Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Steve Zahn – on Finding the Right Roles, Slowing Down & the Career He Never Expected
Episode Date: September 22, 2026‘Chad Powers’ star Steve Zahn joins the show. Over chilaquiles and a La Brea scramblette, Steve tells me about leaving the Hollywood bubble for rural Kentucky and playing alongside his daught...er in the film ‘She Dances.’ Plus, we get into his longtime friendship with Ethan Hawke and what it was like getting to be in Ben Stiller’s cult classic ‘Reality Bites.’ We also get behind-the-scenes with Steve on Hulu’s ‘Chad Powers’ and HBO Max’s ‘White Lotus.’ This episode was recorded at First of All in West Hollywood, CA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcript
Discussion (0)
You know those nights when you suddenly realize it's 7.30, you're hungry, and you have absolutely
nothing in the fridge that resembles a real dinner. And somehow you're standing there thinking,
okay, what am I going to make? That's why I love keeping my freezer stocked with Omaha steaks.
They have tender steaks, flavorful burgers, seafood, chicken, gourmet franks, and even sides and desserts.
So it's basically like having a trusted butcher and gourmet food shop right in your freezer.
I also love that everything comes individually packaged.
so I can pull out exactly what I need.
Omaha Steaks has been doing this for more than 100 years,
and their meticulous aging process,
and vacuum-sealed packaging means that, yes,
frozen delivery really can be this good.
And if you want an easy way to try them,
the burger perfection flight is a great place to start.
You get 20 premium steak burgers made from five different cuts,
filet mignon, New York strip, ribby, brisket, and sirloin for just $7,99.
So whether you need an easy weeknight dinner or you're getting ready for a Saturday cookout, Omaha Steaks makes it really easy to have something delicious on hand.
Try the burger perfection flight at Omaha Steaks.com today.
That's 20 premium steak burgers for just $79, plus get $35 off with the promo code Jesse.
Terms Apply, C-Sight for details.
That's Omaha Steaks.com promo code Jesse for $35 off at checkout.
Terms apply.
Seasite for details. I spent a lot of time thinking about what's coming into our house,
and with two kids, there is a lot coming into our house, especially laundry. I feel like I'm
constantly buried under laundry, towels, sheets, clothes, the mysterious collection of socks that no
longer seem to have matching partners. It's an endless cycle. So I've been trying to pay a little
more attention to what I'm actually using in those everyday routines. That's how I found
Blue Land. Blue Land makes household cleaning products designed to reduce single-use plastic, and I've
been especially into their laundry tablets. They're pre-measured so there's no giant jug to lug around.
You just drop a tablet directly into the drum and wash as usual. The tablets have a microplastic
free formula made with plant and mineral-based cleaning ingredients, and they're hypoallergenic
and safe for sensitive skin. And they actually handle the kind of laundry I have to deal with,
Food stains, grass stains, all the evidence that children have been children.
And fun fact, Blue Land is a certified B Corp and Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free Certified.
So if you're looking to make a small change in your routine, you can get 15% off your first order at bluland.com slash JTF.
Hey, it's Jesse.
Today on the show, you know him from iconic 90s films like That Thing You Do, Saving Silverman, Reality Bites,
to scenes stealing performances on recent shows like The White Lotus and Chad Powers, it's Steve's on.
I remember coming back from Reality Bites and going, I'm horror.
Then I was when I laughed.
I got to L.A. and I'm like, I'm in a movie.
Oh, wait. When I drink? I am horror.
This is Dinner's On Me, and I'm your host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Today I'm at first of all in West Hollywood.
It's a hip hole-in-the-wall spot.
In the mornings, it's known for its Mexican-inspired breakfasts like Chili-Kiles and Chiro-French toast.
In the evening, it shifts to more traditional Mexican fare.
It's a new addition to the West Hollywood neighborhood, and it's definitely a welcome one.
It's the kind of place that you can imagine being a regular, you know, coming for breakfast one day, tacos for lunch,
Then catching up with friends over carne asada and margaritas in the evening.
Also, you know, anytime someone is visiting Los Angeles like Steve is doing right now,
you have to take them to get Mexican food.
Okay, he should be here any minute, so let's get to the conversation.
Yeah, me and my wife, Robin, we're like, we kind of screwed up our kids
because we were, like, crazy early for everything.
And my wife is even worse.
and so when
so my daughter's acting now
and she
she did a show out here
which show did she do
imperfect women
okay oh that's good
I hear that's very good
it was great yeah
and she's awesome
I know she's awesome because I saw your thumb
we'll get to that
yeah and
she got out here and she was so nervous
about being late
because they were shooting in Burbank
and she was staying with our friends
and Marina Del Rey.
Well, that's, that is.
I would be concerned.
You know what she did on Sunday?
She rented an apartment or a hotel room.
She drove, she drove the route.
She did a dry run.
It's like a teamster.
Practice run?
Yeah, that's very cheap that she did that.
I don't, I don't, well, we have GPS now.
I know.
You can just put on ways and go.
Yeah, exactly. But I, like, I go to the airport.
I go to the airport really early.
And then when I, and then when I, when I,
Whenever I do the, like, hey, what's my layover?
They're like, 50 minutes.
I'm like, no, I want two hours.
Oh, yeah, no, no.
I want to go to the lounge.
I won't do anything less than...
Not running.
An hour, no, exactly.
If it's under an hour, I know it's a gross fee for disaster.
It's like London in the two.
Yeah.
Like, I'm not going to run.
No.
The door is, if it's...
The people that start yelling, hold the door, hold the door from the top of the stairs.
I'm like, what do you expecting?
control over this door.
No.
Also, I'm going to get yelled at by everyone in this car who wants to just move on.
The conductor is going to yell at me.
Hold the door, hold the door.
Happens to New York, too.
I think it's really important to slow down.
Yeah, yeah.
To not.
You know what I mean?
Yes.
It's really important.
And where did you learn this?
Let's remind the audience where you live.
I live in Kentucky.
Yes, so that's where it's, everything's lost.
So there you go.
Yeah, so, yeah.
I mean, traffic where I'm at is you're being.
behind like a tractor.
Right.
Or there's something really bad, like, you know, happen.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
If there's more than like three cars, it's like,
because something horrible traffic, yeah, it's not like,
oh, right?
It's like, wow, there's a black plus.
And so what does it do to your, like,
nervous system coming to, like, New York and L.A.?
Do you like it?
Do you like the change of pace?
Yeah, I do.
I look forward to it.
Yeah.
But I, I like, I come here if I drive.
I'm like an 88-year-old driving.
Did you drive yourself here today?
No.
No.
But then, if I'm in Kentucky and people aren't turning left on the yellow.
Yeah.
At the end, I'm like, I'm like the New Yorker.
You turn into a rage.
Are you kidding?
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Like, truly, like, after, like, returning home,
a great thing to do is, like, get on your tractor and mow.
Because it slows you down.
It forces you into.
And don't listen to a podcast.
Okay.
Like just put the noise canceling and just be in this, like, moment.
I can appreciate the concept of this.
You can't go any faster than what you're going.
Right?
Or you won't mow well.
I've never been on a mower.
I've never been on a mower that you actually ride.
This is a tractor.
Okay.
This is great.
Never been on one.
Where did you go up?
Minnesota.
Okay, so you already are connected to, like, lots of space, and you like that.
Yeah.
You were raised that way.
It feels familiar.
What about Robin Moore?
She raised.
Atlanta, and then Lexington, Kentucky.
Okay.
And that's why we moved there.
Got it.
Because, you know, it was familiar, and it was great, and we loved it.
I loved it.
Yeah, I was going to ask how you landed on Kentucky.
I loved it.
I loved it.
Yeah, and I was like, hey, we should move there.
And how long ago was that?
2004.
Okay, so...
Kids were tiny.
I was going to ask about the kids.
And we were in the middle of nowhere.
And I said, we should...
I mean, what are we going to...
Yeah, but we're that close to New York.
We never go.
It might as well be 12-hour driving.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You know, we didn't go into the city.
We had little kids.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And so let's...
Kentucky's great.
Lexington's awesome.
It's got a ballet and theater,
like a university, and...
She's not going to want to move back home.
And I was like, you're not going to live in your parents' basement.
You're going to get a killer spot.
And you did.
Now for a quick break, but don't go away.
When we come back, Steve talks about making she dances with his daughter, Audrey,
drawing inspiration from her competitive dance experience.
Okay, be right back.
On days off from Jesus Car Superstar in London this past summer,
we would head out to the English countryside for a little family reset.
The boys were in heaven.
They were running around, looking at farm animals, getting as muddy as possible.
Justin was, you know, thriving, taking runs in the morning.
And I finally had an excuse to sit quietly with my Kindle for a few minutes without feeling guilty.
Now, trips like this always remind me that vacations aren't exactly cheap.
So here's something I really didn't think about until Airbnb.
While you're away, your home could actually be working for you.
when you list it on Airbnb.
It's such a practical way
to bring a little extra income
and put it towards your own travel plans.
And if the idea of hosting sounds intimidating,
Airbnb has this great thing called the co-host network.
It's made up of experienced local hosts
who can help manage your listing,
take care of your home,
and help your guests have a great stay while you're away,
so you can enjoy your vacation
without worrying about what's going on back home.
Find a co-host at Airbnb.com
slash host. Okay. When I sell my business, I want the best tax and investment advice. I want to help my kids,
and I want to give back to the community. Ooh, then it's the vacation of a lifetime. I wonder if my out of office has a
forever setting. An IG private wealth advisor creates the clarity you need with plans that harmonize your
business, your family, and your dreams. Get financial advice that puts you at the center. Find your advisor at
Private Wealth.com.
Hear that?
It's your money calling.
It wants a promotion.
Elevate your savings with the Scotia
high interest savings account.
Always earn high regular interest rates that grow
the more you save and invest.
Conditions apply. Visit scotiabank.com
slash h-I-S-A to learn more.
Scotia Bank. You're richer than you think.
And we're back with more dinners on me.
Hey, how are you? Oh, man.
Come on in.
Can I guess you guys started with any drinks?
Well, first of all, yeah, I would love some coffee.
Yeah, that'd be great.
I'm coffeeed out, but I haven't.
Okay.
Do you have unsweet ice tea?
Yeah, I have an organic ice tea.
Mmm.
I'm going to get a cold brew, please.
A cold brew, please.
Man, this looks some of these.
With some half and half.
Yeah, that's great.
Half and a half's good.
Screamblets.
Tell us what.
What, okay, we're in the breakfast.
We're in the breakfast zone.
We're in the breakfast zone.
We're in the beach south of the border or chinoa haleas.
We're really good.
Our breakfast burrito is one of our favorites.
We also have our Gabinitas Benedict
and then our classic 222 that comes with either
our signature to our French toast or a lot.
Oh gosh.
Mmm.
I like the scrambleettes.
I like the way you say it.
That looks good.
I think I'm going to do it.
You want the scramblets, one of the scrambleettes?
I think I might do that.
Which one?
The Libreia.
Yeah.
Do you use that with potatoes or with a salad?
Salad, please, because I'm watching my figure.
That's going to do it.
And that's going to solve it, that salad.
It's going to solve it.
It doesn't matter.
won't matter. It doesn't matter anymore.
It's kind of liberating.
Okay, what am I going to get? I think I'm going to do
I think I'm going to do chili kilis.
I'll do the, which is your favorite?
I like macabina chile filas because it's in green salsa,
but a lot of people really like the chicken thing that she liked me.
And that's with bread?
Yeah, that's true. I'm going to do the chikottinga.
Yeah. Thank you so much.
Appreciate it.
First of all, when was the last time you were on stage?
It's all, you know what?
The last time was, wasn't crazy long ago?
I mean, in your world, it was crazy long ago, but officially like suburbia at Lincoln Center.
And that was 94?
Okay.
Eric Begoghoun play.
I feel like I remember that because that was right when I moved to the city.
I remember.
It was so cool.
It was a hot ticket.
And we, you know.
It was just a great play.
That is a long time ago.
It was a long time ago.
And I want to go back to the theater so.
Yeah.
I really do.
And now that the kids have grown and I have time because the commitment was hard.
Yes.
It was a long commitment.
I was like, I don't want to be away that long.
I go one day off and can do a movie and finish it in two months or one month or three.
And then I can take three months off.
Yeah.
And that's why I did.
But now I can.
Do you think you will?
I think so.
I'm just really scared.
Maybe if I...
It's gonna come back to you.
Even than I talk about, you know, he's, you know.
Yeah.
Maybe we'll, maybe go direct something and I can be in.
He's great on stage.
He's awesome.
Yeah.
I've seen him.
He's one of those crazy dudes that, like, gets better and better.
Yeah.
Just like a theater guy.
He's a theater guy.
Yeah, and I like him a lot.
You guys have been friends for a very long time.
It's really, I mean, I just watched She Dances,
which is this film that I,
you did with Ethan.
Yeah.
And your friend wrote,
you wrote with your friend.
Yes, me and Rick Gomez
and he's my producing partner.
It's great.
Isn't it great?
I was really,
really proud of you.
I mean, it's beautifully shot.
The story is incredible.
Your daughter plays your daughter
in the film.
Yeah.
Audrey.
She's great.
She's really good.
And it's kind of based on
her,
I mean, she's a dancer,
a professional dancer.
I mean,
she did dance.
She's,
yeah,
she's,
well,
she's,
you know,
now she's acting
pretty much,
but,
yeah,
it was a world
that we were,
that was our world.
She was a competitive dancer
from very early on.
And that is,
if you know about that,
it's,
it's,
she's like,
you know,
a gymnast that works out every day.
She danced every day,
pretty much,
for hours.
And then we would go on
these crazy trips
and,
you know,
living in a theater for three days
and never see the sun.
And,
and I was,
like a prop dad, you know, backstage
moving like the, you know, the bed on it, you know.
It was, you know.
And my son was in it for a long time before he quit.
But so that was the, that was the, you know,
the world that we were presenting, this she dances.
It's got to be, it's a very emotional film.
And there's, I don't want to spoil anything,
but there's a, there's a part of the film that does not,
I had to, like, do some research.
It's like, oh my gosh,
was this something that you experienced?
But there's a loss in your family in the film that is, I don't think it's,
that that was totally fictionalized, right?
Oh, yeah.
Okay.
That's actually my son, the image.
Oh, wow.
Okay, okay.
He was a PA.
Was he really?
Yeah.
But watching you act with your daughter and you're portraying a father who's somewhat removed
and sort of reinteres her life in this moment when he's needed to chaperone her,
for this dance competition.
By the way,
Rose Dewitt,
who plays your wife.
She came in for one day.
You don't have any scenes
with her.
It's all on the phone,
but she is one of my favorite actresses ever.
She's remarkable.
She's so good that you kind of,
I think when somebody's that good,
you just kind of,
you don't think of it.
Yeah.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
Like, she's so natural
that you don't go,
that was an amazing performance.
It goes past you.
in a weird way.
Does that make sense?
Yeah, it does.
You're not seeing, you're watching life.
Like, she's so effortless, I guess.
I think about it.
She came in for one day.
And if you watch that, and you see how, how physical they are.
And, like, all that stuff that you don't do with strangers.
There's this moment where she tucks her,
Audrey's hair behind her ear, touches her earring,
and it's so intimate.
It's so beautiful.
Yeah, it's a beautiful performance.
All the performances are great.
How, as a dad, though, I mean, being in a scene with her, and she's so great.
How is it for you to just not want to, like, be with pride and stay in the moment?
Oh, my God, there's so many, there's so many layers to this movie.
Yeah.
You see my home movies.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's crazy.
Yeah.
You see the home movies, my home movies, with me and Audrey and Henry.
Yeah, it's a very personal film.
And when Kobe, our editor, he put that in there, I was like, oh, my God, this is insane.
This is really cool.
What was your reaction when the first time you saw it all cut together?
But I watch it as a dad.
I watch it.
There's a capsule of our family in that movie, and Rick's family and our friends, you know.
It's a little home movie in its stuff.
Yeah, yeah.
Like my wife plays the, you know, you're on in your last stop, Claire.
You know, she comes in at the end of the thing and she's like, Claire, we need you on stage.
She's got big air.
That's right.
That's Robin.
Oh, my God.
But then to bring it back to Ethan, I mean, Ethan plays your business partner in this.
And I'm playing his part and he's playing my part.
Yeah.
Traditionally.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
Wow.
Look at that.
Look at you.
Look at your scrambolette.
Look at that.
It's not a scrambulette.
That scramblet makes it sound dainty.
Anything but.
Can I ask you about reality bites?
I mean, to me that is such an iconic film.
Word of it said no.
No, you can't.
I'm tired of talking about it.
And then, and then you flip the table and you walked out.
What if?
Let's try it.
Let's do it again.
As a rehearsal.
Can I ask about reality nights?
No.
Okay.
You just do it.
Just do it.
I was having such a good time.
Yeah.
I mean, I, first of all, that album,
Yeah.
Recording, the soundtrack,
is iconic in its own way.
But, I mean, I went back
and we watched some of my favorite scenes
from the film.
And I was like, oh my God, everyone was in this movie.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's an incredible film.
And I just feel like it was such a time capsule.
And then I look back, I forgot that it was Ben Siller's directorial debut.
Yeah.
I know he's gone on to do so much great stuff.
And I was looking at that you did that thing you do, which was Tom Hanks's directorial debut.
I mean, it's really cool as you've got to be a part of like some of those early, you know, ventures for.
John Hamburn.
Yeah.
Safe men.
Me in San Maraca.
I was able to just be, yeah, it's really cool.
But reality of vines was, I was so thrilled.
I was so nervous.
I didn't, I was just, you know.
Did it feel special when you were doing it?
Or was it just like, I got a cool job for a little while?
Yeah, it was, I was, I don't, I didn't, no, I was just so in the moment.
Like, I'm in a movie.
Yeah.
In the moment, it doesn't it feel so.
So, like, I don't know, did it film make or break for you?
Did it break?
Make or break?
Like, did it feel like you had to...
I remember coming back from Reality Bites and going, I am horror.
Then I was when I left.
I got to L.A. and I'm like, I'm in a movie.
I want to drink.
I am horror.
I'll buy some cassettes.
You know what I mean?
and I was baffled with that whole thing.
Yeah.
And it wasn't like, you know, did people recognize me?
No.
You don't get recognized until you're like 10th gig.
And that's even like,
do you work at the Ace Hardware?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But am I misremembering?
Wasn't reality it's like a huge hit out of the gate?
Or am I just like, am I just like making it this incredible film in my head?
It is an incredible film.
But am I making it?
cultural moment that maybe it wasn't.
Did it take a while for it to catch on?
Yeah.
It was like such a cool classic.
It wasn't a monster thing.
Dude, so many of my movies are like that.
People were like,
oh, I love Sahara.
Yeah, one of the biggest flops in Hollywood history.
If you look at the money, right?
And so, oh, I love saving silver men.
And people ate, you know, it didn't do much.
That thing you do is number two.
It wasn't number one.
And, you know, so, and I tell this to my kids, you know, it's just like, it's, it's not the thing in the moment.
It's the collection of everything.
And just because it doesn't, it doesn't hit by standards, the mathematical, you know, thing that we put it on for that first weekend or whatever.
It doesn't mean anything.
The movie is the movie is the movie.
Right.
That's what Rick and I, my partner.
We said, the show is the show is the show.
No matter what you do, no matter how you promote it, whatever.
The movie is the movie is the movie.
And it will live.
And she dances, whether people see it now or in five years, it'll always be that movie.
And so it's interesting, most movies that people come up to me and say, hey, are not these big blockbuster.
Right.
They're kind of, you know, even panned.
So interesting.
Isn't it?
Not for a quick break, but don't go away.
When we come back, Steve talks about his process behind playing his scene-stealing character in Silo,
and he talks about his surreal experience filming the White Lotus in Hawaii during the pandemic.
Okay, be right back.
Hear that?
It's your money calling.
It wants a promotion.
Elevate your savings with the Scotia high-interest savings account.
Always earn high regular interest rates that grow the more you save and invest.
Conditions apply.
Visit scotiabank.com slash h-I-S-A to learn more.
Scotia Bank.
You're richer than you think.
Some evil thing happened here.
Three people die in a quiet suburb in Mississauga, Canada.
It's not a coincidence.
One after the other.
In the same house.
Is this bad luck?
Or something more sinister.
The worst investigative mess I've ever encountered.
Long, simmering what took you so fucking long to get here.
From Sony Music Entertainment, this is What Happened to the Harrisons.
I'm Amy Dempsey Raven.
What Happened to the Harrisons is available now on The Binge.
Search for it wherever you get your podcasts to start listening today.
Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes,
all at once, ad-free.
And we're back with more dinners on me.
When, I mean, did you feel like,
because I, you know, I look back at you're like,
you played so many incredible character parts.
I mean, there was definitely a moment where, like,
it kind of shifted for,
it's like you were being given an opportunity that was able,
you know, people were seeing you as more than just a character actor.
Yeah, there, yeah, like,
I think around out of sight,
that was kind of a comedic character
that was kind of like
in a world that was above his head
and it was that you felt for him.
Yeah.
He's been attracted to those characters,
those characters that you empathize
and, you know, like, I don't know.
I mean, it's funny that you also get to
infuse those characters with humor.
I mean, I'm listening to the James Burroughs book right now
and he talks about even just directing
sitcom and he says, you know, I direct dramas that happen to be funny.
Yeah.
And that's what he's drawn to.
It's like, you know, he tries to always find the humanity in it.
And to him that's like classifies it as a drama.
And then it happens to something that's be wildly funny.
It's that, like the show I'm doing right now is insane.
The premise is ridiculous.
Chad Powers.
Yes.
Yeah.
It's silly.
Yeah.
But it's unbelievable here.
Yeah.
And we play it.
real man yeah we're like it's not life and death yeah i have a heart attack yeah well you're in a
comedy this ridiculous this guy's wearing prosthetics to play on a football team yeah but when i you know
it's interesting when you're doing this comedy i'm like never am still having a heart attack yeah
that's kind of scary yeah yeah how do i play that yeah how do i play a nervous breakdown in a
comedy well you play a nervous breakdown yeah yeah that's what you're
I mean, I do feel like there's so much great opportunity in television now where, you know, maybe like 20 years ago wouldn't have been the same thing.
I mean, I'm looking at your career right now.
You had this incredible run on TV between Silo, White Lotus, Chad Powers.
I mean, it's a really incredible run of like wildly different characters.
Yeah.
That must feel very validating that you're being asked to play such an array of different types.
Oh, I love it.
And it's just being at a certain age, I think.
People, you know, that's part of that.
You just grow into other parts.
Doesn't this feel like the reward them of like great work?
Yeah, I think so.
I mean, like silo?
Yeah.
What a fun, awesome character.
I was like, wait, he hasn't, he's been alone since he was 10?
So he's a 10-year-old.
Yeah.
With a beard and long hair and he's 55 or whatever.
Yeah.
with an incredible thing to play.
Oh man, that's great.
You know?
Yeah.
It was really fun.
And can I ask, like, how do you hook into something like that in a circumstance that really no one's ever been in?
Like, I mean, there may be somewhere in this world, there's been someone that has been alone for 45 years of their life.
But, like, I don't know that person.
How do you begin to hook into that?
I don't know.
I was just, I just really focused on being 10.
Uh-huh.
And like not having any influence other than books.
And, you know, what would that be like?
Like, you know.
And I thought the only way this guy is alive and didn't jump off the thing, you know,
is because he's, because he's, he's on the spectrum.
Because he's, because his brain works so fast.
You know, his brain works so fast, it, it's, it entertains him.
He doesn't have too long to think
And if he did he wouldn't be here
Yeah
Because he would
You know
And so you go into his room
And he's got, I said
You guys in the brilliant set designer
But I was like you got
We have puppets
You know like he spent 10 years
Just down a rabbit hole
Like making the perfect paper airplane
Yeah
You know what I mean? Yeah
Yeah
Anyway, it's really fun
I mean it's a show that
So many people have
been telling me I gotta start watching and I haven't actually,
Joanna's a huge fan of it.
Oh,
oh cool.
She's been telling me for a few months.
Season two,
she's got to start silo.
Season two,
just Rebecca Ferguson and I,
and she's so awesome.
She's so great.
And we felt like we were just like doing,
it was turn I.
Yeah.
Yeah,
we were like doing a pinter play.
You know, like,
it's weird.
It seems like it's so at my alley.
I got to start watching it.
It's really cool.
Yeah.
I mean,
I like stuff like that.
I was hooked when I started.
Thank you.
It was so fun.
Now I can watch it.
Sounds incredible.
You know, but there's so many things I should watch.
Yeah, no, I have a long list.
Industry is another one that people tell me is amazing.
I know.
I'm sorry. I got to watch.
Yeah, yeah.
You're better than me, though.
I mean, I'm, when I'm home,
I watched the twins
MLB Networks
and they go to bed
I'm like my
I'm like my grandpa
Your programs
I'm gonna watch a documentary
on a sunken you boat
You know
Yeah yeah yeah
I um
25 minutes
I watch Chad Powers
Okay
I like that shit
Yeah
Did you watch White Lotus
Yeah I watched White Lotus
That was like watching something I wasn't in
I was so
Is it the ensemble was so big?
Yeah, I was, Mike sent like two and then two.
I'm like, dude, this is insane.
You know, I was so excited.
White Lotus was shot during the pandemic, right?
It was like one of the first shows I think we were shot during the time.
That was crazy, man.
I mean, did that feel like such a blessing?
Oh, my God.
Yeah.
As the world is shutting down to be like, hey, do you want to come to Hawaii
and shoot a TV show?
And did you bring your whole family with you?
No, because they, you, we couldn't leave the property.
It was literally a bubble.
Right, right, right.
So if you came in, I was like, I tried to convince my son to come.
Like, why you come through the whole thing?
And why he's like, yeah, that'd be kind of cool.
I was like, I could go hike.
I'm now.
You got to stay at the hotel.
He's like, no, I'm not coming.
Right.
No way.
We had our own nurses.
We had our own machines.
We had our own, like, you know, this was at the beginning.
And then we had her own beach.
And the beach wasn't, there was no tourists.
Right.
So it was just locals.
I mean, isn't that kind of the reason why he,
decided to make the show because it's like, well, this resort's empty.
It's empty.
I might as well, like, we stayed the four seasons.
Why to show about people at a resort?
But the four seasons, kind of like they were pretended they were open when it benefited them.
Oh.
He's like, would you like the fish of the day?
You're like, what's the frozen fish of the day?
I bet you it's swordfish.
Like, and it's $700?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Oh, you want to use the cabana?
That's $100.
Like, there's no one here.
No, yeah, yeah.
But they, it was, I mean, if you weren't working, we'd all meet down on the beach and go float.
You'd, you'd run down late, like, oh, man, this is the sunset, the green flash.
Yeah.
You'd run down there and you'd look out and you'd see like, you know, seven heads floating.
Like, oh, run out there and float together.
It was great.
And we'd go like, we can't tell anyone.
Yeah.
About this.
They will hate us.
Yeah.
Like, we can't tell anyone
that we're floating in the ocean every night
waiting for a green flash.
Yeah.
It was, it was insanely...
What a magical...
And the beach, because there was no one there.
The locals had come down...
I remember those locals standing there
looking at it was like,
hey, how it's gone?
Like, good.
What are you looking at?
It's like, all the turtles.
Like, oh, yeah, turtles.
It was...
No, no.
You never...
There were no turtles here.
So they came back.
They came back to the natural thing.
Yeah.
I could totally tell like in two hours you're getting on a plane and going back to your big farm.
You're already like winding down.
Yeah, no, I really, I really, that's one thing.
I'm really happy that I can.
Yeah.
I, I, as I age, I just, I don't get as excited.
I realize.
Do you not get excited or do you get excited about different things?
I don't get excited about like, yeah, different things.
Yeah.
Like there's just so much, I realize there's just so much I can do.
Yeah.
So I'm not going to take on the problems of the world.
I'm going to try to do the best thing I can do.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Right?
Have you and Robin talked about like what this next chapter of your life looks like?
Yeah.
Because I'm sure your kids are.
Yeah.
We, we, it's really interesting.
And she's like, Robin, she, like, I can, if I didn't do this, I'm, like, really good at, like, digging holes, right?
That would be the other thing.
Like, physically digging holes?
Yeah, I mean, that's how ridiculous.
Did you build a set for Silas?
So Silas based off of your life.
Oh, thank God for this.
Job.
Otherwise, I would just be, I would just be that guy.
Um, Robin just goes like, you know, I'm going to write a book.
I'm like, that's great, hon.
Yeah.
What's that about?
Air normal. Awesome.
And then like a month later,
I was like, here it is. Like, what?
And now it's like
30 books later.
Wow.
How do you do that?
Yeah. She came to London. I did this movie
for like three and a half weeks. It was awesome.
And it was like a paid vacation. And she came
and I was like, please, I hope she can write here. And she did.
And I'm like, okay, great.
Now when I could do a gig, part of it will be
The excitement is just come out.
Where is it?
It's in Dublin.
Come right in Dublin.
But we're, my son and his girlfriend, Caitlin,
opened this coffee shop in our little town.
Oh, no way.
This coffee shop pub.
It's called Serendipity Public House.
And it's awesome.
And so we have this, I go there and I bar back.
Yeah.
I just wash dishes.
You do?
Yeah.
Like he'll say like, hey, we're slam.
Can you come over?
It's like 10 minutes.
That's incredible.
And people, I know people are in there and they go, they go, whoa.
But I'm busy.
I can't talk.
I'm busy.
Like a barback is a hard job.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Anyway, so we have this new life, right?
And Audrey's in New York, but we, we often talk.
Like, are we going to live in this house forever?
Yeah.
It's huge.
What is your consensus on that?
Do you think you will?
I don't know.
It must mean so much cheap.
It does.
There's so much of your life there.
And so that's the thing that's like, well, you know, if we can't walk, we'll just put in an elevator, right?
I actually looked in and it was like, how much your elevators are like, how much your elevators?
You're like, yeah, that thing.
I got the chairs that take you up.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
Elevators really aren't crazy, expensive.
Really?
Yeah.
This is hilarious.
When you're talking about just, you know, inviting Robin to come.
to places where you're shooting,
I have heard you talk a lot about taking the opportunity
in this great position that you're in
where you get to go to different parts of the world.
Yeah.
And work, you know, really taking in the opportunity
to explore these different places where you're going to be
and, like, really taking it in.
You know, I know you've, like, shot all over the world, Thailand, right?
You're talking about Dublin.
But, I mean, where are some of the, like,
craziest wonderful experiences
that you've had around the world
working. Morocco was crazy.
That was fun. That was Sahara.
Yeah. Because that was like an epic
big movie, man. That was like
being in a movie that I
growing up, like that was like,
this is Lawrence of Arabia.
This is like coming over a
dune and seeing our base camp. It was like,
oh! You know, just the middle
of nowhere. And we were
like shooting in the village with helicopters
and blowing up shit. And
And there'd be some, I'd be in my trailer, you know, in this monster trailer you don't get anymore.
You get a double-banger.
And you know, whatever.
And I'd be in there, it's just like a big picture window.
And I'd be in there, like, playing Tiger Woods golf.
And I'd look out and some dude would go by with goats.
And you're like, wow, this is crazy, man.
Like, that guy doesn't own a mirror.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We took a picture of this dude.
And his daughter, this, like, this war egg, right?
And then we ran into the makeup and hairtread, and we printed it out.
Yeah.
We gave it to him.
He was like, he didn't have a picture of it.
Really?
So the juxtaposition between, oh, it's just crazy.
That's why I love about this business.
Yeah.
You know.
And like Thailand, that was great.
I just shot in Australia.
It's another place.
It's London.
Love London.
Yeah.
That's easy.
That's a great, that's my favorite city.
I love London.
Yeah, it's great.
It's a civil place.
And that's where you should silence.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But that's over now.
It's done.
And now I miss all my friends and I miss my walks.
I miss the canals.
I miss being there.
I love the people.
I love that you can just go anywhere.
No one gives a shit.
You can go bus, go bus tables, be a barback at the local pub.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Your experience, do you know how to do it.
I know how to do it.
I'm good, bar back.
I'm so happy you did this.
Thanks for spitting me in before you go back to your...
Dude, yeah, this is very nice and...
They're not all.
I know.
This episode of Dinners on Me was recorded at first of all in West Hollywood, California.
Next week on Dinners on Me, you know him from Broad City, Narco,
and he's currently starring in the film Matchbox, the movie,
it's Arturo Castro.
We'll get into how impactful Broad City was on his career
and the lessons he took from the creators of that show,
and what it's like starring alongside the likes of Jessica Beale
and John Cena in a huge franchise film.
And if you don't want to wait until next week to listen,
you can download that episode right now
by subscribing to Dinner's On Me Plus.
As a subscriber, not only do you get access to new episodes one week early,
you'll also be able to listen completely ad-free.
Just click try free at the top of the Dinners On Me show page
on Apple Podcasts to start your free trial today.
Dinner's On Me is a production of Sony music entertainment
and a kid named Beckett Productions.
It's hosted by me, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
It's executive produced by me and Jonathan Hirsch.
Our showrunner is Joanna Clay.
Our associate producer is Alyssa Midcalf.
Sam Bear engineered this episode.
Hans Dale She composed our theme music.
Music. Special thanks to Tamika Balance Kalasni and Justin Makita. I'm Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Join me next week.
