Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (Sometimes)

Guest: Richard Kind

Release Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

In this heartwarming and laugh-filled episode, Ted Danson sits down for a candid conversation with his longtime friend and acclaimed character actor Richard Kind. Known for his roles in Mad About You, Spin City, A Serious Man, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and recently, as John Mulaney’s sidekick on Netflix’s Everybody’s Live, Kind opens up about his career, insecurities, acting philosophy, and the value of real human connection. The episode explores themes of growth, humility, creativity, the evolution of comedy, and reflections on politics and society—all through the lens of two seasoned Hollywood veterans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

On Mutual Admiration and Nerves

• Richard kicks off with his trademark self-deprecation, immediately admitting to being early for the recording out of respect for Ted, quipping:

  “I was here early. I'm never early. That's how much respect I have for you. I didn’t shave, but I have a lot of respect.” (01:04)

• The two reflect on the unique intimidation and joy of meeting industry legends:

  "I used to feel this way when I met Stephen Sondheim... Then I found out he's a human being." – Richard Kind (03:36)

Showbiz Anecdotes: From Clooney’s Rabbit to Charles Grodin and Letterman

• Richard shares a hilarious story about getting a skin pigmentation issue from being scratched by George Clooney’s rabbit (02:35).

• Delightful digression on Charles Grodin’s humanitarian work and overblown self-confidence, including ill-fated play readings with Andy Rooney and Regis Philbin’s comic bluntness:

  “Regis would just go, 'Rich, that was terrible! It was awful.'” (06:14)

• Ted and Richard agree on the enigmatic nature of performers like Grodin and Woody Harrelson:

  "Somebody called [Woody] a Redneck hippie. And that's kind of him." – Ted Danson (07:39)

The Life and Identity of a Character Actor

• Ted questions why Richard is always surrounded at industry events, to which Richard attributes his long history of “spicing up” projects with other stars (08:38).
• Both men discuss their approaches to friendship, relaxation, and reluctance for “guy time,” drawing a contrast in personalities (09:23).

Family, Upbringing, and the Path to Acting

• Richard gets candid about parental expectations—his mother’s boundless pride and father’s skepticism—leading to a late-blooming but hard-earned sense of accomplishment:

  “I was pre-law and he wanted me to go to law school and business school to take over his place... He’d ask others, 'Does he have it?'" (11:51)

• Offers rare self-reflection on craft:

  “I BS’d as an actor. I was big. But I became a much better actor after 20 years in the business.” – Richard Kind (12:08)

Evolving as an Actor: From Second City to Screen

• Ted admits he never truly understood the culture or process of Second City, and Richard gives an impassioned explanation:

  “Second City, formed in 1959 by real intellectuals at University of Chicago... You go on stage every night not knowing what you’re going to say for an hour.” – Richard Kind (16:48)

• On improvisation:

  “In order to be a good actor, you don’t need to improvise. But in order to be a good improviser, you must be a good actor.” (18:48)

• Both discuss the anxiety and autoimmune repercussions that have accompanied their careers (psoriasis/vitiligo) as expressions of long-term nerves (21:14–22:06).

Craft and Growth: The Truth in Acting

• Discussion turns to the necessity of telling the truth as an actor, especially praising Mary Steenburgen and Laurie Metcalf:

  “Mary Steenburgen cannot lie. When she acts, she tells the truth.” – Richard Kind (13:31)

• The honesty in performance, the challenge of surviving “three jokes per page” sitcoms, and the pressure cooker nature of multi-camera shows (27:25–29:11).

Navigating Comedy, Collaboration, and the Writer’s Room

• Richard and Ted swap sitcom war stories and talk about the limitations and demands for sitcom “satellites” versus “maypoles”—i.e., the central vs. supporting characters.

• Both admit they have grown weary of sitcom joke formulas:

  “Nowadays, I just say, ‘I am so sorry. I just can't do jokes anymore. I’m really bad at it. It makes me sweat.’" – Ted Danson (29:23)

• Richard describes his current role on Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney:

  “What I do best on the show... I keep my mouth shut... I can ask a question that can lead us somewhere else. I can help, John.” (33:25)

  • Shares a story about getting cut off by Conan O’Brien when trying to ask a behind-the-scenes question, showing the show’s playful, unscripted nature (34:49–35:08).

Reflection on Politics, Society, and Hope

• Lively discussion about the dumbing down of politics, the importance of arts funding, and nostalgia for a more unified Congress:

  “The congressmen are not smart… but their staff are.” – Richard Kind (36:36 & 38:54)

• Richard expresses deep concern about Project 2025 and erosion of democracy:

  "It is a battle plan and they're succeeding faster than we could ever, ever have imagined... Democracy is in peril. Today, democracy is in peril." (40:47)

• Ted and Richard explore whether today is the worst era for America or whether history simply repeats its pains. They land on a hopeful, albeit bruised, conclusion:

  "Alright, this sucks, but what am I going to do? Oh, good, I have to work harder… And then you die, Ted." – Ted Danson (45:49–46:07)

On Friendship, Conversation, and The Joy of Being Known

• Both reflect on the value of real conversation, even with those of differing views.

  “It's just another conversation that I want to continue tomorrow. That's what I do. I like this.” – Richard Kind (47:31)

Favorite Failures and Wrong Predictions

• Richard shares self-effacing stories about being confidently wrong—about Farrah Fawcett, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Big Bertha golf clubs:

  “I told Arnold, you stupid muscle-bound foreigner, you’ll never have a poster bigger than Farrah Fawcett’s. I was wrong.” (51:02–51:21)
  "Only I'm right.” – Richard Kind (sarcastically, 53:31)

Closing Complimentary Exchange

• The episode closes with mutual affection and gratitude:

  “I have such respect for your career. Not your acting, your career... You must outlast the war. You must be alive at the end. In spade. You are.” – Richard Kind (53:44–54:16) “I don't know why I don't just call Richard Kind and have a cup of coffee with him... This was a treat for me to hang out with him like that.” – Ted Danson (54:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I was here early. I'm never early. That's how much respect I have for you.” – Richard Kind (01:04)
• “When I was really good friends with George, he had a rabbit... It just disappeared [the pigment]. Isn't that weird?” – Richard Kind (02:35)
• “Regis would just go, ‘Rich, that was terrible. It was awful.’” – Richard Kind (06:14)
• “Mary Steenburgen cannot lie. When she acts, she tells the truth.” – Richard Kind (13:31)
• “In order to be a good improviser, you must be a good actor.” – Richard Kind (18:48)
• “Nowadays, I just say, ‘I am so sorry. I just can't do jokes anymore… It makes me sweat.’” – Ted Danson (29:23)
• “I act. That's what I do. If not, let me go sell jewelry, which my dad [did]… But this is all I do.” – Richard Kind (31:57)
• “It's just another conversation that I want to continue tomorrow. That's what I do. I like this.” – Richard Kind (47:31)
• “You must outlast the war. You must be alive at the end. In spade. You are.” – Richard Kind (54:14)

Suggested Listening Timestamps

• 01:04: Richard Kind’s humorous and humble arrival / respect for Ted
• 06:14: Charles Grodin/Regis Philbin anecdotes
• 16:48: Second City explained as an actor’s “Harvard”
• 21:14–22:06: Nerves and acting’s toll on health
• 27:25–29:39: The “maypole” vs. “satellite” actor; sitcom demands
• 33:25–35:08: Inside stories from Everybody’s Live
• 40:47: Richard’s concerns about Project 2025 and democracy
• 45:49–46:07: Ted’s philosophy: "And then you die, Ted."
• 53:31–54:16: Closing affirmations and reflections on career longevity

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, deeply human, and richly comedic, with both actors vacillating between heartfelt vulnerability, inside-Hollywood anecdotes, and generous belly-laughs. Richard Kind’s neurotic, rapid-fire wit perfectly complements Ted Danson’s steady, self-effacing wisdom.

Final Thoughts

This episode goes far beyond show business chatter, offering a masterclass in humility, perseverance, and the joy that comes from truly being known—by peers, by friends, and by oneself. Both Kind and Danson reveal not only what it means to survive and thrive in Hollywood but what it means to stay curious, vulnerable, and present in a rapidly changing world.

“I don't know why I don't just call Richard Kind and have a cup of coffee with them. That's who I am—so this was a treat.” – Ted Danson (54:42)