← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Join Buzz Knight and Gina Gershon as They Explore Music, Family Bonds, and Creative Journeys on Takin' a Walk
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- [00:01]
Buzz Knight
Taking a Walk I'm Buzz Knight and welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast. Today I'm gonna be talking with somebody who has carved out one of the most fearless and fascinating careers in Hollywood. She's an actress, a musician, a writer. She's had iconic film roles in movies like Bound, Face Off, Cocktail and Showgirls. She's appeared on Broadway. She's been in rock bands. She's already written books before, but now she's adding a new book to her resume called Alpha Pussy. And trust me, it's as bold and unapologetic as she is. I can't wait to talk with Gina Gershon next on Takin A Walk.
- [00:44]
iHeart Podcast Announcer
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
- [00:48]
Matt Rogers
This is Matt Rogers from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.
- [00:52]
Bowen Yang
This is Bowen Yang from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.
- [00:55]
Matt Rogers
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Bowen Yang
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Bowen Yang
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Matt Rogers
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- [01:33]
Public Podcast Sponsor
comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI, it all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors LLC SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comDisclosures Are you
- [02:33]
Orderly Meds Sponsor
trying to get weight loss support through telehealth? But it feels overwhelming and rushed? Check out orderlymeds.com now. Orderlymeds.com was built to be different. Here you connect with real doctors who take the time to understand your goals, review your eligibility, and guide you through a plan that's right for you. Orderly Meds provides access to proven GLP1 medications like semaglutide and Tirzepatide, including both name brand options and personalized compound versions when appropriate. So you have choices backed by Clinical oversight not yet work. It's a simpler, more supportive telehealth experience designed around people who want clarity, care and confidence in their weight loss journey. And your medication is delivered directly to your home in discreet packaging so your experience stays private from start to finish. Do your research, ask the right questions, then visit orderlymeds.com podcast for an exclusive offer. Again, that's orderlymeds.com podcast. Individual results may vary. Not medical advice. Eligibility required. See Cite for details.
- [03:34]
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- [04:06]
Public Podcast Sponsor
taking a
- [04:07]
Buzz Knight
Walk Gina Gershon welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast. It's an honor to have you here.
- [04:12]
Gina Gershon
Thank you. Nice to be here.
- [04:14]
Buzz Knight
I love the book. It's got a great vibe to it. Alpha Pussy the adolescent years to me are a cross between Lord of the Flies and Mean Girls, maybe with a dash of Stand By Me. Is that a fair take?
- [04:32]
Gina Gershon
Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Lord of the Flies. That's pretty scary, you know. Sure, why not? It's got a little bit of everything in it, I suppose.
- [04:43]
Buzz Knight
It definitely does. It keeps you on your toes for sure. The book you pay homage to your mom, Mickey, tell us what those last days that you spent with your mom meant to you. They were a very emotional part of the story.
- [05:02]
Gina Gershon
Yeah. You know, it's funny, I. I wasn't really ever planning on putting that part of the, you know, it didn't really fit what I was going through or was aiming for thematically. And yet, you know, during COVID you know, and then she got sick and I was in Los Angeles, so I actually had, you know, the last few years, spent quite a bit of time with her and. Which really proved to be a blessing because she was, you know, she couldn't really go out. So we just kind of hung out and talked quite a bit. And she was quite vulnerable and not guarded, as was I, I suppose. And, you know, I just found it really interesting that that whole story with the president of the Girls League, you know, really kind of came out of nowhere. And somehow it just really stayed with me. And then it was really just one day it popped in my head. I'm like, oh, my God. Like, she was such an alpha pussy. Everything she did. And I realized I started the whole book with, you know, being inside of her, you know, like she didn't know she was pregnant and all that. And I just thought, oh, wow, this kind of goes full circle. And, you know, listen, it's not a how to book or an advice book, but I think the only advice I really give, and I give it to anyone. Cause I've really proven it to be true, is, you know, know your parents and know what is your relationship with them and what their relationship is with their parents. Because in between all of that, you know, and their shadows, and sometimes you're carrying things that you don't realize that's not yours, that's theirs, that you have issues, that you don't know why this thing is going on. But you'll find the answers in your parents, you know, and sometimes that's so hard. But it was very lucky. And then I realized that by healing her and her telling me these stories, it released something in her. And then it, like, released it in me as well, which was really unexpected and beautiful. And it just made its way. As I was writing it at the end, it just started coming out of me. Everything else was stories I was telling. And it was kind of thing in real time. It was coming out. I don't know. I just thought, I'm putting it in. It didn't seem to make sense. But then it did make sense. Do you know what I mean? That's a very long answer.
- [07:25]
Buzz Knight
It makes total sense. And I'm so glad that you went there, because life is so precious and so fast, and then suddenly a parent reaches the end of the line there. I wouldn't say it's advice that you're necessarily given. But I guess it is to. To know your. Your parents and what they stand for. And maybe what their parents stood for is such an important thing for a generation, I think, to hear, you know, and it's not.
- [07:58]
Gina Gershon
I think it's even more than what they stood for. I think it's like interpersonal dynamics. You know, there's that whole family structure thing. I forget what they call it. I mean, I remember when I was doing, you know, acting classes with my teacher, my best teacher, Sondra Secat, we didn't really do scenes. I remember there was a class called the Family, and you literally do your first dinner table scene. You remember, and your last. And it's very interesting. You acted out, and it was like all the dynamics that you had then, you still had now. And it's very subtle. Some were not so subtle. But I learned a lot during that. I learned, you know, about myself and about how I dealt with other people. Part of being, to me, an alpha pussy, you know, is just knowing who you are and where you stand and. Or how you feel about things. If you're uncomfortable just to taking your own power back and not let people push you around or tell you what to do, you have to kind of know yourself, you know, as an artist, as a person. I think it's just really important to figure that stuff out.
- [09:05]
Buzz Knight
You know, Your career has been so diverse. Film, tv, Broadway, music, writing. When you look back at that young girl starting out in Hollywood, what do you think she would be most surprised by?
- [09:23]
Gina Gershon
What would I be most surprised by? I would be surprised and kind of relieved that maybe it's because I came from a family of a lot of musicians. There was music all around me, and I saw how serious everyone took it. I didn't take it lightly. So to me, it's like what you do, you really fully do. And even though I love music, at the time, I'm like, no, I'm gonna be a serious actress. I need to really just focus on that. And I think I gave up music a little bit at an early age just because it was also a different time. You know, now you could do everything then. You're like, are you acting? Are you dancing? Are you singing? And I wanted to be so serious, so I kind of gave that up. So I think I would've been really relieved that I found my way back at times to music. Because, you know, it's just. What's more fun than music? Maybe it's just a getting older thing. It's just like whatever kind of floats My boat, you know, like, I'm going to paint now. I'm just going to go to painting for a while. I'm going to write. I'm going to write. You know, I think I was so rigid with what I wanted to do that I wasn't into the flow of things. I was just like, I'm going to be an actress. Maybe that's what I had to do at the time. And that's really all I wanted to do. But there were a couple opportunities and moments that I look back going like, you know, I should have been a little bit more like, yeah, this sounds fun, but I was very focused on that.
- [10:44]
Buzz Knight
But I. My take on it also is the, you know, the impact that your mother and your father had on you in terms of giving you this freedom and, you know, giving you enough rope to get yourself in. In trouble, but also treating you with incredible respect even when you messed up. I mean, and I think that gave you greater freedom as an artist, don't you think?
- [11:13]
Gina Gershon
I do. I definitely do. Especially my dad, you know, I think that there are moments where I thought for sure he would say, you are not doing that movie Mo Dura. And he never anything I wanted to do. They were like, I mean, my dad more than my mom. I think my mom worried a little bit more. But my dad was like, if you're comfortable with it, I'm comfortable with it. And if you're not, you leave or you don't do it. And I think definitely helped me learn how to make up my. My own decisions. Because he was like, it's your body, it's your life. Like, are you comfortable? Is that what you want to do? And it really made me think, like, oh, do I really wanna do this? No, actually, I don't really want to do this. And I never had that moment of, you know, someone asked me once, like, oh, did you? Were you? You're so rebellious. You did these sort of movies, you know, Bound and Showgirls. It's like, you know, sometimes people rebel against their parents. Like, I'm gonna do this really wild thing. And like, it. The thought never even crossed my mind, you know, because I didn't have to rebel against anything. I think they gave me a lot of freedom to make my own decisions, which is important, especially later on, you know, when you have agents or managers or people telling you what you should be doing. And, you know, between me and me, I'm like, that doesn't sound right. Like, that sounds weird. So I did, for better or worse, really what I wanted to do, you know, I guess it depends what your end game is.
- [12:42]
Buzz Knight
Bound is considered a groundbreaking film. What was it about that script that made you say, you know, yes to that? And did you have any sense at the time it would become a cult classic?
- [12:56]
Gina Gershon
No, I had no idea. I mean, no one wanted me to do that script. I had to leave my agents overbound because in their mind, it was time to do a big studio film and make me into a big movie star. Because Showgirls was coming out and I was like, I don't know if Showgirls is going to be what everyone thinks it's going to be. So it was really important for me to do a part that, to me was really, you know, didn't have all the glitz and the glam and, you know, very pure acting. And when I read that script, the writing was just so great. And I hadn't. I'd never read a part for a woman like that. You know, it was always. The hero parts were always for men, really. It was like the traditional guy part that I always loved to watch, you know, but I'm like, wow, I get to cut off my hair, cut off my nails, like, you know, just have a complete 180 from what I had just done, which was exciting to me as an. As an actress. And then I thought, you know, these newcomers, these Wachowskis, I could just tell they were really good. I could just sense these. These Wachowskis know how to direct. So that was very exciting to me.
- [14:10]
Buzz Knight
And then you mentioned Showgirls. It's an interesting trajectory for that film in Hollywood history, you have to admit. I mean, it was panned and then it's been celebrated. What has your relationship been with that film over the years? And can you paint a description for us of the $7,000 G string?
- [14:34]
Gina Gershon
You know, that movie is such. That movie is, to me, interesting in so many different levels. You know, the fact that it was completely panned, people were like, this is the worst movie ever. Blah, blah, blah. And now, like, it's. I can't do an interview without people saying, oh, my God, let's talk about Showgirls. I love it. You know, so it. And in a way, it taught me to not really take reviews too seriously. And, you know, what was. There was a movie the other day. Oh, when, you know, the great Bud Court died. And there I was reading about Harold and Maude, one of my all time favorite movies. And of course, that got panned when it first came out. So many great movies that we love. Not that I'm putting Showgirls on the same level as Harold and Maude. I definitely am not. But, you know, I came. Luckily. They were, for the most part, kind to me in the reviews, but it's still not a good feeling that you're in this complete bomb. But, you know, if you read the good ones, you got to read the bad ones. And it all didn't really mean anything to me. After a while, I knew what I had done. You know, I was confident with my work in it. I didn't direct it. In fact, I thought. You know, I thought it was a much different film when I took it. I. I envisioned one of Verhoeven's very dark Dutch projects that I love so much as other films. And then it certainly wasn't that. You. I, you know, you learn. I learned a lot of good lessons on that movie. You know, you think you're gonna go in to perform one way or to. In a certain project, and it's completely not that. So then, guess what? You gotta adjust. It's like going. And it's like, oh, you're gonna go do a little acoustic number with your little cute nylon guitar. And then you get there, it's like, oh, it's a stadium show. Like, okay, this isn't gonna work. We gotta bring out electric guitars, we've gotta bring out amps. We gotta bring out a band. Maybe, like, you just have to adjust to what's going on else. And still stay true with what you're doing within a different structure.
- [16:34]
Buzz Knight
What was the first time you heard a Jew's harp? And how awful was your first experience playing one?
- [16:41]
Gina Gershon
It's pretty bad. Pretty bloody, as it should be. I first heard the Jews harp on Snoopy, you know, when Charlie Brown. When you saw Snooping. I don't think that Jews Harper is in that part, but. And I think I also heard it. That's the first time I saw it, but I remember clocking it. Is it Squeeze Box? The who? You know, at the beginning.
- [17:06]
Buzz Knight
Yeah.
- [17:06]
Gina Gershon
It's just a sound that always kind of caught my ear anyway, when I saw Snoopy playing it on the tv, I was at the store. This was during my, you know, klepto years. I was seven. And I saw the Jews harp in the store with Snoopy on it. And I'm like, oh, my God, that's that. The Jews harp. I think they called it the mouth harp or the Jaws harp. You know, it has so many different names.
- [17:30]
Buzz Knight
Yeah.
- [17:31]
Gina Gershon
So I took it, stole it, you know, to give it some authenticity. Yeah. And then I went home and I tried to play it and you know, honestly there was blood everywhere because, you know, I didn't know how to do it and let's get caught in it. And. And then Marie Gibson, who was a woman who'd been living with us since I was two years old, she said, child, give me that thing. She goes, I learned how to play that on the plantation and she grabbed it from me and she started playing it like nobody's business, like, bow, bow. And I was like, what? Like. So she showed me how to play it and I just thought it was
- [18:09]
Buzz Knight
so cool, you know, I made the mistake after first hearing remember the, the band up on Cripple Creek. After hearing that and loving the band, I was like, oh, that's great. I I can't play a lick of anything. Let me pick up one of those mouth harps. So I thought I was a big shot, picked it up and I don't think my mouth ever recovered from it. Yeah, it's rough for sure.
- [18:36]
Gina Gershon
Yeah, I know people are always like, show me how to play it. I'm like, you know what, you know, sir, I said, I'll do it with a disclaimer. You might chip your tooth and you're definitely get bloody at the beginning, you know, until you know how to do.
- [18:48]
Public Podcast Sponsor
We'll be right back with more of the Taking a Walk podcast. Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI, it all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comDisclosures Are you
- [19:54]
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- [20:55]
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- [21:59]
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- [22:20]
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- [22:32]
Buzz Knight
You've always had this incredible rock and roll spirit. I mean, in the book, you make it sound so easy being able to pull together, pretty much Guns and Roses to be able to be out with you. I mean, it was marvelous how it came together. You love music so deeply. How has music informed your acting and your creative life overall?
- [22:58]
Gina Gershon
Oh, that's an interesting question. You know, I think because I got away from it for so long, and then when I was asked to do cabaret, when Sam Mendes said, oh, well, you do cabaret, you know, you don't have to sing that good. It's the part, you know, it's more the. And then, of course, as soon as I start singing those songs, I was like, first of all, these songs are amazing. And secondly, like, oh, yeah, I love to sing. I forgot that I know how to say. I remembered how much I love singing in front of an audience and performing. And from that, of course, it led to going on tour, led to that Pray for rock and roll. And then it went to going on tour and I kind of went into a whole musical realm, which I was super into. And the thing that I think music did, when once I went back into acting, kind of loosened me up in a bit. It felt more like, you know, not jazz, but like improv felt. It felt more like being in the moment and really playing off of other people as you, you know, have to do when you're playing in a band. I think it. I think it gave me freedom as an actor. I think my improvisational skills definitely got much better, for sure. I mean, it's all the same thing, like on different sides of the Crystal, you know, it's different versions of expressing yourself and how do you do it? And I feel like, you know, it's nice being in the arts, whatever, because everything can inform everything and you just don't know how it informs it. But it does on some level.
- [24:25]
Buzz Knight
Of course, you've sang at the Cafe Carlisle, at the wonderful Carlisle Hotel. One of the great places, certainly Bemelman's Bar, one of the great places in history. What as an artist is that like performing in that venue?
- [24:48]
Gina Gershon
Wow. It felt very. Was really magical. I was really honored when they asked me to do a two week residency. And, you know, I had kind of, when I'd been there before I saw Bobby Short, you know, I had seen like real. And I take jazz musicians especially very seriously because that's what my uncle was a jazz musician. So I, you know, I kind of grew up watching the greatest jazz musicians around playing. So I really have so much respect for it. And I thought, oh, my God, what am I going to do at the Cafe Carlisle? I better. The first thing is like, I better put a shit hot band together. You know, I didn't care. Any money they gave me. I'm like, great. I'm going to allocate it. And I got the great, you know, Stephen Bernstein, who's my buddy. And I had known. I'm like, we need to, you know. I asked Christian McBride, of course Christian can't do it, but he's like, go to this person. Go to this person. I just kind of went all out and I just found the great band that I just wanted to listen to and have respect for. And then the next step was like, oh, wait, I don't sing that way, though. And Stephen kept saying, yeah, you do. Just do it. And I. The guys were really great, you know, So I really kind of did a whole weird show from, gosh, Ida Cox all the way to, like, Chrissy Hine all the way to, like. It was, you know, some of my stuff. But I. I like to tell stories. So I kind of hung it on the line of, you know, wild women in my life. But it was a blast. I mean, you go downstairs, you play in that room. It's beautiful. I mean, it's. It's pretty cool. I'd like to do it again, actually. But, yeah, it was really fun.
- [26:26]
Buzz Knight
And Miley Cyrus wrote a blurb for the book. Did you happen to see Miley when she played? I think she played at Bemelman's or maybe she played at both.
- [26:35]
Gina Gershon
Did you happen to go, no, I've seen Miley, though. You know, I hadn't seen. I've only. I worked with Miley one night at some little movie, lol, a long time ago. And we just talked that one night and we just really got along. And then I was at the Chateau Marmont right when she was coming out, I think with Wrecking Ball during that period. And so she just did a piano and vocals in a very small room. And she was like, oh, my God. Hi. I said, I didn't even know if she'd remember me, but we really had a nice bonding moment. And then, I don't know why she's such an alpha pussy. She embodies everything, you know, the spirit of an alpha pussy, you know. So I just, for some reason, I just sent her a note thinking, this is weird. And she was like, I would love to. And she started reading the book and she loved it and I was really Flattered by her blurb. I read it. I was like, oh, my God, I almost started crying. It was so sweet.
- [27:27]
Buzz Knight
It's awesome.
- [27:28]
Gina Gershon
Yeah.
- [27:29]
Buzz Knight
I don't want to give too much away about a story about a guy who has a purple limo that you encountered. Who would that be? Maybe Prince. But have you encountered a purple limo since?
- [27:47]
Gina Gershon
Only purple limo I've ever been in
- [27:49]
Buzz Knight
was the one with Prince and Rick James impressions, too.
- [27:55]
Gina Gershon
He did a couple Rick James impressions. Not gonna lie. It was really good.
- [28:00]
Buzz Knight
And how difficult is it for you to, with a straight face, think of the whole Chappelle bit that he did with Prince and with Eddie Murphy's brother and everything. I'm sure you've seen that, haven't you?
- [28:15]
Gina Gershon
I haven't.
- [28:16]
Buzz Knight
Oh, my God.
- [28:17]
Gina Gershon
How have I not seen this? I loved it.
- [28:18]
Buzz Knight
It's one of the best bits, I promise, especially with your personal experience, you will just. Absolutely, just think it's a riot. And apparently most of it is true.
- [28:30]
Gina Gershon
Brilliant. I love him so much. But I'll. I'll look it up. I can't believe I haven't seen it. Prince. Rick James.
- [28:36]
Buzz Knight
Yep, it's Prince. Dave Chappelle, you know, Rick James, Charlie Murphy.
- [28:43]
Gina Gershon
Charlie. Okay, I'll check it out. Oh, no. I mean, I'm obsessed with Dave. I think he's incredible. But I haven't seen absolutely everything because there's so much to see, you know?
- [28:53]
Buzz Knight
Yeah, there is so much. So back to music here. Thinking about the soundtrack of your life, are there a couple of songs that particularly stick out to you that are the soundtrack of your life as you kind of reflect on the book and your love of music?
- [29:13]
Gina Gershon
There certainly would not be one. I mean, for a while when I got into high school, my sister, you know, she was always in the music business, and she'd be like, you have to go see the Talking Heads tonight. I'm like, what are the Talking Heads? I have a. I have a test tomorrow. Tracy, like, she's like, just go to the Roxy. There's a ticket. You need to go. And I'm like, okay. Of course you see David Byrne jumping all over. And I was like, oh, my God. So I remember when she told me, you got to go see Elvis. I'm like, elvis? Isn't he dead? Like Elvis Presley. I don't get. And it was Elvis Costello, of course, Doing My Aim is True. Like, it was his fat. You know, I was young, and I'm like, tracy, she said, just go. And of course, I was so blown away. And to me, every album that Elvis would do seemed to have a theme song of what I was going through at that moment. So he was like my guy, you know. God, I can't. I couldn't pick just one song, to be totally honest. It's too hard.
- [30:14]
Buzz Knight
Well, I knew you were going to probably mention Talking Heads because there was one point in the book where you're like. You're thinking, oh, my God, just like that song. What. What have I done? You know?
- [30:25]
Gina Gershon
Yeah. When I'm hanging up on a rope, it's like, my God, what have I done? Yeah.
- [30:29]
Buzz Knight
So I thought of that for sure. But also thinking of your friendship with Dave Stewart, who's such a brilliant artist. And I know Dave recently has done a whole bunch of Bob Dylan covers, which I think are fantastic. Are you a fan of Dylan?
- [30:48]
Gina Gershon
Of course. How are you not a fan of Dylan's?
- [30:52]
Buzz Knight
You know, any particular era of Dylan that you love or other than all of it?
- [30:57]
Gina Gershon
You know, I have such a crazy story with Dylan. I have a lot of crazy stories with him. I only write about one because he's a very. He's been like a good pal of mine in the last few years, ever since I. There's that story when I. We went sparring and then we became friends after that. But I'll never forget that when I made my record, that was stuck in my head after, you know, when I was promoting Pray for Rock and Roll, I went on tour to promote the movie, to promote the record. And of course, Sherry Love Dog, who the movie was based on, three weeks before I'm going out to promote the music with Girls Against Boys, she's like, you know, a lot of these songs don't really work live. And of course they didn't because, like, her whole. The whole point of the movie is like, she never really made it as an. As an artist. They weren't great songs. There's some are very interesting, but, you know, hardly commercial songs that are going to take off. And so I started writing songs like a Maniac. Just because I'm like, oh, my God, I got to, like, do something that I'm going to want to. I just got the bug. So I just. Stuff started coming in and of course, when I was on tour promoting the movie and this like, just. Songs started, like, landing in my head that I just. They needed to come out, you know, because they're going to drive me insane. And then I thought, well, I'll just record a record because I have to. You know, when they just are stuck in your head and they make you Insane until they get out. And it's like, please leave me alone. It's like, okay, fine, I'll get. You know, it's like this whole weird relationship you're having. Anyway, so I made the record and then I went over to Bob's, just kind of randomly. He was home, and I kept thinking, how do I. And I didn't really talk to him about music, but I part. There were so many questions I wanted to ask him, but he knew. He said, what are you doing? I said, well, I'm trying to mix this record. I don't know how to mix it. I've never really. Why are you making another record? What do you mean? I've only. I haven't done it because I did one for the movie, but that wasn't mine. Anyway, by the time I was leaving, he asked me about my stereo in my car. And I'm thinking, oh, my God, is he gonna ask me to play my music to him in this stupid, like, crappy cassette player? And I was like, yeah. And he's like, would you like to listen to my new album? And that album was Modern Times, which is brilliant.
- [33:22]
Public Podcast Sponsor
Oh, yeah.
- [33:23]
Gina Gershon
And it was so. Just listening to it with Bob looking at me listening to it. First of all, it's a brilliant album. The tones. I love the whole quality of it. So that, like, has a special place in my heart. Cause I just remember so much of it and talking to him about it. But I love. As far as recent albums, I really. That one will always be very special to me.
- [33:45]
Buzz Knight
Oh, thank you for sharing that story. My God, that's amazing. Writing a book is such a solitary process compared to making a film. Is there anything that surprised you about that experience? I mean, you had written a book
- [34:01]
Gina Gershon
before, so it taught me more how to be alone. It's almost by necessity, I find for some reason, with acting, I could, like, work on something and I could be aware and you pick up things. It's just like, as you're percolating. But I could really work on it very solidly. And then I know how to wipe my feet at the end of the day, so to speak. And then I can get on with my life and then I can go back to it. With. With writing, I find. And maybe just because, you know, I'm so new to just. It really lingered. Like, it's. It's hard. Like, I remember writing the other book, and my boyfriend at the time, he's like, oh, let's. We're going out to dinner. We have to go out to dinner. And I just was useless, really. I shouldn't be around people when I'm doing that because I just would be. They're at dinner. And luckily they were all speaking in a different language. And I just kind of went. But inside my head, I just heard these characters talking. Like, stories just kept going. And I'd be like, excuse me. I'd write something down. So I was very. I think when I'm doing that, I see why writers are so isolated at times. Because sometimes, you know, I'm not like a writer that I'd be like, first of all, I think I'm more of a storyteller. And in this book, there's a couple moments I allowed myself to write and have a little bit more fun. But for the most part, I really just wanted it to stay in my voice. Like, I'm telling you a story the way I would remember telling it. And, you know, I'd. A lot of the times I'd have to approach it the way I would approach a scene sometimes or sense memory stuff. I would just lay there. Something would come up, and I'm like, what is that? What is that ball I'm seeing, like. And then all of a sudden, you almost go into I hypnosis. But then all of a sudden, you see the whole scene. It's like, oh, my God, I remember that. Why am I thinking about that? And you kind of keep chasing it. It's like, oh, that's what this is about. That's so interesting. Then you try to, like, just write it exactly the way you see it, you know? So I just found. I guess to answer your question, it's like. It's very isolating, but it's because you kind of have to. You just have to kind of percolate and be in your own brain a little bit and allow things to come up.
- [36:08]
Buzz Knight
Was your experience with Larry David and Curb youb Enthusiasm, was that a fun experience?
- [36:15]
Gina Gershon
The funnest. So fun. I mean, that is like, the funnest gig ever. Because you were just completely improvising. There's like, okay, you're gonna come in and flirt with Larry. It's like, okay, you know, and then just go, like in every scene. It's like, oh, that's great. That's great. Now you're gonna have an argument about this, and that's it. There's one line, and then you just make it up. And the two of you are going at it. And obviously he's so brilliant and funny, and we really. I really had a great time working with him. It was one of the best gigs ever.
- [36:45]
Buzz Knight
Oh, that's fantastic.
- [36:46]
Gina Gershon
Yeah.
- [36:48]
Buzz Knight
So before we close, I have to ask you the question. Because it's called taking a walk. Is there somebody or some group? A couple more. You're afforded more than one who you'd like to take a walk with, living or dead.
- [37:04]
Gina Gershon
I mean, there's so many people I can't even. I mean, I would like to walk alone with them each time, you know, so I could have real conversations. I mean, of course I'd love to walk with my dad. Cause he's been gone for so many years. I'd love to talk with him, my Uncle Jack. I'd really like to talk to my mom. Of course. You know, weirdly enough, you know, who comes into my dreams a lot. I swear to God, this is the weirdest thing. We always have the best time. We've even written weird songs together. I'm like that. Like, I wake up going, wait, what is this? Jimi Hendrix comes into my dreams a lot. Wow, it's so weird. And we, like, will be, like, smoking a joint. Or we'll go to In N Out Burger. Or, you know, like random stuff. And we just, like, laugh. I don't know what he means to me. You know, I really tried to think about it, but I don't know. I really have a good time with him in my dream. So he would be really fun to take a walk with. I'd be curious to talk to him. I would say Jesus also, if Jesus really, you know, he existed at some point to be like, get his take on this crazy world. Which I'm sure he'd be like, this is bonkers. What's going on? I didn't say any of that stuff. That is not what I intended. Oh, my God. The list would go on and on and on. Really?
- [38:20]
Buzz Knight
I'm pretty certain you'd be fun to take a walk with. Because you're an observer of everything. Especially, you know, with now you're in New York. And one of the most fun things in New York is to just watch people and kind of try to think what's going on in their head. Right?
- [38:36]
Gina Gershon
Yeah. I mean, a living per. I should say a living person, you know, who I love taking walks with, who's, like, become such a great guiding light and such a beautiful person in my life is Laurie Anderson. She's just such a great mind. And we. We could just, like, sometimes we'll just walk and talk and talk, and I can't really remember anything we talk about, but it's just Very flowy and she's very insightful and she's been very influential to me on things, you know.
- [39:03]
Buzz Knight
Yeah, she's pretty brilliant, isn't she?
- [39:04]
Gina Gershon
She's brilliant and kind and just so generous of spirit and like a really great example of a human being to me. I get very inspired by her kindness. You know, obviously she's brilliant because her mind is just. She's one of the few people that whatever she asked me to do, I say yes. Hey, what are you doing? Yep, I'll do. What are we doing? We're going to see a concert for spiders. Like, okay, let's do it. You know, she's very interesting, very curious person. She's one of the most curious people. So I really, I always like talk taking a walk with her.
- [39:46]
Buzz Knight
Well, Gina, it's been an honor.
- [39:47]
Gina Gershon
I gave you a living person.
- [39:48]
Buzz Knight
You did. You gave a good. You gave a good list. It was awesome. Awesome. And Alpha Pussy is fantastic. Congratulations on it.
- [39:57]
Gina Gershon
So glad you liked it. Thank you for reading it and for
- [39:59]
Buzz Knight
all of your work and the joy that you give us. And thanks for being on Taking a Walk.
- [40:05]
Gina Gershon
Thank you. Thanks for having me. This has been fun.
- [40:09]
Buzz Knight
I'm Buzz Knight and thanks for listening to the Taking a Walk podcast. Now please check out our companion podcasts produced by Buzz Night Media Productions with your host, Lynn Hoffman. Music Saved Me. Showcasing the healing power of music and comedy saved Me. Shining a light on how laughter is the best medicine. All shows are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and are part of the Iheart Podcast network.
- [40:39]
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iHeart Podcast Announcer
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- [41:46]
Gina Gershon
Janice Torres here, and I'm Austin Hankiewicz. We host the podcast Mind the Small Business Success Stories, produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Intuit QuickBooks.
- [41:55]
iHeart Podcast Announcer
We're back for season four to talk
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Orderly Meds Sponsor
to some incredible small business owners.
- [41:59]
Gina Gershon
The big thing about working at tech is that it's ever evolving, ever changing. Everyone's a rookie, that's how fast the industry is changing.
- [42:05]
Public Podcast Sponsor
So what I'm really excited about is
- [42:06]
Gina Gershon
to be part of that change. So listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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- [42:42]
iHeart Podcast Announcer
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