The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott

Episode: Mark's Best Friend (with Yul Vazquez)
Air Date: September 18, 2025
Summary by Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

In their bittersweet final episode for a while, Ben Stiller and Adam Scott reflect on the journey of Severance and its companion podcast, celebrating the meaningful connections and behind-the-scenes moments that defined the show. Centerstage is an in-depth and emotional interview with Yul Vazquez, who played Petey—Mark's best friend and a pivotal character whose presence shaped the emotional core of Severance. The episode also features a lively hotline Q&A with fans and touches on pop culture influences, personal anecdotes, and Severance “lore.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast & Show Reflections (03:22–09:10)

• Podcast Milestone: Ben and Adam realize they've recorded 30 podcast episodes, more than one and a half times the number of Severance TV episodes.
  • “That’s crazy. I didn’t know we’ve done 30 episodes.” (Ben, 03:36)
• Nostalgia for Early Filming: They reminisce about the first scenes with Petey, including the basement pizza scene, which marked the emotional foundation of the show.
• Yul’s Art Contribution: Discussion reveals Yul Vazquez drew the iconic “Petey Map” that became merchandise, such as mugs and T-shirts.
  • “He drew that PD map himself.” (Ben, 05:55)
• Checking In: Ben and Adam trade updates on film projects and share mutual admiration, underscoring the camaraderie of the cast.

2. Interview with Yul Vazquez (Petey) (09:14–28:38)

Yul’s Background and Path to Acting (09:53–11:43)

• Cuban Roots & Miami Beginnings:

  • Emigrated from Cuba at age 2.5 with mother and grandmother, fleeing the communist regime.
  • Mother was an actress who joined a Cuban exile theater company; young Yul was cast in plays but aspired to rock stardom.

• Music Career:

  • Played with bands Urgent and Diving for Pearls, charting on Billboard and leading to New York—eventually transitioning to acting.

Entry into Severance and Collaborations (11:45–13:45)

• On-Set Camaraderie:

  • Adam recalls the comfort and emotional groundwork of starting the show with Yul, whose performance set the tone.
  • Yul describes his initial work sessions with Ben, saying the goal was always emotional truth:
    • “If it doesn’t break your heart, then we got it all wrong.” (Yul, 13:45)

• Relationship with Ben & Adam:

  • Knew Ben for years from NY theater but never worked together before; quickly found chemistry with Adam.
  • “We have a text romance that I love and I… I really do adore you… you’re not only a fucking great actor, but one of the great humans in our business.” (Yul to Adam, 12:54)

Portraying Petey: Emotion Over Exposition (14:31–17:09)

• Petey could have been just “an exposition machine,” but Yul grounded him in humanity and emotional urgency.
• Adam: “Whatever exposition is there is beside the point. It’s the emotional character story first, and that’s what you came in and did just right off the bat.” (Adam, 15:38)
• Yul shares that genuine connection (“liking each other as people”) naturally infused their onscreen friendship.

The Iconic “Best Friend” Line (17:41–19:19)

• Adam plays the Phoenicia Diner scene:
  • “I’m your best friend. You’re my very good friend.” (Petey/Yul, 18:40)
• Yul notes the unexpected impact:
  • “A guy came up to me at the airport and said, ‘my son and I say that line to each other.’” (Yul, 19:13)

The “Petey Map” & Yul’s Artistic Role (22:29–23:31)

• Yul designed the Petey map, embellishing it with occult symbols and personal references:
  • “I wrote in a corner, ‘All is mind,’ which is something from the Kybalion… a real Western mystery school tradition.” (Yul, 22:45)
• The map’s esoteric touch reflects Severance’s mysterious, mystic undertones.

Petey’s Off-Camera Story (23:54–24:34)

• Adam and Yul wonder about Petey's unseen journey and tragic home life, highlighting unexplored emotional territory.

Petey & His Daughter—Music & Metallica (24:12–25:41)

• Petey’s relationship with his daughter (Cassidy Layton) and their performance of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” connects to Yul’s own music roots.
  • Funny contrast: “It was so sad and so adorable, you guys singing that dark, sad song together.” (Adam, 25:41)
• The challenges of rehearsing the scene:
  • “That’s where we would rehearse on Zoom… We had the fans, and I said, can we turn the fans off? Like, no, we can’t turn the fans off.” (Yul, 25:16)

Crafting “Reintegration Sickness” (26:47–28:13)

• Yul describes collaborating with Ben to portray Petey’s mental collapse, modeling it on real-life seizure videos.
  • “You’re going to have a brain hemorrhage. So you’re having a seizure, and then your brain starts to hemorrhage. And it’s excruciating pain.” (Yul, 26:49)
• Adam credits Yul’s interpretation as the reference point for later seasons.

Farewells & Mutual Admiration (28:13–28:38)

• Emotionally charged send-off between Adam and Yul, expressing hopes to work together again:
  • “Adam, I love you, brother… I have a lot of admiration and affection for you.” (Yul, 28:32)

Fan Hotline Q&A Highlights (32:00–37:12)

Naming Rescued Dogs After Severance Characters (32:00–33:41)

• Rescue worker Emily G. shares she’s named dogs “Lumen, Harmony, Cobell, Mark, Helly, Keir, and James.”
• Ben and Adam suggest:
  • “Mr. Milchick,” “Dylan G,” “Emil,” “Heleny,” “iMark/oMark” for Innie/Audi distinctions.
  • “There’s a dog at this rescue just named Mark.” (Adam, 32:56)

Which R.E.M. Song Would Fit Severance? (33:45–34:47)

• Question for Adam Scott, known for his love of R.E.M.
  • Picks considered: “It’s the End of the World As We Know It,” “Losing My Religion,” “Everybody Hurts,” and the lesser-known “Oh My Heart.”

Daylight Savings in Kier (34:49–36:54)

• Fan asks if Kier has its own time zone and suggests a global (humorous) compromise.
• Adam and Ben bicker (in classic style) about their opposing views:
  • “I physically dread [daylight savings ending]… stressed about it.” (Ben, 36:02)
  • “I love it when that happens in the fall… It’s like Halloween, the leaves turning…” (Adam, 36:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If it doesn’t break your heart, then we got it all wrong.” (Yul, 13:45)
• “I’m your best friend. You’re my very good friend.” (Yul as Petey, 18:40)
• “You already like this guy. Just turn that fucking thing on.” (Yul, 16:39)
• “The map’s esoteric… It can really go in many ways. There is a mysticism to the show that I think is appropriate.” (Yul, 23:13)
• “Adam, I love you, brother. I have a lot of admiration and affection for you.” (Yul, 28:32)
• “It’s been a little… kind of therapeutic in a way.” (Ben, 37:54)

Closing Thoughts

Ben and Adam wrap with heartfelt appreciation for listeners and each other, vowing the podcast—and the show—will return. They reflect on the unique accomplishment of Severance, the personal connections forged, and the surprising, ongoing journey the story has taken them and their community of fans.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Banter: 03:22–09:10
• Yul Vazquez Interview: 09:14–28:38
  • Yul’s Background: 09:53–11:43
  • Petey & Show Origins: 11:45–13:45
  • Emotional Core: 14:31–17:09
  • Best Friend Scene: 17:41–19:19
  • Petey Map Details: 22:29–23:31
  • Petey’s Tragic Arc: 23:54–24:34
  • Enter Sandman Music Scene: 24:12–25:41
  • Reintegration Sickness: 26:47–28:13
• Hotline Q&A: 32:00–37:12
  • Dog Names: 32:00–33:41
  • REM Song: 33:45–34:47
  • Daylight Savings: 34:49–36:54
• Farewell: 37:12–38:09

Tone and Style

The episode is rich with warmth, affection, and banter, interspersed with reflective and insightful conversations about craft, character, and the unique collaborative spirit that fuelled Severance. Moments of humor and vulnerability soften industry talk, making this a perfect sendoff—for now—for fans and creators alike.

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