Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum - The Office’s KATE FLANNERY: Net of Comedy

Episode Date: June 28, 2022

Kate Flannery (The Office) joins us this week and shares her experience going from bankrupt after toxic relationships to waiting tables through the first season of The Office before it became one of the most beloved sitcoms ever. Kate opens up about using the ‘net of comedy’ to break the pace of emotional or serious performances she may give and how it clouds vulnerability. We also talk about our shared near death plane experience, curbing expectations as an actor, and coming up through Second City performing with the likes of Stephen Colbert and David Koechner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum. I love this guest. We had met before briefly. We didn't really talk. Today's guest is just someone that we were going to a convention together and flying into Arkansas and we thought the plane was going to crash. We thought we were going down and we were sitting next to each other. And we had a bonding experience.

Trauma bond. Trauma bond. Kate Flannery is on the podcast today. she's fantastic you've seen her in the office and millions of other things she's extremely funny humble sweet and i enjoyed every moment with her didn't you yeah she was really nice really nice and really fun to be around right just yeah just a just a full what do you say she's just the complete package the complete package is what she was yeah um before we get into it just a reminder that my new podcast, our new podcast, it's called Talkville. Tom Welling and I have a new

podcast. It's called Talkville. Ryan Tejas is on board. Every week we watch an episode. We watch every episode of the entire series in order and then we talk about that episode like the pilot episode. We have a whole episode about the pilot. We talk about it. There's a hotline. You can call in. It's just going to, it's so much fun. And we're so excited and delighted to tell you about it. And hopefully you'll join us and spread the word. July 13th, Wednesday, and every Wednesday thereafter, we will talk all things Smallville. I know you've been waiting for this. It's a big deal.

Act like it. Act like you've been waiting for it because it's a lot of work. And it's a lot of fun too. I will be watching for the first time. Yeah, Ryan, we'll get to watch for the first time. So we get to see how he, because he never watched Smallville. He never watched it. I never did.

So it's fun watching, listening to what you have to say about each episode. I never know what you're thinking. It's a time capsule, man. It's a time capsule. I love it. Also, look, if you guys want to join Patreon, go to patreon.com slash inside of you, support the podcast. Many people do. It really helps the podcast.

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Let's get inside of Kate Flannery. It's my point of you. You're listening to Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum. Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum was not recorded in front of a live studio audience. Do you have purpose? Do you feel like you have purpose? Because that's, you know, it sounds funny. It sounds silly to talk about.

No, I do, but then I get busy with weird shit. And then I'm like, I fear that I've, like, what am I doing? And then I'm like, this is just reason. And I think it's just because I'm tired and I booked a little too much all at the same time. You are on the go, woman. No, but you are, I've never seen anyone as busy as you. It feels like you're just. I'm a dipshit.

I over, I used to overbook in town. Now I overbook out of town. I mean, like, I literally would be like running from one show to the next to the next. and, you know. I mean, how do you do? Do you do it because if you stop, you'll just get depressed? Maybe, maybe. That's part of it.

And some of it's phomo and some of it's just like that so much of what we do is connecting to people. And if you don't show up, you don't connect. Do you know what I mean? Yeah. I mean, I really feel like the people that don't go to other people's shows, I'm like, all right. But if you're in enough shows, then you see everybody you're in their shows, you know,

I mean, when I did more like, you know, stand up nights and stuff. Right. Do you find it hard to say no to people? Like for instance, this podcast, you were wanting to say no. I could feel it. You're like, I'm too busy. I've done a lot of podcasts, but you did it. Somehow you did it. No, no, no. I know. And I mean, I'd rather do your podcast than the three other people that I said yes to that I shouldn't. At least I know you. Yeah. Yeah. And yeah, that's how it kind of goes. Yeah. So I read that you have, you have five. Well, first of all, let me talk about this. the plane ride because you and I met you and jane lynch were doing this morning show as co-hosts or something for it right right right what the hell what was that no we weren't co-hosting you were just guests guests who were they just wouldn't let us leave it was that hallmark uh talk show called home and family it's literally a three hour show and you have to like really have the pushiest publicist in the world to get out of like doing more than one segment because they just they want you to do five segments like give them more yeah more more more more more

That's right. Did they pay you well? Probably not. But, you know, we're promoting, you know, we were promoting our tour. So I was like, hey, it'll be fun. And we've actually sung live on that show a few times, which, you know, sometimes it's hard to be able, like to be allowed to sing on a show. Yeah.

You know how it goes. So we were, you know, shaking hands and kids and babies, if you know what I'm saying. Like, we just do what you got to do, right? Yeah, it was a cool little show. It was fun. But I remember meeting you there and I was like, God, she's so full of energy. she's so fun you're like adorable you know if you're 80 I'm adorable uh or if you're six anything in between I'm not sure be just funny I remember we were playing some stupid sorry we were playing

a game like some made up game where it was and this balloon was supposed to pop and I remember like and they kept putting air if you get the and they were sure that it was gonna pop and it just wouldn't just wouldn't pop so I literally walked up took my earring off and just popped the thing and you popped the fucker that's exactly what you did um We then got reacquainted on a plane. We sure did. Now, puddle jumper from Dallas to Arkansas. And let me tell you, Kate, if I may say, is not someone that gets nervous on flights.

Never. She just is kind of like she's been on so many. So have I. I don't really get. Never, right? Tell the story. Well, I, I, we were about to land in Arkansas and we didn't. We just, like, didn't land.

The plane just kind of jerked up. It was like, what is happening? And nobody said a word. The pilot did not say a word forever. Like, we never found out. We never even found out. But looking around, you can see other people like, we're really worried. They were freaking out.

You look at me like, oh. I was like, this is not good. And the sky, literally, I mean, we were in tornado country. And it looked like, I mean, it looked like. Tornado country. Yeah. It really did. I felt like, are we in one?

Are we near one? Did it just happen? Is it about to happen? What's happening? Are we running away from it? No, we're just circling it. We're circling the tornado. It was scary, man.

It was really scary. It was. I was like, holy shit, is this how it's going to end? Because, you know, when you're flying so much, you think, all right, well, you know, what are the odds? Well, I guess it's, yeah, the odds go up. They go up if you fly a lot. How many flights do you think you take on average a month or a year? Well, last year, I realized I did 53 flights, which is nuts.

53 during a pandemic. And you didn't get COVID? I did not, but I'm the idiot with the two masks and a shield and I bring a straw because they don't give you straws on planes. So I just shove that stupid straw of my mask so I don't take it off. I shove the food up there. See, the dog agrees. Yeah, the dog's upset.

It's a good deal. Yeah. Do you like, do you like cons? I do. Some are better than others. So what do you love about the cons? What do you like about them? What do you not like about them?

Well, there is this feeling like you are in a storefront and people are like literally walking past you and like shopping and figuring out if they're going to spend their money on you, which is really weird. Yeah, you're like, oh, hey, look at these new pictures I have here. I know you feel kind of weird sometimes. That's a little odd. That's the oddest part. And every once while, there'll be some super funny character, like just some odd people that are like, what's going on? You're like, what's going on? You pay to get in.

shouldn't you already know it's like do you have people coming up and quoting you constantly i do i usually what's the one quote that you you think that people always say uh meredith palm usually it's casual day like they usually give me that um or uh you know don't fall in love with me kid that's another one there's a few there's a few casual day is probably the most popular right and don't you love the people that just go hey i don't want anything i don't want an autograph i just wanted to talk to you right and then you're like great but you don't know how to get out of the conversation you're like hey you know always tough it's always difficult i think i'm pretty good like that i go hey i love you thanks so much for coming by and uh i'll talk

to you later i'll see you later so you can take care of yourself i knew you could take care of yourself i knew i never worry about you yeah yeah yeah don't worry about me but i know you well you know you like i got your number like i i know you don't you don't suffer you don't suffer some people some people suffer some people suffer but do you do you suffer it's kind of weird it's it's it's so fun when there to see you and you're busy and you're you know you feel like you're you're you feel like you're somewhat important or you're relevant. Sure. And then you could easily feel like shit when all of a sudden there's nobody at the convention.

Always always. Always right. And it's always. It does. And actually, even sometimes like when I'm with somebody from the office, like, and their line is bigger than might or whatever. But I also realize I don't talk as long as some of the other people on the show. So I go like, oh, well, if I talk longer than my line would be longer. I don't know.

Right, right. But it's also like it's. It's such a champagne problem because it's, doing cons is like this very coveted position that I have a lot of very famous friends that would like to do that, you know, or, you know, are fairly well-known actors that like do a lot of stuff, but they're not on the show or they don't do sci-fi or they don't do this. Right. So it's a weird thing.

Because you haven't done a lot of sci-fi. Are you, Wizard's Waverly place was sort of like a, was that kind of a... Sort of. Yeah, that's hilarious. Yeah, I was in the movie Cooties where I played Elijah Wood's mom. I played Elijah Wood's mom, but I'm going to do that. tell you, I would have had to been a slut in seventh grade to be Elijah Wood's mom. I'm not that much older than Elijah would do it. Do you hate when they cast you as a mom and you're

like, motherfuckers? I am not that old. I mean, again, like, I'm waiting to get being, to be cast as dad. I'm not in that middle. Yeah, you're, you're almost there. Am I almost there? Oh, God. If you know what she said? She said I'm almost there. You're almost the dad. You're, actually, I would totally, well, you know what? We're, you're, you know what? We're all going in one direction or we're not. Like, do you really want to jump the planet? Or you're getting plastic surgery and pretending like we're young. I mean, like, what, you know, what are you going to do? Yeah. Do you, do you, do you, uh, worry about that? Do you, do you do you do plastic surgery? Do you do plastic? Are you plastic? The plasticity of all. I actually had a few more

lines put in. I'm just kidding. Um, I got a thing. I got to keep it up, right? But do you, do you look in the mirror and you're hard on, are you hard on yourself? Sure, sometimes. But I also feel like, I mean, I'm the one that I'm like the idiot when I first started. Like, I never wanted my pictures to look too good because I didn't want to walk in the room and disappoint people. That's what they should have on apps. I'm telling you. Dating apps.

I'm telling you. They should. They never look as good. They should. It's awful. It's awful. You're setting yourself up for failure. Like, at least if you're a little under par and you show up people go, hey.

Hey. Hey. She puts herself together. Wow. Wow. She needs to update her photos. The years have been kind. what? It's a weird thing. I mean, I do have vanity insanity sometimes, but I also, like, as I

get older, you go, like, what are they going to do? What's, what's like the worst criticism you've had from a casting director? Because, first of all, casting directors, folks are not honest. They usually, and I've talked to a casting director about this, usually no matter how bad someone else, they're going, yeah, it just wasn't right for the part, did a great job, because they never want to burn bridges in case that person gets famous or something happens, which I find to be sort of awful. Like I want to go, I want somebody to say, hey, you know, he just didn't have it today.

He just wasn't on. You want something constructive. You have to make you work harder. Oh, he's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. You were in the wrong town, my friend.

Seriously. I mean, I'm serious because people don't want to be that. They don't think they're that thoughtful. And I think it's really about, they are worried about more worried about relationships and stepping on toes. although until you you've obviously made it to a certain point

where they're not afraid to offend you but you know it's funny I don't think I've ever been offended by casting but I remember I was in between agents when I moved here from New York gosh this was probably like two years before I got the office and I remember this assistant called

and she said hey I just won't let you know we're passing on you because of your age and your looks and I was like I mean did they need to say that. And I was like, is she reading a card? Is she, does she have a head injury? She's not realized what she's saying to me? And I was like, could you repeat that? Because I was like, please repeat that. That is like the craziest sentence I think I've ever heard. We are not hiring

you because of your age and your looks. And your looks. She said it again, exactly. Maybe she thought, oh, Kate's so funny that I'm going to throw a zinger at her. And she's going to go, God, that was funny. You are giving this woman too much. That didn't happen. But you were offended. You were hurt. I was offended. And then the minute I became famous in the office, I had her fired. I'm just kidding.

I know. I actually don't remember what the agency was. Right. But yeah. But it's weird because I was waiting tables up and through the first season of the office in Beverly Hills. Wait a minute. You were waiting tables? I was.

I was like co-starring, guest starring. And you were in your 30s. Yeah. And then I was 40 when I got the office and I was still waiting tables because I kept my job that year during season one. Because we didn't know if we were going to get picked up. been, you know. Right. But, so I just remember like, I remember after the Aspen Comedy Festival, I did it in, I think it was 2003 or 2004.

And then, oh, no, it was 2003. Sorry. And I think, I just remember having a lot of meanings after that and then waiting on the people that passed on me. And then hearing them with other clients, which was such a trip. Like this one guy was giving this spiel to a potential client, like, you're the king. and we're just going to we're just going to build you a castle i was like what the fuck like it was so weird hearing it from the other side right inside of you is brought to you by quince i love quince ryan i've told you this before i got this awesome 60 dollar cashmere sweater i wear it religiously

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if you're close to going over budget, and even when you're doing a good job. How doesn't everybody have Rocket money? it's insane cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with rocket money download the rocket money app enter my show name inside of you with michael rosenbaum in the survey so they know that i sent you don't wait download the rocket money app today and tell them you heard about them from my show i have an agent like that who i i love him because he really believes in me right and he really fights for me but some of the stuff he says is like It's just like, how do you even believe that?

Like how, like, I could, I can't even wrap my head around. I was like, you're the next Will Ferrell. You are Will fucking Farrell. You are funnier. You're more diverse. You're a dramatic actor. And I'm like, are you on? Are you on Coke?

What are you on? This guy's brilliant. He's one of my heroes. I don't want to be, I want to be half as good as Will Ferrell. I want you to look at me and I want you to say, you're half as good. And I'm like, that's still really good. Right, right, right. Because if it's, if a compliment's too high, then there's a,

You know, it's, we're in Hollywood. It's all, it's all bullshit. What do your agents say to you? Are they very honest with you? They're pretty honest with you. You know, I mean, they love you though. How do you not love Kate Flannery? Well, you're, uh, I'm actually my, I actually went to college with my current agent.

So I've known him for years. We weren't working together for a while. And I worked with him like, God, 25 years ago. And then we were in different cities. And, uh, I think we both were having like, uh, addiction issues in different areas, me with like, you know, bad boyfriends, whatever. Don't get me started. No, get started.

No, I better. Start. Great. Well, this is a part of why I was still waiting tables because I got myself in trouble sharing credit with an ex-boyfriend and was like, oh, I have to declare bankruptcy. Like credit cards? Yeah. Yeah.

Don't do it, kids. Don't do it. You got yourself in debt because he was spending all this money. And then he was like underemployed the entire time. And he's like, I'll pay you back. Never pay me, you know. And, you know, is that kind of thing where, like, I literally had to declare bankruptcy. I'm like, we hit the wall.

Like, I hit the wall because of you. and, you know, the whole thing, well, I would do it for you. Like, I was just negotiated out of all my boundaries. I was an idiot. Yeah. But, you know, again, it all takes us, like, hopefully all it takes is one of those people in your life to be like, I will never let that happen again. So I'm proving to the universe every day that I'm never going to let it happen again

by putting on this uniform and waiting on the rich and famous in between my gifts. That's got to be the worst. It actually wasn't. I actually found it fascinating because, again, it's like, it helped me get less intimidated by the famous because obviously when you're working on set with people sometimes it's like holy shoot have you have you been like that with roles yeah i mean i remember even on the office when timothy all the font uh was um recurring on our show and i had oh yeah you had a big thing with him a big scene with him and i was like big thing with him that sounds wrong that's wrong that's wrong that's

i was too and i was like i was like just go you got to just jump jump jump jump jump we're just doing this but i had watched dead wood and i was like you know and he's a really good looking guy whatever. But you got a little intimidated? Yes. Really? Did he know it? Because I bet he was intimidated by you.

Well, also it was a second city gal. It was also one of his first days on the show. Maybe he was just intimidated being on the show. I don't know if it was me personally. But I'm sure he didn't Google me before. But which is fine. I bet he did. I don't know.

Let's ask him. Timothy, come on out. Could you imagine I brought Timothy just for that? Thank God, I didn't say anything more intimidating than what I just said. Oh, my God. But, you know, stuff like, so yeah, I mean, everyone, you know, and Kathy Bates was on the show. And I was like, ooh, I know. Do you say something to her?

What do you say? You just, hey, mm-hmm. You get starstruck and do you say, can I have your autograph? Do you do things like that? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. We're working together, you know. But you also have to find the common ground and, like, you know, and you have to sort of take their temperature. I mean, I really, she had a lot to do because she had all she did.

was like monologues at first because she was the big boss that would come in. So she had these big speeches. So it wasn't about having like short little clippy conversations with her in between takes. She had a lot in her head. Was she nervous? She was. She was. Yeah. Yeah. But did she do well? She was great. I mean, she's amazing. But this is the thing she really gives a shit. So that's why she's an, you know, that's why she takes everything she does super seriously. Right. Yeah. And you're thinking, how is she nervous? Doesn't it make you feel better when you see big stars nervous? Totally. Totally. Kind of gives you a little confidence. A little bit. Yeah. Like, hey, that person's a human being.

Absolutely. And everybody has their process. And, you know, obviously, when you're joining a cast that already exists, it's got, it's so weird. We had a much more friendly set than most shows. Like, I've, I've been guest starred some shows where I'm like, no, thank you. Like, if I, you know, and it's always weird when it's an offer. It's like, I didn't even ask to be here. And this is weird.

You know, what am I doing here? Right. It's like, thanks for nothing, universe. What the hell? It's like, I was just minding my own business. And now I'm in this shit show. Well, it's because you're like the Henry, Winkler of women.

You are the kindest people want to work with you. Well, you know what it is, people. That is the highest compliment. It is because if you know Henry, I do. He's the greatest. Everybody wants to work with him. I feel like that's maybe you.

That's, well. Do you think people just genuinely want Cape Flannery on? But that's not as big as Fonzie. That's, let's be clear. But that's not my point. Okay. Fair enough. Fair enough.

Yeah. She's fun to be around. She's good at what she does. You know how like when they say the most friendly. person on the set, like, look out, like, back away. Like, I feel like sometimes I want, but I, whatever, I, I don't, hopefully I didn't have that reputation, but I was like, hey, but also I didn't have that many lines most of the time on the office because I got to do so much physical stuff. So I had time to chat. I was like, hey, what's up?

Was it, is it kind of fun when there's not that much pressure on me where you just have a line here, line there. That's the gift because, yeah. If you make peace with it, if you don't, you're in hell. But so I stopped counting lines like right away. I was like, no, no, oh, this is another thing. And then I noticed that sometimes, like, I'd get, I'd get my line cut, but I'd still have, the camera, they'd still keep the shot to me because my face sort of, I'd still get the laugh without even talking. So I was like, I sort of really started to trust that like, no, no, no, this is, like, there's something that was going on. You could have a presence without, and sometimes kind of like the, like the Steve McQueen thing,

like the less you talk, the more powerful you are. Yeah, less is better. It's true. And I hate when long running series, all of a sudden these characters have. They have more lines and they have more exposition. And that's like, and then they're not even funny. They're not even funny anymore. I'm like, I never wanted that.

So I was really happy that even though there's a couple episodes where I talked a little more, we never lost that thing of me sort of being in, you know, this like weird little head in the background, making a face. You know, I love that that was still in the mix because it's very rare, you know. Happy Days was like, you know, sort of like, you don't want, whatever. There's somebody of the characters morphed. I mean, why am I picking on Happy Day? But he never he morphed as well, but he, but he always had, that was a different, like he had a lot of gravitas. And he was, you know, he was the Fonz, you know. He was. But as a person, you know, he's still to this day, leaves messages, Michael, it's Henry. I want to know how you and your brother were doing. I miss you. I love you. I just wanted to say hello. He's the greatest. That's, he'll leave randomly. The greatest. It's so sweet. Yeah, he was always like a father figure to me. I'm so happy that he won. Emmy for Barry.

And I just started watching season two, and I think I, fingers crossed for the next Emmy for Henry Winkler. Yeah. Not that he needs it because he's the greatest anyway. He's fantastic. He is. Who made you laugh the most on the office? Who could you barely keep a straight face?

Steve, Steve, Steve, this is the thing about Steve Carole. He's such a great actor and he has five choices in his head for how to do something. And you're like, what? Like, it's hard enough to come up with one or two. And yet, like, he could make it fresh. and make this choice. Like I always talk about there was an episode called Office Olympics where Michael Scott's getting his condo so he's out of the office for most of the day. So Jim sets up these silly like paperclip games and like all these crazy stuff to do around the office. And

we treat it like it's like it's the Olympics. So at the end of the day, we literally have closing ceremonies. And Michael comes in. And so he decides to give Michael a gold medal, which is made from paper clips and yogurt lids that they just smash the like the round top. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you're talking about. Shiny. Right, right. And then they put, like, boxes, you know, the paper, you know, the whole, you know, bundles

of paper at different heights to make it like bronze, gold and silver. So they gave Michael the gold medal, so he's on top. And then they played the theme to the office, they played the theme to the Olympics. And all of a sudden, during one of the takes, Steve Coral just starts crying because he's moved by the music of the Olympics. It's not written at all. And I'm like, that is so funny because I don't know about you, but like the theme of the Olympics makes me really, like as a kid, I remember being so excited.

What is it? What is the theme? Let's go. Yep. I mean, it was. I almost cried just now. He literally started crying. I was like, this is the funniest.

Did you laugh? I didn't. I tried not to. You don't want to ruin the tank. But you can keep a straight face, can't you? I'm pretty good. break much. I'm pretty good. I'm pretty good. Who's broken you, Steve?

Oh, yeah, yeah. Just because you're like, what the hell? Who do you break? Who can, who can you break? I don't know. And the cast of the office, I don't know. I mean, I always felt I got props from, from rain, but I don't know if I broke him. Like, he's a kind of guy that, like, you'd work on something and then he would, he'd send you an email that night and go like, hey, that was really funny or like, or after the episode area, he goes, he goes, that was, and I really appreciated that because it just was, it just was very thoughtful, you know. You know, it's funny because Rain, he's been on the podcast twice now.

Hey. And he talked about, he goes, he felt like at one point he was sort of an asshole on the set and like where he was like, he's like, it wasn't an asshole. I wasn't mean to people. I was just like in my head and in a bad place and this and that. Do you remember those times? I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just kidding.

You do remember. I don't know what you're talking about. He says people would know. I'm sure people wouldn't say I was a meme, but they would say, yeah, I remember. Like, you know. Well, yeah. I mean, he was easy to make fun up because he was a little bit of a crumogen sometimes. But I've got to be honest with you.

I've been on many sets. Like, the comparison to, you know, some other major douchebags on sets is, you've worked with some douchebags? Well, I mean, let me tell you, I've been, or I've heard about, you know, I've definitely heard horror stories. I've not worked with, you know, Charlie Sheen or anybody like that. Right. But, you know, I've heard bad things about Jim Belushi.

You know, there's a few people to have like a rep, you know. But you've never really seen it on set where you're like, oh, my God, this guy is a divo or this one. No, not too, no, not too bad. Not too bad. Yeah. Yeah. And not that I can, if I say one thing about this, you're going to guess who it is and I can't say it. But, but it's not the office.

But. Ever wonder how dark the world can really get? Well, we dive into the twisted, the terrifying, and the true stories behind some of the world's most chilling crimes. Hi, I'm Ben. And I'm Nicole. Together we host Wicked and Grim, a true crime podcast that unpacks real-life horrors one case at a time. With deep research, dark storytelling, and the occasional drink to take the edge off,

we're here to explore the Wicked and Reveal the Grim. We are Wicked and Grim. follow and listen on your favorite podcast platform. Yeah. But, you know, it's a weird. It's not Bernie Mac. No, I love Bernie. Was he great? He was the greatest.

I hear that. He was the greatest. What do you remember about working with him? He was the most generous. He used to have this big lunch in his room. Like, you know, you're supposed to go to craft, I mean, to catering for lunch. And he'd be like, hey, come up in my dressing room. He has this huge dressing room.

All the kids ate there. with their moms he had like different food up there he was like i'm doing this he was so great he was so grateful to be there he just made sure everybody was super comfortable because there were kids on the show he wanted to make sure their parents were comfortable are you kidding me he was awesome he was awesome wow it makes it even more tragic knowing how good of a great of a guy he is you know and it's so funny the episode i got to do for a bernie mac creed is in that episode creed bratton is in that episode but he doesn't have any lines he's like um he's like a um he's like a um he's like a he's like a he's like a he He's a background actor, but he was like a featured background actor playing a doctor.

So you kind of just see like the side of his head or something. Is that funny that we're both in the same episode? And I didn't know him then. So I wasn't, we weren't in the same space. So I, you know, I didn't get to meet him until, till the office. But it's so crazy, Bernie was the greatest, the greatest, just, you know. Were you popular in high school? In my weird way, yes, because I was like a theater geek.

And I did have a lot of friends. I also have a twin sister we don't look alike. You're younger by a few minutes? Yes, by three minutes. And so I feel like we, I feel like we got ditched by our friends in eighth grade when we got to high school. Because they were like on to bigger and bigger pastures. I was like, whatever. But I feel like we kind of knew everybody in a good way.

Like, I don't think anybody would. So were you a class clown? Were you funny like you are now? Only with like my theater friends. Yeah. I mean, not so much. I'm sometimes in class, but. But were you a serious actress?

Were you like really, because I know you teach Shakespeare. Oh, I did. Yeah, I did right before the office. Actually, I was a music director for the Los Angeles Drama Club. See, that sounds like it's kind of like you take things seriously. No, no, no, it's fun. Are you kidding? I just was like, a friend of mine, there was this great little theater that's owned by the people that own the Magic Castle.

It's behind their house. And I've actually performed there a lot with the Lampshades, my comedy act. But before that, they started this little one of the sister-in-law's, Blair, started this Los Angeles drama club for it was like kids between like eight and 12 doing Shakespeare so I'm the kid I'm the one that was like we're going to end every show with brush up your Shakespeare like I was trying to bring some comedy into it right right so and I it was good for me because I hadn't played the piano in a while so I was like trying to you know kind of get my skills without you know having to practice I mean I practice but for something

very specific and like I literally was playing for the recitals it was really fun now you have five sisters and a brother yeah yep so I mean I What a shock. I'm a desperate redhead, you know. Were you in the middle? Were you right? I was the end. You were the end.

But I have a twin. So it was like two of us with the end. I kind of feel like my sister Susie was more the youngest than me. But in a way, in a way. What do they all do? Do they veer away from entertainment completely? Yeah, no, I'm the only one. Nobody.

No. I'm, yeah. So what do you got? One's a social worker. Yeah, my twin sister's a social worker. So I am the evil twin. Like, I'm like, like, she is literally like the greatest person on planet Earth. And she also takes care of my dad.

She took care of my mother. before she died like she's amazing yeah she's funny she's actually funnier than i am do are they has your family always been really supportive of what you do um my mom was tough about because i wanted to to do this as a kid and she was like no way and i'm so grateful that she put the brakes on it because every time i work with a kid actor i'm like oh like i just don't some of them are difficult or just like in their their life trajectory is really um in a bad spot because some of them don't want to go to college. Some of them think they're going to be doing this forever. And you know how weird it is. You know, you hit 15 and people are like, good luck. If you're not, you know, whatever,

very rarely do you get to have a whole career? Right. And you start as a kid. Very rare. I mean, but like growing up when you're doing plays, the whole family coming to see you? Yeah. I mean, not at the same time. Just because I, my twin sister and I are five years younger than, like, they had like five kids in a row and then there was five years. And my sister was the accident. And I was a surprise because my mom didn't know she was having twins. Just kind of crazy. Did they ever, anybody ever say, Kate, you're near, you're nearing 40? Actually, my dad, the very first time, my dad was always super supportive.

And then like, I think when I was 39, he, he literally was like, is there anything else you want to do? And I was like, oh, my God, if he's saying this, wow, wow. Yeah, whoa. Did that really question, like, you questioned it? Well, I have to tell you. Or it make you go harder. Yeah, well, just, like, I was already in it up to my eyeball. and I feel like it's not like I was gonna I was still I was doing my comedy act every Saturday for like we did it like every Saturday for five years and then we would we would do it other times during the week too but that was like our one hour show and you know so and I always had like a flyer in my waiter pocket like and damned if you give it to somebody and damned if you don't because I'll beat myself up for like God you should oh why didn't you give uh you know Robert.

Clary, who played Leboe on Hogan's Heroes, your card. Why didn't you? Actually, a lot of the character actors ended up coming to the show. Are you serious? I'm not kidding you. Literally, the woman that played Fish's wife on Barney Miller. I'm forgetting. Abe Vigote, his wife?

Yeah, I forget his wife. And I'm ashamed of myself. Don't you know of her name. I remember Ann Meera and Jerry Stiller came, but I had worked with them before. They came. Howard Morris, who was Ernest T. Bass from the Andy Griffiths Show, but also from your show of shows, Uncle Goofy from your show of shows, you know, Howie Morris. I mean, he was the voice of Adamant, Jughead.

Oh, wow. Like the greatest. And he showed up. Yeah. Oh, he showed up to a couple of our shows. He came to our Aspen comedy tryout and sat in the front row with his feet on the stage. Well, isn't that one that you guys won awards for and stuff? Yeah.

Well, we, yeah, we were, we were definitely in the mix. I mean, you know, we won like L.A. would have like pick a week, LA Weekly Awards. It's like, you know. Variety kind of stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was just like, you know, those yearly paper, you know, the LA Weekly had those, you know. But that's cool that they all showed up, man. It was awesome. It was awesome because I was always more attracted to, I loved the character actors that used to come in the restaurant as opposed to like, you know, Anne Miller, you know, she used to come in and, like, Billy Wilder and Esther, like, a lot of old stars.

And they would never come to your show. Nah, probably not. That's all right. Billy Wilder couldn't pick me out of the lineup. I waited on him like three times a week. Wilder. You know who Billy Wilder is, Ryan? Director.

Big director. From the, from the 40s. Did he not do rebel without a car? He didn't do rubble with, no, he did some like a hot. Something like a hot, that's it. Oh, my God. He did a million things. He did Sunset Boulevard.

Oh, Sunset Boulevard's one of my favorites. Last weekend. Yeah, I mean, he was the guy. Yeah, he was the guy. What was the apartment? Yes, the apartment. What was the one thing where you go, a project you did where you were like, I'm good. I'm good.

I can do this. You know what? I was. doing this. I was at, well, I was in Chicago. I got hired by Second City. I'd studied there. I got hired by them. And that's like the first, like where you feel like, holy shit, because there's a lot of people that were auditioning over and over again and didn't get it. So I got in the touring company. And when I was there, Stephen Colbert was in the touring company. And not that we weren't in the same touring company, but we knew, like there was, there was like three. Was he great then? Amazing. Always the

best, always the best. But I remember John Favre was a host there, and I was working with John in another theater at The Annoyance and an Improv Olympic, but he could not get hired at Second City as an actor. He was just a host, which is, it's nuts, you know. So you feel like you get this thing and it's like this, this, you know, it's a validation. Right. And then we were doing the show at the Annoyance Theater called The Real Life Brady Bunch with Jane Lynch. And And then it was Jill Soloway at the time, who was now Joey Salloway, it was their idea. And then to do these episodes of the Brady Bunch on stage. And it was like this huge hit.

Wait, man, you said you actually did episodes, but reenacted episodes. Yeah, that was the joke. And it was with the music. Did you do the one where she gets hit in the football? You better believe it. Oh, my nose. Yeah, we did that. Yeah.

And I was, I was Jane's understudy for Carol Brady. But then I took over as Alice, the maid for a while. And when I first started, I was like all the non-braider was. So there was a line down the block When you got last for that You were like you knew And it was packed house all the time And then it went off broad

The show went off Broadway So I went with it for some of that And then it came out here To the Westwood Playhouse Do you get paid pretty well for those shows? Not in Chicago we didn't But we did I actually went when it went to New York

We got paid really well Dave Kackner Well first Andy Richter was Mr. Brady The first one in New York But he would do some episodes in Chicago as well And then Dave Kackner took over for him In New York for a while

but Anna Gastar was in the tour with me. Rachel Dratch did it in New York. There's a lot of, like, a lot of people in it. But what is, I mean, when you say you got paid well, it's still not, like. It's not TV money. It's not TV money, but it was enough to, yeah. Good theater money. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

And you enjoyed it a lot. It was a blast. What friends did you meet that you were to this day really close with? Oh, well, everybody, everybody, I just mentioned Jane Lynch and I just saw Rachel Dratch a little while ago. Dave Kekner, Andy Richter, Manny Hutzel. Oh my gosh. There were other Ralph Garman.

I'm trying to think of some of the more, yeah. But that's cool. Yeah, it was awesome. It was great. Yeah. And the tour was like, I actually ended up touring it for a year. We played the Kennedy Center for seven weeks, which was nuts. I just kept thinking they're going to kick us out.

How many people fit in the Kennedy Center? The room we were in was 500. We were in the, maybe it was 600. Yeah. Do you get nervous to this day when you're performing in front of people? but whether it's live or whether it's a studio. It depends what it is. It depends what it is.

What does it make you nervous? What can you just do and you don't get nervous and you just, it's easy? Well, when Jane Lynch and I perform together, we've been doing a live concert, a comedy concert together. I don't know what you call it, anti-cabre act. We've been doing it for like almost seven years now. Wow. And there's some, like if we change things or something like every once in a while, get a little

bit nervous or part of it, but not really. I'm not nervous. You can just wing it if you mess up or something. And you mess up, right? Yeah. And the ball never gets dropped. I mean, we're, we're perfectly imperfect. It's, you know, I mean, Jane is, she's amazing. She's incredible. Do you ever lose your shit where you can't stop laughing? Not usually, but every once in a while, I will laugh. I mean, not that things don't, I, that I'm not enjoying myself, but, you know, but everyone's, you know, one time I was, we were super tired and I, I, I called her Joan instead of Jane, which is my mom. She's like, what? And I, and I, I, it's your mom's name. Yeah, and then I said something. I was like, I was like, we're not in high school anymore.

This isn't 1996. I was like, I don't know what, I don't know what that. I said, Jane, it's 1996. It's 2006. She's like, no, it's not. I just made stupid, stupid, whatever. It doesn't make it. It doesn't translate, but we've had some, we had some, we have some good times.

But what makes you nervous? I think when something's new. Like a new show. Yeah. A new, right. Yeah. Yeah. New material sometimes.

or sometimes when I have to sing where it's just something that's pretty and I don't have the comedy net to fall back on. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you can't, yeah. That's something, huh, when you have to be serious for a minute. Is it hard for you to be serious? Is it hard for you to be in a moment?

It's getting easier as I'm getting older, but I feel like I was so resistant for years. Because I also feel like I didn't really start singing as myself until I started singing with Jane, which is kind of crazy because when I did the lampshades I was like I sing but I wear a wig I'm playing a character

I'm making fun of singers so it's yeah I think there's and we did this Christmas album that did really well so I feel like there's so I have something to like to compare what I'm doing you know I mean it's like there's a place to start and also you don't really stray from from what

we created that people want that are kind of coming to hear that which is good I can relate to that I mean, I've always thought every situation I try to make a joke of it or make a laugh. Maybe because I'm afraid of intimacy or I'm afraid of being too serious or like people know me as the funny guy. I've got to be funny. I'm going to let them down. That's how I felt.

And I'm telling you, we used to do a couple really beautiful songs in the show. And I remember the first two years, our music director, Tony, Tony Greer was like, would you like, please? I would make a smart ass comment at the end of a beautiful song. And like, literally, we would do this. this beautiful song and just as people were starting to clap I go great song to get high to huh like something stupid like that like and he's like what do you do and then we get like a little laugh he's like what are you doing you're like kind of shitting on this moment you're shitting on this moment it's because of insecurity yeah yeah I feel like it's not enough because it's me that's I know

what is that why do we have that I'm like 50 now and I still have that sort of empty pocket that I fall back on that little kid who is insecure who wasn't good enough but I still even though I know I'm aware of it. It still happens. It's hard. I also feel like it's tough when you see somebody who I'm sure you've had friends who have come up through the ranks who like suddenly have notoriety and start them. And they start taking themselves way too seriously.

And you're like, I don't want to be that. I don't even want to get close to that. Yeah. I hate that. Or I would have done things differently. Like I would have brought me along. Well, there you go. You know what I mean?

How many of those friends you go like, why do you bring me along for that? I mean, why don't you give me that role? Why don't you give you? Yeah. Well, that's, that was my whole lot. I hate to be that guy. No, no, no, no. There's some times where I'm like, come on, throw me a fucking ball, dude.

Dude, that's why I came up with the lampshades with my, with my comedy partner, Scott, because I was like, the phone is not ringing. Like, I got to come up with something like, I got to get my own thing, apparently. So, you know, I mean, there's a gift in it. If you look at it like that, like, you get off your ass, you actually can create your own shit. Yeah, yeah. But there's, like, sometimes, underlying thing is like, well, what, whatever. have been nice to get a phone call. Really? I know. And I hate to be that, you know, that person that's just like, oh, you know, just do it for yourself. Go get your own success. Beat them with success.

I'm like, yeah, but you know, it's just all of a sudden, you're doing this. And it's like, do I suck that bad? No, no. And then, you know, it's funny. I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks lately. I know this is so crazy. But I was just listening to, talking to Happy Days, I was listening to Gary Marshall's book and Penny Marshall's book. And it's so funny because they came from the Bronx and they Literally for when Gary was working on first on the odd couple, he created this little tutorial so that his friends could come and help produce the show. He had like a manual for them because you knew they were smart and they just didn't do it before. And so that's why he brought his friends along on Happy Days and Laverna Shirley to produce it.

That's what I would do. But dude, he literally paved the way. I'm like so few people do that and if you know somebody's talented it's a shame yeah and there's also the trust factor you know you can trust this person maybe my friends just don't fucking trust me that's all I can think I don't know I don't know look look at there's a there's a there's a there's a movie and there's four actors in it sure you want to and you know I'm not exactly yeah and you got to have a bit and you want to draw but there's 40 actors in a fucking movie totally totally you know yeah yeah I mean yeah so it is it does it is a little disconcerting to say the least. And I see it on both sides. It's certainly something that I've learned to accept through the years. But it is a little bit of like a, you know, it's a kick in the balls sometimes, sometimes.

I feel like it's Polly and from Rocky Polly and what's her name, Adrian. Yeah. What do you mean? He's like, you know. What do I owe you, Polly? I do you laundry. I do this. What do I owe you?

You're a bit. Remember that scene? Of course. But like, you know, maybe it's like, you know, maybe it's like, you know, what do I owe you? I don't owe you anything. I don't know. maybe I know and the thing is like really I mean we're it's nice when you can bring somebody along but yeah but I always try to do that that's just me yeah whenever I'm on a project

if there's some like I'll bring my friend up for five lines I'll bring you know if I was the when I was the lead on a show yeah I'll bring my other my other friend producer session he got the part um I got my friend's song in a small oval episode I got that's you know uh I can my movie I put so many of my friends right even if they had very little to do right I I wanted you know that I loved you and I'm putting you in here. And actually, the one person that I really fought for on the office to get a part was my comedy partner from The Lampshade, Scott Robinson. He became the, he was the bartender at poor Richards for the second last episode. It took me all those years to the second last episode, but I'm so happy it worked, you know, and I felt bad it wasn't a bigger part, but still, you know.

But yeah, I'm totally, yeah, I totally get you. Do I sound like, what's the word? Do I sound like bitter when I talk about that? A little? Ryan's like I sound better. Well, my microphone's on the floor, but yes. Yeah. Well, it's, but I'm not saying that I just always feel that way, but I'm just feeling like sometimes.

I think you're honest and I think it's, and I don't think you live in that neighborhood. I don't think you're bitter all the time. No, no, no, no. I'm just like, I noticed in the past. I'm like, huh. It's like, wow, that would have been. You know what bothers me. It would have been easy.

When other friends validate what I've been thinking and I don't say anything and they go, I don't know why you're not in that role. Yeah. Or I don't know why you're not getting a call. Yeah, it's funny. I don't know. That's so funny. Who's also a mutual close friend of that other person?

Right. And you're like, I don't know. Talk to her. Yeah. Yeah. It's funny. Yeah. I remember seeing a movie a few years ago that I had read for a part that, and then

they ended up changing the part so it or the part didn't exist anymore. But anyway, it still would have been nice to do another part. And I remember, see, I saw Jane at the movie. She was not in the movie either. And she goes, well, that was a great movie. How come we were. in this. And I was like, wow, if she's saying this. I know. Because we knew a few other people involved. It's like, she's saying that. Yeah. You get your feelings hurt. That's just like, I think it's

because, hey, I've done this long enough. I've proven. Haven't I proven myself? Right. Right. And then I'm like, okay. I guess you don't see that. That's okay. Right. That's okay. I know. You know, what are you going to do? You got to let it go and go, hey, I'm going to beat them with success. Yeah. Or obviously have my own success. Great for them. I love you. I want you to be happy. Right. And clearly I, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm supposed to be doing something else. You know, I mean, I feel like, you know, it's, again, it's like, we have to, I feel like my, the biggest job I have as an actor to watch my expectations all the time. Because otherwise I'd be in hell.

Yeah. You know, it's a, it's a big job. It is. It is. I mean, I think, you know, that's when I, I'm less and less encouraging the young talent. But because I always bring that up. I'm like, you got to be careful. because if you're you have to be persistent but you have to be pleasantly persistent because

if you're angry persistent nobody wants to do i do i always feel like i just want to be the most fun to work with you're going to love me the crew's going to love me it's going to be a great time i'll fit in just nicely i know it's it's i know that's so true it's so true i always that's what i don't like about guest starring is that it's hard sometimes you're just there for a day or two and it's it's hard to know to get to know the crew so you're like yeah it's hard like i don't remember anybody's Guest stars have the hardest droll. You're coming into a family. Yes.

Everybody's done and you're starting. And all eyes are on you. That's not fun. I know. And then I feel like people are fans of the office and I'm like, hey, you know, what. And then they feel, whatever. I just like, I'd love to, to, I wish we had a little more time. Yeah.

A little more time to hang. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. You don't seem like the kind of person that would ever have an addiction problem with, you know, like alcohol or drugs or anything like that. You just don't seem like you ever would.

I played a drunk for nine seasons, Michael. You did. Play one on the office. Yeah, but it came pretty. You know what? Did you ever have drinking problems? No, well, you know, I always, I dated guys with drinking problems. You know, I thought a lot of that.

Are you a fixer? I used to be. Not anymore. Right. I gave up. But yeah, I mean, obviously, my dad owned a bars. There's been a lot of alcoholism in my family for years. Well, Flannery for trying that loud.

Flannery, Saffern, darling, in Philadelphia. If you can't type, stereotype. Here we are. It's so true. It's so true. My dad's bar was like an old man bar. It was, uh, it's so funny. I was just talking to my sister the other day about, um, my dad had all these guys that lived above

the bar and, um, if they couldn't make rent, he'd let him work it off. He was like the friend of the forgotten man. Wow. Because he got sober in the 60s, like sort of, sort of. He just, he didn't go to AA, but he figured out, um, because he was drinking too much. And he saw days of wine and roses that Jack Lemon movie and it scared the shit out of him. And that's kind of what got him sober. Um, but I just, you know, so he wanted to help these guys. Not any, he didn't try to get them sober he just wanted to make sure that they you know didn't die in the street right that was kind of some guy broke in my dad's station wagon and fell asleep my dad found him and gave him a job in a place to live for the next 35 years polish guy are you kidding i shit you not my dad is a fucking

character and this one guy he's a good guy he really and you're taking care of him right well i'm i'm my sister susie's taking care of i'm back and forth i'm back and forth i try to get there i try to get there at least once a month um that's a lot yeah he's 98 jeez i know he's amazing he's amazing still has all his marbles, so, which is important. But I just remember, like, there was a guy that worked for my dad after, you know, he had some bad luck and he was, I think he was a carpenter and he was working around the bar. And he had, he got cancer of the tongue. They used to call him Joe tickets because he always had raffle tickets.

Everybody had a nickname. Joe with tickets. Yeah, right? And then he became, well, I called him tongueless Joe because they had to remove part of his tongue. And he used to answer the phone. Flories. He was like, tongueless Joe, it's Kate. Hey, right?

I know, well, he's a sweet guy. Not to his face. Not to his face. Just behind his back. Like a good Catholic girl. I waited behind his back. But I remember being in the car. We were driving down, we were driving to the shore.

And it was like an hour to half drive. And Joe's in the passenger seat. My dad's driving and I'm in the back. And Joe says, huh. Huh. And my dad goes, he wants to know if you fish. My dad could understand everything.

And I said, no, I don't, not really. My dad goes, she says she doesn't fish. Like he's earless Joe. Like he's earless Joe. He's earless Joe. All right. This is called shit talking with Kate Flannery. These are my patrons, the lovable patrons who give back to the podcast.

Patreon.com slash inside of you. Thank you for all the love and support guys and supporting the podcast. These are rapid fire if you want. Leanne, any fun behind the scenes memories from dancing with the stars, which we didn't really talk about. You know, that was. That had to be nerve-rocking. It was, I was going, that was not fun backstage. It was, it was like, it was like going in front of a firing squad every week.

That's how it felt. It was nuts. Was it exciting? It was exciting. And it was, uh, some weeks were like triumphant because I was like, oh my God. Because I got, I did get the highest score a couple weeks, which is nuts. Because I was, you last at five rounds. Yeah.

And I was the oldest, um, person for most of the show. Wow. Which is nuts, you know. And then I got most of the tour. I got 50. Well, I, I, I, at, I was 55. That's pretty old. All the other women were.

in their 20s, except for Mary Wilson, and she got cut the first week. So it was, yeah, and it was nuts. And then I did, I got 54 of the 80 shows on tour. And we got cut short a little bit. As a pandemic. Yeah, but I did 45 of the shows. So I only missed 10 shows, which is, it's nuts. I mean, so. Did you feel like you were in the best shape of your life when you were doing that? Yes, absolutely. Was it, was it, were there times where you were with your dance partner, was it named Posh? Pash, Pasha, yeah. Were the times where you just felt like I can't do this. I can't. I'm going to quit. I literally was like my body does not like I didn't I wasn't going to quit but I was like we got to figure something out because I'm not getting that step like we I would

love to and again like I wish I wish I had had six months training to get because I was so out of shape when we started I was not doing cardio and I'd put on a little weight I was like holy crap it's you know it's like I literally said it is and I literally say I did that show because I'm too cheap to join a gym you know I was like I wanted to be on negative afraid but they weren't interested Sorry, so stupid. Making it a phrase. So stupid. But I actually, but it was, it was an interesting challenge and it almost becomes almost like a, like a religious practice where you just have to like, it's the only thing you can focus on.

There's not, there's like nothing else on the menu. You just have to work on that because otherwise it will never work. It's crazy. It's crazy. Oh, I can't imagine doing that. I can't imagine doing it. It was, it was a really interesting experiment. I mean, it's the weirdest show.

Do you whisper things in your ears while you're dancing like, okay, ready? Here we go. Sometimes, yeah, yeah, or he'll do the four, four, five. Like, he'll do, like, count. Four, five. Yeah, he's like, yeah. And he just does it with his mouthclothes. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Some people are counting really loud, you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That look. Yeah, Lamar Odom's, a dance partner was screaming like the, like, two, three, like, bye. How long did he last? I think two or three, maybe two or three. Two or three, yeah. Because people just wanted to see more.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I guess, yeah. But did you feel like you were like, hey, I'm holding my own here? I did. I did. And I had another weird, I don't even know if we should talk about this, but my season, Sean Spicer was on and literally the former president was tweeting for people to vote for Sean.

So that's why he, I should have been on for at least in one more episode, but Sean, yeah. Son of a bee. Isn't that weird? It is very, that administration literally was affecting my time. It was very strange. Well, just think, you know, I was just. watching the eyes of Tammy Faye. Did you see it? And remember

how they talk about how Reagan would call Jim Baker and say, hey, you know, can you speak on behalf of me and everybody to vote for Reagan? So he had millions and millions of people in his congregation or supporting his church and you know for Reagan. So you know,

that's, you get somebody like the president going, hey, vote for Sean Spicer. You're kind of thought. Tweeting it. It's nuts. Yeah, it's nuts. Emily S. Favorite episode of the office to film ever? I'm going to say Moroccan Christmas because that's the only time Steve and I actually had a full scene

that we got to improvise. Usually everything was really written and you'd improvise within your lines once in a while but that I think they were going to put a voiceover of the whole thing and they end up keeping some of the, you know, some of the ADR. But yeah, that whole chase scene when Meredith gets dragged into rehab by Michael Scott

that was that was such a blast. Such a blast. Loved it. So fun. Steve's the best. This is one we were sort of talking about. Meg Kay, one of my favorite Meredith moments was in season seven episode titled The Sting.

You were hilarious as Meredith Van Helsing trying to seduce Timothy Oliphon's character. Danny, uh, Danny Cordray. Right. Are there any behind the scene stories from the episode that you remember? And did you like working with him?

Uh, I did like, I was definitely nervous, though, because he's a very intimidated. I mean, he's a beautiful, he's a beautiful. So, he's a beautiful man. I did my first movie with him. Oh, you did. It's so funny. And like I said, I had been watching Deadwood,

so I was like, You know, but yeah, I just remember I, there was a point where I was like touching his ear. I was like, oh, dear God. Like, I was, I wish I was a little less nervous because I think I would have touched him more, but maybe it's better. I didn't. I don't know. I like touching people like, you know, sometimes it makes them uncomfortable in a fun way.

Yeah, I was touching his ear a lot. That didn't sound right. No, no, no. I know. It's just weird. I was like trying to wet my finger and put in his, whatever, you know, that's horrible. But things that you should never do to anybody. but now that we have a pandemic.

You'll get this. I don't get this. Hannah H., I would truly like to know if you support any rabies nonprofit organizations. You know what? I was just wearing my

Meredith Palmer celebrity rabies. Michael Scott. I never know what I really should practice that t-shirt that Michael Scott had made for the fun run for rabies awareness. I don't, but I will.

I will. I'm going to Hannah. Don't worry. I'm on it. I'm on it. If you have a rabies charity, please let me know. I'll get it on that. When you won a SAG Award as a cast, two SAG Awards, do they give you separate awards so you can put them on your mantle? Yes. They do. They do. It's a one that you share. No, they weigh like 80 pounds. They're nuts. It's nuts. It's nuts. And then you're carrying it around with your long dress. It's a, it's a bitch. Winning's a bitch. Winning is just so hard. now they've talked about you know you've heard about this stuff like reboots because they reboot a lot of things do you think the office will be

I don't know I don't know you know you know I think that is it up to Steve Carell you think it is up to Steve Carell you think it and yes and Greg Daniels but I think that there's we have two big obstacles one is that there we're so beloved and there's a feeling that it's like there's a sacredness to it and another the world has become more PC than ever and Michael Scott a lot of what he's said may not fly right so that's what i would be worried about you know what's next what are you doing now because you're doing oh you're you're doing so much what's going on uh well uh i i i just finished a movie um that i my stuff was shot in alaska um it's you went to alaska i did how was that it was insane i was we were shooting in this very fancy um log cabin uh but it was cold and it was crazy and it was like it was a we had to shoot i had to be so prepared we did so many scenes a day because of the weather you have to be we had to be a lot of dialogue yeah yeah it was it was fun though but it was it was like it was intense and matt walsh is in the movie too it's called the bolt from

the blue it hasn't come out it's i'm not sure what's happening and i just had a movie that um was just at south by southwest called the prank with um rita morano wow yeah how is it working with her uh you know what we were not in in scenes together but i I did. You meet her? I did. She's the greatest. And funny, it's funny because I just saw her last week at Lily Tomlin's handprint

ceremony at the Chinese theater. Are you friends with Lily Tomlin? You know, I did a play that she produced, she and Jane produced right before I got the office. Wow. Yeah. So, and she was very supportive of the lampshade. She had us perform at the, uh, at the, you know, the big closing night party.

Have you had good conversations with Lily Tomlin? I have. I have. She's the greatest. She's the greatest. Did she ever talk about her incident with, uh, what's the greatest? his name on the set. David O. Russell. I used to wait on David O. Russell. Was he nice? He was always nice to me, which is interesting because usually people that blow up will blow up at waiters.

But we also had a mutual friend, so maybe he was nice to me at the restaurant. But that scene is incredible, isn't at that moment? I heart Huckabees. If you haven't seen it, if you go online, Tomlin kind of lashes out at him and he lashes back at her and he goes pretty overboard. Oh, yeah. But of course, you never brought that up. No. Why would you ever bring that up? I would have brought that up. Oh, it's funny because they listed it. She has so many movies in Ben Meggowitz. I'm actually friends with Ben Mikowitz from TCM.

He introduced Jane Fonda, who then introduced Lily for the thing. And he mentioned Iron Huckabees. And I was like, oh, what are you bringing up that movie for? You know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But what do you, what else do you want to do? I mean, you're still very young. You have a long life ahead of you.

What is it you want to do? I want to be the character. You know what? I really want to be, I did an episode of Magnum PI this past year. Oh, yeah. How was that? It was a blast. It was a blessing.

Where does that film? The big, Waki Kyi, you know. Oh, what a treat. You know, it was amazing. It was amazing. And the best cast ever. They literally took me out to dinner twice. What does it ever happen to you?

Never. Never. And they'd take you out to dinner. I mean, they're awesome. But yeah, I, I, um. You want to go back? I do want to go back. But I like, I like the idea of being the character person on a one hour.

I love, um, there's a few people that do it really well. And I feel like it's, it's, it's an interesting place to be. Because you get to be funny, but it's not, you know, There's not, like, pressure. It's just, I don't know. Would you do a drama? Yeah, that's what I mean. Like a, like a procedural or a drama.

But you don't want the heavy load. You don't want like tons and tons of lines every week. I don't need to be that either. I don't need to be. I don't mind being the fifth lead. Come in, do a couple scenes a week. Right. Go have your life.

Yes. Let me be. Yes. Wouldn't that be the dream? Yeah. And if somebody else has something to prove, it's all yours. It's all yours. Prove yourself.

Go ahead. Go for it. This has been a really tree. Big treat. Did you have fun? It's been a real tree to treat you for me, too. Did you hear me stumble? You did.

And I, yeah. You know what they say. What do they say? If you stumble, then you're lying. I'm just kidding. Was I lying? I didn't have fun. I don't know.

I don't know. I feel bad. I feel like this flew by. I didn't ask you. I didn't ask you anything. Dude. Well, why you're supposed to ask me? It's my podcast.

I don't because I want to know. Well, what do you want to do next? I want to dance. I want you know I I can make some calls for you you want to dance I can work it off for you I honestly I think that in the beginning we were talking I don't know if we were recording

oh yeah purpose right oh yeah purpose I don't know if we were having a purpose I think that I'm working on that do you have you have you felt like you've had a purpose in the past no I don't I'm not sure but I feel like I'm not, you know, a lot of people from the podcast have said, you know, hey, this podcast really helps me and affects my life and blah, blah. Because you ask good questions. Well, I don't even know, but it's like enough people have said this that I really feel like, okay, this, that should be purpose. That should be some purpose there helping other people, you know, helping others. So I'm still,

you know, I'm still working on myself. I'm still working on, you know, what I think is going to make me ultimately happy. That's kind of a funny word, happy. Of course. You know, it's like, you know, who's really happy and I always think, well, happy people, I guess. Right, but you want to be, you want to be content, you want to be successful. You want to, you know, you want to peace of mind. Yeah. And also some, some room for joy. Like, you know.

I want to say I'm doing this and I'm really happy about this. Yeah. I'm proud of this. And this is what I want to do. Totally. It's been a while since I've been like, I'm so excited. Music kind of makes me feel that way. Absolutely.

I like music. I totally get that. I'm never going to be a rock star. Right. I'm never going to sell a million records. but I do love playing music. I have to say the same thing. Like when Jane and I get to sing together,

it's like one of the great joys of my life. And I know we're going to be doing our Christmas tour this year. How many albums have you done together? Just one. Just one. The Christmas album. The Christmas album. But we just booked three dates at Joe's Pub

at the public theater in December. We're going to be doing. And then I know we're playing like Chicago and like we'll be doing another full tour, I'm sure, for Christmas. But it's, you know, it's joyful. Like it's, it's there. And there's this thing that like I, And I feel like it's, it's, it's so much of the unconscious.

Music is like, it's so unconscious, which is what I like, because I feel like I'm, sometimes I'm too conscious and that's exhausting. Yeah. You know, I'm like, like, thinking about this and not like, am I doing this right? Am I, you know, who's, you know, what should I be doing? Am I doing the most with what I've got? Like, are we making the best of this time? Because I feel like, especially in the last couple years, like, I don't know how much longer

we have on this planet. It's a weird time. And there's a lot of people that are like jumping. It's weird. It's weird. Yeah. I feel like, like my parents, how, you know, when you're in the 80s, they're talking about how bad the 80s are and the music was really 70s and 60s, you know, and I think

that I'm like, no, the 80s were the best time. Right. No, they really were, though. I know, that's so funny. They were just so much fun and individuality and the music was so diverse and it was just like. That's so funny. And I really, I won't backtrack on that. don't go back and go, because I really feel like it's far better than the music now.

There's some great performers. I agree with you. But I feel like that whole essence of the 80s was just a pleasant time. And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the parents will go, you don't remember Reaganomics and you don't remember the IRA and you don't remember all these and the AIDS and the, you know, all the. But we were young then. And so our conscious, I mean, what we were really aware of, you know, I mean, I there was

connection. Yes. There was connection. You had to, you know, you say, hey, I'll meet you at the theater at 7 and hope that they're there. Right. You didn't, you couldn't make, you didn't text or change or double check. You just, there was intuition. We actually used our intuition to find each other at the airport. Like how did that happened? Right? Exactly. We just like made people that we did. Yes. And now it's like the TikTok and the, you're on there for hours and it's like, you know, you can be doing so many other things. And I do it. I do too. I'm like micromanaging these things that don't amount to shit. I just wish. there'd be more connection. I just wish that, you know, it wouldn't be all about, you know,

the internet and what funny videos people are showing. I wish to, I don't want more connection. Maybe that's more, you know, I'll have more purpose. Right. The more connection we have. Right. Let's just destroy the internet. Is I'm just saying, just blow that. Maybe that's what Elon Musk is going to do because he bought Twitter. Uh, something's going to happen. I don't know. It ain't going to be pretty. Uh, because he ain't that pretty. You know, it's funny. I was thinking as a kid, um, we were talking about TV shows. I remember feeling like I, I, I, after like shows like MASH and Mary Tyler Moore, I wanted to be on a comedy that had a great finale.

And I feel so lucky that I got on a show that had a great finale. Like a, like a long run show, like that. And that's so rare because I feel like, I feel like there's so many comedies are kind of dromedies now. Or they're just not that funny. Even Game of Thrones had a bad end. Yeah, right? Yeah.

So I don't know. So I feel like everything else, like when I'm really in gratitude and like when I'm not comparing myself to somebody, they're like, how come I don't have that? You know, I'm going to call me for that. You know, which is like, you know, keep your eyes on your own paper. That's like a good thing to do.

Just don't go there. Because it's a slippery slope. Once you start doing it, it snowballs into some, wait a minute. But I also think just like looking back and thinking, okay, what did I do that really what, how did I really make my dreams come true? And I've done that a few times.

Yeah. So, you know, I feel like that too. You know, I mean, there's, and that's perfect. haven't I done enough? Haven't I done enough? When is it enough? When is it?

You're like, hey, you made people laugh. You entertained people. You were on a show. You did this. You're a good brother. You're a good grandson. Can't you just be content? Isn't that enough?

Right. What else do you need? Yeah. But some reason I feel compelled to need more. Well, maybe there's another chapter waiting for you that you got to get your ass off. Get off your ass. I can't talk. I think I need to phone love.

Oh, well, there you go. Does love change the game? It does. You know, I met my boyfriend on the office. He was a still photographer at NBC, and he would come on the set sometimes. So I feel like I was like, I was playing, like, you know, I did not get a great wardrobe or a lot of makeup on the office. I don't have you noticed. The first season, I was like, I'm never going to get laid working on the show.

And then I ended up meeting like, my boyfriend. I'm like, it's crazy. Never going to get laid. I literally, and it's funny. Yeah, a couple of people like from the first season one, remember that. I remember you said that. I was like, I meant it. Oh my God, I'm never going to get laid working on this show.

That's how I felt when I was on Smallville, I'm bald and like, you know, no good girl, only got goth chicks are going to like me. Oh, my God. It's so funny. But, but I, yeah, I wish, I, I wish you love. I wish you love. I do, I do. Thanks.

I wish you love. I have it. You have love. Yeah. Do you feel like you, when you're in love that, 16? Yeah. Do you feel like when you're in love, I hear this, that it reduces your stress levels? Yeah, it does.

Why is that? You know what? I think. there's well it depends if you're in love with somebody who's crazy and a really fucked up relationship then ignore what i'm saying um because that i i was there and that's not that's not optimal i mean you you know you can do better so i'm saying um but i do think it does um uh i think there's just i don't know i don't know what it is i someone calms you if it's the right person yeah they calm you when you're in stressful situations i assume that's kind of what

I think that's it. And I think it, it, uh, it's, it's a reminder that we're not just here to do stuff and work hard. You know what I mean? Like, what do they say? Like, we're not a human doing. We're a human being. Like, you can just be.

Right. And I feel like that other person helps to remind you, you could just be, you know. Words of wisdom from Kate Flannery. Let it be. I love it. You're the best. I root for you. I think you're terrific person.

Yeah. I'm sorry you weren't. I just did a comic con with Oscar Nunez last week. And it was like the craziest group of people. It was like Bobby and Cindy Brady, Bionic Woman and $6 million man. Are you going to any, are you going to St. Louis Con? I'm not. Are you going to Illinois, Metropolis?

No, you're not going to that one. No. Are you going to Australia? I'm not. Maybe added later, but also. Okay. Well, we'll meet up again. I'm sure.

By the way, if I'm having a birthday party on July 10th, if you're in town, it's a Sunday. And it's an 80s band, the spasmatics are going to play. I think Taylor Dane might play. What? Yeah. So it's going to be like a fun 50th birthday party. That's fantastic. So I'll invite you.

Thank you. And you'll have to come. All right. Yeah. This has been a real treat. Lastly, I'm going to ask you three TV shows. You give me the theme song. Okay.

Mash. I'm playing the trouble. That's it, though. All right. Give me, this is a tough one. Okay. Little House in the Prairie. Um, shit.

because it almost sounds like the theme to the Newhart show not the Bob Newhart show but the the you know the second Bob Newhart's what was it oh shit um I hate myself no that's Dallas yeah that's Dallas that was that Dallas that was Dallas um hold on Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-ha. Oh, it doesn't it make you want to cry? Yeah. What a sweet song. It's a sweet song.

Family song. All right. Last minute. I got it. Last one. Give me the love boat theme. Love exciting and new come a boy. We're expecting you

This is another song that will put a smile on my face If I'm at a funeral Come on Love Who's saying that? It's Jack Jones Is it? Jack Jones used to do the Jerry Lewis Telethon every year

He was the one living on at like 3 o'clock in the morning Expecting you You know that. If you go to Long Beach, the boat now, they play that on the, instead of like the old whistle, it plays the theme to love boat. We were just down, we were in Long Beach, a couple weeks ago. We were laughing so hard. People that live in the neighborhood of the boat, they want to kill the boat company. I don't blame you.

I love you. Thank you. Thank you, Michael. You're awesome. Bye. You're the best. It was great. She's great.

I mean, she was a great guest. She was someone who was humble. She was open. I really appreciate it. Thank you, Kay Flander, for being the podcast. Thank you for holding my hand when we almost died and the plane crashed going down in Arkansas, but it didn't crash.

We're alive. We're still here. Thanks for taking a photo. That was fun. I'll post that too. Yeah, right? Yeah, it was nice of her. Yeah, she's a nice woman.

Yeah. What are you going to do? Another reminder, the big Talkville podcast. Tom Welling and I, the new podcast. Ryan will join us. I am there too. Every week, we will talk. We will watch Smallville an episode and then talk about it.

Join us starting Wednesday, July 13th, and every Wednesday after. Spread the word. It's going to be a lot of fun. There's a hotline you can call us, leave messages, blah-de-blah. We can't wait to join you or you to join us on this amazing journey. Journey. Thank you. Journey.

Adventure. Thank you to all my patrons. Go to the inside of you online store for awesome merch, new zip-ups, new glasses, drinking glasses inside of you, autographs, anything you need. There's scripts autographed by me. There's so much great stuff on that website. It's really grown. My Shopify account has really grown.

Let me tell you, there's a lot of cool stuff on there. Thank you for listening. Right now, these are the top tier patrons. These are the people who give the most to the podcast, and I'm going to give them a shout-out. here we go nancy d lea s sarah v little lisa ukeko jill e b b ryan h nico p robert b you you ready for some more let's do it jason w roj c josh d c jp jennifer n stacy l jamal f jennel b kimberley e mike e l don suprimo 99 more ninety nine more santiago m chad w leanne p jean r maya p mattie s belinda n chate h d brad d ray

H. Tap of the T, Tom, N, Lilliana, A, Talia M, Betsy D, Chad, L, Rochelle, Marion, Meg K, Dan, N, Big Stevie, W, Angel, M, Rian, and C, Corey K, Super Sam, Dev Nexon, Michelle A, Jeremy C, Andy T, Cody R, Gavinator, David C, John B, Brandi, D, Y, Boar. Correct, Yvore. Camille S, the C, Joey M, Willie F, David H, H, H, design. O TG, G, Eugene, and uh lea correct chris p nicky g cori nicole heather l jake b james b bobbett megan t mell s orlando c john b carline r rob e paul c christine s sarah s eric h spring jennifer r shane r m m m r mark m jeremy v andrew m robert g zucci 77 and andreas andreas n uh i don't know that i would do that my patrons you guys really help support the podcast and i thank you and i say it every week and i'll say it again thank you i love you it means the world to me and uh the big podcast talkville coming soon man coming soon so make sure

you support that one if you will uh we're going to need your support and love and uh follow us and write reviews and sending questions and it's going to be a big family affair that's what it's going to be like mary j blanche did she sing that i believe it was it's a family affair can't i can't think about it you want to hear the i think the theme song now i changed i decided this is the theme song what is this is uh right here You're listening to Talkville. It's from a new song off the new album, but it'll be just an instrumental version.

But it's a song called I'll Go to Heaven. But I think it's, it just gives it a little energy, a little spark. I like it. I like it better than the other thing we were working on. But we could always try things. Great. Let's do it. Yeah.

You know what I'm saying? Well, the hell not. What the hell not? Why the hell not? Thank you guys. From the Hollywood Hills in Hollywood, California. I am Michael Rosenbaum. I'm Ryan Tails.

Yeah, I get a little wave to the camera. thanks guys promise me you'll be good to yourself and have a great week thank you for making me part of your week um and keep listening that's all i could say if you don't know a guest that i have on here i hope that you'll listen anyway and learn something about them and not just say i don't know them see you because it really helps when you listen and spread the word so all my love to you continue to love and uh ryan i'll see you next time get some rest man you too yeah Football season is here. Oh, man.

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