Happy Sad Confused - Alia Shawkat

Episode Date: December 22, 2025

Alia Shawkat was just 14 when she started on ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and yet somehow she was a scene-stealer among the likes of Jason Bateman and David Cross. Since then she's charted a path across many a great independent film, a prolific painting career, the beloved series SEARCH PARTY, and now her new film, ATROPIA. UPCOMING EVENTS Tom Hiddleston 1/6 in New York -- ⁠⁠tickets here⁠⁠ Check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Happy Sad Confused patreon here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We've got discount codes to live events, merch, early access, exclusive episodes, video versions of the podcast, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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That means my plastic surgery is working really well. Prepare your ears, humans. Happy, sad, confused begins now. Hey, guys, it's Josh. Welcome to another edition of Happy Say I Confused. Today on the pod, Alia Shawcat, first-time guest on Happy Say I Confused, talking Search Party, Arrested Development,

and her new film Atropia. Hey, guys, thanks as always for joining me on Happy Say-Confused for enjoying us on YouTube or Spotify, or however you're enjoying this podcast. I appreciate all of you guys. So thrilled that we have Alia on the pod for the very first time. I actually just spoke to Will Arnett yesterday. That is coming up on the pod soon.

So I feel like I'm running through. Bateman was on recently. All the Arrested Development actors. This one's a really fun, interesting conversation with a very talented, smart actor in Alia. Other things to mention really quickly. Not much. I'll just say, as always,

check out our Patreon for early access and discount codes and all the fun stuff, patreon.com, slash happy, say I confused. That is your place to support the podcast and help us make more of what we do over here. Not much more preamble, I want to say, other than Alia is a woman of many talents, a producer, an artist, and of course an actor since she was just a kid. She was 14 years old when she was cast on arrested and had already been doing it for a bit. And the fact that like, forget like the folks like Will and Bateman that were in their mid-30s, Talk about people like Michael Sarah and Alia that they found at that young age that could keep up, more than keep up with those talented actors.

It's just kind of a miracle. And to see the career that she's had since then working with great filmmakers and so prominent on the indie film scene, you know, an actor that whenever they show up, you know, you're in good hands, is Alia Shawcats. So I know you're going to enjoy this episode. Always great to add a first-time guest to the mix on Happy, Sad, Confused, without any further ado. here's me and Alia. We're doing this. Alia Shokhat. You're on the podcast.

Welcome. It's happening. Do you feel it? I feel it. I'm going to move my purse from the background. No, we want to stare at the purse. Yeah. How goes it?

You're in the middle of, do I have this right? Did you have a big fancy Q&A premiere last night? Are you still standing? Yeah, it was two nights ago. We had the fancy premiere. We took photos on a carpet. outside and then yeah we shared the movie with a lot of friends and strangers and then we had a really cool party and yeah I drank alcohol it was fun and you're still you're still coherent

I'm a little I feel like I'm a little fried this season I'm gonna be honest it's the season of it's yeah it's it's you know we're in that like the cue and the A's and all the stuff and I feel like my brain shut off two days ago so I promise I'm gonna give like one last burst for you because you deserve it. Great. Thank you so much. And if I don't get a burst, you know, a little spark's okay too.

No, no. You deserve everything. I also feel happy that when I was looking up what you were up to this week, a mystery was solved because when I was watching, they sent me a screener for a tropea. And Aubrey's name was like emblazoned right in the middle of the screen, Aubrey Plaza. And then I saw that she did your Q&A.

So I'm like, ah, I got Aubrey's screener. oh you did oh you got hers okay well i'll tell her then she must have gotten yours exactly exactly how did she do as a as a questioner she did great she's really good at that kind of stuff she's a good friend and it was really nice for her to come do it and she's kind of rolled up and she's like i love the movie but what do i ask and i was like you'll be fine and it was fine the audience is really cool

and i like a good Q&A you know they're kind of fun especially the relaxed ones The ones after premieres, I feel like not as good because everyone's like a little tired and edgy, like ready to get a snack, you know? Right. But it's just like a regular Wednesday, like a casual Q&A after a movie. It's more fun. And then you're like, oh, my God, they're here. It feels cooler. So you've got a lot going on, I have to say.

So we have a tropea to talk about. We also can officially say that you're going to be hitting the stage here in New York for the first time. I'm very excited for this. I'm going to come on out to support. This is, correct me from wrong, this is the debut. This is the official theatrical debut. Yeah, it is. I've done, I did a performance piece at BAM in 2019, but it was not, no, yeah, this is my very first, like, theater, theater, like, real theater.

Have you been thinking about this for a while? You strike me as, like, a confident performer. I feel like you don't get rattled, or maybe you're masking it really well. It changes daily, you know. Okay. When I, I moved to New York when I was 18. and I was like I'm going to do theater like a real actor and I never got any roles

because I think I didn't articulate very well and my presence was just a little more like for TV and movies I had done it since I was a kid so I wasn't as that's what I tell myself you know but so I was auditioning for a lot of theater and nothing happened and then I got more jobs in L.A. And it eventually took me back to L.A. doing film and then I did more TV in New York. But anyways, then I just never, never happened again.

And then as you get, you know, it was more time passes and you get older, too. It's like your time, you want to make sure you're spending it the way you want to. It's a big commitment to do a play. So it has to be a piece you really respond to and want to do every night, you know. But I've always wanted to do theater. And then this piece, you got older by Claire Barron and then Annie Kaufman is directing it. It was just like kind of perfect. And I really responded to the material.

And I'm terrified. But I feel like it's a good sign. So I'm just going to go forward. forward do you generally feel are you like I feel like every actor feels the night before a shoot they're like why did they hire me this is the horrible decision yeah yeah I remember I did a I did like a small part in this film Ruby sparks and I was in this scene with Paul Dano and I had one of those you know I was only working a couple days on it and I kind of my confidence was at a low but and I kind of said that to him I was like because I was nervous you know and I was like you were like wondering or like are you any good and like what should i be doing this and he was like yeah all the time and it made me feel so much better because i was like if paul dano's saying this then like i'll be okay you know so yeah i always i always say um and people that listen or watch the podcast are sick to be saying it but it always makes me happy and others actors happy to hear that when gary oldman

was on the podcast he always talked about how he still feels like he's screwing it up half the time so and and and paul paul dono quintin tarenti you know, his least favorite actor, no less. Okay, I'm, I gotta say I'm a bit of a love that. I'm like, I didn't catch up, but I don't know how I saw that. And what happened? I mean, we don't need to hash it out. No, we don't need to.

Like, Jesus, Quentin, take a break. I know. I mean, you know, love Quentin's work. Sometimes he's a little too, too free with his unvarnished opinions. Like, not everything needs to be said out loud. If he's not for you, it's okay. He's for the rest of us. Yeah, I'm not good.

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See what everybody's talking about and join us in the dark. Oh, yeah, Shockout YouTube rabbit hole this morning just to see what I found also. And what the what the hell was the what what the hell was the Gucci film from earlier this year? Oh, okay. I'll tell you were getting some way back. That's new. No, this is super new. This is super new. Yeah. What the hell was it? I'm not sure. Was this like a tax ride off for Gucci? Like get me every actor on the planet? Get the best.

It was freaking spike. You know what I mean? And Helena's and we were like, okay. Yeah. Yeah. And so, and Helena, I'm like, oh, my God, I'm going to get her last name wrong. Oh, Ray and Ryan, Ryan, Helena, Ryan. So they directed it together and Spikes, an old friend of mine. And he texted me and was like, do you want to do this Gucci short film? And I was like, am I going to get paid? And that remains to be seen. But no, yeah, I was like, I would love to work with him.

I've known him for so long. He was actually in the first movie I ever did, Three Kings, this David O'Rusel movie. Of course, yes. That's crazy. We met on that. I was nine. We weren't necessarily friends,

but he was always really nice. And then we, like, reconnected New York years later, and he's just always been a really good friend, and I'm such a fan of his work, but I had never, and I did like some weird little, like, plays we did for opening ceremony.

Like, we always did creative things together, but I'd never been on camera with him since, um, that's amazing. Yeah. And so an opportunity to work with him to direct. I was like, hell yeah. It was just like a great group of people.

It is. It's a, yeah. So it's, yeah. It's also, I mean, you say a short film. It's like 35 minutes long. And it's, it's to me more, to me more. Ed Harris, it's like kiki, like everybody. It's kind of just a crazy anomaly. So many people. And we shot it really fast. I mean, we shot in like five days in L.A. and then, you know, we went to Milan because it was like in replacement of a fashion show. So they like showed the short in a theater they built. It was crazy. It was, you know, very indulgent as fashion can be, but also I'm a fan of Demna, who's the designer. But it was kind of surreal. I think they were all like, it was like a mock, you know, like, this is what movies are like, you know, and we're like, what? Like usually

movie premieres are like all the people you worked with, you know, who worked on it. And this, we were like a bunch of Korean pop stars. But it was cool. It was really cool. I was like really happy to be a part of it. I never really looked so fabulous in projects. Usually I'm like, bleeding from the nose and trying to survive something um yeah i mean i i mean i would imagine it's it's a relatively easy answer when when someone like spike texts you um and yeah are you are you generally down like when a friend is like hey you want to want to want to try something out just for a couple days or is that what's your mindset i'd say i definitely am more than most i mean obviously if i don't if it's something i really don't like um i you know

I don't do it, but I really, I kind of put it out in the universe that I want to work with friends, and that's really happened in tenfold. Like the last several projects I've done, or even more, I mean, they're all with people I'm friends with, either, you know, and friends before, usually. And then they're making things or, you know, we try to make things together. So I'm a big fan of that. I'm really lucky because I think that doesn't happen very often. But to me, it seems so normal.

I've just like, I have been around a while. so and I'm sociable so I know a lot of people and and then I think kind of you know not everybody again but like for me and people I know it's just that kind of thing like you want to be with people you like yeah and have a similar creative sense and dialogue and so it just feels like a shorthand and yeah yeah and you feel safe with them you're not you know you're not going to be screwed in the edit and and they're also pretty talented generally you've surrounded yourself with very talented folks yeah you don't have to be talented otherwise I can't be your friend that's the prerequisite yeah yeah a few

You're dull and have no wit or anything. Yeah, no, move on. Well, okay, so that segues well into this one because Haley is a friend, I would imagine. You're the writer-director, collaborator on a Tropia. I really enjoyed this. I hadn't seen it when it was at Sundance. I don't even know what the comp is for something like this. There is no comp.

Maybe like wag the dog shades way back when. Yeah, MASH. Sure. Haley has a great tagline which I said it's the MASH for the 9-11 generation. Oh, my gosh. So what is the environment like right now to get something like this actually made? Is this like a tough slog in 2024, 2025 to actually get this made and a theatrically released in any way? It's not easy.

That's for sure. I will say it was easier to get it made than it is to get it out. You know what I mean? To get it seen distributed. You know, the article came on board. Thank God. And has been doing a really great job putting it out there. It's like, I think people were scared of it.

I mean, we won Sundance, and we still didn't get bought for so long. And it wasn't like a fancy, you know what I mean? It just like wasn't. Yeah. And not to put down any other movies because I support all films, but, except if it's racist, sort of. But I was like so surprised, you know. And then I wasn't at the same time because we are entering an era where also the, the DEI days are over. know what I mean? It's kind of like, I think it's working against us. And it's very critical of

the American government, whether or not we're on the radar of the fucking government or not. I'm not sure. But I think people are going, I don't think this is a story that is going to have broad appeal. So if we don't have a chance to get Middle America to see it, which I don't agree with, because I actually think a lot of people who are in this war, in the Iraq war, would be drawn to it. Anyone in the military would be drawn to it because it's a comedy. It's a satire. So it's Like, we're talking about stuff, but it doesn't have this kind of like, this is right and this is wrong. You know, like my character isn't very likable and morally speaking. She isn't always correct.

So I think what I love about the movie, too, is that it is this, it's not telling you what's right politically or not. And yet it still lambs on the right side, if that makes sense. Totally. Because it's being made by the right kind of people. And it's still like a romance at the heart. Yeah. You and Calum. legit chemistry that guy swoonworthy what a guy okay so so so how did this one develop i know

there's a there's a short film you're obviously tight with haley and and she said that she essentially wanted to write something playing to your strengths like what you what you were looking for i mean that's that's a gift for any actor to work with someone that says like hey what do you actually want to actually do and then actually executed as a whole other thing and to get it done is remarkable. So give me a sense of what that process was like and what you did want to what you wanted to play. Yeah. So we did do this short in 2018, 19, which is crazy. Pre-COVID's like mind warp. So we did this short for the Mimiu Tales and it turned out really great. And the main difference was I wasn't pregnant and there was no romance. So the story was about this character,

this actress and the world was all there. And then, you know, all these years passed and Haley and I were kind of having a moment of, you know, creative frustration. We each had projects that weren't really happening and just kind of venting. And we had a moment where we were like, we have this special idea that nobody else could make, you know, like, I'm so right for the character. She knows this world better than ever. And it's just something that we were so proud of always. And she tells the story better because she does the accent. But when we were at Venice, when we premiered the short, Lynn Ramsey told her, she said, like held up a fork and she's like if you don't make this some man's gonna come and take it away from

you wow there's a motivator yeah it really does the accent so it has usually a little more good but they want to do it but um so you know I think that kind of always rang in our head too and we just kind of had this like yeah like what the fuck are we waiting on like you know this is so good we're trying to look for something you know let's just go for it and then also Haley's quite organized and you know follows through so I thought we were just kind of having like a talk and I was like no that was fun but anyway Anyways, back to being bitter about all the jobs I can't get. And then within a couple of months, she had written a draft, you know?

And she's like, and Luca Guadino, who's a friend of hers, an old friend of hers, was like, the first reader and was going to produce it. And it just kind of all came together quite quickly. I mean, for an independent film, we shot within the year she wrote it, which is unheard, really. I mean, not unheard of, but it's like very, it's rare, you know? Yeah. And he was able to get the money just like, you know, it was hard and up until the last minute, but she just never gave. up. And then before, you know, we started shooting, I was like, so I'm, and she's like, you're pregnant. I can't, and I knew it. And I was like, fuck, sorry. And I was like, I've never

had sex before. And I don't know what happened. It's a miracle. It's a miracle. It's a miracle, but so I got pregnant. And then that just added this element of like, you know, but, you know, to answer your other question, when she asked me, what, what genre have you never done before she started writing? And I said, I've never, I don't feel like I've ever done a proper romance. right so she was like okay romance this bun and then so she was writing it all you know had written a draft and then and then i got pregnant and we were kind of like we shoot and pretend i'm not depends how quickly we get the money can we make it and then it was like no i was i'm i was gonna be pretty pregnant by the time we shot and so she added it in there and and now if you didn't know like

it really i think it really grounds the story and the character and like her drive and her obliviousness to like real life situations that are literally happening to her physicality So it's quite poetic, you know, and I can't imagine it without it. How did dad get involved? So dad's in the film. I didn't realize this still after the fact. Yeah, he's a mayor. Weirdly enough, he was also in Three Kings.

That's the only other movie he was fun. He was an advisor. I just like keep talking about fucking Three Kings. But yeah, my, you know, my dad and Haley are friends, you know, I mean, through me, but like, they know each other. And she told me, she's like, I feel like your dad. would be perfect for the part you know it's a paternal character to mine um someone who kind of like just has this this warmth about him and is like a boss you know he's kind of the guy who like tells everyone what to do and just has this like relaxed you know temperament and and i was like yeah

he's perfect for it you know and he's a rocky and so he was like so excited to be a part of it and everyone i think it's kind of like everyone's like favorite performance in the He's so good in it. I love it. So when you look at yourself and look at your parents, what do you see you got from mom? What did you get from dad? Oh, boy. In a physical or just every way.

However you want to take it. Well, my father's like very, he doesn't express a lot of emotion, but he's very grounded and strong and isn't scared to do anything. You know, he came over here when he was young, built a whole very successful life himself. So I like to think I got that kind of perseverance and just kind of like, don't give up. Just keep trying. And like kind of focus from him. And then my mom is very emotional and very expressive and obsessed with movies and knows every movie star from the 1920s to, you know, mainly earlier. And nowadays, maybe not as much. But she's just like her father was an actor who was

quite successful in the 50s 60s, Paul Burke. And so she comes from this like honoring of artists and filmmakers um you know she holds it to the highest regard and but for the real art not for the like celebrity of it so i kind of feel like i got her like obsession of like you know this is important right we love making movies you know there's a lot of bullshit with it but this is important i got from her and just being like that being an artist is a something you can be you know you meet a lot of people who they come from families that are an artist and don't they're like you're an actor You know, and I never had that. It was always very like, you can do this.

And, you know, this could be your life. Are there films and TV shows that resonate with them that they are particularly drawn to that you've done in your career? What have they responded to? Things that I've been in. Yeah. Yeah. You know, they're a little biased. They like most of the stuff I do.

But I think they really like search party. Yeah. And they like the old man because they like seeing me work with those actors and like playing serious. I normally don't, I always are doing comedy, so I think they like that. But, but yeah, I got to say that they're my biggest fans. They're really cool. My dad doesn't watch like duck butter, you know, he like didn't see that one. Right.

But, uh, having sex in it. But yeah, so besides that, he doesn't like to watch the sex stuff. That's fair. It's fair. Yeah, it'd be weird to do that, I guess. It would be the opposite. He really, no. You know what he really likes it? You know what he really likes?

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wherever you get your podcasts, and hit follow, unless you want the show to follow you. You've said before that you kind of had like a weird confidence as a kid. Is that, is that fair to say that like you, like, and how young are we talking? Is this when you start to perform or just like always, like from the ground zero? Did you always have a bit of a, I don't know, swagger as a kid or what? Yeah, I don't know. I'm like, did I say that? I feel like I remember saying that.

But I do remember, I started acting when I was nine, and I wanted to be an actor when I was seven. So when I was seven, I started asking my parents, I was like, I want to be on TV. And they were kind of like, okay, kid, like, you know, and I did like some modeling and stuff. And it just like wasn't what I wanted. I was like, no, no, I really want to like audition. I want to be on TV. And I just do remember being a lot more like, you know, I didn't have life's damages to make me question myself. I was very clear.

I was just like, this is it. I could do this and I want to do it. And my parents were very not stage parents. They were just like, they supported me, but we always went home and I didn't live in L.A. and I wasn't in the scene at all. And also it was very much like if my grades dropped, I couldn't do it anymore. So it was kind of like a side thing, you know, he's very treated like, you know, it's like got an extracurricular activity.

But it started to just become a bigger, bigger part of my life when I started doing TV shows because I'd be gone for a long time. Right. But, yeah, I would say my confidence was just like, you know, nowadays it's hard to know what you want always. It's not as decisive, you know, you're like, but what about this? You're like weigh lots of things as you get older and how people feel. And when you're young, at least when I was young, I didn't worry about how anybody else felt about it. Well, and there's also, I would imagine the aspect of, especially when we're kids, any kind of validation from an adult saying you have value your important in this adult world is,

very meaningful. Totally. Yeah, I mean, I remember hearing like that it's important because now I have a kid and he's still small, but like that it's important for kids to have duties as a young age, you know, to be like, like when kids used to like give out the newspaper on their bikes because they were like, they're not going to get the newspaper if I don't go. And it feels really good to be like they need me. And I remember feeling that on set, you know, you're like 10, 11, 12, 13 years old and people are like talking to you fully like an adult you know sometimes not in the best way but usually just like confidently being like you know how to do that can you make sure you pick that up on your way out and don't forget to blah blah blah and you're like got it you know like you

just feel like oh I'm really part of this and um and that does yeah that does build a good self esteem I guess I didn't expect three kings to come up so much in this conversation but that was your was your first film I mean it is a notable film so was that in through through dad or were you like looking trying to get roles at that point like give me sense of what that experience was yeah yeah it was my first week of auditioning I um auditioned for a Barbie commercial which I got Barbie and a Porsche hey congrats and then thank you it's hard to find you find it online I think they buried it along with lots of my things but um yeah I did that and then like within the first week I got this audition because there's not a lot of people who were of that age and Iraqi you

know, and so it was just like kind of, when looking back on it, it was kind of like, God-given timing, you know what I mean? That, like, I just started acting and there's this role for an Iraqi child, my age, you know? So, no, I audition for it. And it was one of those things, that's another, that's the kind of downside of the kid acting thing is, the attention of the adults is what you're kind of vying for. You know, that's why actors, they're like, oh, I did it because I wanted to be loved. But it's like, I remember, like, you do a good audition. And then if they come out to talk to your parents, you know, that's a good. sign, you know? They're like, oh, Tony, your daughter's amazing. And I'm just like, like, just,

you know, being proud. Like, I did it. And I just had to, like, cry pretty much on cue as the audition. But it was kind of an intense audition, actually. I remember, like, they're like, we're just going to say some things and you just react. And I was like, okay. And the things they were saying were really intense because it was like about war and my mother gets killed. And so they were just like saying all these things. And I just remember entering some like crazy zone. like it was also easier when I was younger to like access that emotional place but um but yeah so i got it and then because my father is from bagdad and because he's a rocky he he became an advisor on the set helping people with how to say things appropriately and just like cultural things

and then david ol russell kind of took him under his wing and then gave him apart and um the rest is yeah crazy okay so um arrested is it comes down the pike a little bit but before then you You work with your buddy, May, Whitman on a show called State of Grace, right? So that's where I assume that that friendship began on State of Grace, which, by the way, I haven't seen. But again, if you just look on IMDB, the photos of you two together are so disgustingly adorable. It's intense. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, I always say it's a wonder years for girls, you know, and Francis McDormant was my Daniel Stern, which is like unbelievable. Yeah. I mean, it doesn't get any better. And I play a Jewish girl who moves to the south and befriends this like, you know, blonde, wealthy girl. And I come from this kind of like neurotic, hardworking Jewish family, you know, with this an amazing cast, like Dinna Manoff and Michael Mentel. It was just a really amazingly well-written show. I mean, we won like Critics Awards for writing and it was like a kid show, you know?

I mean, it was really well-written. But the thing that's so sad about it now is that because it had a lot of famous 60s music in it. That's what happened in Wonder Years. Same exact thing. Yeah. The licensing. Yeah. The licensing got fucked so we can't even get it on, you know, Disney or whatever because

it was at ABC family. So, but I get a lot of girls who are my age, you know, women now come up to me and they're like, I used to watch Day to Grace, you know. And I really wish and hope in some world soon that it could go, it could be seen again on streaming because it's such a good show. It's so well written. And it's just like just a beautiful kid show, you know. Like for adults, too.

It's just like, I mean, there's an episode where my father's obsessed with Leonard Bernstein, you know, and I go see him perform. And, you know, it's like it's very well, it's very well done. I mean, so much of an actor's life, as you well know, is sort of luck meeting opportunity, right? And especially for somebody like early on to be defined by like good experiences. Like that sounds like that's a great experience. And obviously arrested comes when you're, I don't know, you're 13, 14, something like that. 14 when I did the pilot, yeah. I mean, insane.

It's just like the best written pilot. I still vividly remember watching that pilot and being like, where did this come from? Who is maturedowitz? Who are these people? Yeah. What did it even strike you at 14? Like, the writing is actually really fucking smart. This is different.

You know, I'd like to think that I knew, but I, yeah, looking back, I was like, I was incredibly lucky. I mean, my mother, again, who was like, she was kind of my, like, you know, without being my manager, my manager at the time. meaning she would obviously read everything for and she had amazing taste and I still have her read things that I'm going to do but she's like this is you know the state of grace and and then when she got that she's like this is insane quality you know what I mean she was like this is in the next level and so I remember her saying that you know like afterwards being like

this is a really this would be really special kind of thing and also as a kid I what I remember mainly is just being like enjoying doing the scenes you know like I mean in the pilot episode I'm like messing with my cousin you know my I'm like that's what makes it funny like it was just such a good line like so I don't think I was like oh this is good I've read a lot of crap in my years you know it's like I hadn't smoking the cigar yeah yeah exactly I was still like just like doing soccer and like I wasn't as aware but I will say you know not to flatter myself or whatever I feel very lucky that like the projects I was drawn to the ones that were drawn to me that hired me were just like really amazing quality really amazing people like talented and kind and kind And so I feel really lucky that that just kind of that that happened, you know what I mean? Because like that really formed who I became as an artist for sure. Well, I have formed also all these people that were well into their career. I literally, Arnett just did the podcast yesterday. I made it a couple weeks ago.

Like these guys, their careers are only where they are. And they'll openly say this because of arrested coming to them. I mean, you think about the positions that they were at in their careers at that time, which is crazy because they're my age now, a little even younger. Right. They were in the early 30s when they did that show, which is so crazy to think about. And, yeah, now the insane careers that they have because of it, it's really, and me and Michael talk about that a lot, Michael's there, like, the perspective shift of being like, we're, imagine if we got a show now. Right. You know, that we were like, that was going to kind of change our lives or that was, you know, it's just so weird.

And then you're hanging out with like two 15-year-olds. Well, it must have, like, you mentioned, Michael, I must have been, like, so valuable. There's my dog trying to get on camera. She's adorable. Um, but I mean, having Michael there must have saved you because I mean, it, that's it, you know, I know those guys to a degree. And I don't know if like they're the most like nurturing human beings. They're like, you know, they're they're, they're great. They weren't bad guys. No. They're horrible. No, they weren't they weren't bad guys, but there wasn't like. But no, me and Michael were in a world to ourselves. I mean, literally we had to do school. So we have homeschool. We had like a home school, but we had like a room to do school on set, you know. But I mean, Michael's still one of my best. friends, he became my best friend right away. We just like hit it off right away. And we were both like not from L.A. So our moms became great friends. And we literally shoot, go to cheesecake factory every night and maybe go see a movie if we were lucky and then go home and see each other and do it all

over again. You know, so it's like we had such a bonding time. And also because we were being encouraged and we're making great art, you know, whether we weren't, we weren't necessarily focusing on it. We never used to, like, talk about the scenes together. We would just be, like, talking around and literally trying to make each other laugh all day. But I think it's because we were obviously doing, you know, this at a, you know, a really high level with all these amazing. We were obsessed with David Cross and Mr. Show. And, like, you know, we were just like, he was like our, you know, God, we like looked up to him. And if you can make him laugh, that was like the biggest thing.

I was like, did you see him to give him to laugh today? You know, it was like we couldn't. And, you know, I got to say, as the only girl, sometimes they like, they would like tease Michael and let him in the group a little. little bit more than me. Right. You know, because they were like, hi, Alia. Like, they wanted to be nice. And sometimes I was like, I'm funny too, you know, but, um, but no, it was like, I mean, me and Michael talk about it too, or we're just like reading those scripts and, you know, you have to do like table reads. It was very old fashioned back then for the network. Yeah. And Mitch was like, really amp it up. So we sell the jokes because we need money for the next

episodes, you know? That's amazing. And so we would like do these table reads every week, which was really fun, but it feels so old Hollywood now compared to how things are made. I remember not understanding jokes sometimes as they were coming out of my mouth. You know, and a lot of the jokes are like, I'm sitting on his lap, and it's because it's bumpy. You know, so there's these like sexual innuendos that are going a little over my head, but I'm also understanding in real time. And so we just had to grow up so fast our like comedy timing, just it was like, you know, we had to keep up. And then also like improvising. I remember one time I improvised and I was so nervous because the writing's so good.

And there wasn't a lot of improvising, but people would add on little jokes here and there. But again, I'm like 15, insecure about my, like so many things. Sure. And I, there's this joke where I come out, I have a paper, and it's an A-minus. And the line was just supposed to be like, I got a, or no, it was like a, I'm going to get it wrong now. I think it was like, it was like, it's like a C-minus. She's not book smart, maybe. And I was like, I'm going to say C-minus, M-I-N-E-S, because you spell it with a U.

And I thought I was like, okay, I'm going to do it. And I was like so nervous. And then I did it. I do remember Mitch being like, that's funny. You could keep doing that, you know? And I was like, yes. Like I did it. But no, it was very formative, very positive.

Those years were like really, very positive time for me. Yeah, it was good. I'm sure in the ensuing years, like you've gone through all the phases, right? Of like loving it and accepting it. And at times being like, I could use a day or two without somebody referencing arrested when I go to Starbucks. Is that for to say? Every day thing, but it is that thing where there was a period of time in my life where it felt like an albatross in the sense of,

I do other stuff too, you know, like, you know, when I was doing search party, you know, which has, you know, gotten appreciation in certain circles, but I'm so proud of that show. And like, I'd still get just recognized for arrested. And I was like, but I'm fucking starting on TV show. I made the other. I know what else I got to fucking do? But that's the thing about this industry is it's never enough.

You know what I mean? Like, what have you done lately? And there's one thing that hits. And I'll always be proud of being recognized as maybe. You know, like, I love it. I don't bat an eye. I think when I was a little younger and still feeling like a little bitter, sometimes it'd be like, oh, like, that, you know?

But, no, it doesn't bother me. I mean, if they recognized me for a show, I was 15 on, that means my plastic surgery is working really well. Amazing. Congrats to your plastic surgeon and you for keeping up the regimen. You're doing, no, you're doing. So, so you've told, I've heard you talk about this like that you, you know, that's a rude awakening after that show because it's kind of like you expect certain opportunities to be there and just quite frankly they weren't and you kind of had to re-recalibrate and that took a minute. In retrospect, I mean, did you play it wrong?

Was it a strategy thing or was that just out of your hands? The industry was not ready to receive what you wanted to deliver at that age. Yeah. I mean, it's a timing thing. like, as you said earlier, like the timing and being ready and right for parts. I mean, that's a great thing about, you know, there's, there's so many highs and so many downs for this kind of industry, but is that you can do this until you're 90, whatever, you know what I mean?

The part of the role of your lifetime could be, you know, someone really old. June Squibbitt, yeah, yeah. Yeah, like Michael Kane, you're like doing, I mean, he was doing great way before, but it's like, yeah. And then you could have him a great couple years and then all of a sudden it doesn't. And then it comes back. And I mean, not to act like I have it all fucking figured out, but I think I've kind of, because I started so young, I have this feeling of like, it all happens when it's supposed to, you know, like life outside of work is also very important. And it informs the work. Obviously, you need to make money and you want to stay busy. And when you have a lot of friends who are doing things that are really big and commercially successful, of course, you go like, oh, man, I wish I was kind of up there. But after that time, I was so young, I was 18. You know, and I had just moved to New York and, yeah, and Michael was in Superbad and Juno, you know, so that was happening.

And I was like, oh, hello? What's happening? He's in two of the biggest movies. And he got so famous overnight, which was really hard for him, but, you know, he handled it. But it was like, I just was like, but I'm the other kid on the show. So where's my, you know, I was really wondering what was going to, if that, you know, I did have that feeling of like, I deserve this. And it never happened. But, you know, in the scheme of things, it was an amazing time of my life. I was living here. I started painting, which is a huge part of my life now. And I wouldn't have really started a practice as confidently as I did because I wasn't shooting. I was traveling with somebody at the time that I was dating. And it was just like, I was doing a lot of other things that actually helped me become who I am. Be a human being. Yeah. I'm a human, fully grounded. And I think maybe I would have like, you know, gotten.

like too much attention at a young age could have formed something you know I feel really lucky how it's all kind of panned out and then I do think it kind of happens every seven years or so you know as they say every seven years you're like are a new person or something right right but I do have I had moments where I was like this is what I want to do

is this it because I was I had acted as a kid so I was like I could do other stuff I'm still very young I'm not over the hill yet and so I had to like re-decide that I really wanted to do it and instead of just feeling like I had to because this is all I knew. It's funny, though, I mean, in looking from the outside in at the

filmography, it's like, there is consistent, like, great work. Like, let's get, not, like, get it, you know, like, like, like, twisted. Like, no, but, like, it's like things that, like, hit at various degrees. And I saw them all at film festivals or in theaters, whether it is, like, runaway, Cedar Rapids, Rudy Sparks, the To Do-List, like, these are all really good movies. I mean, you work with Kelly Reichert a few times. final girls like for someone that's like I need yeah yeah like trying to find the groove like you kind of found it when you somehow along the way and we're working with great filmmakers and they clearly were responding to what you were putting down I mean yeah like when I rattle off that list

I haven't mentioned green room with Jeremy Sonier like you know you you attract a good caliber of filmmaker and that's got to be a source of pride I would hope for sure and also it's just like it adds to all the experiences like when you're younger too as an actor and then you're doing like you know indie movies you're it's it's like the experiences are very rich you know because you're like you're in a small town in Portland and you're hanging out with these seven people every day and you're all sharing some small room and like and you're young and you're like this is the fucking best and you're like figuring out how to smoke weed in the hotel rooms and like you know and then and then you're making amazing art with like a bunch of professionals and it's a I feel

feel really lucky. It's exactly what I wanted to do. And I love the kind of group mentality, the like kind of tribalistic like traveling circus element of it. I like, I'm very adjustable. Like I like to get like dropped on the floor and be like, all right, what's your name? Are we best friends? Like I just kind of, I really like that world, you know. And so it was really great for me at that. Yeah. And I'm not putting down any of those projects at all. I guess it was just more of like there wasn't this huge commercial success, which still hasn't happened. And that's probably for the best. But no, I was doing a lot of independent films, you know, and that's really what I wanted to do.

And I'm really proud of every project has had something, you know. There's only like one weird Christmas movie in my past that I'm not proud of, but everything else. I see it. I see it staring at me on the list. Don't say it. Matthew Broderick, anybody? Great actor makes choices too.

We all make bad choices. We all make choices. I mean, we should give a little of the search party, which obviously must be a huge source of pride for you. I mean, I don't know, like, early on, we're, we're all the, the genre shifts, like, baked into the premise of the show. Like, if we are so inclined, if we get the chance to do a few seasons of this, we're going to just keep, keep swerving. They're, you know, Charles Rogers and Sarah By the list were like, the creators were so, still, in my opinion, some of the best writers, you know, of all time. Like, they're just, they're so smart.

They're so ahead of the curve, you know, and they, I think they were. were just always kind of rolling with nothing was so planned but they they always had an idea i don't think they knew every season would turn but at the end of the first they're like if we get another one we thought it would be cool if it's a different genre and i was like what a great idea like i don't think i've ever seen that before you know and it's like even the genre of the show comedy mystery was one of the first of its kind you know here and then everybody started fucking doing it you know what i mean and it's like not to take all the credit but you know it really was like now every like a comedy with a dead body like what do I got so frustrated because

I was like you know we had a hard time with the networks you know TBS was really supportive at the beginning but then it became HBO whatever the fuck they are now who knows uh Netflix I guess it's all Netflix but you know it's not on Netflix this shows on Netflix the background is just going to come on like what my apartment is Netflix yeah apartment is Netflix yeah Oh, God, don't laugh. It's probably going to have it. But, yeah, I mean, they don't even have it on HBO Max anymore. Oh, really?

You can't even watch it, which is like crazy. It's like so upsetting because it's all become so. But anyways, it was, yeah, the genre thing, I don't think they knew. And they would just always kind of take it to the next level. And I remember when we reached the fourth season with Coloscola, you know, which was like, we kind of thought that would be the last. We didn't know we'd get another one. Right.

And it was kind of this feeling where, you know, that's the darkest season. I think of all of them. And they were like, we kind of hope we do get one more, though, because we don't want to end on such a downer. You know, it feels like a little sad. Like, I wasn't even with the main cast most of the time. You know, like the friends weren't together.

Right. And so we were lucky to get this last one, which just like took it to all crazy kinds of level, like zombie, you know, everything. And I think it was so, even that was like ahead of its time. And that was only like five years ago when it aired. But it's already still like, now we're all taking happy pills. Some version.

Time has no meaning. But yeah, no, I'm so proud of it. I really love that show. A few other random ones I want to mention before I let you go. How did you end up on severance? Is that how, is that a random, like, what happened? Yeah, that was just, that was, that was an agent. That was an agent call.

I got a phone call and they were like, we have an offer for you to be on severance. And I was a huge fan. I really am a big fan of Ben Stillers. Yeah. I really love all the movies. He's directed. And honestly, Ian, I'm just like a big fan of his. Yeah. And so I found like he was also directing the episode, which I was like really excited about. And just to be in that world, I was like, that's crazy. And it was really fun. It was like two week shoot for that, just that bit. You know what I mean? And I'm not.

I'm meticulous, that guy. I know. I mean, we did so many takes. And it was like every little thing had to be perfect. And it was very different than the way I'm used to working because I'm a little more like loosey goosey, especially with independent film stuff. It's like, so I was kind of enjoying it. I was like, wow, this. This is a different art form, you know, but everyone was like so nice on that show and it was really cool. I really enjoyed it. We shot a lot of stuff that got cut that I was kind of bummed that I wanted to see, but they have so much. I mean, that show took like, I'm not even kidding you, like five years to like shoot that season. Like it took so long. I mean, not five years. It took like maybe two of them because they had the strikes and every episode is like, it's like a film, you know?

It's a lot of work. And it pays off because it's a brilliant. show. But yeah. So talking about kind of like the different, you know, pleasure centers of your brain of like art that stimulates you. Like you know, you're certainly taking care of like the indie film

side. You should be like get a statue in Park City at Sundance by now. But like is there can I manifest a franchise for you? Does is there a franchise that you love? Oh my God. Is that what I want? I don't know. Is there something you want? No. So I want. No. I mean,

Honestly, the franchise is definitely not the thing I'm, like, working towards. Right. I think it's just not like consistency. It's like there's still this feeling of like, am I going to work? You know what I mean? You know, you always hope like it's like a gig mentality. You know, I'm like, like, I get another gig. Like.

Yeah. So I get, does the anxiety go away at some point in my life or is it just part of the deal? You know, I mean, once I had the kid, it just came back up. I was like, whatever comes comes. And then I had a kid and I was like, I got to work now. but I think for me more it's like I want to work with great directors you know yeah I've worked with a lot of amazing friends of mine first time directors and that's been an amazing experience but I think for me in the next chapter is like I want to work with like PTA you know what I mean I'm like I want to

work with like really experienced directors now and be like what do I do you know like let's work together because I feel like I'm you know I'm like an athlete like I know how to be on a set I know a lot of things, but it'd be fun to be, like, guided a bit instead of just feeling like, we're doing it all together, if that makes sense. No, totally, totally. Yeah, and I'd like to direct. I was going to say, yeah, I mean, you produced, do you write? Is that an ambition also to get stuff produced that you've written and to direct it yourself?

Definitely. That's the next thing. I've written something and I'm kind of doing notes on it, but I'm hoping to direct it next year, something that I've been, like, working on for a long time. It was going to be a TV show, and then that all fell apart. And now I'm like, it'll be an indie film because I know how to do that. You do. Yeah.

You've got at least one thing in the can that I'm curious about the wrong girls, which has a hell of the cast, directed by Dylan Meyer. What can you tease about that one? Have you seen it yet? I have. There's a lot of, like, to not do a spoiler, but there's a lot of, like, voice stuff to do in it, you know, some kind of like ADR trick. so we've been doing finishing that up and Dylan's amazing you know also first time director but like incredible incredible writer it's a it's a comedy it's a stoner comedy with me and Kristen Stewart you know I mean like what else you need it's so fun it's really dumb in the best

ways and like but with like a beautiful heart and like I'm really excited for people to see it it's definitely more of a character than I've played in a while which is fun and I you mentioned we haven't given enough love but there's this whole other giant side of your life which is art which is painting and is that something that like I mean we're talking all about acting but like does acting take up 12% of the time versus 20 you know 50% of being a mom and 40% of painting like we get like how much is a painting part of your life yeah I mean I'm bad with math so I can't do the numbers you don't have to me the percentage I was like I'm like 12 yeah I like to I mean I'm lucky that I have a studio now um and have for a couple years and so when

I'm not working on sets, I'm there every day. And I'm either writing in there or painting or drawing and it's just like my place to go. I'd really love to have at least a year where I commit to painting every day because I think you have to as an artist. But it's another thing. As a painter, visual artist, like I feel like it only gets sweeter as you get older, you know, even more so than with acting in some way because it's like you kind of have to go in your head in this like, like more interior space, and then it gets deeper, you know, and with this whole thing of like, I got to work, I want to work. It's like, to take a year off seems like hard, but when I get older, God willing, I'm just like, it'll be easier for me to be like, no, I'm just painting for like

a little while. And I think my work would really, you know, get to another level. But I did just have a solo show in New York. I'm like looking. I weirdly can see the gallery from my hotel room. And it was really great. And just to share it with people more and more is, has become. you know a big part of it too is like share it's very intimate painting yeah i would imagine it's quite a you know exposing yourself to you know that it must feel very exposing when you put on a show i can only imagine like telling people your dreams you know right right you really don't want to listen we end every happy second fuse podcast with the profoundly random questions alia are you ready okay yeah i'm ready okay we're going to see if my dog stops barking enough for me to get these

out uh the first one very appropriately is is dogs or cats Dogs. Okay. What do you collect, if anything? What do I collect if anything? Honestly, postcards of nature. Nice. Excellent.

Do you have a favorite video game of all time? Something in childhood, were you ever a gamer? No, but my brothers are both intense gamers. So I hate video games for that reason because I've lost them to games. Sorry. It is. But I used to really love Crash Bandicoot. Oh, okay. Yeah. Remember that show? Yeah. I love Tramdcundacut. Yeah. What's the wallpaper on your phone? That's a good question. It's not my kid. It's a really beautiful painting of just like a surge of light going into the grass.

And that's your work? No, this one's not. No. Okay. I don't know who it is. Very nice. Last actor. were mistaken for. I want to say a lot of Glazer because I'm always mistaken for her. But I can never tell because since I did a guest spot in Broad City, people are like, and Broad City. And I'm like, the episode was a show.

I'll say a lot of Glazer. Okay. What's the worst noted director has ever given you? Speak louder. Didn't it appreciate that one? Not helpful? No, I didn't like it at all. I was like, you're drunk.

did you speak lower you went down passive aggressive and in the spirit of happy second fuse who's an actor who always makes you happy you see them on screen

you're immediately in a better mood Meryl Streep movie that makes you sad movie that makes me sad that makes me sad that's a movie that makes me sad

I mean I cried on the play into a movie that I'm embarrassed to say. No, you got to go for it. What is it? Okay, I have to say, because it's just on top of my head. The family stone. Oh, yes. It's a holiday thing, the altitude, the combination.

And she's gone now. Oh, yeah, Diane, of course. Yeah. No, that's justifiable. Yeah. Okay. But that's not like the movie that makes me sad, but for now it'll do. You're a woman of many taste.

It's okay. It's okay. You contain multitudes. And finally, a food that makes you confused. A food? Mm-hmm. A food that makes me confused. Food.

That's a good question. What's a food that makes me confused? You don't get it. Why do people eat that? You see it on the menu? No. That's... Right.

No. Honestly, pork. You know, I mean, I'm not like I eat other meat, but pork, I'm a little like, they're really smart. They're smarter than dogs, you know. It's fair. It's fair. Hey, I'm glad Atropia gave us a chance to catch up.

I'm excited for people to see this film. I'm excited to see you on. on stage in New York. Good luck with that. No nerves. You got this. And truly, thanks for the time. Yeah, thank you. Definitely. And so ends another edition of happy, sad, confused. Remember to review, rate, and subscribe to this show on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm a big podcast person. I'm Daisy Ridley, and I definitely wasn't pushing to do this by Josh. brought you to each of the last lesbian bars in the country, and back in time through the sapphic history that shaped them,

comes a brand new season of cruising beyond the bars. This is your host, Sarah Gabrieli, and I've spent the past year interviewing history-making lesbians and queer folks about all kinds of queer spaces, from bookstores to farms to line dancing and much more. For 11 years, every night women slept illegally on the common. We would move down to the West West Indies to form a lesbian nation.

Meg Kristen coined the phrase women's music, but she would have liked it say it was lesbian music. And that's kind of the origins of the comedy you're a collective. You can listen to cruising on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes air every other Tuesday starting February 4th.