Good Hang with Amy Poehler - Kate McKinnon

Episode Date: October 28, 2025

Kate McKinnon is getting really into trim carpentry. Amy hangs with the 'SNL' alum and talks about Kate's desire to be in the woods, filling her time hole post-'SNL,' and the capitals of various countries. Host: Amy PoehlerGuests: Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnonExecutive Producers: Bill Simmons, Amy Poehler, and Jenna Weiss-BermanFor Paper Kite Productions: Executive producer Jenna Weiss-Berman, coordinator Sam Green, and supervising producer Joel LovellFor The Ringer: Supervising producers Juliet Litman, Sean Fennessey, and Mallory Rubin; video producers Jack Wilson, Belle Roman, and Aleya Zenieris; lighting director Caroline Jannace; audio producer Kaya McMullen; video editor Drew van Steenbergen; and booker Kat SpillaneOriginal Music: Amy Miles Palmolive removes up to 2.5X the grease**vs. leading brand non-concentrated formula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Goodhang. We have a great, hilarious guest today, the amazing Kate McKinnon. Kate, who you know from S&L and films and the world. And Kate and I go on an adventure and we're going to talk about woodworking.

We're going to talk about sketch. We're going to talk about what do you do next when you have fulfilled your dream. And in Kate's, case, it's homesteading and being in the movie The Roses and writing the second book in her Millicent Quib series. So I'm so excited to talk to Kate today. And before we do, always, we check in with someone who knows our guest, who has a question for our guest, and we have a great one today. Kate's fellow cast member, her chosen sister, you know her from S&L, from

shrill. She's an incredible comedian and actress and writer and person, A.D. Brian. 80? Hi! This episode is presented to you by Palm Olive. Some of the best memories you'll ever make or around the dinner table, you'll never regret trying out those new recipes that may or may not go sideways or putting on a spread so big

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Visit palmolive.com shop now. Get up. What do you say? All I ever wanted was a really good hey. We're talking to you from Los Angeles. Yeah. That's where I am. That's where you live now.

I know. I know. It's weird. 80. I had a moment. went today where I was like, I was just excited about talking to you and just thinking about I know this doesn't sound very basic, but just like the women of S&L. Like just like, you know, there's not, there hasn't been as many as you think. No, totally. It's, it's like a major

crew of cool stars and girls. It's true. Like I think you and I were at a photo shoot and somebody I feel like we were at the same photo shoot when someone said the number of cast members of SNL and it wasn't a lot. Totally. Also, I don't know. I felt this at the 50s where like then when you have kind of everyone in the room, not counting the hosts,

you're kind of like, this is a little. Like this is a little group, you know? Yeah. I got a laptop here. So I'm going to see how many cast members have been on SNL. Do you have a guess first? Jelly bean jar guess? Okay, yeah.

Let's guess before. Okay, I won't look. Three. You say like 140? Is that wrong? Yes. 167. Come on.

That's the black box theater, honey. That's just a full black box theater. You always see everything in theater sizes. That's the stadium. But yeah, but I was thinking about like, it is, it's a, it's a, it's a great group. It's like, like, of which I'm very proud to be a part of and I know you are too. Same. Oh, my God.

Yeah, it's like very overwhelming to me if I think about it at all. I know, me too. And you and Kate McKinnon, our guest today, were there at the same time. And the people, especially the women that you are there with at the same time, means, means a lot. so tell everybody when did you guys start when did you start and were you starting at the same year or when did what year well she had kind of a weird thing where she started like five shows at the end of the previous season Maya Rudolph did that too Maya started at like the end of a season which that seems like so stressful to me I don't I kind of don't know how she did it because she also like came in alone in that moment but I think Kate and I we shared an office and also just we both are like scared and I think we both were also like we like are both extroverts for our jobs but I think we're both kind of secretly like introverts who like to be quiet and hidden and so we were we bonded over that I think it's funny you say that that was

one of the questions I had for her today is how she managed being in such an extroverted job as an obvious introvert because I really find her to be a genuine introvert. Yeah, I mean, I think in some ways, like, it's part of her genius is like she's almost like a recluse who has to go and have, like, time. But then it's so fruitful. Like, I mean, once, like, one of the first times I went to her apartment,

I was like, oh, my God, what are all these cool paintings? And she was like, ah, I did this. You know, and I was like, what? You know, and same, like, or we would be writing a sketch, and then she would be like, well, get a keyboard and then, like, be playing a full, and you're like, wait, you play the piano. And then, like, she was like, well, I do play the cello too. Like, it just, she is like a, she is like a sneaky freak who has a million skills and talents, kind of like a savant kind of thing.

And that's why she's, like, mysterious. in that way. She is. She definitely is like an onion. Like she, and it also, not to make it about me, but I'm feeling such shame

about the fact that if I knew how to play the cello, you would know it, babe. You'd know it. You'd know it day one. No, I, same. Everywhere I go, I'd be like,

well, I do cello, but I do piano too. You know. And I painted a little on the side. But anyway, let's get back to you. Like, I would say, it would be on my.

I guess I'm, Sorry, I'm one of the greatest sketch comedians of all time, too. That's just like the other thing I do. And I can build tables and garden and like, you know. You're like, and I'll take a grande latte, please. I know. She is, and I have to say, 80, I find this with you too. Both of you guys have a very calm energy that's like, draws you in.

Neither one of you, you're very like, Come hither. Come hither. That is what everyone always says about me. I'm sexy kind of come hither. You are, babe. Because you both are like, there's not a lot of push. There's not a lot of push.

Well, you know, I think we really helped each other in that way because, like, you know, especially when you get to S&L, it's so overwhelming. It's like so cool. And I think sometimes we both would have the instance. instinct of like, is it okay for me to leave this party and go home? And we often for each other were like, I would like to. Let's go. You know, we gave each other permission to like be the ones to go first, basically. That's actually a good friendship. That was really helpful at times, you know, yeah. Yeah. But I'm so honored to be thought of it as come hither. That is like, that might be

my new like cello like come hither miss pola thinks i'm how come hither cut to your cosmetic brand come hither come hither baby and you're like and then you're like where is it being sold i'll never tell shh before i get to your question for kate what's the first stuff you did together and wrote together You know, one of the first things I think we really started like putting our heads together on stuff where those like girl music videos that we would do kind of like twin bed, I think was one of the first ones. And then we did like back home ballers and a couple after that. But that was like one of our first. Like we both were like, oh, we like music and let's try this, you know. Did you shoot them at the Douglas house? yes awesome i feel like i like our generation was some of the last to still go to the douglas house because they don't go there anymore for people listening the douglas house was just like a big house about 45 minutes outside of the city where if you watch in the 90s and 2000s every commercial was shot at every fake commercial was shot at smiths gang like all the uh oops i crap my pants

all those were there and like for our generation it was like lower lower back tattoo remover and like the Roomba that went up your pants and it was, and just so many mornings, like super tired at the Douglas house. Completely. Also, like, I would lay in their rooms as if they were my own, just so rudely. Like, I would never do that if I was shooting in someone's house now, but at that time, I was like, I got to lay on the floor in here, on someone's couch or bed. I don't know.

You got to know how anything worked. So I was like, our space. And also, I just, like, what I love about watching you on the show and all the women of Bessinnell and Kate, too, is just like never worried when you perform. Like, never, always feeling super relaxed that you're in control of what you're doing, that you have, like, a deep sense of play. And, like, something natural does happen, I think, is the longer you're there, which is just like you get a good, case of like the fuck it's like who cares like let's just try shit 100% and you and kate as seniors were really fun together well we were like doing bad behavior basically like what what was your well just i feel like she i mean she's the number one culprit of this in my time at s and l

which was she would basically perform so funny during the week so funny during rehearsal and then at dress or I mean at air it was just something you had never seen before and I would be you know like eye to eye with her or whatever and I'd be like this bitch is letting it rip and I'm just like at her mercy you know so fun it's a thrill you know well I'm excited to talk to her today and also like a little um I'm I'm intrigued by Kate always because Kate is like has a million hobbies and interests and she is you know she's not on as a person she's not like a she's not like you can actually go pretty deep and go into these crevices of her mind so i'm excited to get there but what do you think do you have any question for her today that you think she might want to be asked or

you know um a story she might want to tell or anything you think you'd want to know well it's funny because I feel like knowing her, I'm like there's no question she wants to be asked. I've already heard that she's like, she told someone I know she was like, Amy's going to look into my soul and I don't want that.

She doesn't want to do this interview. She's going to be. He wants to do no interviews by the way. I know. Okay. I'm stalling. I guess my question is like what's her perfect day of solitude? Which might

It might include like an indoor activity, probably an outdoor activity knowing her, and also like a meal she would make just for herself. I feel like that's like where she's in her flow state. And I'm like, what's she doing? What's her dream version of that or even, you know, how she spends her time like that? That is such a good question because asking somebody about what they're. you know, quote unquote kind of perfect day tells you so much about them. And I definitely feel like

Kate's perfect day is a solo day. Which I like respect massively. That's a fantastic question. Wait, I feel like there's one last question you should ask Kate. This is just a least one, but ask her what she used to carry her hair extensions in. I don't know what the answer

might be, but I think she might. remember what she used to cart those around in perfect can't wait all right adie thank you so much for getting on it's so great to see you your come hither attitude is it just drew me in from minute one babe well come come hither anytime you wish say hi to connor lots of love okay bye This message is brought to you by Apple Card. You left your wallet in the car, or was it at home? No need to panic. With your iPhone, you can tap to pay using Apple Card with Apple Pay,

and earn unlimited daily cashback when you do. Apple Card is ready when you need it. Subject to credit approval, Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank, USA, Salt Lake City Branch, terms and more at AppleCard.com. Oh my God, wait, McKinnon. Wait, what's going on with this water? What is this water? Talk to me about this.

Do you try to get through this once a day? I try. I put it away for months at a time. And then I say, where's my jug? Oh, my God. How many gallons is in here? This is one gallon. Actually, this is not full, but you can see how bad.

This is nice. Yeah. And do you try to get a gallon a day? I do. I mean, when I'm doing, when I'm being good and cool. Yeah. That's why your skin is so good. It's this gallon jug.

It's, thank you. Yeah. No, it's good because it weighs 25 pounds when fall. So you're getting bit whatever this is. And it's really good in a little. Zoom because if your Zoom is flagging and then you bring this into frame without introing it, that's another five minutes of material for your Zoom. I love this jug.

Thank you so much. Here, you can. May I? I'm going to put it. I'm just going to put it over here for continuity. So we can make sure that it doesn't. As Lauren say, co-star. Okay.

I know. Thank you. Yes, let the audience come to you, when in doubt, seduce, and keep your jug on the floor. Try to get your jugs all the way to the floor if you get. Hi, friend. Hey. Hi. You're beautiful.

Congratulations on this. Thank you. I'm so happy that you're here. I'm very happy to be here. I know that you do not like to do interviews. Well, and my first question is just something very, very simple, which is, what is God's plan for us? Um, God has gone. God has jumped ship.

God is taking a break. And gone to a different universe. God was like, God was like, yikes. Miss, that was a miss, and I shall. I'll let them do it. Um, yeah, we are. D-da-dunned, capital D-d-d-dunned.

Um, no, I know that you don't like love interviews. But I think what is so special about you, Kate, is I feel like you just deep-end it pretty fast. Like you like deep-end complex conversations. Bless you for saying so I would, I'd like to that. What is your sign? Virgo. Got it. Capricorn. Oh, of course.

Good. Finally. A reasonable person. And your Myers-Briggs. E-N-T-J. Got it. Good. What's yours?

Good. INFP. Yes, you're a definite eye. Good. And also your an eogram? Four, wing five. Of course you're a four. What are you?

I'm an eight. And that's the one. Eight wing nine. I'm the Challenger. The Challenger. And you are the romantic. The asshole. Sensitive.

I was going to say I'm the asshole. No, no, I'm the asshole. Oh, that's so funny. I thought I was the asshole. Wait, but what is eight again? Eight is the challenger. So eight is the likes to lead. has problems with vulnerability so like doesn't go with feelings first action first

four is lots of feelings yeah right so if you're at thanksgiving the eight is maybe at the table arguing about vaccines or something the four is in the basement looking through photo albums of old thanksgivings yes would that would that make sense yes and saying stuff like it's all over yes awesome like we are doomed like God is God is God

and I need you also to know that I my face is covered in poison ivy Can't see okay Can't see one one piece of evidence for it Let me see the little dots on my neck Can't see at all Your incredible makeup artist

Who we love Yes who we love Cassie Cass Garcia Who also I work with Yes Incredible She's always, she relays messages between the two of us. Same.

Yeah. She's like, I saw Kate. Kate said hi. It's really nice. And you could not tell for one minute that you have poison ivy on your face. But I know that you are like an outdoor cat. Outdoor cat, indoor cat, but you live, you're basically you've gone, you've gone to the farm. I've gone rogue.

You've gone rogue. Yes. I remember so clearly. I believe we were in, maybe we were at the Kennedy Center Honors in D.C. or something. And I was telling you about my desire to go to the woods. And you were like, in New York, the nature that we have is our pets. And we need more nature than that. Yes. And so that I always had that in my head. And I did it. You did it. How does it feel? It's the best. I belong on the homestead. Yeah, I believe it.

I belong on the homestead. I believe it. Did you feel that way when you were younger? Did you feel an affinity to nature? Were you that kind of person, like young kid who liked to be in the woods? I loved bugs and science and making nature crafts. I remember making little bits of mud and putting places. And I remember every time we went to a seafood restaurant, I would say,

Mom, can I take the empty clam, muscle, and lobster shells home with me and put them in the bathtub? And after rinsing them of marinera sauce, she would let me put them in the bathtub. And I would get in with them and just enjoy that. And so, yes, I did always love. Did you? Well, I kind of liked it. I liked the idea of being alone in, like I liked getting on my bike and riding through the neighborhood, like feeling alone. Yeah.

But talk to me about without, you know, obviously revealing anything too personal, what is your homestead? What do you do on your homestead? Talk to me about what happens there. Are you farming? I think the reason I've, I've done it is that I believe very much that we are doomed. and I want, my goal is surviving the apocalypse four days. Okay, that's it. If I can make it to four, oh, mama, I will have achieved something. A long weekend, like a holiday weekend. That's such a good, that's such a funny thing to think about is what it would take for four days.

It's more food than you think, obviously. It is. Yeah. Yeah. And I would, I know I wouldn't make it. make it past two hours, but I'd like to think that I could go 48, and I would be crying the whole time as a four-wing five. But I would like the lack of invitations to social gatherings in the apocalypse. That would be fun. Okay, you are a true introvert, which I am ashamed of

because I love people. I am fascinated by and love to talk to and listen to people. But the word fascinated is the part. You are fascinated by people. People are, that's what I think I feel from you is a fascination and a curiosity about the world and people. That is what is so compelling about being around you is you are very curious about many things. But I've sensed that people in general, like a lot of people, it's just, it's not really your gig. It's just like one-on-one people feels like, or two-on-one-one, however you like it,

one-on-one, two-on-one. But, you know, but when we were talking about you going, like, getting back into nature and kind of checking out, I think it was in the context of New York City being overwhelming and you being there for a long time. Because you lived in the city for how many years? 20. And you were on SNL for how many years? and every day you saw hundreds of people this is the poison I was just acting up a hair excuse me if at any point you need a cold compress and so you were like

fascinating that you are in a bustling city on a bustling show and it makes total sense that you want to go somewhere and just get a little bit quieter and more peaceful after that experience how does an introverted person like you how did you manage the hugeness that was that show? It's such chaos.

Do you want me to do an impression of myself at the after party? Yeah. Okay. So you are, let's say, you're an agent that I know. Great. Okay. Okay. And I'll just be talking to you.

Okay. Really close. Really quiet. Tell me about your parents. You know, that kind of thing. Yeah. You wanted, but that's what I'm talking about. But you like a one-on-one connection.

You like people. You want a connection. I really do. Yeah. When I watch you on SNL, you're so connected to what you're doing. You're very relaxing to watch because you don't seem nervous. Nobody knows so that. But was that all, am I getting it totally wrong?

Like was inside a whirly swirly or was inside kind of? peaceful when you were you in the zone when you would perform oh gosh um always terribly nervous horrifically nervous less so at dress i always felt i did i did my best at dress and then air was just less good because i was thinking about um the cameras but when it was just dress and just i could really sometimes if i was really in it feel like I was in dialogue with the people in the audience and like we were sharing something. You know, I feel like sketch is like

you see something that you love that delights you and you're like just showing it to people and then you're like, do you guys like it too? Because I think this is funny and if they do, then you're like you have a connection and I felt sometimes like I was just with friends. I mean, Lauren said that.

I'm sure it should feel like you're in your living room, play. Ooh, it's good. And I did get to that point in the dress rehearsal. I mean, first of all, we got to see, I mean, this might make you uncomfortable with this kind of praise. But I feel like this, here she goes. Okay, hold on, hang on, praise is coming. Okay, praise is coming. There are people on that show that I felt were naturals.

on that show. Now, whether or not they felt natural is their own personal story. But you, Maya Rudolph, this is my opinion, you, Maya Rudolph, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, people who just kind of came onto the show fit right in and just became just like instant captains, just instant crushers, just so good at that show. because that show needs a specific kind of something. I don't know. I don't even know, you know. And I always felt that from you. Just this calm confidence when you were performing.

And it's interesting to know that inside you were not feeling that way. What did you do when you were not feeling like you did well? Like, how did you manage that feeling? I mean, I can't think of any time you didn't do well, but it's so fun, I'm sure you felt that. There were plenty of desperate failures that haught me

even now. I know a lot of failures and they still sometimes I'll think of something that didn't work or that I didn't, I just couldn't get there in time with the writing or the performing and it still stings. And I still feel shame and that, you know,

and that's on me. But I also have made the terrible mistake of reading stuff on the Internet, which I truly wish I could go back and have never looked at the Internet because it has, that haunts me as well. And also, you just cannot remember the good things. I can't remember for the hundred good things. It's just like can't conjure them up but the one bad one, you'll never forget. Yeah, there are phrases that I have read that, not even that mean. Right, sure. Not unfounded, like things with a kernel of truth.

Like thoughtful critiques that I agreed with that have ruined my life. That will be on your headstone. Okay, but so, but when you were. Like, did you have any, okay, talk, like, did you like to rehearse all the time? Were you in your room rehearsed? Did you go, were you the kind of performer, you're in your room before you're doing your sketch, quiet and intensely working on it? Did you like to play around and stay loose before a scene?

Because I didn't really ever get a chance to work with you very much. We only did a few small things together. Did you like to be alone and get ready for stuff? Or did you like to stay loose and, you know what I mean? Yeah. I think I mostly like to wing it. I, there were like a, I don't know if you can relate if it was like a just a two-person scene that was like really a scene that required like, your eyes are so beautiful. I'm mine.

Yes. My God, Kate. You know what? You shine like a sudden. And I'm having trouble concentrating on what I was saying. I love you Hey you too My queen

My queen If it was like a two person's even A lot of lines Yes I would try to Not memorize But become very Intimately familiar with the lines

I could feel that That you like to know your lines Which some people don't really try to do Because people don't know But it changes a lot at S&L So sometimes you're a little screwed If you know your lines too well Right, right

So if it was like Not changing that much And it was like a more scene. I would sort of like to run through it a few times. But otherwise I liked to wing it. That's what I mean is you have, you had a very groovy flow in a lot of the stuff they did. And so who knew, babe, that inside was, you know,

a bunch of mice carrying ladders and stuff Like, who knew? And so when we talked about you, like, hit in the road and get in homesteading, basically, what I feel like was underneath that was, like, here's the new next chapter of chapter of the version of my life. Like, you know, if my life is a book, I'm interested in what the next chapter is. Yes. What is the, what would you, like, what would you title this chapter of your life post-S&L? growing your own food prepping for the apocalypse

My goodness What would you say What era are you in? Getting real Getting real Or 41 Or

Getting with an apostrophe Getting real Getting real Well Let's be honest I feel like I had One dream. One dream. It was S&L. Did it. Done. Loved it. Awesome.

Not quite sure. Not quite sure what to really be like single-minded about. I love filming movies and the small amount of episodic television after. What do you love about making movies? I love being able to... I love going somewhere for a month or two and walking around. Yeah. And falling in love with 80 new people and the circus, the camp of it. Yeah. The summer camp.

You went to camp? I never did. Oh, my God. I know. I went to a day. day camp, but I never went away. I would have loved to have gone, like, away from home. But yeah, just this idea that you had this stolen time almost in another place. You can be anything. And I love that. And I also love, I just love movies. I think they're

wonderful as a medium. And I love doing a scene as scripted and then trying it 80 different ways. and they pick the best one. And as opposed to, like, you've got one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted. Will you capture it or will you let it slip? Do not miss your chance to, because opportunity comes once in a lifetime. But that was what SNL was.

Yes. So you did it so well. So you feel like you, yeah, I hear what you're saying. It's like, okay, I did that. I did that as to the best of my ability. Now I want to, you know, practice my backhand, basically. Or not even my backhand. Just try a new shot.

Yeah. Yeah, totally. Like, I loved doing pre-taped pieces for that very reason, and I have loved, truly loved every experience I've had working on a film. So I'd love to do more of that. And I, but I, but there's only so much. many hours in a year that, you know, SNL took up so much of all of our lives. And when it's over, it just leaves a time hole. And so I had to fill my time hole. That's the name of your

workshop. Fill your time home with Kate McKinnon. And so I've done that. I've tried to be useful in growing food and I've also taken up carpentry as well. Okay, I've heard about this. Can you talk to me about the materials you're using? Because I know a little bit about woodworking from Nick Offerman. Have you spoken to Nick? I've never, no, like I mean, I've meant to. He has an amazing workshop and he's such a good teacher and share of knowledge. And tell me what you like about woodwork

working in carpentry. What's your favorite part? It is, well, I think it's in Magines because my grandfather was a woodworker. My father was an architect. And I just, I love the practicality of you can, you know, manipulate this material and then you can spend time in it. Yeah. How crazy is that? You can sit on it. I love to sit on things I do. It's just so much, it's, you know, a sketch, a book, a something. It's so ephemorable.

And to say, I will sleep on what I did today. Yes. It's like, real. That's like life. That's cool. What materials do you like to work with? What kind of wood? I've been doing mostly trim carpentry.

which is moldings and paneling, and I've been using reclaimed hemlock for that mostly. You've been making your own moldings? Yes. Wow. And I thought I was the only one. Then I'm backstage at that S&L 50 concert. I'm talking to Brandy Carlisle.

She's doing trim carpet. I'm like, brand, of course you are. She's like John Stewart's doing his trim. I'm like, turned out it's trite what I'm doing everyone's doing trim carpentry you're doing trim carpentry I know I mean people think I'm doing trim carpentry but I'm not oh so when you when you're making stuff like it was something like when you're when you're wood when you're when you're working with wood what happens when you make a mistake I feel because I'm asking

I'm very intimidated by working with wood I feel like I if you make a if you measure wrong you're fucked like you can't what do you just just kind of I put it up inside the home anyway and I have absolutely decreased the property value

of the house with my shoddy work. Yes, I know that I have. It is not Brandy Carlisle level. No.

Nothing is. That's true. That's true. What do you want to make? What's the dream thing you want to eventually make? Do you want to move on from molding and moldings

and do you want to make furniture? Do you make furniture? I made a table. Dang. That was cool. But honestly, I would like to move into plumbing and electrical. I would like to be, have all the skills of a general contractor.

I love that. I love that. I don't know. Well, because the end is near. Yeah. You know, we have to. Well, someone's got a wire at the shelter. Yeah, exactly.

If we're going to get one more day in that shelter, we're going to need how the temperature. going to need to fix the toilet. Yeah. I so relate though, Kate. I mean, I have no doubt you will. I have no doubt you'll learn about plumbing. I mean, that's a ways of way. You think so? Well, it's someone's job for a reason. Yeah. That's a way to a year certificate at minimum. Yeah. So, but yes, I would like to acquire all of those, the skills that can make a home function for four days. This episode is brought to you by Cozy. We've all been there when your furniture just isn't cutting it, whether it's an ill-fated gathering or some classic moving day disaster.

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What I like about this conversation is that I feel like we're going out in the woods and then we're coming back into the city. Yeah, back and forth. So coming back into the city, if I can. Yes. Can you speak about the last show of yours at SNL? Because I remember that feeling very powerful and very moving, and I think we spoke about it, and it was for you.

It was a very beautiful send-off where you walk up into the stairs as Ms. Rafferty meeting the aliens. Finally, maybe, we don't know. Or finally meeting, you know, or them taking you away. Are you willingly going? We don't know. Yeah. What do you think happens to her and to you? But that walk up the stairs and like the wave goodbye was really beautiful and really cool.

What was the last, what was your last show like? I thought it was really beautiful too. It was not my pitch. That was Streeter, Seidel and Mikey Day came up with that. My pitch was that I did this character, Sheila Sauvange, the bar fly. and my pitch was that I would tongue every single person in the cast in a line. And, you know, I thought ultimately that the alien thing was a little more meaningful and had a better tone.

So we went with that. So everyone narrowly missed sucking my face. A good vice. A good by tonguing. But that was very emotional because it was everything, I mean, you did over 200 shows or something. Everything to me. And those people are everything to me. Jenna.

Yeah. You know, Chris Kelly, everybody. And Lorne, who has been, you know, a surrogate father to me. And I could cry now thinking about. about what he has been to me in my life, as I'm sure we all couldn't. Can you speak a little bit more? What has he been, what has he done to,

like what was your relationship with him like? My, well, very, my father passed when I was 18. I loved my father beyond. And he, Lorne just was nothing but paternal. And when you have somehow, by the grace of whatever, earned the esteem of a man like that, a man who's that, like, larger than life. It just, it means everything. And so, um, I was like, just sad. Yeah. To go. I had, I had to. I, I, I had reached a point where I was, like, yawning during the show. And that just did not, that was not

working for me physically anymore. Yeah. And there, there you have it. But it didn't mean I wanted to get away from those folks. You love those folks. You love those folks. And boy, Kate, they love you. You know who loves you so much? And there's a million people who do. Seth Myers.

He loves you. He just is like, and again, praise coming in. Prepare. But you were just such a natural captain when you were in there on that show. You just led that show through a lot. of years and you were in a lot of sketches and you were doing a lot you were you were carrying a lot on your shoulders in that show whether or not you felt it or not and you were you were being asked to do really big playing like really for quote and quote like important people at important times

whether it's Hillary Clinton or Rudy Giuliani or like you were playing all the it was the world you the world is nuts and it's weird and I know from experience because we both played political figures to play people in real time that are also existing in real time in the world and there's real world consequences and it's very strange yes yes yes I love yeah what was it what would what what what what did it feel the wizard did you feel in your responsibility when you're playing anybody uh or did you have to kind of let that go and not worry about it No, Mama, I felt a lot of... I felt a lot.

Yeah. I'm sorry, just to talk about Seth for one second. Yes, let's go back to Seth. When Seth left, it was in February. That was another, that I felt like... I only overlapped with him for two or three years or so, but he... And he is not very much older than me, but I felt like he was, like, had a paternal, you know, thing. And, like, when he left, oh, my God, I was so crushed.

And I forget that life goes on and you, like, you form, you know, other connections and stuff. But that was like, oh, I love that guy. Yeah. Yoikes, any horse. What were we saying about political? Who cares? You know what? Politics.

Well, it's a double-edged sword, I felt. And let me know how this land. for you. Yeah. But I felt it was a double-edged sword in that I felt like I was really doing something with my life, something meaningful, being engaged in the most peripheral possible way in culture, in history. Yeah. In the, like, yeah, just on the sidelines, putting on a wig. Right. You know, doing little songs about whatever was out. actually going on, but like being in the smallest way, a part of that felt like I was doing something meaningful. And with that came, you know, like I read, there was one article

that was like, will she hurt Hillary Clinton? Oh, God. And I was like, y'all, y'all shouldn't read, should not have read right should never have looked but that like that notion just broke my brain and like I obviously no one I think doing a satire has the power

to actually influence but I did not want to hurt anybody even people I vehemently disagreed with politically like I still didn't want to ever hurt anyone's feelings And so, yeah, there was some balancing to do there. Did you ever meet anybody while you were dressed as them?

Yes. I met Secretary Clinton, Senator Warren. That was so awesome. Oh, my gosh. Oh, you guys did a really fun. You guys did like a Tick-Tock switcheroo. Yeah. Yeah.

She was like after there was some vote on the floor of Congress, I believe it was on January 6th about, I forget what it was. And all the Democrats were saying no and all the Republicans were saying, yes, I forget what about. But they were going down the list calling the names of all the Democratic senators and everyone was saying, no, no, no. And then it got to her and she was like, no. And then I know it's the question you get asked all the time, but I do love this question, which is, well, two, did you watch, did you ever go on the server and watch sketches that bombed? We used to watch our sketch.

Do you like, do you kind of like it when sketches bomb a little bit? Like, did you ever enjoy that? And did you ever rewatch a sketch that, like, didn't make it? We used to go and watch our sketches from dress that bombed and just like, and just watch it together. like, you know, kind of like process it together. And it was just like such a nice feeling. Basically just a reminder that everybody bombs, basically.

Yeah. Did you ever do that? Yes, there were a few hits that we would watch over and over again. There was one, there was one rehearsal where a person I won't say who simply stopped. doing the sketch and sat down on the stage. Sure. That was a fun watch. Yeah.

Just stuff like that. We had a host again, I won't say, who like halfway through just kind of fell asleep a little bit. Yeah. And it was like, this was during dress. I was like, okay, well, I guess we're, I guess his character's asleep now. Don't blame them. Agree. It's late.

Time to sit down. And it's a tough gig. Did you find that? hosting was so much harder than you could have ever imagined. Yeah, I wanted to be back with the, like, I didn't want to be, and I was, yeah, I know, I wanted to be like, I kept being like, what are you guys doing over there? Like, I kept wanting to be over there. Yeah, yeah, and who did you love, host, who, what host did you love, like, that you just think about, you're just like, oh, my God, that's so, like. I remember really loving Amy Adams.

Yes. Emily Blunt. Yes. A lot. Those are the two that pop into my mind. But just I loved, I loved actresses who were wonderful comedic actresses and also actresses. Oh, that's so interesting. What type was your favorite?

I enjoyed weirdly often athletes because they wanted to be coached. and they would be like how do you want me to say it how do you want me to do it and I'd be like oh thank God this is exactly how I want you to do it

you know and they felt really good about that like there was no and they would if they scored they were like yay and if they didn't they were like

this isn't my gig like they didn't feel and it relaxed me it relaxed me when athletes would host or people like that people who are just like this is so weird

then I'm here did Charles Barkley ever host when you were there no did you love Oh, my God. You loved him? Now, there's a funny athlete.

Jesus Christ, he may be the funniest man alive. And I did do one of my bar fly sketches with him. So I have, his tongue has been in my mouth. And I, it was nice. Fantastic. Okay, so we do this thing in the show where we talk to people before our interview. I don't know if you know this. We talk well behind their back.

We talk to somebody who knows them, and they give me a question to ask them. So we talk to 80 Bryant today, the great 80. Oh, here we go. Tears, waterworks. 80 and you, like, tell me a little bit about what 80, what it meant to have 80 there when you were there and, like, working with her. What was your relationship like? I mean, she taught me about, like, so much about comedy, but she also taught me about just, like, being a person. And comedy is, I mean, she's a genius, but like just one of the most solid people I've ever

known. And I, she just, she, like, when I moved into my apartment, she was like, invest in your base, which she was basically telling me to, like, get kind of okay furniture, which, like, I wasn't planning on doing. But she just, she, um, I think in many ways she, she, um, I think in many ways she taught me how to live and how to be okay. Even in silence, I was like, okay, this is my sister. Everyone here is my friend. This is my sister. We were re-watching the sketch today of you in 80 as the, I think it was Henrietta and Nan,

the PowerPoint ladies who couldn't get the PowerPoint to work. it was I was reminded 15 more of those right now I was reminded of that the other day and I was asking the gal who wrote it

did you come up with the phrase digifiles and she said no that was 80 diggy files I like when 80 says and when 80 says

I don't think I can learn anything anymore I don't think I can learn anything new anymore oh my God that Oh, okay, so 80 had a question for you, which is, she had two great questions for you. One is, ask Kate what she used to carry her hair extensions around in.

Do you remember? It was a tiny linen drawstring polka dot bag that I think she gave me. Great. It seemed like an item that 80 would have because it was polka dot. it. And it was like sweet and drawstring. Okay. So I'm going to take your word for it. Well, there's no way we can check. And then, but the second question was, what would be your ideal day? Because we were kind of talking about what we were talking about earlier that there's this part of you that like loves that feeling of performing and being, you know, meeting 80 new people

and being on the road and being part of the circus. And then there's a part of you that wants to kind of be in the woods in in nature and be in kind of a peaceful version of your life. What is Kate McKinnon's perfect day? How would it go? I would wake with the sun. I would garden for a couple hours, do carpentry for a couple hours, and then gather my mother and sister the loves of my life or some other folks that I love and make pasta together and eat it

from scratch damn that was my 40th birthday party it was a pasta making party with my family and my best friend and her family that sounds great my 40th

yeah my 40th I was still filming Parks and Rec, so it was like a bar somewhere in the middle of filming. My 50th, I had a dance party. And that was so fun because I love dancing and I prefer dancing over talking. Do you like to dance? I love to dance and I also prefer dancing over it. Like I will leave a party after 10 minutes if it's just talking because I can't. 80 said the same thing that you two gave each other a lot of permission to leave parties, which is what friendship is all about. Okay, we're going to talk about your incredible book because, and I want to talk to you about books, but I want to just do a very quick rapid fire, okay? Number one gardening tip.

Or any gardening tip. Compost. It's all about, I mean compost. Oh, God. No, it's a pain in the ass. Yeah, I got to do it. Yeah. No, it's terrible.

Favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate fudge brownie. You said that. casually. Do you not like ice cream? No, I love it. Okay. Favorite childhood movie? The producers. We watch the producers every week in our house. Favorite books growing up? Ralled doll, and I loved a good atlas. I loved a book about geography. Are you good at cultures of the world? I do love geography. Do you have a good? Do you have a good? geographical sense.

I would say yes. When you know, like when you're standing somewhere, you want to know where north is and you talk that way like it's west of the highway. Yes. And you know where countries are. I do. That I do. That's great.

I love the countries and I love to know their capitals and I love knowing countries and capitals. It's a hobby. I'm going to give you one. Argentina. Buenos Aires. Canada. Ottawa.

China. Beijing. Costa Rica. Well, now there is it San Juan? Close. No. It's San Jose. Is it? Yep. San Jose.

Okay, thank you. Let's see. Ethiopia. Addis Ababa. Dang. Hungary. Budapest. Iran.

Tehran. Libya? Tripoli. And the last one is. is the capital of Senegal. Is it, no, Akra is the capital of Ghana and the capital of Senegal is, fuck me. I knew this.

I really, it's with an R. Yeah, there's an R at the end. It's Dakar. Yes. Fuck. Shit. Kate, that's impressive. Hobby.

In fact, during a read-through at SNL, when I wasn't in any sketches. I just was practicing my capitals. For fun. So let's talk about the Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science. Yes. Your second book, incredible.

Congratulations. Thank you. You have written a series now, the Millicent Quib series, and you have one and two, and two is out. Yes. And is a New York Times bestseller.

Hi. tell us about this book why you wrote it what's it about yeah um well i i got i started writing it 12 years ago before s and l amazing and then i just kind of kept at it uh intermittently throughout that time and i love middle grade literature um because i think it has uh things in common with sketch comedy, i.e. funny hair and funny names and a sense of hope. Yeah. And questions of identity and questions of belonging. You know, a sketch is often about a fly in the ointment, an odd man out. I wanted to write about being a 12-year-old girl in a repressive turn-of-the-century town. I didn't grow up in a repressive turn of the century town, but I grew up in a town

with, you know, normal folks, and I felt like a freak. I think every 12-year-old feels like a freak. And I loved science and I loved bugs and I loved like icky stuff. And I had, I was fortunate to have adults in my orbit who were funny and weird. my parents among them and a lot of my teachers. And I think having that kind of a mentor who celebrates what is unique about you instead of stepping on it is absolutely instrumental. And so I wanted to write about a mad scientist who's a pariah in this town who takes these little weirdos under her wing and teaches them mad science.

and they fight the bad guys and have adventures. And I wanted to write something that hopefully would inspire young people to go outside for the first time in days. And touch grass, as they say. And I mean, the times of my childhood, which was before cell phones, which were just the best time. I mean, one day, me and Alexis North found like a fox skull in like someone's head. and like there was an earwig in it and it was the great talk about the best day of my life oh my god the earwigs in that fox skull we were just like the world is magic it's made of magic and um i wish children had some more access to that kind of stuff today and uh i wanted to

inspire them to go outside and touch a buck um okay well i feel like You know, this interview started with you worrying that you weren't going to be funny or something. Like, remember that? I feel I wasn't. I'd like to start again, please. You're nuts. You're so nuts. But I want to finish the last thing, which is I think people in comedy are all, as we know, they're all different kinds of people.

Do people come up and expect you to be a certain way? And are they surprised when you are quieter and more reserved or more introverted than they expect you to be? I think they are. And sometimes they're disappointed and vocal about that. I've gotten a lot of, wow, you're not funny in real life. Speak up. What? I've gotten, I've gotten, you're so serious for a comedian.

Yeah. You're being very serious. You're being very serious. Oh. You're being very serious. serious. Well, or, oh, that's not funny. I've had that. I'm like, well, I'm sorry, it isn't. It wasn't very funny. Anyway, nice to meet you. Oh, shit. I got to ask you one question. Oh, fuck. I forgot one question. And it's the best question and it's the best one to ask you. Go for it.

What is making you laugh these days? What are you, what are you watching, reading, listening to, watching a video of when you need to lighten up? I'll tell you. Ooh. There's a man on YouTube. Can't wait. From Australia. He cleans drains. He clears hopelessly disgusting clogged restaurant drains filled with grease.

I love unclogging videos. This man. This is the earth saying, you never see his face. He is enthusiasm on two feet. He says, he'll say, oh, you guys, this is what drains him. made of. Can you believe we get to be here clearing these drain? This one's chocker block. Let's fire up the jet. Oh, you little ripper. Come on, you good thing. Like he has like free and and it's about and he'll be like, oh, there's a cockroach. Oh, there's some corn there. Toilet paper. Oh, this is what dreams are made

of you guys. And I just, I love enthusiasm. And I would. recommend. It's called Drain Cleaning Australia. Okay, I'm just going to watch one little thing before that. This sounds amazing. Drain cleaning Australia. Also, I love his commentary about what he finds. Yeah. Okay, stand by. This one says sewage spraying into the sky. Is that good? Okay, here we go.

We're back before I never brought dry, mate. And I'm just going to let the lovely customer and over. We're here. Gatoy, mate. Bruce from Drain Cleaning Australia. You're home. So he goes to meet the people first. Let's see, let's... And he's... Oh, sorry, we got a commercial. You pay for you.

You don't pay for YouTube? I don't pay for YouTube. Are you kidding me? The price? They want me to pay to cut out the commercials? No. I'll wait until the skip button. Okay, here we go.

You little ripper! Hey! And wow, you can see all the tree roots still down there. We've punched a hole through the blockings. I get it. Tree roots are the least of his problems. Usually it's like a dachshund-sized piece of hair or grease or human shit. It is.

And he's like, woo-hoo! You little Ripper! Kate, thank you for being here. Thank you. I can't tell if you're. Your eyes are green or blue. I think they're both, and it doesn't matter. All that matters is today.

All that matters is you, I mean. Thank you, Kate McKinnon. You are so interesting to talk to, and I love being around you and your beautiful skin. Check out Kate's book. And, you know, in this polar plunge, I just wanted to talk about the books that I loved when I was in middle school. There were many, many series of books that I love. But we talked a lot about homesteading today and growing your own vegetables

and pulling potatoes out of the earth. And it made me think about Little House on the Prairie and Laura Ingles Wilder. And God, I just, I loved those books. And here's a tip in my polar plunge. If you need to take a wonderful nap, put on an old episode of Little House on the Prairie and the sound of the clipclop of the horses

and the music. and like, and then paw just coming in from the cold and somebody putting like a hot cake on the fire. It's just going to knock you out. You're going to go right to sleep. So read the books, incredible books from Laura Ingalls-Wilder, watch the TV show and try to stay up as long as you can while you do. Okay, thanks so much for listening.

Thanks, Kate, for being here. I love talking to you and see you soon. Bye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Katz-Belaine, Kaya Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss Berman.

Original music by Amy Miles.