I think that's one of the takeaways people get from watching It.

Were you surprised, Will, one way or the other, by the response you got out on the road? I'm thinking of the scene when you're going to the bar, the roadhouse kind of joined, 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?

I think we. I think we were. I think we were pleasantly surprised. I mean, of course, there's. There's hate out there, there's pockets of hate, and. 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. I think that's really who we are, you know, as Americans. I think the media tries to get us to. And politics and stuff tried to. Tries to get us to. To be at odds with each other, but. But, boy, there's just. There's just a lot of nice people out there. And, yeah, we were. 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 are traveling around, it turns out she's a retired therapist, and she comes up and is actually making amends for. And Harper's now the therapist, and as she's bringing up the fact that she thinks she gave a. A patient bad advice who 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 had. We just had a lot of beautiful moments like that, that. The funny thing 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. Like, 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, the best year, especially for Harper. She's, it's been phenomenal.

Starting at Sundance a year ago, like right now for a full year. Yeah, yeah, I, 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.

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, that was nice to be reminded of all that.

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?

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. Yeah.

The dinner in Vegas was particularly, 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.

Yeah.

Even looking like David Abernathy. No one approached me. So the, so the disguise did work.

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

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

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

I think John did at the end.

Eventually he knew.

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

That was a very SNL moment where the hat comes off and you're desperately trying to glue it on.

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 right after the break.

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[Willie Geist]

Now more my conversation with Will Ferrell.

[Will Ferrell]

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 a keyboard player for the Righteous Brothers, your mom's A teacher. You were an athlete. You were in student council in high school. All these things I got. Suburban American kid.

Right.

Who had a good upbringing. At what point does comedy become important in your life, if not yet a career goal? But it's something that you know you're good at.

It's. I've had enough times answering this question that I think I finally have the answer. It's just something I always wanted to do, but I didn't give it kind of any thought or 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 want a real job. And I didn't know what that meant, but I envisioned myself carrying a briefcase to a job somewhere in a building. Briefcase comes back into play.

It does, 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 till I graduated and I took my first class at the ground, I thought, you know what this is like? This is an itch that if I don't scratch it, I'll have it forever. So it was just that moment where I thought I better just give it a shot and probably not gonna happen, but at least I'll know.

Let's see.

Let's see.

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

Great.

Drove a liquor delivery truck in Jersey.

That's a sign of greatness.

It is.

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

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

Yeah.

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

I'm not at liberty to say.

Not yet.

Is this being recorded, this whole interview?

Your attorney's right over there. 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 get through my. I would make one transaction and then shut my window down and then 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.

But it wasn't malicious. It was counted incorrectly.

And I know we didn't trade money. So I just went, yeah, I mean, maybe. 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.

I'm very nervous.

I'm very nervous. And then I had it. Then I was good.

Okay.

But the first two days.

Yeah.

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

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

But you have to know, I was. I was so nervous. Like, the nerves never calmed down to the point where there was a regular customer who'd come in every Thursday to, like, cash their 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. He's. And he's like. He's sweaty and weird. And she's like. 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.

So needless to say, that was not the future.

That was not the career, the financial world.

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

Right, Right.

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.

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.

Then Lorne Michaels comes and sees you and your group.

Yeah.

In 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 all at once.

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.

And Lauren's somewhere in the dark.

Lauren somewhere. 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. And my second audition was even weirder because Lauren called us back and said, 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.

You're like an executive.

Exactly.

Yeah.

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.

Like, well, this is over.

It is. Yeah. Yeah.

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.

Can I.

Can we do the briefcase real quick? Just because we referred to it?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

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

So I get the word that I'm being called. There's gonna 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'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 going to walk in with the briefcase and just start stacking piles of money on Lauren's desk. Be like, lauren, look, we can talk till the cows come home, but we really know what talks, and that's money. And I'm going to walk out of this room, and you can either take it or leave it. And I get. And I have a. 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 because 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. But 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.

Oh, my God.

So the briefcase did come back.

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

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

Hey, it worked. Eventually, something in there worked.

Yeah.

For all your famous SNL characters, and we know them all. You 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?

Huh?

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

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. What. What's your notion for SNL fans?

They know it.

Yeah.

But I don't know if broadly, as many people do, the Old Prospector with those clangy pots and pans ahead of the invasion.

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 other. 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. Yeah.

It's really great.

It's really fun.

It's really great. And to watch the dominoes fall of your cast mates. Just losing it, I think.

Oh, okay. 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.

That should be in the pantheon.

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

And you did.

Yes.

Jimmy Drew, Right. Yeah.

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

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 lover.

Horrible human being. Yeah.

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?

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 I think any artist, you're just wondering 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 it 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 and financier. No one wanted to do it. And then there was a. 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. 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 decided to go for it.

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

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 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.

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 34.

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

Yeah. When you walk in and it starts.

They just sprung it on me on the Today show.

Oh, did they?

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

They've gone a little too far, Buddy.

The Axe Murder.

It's horrible and completely unsanctioned, probably.

I have to believe 100%.

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

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.

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[Willie Geist]

To the rest of my conversation with Will Ferrell.

[Will Ferrell]

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

I think there's some rather solid premises that drew people in, but I think as a performer, I'm just, I'm like the guy who lives next door that you don't think I'm going to say the things that I say and that that is the rug pull that has worked for me. And, and, and I, 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, and that builds like, you know, that I don't take myself that Seriously. And. 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?

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

That's always been fascinating to me.

Ron Burgundy, Ricky Bobby, all of them.

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

Yeah, me, too.

It makes me laugh.

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

Yeah.

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 gonna get the quotes. Is there one or are there two that people throw your way the most?

It just depends. I mean, 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? Like. No. From Step Brothers. 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.

She's mad.

She's mad.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Like, hit your cue, man.

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

Yeah.

You're my boy. Blue by the Elf. What's your favorite color?

Yeah.

Shake and bake.

Sure.

Milk was a bad choice.

Always. Yep. Glass case of emotion.

Stay classy.

Yep.

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

You may not know that. I hear a good bit between married couples. Is pretty nice little Saturday. Like, if we're, like, literally going to Home Depot or. So what'd you do? Pretty nice little Saturday. From Old School.

That's good. Okay.

Frank the tank. Yeah, the subtle one, but it's there.

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.

Oh, nice.

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.

The fact that you just said that.

You owe me seven cents.

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. You lean into that stuff. You love sort of performing out in the world.

Yeah.

Is that right?

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. I love the questioning of it as much as any sort of adulation I may get. Yeah.

So. Right.

That's. I don't. I can't explain it.

Well, it's like the talk show appearances when you go sit with Conan and have a parrot on your show.

Right.

I was real clear I didn't want to talk about the bird.

And yet, like, Conan would be like, do it. I love it. Whatever. 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.

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

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.

And the nunchucks were a nice touch. Right. And obviously yelling for the meatballs which.

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

You have to.

If you were to come at me right now, and I'm about to, I'd be so ready.

Well, thanks, man.

Thank you.

I appreciate you doing this.

I loved it.

Thank you.

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. The 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.

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