Kathryn Hahn

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" with Ted Danson & Woody Harrelson (Sometimes)

Episode: Kathryn Hahn
Date: October 8, 2025
Guest: Kathryn Hahn

Overview

In this warm, funny, and heartfelt episode, Ted Danson (sans Woody Harrelson this time) is joined by Emmy-nominated actress Kathryn Hahn (known for WandaVision, Agatha All Along, Mrs. Fletcher, Step Brothers, and The Studio). The conversation flows from hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and the chaos of improvisational comedy to deep reflections on parenting, spirituality, and loss. Kathryn and Ted connect over their love for acting, family, and curiosity about life’s next chapters, offering listeners both laughter and wisdom.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Improv Challenges and Step Brothers

• Kathryn shares her initial fears stepping into the improv-heavy world of Step Brothers alongside comedy titans.
• Kathryn Hahn (03:26): “I never did sketch. I never did improv classes. I was like a theater actor... I never thought I needed or wanted to audition for SNL. That just didn't move me.”
• Improvisation on set with Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and John C. Reilly was a major growth experience.
• Ted and Kathryn reflect on the unique energy and learning curve of working with great improvisers.

Notable Moment
[05:13] Ted: “Just the kiss alone was hysterical...almost never quite consummated.”
Kathryn laughs about the infamous scene with John C. Reilly and the freedom (and terror) of improvisation.

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2. Parenting, Embarrassment, and Family Life

• Both discuss the challenges and joys of raising kids while acting, including keeping their children shielded (as much as possible) from "embarrassing" film roles.
• Kathryn Hahn (08:00): “The first time I showed it to them, my husband and I fast forwarded so much, they saw a 17-minute movie.”
• They muse on how children often develop a healthy separation from their parents’ public personas.

Notable Moment
[08:44] Ted tells a story about Mary Steenburgen’s son stumbling upon her nude scene by accident—and his horror.

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3. Working Moms in Showbiz

• Kathryn reflects on balancing being present as a mom with her demanding career, lamenting about missing moments and the bittersweetness as kids grow up and leave home.
• Kathryn Hahn (11:41): “The last year my son was at home... I just was like, I'm not working. And ironically, it was the year he was not home at all. He wanted nothing to do with us.”
• Ted and Kathryn share their feelings about the “year of lasts” with older children and the complex emotions around “empty nest” transitions.

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4. Comedy, Drama, and Creative Curiosity

• Ted praises Kathryn’s ability to merge deep emotion with comedy, especially in films like Private Life (15:22).
• Both agree on the thrill (and terror) of doing comedic material with strict rhythms, and on the joys of “reflecting human condition with a little hope.”
• Discussions about the specificity of great writing (Mike Schur, Private Life, The Studio) and the difference between improv-driven shoots and more structured settings.

Memorable Quote
[17:51] Ted: “If you can be reflecting—not just funny, but reflecting the human condition, that has a little hope in it... that’s my favorite thing.”

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5. Childhood, Identity, and the Pull of Theater

• Kathryn reminisces about growing up in Cleveland Heights and attending Catholic schools, where she learned to love smartness and theater.
• Early performances at school and Cleveland Playhouse set the stage for her acting identity.
• Kathryn Hahn (32:15): “It was like magic. I never wanted to do anything else... I didn’t make a decision. That was it. That was just it.”

Notable Moment
[33:00] Ted and Kathryn have a funny back-and-forth about pancake makeup and practicing "old age makeup."

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6. Religion, Spirituality, and Raising Secular Kids

• Both reflect on their own religious backgrounds (Catholic and Episcopal) and how they loosely, intentionally, or unintentionally passed that (or didn’t) to their children.
• Discussion about bar and bat mitzvah for Kathryn’s kids, and the value of building meaningful rituals and “community time.”
• Kathryn Hahn (38:02): “I have a little regret that we didn’t have... community, that was like, no matter what’s going on, you have to show up.”

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7. Grief, Mortality, and Staying Curious

• The conversation takes a tender turn as they discuss the deaths of their own parents and the gifts present in those final moments.
• Ted Danson (45:15): “It simplified my life. My life became: try to be in the moment and do the right thing. And you do know what the right thing is.”
• Kathryn shares the intimacy and privilege of being by her father’s side as he passed, emphasizing the honor and vulnerability of that moment.
• Kathryn Hahn (50:55): “I’m so honored that I was able to be there for that... the like, weight of personality kind of fell off... it was a really profound experience.”

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8. Dreams and Subconscious Problem Solving

• Kathryn shares how she uses her dreams to work through creative and personal confusion.
• Kathryn Hahn (39:49): “I like going into my dreams and giving my dreams a purpose... if there’s something wiggly about a part, something happens.”
• Ted relates with a story about comfort given to children in Africa using “empowered dreaming.”

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9. Marriage, Longevity, and the Next Chapter

• Kathryn discusses the work and evolution of long-term partnership, especially as the kids leave home.
• Kathryn Hahn (47:04): “You have to fight for it. Especially since one of two kids is launched... we have to invest in this.”
• She expresses a mix of trepidation and excitement about the empty nest, and Ted offers reassurance.

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10. Hopes for the Future

• Both dream out loud about future chapters: life on land, Sunday roasts with family, travel, new roles as actors age, and more time to savor.
• Kathryn Hahn (54:09): “I would love to be on some land... place for the kids to visit... so many places still to see on this planet.”
• Ted Danson (55:12): “I want to know what it’s like to try to be funny at every age.”

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• 03:26, Kathryn Hahn: “I never thought that I needed...improv, SNL just didn’t move me.”
• 05:13, Ted Danson: “Just the kiss alone was hysterical...almost never quite consummated.”
• 08:00, Kathryn Hahn: “My husband and I fast forwarded so much...they saw a 17-minute movie.”
• 15:22, Ted Danson: “It’s so remarkable, so quick, so nimble...but then when you do something like Private Life, it’s so rich.”
• 17:51, Ted Danson: “If you can be reflecting...the human condition, that has a little hope in it...that’s my favorite thing.”
• 32:15, Kathryn Hahn: “I never wanted to do anything else...that was just it.”
• 39:49, Kathryn Hahn: “I like going into my dreams and giving my dreams a purpose.”
• 45:15, Ted Danson: “Try to be in the moment and do the right thing. And you do know what the right thing is.”
• 50:55, Kathryn Hahn: “So happy I was able to be there for [my father’s passing]... it was a really profound experience.”
• 54:09, Kathryn Hahn: “I would love to have some land, dogs roaming free, Sunday roasts...”

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Notable, Heartfelt Moments

• [47:34] Ted reassures Kathryn about the “empty nest” — they all come back, and parents become more interesting as kids enter adulthood.
• [49:22] Kathryn shares the tender, cathartic trip to Ireland with her son before he launched into college, describing the emotional goodbyes.
• [52:39] Kathryn talks through her experience sitting with her dad at the end of his life—music, breathing, and the ultimate vulnerability.

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Final Reflections

Across humor, technical insights, and existential musings, Kathryn and Ted deliver a rich, spontaneous, and intimate conversation. Listeners will come away with empathy for working parents, respect for the art of acting, and heartfelt reminders to stay curious, invest in loved ones, and honor both loss and hopeful dreaming.

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Catch Kathryn Hahn in “The Studio” on Apple TV+, and don’t miss the next episode of “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”

Transcript

[Ted Danson]

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[Katherine Hahn]

Pancake makeup.

[Ted Danson]

No, you're too young for pancake.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, no. I did it. You should have seen my old age makeup. It was fantastic.

[Ted Danson]

Welcome back to where everybody knows your name. Boy. Everyone in the office this morning is very excited for our guest, Kathryn Hahn. You know her from WandaVision, Agatha all along, Mrs. Fletcher, stepbrothers, and so many more amazing roles. Catherine currently plays Maya Mason in the critically acclaimed series the studio, which earned her an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. The first season of the studio is streaming now on Apple tv. Here she is, Katherine. Ha. I hate. Even though I can be full of pretense all the time in a podcast, I just can't bear it. Okay, so full disclosure.

[Katherine Hahn]

Sure.

[Ted Danson]

No, I was looking for the joke. Sorry. That's what happens to me nowadays.

[Katherine Hahn]

There's, like, schoolgirl in me. I was like, okay, what am I? I'm gonna screw it up.

[Ted Danson]

Mary will watch my face go blank. And first she's worried, then he goes, oh, no, he's looking for a joke. This'll take a while.

[Katherine Hahn]

It's a strange interlude. I have a lot of those.

[Ted Danson]

I saw the studio. Oh, magnificent. You had me. And we'll talk about stepbrothers. I was just knocked out by stepbrothers.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, God. I'm your amazing wife in that film. Forget it.

[Ted Danson]

Well, let's just start there. The scene with John C. Reilly as you come out the door and you confess your was just knocked me out.

[Katherine Hahn]

Okay.

[Ted Danson]

So funny, so sexy. So like a million miles an hour.

[Katherine Hahn]

Bold. Oh, I was just holding on by the seat of my pants. I was terrified, terrified, terrified because of Adam McKay. Yes.

[Ted Danson]

Will.

[Katherine Hahn]

And Will John C. Reilly. Like, I had never really done. I had a very bit part in Anchorman, but I certainly didn't come up in the comedy world. Like, I never did sketch. I never did improv classes. I just. I was like a, you know, a theater actor. And then I was always kind of the class clown, I guess. But I never. That was. I never. I never thought that I needed. I never wanted to audition for snl. Like, that just wasn't my thing. Like that just didn't like, I guess, like, move me, but I really wanted to do, like, non. Paying off. Off.

[Ted Danson]

Off.

[Katherine Hahn]

Off off off Broadway plays.

[Ted Danson]

And you didn't. Look at you now. You did. You did your share of that.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Ted Danson]

For sure. A lot of student work, Adam. Kind of the epitome, if I understand.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

First off, I hate going to visit sets that I'm not part of. It's fun.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

I love to see my wife marry.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

But truthfully, if you don't have a job on a set, it's mostly kind of boring.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes. And you feel a little like.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah. But not.

[Katherine Hahn]

No.

[Ted Danson]

Not step away.

[Katherine Hahn]

When did you come?

[Ted Danson]

They had sofas pulled around. Video Village. So people could come and sit for two hours. Stop it and watch it. Because you do the text as written.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

And maybe in the morning.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

And then you would come back and he would shout things over a microphone for you to say.

[Katherine Hahn]

Incredible, incredible things. Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

So you do improvise?

[Katherine Hahn]

Well, I can improvise, Ted, if it's like, a character that I know. Like, that if I know the givens, if I'm like, kind of, you know, I just couldn't be like, oh, my glasses.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Nailed it.

[Ted Danson]

You did. That was very good.

[Katherine Hahn]

Are you sure? I want to continue with a scene, but, yeah, definitely. It's only if I have, like, if I feel secure enough and who I'm playing. Otherwise it is panic attack. Like, it's very difficult to just. They're such incredible improvisers that can just, like, relax and just, like, let it completely flow through them. And it's such a beautiful flow state to watch that, like, feral is like. Oh, it just. You just feel like you're watching something, like, sacred. Like, you just cannot believe how easy it just flows out.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

So, yeah, that was a huge learning experience for me to be able to have the allowance to go there and, like, have so much, like, safety with John that we just. That scene was just, like, rolled, like, so fun. So fun.

[Ted Danson]

Just the kiss alone was hysterical. It was almost never quite consummated. The lips were just kind of all over.

[Katherine Hahn]

Way too long. Yeah, that was. I do remember, like, ending that take. I think that was, like, a. A far into it, too. Like, I think we had done a bunch of different versions, and McKay would guide us down the most trippy avenues. Like, we were in that bathroom scene, and there was a moment we were, like, really, like, in gross detail, planning Adam Scott's character's death. Like, so graphic, like, and it went on for so long. And I love that we were able to do that. I mean, it was just. It was a blast. Like, by the time I got over my, like, oof. But, you know, I'll say Mary was awesome on that set because, you know, she didn't come from, as far as I know, like, that kind of a world. And so the ha. The fact that she was so comfortable and so game and so supportive and just so psyched to be there and see what was made. I mean, it was very comforting to be in scenes with her.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Because she didn't push anything.

[Ted Danson]

Love, by the way.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, please send her my love back. Yeah. One of the best humans. Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

She and Richard Jenkins.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

After the first day and a half of watching John and Will improvise, they looked at each other go, what. What are we. What are we doing here? And then they. But then they realized, oh, wait a minute. We are here to make it believable.

[Katherine Hahn]

Them. Believable? Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

They're the kind of allow the audience into this insanity.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes. They were like the anchors, for sure. It allowed it. Like, Mary was so grounding like, that. You couldn't have done it without that. Like, without her. I mean, I want her to be my mom. Like, she was so. My kid just went to college like, last weekend, so I'm a disaster artist. But yeah. Anyway, that was a really thinking about her and her, like, parenthood and, like, she must have just been an incredible parent herself.

[Ted Danson]

I of kind only imagine she was.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

And she's a great grandmother.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, I'm excited for that.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

No, everybody, whenever you say how excited you are about your grandchildren, people, didn't you love your children? Yes, with all my heart.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

But this is different.

[Katherine Hahn]

No, it's different. It's different. I got some time to wait for that, but I'm very excited for it.

[Ted Danson]

Where. Where is your son going? To school. Can you say it without embarrassing?

[Katherine Hahn]

I think I would. He would be so. He's on East Coast.

[Ted Danson]

Okay.

[Katherine Hahn]

Just drop them off.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah, that'll do.

[Katherine Hahn]

But he certainly can't see any of my movies from that particular chapter. He would be devastatingly embarrassed.

[Ted Danson]

Embarrassed, but not inappropriate. It's not inappropriate for him to see that kind of movie just because it's your mom.

[Katherine Hahn]

He can see that movie. I'm sure he's seen far worse. But he just. The thought of his mom in a movie like that or some of the other things I've done is understandably a nightmare. So I wouldn't want that either. That would not be fun. But the first time I showed it to them, we, my husband and I fast forwarded so much of it that I think they saw a 17 minute movie.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah, that's how my mother watched Body Heat. Oh, I'm sure she literally had her hand because I wasn't with her, but people told me she had her hand in front of her eyes.

[Katherine Hahn]

No, I'm sure. Oh, exactly.

[Ted Danson]

Mary did a film. Melvin and Howard. Thank you, dad. Melvin and Howard. And she won academy award for that.

[Katherine Hahn]

God damn Catherine.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Okay. Amazing.

[Ted Danson]

And she has a scene because she's a dancer in this bar where she is buck naked. Full frontal buck naked. And it's brilliant and it's wonderful. I just got a whole mess of people to go rent this now, but please me, Charlie, her son, when 15 maybe. And he and his buddies are just Friday night, board flipping around. He goes out to get a sandwich and comes back into the room. His friend innocently.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, God.

[Ted Danson]

Landed on that scene.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, gosh.

[Ted Danson]

But he clicked on it and Charlie walked back in and just reamed him. He was so angry. That's my mom. What are you doing?

[Katherine Hahn]

I've. I've told this, but there he was. Said there was definitely a party early fresh, like early high school years where he walked in the. There's a bunch of people around the TV watching it and he just walked out. Like he was like, I can't. This is not the party for me. Yeah, no, but I mean, there's a bunch of stuff. You know, whatever. It's. It's. He's been able to really healthily separate from my job, like completely. Like we love an Airbnb. We love like the four of us on a road trip.

[Ted Danson]

It's like separate or just bored. I'm sure kids are bored.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, I think bored.

[Ted Danson]

The only way we get kids back then, crafters. Well, actually, you know, we're working with so and so. Oh my God. So and so. Yeah, otherwise.

[Katherine Hahn]

Otherwise, forget it. Yeah. No. My daughter loved craft service and she loves a trailer. Like could hang out in a trailer. Like loves it like turning on the TV and the fake fire and like she just is like all spread out, does her homework.

[Ted Danson]

You get a fireplace in your truck.

[Katherine Hahn]

A real live, burning wood fireplace.

[Ted Danson]

Did you transfer Transo is psychedel. Did your husband and did you all pack up and go to whatever location?

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes, we did. For the, like manically. I did it for the first until they were kind of ensconced in school and it was like, you know, would be selfish of us. Yeah, exactly. But yeah, I. It was diff. Really difficult for me not to be there every night. And, you know, I'm sure. Mary, every. It's a.

[Ted Danson]

It's horrible being a mother and an actor. It is.

[Katherine Hahn]

Any. Yeah. I mean, yes. Any working mom. I. I'd say the same thing. It's just like any. Anyone that feels like. I mean, that, you know, that I cried when his umbilical cord fell off. So it was like, a really difficult thing to feel like, know that he was, you know. And then when I started working across the country and, like, he got his driver's license, I was in Atlanta and I was like, I can't do the Life360 because I don't want to be checking how fast he's going. And. But, yeah, it was either my husband would come with them or, you know, someone. A helper of, like a, you know, a friend of a friend or.

[Ted Danson]

You're always in the wrong place as a mother who loves their job.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

It's always.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, because I love it. Like. But, Ted, it was so interesting this last year, the last year that my son was at home.

[Ted Danson]

I love the way you say Ted, as a very quick aside in the middle of your point.

[Katherine Hahn]

Sounds very political. I feel like I've heard it somewhere before. Like, don't politicians do that? To be like, I'm connecting with you. That's what I feel like it's happening.

[Ted Danson]

Well, you did that.

[Katherine Hahn]

Am I pulling at Obama? I feel like I was like, Ted, like, it's very. It really is.

[Ted Danson]

Sorry I interrupted. Oh, but that was me improvising.

[Katherine Hahn]

No, but that's. It's so true. It's a real politician thing. Ted, let me tell you something.

[Ted Danson]

And I'm listening.

[Katherine Hahn]

Okay. And I believe that keeping connected.

[Ted Danson]

I interrupted you away from your point completely.

[Katherine Hahn]

I can't remember what it was. I really can't.

[Ted Danson]

Welcome to my world.

[Katherine Hahn]

I know. Let's move on, because I can't remember anything. What's it about?

[Ted Danson]

Come on, we can do this. Two brains.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes, I know it. My last year as a mother at home with my son, his senior year happened to be the year that I just was like, I'm not working. And ironically, it was the year that he was not home at all. Like, he just wanted nothing to do with us. So I was happy to be just in evidence. You know what I mean? Like, just be there when he got home or whatever, or hang out. But it was like, the irony was pretty. It was like, you know, it was so bittersweet and just, you know, it's the year of lasts. I felt like it was like. But to me, it was like last President's Day. Like, it was like every. This single thing that went by and trying to keep it from him, like, it's not. You know, he doesn't need to take any of that on. We're excited for him. Like, all I want to do is cheerlead this incredible next chapter for him. I'm so proud of him. And it's a big. It's a big one for all of us, though. I didn't quite realize. Ted, I'm gonna do that when any feeling comes. Okay, good.

[Ted Danson]

So excited.

[Katherine Hahn]

I'm so cold. Whenever feeling comes, I'll just be like, ted. See, I forgot again.

[Ted Danson]

By the way, last time you left, you had a little snort at the end, and it was really cool.

[Katherine Hahn]

Is it cool? Yeah. She's 52. It was cool. Maybe back in the day. Very cool. Okay. Okay.

[Ted Danson]

And I'm 77, so.

[Katherine Hahn]

My God, we're doing freaking great.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Katherine Hahn]

Every day. Yeah, we're doing freaking great. But forgot. Let's move on.

[Ted Danson]

I listened. I listened to you and Dax Shepard.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Ted Danson]

And you guys were so fast that I literally had to put it on, you know, slow motion, so I could. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Okay.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. I think there's a lot of caffeine. Yes. Yeah, there was a lot of caffeine. Not a lot of, like, sticking to something we kept, like, barreling through. Definitely. For sure. I love that person.

[Ted Danson]

Can I say private life. Private lives. Private life.

[Katherine Hahn]

Private life.

[Ted Danson]

So good. That's what I love. When people who are so intrinsically funny like you, and my image of you is like a downhill mogul racer. You going to pull off what you do. You just have to go fuck it and stick your, you know, ski over the tips of your skis. And, you know, and it's just so remarkable, so quick, so nimble. But then when you do something like private life, it's like the threat of how funny you are and you're not being funny in those moments. I think this makes it so rich. I love that.

[Katherine Hahn]

I love that movie.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah. Paul is pretty remarkable.

[Katherine Hahn]

Paul is remarkable. And, like, I've just felt instantly like we were weirdly. Just felt very fraternal. Like, very. From the beginning, it just felt like we've just been. We had just been family for years. And Tamara Jenkins, who wrote and directed it, is like. I mean, this is only her third film, and the. She only will say something when she needs to say it. And this Was so personal to her.

[Ted Danson]

While directing, you mean?

[Katherine Hahn]

Well, while writing it. So, like, in terms. Yeah, no, in terms of writing something. She'll only write it if, like, that is something that needs to be said by her. So the way that she directed this was like, I. When I saw for the first time, it was like every little pixel on the screen was so investigated by her. Like, she took such care of. Of. Of every single detail. Like, I remember there was like, we were. We were like pulling espresso and. And she wanted to get the sound so clearly so that the audience could maybe even, like, smell it if they wanted to. Like, yeah, she. It was. Yeah, that was one of the. My favorite experiences. And that part is both of their parts. It's just so heartbreaking. It's like, achy because it was like you said, it wasn't, like, didn't tip over. And it's very important for her not to tip to, you know, any sort of, like, you know, like, weepy modeling or whatever. Like, we wanted to keep it in this. Like, which is my favorite tone.

[Ted Danson]

Like, me too.

[Katherine Hahn]

Isn't it the best?

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

What do you love about it? Like, what.

[Ted Danson]

For me, it's like, I. This is not what you're saying, but I did half hour. So long. That is three to four jokes a page kind of is the stereotype.

[Katherine Hahn]

Incredible.

[Ted Danson]

But to me, it scares the shit out of me now because it's like doing a music. It's music, there's a beat. And you don't have the ability to be indulgent in any way because you gotta keep the beat. And so when I do something, bored to death was that way for me where it was funny. Mike Shore is that way for me. Mike Shure writes that kind of stuff.

[Katherine Hahn]

Where he's so brilliant.

[Ted Danson]

If you can be reflecting, not just funny, but reflecting human condition, that has a little hope in it. And that, to me, is my favorite thing. And I feel like I've gotten to the age now. I found Mike Shore. I mean, you know him.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, my gosh. And I found him and I could.

[Ted Danson]

Work with them forever because I feel like that's what I'm supposed to be doing. Including this, you know, loving on people and saying, wow, thank you for being so creative is kind of my job now.

[Katherine Hahn]

I mean, in curiosity. That's what I really, really appreciate that.

[Ted Danson]

That'S in your work. By the way. You are always curious.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Ted Danson]

Pretty cool.

[Katherine Hahn]

I mean, it. I'm sure you would say the same thing. It's so unconscious, like a show like, the studio, you feel like it's like you're playing us. You have a specific note in that band, like, you know, in that, like, musical. Like, you've got, like, for it to. Like you said, like, for the. For it to flow, you have to, like, hit a very specific sound. Otherwise it just. It doesn't feel as. Especially with a good writing, like, you know, you have with Mike and these guys, Seth and Evan, and this writing staff is like, what? You don't need to ever kind of go outside of it. B. It would be embarrassing if you did, because they'd have to started all over from the beginning. You had your, you know, dumb improv slotted in there. Our camera operator was, like, certainly one of the cast because he knew exactly where to go, and that was the hardest he was editing as we were doing it. So that's different than Stepbrothers, where it's like, you know, still, and you're able to just kind of throw out alts in the middle of a scene that's also very technical. Cause you're not, like, constantly connected with the person that you're doing the scene with. So all of it's so freaking fun.

[Ted Danson]

It's more of an editor's movie.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

In that way, for sure.

[Katherine Hahn]

And Private Life felt that way also, but. And she was like, you know, same note. It was like. It was definitely like, faster so that we wouldn't, like, sink, you know, at all. And that was a great challenge because very easy to sync.

[Ted Danson]

And faster usually is better.

[Katherine Hahn]

Turns out.

[Ted Danson]

I mean, what if you're. If you've got it loaded?

[Katherine Hahn]

Listen to my. Listen to my podcast with Dax.

[Ted Danson]

Yes. There's a lot of nicotine in that, too.

[Katherine Hahn]

I feel like maybe there. Yes.

[Ted Danson]

A lot of speed of natural.

[Katherine Hahn]

All of a sudden, I was like, well, bye. It was so. It was so fast that the button on my pants kept on popping. I was like. Like, we couldn't. It was just nuts. So fast.

[Ted Danson]

I sat with him and Kristen Bell up in Alaska, and John got us.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, God.

[Ted Danson]

John, who's also the fastest brain.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, yeah. Oh, intimidating. 100%. Yes. Very intimidating. And a sweetie.

[Ted Danson]

Yes.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. Her, like, compass is just due north.

[Ted Danson]

Yep.

[Katherine Hahn]

You know, like, it's always. It's really, really inspirational about.

[Ted Danson]

About life, about contributions, about charity, about giving back, about parents, getting home, work.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ted Danson]

God help you if you kept fucking up during the Good Place or. I was a little lazy about learning my lines that day. She adored me.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, yeah, clearly.

[Ted Danson]

And she's demonstratively adores me. And if I started to fuck up, she'd nail me with a look. And it was like, if you keep me from my dinner with my children, I don't care who, I will rip you a new one. Good for her.

[Katherine Hahn]

I mean, that's terrifying. Yeah, that was like, yeah, that's she when we did. Cause we did bad moms, all the bad mom stuff. And she was a very young mom. Like, that's right. She was very, very young. So was Mila. My kids were a little bit older. We stayed in a legitimately haunted house in New Orleans while we were shooting, which was so fun. But it was such a pleasure watching, getting in a triangle with the two of them. It really like you sometimes, you know, you never know. And it was like, it just was.

[Ted Danson]

Like, yeah, they're all. They're all you. All you. All three of you are very cool ladies. Forged by nature and alive with fall color, Maine does autumn the way it's meant to be. Think quiet, misty mornings, glowing foliage, salt scented breezes, then fresh lobster. Just press cider and warm donuts straight from the farm. There's no script here, just woods, waves, and whatever comes next this fall. Write your story in Maine. Start [e-mail] you probably think it's too soon to join AARP, right? Well, let's take a minute to talk about it. Where do you see yourself in 15 years? More specifically, your career, your health, your social life? What are you doing now to help you get there? There are tons of ways for you to start preparing today for your future with aarp. That dream job you've dreamt about? Sign up for AARP reskilling courses to help make it a reality. How about that active lifestyle you've only spoken about from the couch? AARP has health tips and wellness tools to keep you moving for years to come. But none of these experiences are without making friends along the way. Connect with your community through AARP volunteer events. So it's safe to say it's never too soon to join aarp. They're here to help your money, health and happiness live as long as you do. That's why the younger you are, the more you need AARP. Learn more at aarp.org wisefriend as the weather cools, it's time to swap in the pieces that actually get the job done. Warm, durable, and built to last. And Quince delivers every time with wardrobe staples that'll carry you through the season. Quince cuts out the middleman to deliver premium quality at half the cost of similar brands so to keep it real, I'm looking at this half zip flow, knit, high performance dealio and I'm going to buy it because we're going to Japan in the fall and I think I'll look sharp. So there you are. Layer up this fall with pieces that feel as good as they Look. Go to Quince.com Ted and Woody for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q U I N C E.com TedinWoody free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com Ted and Woody Cleveland Heights.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes. Ohio.

[Ted Danson]

Ohio. Is that part of Cleveland? Forgive my ignorance.

[Katherine Hahn]

Is it that it's Cleveland Heights?

[Ted Danson]

Which part of Cleveland? Cleveland Heights usually means rich?

[Katherine Hahn]

You're right. The heights in this, in this case, I would say was minimal.

[Ted Danson]

Minimal.

[Katherine Hahn]

And the west side was definitely considered the more wealthy side. Huge lawns, you know what I mean? Like a lot of sprinklers. I remember the trick or treating over there was much better than the trick or treating in my neighborhood. But it was like, you know, one of those neighborhoods where I, you know, we walked to school to St. Anne's like over on Christmas they had the little like votaries, like lining the street to go to, you know, mass, like trick or treating was so rad. So yeah, it was a real, a sweet, sweet neighborhood for sure.

[Ted Danson]

Just a parenthesis because I want to keep going on this, but if I had a little video of that 6, 7, 8 year old, would I go? Yep, yep. That's Katherine Hahn.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes, yes.

[Ted Danson]

That was. You were there.

[Katherine Hahn]

She was there. But maybe she was very shy, but she definitely had a uniform on that her mom got thinking that she would grow seven dress sizes by the time that she graduated. So one could pull it off from the top, which was fun. I had to wear shorts. Yeah, I had. You had to wear saddle shoes.

[Ted Danson]

This is Catholic school now. Or.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes, yes. Which was from age from kindergarten to high school.

[Ted Danson]

Oh wow. Same one.

[Katherine Hahn]

No, no, it went from co ed elementary to single sex high school.

[Ted Danson]

Which explains a lot, Catherine. But go on. Because I went to a single, single sex Episcopal school in Connecticut. Yeah. Anyway, okay.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes. But my tricky. I had saddle shoes that looks like Bozo the Clown. Like they were so big on me again because I think she thought I was gonna go from a six to like an eleven and a half. So. Yes, that was me. A lot of like. Yeah, that was a, you know, messy, messy Kathy for sure.

[Ted Danson]

But you already, I read, knew.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

Something, something here with entertaining or acting or Performing. What was that? What?

[Katherine Hahn]

Well, you know, as the oldest, I have two brothers in. At St. Ann's they had like, you know, stuff to do at mass. So I. Oh, my shirt's on backwards. Anyway, Detail.

[Ted Danson]

Wow.

[Katherine Hahn]

Please. Anyway, tangents. It's fine.

[Ted Danson]

It's very fetching. Probably a smidge itching.

[Katherine Hahn]

Mock turtle on the front. Unexpected. Okay. I. I thought I was like, oh, is she getting a rash? Okay. Okay. I'm glad to know Catholic school.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

So my parents, I think, you know.

[Ted Danson]

If you had had that old uniform, you could just turn it around getting out of it.

[Katherine Hahn]

That's why I'm real good at a quick change. I really know how to do it. But yeah, Catholic school, we kind of. We went there because it was the cheapest private education. And Catholic school was like a. You know, it's just our families, you know, what it was for generations. And my. I loved going to a. I really did. Like kind of going to high school. A single sex high school.

[Ted Danson]

Because their advantages.

[Katherine Hahn]

Well, especially for a young woman human to be able to like, raise her hand. And it was actually cool to be smart.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Instead of trying to, like, hide yourself with the boys around. How awful.

[Ted Danson]

How often.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. And I liked a uniform because it kind of. There was an equality. Like I didn't have to kind of keep up with everybody. And so I actually kind of didn't mind it. I had some really. I had a couple of really radical nuns that were incredibly intellectual, that I had deep empathy for because of probably the reasons that they became nuns at a time where there are very little options, but very intellectual.

[Ted Danson]

Did you pick that up, intuit it, or did they.

[Katherine Hahn]

I think I put it out. I think I picked that up.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

So it may or may not be true.

[Ted Danson]

Right.

[Katherine Hahn]

But that's kind of was my feeling. They were very.

[Ted Danson]

Moving.

[Katherine Hahn]

Moving to me and also into the theater. And so to get back to like, what we had been talking about, like, I felt that I could almost be more myself or, like, tell the truth and easier when I was saying someone else's lines. It felt safe to me to be on stage. It felt like I had like an autonomy over, like the arc. Like as soon as it started that was mine and the people I were like working with. And it felt so much better than kind of like, you know, hunching my way through grade school and being afraid to raise my hand then. And I felt an instant kind of gratification from it. I was a. I did something at St. Anne's Salty. The Psalm book. Okay. With a P.S. and then I went right to the Cleveland Playhouse, which was like, our regional big deal.

[Ted Danson]

By the way, Cleveland Playhouse is one of the important theaters. Regional theaters.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. Paul Newman, A lot of human beings. But of course, it's one of those that had to lose their space. Funding is being, you know, stripped away.

[Ted Danson]

Let's talk about that in a little while.

[Katherine Hahn]

So, I mean, they're not even where they had been. But I grew up in these little black box theaters, like, with those ghost lamps and, like, watching these regional theater actors that would just do a gazillion different plays and they all played different parts in it. And I was. I was literally. They had literally something called a curtain puller. And I was actually. I was not able to do that by the time they got there. But we were definitely invested. You know, where we did classes was an old department store. Like, it just folded. And so, like, I remember being dropped off on Saturday mornings, seeing that there was like, a huge, dark department store with, like. Like. Like dummies and, like, old racks, and it was so terrifying. And we would go, like, exploring, explore. And then there was a. What are those machines called? Where you could, like, put quarters in and get stuff.

[Ted Danson]

Kind of thing.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, but it was, like, a small thing. Oh, God. You guys know slot machine? I think it's Vegas. No, but you can get things. It would be like this. You'd put, like, C5, and then it would be like, Snickers bars.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Vending machine.

[Ted Danson]

Thank you.

[Katherine Hahn]

So I would get a big old Snicker Snickers and a Pepsi and just, like, hang out with the actors. And it was like magic. Magic. I never wanted to do anything else. It was like, Ted. Ted. I got a Ted and a snort Ted. It was like I wasn't. It was like I didn't make a decision. I'm sure I don't. I. I wonder. Like, I feel like a lot of actors would see this. It was like. I didn't. It was just all of a sudden, that's who I was. Like, there was no. I didn't know what it would look like. I certainly didn't know what it. How it would happen. But I just was. That was it. That was just it.

[Ted Danson]

I had the same thing. It really is running away to the circus.

[Katherine Hahn]

It's running to the circus. It feels, like, reckless and safe, and it's like Chosen Family. And I just loved. Loved the feeling, like, of being backstage and all having your Bob Mackie makeup or whatever that, like, thick stuff was. And. You know what I mean?

[Ted Danson]

No. You're too young for pancake.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, no, I did it. You should have seen my old age makeup. It was, yes, fantastic. Although I switched the highlight and the low light so it was like a skeleton. I look like Skeletor.

[Ted Danson]

It's so funny. I used to practice old age workout. Now I'm going to see. I. I go around. I go around pretending that. Fantastic, Fantastic.

[Katherine Hahn]

What if you just wore pancake Old age makeup?

[Ted Danson]

That's kind of how I feel. It's so funny. I feel like I'm going along with the. You know, when I. Even when I say I'm 77, it's like I'm going along with this. Not really sure. It's false humility.

[Katherine Hahn]

Sure.

[Ted Danson]

And then I look at myself on screen and it's like, oh, I'm 77.

[Katherine Hahn]

I cannot. I've never been able to watch a monitor. Like, I can't do it. I can watch the thing, but I can everyone. Every time, it's like, oh, I can't. I can't. Because I just immediately know I'll be thinking about the wrong thing.

[Ted Danson]

You'll be judged. I judge myself.

[Katherine Hahn]

Me too.

[Ted Danson]

When I'm not looking on by myself, I'm talking Brando, Olivia, whatever. I love it. I'm joyful and it's wonderful.

[Katherine Hahn]

Me, too. Like, if someone needs to move where I, you know, move me or tell me, like, something technical, I'm great, but it goes away. And all of a sudden there is, like, you're with the person. You're, like, in the best place ever. Like, you're, you know, the. I mean, that's my favorite. It's like when they say action. It's like right before action is that little like. Like, moment. It's my favorite. And then all of a sudden there's like. And I hate that feeling. He's that feeling with lines, too.

[Ted Danson]

So, any scars from Catholic schools? I didn't have scars from the. From the Episcopal.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. You didn't? No. Episcopal was pretty.

[Ted Danson]

It's a watered down.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ted Danson]

Did you have to wear uniforms in that? It was khakis or something and a sport coat and tie. Every day.

[Katherine Hahn]

Okay.

[Ted Danson]

Chapel Every morning, 6:37, church Sunday, you know, full high mass, incense, the whole deal. Yeah, yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

That smell I miss.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah, that boy. Isn't it funny how smells take you instantly back?

[Katherine Hahn]

Instantly. Instantly. I smell it and I'm waiting in line to go into the confessional and.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah, we didn't do that.

[Katherine Hahn]

You didn't do that. This was like us waiting. It was like, you Hear everything. There's like, right there. It was like, all was kind of like, huh. Everyone was like. I remember sitting there being like, I don't know. Bless me, Father. I'm. I said, you know, shit five times in the last.

[Ted Danson]

Did you make stuff up that you knew was just barely bad, but okay.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

I mean, I didn't have, like, that much bad stuff until, like, high school.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

But. And then we didn't have to do it. But in elementary school, it was like.

[Ted Danson]

I don't know.

[Katherine Hahn]

I mean, I don't know. Like, get me out of here. This was so hot and annoying. We had to be quiet. And you could kind of see them through the grate. And I was like, I just talked to you. Like, there's no reason to have, like, this fake, like, you know, mesh thing between us, cuz, like, hello, Father.

[Ted Danson]

You know, all of these are none of my business questions. Are your kids. Have they been exposed to.

[Katherine Hahn]

My husband is Jewish, and so they both were bar and bat mitzvah. I. I kind like. But we're kind of. We're kind of like, both just open to what they are, what grabs them. And so, like, they really. It was a very progressive bar and bat mitzvah and. But they took a lot out of it. There was definitely a service aspect that they had to complete by the end. And that is kind of. I loved it as a rite of passage for them into teenagehood that, like, their family was able to come. We did it in our living room. Like, it was. That was pretty great, but. And we belong to a pretty, you know, radical temple that doesn't actually have, like, a. Like a space. It kind of like, borrows spaces. Like, so it'll be at an Episcopalian church, actually. Or it'll be like, at a rec center or. And it doesn't. I don't have to go. We don't go all the time, but it's always nourishing when I do.

[Ted Danson]

It's one thing I think Mary and I maybe both have the same minor regret because our kids are magnificent.

[Katherine Hahn]

I hear you.

[Ted Danson]

Is that we didn't expose them. I was to church or a faith. I mean, they get. Faith is different than church, I think, anyway.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. I feel like spirituality is, like, the next frontier. Certainly for myself. Like, I'm like, okay, now it's about spirituality. It kind of had been like, racy, racy, racy for a while, and now it feels like, especially like this next chapter after kids going. And I similarly have, like, a little regret that we didn't have like a. Either, like a Sunday roast or like a Shabbat dinner every week. Like something like community. Community. That was like, no matter what's going on, like, you have to show up.

[Ted Danson]

I know.

[Katherine Hahn]

And like, I. I really. That's something I. I definitely do regret. But they're both like my son more than my daughter. But she's. They're both. No, I'm gonna say my daughter, too. They're both very, like, curious people, spiritual people. So even though we don't have, like, a, you know, a. A regular. Like, no one would say they're Catholic or they're Jewish. I love that they're exposed to both. And all, like, all of it. Like, you know, they went to church when we would go home and to Cleveland, and, like, we'd go to, like, the Cleveland or the Christmas Eve mass, which was always.

[Ted Danson]

I do that with my mom because it meant so much to her.

[Katherine Hahn]

It meant so much. Yeah. Means a ton.

[Ted Danson]

So it meant same to me. But on my own, I didn't. Pretty much after high school.

[Katherine Hahn]

But do you ever go when you travel and you see a church or.

[Ted Danson]

Like a. Yeah, but only to say hi to Mom. Oh, gosh, that's so clearly. I remember sitting there, my father. What is. I don't know even how many. Sorry. 15 to 20 years ago, my mom and my father, I think, passed away. But my. My dad is forever present. Or we're going to a different conversation. Until recently. Can we go there, please?

[Katherine Hahn]

I want to go there, please.

[Ted Danson]

You're the most amazing actor.

[Katherine Hahn]

No, I want to go to where.

[Ted Danson]

You'Re talking and because you are. You're spectacular and I love watching you.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, Ted, this is.

[Ted Danson]

But I also loved reading the other stuff that you were talking about, how you manage your dreams. You know, you did. You said that sometimes and least. Sorry. Forgive me, you. I think I have a quote from you that said that I like going into my dreams and giving my dreams a purpose.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, yeah, I do. I really do.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Especially if, like, sleep is elusive, if I ask a question, or if, like, there's something wiggly about a part. Something happens, you know, whatever. Whatever dream, no matter what it is, you can't help but have something. Something is going to connect. You don't have to write it down. You have to do anything. But there's some. Something connects in it, and if you're.

[Ted Danson]

Purposeful about it, it does.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Exactly.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

It helps with sleep.

[Ted Danson]

There's this wonderful. I don't know what tribe and what continent that when their kids Would wake up with a nightmare. This would be someplace in Africa. I can't remember where it was, but the kid was crying because a lion was chasing him and was about to eat him. And they comforted him and said, okay, so tomorrow night when you have this dream, you turn around to that lion and you tell that lion, you know, and empowers the child within the dream to go, nope. And that, that to me is like life.

[Katherine Hahn]

It is.

[Ted Danson]

It's not like, oh, sweet dream thing for a little kid. It's about you are. You do manifest your life. You are not a victim.

[Katherine Hahn]

You are your thoughts. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was reading this. Well, two things. My friend who, I mean I know we all know people that lost everything in these fires and my friends did in Altadena. And she said when she would first fall asleep after it, she would go into her home.

[Ted Danson]

Oh wow.

[Katherine Hahn]

You know, like, of course, like that's was just where she was. Like she would just be walking around her house and at a certain point, to your point, she would have to put up a do not enter sign on her front door. Like she had to like think of that so that she would not go inside because otherwise she was just kept remembering and remembering. Remember she couldn't sleep at all. And so I just. That's so moving to me that she was able to manifest. Yeah like a protection. A protection shield for herself. But I'm so with you. I mean I loved. I just read. It's gonna sound like. But I just read this book called. It's Pemachodran. Have you read how we live is how we Die?

[Ted Danson]

No. Oh, but I love the title.

[Katherine Hahn]

It's basically how we approach change how we every single like day that we live is like. And how we are not our thoughts. And how like much suffering we. You know, all that. But it's an incredible, incredible, very. It's. Anyway, it's one of those books that you're like, I had to read it again a few times because it is so true. Just makes so much sense. Of course.

[Ted Danson]

Forged by nature and alive with fall color, Maine does autumn the way it's meant to be. Think quiet, misty mornings, glowing foliage, salt scented breezes, then fresh lobster. Just press cider and warm donuts straight from the farm. There's no script here, just woods, waves and whatever comes next. This fall, write your story in Maine. Start [e-mail] Home Chef is rated number one by users of other meal kits for quality, convenience, value, taste and recipe ease. Whatever kind of day it is, classic recipes with fresh ingredients, 30 minute meals, oven ready trays or quick microwave options. Home Chef has you covered. I'm looking here at maybe our next meal. Roasted salmon with ginger scallion sauce and charred green beans. Prep time 25:35 minutes. Oh, difficulty level intermediate. That'll be Mary then. Not me. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering our listeners 50% off and free shipping for your first box. And plus free dessert for life. Go to homechef.com TedAndWoody that's homechef.com Ted and Woody for 50% off your first box and free dessert for life. Homechef.com Ted and Woody must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert. I used to, I would explore different spiritual thoughts or philosophies or whatever throughout my life. And not like as student, but as a curious person. And I remember when my mother was passing away, I would take the night shift because my sister needed her sleep and she'd do the day sleep. And this was after my mom had stopped really being there. There was, there was two weeks. First week was like just glorious. We just all celebrated her life together with her. And then the last two or three days, she wasn't really present, but her body was still. And I remember thinking all of my spiritual, philosophical thoughts went flying out the window and I was left with, I don't know, she might. Or she's about to.

[Katherine Hahn]

She's about to.

[Ted Danson]

But I, I have no idea. And it simplified my life. My life became try to be in the moment and do the right thing. And you do know.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

What the right thing is?

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes, we do.

[Ted Danson]

You know.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

And it simplified my life. And, and stay curious. Now it's 77 because you are, you are bumping into a lot of stuff.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

That could be fearful or uncomfortable or challenging or whatever. Stay curious. I remember hearing, sorry, I'm rambling. I remember somebody, Jeff Bridges had cancer a while ago. And I think it's okay to say because he's talked about it, but I asked his brother, oh, how's Jeff? You know, and he said, well, he's Jeff. He goes, wow, what is this going to be like? Oh, I'm so curious.

[Katherine Hahn]

Oh, my God.

[Ted Danson]

To discover what this cancer is going to be like. Look at me. I get. And that attitude of staying curious.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

Is pretty much, I think, yeah. Fastest way to go.

[Katherine Hahn]

That's definitely like this seems like the superpower is like also just keeps a point outside yourself.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

You know what I mean? It just doesn't just keep. You keep like Getting outside oneself, like, that's what I'm realizing. The older I get is like, okay, just be outside my. Like, find a point over there, whatever it means, and just, like, put my.

[Ted Danson]

Focus, which is what good acting is too, by the way. You know, really pay attention to your partner.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, no, it's true. Listening, listening, Listening with every single, like, part of you, for sure.

[Ted Danson]

How do you guys relate? Do you have.

[Katherine Hahn]

We don't. We live completely separate lives. Yeah, that's like. That's how we've done it for.

[Ted Danson]

Does he know where you're living now or. No? No.

[Katherine Hahn]

Sometimes he'll get, like, a piece of mail and he'll know kind of where I've been. No, we. Yeah, we've. I mean, it's. You know, it's a freaking journey. 30 years is a long time.

[Ted Danson]

Oh, you fight for it. You fight for it every day.

[Katherine Hahn]

You have to fight for it. We have to go. Especially since, like, one of two kids is now, like, for all intents and purposes, law, like, you know, he's launched. We're like, wow, okay. Looking at each other. Like, we gotta invest in this. Like, this is the time now to, like, go on some weekend trips and, like, you know, rediscover ourselves and make sure, like, that we're okay for when she goes in two years. Because we don't want to just look at each other and be like, I don't know.

[Ted Danson]

Empty house syndrome is overblown.

[Katherine Hahn]

It is.

[Ted Danson]

We love it.

[Katherine Hahn]

You loved it. I love hearing this. Because right now I'm feeling if you.

[Ted Danson]

Do it right, if you do, they're coming back.

[Katherine Hahn]

They never go. They never go away.

[Ted Danson]

No, come on.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, no, exactly. Like, my friend was like, you are going to do his laundry in November.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Like, don't worry about it. And I'm like, I know, I know. But it's. It just hits you. Like, I just didn't expect to be like, oh, that changes so fast from, like, being his mom to being, like, peer. Not peer, but you know what I mean? Like, I want to, like, speak to him on the level. Like, got to.

[Ted Danson]

You do become more interesting as a parent. I think so, too, when they're out in the world.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

Because all of their. It's like, oh, shoot. Well, wait, what is this?

[Katherine Hahn]

No, I'm. I'm finding that, like, even our text relationship is becoming, like, much more, like, just feels like. Okay. I'm really into, like, this. We went to Ireland for two weeks this summer, too. The two of us, which I'd never been. Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

How Wonderful.

[Katherine Hahn]

He had been backpacking through Europe, like hostel to hostel, and. Which is the greatest. He loved it, met so many cool people. And then I kind of like swooped him up and we went to Ireland for two weeks and I rented a car, I drove hotel. We were able to do his laundry. I was laughing though, because I was like, his laundry. The cost of doing it at this hotel was probably five times as much as actually the worth of his clothing at that point. But it was a dream. We had like pints together and like. Yeah, it was. It was actually really. And I think that's when I kind of mourned it the most because he went off to like finish his trip and. And it was like, okay, okay. Like, you know, I kind of went upstairs, threw myself on the bed like whales, like whale, like banshee. And then it was like, all right, another thing.

[Ted Danson]

Sorry, Tell me please, you're into birthing your children out into the world. I'm talking about my mother dying. So you can see where.

[Katherine Hahn]

No, it's all the same.

[Ted Danson]

It is all the same. And one of the things I realized when I was mourning my mother's passing, you know, and I. I was 57, maybe I was very successful in life. I was so happily married. I had kids out in the world. And when I would have the time to walk on the beach and have a good cry. Yeah, the cry was a nine year old boy going, what am I ever gonna do? How can I go on just in that moment, hear you, you know, it went on. But I don't think you realize what is. I got mother in that moment. Your mother, who literally is the reason why you're taking a breath. You know, every cell in your body came from her. You know, it's like, oh, wow. I don't think I gave her enough credit while she was alive. I did, but not.

[Katherine Hahn]

Of course you did not. But like, I hear you. I lost my dad two years ago and ouch, ouch.

[Ted Danson]

Doesn't matter how old you are. It's ouch.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, Yeah. I mean, yeah. I mean. But I was able. Like, I had the privilege of being in the. I got there and he had already had like a big stroke. So it was kind of my. He left it all to me. But to. And I. I knew that, you know, he didn't want to be his. What is it called the like when you're like, decide what. Oh, my God, my brain will testament.

[Ted Danson]

No. Oh, do I live or die? Do you pull the plug or not? Sorry. Whatever that is.

[Katherine Hahn]

So that was Very clear. And I remember we did it. We dim the lights. We played Frank Sinatra. I laid down, I took a nap because I'd just flown there. And then he's in Cleveland. And as I woke up, the sweet nurse tapped me on the shoulder, and she was like, okay, get. It's getting close. So in my mind, he let me have this, like, rest, and I got really close to him, and we, like, we're breathing together. My husband left the room. My brothers were out here, but I made sure one of my brothers got to talk to him on the phone. And Ethan left, and, like, we kind of. We had, like, a. We kind of breathed together, like, as his breath was getting, like, longer and longer. Like, we were, like, felt very connected during it. And when it happens, like, when it finally was like, you know, he takes that breath, and it just doesn't come out again. And I'd never seen him so relaxed. Like, there was something about it that was like the, like, weight of personality kind of, like, fell off, and it was so vulnerable. I'd never seen him that vulnerable. And, you know, there was that moment where all of a sudden, the, like, the, like, roof of the. Of the hospital room was just, like, sky. It was, like, a really profound experience. So, yeah, I was like. That was. I am. I'm so honored that. And so happy that I was going to be able to. That I was able to be there for that, because it was, like, touch and go. But that's deep, deep, deep.

[Ted Danson]

It's deep. You know, it. Else. It's like you. It's a. Because they do. If you're. If your life is blessed, that you die before your children, one of the gifts you give them is, this is how you do it.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

You know, I don't know what the book is. You. You die as you live or you live.

[Katherine Hahn]

How we live is how we live is how we die.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah. I think it still holds.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

But, you know, keep going. Stay curious. Right up until and including the end.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes.

[Ted Danson]

Don't. You know, I think you have a responsibility to show those who are coming after you that this is part of life.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

How you face this moment is much part of your life.

[Katherine Hahn]

Part of your life. How you face change. Like, do you get tense and fear it, or can you, like, flow through it and feel everything? And. Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

It's like, if you're around when I pass and I'm going, no, no, remind me, will you?

[Katherine Hahn]

I will hold the Kindle. Mary would be fine with that. If I just kind of came in with the Kindle or the audiobook? For sure. For sure.

[Ted Danson]

Very cool.

[Katherine Hahn]

Aw.

[Ted Danson]

Five years from now. Magic wand. Where are you? What are you doing?

[Katherine Hahn]

Okay. Five years from now, five to ten in that range. Okay, great. I would love to be on some land. I don't know where it is, but I would love to have some land.

[Ted Danson]

Some quiet farmland, woods. Land to walk.

[Katherine Hahn]

Woods. Yeah. I want dogs just walking around that, like, leashes on. I want a bunch of them. I want maybe some other animals. I want, like, a stone barn. I want to be in a next chapter with my husband. That just feels like proud and again, analog and like having the. Having time. Like, trusting that we can have time. I want our. Ideally, our kids will just come visit on the regular with their families. There's places. So many places I still want to see on this planet. I love travel. We've been to some really crazy places, and I would love to investigate what people I could play as I get older and older, very curious again.

[Ted Danson]

Me too. I mean, one of the things I said recently is I want to know what it's like to try to be funny at every age.

[Katherine Hahn]

I'm given 100%.

[Ted Danson]

And that's why I love Mike Shore. He has given me that.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes. There's so many parts that I couldn't do 20 years ago that I feel like I'm like, especially. I can't wait to go. I'd love to be back in theater. I haven't been able to do it since my son was a year. I'd love to. If it's. I would love to feel good in this country. I would love to feel like this is exactly where. I'm so happy to be here. I'm so proud to be here. And, I mean, that would be the dream. Sunday roasts. I want to get into Sunday roasts.

[Ted Danson]

Yes.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. I really, really do. Like, just putting it in the oven and have a whole Sunday of people coming over and leaving and eating.

[Ted Danson]

It's very English. Sunday roast.

[Katherine Hahn]

Exactly. I really. It's very English. I think that's why, when I heard it, I was like, that's the way to do it. That is the way to do it. They know.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah. That would be a dream.

[Ted Danson]

It's become a pub thing. You get the best Sunday roasts in pubs.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yes. I love a Sunday roast, but I can't. That would be. That would actually be the dream.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Ted Danson]

I am so happy I got to spend time with you dancing. You're a delight. Yeah.

[Katherine Hahn]

I'm so grateful that this happened, and I really was a pleasure getting to know your brain a little bit.

[Ted Danson]

Yeah, you too.

[Katherine Hahn]

And your heart. This was really sweet, intense and good. Just keep petering off to the end.

[Ted Danson]

No, just give me one last snort and I'll be happy now.

[Katherine Hahn]

A little manufactured but that's okay.

[Ted Danson]

That was a lot of fun for me. Emmy nominated Katherine Hahn Catcher in the Studio on Apple tv. Plus that's all for our show this week. Special thanks to our friends at Team Coco. If you enjoyed this episode, send it to someone you love. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast app and maybe give us a great rating and review on Apple Podcasts. If you like watching your podcasts, all our full length episodes are on YouTube. Visit YouTube.comteamcoco See you next time. Where everybody knows your name.

[Katherine Hahn]

You've been listening to where everybody knows your name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson Sometimes. The show is produced by me, Nick Leal. Our executive producers are Adam Sachs, Jeff Ross and myself. Sarah Fedorovich is our supervising producer. Engineering and mixing by Joanna Samuel with support from Eduardo Perez, research by Alyssa Grohl Talent booking by Paula Davis and Gina Bautista. Our theme music is by Woody Harrelson, Antony Genn, Mary Steenbergen and John Osborne.

[Ted Danson]

With Disney and Hulu, there is so much amazing entertainment. You'll discover something every day. Whether you're looking to binge a hilarious classic hit like Modern Family, enjoy the biggest blockbusters like Marvel Studios Thunderbolts on Disney plus, catch the latest news on what you need to know, or check out new episodes of Only Murders in the Building. This is the one place that has it all. Get all of this and so much more with Disney and Hulu every day. It doesn't get better than this. 18 only offer valid for eligible subscribers Only terms apply.

[Katherine Hahn]

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