Wiser Than Me™ Season 3 Episode Summary: Julia Gets Wise with Catherine O’Hara

Podcast Information:

• Title: Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
• Host: Lemonada Media
• Episode: Julia Gets Wise with Catherine O’Hara
• Release Date: October 30, 2024

Description: In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Season 3, Julia Louis-Dreyfus engages in an insightful conversation with the legendary Catherine O’Hara. They delve into their illustrious careers in comedy, personal anecdotes, and the wisdom gained over the years. The episode offers listeners a blend of laughter, reflection, and invaluable life lessons from two iconic figures in the entertainment industry.

1. Career Beginnings and Second City

Julia and Catherine begin by reminiscing about their early days in comedy, both starting at Second City—Julia in Chicago and Catherine in Toronto. They discuss the influence of Second City on their comedic styles and the camaraderie among their peers.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [00:57]: "In my career, I've done mostly comedy. And my fondest memories are working with other actors to perfect a bit to like mine a moment for the most comedy possible."

Catherine O’Hara [25:13]: "I started on stage at Second City Toronto. I followed her [Julia] there and got to understudy her."

2. Transition to SCTV and Challenges Faced

Catherine shares her transition from Second City to SCTV, highlighting the differences between Canadian and American comedy scenes. She reflects on the challenges they faced when SNL producers brought SCTV talents to New York, leading to mixed receptions and the eventual struggles they encountered.

Catherine O’Hara [09:17]: "We worked on perfecting little things in scenes, aiming for maximum laughs. But when we didn't get the laughs, we certainly remembered that moment."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [29:43]: "It was a real asshole move [referring to SNL's reception of SCTV alumni]."

3. Lessons from Improv and Life

The conversation shifts to the foundational lessons they learned from improvisation, emphasizing the importance of saying "yes" in improv and how it parallels life’s unpredictability.

Catherine O’Hara [10:30]: "There are so many ways to move forward confidently and positively, even in the face of great challenges."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [11:18]: "You always say yes in improv, which is so applicable to life off the stage."

4. Personal Stories: Vatican Tour and Papal Meeting

Catherine recounts a memorable experience from her wedding tour of the Vatican, where a humorous mishap with priests led to an unexpected reprimand. Julia shares her own unique experience of meeting the Pope through an invitation orchestrated by Stephen Colbert, highlighting the blend of comedy and spirituality.

Catherine O’Hara [13:33]: "We laughed while pretending to take items from the Pope's closet, but when another priest arrived, our guide got yelled at."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [15:33]: "I met the Pope, shook his hand, and told him, 'God bless you.'"

5. Work with Christopher Guest and Improvisation

Discussing their collaborations with Christopher Guest, Catherine elaborates on the improvisational nature of his films, where no dialogue is written, fostering an environment of creative freedom and spontaneous humor.

Catherine O’Hara [50:22]: "Chris Guest would never repeat a thought between takes. As an improviser, he's so free-thinking."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [51:20]: "On Veep, Armando Iannucci would encourage us to forget the script and improvise, which was both fun and terrifying."

6. Family and Parenting in the Entertainment Industry

Both hosts delve into their roles as mothers within the entertainment industry. Catherine shares how her sons have followed in her footsteps, working in set construction and dressing, while Julia discusses balancing her career with parenting during the filming of "Seinfeld."

Catherine O’Hara [53:45]: "Both of our boys are working in this industry. It's remarkable to witness."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [54:19]: "With my older son, Henry, I brought him to work with a nursery on set, which was challenging but rewarding."

7. Insights on Aging and Relationships

The duo explores the nuances of aging, emphasizing clarity of vision and the evolving dynamics in relationships. They humorously touch upon societal perceptions of aging in the entertainment industry and the importance of maintaining humor and faith in long-term relationships.

Catherine O’Hara [46:08]: "That's what's wrong with aging. You start seeing things a little too clearly."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [60:14]: "Making each other laugh is a very sexy thing."

8. Reflections on Marriage and Humor

They reflect on their marriages, highlighting the role of humor and mutual support as cornerstones of lasting relationships. Catherine speaks about her husband Beau Welch, their shared laughter, and the resilience they've built together.

Catherine O’Hara [60:19]: "My husband and I really laugh a lot every day."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [60:18]: "A sense of humor is aligned with kindness and is essential for strong relationships."

9. Navigating Professional and Personal Challenges

Julia and Catherine candidly discuss the hurdles they've faced professionally, including gender disparities in pay and representation. Catherine shares her experiences of pitching ideas and the inherent challenges women face in being heard and valued in creative environments.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus [46:35]: "Have you ever thought that women often get paid less because of shitty representation?"

Catherine O’Hara [40:27]: "I always start most of my ideas with 'sorry,' reflecting a lingering effect of not being heard earlier in my career."

10. Final Thoughts and Rapid Fire Questions

In the concluding segment, Julia and Catherine engage in rapid-fire questions, sharing personal preferences and amusing anecdotes that underscore their enduring friendship and mutual respect.

Catherine O’Hara [62:38]: "Is there something you’re looking forward to? Seeing my sons. Yes."

Catherine O’Hara [63:06]: "Maybe I spent less time sleeping."

Notable Quotes:

• Catherine O’Hara [35:07]: "It's crazy. We would rework stuff and over and over, you know, we never gave up on a good idea that we thought was a good idea."

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus [34:08]: "I draw on being live on SNL performing live. That schedule, which was grueling."

• Catherine O’Hara [61:56]: "I wish I had seven kids of my own."

Conclusion: This episode of Wiser Than Me™ with Catherine O’Hara offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of two comedic legends. Through shared experiences, personal stories, and profound insights, Julia and Catherine illuminate the importance of resilience, humor, and meaningful relationships in both personal and professional realms. Listeners are left inspired by their journeys and the wisdom they impart.