Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson & Olivia Allen - Spreading Joy with Leah Knauer

Episode Date: June 30, 2025

Rachel and Olivia chat with comedian Leah Knauer about the defining life moments that led to her success today, the craft behind her impressions and sketches and her off-the-cuff song about being on the pod.Like the show? Rate Broad Ideas 5-Stars on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThis is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on Hollywood Handbook via Gumball.fm See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a Headgum podcast. Hax is back for its fifth and final season, and so is The Hacks podcast. Join the Hacks creators and showrunners, Lucia and Yello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky as they unpack the Emmy-winning comedy series. On each episode, here's stories from the set, what goes on in the writer's room,

and how these beloved characters close out their final season. Watch Hax streaming exclusively on HBO Max and listen to The Hax podcast, on HBO Max or wherever you get your podcasts. Sometimes to swirl. We'll talk about dogs and kids and things. We'll talk about chicks and tampon strings. We'll talk about boys that I make you.

Because people die. Welcome to Broad Ideas. Hello. Kevin. Hi, Rachel. I'ma. You have brought so much cheer into this room just with the... Oh, my gosh.

Thank you. ...and all the pink. I was a cheerleader. Were you? Yes. Where did you grow up? All my life. Westchester, Pennsylvania.

Oh. Yeah. Where's from Phillies? Oh, really? Yeah. She, Eagles fan? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Are you? I am. Okay. It was hard when, like, they're playing, like, Taylor Swift, essentially. You're like, where do I go? But Taylor was an OG Eagles fan. Was she ready? Yes, she's from Redding Pennsylvania.

Of course. Oh, my God. I did. I'm Swifty, too. I was watching the Super Bowl. and I was like, I could go either way. Like, whoever wins great. You know what I mean?

Yeah. Her husband's Pittsburgh. Is that close to where you were? No. I've actually never been to Pittsburgh. You never been to Pittsburgh? People always bring it up, though. When I'm saying I'm from Philly, they're like, oh, I've been to Pittsburgh.

Oh, never been. Not close at all. Yeah. On the other end of the state. You're like, okay, great. You just hear Pennsylvania and you just want to own a piece of that land. Of course. You're like, I know it.

People from Pennsylvania, though, are die hard. Oh, yeah. You know, like my whole mom's family, like Philly. Like, it is hardcore. Hard core. And I love it, I gotta say. I love it too. Do you love a tasty cake?

Yes, you know tasty cake? Of course I know tasty cake. What's your favorite? The candy cake peanut butter. Yes, that is the only correct answer. Yes. Thank you. Is that specific to Pennsylvania?

Well, it's, yeah. But you can like find it, but it is, yes, where it started, right? Yeah, I believe so. I think. I don't know. It was an East Coast thing. I should know the history, but it's definitely associated with chili. You should know the history of tasty cakes.

I should. Did you have tasty cakes in Chicago? No, okay. Oh, they're so good. Now you're making you want one. I have some in my freezer. And you're a bag? Yeah, exactly.

Those are the cookies in my bag. I don't think I've ever had one. Yes, you have. I've definitely given you one. You know the round covered in chocolate and has like the cake and the peanut butter? How do you get them? What? I don't think I've ever had it.

I think you've been saying it. I go every year to my family. have a house down the shore. Do you have a pastry cake? Do you know there's a Philly Cheastake place, though, that sells tasty cakes on... Boots.

Yeah. Yeah, you know. Okay. I used to live in this area. Sorry. Okay. Yeah, that's the best cheese steaks in L.A. Where is it?

Boos. Is it Virgil Hillhurst? Yeah. It's down there. Really close to here. Close to here. Close feel us. Mm.

Okay, guys. So we have covered everything in Philly. This is amazing. That's why we're here today. Yeah. And before we started, we covered beverages. Yes.

I went on a whole can rant. It's really fascinating. Let's dissect aluminum. Yeah, but is it worse to do a can or a plastic bottle? I thought plastic bottle is far worse than a can. I would think so. I know it's cut Starbucks inside the to-go cups are coated in plastic. Well, also, and then it's heated.

Yeah. You know, people say you should bring a reusable cup. I know. We got to be those guys. I need to be those guys. It's a lot of thinking. But you know what else is a lot of work? Getting sick.

That's true. That would be a lot of work. Oh, from the chemicals and stuff? Yeah. Maybe that's why I keep getting sick. Maybe that's what I'm so tired. From your cans. We're just like drinking hot glass.

I know. Why do I feel so bad? My lungs are dying. Anyways. Hi. Hi. Hi. So you and Olivia met in Arkansas?

No. No, but I love that. It's a really good meet cute. Yes, we did. I thought you did. I thought you did. Arkansas. Redwood City.

It sounds like Arkansas. Yeah. You know what? Because you said something and I went to. Brave Maker, you went to Bentonville. Okay. Anyway. What's Buttenville?

Arkansas. Bettenville, yeah. Oh, okay. It's so cute. Is it? Oh my God. Yeah. She was like, I'm moving there.

And I was like, we're moving to Arkansas. It's Walmart's headquarters, right? Yes. That's why she wanted to move there. Wow. It's not for the Walmart. No, I understand. I mean, a good Walmart.

Yeah, but it brings a lot of people, and it was, like, cute and an adorable town and good food for a film festival. Oh, that's fun. That's why I got confused. Okay. Yes, festival. So we met at a film festival in Redwood City. Not in Arkansas, outside of San Francisco. But we didn't just meet, like, we did a lot together during that week.

It was so fun. It was so fun. Yeah. We did, like, panels. I think you had something. There was a reason. I feel like I was somewhere else. There was a good reason.

You feel like I think I was probably. I would see. I think you were somewhere else. I was somewhere else. She was like, was I there. You know what? I think you were somewhere else. I'm going to take your word on that.

I was definitely somewhere else. Anyways. Okay. So you guys met there. Fell in love. And here we are. It was so fun. Brave Maker is an amazing film festival outside of San Francisco.

That was the most fun I've had. at a film festival. There was so much heart in that film festival. I cried so many different times. I know. Oh my gosh. That first movie, did you watch that first movie? Which one was it?

Daughters. Daughters? Oh, daughters was amazing. I didn't know if you saw it there or the other place. No, it was there. She told me about that after she watched it. I thought it was in the other place. Wait, what?

She saw that one in Arkansas. We went back to Arkansas. That's where she saw daughters. So Arkansas was first? Arkansas was first. Hold on. She's, let's just, let's move on. No one cares about what documentary you saw at.

The Brave Maker film. But you saw daughters. I saw daughters. Not together. Not in Arkansas. I don't know if you were there. Okay. Okay.

I would like to get back to tasty cakes. Yeah. Wait, am I going to end up on wiki feet if I take my shoes off and put my feet on the couch? If you're lucky. Well, here's hoping. Do you want to go somewhere in life? Here we go. Take them bad boy out.

And you have pink toenail polish. Oh my God. Don't look. I'm shy. Wait. Stop. What's the deal with the pink? Like, it's just your favorite color your whole life?

It's my power color. Okay. Let's hear about it. I want to hear about it. There's story behind it. There's actually so much about it. I'm glad you asked. Okay, great.

Have you seen the movie Legally Blonde? No. I asked someone recently and they said no. What? No, it was really upsetting. They were Gen Z. It was really upsetting. They didn't know what it was?

Yeah. They're making a TV show. Yeah, so now they'll know. I was wearing a pink suit and she's like, oh my God, I love your suit. And I was like, oh my God, thank you. I feel like Elwood. She was like, who's that?

It's like, oh my God. Oh, my God. My old. Is this the time? Yes. When it starts. Ooh, that hurt. Okay, so Legally Blonde, favorite movie from the time I saw.

Yeah, it's the best movie ever made. I'm so serious. It's so good. So I have always loved her and idolized Elwoods. And I did, I started stand up when I was 19. Wow. In Pennsylvania? No, in L.A.

I moved to LA when I was 19. And I was like conforming to what comedians are expected to wear. Like flannels, jeans, sneakers, dark colors. I didn't know there was like a uniform. Oh, there's a uniform. Yeah. You say it. I'm like, okay. Yeah, I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Also, for women, it's very vulnerable to be like feminine and girly because it's a lot of men.

And a lot of them are not good people. Right. So it's kind of like a protection when you're not dressing like super girly and sexy. So I did stand up for like it'll be 14 years this year, which is crazy. But my life and my career changed when I started being more authentically myself, which has always been L. Woods. Myself, someone else. You know what I mean? Like that tapping into that girliness and the sensuality and plentuality and pletuality and

playfulness. So I started wearing more pink on stage. I noticed a huge difference in my own confidence in how people perceive me. It just, like how you said, I brought cheer in the room. It's like, I feel like pink has that power because it's like embracing femininity. I love that. Yeah. That's so interesting. So you started stand up at 19. Yeah, don't recommend. But I want to know, Because, like, to me, I'm always so in awe of stand-up and, you know, people that can go up there and do it. You're 19 years old. In Pennsylvania. Like, when...

Well, it wasn't in Pennsylvania. I mean, no, before you came out here, sorry. Yeah. Yes, I'm getting there. Like, growing up and when did you know, like, you were funny or you wanted to do it? Like, what was that whole process? I was always funny. I was always funny.

I was nominated for Class Clown one year and I lost. Oh, no. What, did you have to, like, compete? No, I don't know, people just thought she was funny. Run her up. Take the mic. Where is she now? I moved on.

I'm not still thinking or talking about this. It's okay. I'm fine. So yeah, I was always a funny person. I love musical theater. So I was voted most likely to be in high school musical for I was always performing. And then I went to college in Colorado. Did not want to be there.

But my parents were like, you need to go to college, even though I wanted to moved to LA to start acting. It all started with acting. Okay. And then I moved, you know, went to Colorado, then I went to rehab, which I'm sure we'll get into. I went to rehab after only like nine months at Colorado because I was just so fucking miserable there. Yeah. I did not want to be there. I wanted to be acting. So then went to rehab, then moved to New York for three months. That was like my trial period to show to my parents like I'm not, I'm not an alcoholic. I would just was severely depressed and like taking it out on partying. And then I moved to L.A. at 19, started acting, saw how much you had to, like, wait for auditions,

for an opportunity to act. And then I just took it upon myself of like, I want to just perform tonight. So then I started doing stand-up. And then that led to improv and musical improv, and it's a slippery slope. Wow. It's so crazy. So cool. Yeah. Also, just the fact that you're like, I want to perform tonight and did it. Yeah. Because a million of people, I'm sure, have felt that feeling. Yeah. And they're just like, but I can't.

Yeah. You know? I think when you almost die twice from drinking, it's like you kind of feel invincible. Yeah. I got my stomach pumped twice within the same month. Whoa. Yeah. So it was bad.

Yeah. And the EMT or paramedic said to my friend, the day after that they were surprised that I survived. Whoa. Some kind of a miracle. You are a miracle. Wow. Did you stop drinking completely?

A little bit afterwards. I drink here and there now. So I'm not sober. Right. But it definitely, it was the worst period in my life. It's actually like out of body for me right now that I'm talking about it with you guys because I remember being in rehab in Pennsylvania and thinking like my life is over. I can never tell people about this. This is so embarrassing. And now I'm like, I can comfortably talk about it on camera, on a podcast, 15, almost 15 years later. It's like really cool that it was the worst thing that happened to me, but it actually was a huge catalyst into what I'm doing now. Because then I started stand up and I was talking about rehab on stage. So it was also like cathartic of using my voice, of being seen, of processing that trauma and, you know, like taking my

power back of performing and getting to finally do what I want to do. Wow. So I feel like I kind of had no choice but to do comedy. Well, it's it's the darkness, right? Oh, yes. I better make this light. Yes, somehow. Yes. Well, you go, like, I know you're not sober, but like even I go to meetings and I've never heard so many people laugh at the most in a problem. appropriate, boxed up shit in my life. And it's so comforting. Because you're like, oh, it's a whole room of people that get the hilarity of the darkness. Yep.

And so that's why like when they say most comedians have darkness. Oh, we're fucked up. Have you met any that aren't? No, I think most are. You think so? Yeah, in some way. Have you ever met any that, like, aren't? aren't at all? No, I don't think so. I mean, have you ever met a person who's not fucked up at all?

Right. I've met some that I'm like, wow, that's interesting. They seem like, who? I don't, I don't talk to them. What do you think it's wrong with me? But then you look at like people who aren't fucked up, like Robin Williams. And it's like, but he was like behind the scenes going through a lot. So it's like even if they don't present like they're fucked up or messed up or, you know, going through something, it's still like, yeah, comedians, we want to share joy because I think a lot of us have seen the darks and the depths of life. But that's why dark comedy is my favorite. Same.

I remember once we were playing this game and it was like, you pick a card and it's like, do you ever? Something like that. And it was like, do you ever sit in front of your job and contemplate why you're here on this earth? And the person was like, whoa, that's fucking dark, no. And I was like, you don't do that? You don't do that? I'm so thrown by that.

I do that every day. And I was like, you're so, like, that's so normal. Yeah. But they like. Uh-huh. Yeah. Wow. Who is this person?

Like, what do they do? What is their job? I think they have like a good job and, you know, a good life. Wow. Like someone that's just content. I don't know what that means. Do you? To be content?

Like, have you ever felt, like, obviously I've felt tons of moments of content in a moment, but like someone that's just like flatlining it content. Do you know anyone like that? That's my boyfriend. What? You're both of your faces. That's my boyfriend. Yeah, it's weird.

Wait, what does he do? Do you poke him? It's weird, but he's really helped me a lot because he's just a happy person. Where is he from? What does he do? He's from the Midwest. He's from St. Louis. Actor, comedian, I'm at King Improv. But yeah, he's just, yeah, he's so content. And I am not that way, so he helps me a lot.

So, but then he has to be, but you said he's dark then, right? Because you never dark. But you just said all the comedians are dark. Oh, well, he's gone through trauma, but he's not dark. Oh, he's healed. He's healed. He's healed. He's all light and healed. Yeah.

Yeah, it was weird at first, especially. when we started dating because I was, unfortunately, before that, like, dating stand-up comedians. So it was very different than to date someone who was, like, just happy and grateful and kind. And at first, I felt like I didn't deserve it. And I, like, pushed it away at first because it was scary to me because it was like, okay, you're too nice, you're too normal. What are you hiding? I thought he was a sex addict. Wait, what?

Why? Oh, like, that's just because he had to be hiding something. To be a sex addict. Something. Yeah. He has something. Because he wouldn't kiss me. It was like the third date and he still hadn't kissed me.

So I was like, I told my friends he was like, he's a sex addict. He won't kiss me. He'll only fuck me. You're gay or you're a sex addict. Because once he kisses me, he won't be able to stop fucking me because he's for sure an addict. Exactly. But he's not. But he's not.

I've asked. If anyone, it's me. It's a projection. Yeah, it's a projection. Oh my God. So how long have you guys been dating? It'll be six years. What?

Oh, it's a really long time. Marriage, what's up? I don't know. Rachel, you're going to be blush. Should we call him? No, no, no. I'm not ready. I'm like, I want to focus on career stuff.

Yeah. I actually am writing a short film about this. About this very like that timeline. Yeah, yeah. That makes sense. What are your thoughts on marriage? Yeah. Never done it.

Really? Yeah. Okay. I've never been married. I have a kid. Do you want to? I don't know if it's. So want, I've been in like long-term relationships.

Yeah. But not marriage. I would have, I'm sure. I don't have anything against it. I just never have done it. I want to at some point. Yeah. Just not right now.

Yeah. But I get that question a lot. So I was like, okay, I need to make a short film about this. Right. Brave maker. Oh, yeah. Totally. Yeah, for sure.

Yeah, they've inspired so much. Yeah. Today's actually my eighth wedding anniversary. Today? Today. Really? Yeah. It was eight years ago?

Yeah. Doesn't it seem like longer? Yeah. How long were you dating when you got engaged? Five years? How long were we, we've been together? I think it was like five years. 12 years.

So, four? Yeah. Okay. Close enough. Close enough. How did you know you were ready? To get married? Yeah.

I think I came to Earth ready. Wow. See, that's not me. I knew I was ready. I mean, like, I definitely knew I was ready before I met him. Okay. I was like, that's it. Like, I knew.

Wow. She's the marrying. Did you have, like, a Pinterest board of your wedding? I didn't have a Pinterest board of, oh, yes, of course I did. Wow. But once you were planning, but you didn't have, she wasn't like the girl who had, like, I did have a playlist before him. Wow.

They had us do it at school. Yeah. Oh, okay. They were like, whatever you're cultivating, like, create the world around it. And so I was like, okay, like, what would my playlist be when I meet my guy? And, like, then we ended up using a ton of those songs for our actual playlist. Wait. I love a playlist.

That's cute. A playlist is fun. What would be your song? That's like a manifestation. Yeah. Yeah. My song? Yeah.

Wedding song? I don't know. All the songs. There's three. There's three. Well, there's the one you walk down the aisle to. Then there's your first dance. And then you can pick one for cake cutting.

Mine was Islands in the stream. Oh. Dolly. Oh, cute. That is cute. She walked down to Tom Petty. Yeah. Cute.

Here comes my girl. That's so cute. I don't have any of that picked out. You're like, I have not thought. No, I've always been focused, very obsessed with career. Yeah. I've always been that way. That's so interesting.

Yeah. I get it. I just like to... Am I okay? No. You said no. No, you're not okay. You're a stand-up comedian.

That's true. I haven't engaged though, I should say. Okay. Yeah. Forgot about that part. Fugged. And I was like trying to convince my fiancé at the time. I'm like, no.

I need to walk down the aisle to the Princess Bride theme song because that's our movie. That's fantastic. Well, I mean, it's also kind of cheesy. Why? It's cute. I mean, it's cute because Princess Bride is the greatest. ever, but I remember being like, I want to walk down to the Princess Bride theme song. Either that or Outcast.

Whoa, very different. No, my brother, when he came out at his wedding, walked down the aisle to so fresh and so clean. That's funny. That's pretty good. What was David and Alex walked down the aisle to the theme song of? What was that Alec Baldwin show? What? 30 Rock.

No. amazing. That 30 Rock theme song. That's awesome. It was like an Aaron Sorkin's show. Like a, like a. West Wing. Yes.

Oh. What? That's what they walked down the aisle to. Wow. Because it was like their show. Hearing those answers now, I think I have mine. I would come down to curb your enthusiasm. Yes.

And then an instrumental violin version of what ass pussy. And then cut the cake to law and order. Oh, my God. Chung-chung. That is. This feels so good. It feels so good. Okay, maybe I do want to get married.

Yeah. Just for this. Just for the song. We need you to. Just for all that. You're in Beck. Oh, my God. The curb.

The curb. Dun-Tung. My brother plays that on guitar. It's pretty good. Oh, it's so good. The dunk-dun-dunk. He does Law & Order on the guitar. Oh, that's so good.

That's funny. It is funny. He's funny. He's funny. Your brother? He's funny. He could have done stand-up. I think he wishes he would have.

Have either of you ever thought about doing it? No. That's not true. Bobby Lee dared us to do it. Yeah, Bobby Lee did get us thinking and he was like, what was it? He was like, I have a show in Orange County at this time. You guys are going to go up for. Yeah.

Yeah. No, I think it was like two minutes. Two minutes. Sorry, five minutes. I think he was like a five minutes. You didn't even want to do two? That is a lot of pressure. I would do it if she did it.

But people would be excited to see you. I don't. Like, it would just be fun. I crumbled under pressure, so I feel like my delivery would plummet. Okay. That's actually not true. You do well in the moment. No.

Yeah, you do. Not with like when I know I have to be funny. I watch you do it all the time. Yeah, but I don't know I have to be funny when you're watching me. Yeah, because before we get on the call, I say, you have to be funny. She could do it. She could do it. I believe it.

Yeah. I appreciate you guys. I think you both should do it. The hard part is the writing the jokes. Yes, I agree. That's the hard part. I agree. Wait, you think that's harder than getting on the stage and doing it in front of people?

I have no problem of being in front of people. Wow. Like, that doesn't scare me as much as, like, if you told me, can you get in the same room of people? You said, get up in front of them and tell them a story about when your grandma passed away. I'd be like no problem. Well, that wouldn't be very funny. Yeah, you didn't know my grandma. Oh, okay.

No, I'm kidding. Wait, I'm kidding. I don't have one. I'm just saying I would be able to do it and it wouldn't be the fear of the people, right? Uh-huh. The fear of writing bad jokes. Oh, yeah.

Is brutal. I don't know what you're talking about. That's different. That's writing about. So is writing a joke. One of my best pieces of advice to people who want to start comedy is go to an open mic and see, and I say this with love, see how bad some people are.

Oh, we know. It will give you so much confidence. You go, oh, they can do it? I can do it. That was how I started. I started going and seeing people bomb as like, oh. How like, oh, man, that's rough. Some people bomb?

What about bombing yourself? Oh, it sucks. But it ruins, like, your next day, yeah. And it happens to the best of the best, too. It doesn't stop, which I think is what's cool. humbling about comedies like you're not guaranteed laughs and you have to like I don't know that that's what makes it exciting yeah it's a good dopamine hit huh oh the best I can't imagine the best and as someone who has like you know alcohol and drug abuse yeah it's like it's it's the replacement of it feels literally

like cocaine not that I've done cocaine nope I have But it feels just like that. Yeah. Oh. I feel like I would like it. I would like that part. You would like that. Everyone laughing.

The cocaine part. Yeah. Hell yeah. You know, it's like, oh, that feels good. Yes. Well, no, because I used to do theater and I would, you know, you listen for the audience. And, like, some nights would be really loud and some would be quiet. And they're, like, totally different crowds per night.

And I'm like, that really landed last night. and now it's cricket. Yes. Or parts you don't think are funny they laugh at. Yes. And you're like, that wasn't meant to be funny. So weird. And also that audiences laugh differently in different areas of the world.

Right. Like I did my set in Naples, Florida. How was that? It was interesting. There was two shows. There was like, I think it was a 7 p.m. and at 9 p.m. 7 p.m. You know, most of the audience is very wealthy, very white, and very old.

Oh. So I learned. in that first show that they don't like blue. They don't like inappropriate stuff. So then for the second show I was like, okay, it's less fun for me, but okay, I'll clean it up and like, they want golf. And that was better. Yeah, they wanted golf and pickleball jokes. Yeah. But like where do you get your, like if you hear things, you're like, oh, that's like a good. Mm-hmm. That definitely happens. Yeah. That definitely happens. I feel like most of my jokes are like, they come to me when I'm driving or in the shower. It's usually like those moments of meditation where I'm like not distracted by something.

Or if I'm hilarious in a conversation like, oh, I got to remember that. It comes from all over. Yeah, sometimes stories. But so what I do on stage is a little different than like your regular stand-up. I do impressions. Oh. And I do musical improv. So I'm most of the time making up songs about the crowd, roasting the crowd in song.

I also have some like parody songs. songs yeah so it's who are your impressions and can you do some well it's true Barrymore here and i just want to say this is my favorite podcast i've ever done i love you guys it's so good to be here oh it feels so good it just feels like my dreams just came true you know i love it oh my god that's so So I do Drew. Oh, Jennifer Coolidge here. Oh, wow. Headgum podcast.

Wow. I haven't had head in years. Oh. And then I do. Love it. Anna Ferris. Oh, yes. Ooh.

Hookie. Broad ideas. Oh. I don't have. ideas. That's like scary movie on a fair. Yeah, we know all the versions. Okay, there's like Kristen Cavalari, who like, she's from Luna Beach, which I'm sure

you know, it's like in the O-Serie. And yeah, it's just like really cool to be here. And her, yeah. Oh, my God. Who else? It makes my face. Oh, my God. I love it.

Rachel Green. Jennifer Aniston. Oh, my God. From friends. Yeah. Wow. Look at this. Podcast.

My God, this is great. How long have we been going for? I need a break. Oh, my God. Are you friends, please? Huge. Yeah, massive. No, we're fans of everyone you've done so fun.

That is, it's so. These are our people. Yes. Oh, my God. Have you ever had your thoughts or heart set like on S&L? Oh, for sure. That's a huge. Okay, story time.

Yeah. Make the playlist. So you make the playlist, make the manifestation playlist. I'm all about like manifesting, visualizing all of that stuff, putting it out in the universe. So two years ago, talk about again like a low point being very transformative and leading to a lot of stuff. So like two years ago I got dropped by my longtime manager, which was heartbreaking. And it pushed me into, okay, what now? What am I going to do?

How am I going to like find a new manager? stay productive, stay positive. So my boyfriend gave me the idea to start posting on TikTok. So this was like, yeah, two, two and a half years ago, started posting on TikTok impressions. I didn't do impressions at the time. What? What? Yeah. But I've always been good with voices. I've always been good at mimicking people. So I knew I had the potential to do it. But I was not doing what I do now. And so I put myself on TikTok and said day one of manifesting SNL. I want to be on SNL. I want to do impressions. And then over time, I started posting more and more and I started getting better at my impressions. And then it's led to the last two years, which is how I even ended up at BraveMaker

and meeting you, which then led me here on this podcast. So everything is connected. But yeah, making those videos of manifesting SNL, though it hasn't fully cultivated. podcast is your in. Is this SNL? To S&L. Yeah, you're here. I'm on SNL right now. Yeah. Live from Silver Lake, it's Saturday night.

Tuesday morning. Do you practice that? Oh, no, that's the first time I've ever done it. Really? Yeah. I kind of feel like that would be a really good way to start your day every day. Thank you. Oh, that's a good, like an affirmation.

Yeah. Instead of an affirmation just live from New York, it's Saturday night. She does it all the time. That's good. I like that. I have done, and it's your host, Leah Canower. Yeah.

Who is that, does that voice? That was you. It used to be. Heaven will deliver. Yeah, okay. I'm like, who is that impression? But then what's the road, like, to getting an audition on SNL? Like, I'm sure they're...

Don Pardo. What? Don Pardo. Don Pardo. Nice. What is the... the road, wow. You know? Yeah, it's different for everyone. For some people it's sketch, some people it's improv, some people at stand up. I have submitted a video, but that's like

the very first step of many. But can I tell you what's interesting? Yeah. And I'm like, oh, maybe I shouldn't be admitting this publicly. But the more that I made those videos, I've kind of released the needing of SNL. That's great. Of SNL. Yeah. That's one, but that's when it happens, isn't it? That's what I've heard. Yeah, that's what I've heard. Right. Like, not the desperation of like, because I've seen what it's led to in and of itself. Right. I feel like that's the lesson of the whole thing is like putting stuff out there, creating things, and like calling into the universe the energy of the things that you want. Because really, I want S&L because I want to be a movie star. I want to do movies. So like if we cut out the middleman and I just end up in movies

because I made those manifesting SNL. You know, it's like... Then great. You never know. Right. Do you take sketch writing? I have done groundlings, yeah. Okay.

Yeah. Do you take sketchwriting? Do you snort? Sketch writing. Yes. Every day. See how funny I should be on SNR. Yeah.

Get her on stage. Live. Live from New York. It's Saturday night. Yes. See? Have you been? That felt right.

Have you been? I've never been. Have you hosted? No. You host it now? Do you want to? Yes. It's a loaded question. Oh, okay. Really? I mean, it's really hard. You could do it. Come on. You can I could do it. Let me tell you. She did. It's because there are cue cards, so you don't have to memorize it. Right. That's where I would probably get nervous otherwise. Oh, so you can read. Wait, you would get nervous reading it? No,

no. If I couldn't read it. Oh, of course. Yeah. Mine's the opposite. I'd get. terrified to read it. Right. I wonder what people who wear glasses do. Do, but what if you don't wear contacts? Then you should probably get your eyes checked. Glasses?

Either glasses or contacts. You have to like pass a background check to my problem is I'm dyslexic. So I'm like, I can't read, if I don't like read something through, it'll come out jumbled. My favorite is when they break, though. You like that?

I love it. Love it. That's funny. You don't like it. No. You're like, why are you breaking? No, but I know a lot of people do like it. I mean, just because it's like, I don't know.

But from what I have heard is like it's a real grind though. Oh, yeah. Like if you're on it. Oh, yeah. It's not for the faint. Yeah. I mean, it seems like a worth it grind, though. Oh, yeah.

Right? I would love to do it. Yeah. Lauren. Come on. Let's go. Told you. What are you?

What are you? Directly. Direct pipeline to Lauren Michaels. Yep, you're welcome. Thank you. It's a portal. Mm-hmm. Is what we call it.

So for movies, do you want to write the movies or do you want to act in them? Like, what's your dream? Act. Okay. Not even right. I'm really good at punch ups, like writing jokes. I love jokes set up punchline jokes. But I don't really desire to write full scripts.

And I have no interest in directing. Right now in my career. You know, that could change online, but it seems like so much work. It does. Like, haven't you guys directed? No. No. I thought you had.

Okay, you produced. No, that was Nadine. No. Okay. Directing. Oh, yeah. Seems like. I feel like I would have a really strong interest in it.

I just don't know. Like for me with two kids, I'm like, how would I do that? But you think you could be a lead on a show for 12 to 14 hours a day? Yeah, because you don't need, you can, you do your scenes, you memorize your lines, but you don't have to think about all the other things. Think about all the shots and the shot list and the, you know, like that's a lot of work. That's why I want to act. Yeah, I don't want to think. Yeah.

I'm with you. You guys. We just want to memorize line. Yes. I can do that. That's all I want to do. Did you, have you guys had like, similar to what I'm talking about of, like, a goal that then kind of changed over time and led to something else? I mean, this has led to producing and not.

And that was a sideways thing. Right? Like, we didn't know. We're not like, we weren't like, we want to be producers. It kind of the current of what we were doing, it just kind of like organically started to happen. And we were like, wow, we really enjoy that. So that's cool. I'm trying to think back on how it even happened.

The podcast? Why am I here? Born. This existence. Yeah, but it's interesting how like, you know, one thing leads to another. And it's just, it's weird because that always happens in life, like, in every way. I'm going to, every time now when we interview, I'm like, am I on mushrooms? Are you?

No. Sometimes. Have you done that? Not like full-blown hallucinating. Okay. But like the... Yeah. Nice.

You? Oh, yeah. Full on. Yeah. I went to Burning Man and it changed my life. Wait, when? It was year maybe 2014, 2014, 2015, something like that. Is that when you were there?

Yeah. Was there crazy dust storms? I think there always are, aren't they? I think the year I went... 14. I was told it was crazier than usual, but I don't know. I've only been once. She went in 14.

Oh. I wonder if we were on the playa together. The playa provides. The playa provides, plur. Dude, the playa provides. Oh, yeah. I was told that by this, like, guy at school, and we made a joke of it. My husband and I were like, we'd call him playa guy, you know, because he'd be like,

I'll see you on the playa. Oh, God. And we're like, oh, playa guy, you know. And they'd be like, oh, don't worry about anything. the playa provides. And I was like, that's a lot. And I was sober. You know, it's a lot.

You're a burning man sober? Dead ass sober. And it was like this whole experience, long story. But we get there night one. I was like, I don't like it here. I want to go home. I'm uncomfortable. And I was like angry.

I'm like, why did you bring me here to my husband, who was my boyfriend? I'm like, I don't belong here. Like, I don't want to be here. And we're standing there. and I'm saying this kind of. He's like, how are you? We're waiting in line. I'm like, I'm not doing well.

Like, I don't feel right here. I shouldn't be here sober. And this guy turns around and he goes, I'm sorry, I didn't mean an eavesdrop. But I'm going to an AA meeting in a camp at 12 o'clock in like five minutes. Would you like to join? And I just started crying and I was like, the ply up front of us. Oh, that's so funny. And we went and there was people that were butt-ass naked.

Yes. And they would like raise their hand and be like, I'm so-and-so, I'm an alcoholic. I'm like really uncomfortable. You know, I'm like naked. That's true. The butt ass naked. It's so funny. Like I'm uncomfortable, you know, and I was just like, I'm okay. Wow. Were you uncomfortable because you could see there was a lot of drug use happening? I was uncomfortable because the amount of drug use. Yeah. I thought you could say the amount of dust. I mean, that's fair too. It was a lot. It was like this, like, even the sexuality. Like, I was sober. Do you know what I mean? I was like, there was a lot of sexuality. There was a lot of drugs. There was a lot of inhibition. And I was like, uncomfortable.

So what was your experience by the end? By the end. Sober. That she goes every year. You do? No, but. Oh. I fell in love with it. Yes. And I was like, oh my God. Would you ever bring the boys? Jeff wants to bring the boys so bad. I've seen kids there. Yeah. They have kids camps. Yeah. Anyways. I want to hear more about your experience. She just passed it to you.

I know. Anyways. It's your playa. We're just living in it. It's our playa, babe. No, it changed my life. How? Well, I was going through a horrible breakup at the time, and I just needed to be around love, which I know sounds very, true, very more.

But I just needed to be around like positivity. And it does. It like kind of wears you down there because there's so many different, you're there for a week. You have to pack all of your stuff, water, food. You're cooking for yourself. You get a little delirious in the sun. It's hot. But then nighttime comes around.

It's like you never want it to end because all the lights are so pretty. I was also on drugs. But it was just so fun seeing the barter system of people exchanging. It just, it gave me a newfound hope for the world and humanity and my own life. Wow. Yeah. Is that the only time you went? That's the only time.

Wow. I want to go back. It really does change people. It's really wild. I remember we went with a group because it was our graduation. It was for our graduation. Like we graduated school together and then it was like a whole group. Oh, that's so fun.

And I remember being like, so bonded to the people and also by the end I was butt-ass naked. Yes, girl. Like doing like the naked car washes. Yes. I was like, it was like one of those things that was like the inhibitions, like the uptightness, all of that was stuff that I had needed to let go. Yes.

And by the end, I was completely devoid of it. Yeah. Like there was no more attention. You were naked. I was naked. Because you were naked. That's so weird to think about. Just picturing her.

Yeah. Like naked. Like we're talking nothing. We were all, so we did this thing where it was, it was hot, like so hot and it was so hot. And it was so, like you were just dying for some sort of relief. And they had this like human car wash where you have to go in naked. And the whole top floor is people that. were pouring water and bubbles on you.

And so the whole entire room gets filled with water and bubbles and you go through it. You did. I went to this. Yeah. You guys were there the same year. I wonder if we were there the same time. You were at the car wash, or human car wash at the same time. Stripping at the car wash.

I don't think it's as weird to picture me naked as it is Jeff. Jeff. Oh. I don't know. No. It's weirder for you. Oh, interesting. For sure.

Why? Jeff's always naked. You've got. I've seen this, though, okay. No, but Jeff's way more of a like, I don't give a fuck. That's true. Personality, you know? He's like, whatever.

And just, like, game for everything. That's funny. That I could see him be the first one. Would you go? I mean, I'm the type of person that would never say no to anything really. Okay. I'd go anywhere. Ask her something.

Ask me to do something. Yeah, I'm all about, like, experiences. I love it. So I would never say no. I think you'd love it. I think you would love it too. It is. It become like a hardcore burner.

Like I honestly, I think you would love it. Like the bike riding. I love a bike ride. It's bike riding in the most. Like naked? I don't really want a bike ride. No, you don't have to be naked. Bike ride naked.

It would hurt. You can. You can if you want. I don't support you. Not for me. Yeah, but the bikes are like all decorated and lit up and it's just like so cool. I've always said that Burning Man is the opposite of Fight Club, where it's like, Like if you go to Burning Man, you have to tell people that you've been to Burning Man.

You, like, can't not tell people. It's like being vegan. Exactly. Like Kevin? That's right, yeah. Is Kevin Vegan? Yes. Oh, God.

I know. Have you ever met a low-key vegan? No, they always tell you. Have you ever met a low-key vegan? No. Great. We should have a restaurant called low-key vegan. I don't think you can be.

It'd be empty. Yeah, exactly. I feel like my mom. is a low-key vegan low-key she'll be like I'll have a little cheese

that's funny you know she cheats she's not she's not she's a meaty dirty she's a fucking carnivore but she calls herself

a vegan no she's not oh okay but she's semi she's vegan s she's vegan light yeah that's funny

I have a little cream in that coffee yeah you said you didn't start doing impressions how does one oh yeah learn how does one

start? Like how do you hold that skill? Yeah, great question. Like I said, I've always been really good with mimicking people. I'm also a singer so I can hear for tone and pitch and all that. But a lot of it is watching videos of them because it's a lot of

like mannerisms and focal fry and accent and lip placement, mouth placement. But also going to groundlings helped me a lot too because it was like, okay, beyond the You can do an impersonation that's just like a perfect impersonation, but then to make it funny, you have to understand that person's point of view.

And like, so I kind of think of my impressions as a character. It's an elevated, exaggerated version of Drew Barrymore. Obviously, she doesn't talk like that all the time. But she, you know, she always comes from a place of love where she's on the verge of tears. And also studying their characters who they're. play because some people have different memories of different people. So like on a Ferris. Ana Ferris plays different. Right. So it's like I say it's Rachel Green, not Jennifer Aniston, because for some reason Rachel Green talked like that. Did you watch friends?

Religious. Every single episode. Yeah. I reference it all the time. Yeah. Should I always do this? Off. Yeah. Off. I don't know. But she doesn't do that in other stuff. Interesting. Interesting. It was a Rachelism. Yes, it was. I remember reading something. She did a movie. I forget which one it was with Jake Jalenhall and she like sat on her hands so she wouldn't do the same mannerisms as Rachel. Oh, wow. Yeah. That's hard. That's interesting. Because that's so in her body for so long. Manorisms are so like to like not like untrain yourself. That's a big deal. Yeah. Can you come up with like a little song of what's happened so far today? Wait, what? Yeah, musical improv.

Like what's in the room? We can help you. Can you play guitar? I could play air guitar like a motherfucker. Oh my gosh. I can play one song. So if you can do it to, what's the Air Clapton song I could do? But you don't have a guitar.

Oh, I don't have a guitar. If you do air guitar with your mouth and we have a band between the two of you, I'll do it. Kevin, you got drums? I got drums. I got a flute. I'm ready. Okay, let's go. Dung.

Dang, dung, dund, d'n, d'n, d'n, Rang. What happened to my flu? Rann-d-d-r-d-r-d-l. Well, you know we had a lot of fun. Sitting here at headgum. We had a time. We had some laughs.

Rachel's on. micro dose. Ooh, we are all fucked up in some way, but we got to laugh today. Pass me some shrews and let's take off our clothes. Hit me with a flute solo. I'm firing you guys. I'm firing my keyboardist and you're going to be my backup band. That would be sick.

That was perfect. You're a great singer. You have a great voice. Thank you. Amazing. Imagine what I can do if I have a legit instrument underneath. No offense. Who do people tell you you look like?

Jennifer Lawrence. Yeah. Because you do. Thank you. Recently I've been getting Bailey, the girl with Tourette's on TikTok. Oh, I don't know who she is. Don't know Bailey. Multiple people have stopped.

me oh what you got to see these videos get off your Florida alligator that is why I live in a bubble I know I know nothing about life wow maybe that's for the best I mean I've gone this long I don't see myself I started saving things for you to show me yeah because you can't send them to me because you can't send them to tick talk unless you have to you can't oh you used to be able to I know she used to send them and I can't it's ruined my experience oh I thought you're going to say it's ruin your friendship. No, it's ruined my experience. Because there's not one that I see. If one hits, I'm like, she has to see this. Uh-huh. And so then I feel like wamp every time I see a good one.

So do you? Because nobody, I can't. The sadness in your eyes is for us. Because I can't send it to someone else because nobody's going to know what it means. Yeah. So do you show it to her in person? Well, that's why I started saving them. So I'm going to sit her down. She's going to literally make me watch TikTok video. After a TikTok video. I'm going to tape her eyes open. I can't wait. I'm not available for much.

I'm not available. I'm addicted to TikTok. See, that's why people are so. I'm like, I have it bad enough with Instagram. Like, you know, I don't need another thing. I get that. Not addicted to Instagram. But yeah, once you see Bailey.

I see it, honestly. Do you? I see it. I mean, I'm going to have to see that now. I'll show you. Yeah. And Renee Selweger, I get her. Oh, yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's all the eyes. Jule. It's blondes with deep-set eyes. Yeah. It's really weird because you became each one.

Whoa. As you said it. As you said it. Yeah. People have asked me to do like a Jennifer Lawrence impression. Yeah. But she doesn't really, like I was saying, like something for people to recall from. Right.

Her biggest thing is like if I tripped over stairs or something, that would work. Or she had the like, what do you mean? What do you mean? from Hot Wings? Or what's it called? Hot ones? Don't even... Oh. There was that one like viral thing but besides that I'm like she doesn't have what would you

do? A voice. I mean hunger games you could probably do her from that maybe. She doesn't really have like a thing. A thing. That's not an insult. No, yeah. Not everyone has one.

But maybe it's like a compliment if you can't be impersonated. I mean yeah you're safe from comedians like me. What about someone like if I could impersonate anyone and live in their being? for a minute. Who would you be? Aubrey Plaza. Really? She's, I mean, watching her interviews. She's so funny. It's like a heated blanket for me. Oh, I love that. The delivery, I'm like, I must feel that way at some point in life, you know? Maybe start working on an impression. I can do men. Oh, do one. Oh, I can't do men. Honey, I did what? I mean, like, I used to do my friends' dads, and I used to...

You would. Tell me more. Like I could do the guy that, like, taught us how to ski. Like, I can always do a man. Interesting. But I've never done women. And she can sing like a man. I can do men. On purpose? Yeah. Or are you insulting her singing?

No, she says it. What is it? You say it. You sing better as a man. I sing better in men's keys. Wow. Can you do a male celebrity impression? No, I've never done men. I can, no. Okay. Like, I don't think so.

I think you can now. It'll be like someone that. You can do Owen Wilson. What? Yeah. Hey, I can do Owen Wilson. Rachel. I know.

Sometimes you gotta just go with life and look at the way that things are presenting themselves. You know, you're a really great person. I think you're really great. I can only do the quiet version of Owen Wilson. I can't do anything. That's amazing. Pulled that out.

Oh, wow. No. I do like Skidoo Dave. Oh. You know? Everyone knows Ski-Dude Dave. Yeah. It's not about the mountain.

It's about the hottie-toddies in Lodge after. Hell yeah. I can do those kind of guys. That's funny. Only. Only. I want to hang out with him. So he embodies and takes over.

And then my kids like to hang with him. I have friends. Like, no, he's a whole person. He's a permanent resident. He'll stay for a weekend, you know. Do you get changed, like, dress up? No, but I'll be like, what are we grilling tonight? Is it a little surf and turf?

Like, you know, it just, it'll start and then I can't stop. Wow. And then they don't want me to stop. And then they ask Skidoo Dave questions. It's like a vibe. Wow. Can Drew Barrymore interview Ski-Dude Dave? Oh, scary.

What is he? Scary about Drew Barrymore. Nothing. You got a sweetness to you, Kitty. Oh, my God. You're going to make me blood. It's over, you guys. I don't even know.

I haven't even shown you my kitty yet. Oh my gosh. I'm sweating. Do you have an alter that we don't know about? I have many. Oh. No, I don't do it. Do I do people? I mean, I always do a character. Yeah. Like out of nowhere, but I don't have like a person. Okay. I mean, I do like an old woman on a rocking chair often. Okay, let's hear it. You do, you do the, the, the, The one that you met at your grandma's funeral. Oh, yeah. Yeah. That's... Yeah, but she comes out. Minnie definitely comes out. Minnie comes out.

I want to meet me. Minnie from Philly comes out. Minnie from Philly, yes, go birds. That's all she says. That's really weird. We got to hear from her. I mean, it's a whole story. It's a good story.

Okay. And then we can be done. I was at my grandma's funeral. I know. hilarious. All the grandma on death today. Full circle. Way to bring it in.

Right? And we go to Geetz diner after the funeral because that was her favorite diner for the reception. And I'm in the bathroom and I'm crying. And Minnie, my grandmother's best friend, comes up to me and she goes, oh, honey, I'm so sorry about your grandma. What do you got to do? Oh my God. Wait, that's amazing. I just walks out. And I was like,

What the fuck? Oh my God. Minnie. Anyway, that's our family's motto. And that's what we live by. Because of this. Because of Minnie. That's amazing.

What are you going to do? Yeah. That's awesome. It comes up all the time. It does. Comes up all the time. I'm like, well, what are you going to do? It's like one word saved in my phone.

Like if I start typing it, my phone knows. Wow. What do you got to do? Miny. Honestly, facts. Right? Minnie is on to something. Minnie. She is.

There's nothing you can do about it. What are you going to do? Yeah. Exactly. If we leave you with anything today, it is that. Well, what are you going to do? Yeah. You have been wonderful.

Thank you so much for coming. Thank you so much for having me. Before you go, tell us where you'll be and when. Yes. I have a lot of shows in L.A. coming up. Flappers, Cuckabury Lounge, Hollywood Improv, Ice House. just got a lot going on so you can find me at lea canauer on instagram and tic-tok that's l-e-a-h-h-n-a-u-r you-er you heard it here first yeah you did live from new york it's saturday night what's your best impression kevin i was really

enjoying olivia's answers of like i don't do celebrity impressions i do impressions of like my dad and people in my life. But what's pointless about it is like no one knows. My dad's not a celebrity. So it's just what I really like about him is I think I told you. He's extremely hyperbolic. And so he exaggerates a lot. And like on his birthday, he calls, I call him and I'm like, happy birthday.

You know, hope you're having a great day. And he's kind of a broie Chicago guy. And he's like, bro, Zuckerberg almost had a shut down Facebook. I got so many comments, man. They're going to shut down the servers over there at Facebook. I'm like, why? What happened? He's like, I got 30 people wish me happy birthday, man.

So it's not even an impression, but I just love people who exaggerate, I think, are very funny. Yeah. I think it's fun to go from 1 to 10 quickly. Exaggeration is funny. Yeah. Don't you think you should exaggerate that as you say it? Exaggeration! My mom's a big exaggerator.

Yeah. Yours? Ginormous. Gynormous. That's an exaggeration. What? That your mom's a big exaggerator? She's a huge exaggerator.

She'll be like, oh. And she walked in and she smiled at me. And you're just like, calm down. Is that exaggerating or is that like dramatic? Well, she exaggerates too. Yeah. You know, it's both. It was the biggest storm.

Yeah. Oh, yeah. And then if she takes a bite of something, she'll be like, it was the best I've ever had in my life. And you're just like, was okay. You know? Yeah. But I wish I was like that more. I feel like life is probably more fun if everything is like.

Now it's the challenge is not everything is then true. Like if you, that maybe wasn't the most delicious bite you've ever had in your life. So then you have to factor that in. but my friends that exaggerate a lot, I feel like I have more fun when I hang out with them versus my other like deadpan friends that are like, yeah, it's whatever, it's fine. That's like the dinner table with my husband and my mom. Yeah. Completely.

Complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Yep. I'll be delivering the most outrageous piece of cake anyone's ever eaten in their life. And he'll be like, it's fine. Yeah. And she'll be crying. Yeah. She'll be like, I'd never.

I do a combo where I will exaggerate, but I do it deadpan. And so it goes over a lot of people's heads. But like when Lee and I went to Pittsburgh for Christmas, like, visited her family, they made me like a nice meal or something. And I was just like, just same thing, very deadpan. I'm like, well, this was the best meal I've ever had in my life. And like her sisters laughed and her dad was like, oh, okay, well, I'm glad you liked it. And so it's, I'm like a very niche audience. He's a niche audience.

What part of Pittsburgh are they in? Moon Township, it's close to the airport. Okay. I'll look out for it. Thank you. You'll see it when you land. You'll see it when you land. Am I an exaggerator?

No. No. Okay. I feel like though if I find something good, I'm like, you guys. You're enthusiastic about the things you love. Okay. But you don't exaggerate it. I'm like, that dick.

Okay, maybe you exaggerate it. I really got to be stopped today. Does your friend group have a good variety like that, or is it all one way or the other? Is it all you? Is it all you? Is it all you two? We have a variety for sure. Oh, yeah. There are some characters. There are golden girls of every variety. That's awesome. Variety. Yeah.

I have one that has a good variety. One that's, everyone kind of has a similar personality. Huh. But I like having different groups that I can pop in with and see. I have one group that a friend exaggerates a lot in text, and it's a lot of like all caps. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

And everyone teases her like, because we all used to work together. And be like, I am sitting across from you. You're not laughing at all. Right. But it would be like a full paragraph of ha ha haas and stuff. Right. I don't know. I like that too.

That's actually interesting. What? I've never met a group of people that are all the same. Similar personalities at all. I was going to say, I know when you like write ha ha haas, but like you go one ha ha too many. Me or in general? Just you. Oh, I was like, wait, what?

No, but in general, like if that happens, do you feel like, oh, fuck, like I gave that too many ha's like it's not that funny or oh would you acknowledge it and be like I just gave you too many ha's this is something you've thought about yeah know it no this is very like um gen z coded of like when a dad says like ha ha and then the kid responds like why do you hate me because it's it's not enough right right if you just get a ha ha explanation marks like all write things and then be like I used so many explanations marks. I've been called out for exclamation marks. And then I'll re-read it and be like, whoa, I need to take that down a notch. Yeah. Yeah. Or like sometimes it's like to give a little bit and then you're

like that might have been right too many exclamations. Or all caps and you're like, I'm not yelling. Or or or I am. But people, you know, I have some friends that no matter what I write them, they'll be like stop yelling at me. Uh-huh. You know? Like anytime I write Deanna, I'm like, hi. She's like, don't yell at me like that. I will say the through line is all of our friends either have a sense of humor or really get the humor.

True, true. We have zero person that either isn't funny or wouldn't get the funny. Not one. Not one. They've been weeded out. Weed it out. They don't stick.

I think that is, and maybe I'm in a bubble because I work in comedy, but that has is like the core to all of the groups of friends is like we all have to have at least a ballpark sense of humor. And not even like, we all like the same shows or movies and stuff, but it's like we all understand, you know, the, the beats of jokes or whatever. Or I think part of it too is like a very important thing I think in a lot of my friendships is you can dish it and take it. Right. I think people, People get like, I don't want to say kicked out, but the most frustrating people to me are people who poke at you, but then they can't get poked back. Or how about the sensitive ones?

Yeah, or how about the sensitive ones if you're like being funny and you're like fucking with someone? Yeah. And they can't take it. I do it too far too much to my own husband all the time. He gets upset. He goes, you say that's a joke. I'm like, it was funny. It was funny.

And he's like, but it's also like a little bit cruel. Oh. And then I have to be like, I'm sorry. But then he usually gets it. Yeah. But sometimes it's a little. Yeah. A little far.

Right. But we had older brothers that only like messed with us our entire lives. Yeah. Sensitivity is tough. Sensitivity is an... That's a tough one. I was going to say. It's an ick.

It kind of is an egg. No. A little bit of a guy. You want some. Yeah. But like if you're overly sensitive and you can't say anything, that's hard. Yeah, because then you have to like protect what you're saying. And it's not, you can't be yourself because you're constantly like filtering.

Right. What how you react, which is just like, well, now I'm not being myself. Right. Which is annoying. I let it fly. Yeah. Yeah. I have a friend who constantly gets kicked out of a group text for constantly going too far.

And then gets re-added like six weeks later. It's been like this for years. And currently he's on an outstage for a while. I'll tell you about it off, Mike. But it is, unfortunately, I'm going to say selfishly, it is entertaining because I will watch him like, I don't want to say cross the line because it sounds worse than it is. But I'll see him make a joke where I'm like, oh, God, that was so brutal. And then you see the person go like, okay, fuck you, dude. And then the back and forth and eventually.

But are they funny? It's all funny. It's like what we're talking about, like, dark stand-up. It's just like, it's just brutal jokes that I think come with, like, 10 years of friendship. Yeah. If this was like a year one thing, I don't think any of it would fly. But it is that kind of like you can only do this because we've known each other for so long. Right.

But he does get kicked out on a regular basis. I like it. I like it when Jeff just leaves. the conversation. He doesn't say shit. You just see at the top. Yeah, it'll just say like Jeff left the conversation. That's a move.

I like that too. I like that move. Yeah. I find it funny. I do too. Yeah. And he's just doing it because he can't give fuck. He's like, no, I was over that.

Yeah. He's like, I can't leave. Yeah. No, he just is like, I'm not in this. I'm not in this. What's funny about that too is sometimes in order to do that, you have to turn it into a group. You have to like name the group text sometimes. To leave?

Jeff's like, let me name it. You fucking idiot. Yeah, I've done that before where I've like named a group text so I can get out of it. I'll be like, you guys without Kevin. And then I will leave the group text. I want to start a group text and then, but the thing that sucks is people can't see if you remove them. Right? Correct.

I want to do it and then remove people. Just like fuck with people and remove them. Yeah, yeah. I like it. How fun would that be? That would be fun. We do love fucking with. We really do.

That's one thing we love. So much. How so? Because I don't like prank stuff, but I don't know. I think there's a little bit of a gray area with it. Like not pranking in like a, we used to prank a little bit. Sure, sure, sure. We used to prank a little bit.

Like when you stole my phone and changed the name in it. Yeah. Which she thought was hilarious. She thought she met her soulmate. Yeah, I did. Because she's like, we were at a bar and she's like, The next guy who walks in the room is my soulmate. Great.

And then this guy walked in that we knew and we're like, oh, shit. Yeah. And I wound up dating him. Yeah, he's your soulmate. So she had it in. Anytime a guy walks into a bar, I wind up dating him. That was weird. That was weird.

That was weird. It was weird. It was like Kismet weird, like whatever. Sure. And it was a random ass bar. It was a random. And we didn't invite him to come. No.

That was weird. I know. You know. Where is he? But no, I wrote Soulmate in my phone, but it also was a joke. Yeah. And Olivia stole my phone. And I changed it to Cellmate.

And she fucking, she was like, oh my God, you guys, I didn't do anything. Like, he's calling it. It's a Cellmate. Like, what happened? That's great. That's great. Harmless. Harmless.

Yeah. Just little things like that. That's very funny. Or like, let's. We used to do weird things like, let's hide when wea got here. Yeah. Or let's dress in really weird outfits and, like, are you ready?

Yeah, yeah. Just stupid stuff like that. Stupid. Uh-huh. Truth or dare was a big one. Sure. But if we were at like a bar. Yeah.

We'd have to like dare each other to go do something. Also at home. We used to do it in the middle of the street. Do you remember that? When we were like, hi. My name is Bob. And I work in the button factory. I think we need to end this.

I think we need to do this go. Great. Bye. Bye. That was a hit gum podcast. Thank you.