Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang - "Four Seasons Ambassador" (w/ Natasha Rothwell)

Episode Date: March 26, 2025

It's an episode years in the making as The White Lotus's Natasha Rothwell joins Matt & Bowen on Las Culturistas! These three have so much to talk about, as they all have history grinding it out in New York comedy back at UCB, The PIT and as members of Story Pirates! It's giving long shared history! Bowen and Natasha connect on experiences as SNL writers turned successful performers, and Natasha talks about playing in one successful ensemble after another and tending to play characters who "carry the torch of empathy". Also, Grease as an Austenian text, playing Mama Rose in high school opposite a very gay Herbie, the challenges that come with developing social boundaries and "the guilt tax" you pay when you choose yourself, meeting and thanking John Waters at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, and accepting awards for the great show How To Die Alone after it was cancelled. There's also obviously a ton of White Lotus talk, including the differences between Belinda in seasons 1 and 3, this season's exploration of adult female friendship, and Lalisa's great performance and overall superstardom. You don't like gay incest? Grow up! And no, stranger in Target, Natasha is not going to tell YOU any spoilers! You just gotta watch, and you should! The White Lotus airs Sunday nights on HBO, but you already knew that shit! We love Natasha, who is one of the all time greats. And this episode? You know what that is? GROWTH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ugh, we're so done with New Year, New You. This year, it's more you on Bumble. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one filled with show tunes. More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you dating with intention because you know what you want. And you know what? We love that for you. Someone else will too.

Be more you this year and find them on Bumble. Have you ever wondered if your pet is lying to you? Why is my cat not here? Am I going and she's eating my lunch? Or if hypnotism is real? We will use a suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive control. But what's inside a black hole? Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe.

Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast, Sighin' Stuff. Join me, or Hitcham, as we answer questions about animals, space, our brains, and our bodies. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to Sighin' Stuff on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine you're scrolling through TikTok. You come across a video of a teenage girl and then a photo of the person suspected of killing her. It was shocking. It was very shocking. Like that could have been my daughter. Like you never know. I'm Jen Swan. I'm the host of a new podcast called My Friend Daisy. It's the story of how and why a group of teenagers turn to social media to help

track down their friend's killer. Listen to My friend Daisy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In 2020, a group of young women found themselves in an AI-fueled nightmare. Someone was posting photos. It was just me naked. Well, not me, but me with someone else's body parts. This is Levittown, a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts,

Bloomberg, and Kaleidoscope about the rise of deep fake pornography and the battle to stop it. Listen to Levittown on Bloomberg's Big Take podcast. Find it on the iHeart Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Look, man. Where? Oh, I see, wow. Wow, Bowen, look over there. Wow, is that culture? podcasts. Look, man. Oh, I see. Wow.

Bowen, look over there. Wow, is that culture? Yes. Wow. Las Culturistas. Ding dong. Las Culturistas calling. A day of days.

A day of days. A day that feels right in the heart, the soul, the mind, the body. You know what I was thinking this morning? I was like, this is someone we've actually wanted on this podcast since we started it. And by the way, we should say shout out to anyone who voted for us for Podcast of the Year, which we won for a second time. Yes. And it's nine years in, and I'm just thinking about, like, I know our guest is here today,

and it's someone we've looked up to since, but even before we started the podcast, and all these years later, it feels like a wonderful little moment. So thank you all for that. And also just to have our guest in this like star ascending moment. It's just like, it's feeling... I'm a little emotional. I'm a little emotional. This is someone who had wonderful vulture piece on our guest.

And it just made me realize what we've known along, which is, oh, this is someone who both is someone and plays people that you just root for. We just love you so much. What? I know. We're so mutual. This is like a decade in the making. I know.

Seriously. And so basically, we're about to bring our guest in, but just know, I mean, obviously, the White Lotus, Insecure, How to Die Alone, I mean, obviously the White Lotus, insecure, how to die alone. I mean, there's so much to talk about. But for me, I was literally, when we finally met our, I finally like really in person met our guest, which feels crazy. Like the other night after the Oscars. And I was like, you know, you to me will always be

that flight attendant in the UCB basement. If you know, you know, I'm Mod Night. Not even UCB, this is a UCB pittison. This is a story pirate legend. We are through. Three pittisons in the room. The three pittisons in the room, is that title of that? No, oh my God, I'll jump.

Wait, we gotta bring her, let's go. Let's go. Everyone, welcome to your ears, Natasha Rathla. Oh, thank you I'll jump. Wait, we gotta bring her, let's go. Let's go. Everyone welcome to your ears, Natasha Roswell! Thank you for having me! Thank you for coming on! Oh my god, you guys are making me emotional! Sorry. It's an emotional moment.

But that's like so special, you know what I mean? To just have those people that are from way back that you knew were special then pop off, and that happens all the time now, I feel. I feel that about you too, are you me what I think game recognize game and like even like on our come up watching the two of you work like it's just you know you know but you know that I was going through the whole process of screen testing for SNL then being offered to write and I remember reaching out to you and being like,

what do you think I should do? Because I just respected you to the fucking mountains. And at that point you were already insecure. Like Kelly was already like the one. And I was just like, Natasha had such a unique, everyone has a unique journey there and you had a very unique journey. And I was just like, I need to know.

Because at that point, I'm going to say, like, you could count on, like, one or two hands the number of writers of color, let's say. Not to put it on those lines, but, like, it was, like, a meaningful thing that they reached out to you specifically. Yeah. I remember when you did, and I remember saying that, like, it was hard for me,

but, like, the juice was worth the squeeze, right? Because it's just, like, going through that, you know, iron sharpens iron, you become better at what you do. And it wasn't perfect. And I have notes. Yes, yes. We all do. But I think ultimately it was the stamp in my passport professionally that I needed to

open some doors that I think I would have eventually opened, but maybe take a little longer to do. So, yeah. Totally. I mean, does being back in New York make you reflect on this? Obviously, right? Yes! Yeah. Like, it's like...

Like, from the Pitt days to the UCB days to the SNL days, like, oh, on every level. On every level. Like, you know, like in a car where it says, like, you know, things in this mirror are closer than they appear? Like, you know, like in a car where it says, like, you know, things in this mirror are closer than they appear. Like, for me, that's like literally being so broke that I was like picking up Metro cards off of the ground at the train stations on my way home to check them the next morning. And so like having calling my mom in fucking South Jersey to order me pizza in Brooklyn

from Jersey because I didn't have anything in the bank and it's just. You had Jersey pizza. I had Jersey pizza. That's not bad. Which is a better pizza than a lot of New York pizza. As a long-lender, I can say this too. When you're outside of the city, they take their time on the pizza.

Right, right, right. That's actually real culture number 46. When they're outside of the city, they take their time on the pizza. That's true. But no, I'm full of gratitude. And even just writing here today, so much of my experience in New York was based

on where I was, my socioeconomic level. And I feel like for every different stratosphere, there's a different version of the city. Yeah. So the version of the city that I'm getting to know now, it's different than the one that I knew, but I miss the one that I used to know, you know what I mean? Yeah, I missed that kind of like hustle and that grind I was I was never more poor

Than I was when I was grinding in comedy, but I was so happy Yeah, you know what I mean? Ropes like the early mornings for like a story pirate show like made like an early call time So I'm like, oh whatever tech for your mod show at like 3 a an early call time. So I'm like, yeah, whatever. Or doing tech for your mod show at like 3 AM, you know. And paying for it. And paying for it. Talk about notes. This again is the old UCB.

But no, but I mean, like, it's really something like when, I remember I had taken like a long time away from New York, probably because of the pandemic, obviously. And then I got back and my immediate instinct, it was raining a little bit. I was like, I'm still going to take a walk. And I did have like a I don't know why I'm frightened moment. I was just looking around, sort of really getting tearful because we did. Like, this is this is really where we grew up.

Oh, yeah. When people ask me because I'm an Air Force brat and I grew up all over. I was just like, but I became an adult in New York. I found out my voice in New York. I made mistakes in New York. New York truly raised me. And so even though I didn't live here super long, it's only eight years, but even just driving here, I was just looking across like,

I remember crying on that corner. I remember that bagel shop, that ATM lets you take it out. You can get a five out. Yeah Oh, wow So it's like all of those things and you're just like oh I'm so grateful to have had that and it feels like a collective experience, you know, like yeah, no one quite knows what we went through and the improv industrial complex is like that like the the pipeline from improv to tv

like it's not what it used to be you know like they don't have it like we did like there was a time of being in new york or la doing comedy in the way that we did where it felt like so cool anytime and it felt kind of frequent i'll say is the word but like it felt like there cool anytime, and it felt kind of frequent, I'll say is the word, but it felt like there was a regularity in like, oh, this person got raptured up into the show business. Yes, yes. And now I feel like, I feel like I'm not, like my ear isn't to the ground maybe,

but I don't know of that same sort of like, machinery that's happening. Yeah, I mean, I don't either, but the scuttlebutt is that it's maybe not the same as it used to be. And I think that, like, the beauty of what was, it was, you know, like, if you liken, you know, UCB to, like, Catholicism and then the pit to, like, you know... Protestants. I'm dying. Like, I felt like we were all worshiping the God of Comedy.

100%. Wow, let's do 100%. You know what I mean? And it's just like when you go through that kind of like radicalization, it's just like you see someone else and you just like zip, you know? Yeah, 100%. Wait, I'm about to get- Story parrots is Veggie Tales? Veggie Tales, that's right! Oh, wow.

That's right! That's hilarious. I'm about to get a little niche, but like when you were, because I remember think, because we were pit people because We weren't embraced by UCB at the very start. Yeah actually took us a little bit same Is that the same with you? You were like because you were one of the queens of the pit and we remember thinking of you being like well Natasha's here At the pit putting in the hard yards and like that means that like we'll get to UCB Natasha's on the poster like these are

Yeah, well, I just remember I had come to New York with six years of main stage experience in DC, like Washington Improv Theater, and tried to jump the line at UCB of just like, I've been doing this for like professionally six years and I've been teaching and they're like, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, take a number. And I was like, okay.

And then I went to the pit and Ali was just like oh like you can teach like and so I was able to start teaching and then I auditioned got on a team and so so plus the pit then for like Yeah, that's the pit also where they held the showcase for SNL when I auditioned it was at the pit That was a famous night. Yeah, that was the famous And so it was just I think the pit allowed folks to be a little bit more, yeah, it's less rigid than the Catholicism of UCB. I remember also feeling like, yeah, than the Catholics.

I remember at the time, like, there was something really performative about that space, like, cause you're a performer, well, you're a real performer. And I remember thinking, I think we identified that as that too, maybe because UCB felt like very, it felt like cerebral, you know what I mean? Like you had to learn a language that like those guys were speaking.

But at the pit, it felt like you could, maybe it was just like the proscenium, the literal stage. It felt like it was welcoming a different kind of performer. And I kind of felt enthusiastic about that opportunity. No, I loved the pit stage. And it was so much fun also to meet the folks that were, like, devoutly pit and would never go to UCB. I know, it was so fun.

And I just felt like an interloper where I'm just like, nah, I gotta go to UCB later, but I'm gonna do this show now. Which, like, that's the best, though. That's the best. And, like, shout out to the go, it used to be later, but I'm gonna do this show now. Which like, that's the best though. That's the best. And like, shout out to the Magnet people, like Magnet people too. Oh, Magnet, yeah. Magnet is still such a wonderful vibe.

The Baptists. The Baptists. Yeah, they were the Baptists. Listen, we have figured it out. Yes. Magnet, we're the Baptists. Wait, by the end of this episode, we'll figure out what the Groundlings is, even though we're not LA people,

but we're gonna figure it out. And second city and all that stuff. But like, I just remember seeing you at the pit, doing the flight attendant, and I was just like, okay, like this is someone who... This, she's gonna go the fucking distance. You know what I mean? Like, I think you are one of those people who we just like modeled ourselves after. Anytime there was a story, a pirate story that like, there would be a link to every story, every stock story. story that like there would be linked to every story every stock story

I feel like were you in like emergency poncho? Called emergency poncho about a kid that gets a poncho put on him at a meds game because it starts raining and it became musical And I you were in the tutorial for it, and that was the one one of the ones we always I'm actually dead We really are like. Emergency poncho. Emergency poncho. And it looks like a garbage bag.

It looks like a garbage bag. Yeah, yeah. Oh, wow. See, that's like, I remember the story pirates of it all really pushing me forward. Because I'm like, yes, the community is what's important. And that remains true. And I'm like, yes, the community is what's important. Yeah. And that that remains true. And I feel like something about you is you're always in an amazing ensemble

and you always put together an amazing ensemble. You just won the Indie Spirit Award for ensemble in a new series and with our pal Conrad. And, you know, even that connection to Fire Island being this great ensemble. And I see you in obviously insecure and famously, two seasons of The White Lotus. And you're in that family. That's obviously not an accident. It's like, you're not, like, booking purposefully

these things, but it seems to follow you. Yeah, I'm always drawn to the collaborative arts. I think that's why I never, like, I have deference for stand-up, but it's never been my bag, because I don't want to fail alone. Do you know what I mean? To me, it's just like, can we get a team together to believe in one thing? And even if we lose, it's together. So there's still a win. And I also find that in and again, like it does feel like it's chosen me more than I've chosen it.

But I feel like of the ensembles that have chosen me, my entry point is always sort of with a character that's kind of carrying sort of like the torch of empathy. And I think that's just innate in me. That's how I move through the world. And so whether nature nurture, I'm always drawn to parts and characters that bring humanity to people who look like me.

You know what I mean? Like, and I don't consider it like an obligation or sort of like a burden to me. I get excited by that opportunity. And that's like, when I sat down with Mike for White Lotus, season one, I had reservations because at that point, he hadn't had the scripts written, but I loved him. I'm talking like, love him.

And from Freaks and Geeks, enlightened all the way through, you know, good girl, everything. But then he was so good. Right. But then he hit. Then my my team's just like, OK. And I was like, well, how many in the cast are people of color? And it's just like, it's you. And then there's one other girl. But like mostly it's like you. And so I'm in a servile position.

And I was like, that didn't like make me want to, you know, say no. I was just like, is he going to collaborate with me to help sort of like discover this character? And we found that empathy. We found that like heart and the heart of who she was. So, yeah, for me, characters and empathy are always sort of like the true north. And then he kind of has this empathetic sort of instinct with you where it's like, he went page by page with Belinda and it's like,

okay, like what's the deal here? And you get to be like, oh, I want her to wave hello at this family that's at the resort. Like those moments, that moment really stuck out to me. And then reading this piece and seeing all these interviews that you're doing, talk about that specific thing. I'm like, this is the importance of Belinda as a character, of you as an actor. And it's important of directors to know who they have

and how to utilize them. We have the same hyphenates, Mike and I. We're both actors, we're both writers, we're both directors. And so as writers, we were able to sit down and geek out. And he's so aware that he's not a black woman, right? And so he's just like, well, what are the ways that we can add that authenticity? And I tell him all the time, I was just like, I wish more directors took, you know, a page from that book of being able to know

I have a deficit, but this character or this actor who's playing this character might be a resource to me But I have to humble myself to do that and Mike is one of the kindest most humble like Gentle sweet souls that I've ever met and so for him to do that with me season one and I was fucking nobody season one You know like I mean, well, Kelly was I mean Kelly was a thing, but also it was just like well anyway Maybe I should say I should say I felt like I see why was he listening to me? Yeah, it would be hard to walk into an ensemble cast like that and be like, yep, of course And so like I felt so like ahead of my skis, but he was so

Excited and then when you know, I was asked back for season three He was so like ahead of my skis, but he was so excited. And then when, you know, I was asked back for season three, he hit me up, he was like, when we gonna zoom? I was like, I got you boo. Cause he was over there, so we like did the, we chopped it up again. Yeah. One of my favorite things about this season,

the characterization of Belinda, is it does feel like there's a little bit more you in there. Like some of my favorite moments are when you're in your place of like attitude is gratitude And then a lizard will jump out and it will be a full shutdown Like I feel like that humor and that sort of on guardness. Mm-hmm. It's yes It's like it serves as just great comedic relief in any of these given moments, especially interacting with the environment Which is so much of what the show is about but also it's for me it speaks to the fact that, like,

you're dealing with less bullshit now. Like, you are a version of Belinda now that is like, no, fuck that, I will self-preserve. So it means more to me than just those small interactions. And where we find Belinda right now in this season, and we've seen the six episodes so far, Where we find Belinda right now in the season, and we've seen the six episodes so far,

is a place of true fear and existential terror because she's now being like, you know, Greg is in the midst. And they see each other in a real way. So I wonder, like, what do you think of that progression and where do you think she's at and going? I love this question. So for me, when we see her at the end of season one, right? It's like she is devastated, her hopes were dashed.

And then we see her starting something new, doing something that's out of her comfort zone. And I feel like when we do that, it speaks to hope and optimism. So it speaks to some kind of, between the time we last saw her and when we meet her, she's grieved that loss and is trying again. And finally, finally.

And when you meet someone on sort of like the precipice of change and like, you know, in entertaining optimism, it's an exciting role to play because she's doing something familiar. Yes, it's massage, but it's in a completely different country. She's learning a new technique. She's raising the bar for herself. And when we see her in six, all of the hope that she has is now being threatened by Greg. And her son is there. So mama bear's kicking in. So she can't just recede, which is what she's used to doing when, you know, things get bad or scary. Now it's fight or flight and bitch is gonna fight.

You know, like we wanna see that activation. Is she gonna be successful? I hope fucking so. But like, it's like to pit her against, you know, Greg in this way, I think Mike was so smart in the writing because it's, the recognition is so heavy and it hits so hard when audiences see that. And he's very sinister.

And in John in real life, he's such a dear friend. He's also so sweet. Like so sweet. But when he got in character, there's one take. Oh, I jumped. I was like, don't you can't smile at me like that. Because he would just like smile and like raise his eye. I was like, yeah!

And the variations of that character he's given us. Like, you really don't know if in that very first scene he appeared in in season one, if that was a long con from the beginning, if it was something he figured out. There's so many things that are under the surface, obviously with every character, but him being sort of the big boss of the show now

at this point, the main antagonist of the show, every time you see him, it gets scary because it didn't start that way. Yeah, and you know what he's capable of. Yeah, right. Right, so it's just like, hmm. It's all in that first interaction that you two have this season though, I feel,

where you approach him at dinner, I love that scene. It's both of you volleying it in this way that is like incredibly tense. Like you're not looking, like you're not like on your phone while you're watching the show. You know what I mean? It's like, it's one of those, and I bring that up because this is a bad habit of mine now

where I'm just like, okay, whatever, I'm putting on a reality. Like a trash show. Broken brains. You know what I mean? But like, this is the thing that I think we're talking about which is you can fill in the gaps as a viewer on Belinda's journey between seasons one and three,

where it's like her hopes were dashed. She has convalesced in the intervening time of like, I'm gonna self-start again, since being disappointed and feeling like I had this life preserver thrown at me. Yeah. I feel like the empathy that she, in the favor that she courage season one is there and we see that like she has found a way to do that for herself, you know, like support herself and cheer herself on. And yeah, and I also think like it's fun to see her on a quasi vacation because like we all have these vacation identities that we try on when we go out. It's just like, you know what? I got my vacation braids on. Let me like go out and wear these shoes that I've taken the tag off. I never wore them before, but I wear

them now. So it's just like playing with identity and like who she wants to be. And I think it's really beautiful to play with someone who's such, you know, putty ready to be molded. And now she's about to be molded by circumstance. Right. I wonder how many months, cumulatively, have you spent living in Four Seasons? Oh, boy.

Is it like almost a year doing this show? I would be more because I did Sonic in Hawaii and that was Four Seasons as well. Oh, wow. So you have a membership you're a membership. I basically, like at this point, if they don't make me an ambassador, I don't know what else.

I don't know what else I need to do. It might scare people though. Like, did you hear about that cruise that's like, we'll take you to all the White Lotus locations. You can have a White Lotus expired vacation. It's some vacation package. Hawaii to Thailand to Italy. Yeah, like there's something you can do.

That's a choice. Well, first of all, it's Greg money. It's Greg money. But also like, it's like, you know, to have a White Lotus inspired vacation, it's like, you know what happens in the show, right? People are going. A lot of stuff.

Yeah, there's someone said on set was just like, they must have the best PR team. They don't let, they must have the best PR team. I know. They don't let... They bury it all. Pun intended. Pun intended. Oh, my God. -♪ MUSIC PLAYINGan

Ugh, we're so done with New Year, New You. This year, it's more you on Bumble. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one filled with show tunes. More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you dating with intention because you know what you want. And you know what?

We love that for you. Someone else will too. Be more you this year and find them on Bumble. Is this a good time? It's me, Dylan Mulvaney, and my dear friend, Joe Locke from Heartstopper and Agatha All Along is my very first guest on my brand new podcast, The Dylan Hour.

It's musical mayhem and it is going to be so much fun. I like a man. You like a man. What do I like, Joe? You like a man too. We often, there's some cross-pollination happening in here. Not like, no. Have we, no.

No. Not yet. Never say never. I cannot wait for all you girls, gays, and theys to join me on this extremely special pink confection of a podcast. There is so much darkness in this world and what I think we could all use more of is a little joy. Listen to the Dillon Hour on the iHeart Radio app, Apple podcasts,

or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Love ya! Have you ever wondered if your pet is lying to you? Why is my cat not here? And I go in and she's eating my lunch. Or if hypnotism is real? You will use this suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive control. What's inside a black hole? Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe. Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast, Science Stuff. Join me, Jorge Cham, as we tackle questions you've always wanted to know the answer to about animals, space, our brains, and our bodies. Questions like, can you survive being cryogenically frozen?

This is experimental. This means never work for you. What's a quantum computer? It's not just a faster computer. It performs in a fundamentally different way. Do you really have to wait 30 minutes after eating before you can go swimming? It's not really a safety issue. It's more of a comfort issue. We'll talk to experts, break it down,

and give you easy to understand explanations to fascinating scientific questions. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to science stuff on the iHeartVideo app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine you're scrolling through TikTok. You come across a video of a teenage girl and then a photo of the person suspected of killing her. And I was like, what? Like it was him? I was like, oh my god. It was shocking. It was very shocking. I'm Jen Swan. I'm a journalist in Los Angeles and I've spent the past few years investigating the story behind the viral posts and the extraordinary events that followed. I started investing my time to get her justice.

They put out something on social media so I'd get called in the middle of the night all the time. It's like, how do you think you're gonna get away with something like this? Like, you killed somebody. It's the story of how and why a group of teenagers turn to social media to help track down their friend's killer. This is their story.

This is my friend Daisy. Listen to My Friend Daisy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. OK, so we have to ask you the question that we asked all of our guests. I'm excited to ask you this, which was, what is the culture, Natasha Rothwell, that made you say culture was for you? I thought about this question a lot. Also because I'm a fan of the show. And so I was just like, and I will say also, I've been trying to get on the show for 10 years, but my schedule's been so dumb. No, I mean, like we've been trying. We've been chasing each other. So this is the moment.

This is right now. Yeah. And I'm like low key embarrassed about what I'm about to say, but it's so true. And it is the movie Grease. Let's go! Ah! Well, at least you picked the best movie of all time. I mean, and I will say, I feel like Grease 2 is not talked about enough. No, certainly not.

Let's talk about it. Let's talk about it. Okay, I just feel like, one, you have a girl for all seasons. We have cool writers. I feel like we get to see like Michelle Pfeiffer getting dirty. She's straddling a ladder. But Grease, like the OG, I just watched, I like, I wore out the VHS cassette.

It would be on my letterbox four, I think. If I ever get asked that question by that incredible organization, I will say one word, Greece. Greece. And then I'll figure out the other three. But like, what is it about it for you? Because for me, I think there's something about it's a some amalgamation of like

the costumes and the way the actors are committed to those insane characterizations and obviously the incredibly catchy music. Yeah. But is there anything specific for you? Well, the music for sure, but also like, I grew up in the church, very chaste. And so I related with Sandra Dee. Good Girl Gone Bad, come on!

I was like, give me that. I was like, yes! So it was so much fun watching someone just like get pursued by the bad boy. And like, there was all of this kind of like, you know, it felt Austinian because they're like longing glances. You know, there's just this tension of just like,

when are they gonna kiss? And it just, the tension is like a regency sort of thing. And it's just the tension plate, like we don't even get to see that, like the magic of that until like the end. And then Cha Cha Diagorgio. The best dancer at St. Bernadette. At St. Bernadette.

Guys, I think it's one of those things that like by osmosis, I do know every line. And I think maybe most people do and don't even realize it. Yeah, it'll come on. And then every once in a while, I was just like, oh, I don't know where my keys are, but I know exactly. Yeah. The VHS of Grace would be like at any sort of like rented apartment that you would like, you would go to on a family trip or something.

Yeah. It would be like in like the person's like closet or something. For me, the thing about Grace, which is the thing that musicals on some level should be because they are musicals, because the emotion is so heightened that they, you can't do anything but sing, is that it's the highest fantasy. It really is. It is a fantasy in the best way. They drive off in the car, into the sky.

Beauty School dropout. I was like, are you kidding me? He came from heaven. That's actually not talked about enough. It's Real Enculture number eight. Beauty School dropout, he came from heaven. He came from heaven. He literally came down to give her her guidance.

I also think that like I was, when it came out, I was like, I wanted to perform. Like, and I saw that as such a, like, like it was catharsis, right? On screen where I was just like, oh that, I want to do something where I get to build it up to that point. And I'm like, God, like.

It's like the spirit inside you, like wants to emulate that. That is like the strongest link that you can have as like a viewer. Yeah. And it's so funny, too, because like the movie couldn't be more white. But like for me, it was more about like the good versus evil, like bad and good. And like I was able to sort of watch it through that lens. And I mean, just the jackets, like everything about it. I just remember watching it and like doing the little like,

you know what I mean? Like the little shivvies. Yeah. Everyone had, I remember when I was little, we would do like our little dance contest. Like that's one of the things me and my friends would do, like me and the girls. And it was always always you're the

One that I want it was always summer night summer night Oh, please one of the best group numbers in any musical. Yeah It's so good And also then when you get a little older and you can really appreciate the depth of the worst things I can do This is my like hot take that might be a cold take because everyone might have it stalker Channing that should have been an Oscar Nomination I agree the what she brought to there are worst things I could do That that's a moment in movies. It is everything and like you see her

Because then she haven't or she had an abortion or she lost the babe or something She lost the baby was like a false alarm. Oh, yeah It was like it was a false alarm. She's having this conversation Yeah, and It was like a false alarm or something? Oh yeah, it was a false alarm. Something like that. It was like, it was a false alarm. What is it? She's having this conversation. Yes. Yeah. And that's a lot. That's a lot.

And the whole movie is a lot. Like they're talking about like, you know, during Grease Lightning, those are some lyrics. And that was my kind of like chase brain miss that until I was much older. And then I was like, oh no. Right. I know what that's about. You know what that's about. Did you do musicals in high school?

I did. I was Mama Rose. You were not. See, you need to take over for Audra. I know, and I met Audra when I was in college. She came to visit University of Maryland and we were doing You Can't Take It With You. Oh, God.

And she was in the hallway and I have this like fun picture of me and her back then, but yeah. Wow! You guys did obviously musicals in high school. We did musicals. He did, I didn't. Oh, he was like a high school,

he was like a Zac Efron in a high school musical, like was an athlete, but like secretly wanted to perform. Right, it's your dad's sports sports. Sports, sports, sports, but that wasn't really what held me back. All he wanted me to do was be involved. It was more just like gay on Long Island. Right. All he wanted me to do was be involved. It was more just like gay on Long Island.

Right. All stuff up here, but I found it eventually. I just wanna own up to the fact that Natasha said I was Mama Rose and my brain glitched and I thought you meant Mama Morton from Chicago. Both. Tort of Forces. Never done Morton, but I did meet Queen Latifah

at the Variety Party. Oh, wait. She came up to me at the variety party. That was her night. She came up to me. She was amazing. She was amazing. She shines. There's something about her that like, I remember I met her years ago

when I was doing the NYU newspaper and I went to go interview her for Secret Life of Bees. Oh, I love that. And she came in with her platinum blonde hair and sat down and just, it was like, oh, now I know what it's like to be in the presence of a superstar. She is royalty. She radiates.

She is a queen. Yeah. Yeah. Obsessed. It's swummin' No, Mama Rose, that is, I need to see that. You do need to take over for Audra. I had my, the guy who played my husband in that show

was so gay. He was so gay. Herbie. So Herbie, he was so gay. And the so gay. He was so herby. He was so gay. And the kiss that we have was on, like I believe it was on the cheek. I was just like, what, like the poor guy. I believe it was on the cheek. I believe it was on, upon my cheek. I just remember there was, we had, I mean it was so bootleg. It was high school, right? Yeah. The Heaven Egg Roll Mr. Goldstone. Yeah, sure.

All of that. We had like a prop issue and it wasn't there. And I did improv, right? Since high, I've been doing improv since high school. So like. Did you object to work at? Yeah. And people were just like, that was, it was a choice.

And like, oh, I didn't know. And my director was just like, thanks for saving the scene. I was like, you got it. And I was just like, embarrassing. What? No, that is, that is a promo. I was like, thanks for saving the scene. I was like, you got it. And I was just like, embarrassing. No, that is a pro-mo. My most embarrassing moment was auditioning for,

wait, My Fair Lady. He did My Fair Lady. This was my junior year or my sophomore year. And I decided to learn sign language to the song that I was going to sing to because I didn't have confidence in my pipes. And so I forgot the lyrics to the song, or the sign halfway through singing it,

but my hands were already extended and moving. So it was just interpretive dance. I don't even remember what I was singing, but I just remember I was just like moving my hands and I left sobbing. But wait a minute. But I was cast. But you were cast. But I'm saying there's something special about that audition. You moving my hands and I left sobbing. But wait a minute. But I was cast. But you were cast.

But I'm saying there's something special about that audition. You leave the room and I'm like, I don't know what that was. I want her in my show. I want her in my show. I want that move. Because it's gonna be fun to watch.

Oh boy. Half signing, sobbing. It was so, it was just, yeah, it was a clusterfuck of beauty. No, but like this is the Natasha Rothwell thing of I'm gonna power through, and it's gonna be compelling enough and you're gonna fucking gag and love it.

You know what I mean? If there's anything about me, it's like it takes a lot for me to give up generally. And to the point of like, and I think it's also my brain, I'm neuro-spicy a lot. And so I love solving problems. So like a no or like some, like I'm just like,

oh, that's just, I'll figure it out or I'll work through it. That's an obstacle currently. Yes. But it will not be the definitive answer. Correct. But to be neuro-spicy and to be like collaborative is killer combo, I feel. I think, yeah, it's a one- to punch, but I also have learned more of myself

in my 40s. It's like I'm now a boundaried baddie because I know that I've recharged solo and I knew that before, but I am a people pleaser, recovering people pleaser. So like I would exhaust myself, as I'm sure you know, it's just like I will give until there's nothing left. I think we all understand that. Yeah. When did you clock that and adjust that? I want to say in my 30s,

I felt that, well, SNL kind of happened in my mid 30s. And it was around that time where it was just like, I, you know, you understand when you're on the show, you have to promise them everything. And making time for other people came at like a cost. And so it was one of those things of like, I could hang out with you and make you feel good and I would feel good for making you feel good, but then I would be like a shell of a human tomorrow. And so having to make those calls. And then I think it's still taken me,

I mean, I'm still in the process of releasing the guilt I have for choosing me. And do you know what I mean? So like, even though I've learned how to do it, it's still like not letting go of that guilt and consider myself worthy of, you know, the choice. But the guilt probably, and this is not like me saying this in a dire way,

like I've learned to just not accept it, but live with it because it's gonna regenerate itself You know, the choice. But the guilt probably. And this is not like me saying this in a dire way. Like I've learned to just not accept it, but live with it because it's going to regenerate itself with every interaction, with every choice you make for yourself. It comes with that little tax. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah. That guilt tax. There's a guilt tax. There's guilt tax. And I think, too, like the the amount of guilt

tax you pay decreases the longer you're in therapy. Oh, yeah. So for me, the more I've worked on myself, I used to have to pay a heavy toll, and now I pay a lot less. And maybe I'll have an easy pass at one point, and I won't have to worry about it. But then they'll throw congestion pricing on you.

I know. Yeah. It's impossible. It's impossible. It's impossible. That is, I think for me it was like, it was honestly the pandemic. It was being forced to be alone that made me realize like, maybe I've always needed this.

You know what I mean? Listen, I was three months in and I was just like, I'm good. Yeah. Do you remember feeling like that? I was like, oh wow, okay. Yeah. And then you deal with the that? I was like, oh wow, okay. Yeah. And then you deal with the anxiety of when things lifted,

I remember feeling like, am I crazy and weird for feeling like I don't want to necessarily go back to the life I had because I was exhausted all the time. Because I think that it also connects back to us having to grind so hard. Yeah, baby. Like, I think that we all have different experiences of not being in exactly the mold of what was, you know, out there being shown as like a successful comedian,

whatever it is. Yeah. And I remember feeling like, oh, I have no choice but to exhaust myself. Yeah. Because they won't just give the opportunities. There will be someone that they see in a more one-to-one way. So all of a sudden, your wheels have spun so fast in your 20s and into your 30s, and then something says,

like, hey, cosmically, we're stopping. And then it's like, that was when I was like, oh, thank God I'm in therapy, because I have to deal with the fact that I don't want to rejoin society. Yeah! Hmm. Yeah. Hmm. Hmm. Interesting. But wait, so would you say that it's like

an opposite track in terms of like what Mel goes through and how to die alone? It's like, this is someone who wants to sort of like break out of her solitude in a way. Yeah. Right? I think it's also, I basically wrote the show as kind of like a love letter to that unhealed version of myself where it's just like, I don't even know if she knows herself enough

to decide what it is, you know? Like so it's breaking out of the comfort of the known and going into the unknown. And I think in doing that, it's not guaranteed that you're gonna love it. You know what I mean? Like you might hit, and that's why we always called her like our human Roomba. Like you hit wall after wall after wall, but you're still getting your shit clean.

And so like for her being able to like make those mistakes and like take risks and figure out if she is a people person You don't know if you don't allow people in your life. Yeah, I do think that like aspirationally I attacked her affinity for being around people onto the character because for me I Love people, but I'm a small dose girl. Yeah. Yes, like I love give me like y'all to Conversation I will talk for eight hours. Mm-hmm, and then we'll be good for a little bit Like I love, give me like y'all two conversations. I will talk for eight hours. And then we'll be good for a little bit.

Yeah. And that's perfect. And that's perfect. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, 100%. A room full of people like don't need it. See, how were you the other night than at Vanity Fair, when we saw you?

Like, cause that, I get really anxious about those things. And then I find when I'm there, I'm okay. And I'm actually like, there's even enjoying it sometimes But it takes me a lot to drag ass there. I Okay We love we love being there so I loved being there My default is not that environment of course and

My default is not that environment. Of course. And so I park myself towards the entrance and I people watch. That's kind of my happy place. Yeah. So I was just watching the, like the looks come in, watching the people, watching conversations. And I tend to default in any environment,

not just high stakes Oscar weekend parties. I want to find a corner. I want to watch. And then I want to find like a person or a couple of people that I'm going to have probably an oversharing conversation, you know, like, yeah, whatever, like, let's get in. So what about your father? Yeah. You know, like type of conversations and anchor anchor.

Yeah. And so I went there, I took a propranolol because they did blocking. So that way my nerves don't get the best of me. I brought the director of development of my production company and she was tasked by, she was tasked by my publicist to make sure that I did turns around the room. Yeah.

Oh, that's an amazing accountability. Can we make sure that Natasha does at least some turns? Just turns around the room. So I would sit there and then she'd be like, you ready to go do a lap? And I'm like, okay. And then I do a lap. That's Austinian as fuck. It is, right? A turn around the room. Yeah. So I would sit there and then she'd be like, you ready to go do a lap? And I'm like, OK. And then I do a lap.

That's Austenian as fuck. It is, right? A turn around the room. A turn around the room. Turn around the room. I should have said that as the pop culture that changed my life, the miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. Absolutely.

But now Greece wins. But Greece is, I mean, first of all, connecting Greece as Austenian is important. I feel like I did some work just then. You did. What you did was you taught the children. I taught the children. And it's been a while since we genuinely taught the children. We have not taught the children a long time.

We haven't taught the children. We're just chasing the new and now it's like, no, let's go back and teach them. OK, so you did you did a couple. You did a walk about the room and it was good. It was good. And it's it's I don't. This sounds so like fucking twee and like, oh, I'm like, I'm gonna go out the room and it was good. It was good. And it's, I don't, this sounds so like fucking tweet and like, ah, I'm like, but it was so cool to see people that I've only ever seen on TV and film. And like, I'm not someone who fan girls,

because I do feel that there's a distance between me and them, even though I'm in the same room. And this isn't some kind of like, woe is me like, you know, imposter syndrome bullshit. It's really just like you reside on that stratosphere and you're allowed to be there and I just my joy is just observing, you know. So that was my journey that night was just like watching. I did go up to one person.

You'll never guess one person out of all of the people there. I didn't approach anyone but this one person. Is this someone... I'm trying to think who we saw. Is this someone who has been around for a while? A long time. Okay. I'm going to say Billy Crystal.

Oh, was he? No. Because now I'm thinking, because honestly, what I'm realizing is that we did what you said, but it was with Jon Hamm at the bar. Oh, right! And so, we were so happy to just park with him. We were like, hi! And so now I'm realizing I didn't see a lot of people, so I can't even guess,

so I'm just going to throw out a guess and say, Lithgow! No, John Waters. Oh, John Waters was there? So he was there. Oh my God. So University of Maryland, Maryland girl, Tracy Turnblatt, she was a fatty baddie

before I even knew I could be one. And he was standing there in his suit with the mustache drawn on, pink huge sneakers. So handsome. And then all these like gorgeous starlets were just walking past him. No. Not knowing that he was, and so he was by himself.

And I was just like, just do it, Natasha, just do it. You can go up to him, just do it. So I go up to him and I was like, excuse me, Mr. Waters. And he's like, yes. And I was just like, my name is Natasha Rothwell. I'm a huge fan. I went to university in Maryland. He was like, Maryland, Baltimore, I love it.

And I was just like, and I just thank you for Tracy Turmlett, like that and everything. And he was just so warm. And then I just kind of like stood there and then ran away. That's such a good moment. I love that moment. I mean, he's such an icon. Yes. Such an icon.

Walking, talking icon. So that was like a cool moment. And I felt like he felt like he was even though he wasn't against a wall, but he was like by himself on his phone. I was like, oh, I see you. Yeah. Even you, John Waters. Even you are just like, yeah, parked, parked. You know what I mean? Yeah.

And hairspray, by the way, like in obvious ways and also in spiritual ways that are like not as obvious. Yeah. Compendium piece to Greece. I guess. You know what I mean? Absolutely. I think that like they both dealt with different eras, obviously. And I feel like the. Yeah, yeah, just the culture of Baltimore. He just was such, he's the, you know, the grand poet of Baltimore.

Could be Poe, but I think it's him. It's him. Yeah. Wait, okay, but this is the thing. Like the distance that we feel at these events between ourselves and like the people that are walking by, it like, it works in every direction. Because I was saying this on our last episode,

we were just talking, chatting it up. I think it was right before I saw you, we saw you, the person who ran up to me and tapped me on the shoulder and was like, oh my God, thank God you're here. You'll never guess. Yeah. Megan Thee Stallion.

Shut your mouth. She was like, oh, she was like, hey, oh, hi. Oh my God, thank God you're here. I don't know anybody here. And I was just like, oh, she was like, hey, oh, hi. Oh my God, thank God you're here. Like, I don't know anybody here. And I was just like, Meg, what are you talking about? Like, I'm your comfort. Titty out, Meg. Titty out, Meg.

She looked amazing. I turned around and I looked at her and I just go, period. And she goes back. You just went, period. Yeah, and that was our hello. I saw her come in and I was just like, oh my god. The nipple cover.

But I feel like everyone, I mean, I feel like that level of like social anxiety feels so unique, right? Yeah. And it's hard to accept that someone else like her is like, oh my god, I might've said the wrong thing. Right. Or just like, my areola showing?

Like, you know, like, there, mine was. Page six. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Wait, that's, there's a little, there's a little slip, but it was fine. But no, I feel like I have, my mind just runs a mile a minute,

and to know that someone like her is also a head case, it's kind of, it's nice, but it's hard to understand. That's what you have to remember is it's like, not only are these all human beings, but they're also human beings who are in the arts. And at one point, like we're just like the weirdos that wanted to be accepted, et cetera. And this is a big night for pretty much everyone. Of course, you know, somewhere in the crowd in there, I'm sure we had our like major ego narcissist, but like not that we talked to, you know what I mean?

It was kind of nice. Yeah. Ugh, we're so done with New Year, New You. This year, it's more you unbumbled. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one filled with show tunes. More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you dating with intention

because you know what you want. And you know what? We love that for you. Someone else will too. Be more you this year and find them on Bumble. Is this a good time? It's me, Dylan Mulvaney, and my dear friend Joe Locke from Heartstopper and Agatha All Along is my very first guest on my brand new podcast, The Dylan Hour.

It's musical mayhem and it is going to be so much fun. I like a man. You like a man. What do I like, Joe? You like a man too. We often- We have quite a similar- There's some cross-pollination happening in here. Not like- No! Have we? Noollination happening in here. Not like...

No! Have we? No. No. Not yet. Never say never. I cannot wait for all you girls, gays, and theys to join me on this extremely special pink confection of a podcast.

There is so much darkness in this world and what I think we could all use more of is a little joy. Listen to the Dillon Hour on the iHeartRad radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Love ya! Have you ever wondered if your pet is lying to you? Why is my cat not here? And I go in and she's eating my lunch. Or if hypnotism is real? You will use a suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive control. What's inside a black hole? Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe. Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast, Science Stuff.

Join me, Jorge Cham, as we tackle questions you've always wanted to know the answer to about animals, space, our brains, and our bodies. Questions like, can you survive being cryogenically frozen? This is experimental. This means never work for you. What's a quantum computer? It's not just a faster computer. It performs in a fundamentally different way.

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and then a photo of the person suspected of killing her. And I was like, what? Like it was him? I was like, oh my God. It was shocking. It was very shocking. I'm Jen Swan. I'm a journalist in Los Angeles and I've spent the past few years investigating the story behind the viral posts and the extraordinary events that followed. I started investing my time to get her justice. They put out something on social media so I'd get calls in the middle of the night all the time. It's like how do you think you're going to get away with something like this?

Like you killed somebody. It's the story of how and why a group of teenagers turn to social media to help track down their friend's killer. This is their story. This is my friend Daisy. Listen to My Friend Daisy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. [♪ Music playing. [♪ Music playing.

Bringing it back to the White Lotus, what I love about it too, is it feels like Mike really gets together people who are freaks in a way. It's like, it feels like a theater troupe in a way. It's not like a collection of celebrities. Like, of course there are those names that you kind of just know that pop out like you're Jennifer Coolidge or Aubrey Plaza That feels like there's moments of like oh you're Parker Posey like we know who she is like Gaggins But what I love is that it's giving it's like a community of people who are you know as actors Yeah, artists and giving them the platform to now be tearing it up

on the most popular show in the world. It's so insane because truly season one was meant to be a limited series, one and done. And so for it to be what it is now, you would think it would change the recipe, but Mike has not changed it. It's like theater camp. Like you go there and every single person there

loves the craft. They use words like the craft. And like being able, I remember when I got to set, just flew in, crashed that night, walked down to set just to watch, and I stayed and to watch the girls, they were shooting their first breakfast scene, the three ladies.

Ash was like, oh, I'm just watching Masterclass. Like, I'm just like watching them cook. It was so cool to be like, oh yeah, we're back. And it felt like the same pure show that I was on originally, it's the DNA, everything is still there. Even though they got a bigger budget, you know what I mean?

And more cast members, but like each person, I mean? But like, yeah, totally. And more cast members. But like each person, I mean, like you said, everyone's a freak, everyone's obsessed about what they do, and each of them brings something so special and unique. I mean, I'm working with Leslie Bibb now, and I was watching her process, and I'm like, wow, I didn't. I was like, she really has like this amazing process,

and she's so excellent. And then I obviously knew she was cast in White Lotus, but I'm watching White Lotus and I was thinking back to, you know, watching her do what she does. And I'm like, this has to be like such an exciting environment because you know, that's the way Carrie Coon does it. Like, I'm loving Michelle Monahan on the show. And also, again, like the idea of the very specific examination of three old friends on a vacation.

Like it's one of my favorite storylines. I told Mike when I because I binged the whole show when I got all the scripts. And so and I know it's one of the first things I was just like, you have embodied yes, adult female friendship in a way where I'm just like, it was uncanny and something specific, adult female friendship in a way where I'm just like, it was uncanny.

And something specific, so specific about one of them being a TV star. Oh God, right, right, right. That's paid for it. Yes. Which I feel like, and now that we're getting to the point where it's like, you kind of get the sense that she's, you know, gonna maybe use that or something.

Might bring it up. Might bring it up, like might do the big boss vacation friend thing. It's getting so thick in that way. And just like the way that she ticks and the way, I can't decide, and this is a huge testament, like I'm talking to some people who are like, oh, those women really hate each other.

But then I'm like, no, I think they really love each other, but I'm just frustrated by the way Life has changed them. Yeah, and they're I think they're all really trying to connect with each other I don't think that it's a of course They've got their envies and jealousies and like their own personal insecurities, but I don't think we're watching three women that hate each other Well, I think that like and I don't know if you guys find this, like when I go back home for the holidays or whatever, you revert back to the version of yourself when you're around people who knew you when. Thank you.

And so I feel like what we're seeing is them in high school and middle school behaving with or trying to communicate with their actions instead of their words. Right. Yes. And so there's this passive aggressiveness. And I think it looks like a lack of emotional intelligence when they all possess it, but they're opting not to, I think, because they're when when these three are gathered, they turn back into the versions of their self that felt jilted,

that felt like they did everything, that felt like their beauty was all that there is. And so watching them play those subtleties. And then the tension is they're trying to, like, resist who they were and become who they are. And then they're also all trying to become something else. Like, they're trying to grow together. So it's, like, such an interesting intersection of all of those, like, all of that tension, you know?

Well, like, when they go into town and they get, like, hosed down by these kids... I love that. It kind of is the reset for the or no It's like them being shoved back into adolescence in a way like yeah picked on and then the rest of that day plays out in a way where they're like trying to like Compete for like male attention. Mm-hmm. And that feels like the most dangerous treacherous Teenage circumstance.

And it's so well crafted in that. I mean, from the first episode, her single sob like a child. That's my favorite. I mean, she's, let's forget it. And then like Leslie, like in that episode where it's revealed that she's got, let's just say political differences. And the way she like looks at them longingly,

but there is such a disappointment in herself. Like, are they right? And I think that that's something that's really jumping out towards the end here is they are returning to a childlike state. Like, every single time it's insinuated that they're old. The way that Michelle, like her line readings of panic about, like, what are you talking about? We're not old. We can still have fun.

Yeah. To the point where they're going to push, they're going to push each other into a situation that is truly dire and uncomfortable because youth is all that matters to her or that she's been told that that's all that should matter to her. That's right. That's right. And there's just, it's really, he's done it again, if you can believe it. Yeah. How are you and John, I'm curious,

how are you guys playing those interactions? Because there is palpable fear from you. Yeah. And I'm feeling it watching from home, like, oh my God, no, Natasha, like you're... Terror. It's terrifying. Yeah, and it's also, I think...

So we had him on set the whole time, but it was a secret. So like, he hung out with us, but it wasn't a ton in the beginning. And like, it was just like trying, like all that kind of stuff. And so I think being on set with him was always a treat because I was like, oh, I get some John time today. You know, like, you know,

cause he was off exploring or doing whatever. And he is such a chameleon that like in those moments where he's just like looking at me and then he kind of tilts his head and smiles. It's just like my like. So it just works on you on like a primal level. Yes. Okay, great.

Like feet and also it's just like, it preys upon all of sort of like my natural inclinations to like be liked and wanted and like, why does he hate me? And like, what does he want to do? And like, you know, how can I fix this? And like, like oh he's a bad guy and like well do you want to hurt like there's she's filled with fear and curiosity at the same time and that tension is where she's living which is just like no way to be and um john is just so and he yeah his character is so antithetical to who he is as a person. And so when he just plays those,

when he comes out and surprises me, I watched it and screamed along with myself. That's how much I was like, oh! I was like, there he goes, yeah. Wow. So just to like ask about Mike White as a director, because like he does everything, but I feel like I'm very curious as to the process of like the scene work,

because that is what I think is so amazing about the show, is the dialogue and the scene work and the small things. Yeah. Is he encouraging of any improv? Like, I would imagine with you, someone that's got such a strong background and someone that he trusts and has done this, like, or is it kind of clinical on the page? Because I could see it being either.

He plays. So we're... There's a scene in next week's episode I won't spoil anything seven you mean It's not seven. It's seven if it's up through six we can talk about talk about it. Okay, then I won't talk about it Okay, but what I will say there are moments where I improvise and there are moments where he Wants to get it as written but will give you direction to play with it. A fun run. A fun run.

Yeah, but he, it's less a fun run. It's more just like, he wants options. And I remember I told the cast this because like he's unlike any director I've ever worked with. And again, just being such a people pleaser and you know, the ever the good student. If you give me a note, I'm gonna do that note. Yeah.

And I will not vary from that. And so like he will come in and give like a completely opposite note. And so I take that as I totally fucked up that last note. And I remember talking to him about it, like season one. And he was like, no, I just want options. He's like, you know, did I want options? And so and I also know him to be the kind of director like he's not going to move on until he has it.

And that's the benefit of like being directed by the guy who's also working alongside an amazing editor, John Valerio. And John Valerio, he's on set, so the editor is there with you. So they know, oh, we got that. So I had to take my ego off the table. And that allowed me to work with him as a director in a way that felt like I was having fun. Because I was like, I could play around and he also knows like my improv chops.

And so, and some of the scenes where Belinda's like, you know, having a little bit of a comedic moment, he was like, have fun. I'm like, all right, let's go. That is where the comfort and the trust lies in terms of an actor and a director where it's like, you're not gonna move on until you're happy. And that way I'm comforted in the knowledge that like, you got it.

Like that you have what you need. It takes a minute to learn that though. You know what I mean? Because I think, and maybe this again speaks to the fact that it was a lot of self-grinding and hard work in so many different areas. That there is, tends to be, I think, especially when I was like, first starting out booking jobs. I don't know how you guys feel, but it was really never enough in a way that I realized at one point was actually hurting me, not helping me. Like it wasn't helping me to walk away from every setup being like I didn't do a good enough job because also people can see that and what they're thinking as a director is oh, they don't trust me.

They don't know that I got this. When that relationship is one of the most important things. And yeah, when you learn that. And that confidence, yeah. Also just like, there's that inner critic, right? That I've had to wrestle my whole life of just like that not enoughness in literally every aspect of my life. And I feel like the place that I've gotten to,

I have such confidence in my creative and professional life and that is trickling down into my personal life. But it took me a long time to be able to, for example, create an award winning critically acclaimed TV show and have it canceled. And to be like, I did that shit. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? Like I don't know where- It broke down.

I don't know where it broke down, but I can look back at what I've done with a sense of pride and not enoughness. And that was a moment where I was just like, oh, a bitch had some growth. And that's a true test. The speech at the Indie Spirits was, I like stood up. Yeah.

You know what I mean? Yeah, it was. I mean, how the dissonance of like accepting the award for a show that's canceled. It was just kind of like, right. It all came up. But I think that like that that not enoughness, I think when I reacted to that news, I obviously had feelings, but when I was able to. Yeah, the the boomerang back, you know, just being able to come back to myself and know that, like, I did what I was supposed to do and there's circumstances out of my control.

And sometimes things aren't fair. Yeah. Yeah. But you take this and you and it extrapolates forward into like the rest of your career. I can't wait for who the fuck did I marry. Thanks, babe. I'm so excited. It's gonna be fucking, I mean, that is, what a saga. It was such a saga

and there's so much more you don't even know. Oh my God. Are you talking to Teresa? Yeah. Okay. That's the homie. I love it. Yeah. I love it. And it's so lovely and Marty Noxon,

who's a part of- The best. The legend. Unreal. Yeah. Unreal. Let's a legend unreal. Yeah, I'm real Let's talk about unreal. Can I can we though? Yeah when I moved to LA I went to my very first like LA thing I did I went to an FYC panel for unreal. Who was there? Appleby that should have been an enemy win like that was that was amazing constant simmer I was the whole cast constant is everything but she's with me, we're co-creating. And so she's kind of like, and she's, yeah,

her writing and everything is incredible. And she'll tell you, she lived a similar story. So like her, she's such a value add. But yeah, hopefully we'll be bringing that soon. I love it. Wait, I've always been curious. I've never gotten to ask you about this. And now I'm like a new weeb, as they say,

like a new otaku. Like I went to Japan for the first time and I'm like, this is my place. But what was your time in Tokyo? Like it was so different because you were working. It was like a different time in your life. In my, I was 26, 27 when I got there, I was teaching English part-time.

I started performing at the Tokyo Comedy Store, which is like their version of Boom Chicago. Yeah. Yeah. Where it's just like they had expats performing for a lot of like largely expat audience. It was wild. I was black in Japan. Barack wasn't in office yet. He got elected that year. And I just remember like riding my bike around town and people shouting like Obama. Oh my God. And I just remember like riding my bike around town and people shouting like, Obama! And I would just like, I just like waved. I'm like, yes!

Like I was just like owning it. Oh wow. People would even pre his inauguration, like people would take pictures with me, pull my hair. Oh no. And just like, but I didn't mind it. Okay. I didn't mind it because it came from a place of curiosity

and it wasn't steeped in the fucking like trauma response that is living in America as a black person. Do you know what I mean? So like, it was just like, people were just like, oh my God. How long did it take for you to like have that understanding of like, oh, this is just a curiosity? Pretty quickly, because it's such a homogenous country.

And the only kind of like racism that I peeped, it was like, if you were African American, they were cool with you. But if you were from the continent, they were kind of like a little suspicious. And I didn't know that because one of the guys that I was working with at the school where I was teaching, he was African American, but he looked like he was from the continent. And we were going

to this like karaoke bar and they wouldn't let him in. And we were just kind of like, well, what's going on? He's like, I know this happens sometimes. Let's go to another one. So that was wild. But I loved it. Like the I had the best time. I loved it. And I was obsessed with it. And then towards the end, it dawned on me. I was like, the reason the toilets are so clean and all that shit is because, the reason why everyone knows where they have to go and fall in line is because it's homogenous.

Yeah. And like, is that like a worthwhile thing to aspire to? You know what I mean? Here's what I'll say about that. I don't aspire to homogeneity, but I think when you are in an environment where you are othered, you see yourself more clearly. I felt like I was wearing polka dots to a stripes party.

Everything that I was trying to run from, I saw more acutely. And for me, being in an environment where I felt so seen and so watched, it was just like, okay, bitch, audit who you are and who you wanna be and how you present yourself. And I think that like, while it's not ideal,

I do think moments of homogeny can remind you of who you are and require you to show up for yourself. And I think that when I was there, you know, I was so, you know, I had lived in DC, graduated from University of Maryland. I knew I wanted to go to New York, but I was terrified. I was like, I know, I had lived in D.C., graduated from University of Maryland. I knew I wanted to go to New York, but I was terrified. I was like, I wanna live some life. So I did this like little adventure

and wherever you go, there you are. Yeah, truly, every time. And I feel like that's also like, White Lotus. That's White Lotus. I was gonna say. Yeah, that's White Lotus. Especially when you're on vacation, you're supposed to relax. Especially.

I feel like that's one of the greatest things about it is it really, It's the genius thing about the show, yeah. It picks apart the idea that it's like, okay, I'm relaxing and now I'm alone with my brain And I'm alone with these people who are close to me that I've elected to spend time with and their brain. With no tech I did that once for a week. I did a Buddhist meditation retreat for Four days, five days, four nights. How did it go? Withdrawals? Oh, yeah. This was like no, no techno speaking. Oh, I've heard of these. It's not I've heard of the no speaking thing. Yeah. Yeah.

No. And you do hear the thoughts more loudly or what? Like, what's what's going on? I felt like I was at like a rock concert. Fuck. Yeah. Because there was no way to. And here's what I did. So like, again, rule follower, before we entered the silence, you could ask questions.

And I was just like, books. I brought books. And he's like, no, because you're just like distracting yourself. And I was just like, so no books. No, like I'm trying to go through all things like I know no gadgets, but I was like, what are the tactile sort of like analog things I could do to like and he was just like journaling. That's the one thing that was permitted.

My hand was throwing up gang signs. I wrote so much. I was like cramping because I needed to have some place to put it. But I will say, it was clarity. Clarity, time's 10. It was amazing. Eventually you got there. Eventually I got there.

Like kicking and screaming, clarity. And then now I'm also just like glued to my phone again. Of course. One of the most anxiety inducing scenes of all of White Lotus so far, and I obviously it was because it was the first scene and I was like waiting to see what was happening, but when Zion was sitting in meditation I was just like, it always just it makes me anxious. I know. People always say like, you know what you need to go? Yeah, go home and meditate. I'm like, see you're driving me. And I also think that there's something to that in the whole show.

This idea of what happens when you sit with yourself. Are you even able to entertain that idea? And I just think those themes are becoming even more clear as we get to the end. Like, who are you really? Who are you really? And it's just reconciling who you want to be and who you are. And I think that's a constant struggle. And I think the more you resist the truth of who you are and don't adjust your

your aspirations to be in line with who you are. That's just where the tension lies. I think Mike does that so beautifully in the show. You have all of these people like hitting who they are like head on. Yeah, I mean, it's just really interesting because in now thinking about this thing of like the absence of tech and all that stuff, it's like it's a place that's asking you to let go of all those things. And now we have, you know, the older Ratliff gentleman like panic as he can't communicate

needing to do that to like get information and it's driving crazy Parker has lost her drugs. You know what I mean? She's gonna be without her things I think honestly Patrick Schwarzenegger No one wants to fuck him in that entire place and he's got this like thing in his head That's where his power lies and his like, you know vitality and yeah Prowess and he's just getting all he can get that from is his goddamn brother. And it's just been a really interesting, specific test of all those things. Yeah.

I mean, and it's, I think too, like with each of them, you see the ugly coming to the surface. And I feel like with Zion played by the very symmetrical Nicholas different Man it was a very like Edible complex Episode I turned to Greta and I was like when he gets out of this water, it's gonna be on the site It's gonna be something else and low and bold.

It's gonna make it worse. He's like such a good dude. Sure, lovely actor. I remember saying to him, we had dinner like the first week we got there and I was just like, you were too symmetrical to be this nice. And I was like, what?

And he was just like, what? I was like, no, I was like, a lot of guys who look like you aren't this nice. But no, I think like,, I think everyone's very ugly. Trust me, I've seen the block. You've seen that, you've done the tour. Yeah. Fuck, fuck.

But yeah, I think everyone's working on their shit, but I think with Zion, you see it's bringing his good out. Yeah. You know what I mean? He's rising to the occasion, so I do think that things that test us, they, yeah, they prove your mettle. I'm so scared about rising to the occasion. So I do think that like things that test us, you know, they yeah They prove your metal. I'm so scared about what's gonna And the thing is like it's like it would be one thing if we knew this was a show where like they wouldn't kill

That's not what this is. I mean we saw Jennifer Coolidge fall right off that boat and hit her head I screamed people think I knew. I had no idea. About that? No. So your insight into season two was nothing? Nothing. I was at home watching.

I'm like, I love this for her. And then like watching and yeah, when she fell off, I screamed and then. Perfect ending for that character, but so tough. And famously she's a, she hates the water being on it and gets famously seasick. They had a bedazzled bucket for her, season one, to puke into. So I remember saying to Mike, I was like, the cruelty of this moment, and he was like,

well, I had to ride, you know, she had to do it. And one of the most iconic scenes is the ashes in the water during the fantasy. I know, mother! Yeah, yeah, yeah. They put her on the water both seasons. Yeah. She's on vacation on the water for sure.

It's so funny. And Mike and her are like best on vacation on the water for sure. It's so funny. And Mike and her are like best, best, best friends. And so it's so funny. I'm just like, oh, Mike, you're going to have to pay back. Pay back. This is mean. I hope Belinda kills Greg. This is what I'm hoping for.

That's what I hope. I'm just comforted to like see you and be in the same space as you because I'm just like. You know I'm alive. Because I know you're alive. I'm here. Yeah, you're OK. Here.

I'm alive. Because I know you're alive. I'm here. Yeah, you're OK. Here. ["Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"] Ugh, we're so done with New Year, new you. This year, it's more you on Bumble. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one

filled with show tunes. More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you dating with intention because you know what you want. And you know what? We love that for you. Someone else will too. Be more you this year and find them on Bumble. Is this a good time? It's me, Dylan Mulvaney,

and my dear friend, Joe Locke from Heartstopper and Agatha All All Along is my very first guest on my brand new podcast, The Dylan Hour. It's musical mayhem and it is going to be so much fun. I like a man. You like a man. What do I like, Joe? You like a man too. We often- We have quite a similar- There's some cross-pollination happening in here.

Not like- No! Have we? No. No. No. Not yet. Never say never. I cannot wait for all you girls, gays, and theys to join me on this extremely special

pink confection of a podcast. There is so much darkness in this world and what I think we could all use more of is a little joy. Listen to the Dillon Hour on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Love ya! Have you ever wondered if your pet is lying to you? Why is my cat not here?

Am I going and she's eating my lunch? Or if hypnotism is real? You will use this suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive control. But what's inside a black hole? Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe. Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart Original Podcast, Science Stuff. Join me, Jorge Cham, as we tackle questions you've always wanted to know the answer to about animals, space, our brains, and our bodies.

Questions like, can you survive being cryogenically frozen? This is experimental. This means never work for you. What's a quantum computer? It's not just a faster computer. It performs in a fundamentally different way. Do you really have to wait 30 minutes after eating before you can go swimming? It's not really a safety issue. It's more of a comfort issue. We'll talk to experts, break it down and give you easy to understand explanations to fascinating scientific questions.

So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to science stuff on the iHeart Video app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine you're scrolling through TikTok. video app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine you're scrolling through TikTok, you come across a video of a teenage girl, and then a photo of the person suspected of killing her. And I was like, what? Like it was him? I was like, Oh my god, it was shocking. It was very shocking. I'm Jen Swan. I'm a journalist in Los Angeles. And I've spent the past few years investigating the story behind the viral posts and the extraordinary events that followed.

I started investing my time to get her justice. They put out something on social media so I'd get called in the middle of the night all the time. It's like how do you think you're going to get away with something like this? Like you killed somebody. It's the story of how and why a group of teenagers turn to social media to help track down their friend's killer.

This is their story. This is my friend Daisy. Listen to My Friend Daisy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Speaking of being here, we probably should move into I Don't Think So Honey, which is where we're all asked to be here and present in a 60 second takedown of culture that absolutely must occur. And I feel I need to speak to some

response that happens to the White Lotus this season. I just want to check. Oh, I want to check people and truly, I think, make a point about, let's just put you on the clock. Let me just put you on the clock. This is Matt Rogers. I don't think so, honey, it's time starts now. I don't think so, honey. People saying that the White Lotus incest this season

is too much. Where were you during Game of Thrones? You had nothing to say when it was heterosexual incest. And then all of a sudden, now that it's homosexual incest, now that we see some making out and some jacking off all of a sudden people are up in arms. I'm blotching their pearls. I'm sorry there was incestual procreation on Game of Thrones and you said nothing. Maybe you thought it was a little silly but you weren't like it's too much for me.

Close friends of ours saying that's disgusting. 30 seconds. I don't want to see that. I don't want to go there. This is White Lotus. You didn't think it was gonna go there? I don't think so, honey. You better love and enjoy. Get your popcorn out when these two men kiss because I am rooting for it. I hope they go all the way. 15 seconds. I hope we see these brothers make it to the altar together. I want the White Lotus to white lotus all over the place.

B-b-b-b-b-bam! Of course when I do that, I'm pretending to be two gay brothers who are doing it all over each other. Grow up! I don't think so, honey. And that's one minute. Ah-ha-ha! That might be my best one in a long time.

I can't follow that. I didn't know I had that in me. Matt Rogers, caper for gay incest on TV. I love it. Grow up. Cause all I'm saying is- You're right, there was not this much noise during Game of Thrones.

No. Certainly nothing even approaching it. Yeah, I think it's because like, you can't really project yourself onto one of the characters of Game of Thrones and be like, that could really happen to my children. Do you know, but like you're watching this, you're like, I might be dating a guy who did like,

Doctor's brother. You know, like, or like, there's all of these things. Yeah, I'm telling you, it's these, well, let me not, but let me, it's these families with a lot of money that things go back a very long time. That is where the weird stuff happens. Weird stuff happens.

It is no mistake that they are that kind of like family. And they're engaging in this type of thing. And what I'll also say is that the discomfort with it is, and this is very intentional I think on Mike White's part, and he's been like this from the beginning, there is a fascination with the male butt. And it makes people think of gay sex and the ick factor they're in. And I'm just saying that is the way we make love, get over it and grow up. And grow up.

Theory of the abject, you're you don't like it because it's poop is nearby. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Is that part of it? It's catalogical. It really is. It's catalogical and what I always think like is he doing a butt call for his male actors because it's always popping off. A butt call.

Adam Tarkin, we will not forget. Is he doing a butt call for his male actors because it's always popping off We will not forget I'm just saying like it's I see what that is. Yeah and therapy It's Shakespearean, right? Like to me, I feel like that's the cool thing about the motifs. He's using this season like it feels very Classical classical. Yes, I would agree and also I really appreciate that in the second season too with the opera of it all. Oh yeah.

Like I thought that was, there's really, and you kind of, it blows my mind that he can make these shows. Obviously there are White Lotus and they come with those themes. We of course have this very similar setup every season, but this like real commitment to and fascination with the culture surrounding the places he decides to explore I think is even more impressive than people realize.

Oh, this season is incredible. I've seen a lot of people who have a deep knowledge of Thai music history, of like the rock and the disco and all these different genres that have like moved through Thailand, like people being like, no, the way that they're using, the music supervising on the show is excellent. The way they're using Thai music is very, very, very,

like, sophisticated. Yeah. I feel like Thailand for me feels like a character on the show this season. Of course. And I think it's a beautiful love letter to the culture of Thailand. And I learned when I was there, I had no idea. They've never been colonized.

Oh, really? They've never been to war. And they call it the land of smiles. And so it's just the foundation of Thailand is this openness. And it's pervasive and it like the Thai crew was like, every Thai hand that touched this production was just like, did it out of love. And I've never been surrounded by that, you know, in the same way.

And yeah, I think that like from music supervision to all of the things. The performances, obviously. I mean, of course. And just like they tapped like Thai royalty to be a part of the show. I mean, Lalisa, of course. I think she's so fabulous. I just feel like, I mean, it's impressive. Yeah, this is segueing into mine. With that segue, I'm gonna whip out the phone

and say Bowen Yang clearly has and I don't think Sohoney today. Yours is about too much being said about something. Mine is about not enough. And with that too much not enough narrative, this is Bowen Yang's I Don't Think Sohoney. His time starts now. I Don't Think Sohoney, there should be a huge din

of conversation around Lalisa's performance in White Lotus Season Three. I'm not seeing enough chatter discourse about the groundedness with which she is performing this character. All the scenes between her and Gaetuck are so sweet. I'm nervous for that. Something bad is gonna happen there

and I don't like it. I don't like this feeling in me that I've been sitting with for weeks, but she is blowing me away. Obviously, Black Pink Stan, Lalisa Stan for life. She was someone that my starstruck moment at the Oscars was honestly walking past her as I was coming off presenting

and she was about to walk on for performing and we waved at each other and I was like, oh my God, Lalisa, that smile, that million dollar smile. I love Lalisa so much. Why aren't the gays talking about this more? Why aren't there more? You know, I just want to see the memes. I'm not seeing enough Lalisa so much. Why aren't the gays talking about this more? Why aren't there more? You know, I just want to see the memes. I'm not seeing enough Lalisa memes.

I'm seeing a lot of Parker. We love Parker. I'm seeing a lot of Patrick. We love Patrick. I need to see more. I need to see Belinda memes. I need to see Lalisa memes. And that's one minute.

And that's one minute. You know what it is? It kind of goes hand in hand with the thing of like, oh, this season feels slow, feels slow, feels slow. No, I feel like this season is the most cinematic yet because what is going to happen? And I know with Lisa, I know there's a twist coming. I know that there's going to be something that goes down with her character that like makes it bigger than it is. And I feel like because it has to be because it's her. It's just so exceptional. I know, I love her so much.

I met her mother on set. She's so down to earth. She's just real and so sweet and like just loves the craft of acting. And like is so, was so nervous. And she is like, she would, she would be out and about like if we were like, oh, let's go grab dinner here, whatever, mobbed by people. Of course.

Like in Thailand. The international superstar. Yes. Yeah. Like it was insane, like Beyonce level fandom over there. And she is so gracious and like kind and. But the acting is. Out of this world.

Out of this world. Well talk about someone who is used to working her fucking ass off. I mean, like, you know, have you seen the documentary? Yeah, like it's it's my sister made me watch it before. Before I went to school, I was like, I need to do some more research. I can't just listen to the music. It's like you need to watch the docs. Yeah, we saw them at Coachella.

It was like four machines. It was it was wild. And I mean, like a person like that. I would say like I say about Beyonce Yeah, don't put anything past someone that works that hard What does not least decide? I don't know. Oh, we need to find out. I mean Virgo as well. I mean I would feel like she moves like a Virgo. You know what I mean?

We need to find out. What are you? Can you guess? Wait, cuz I would have said Leo, but now as a result of this conversation. I don't know. Are you Scorpio? I'm Libra. You're Libra Okay, so we had Kate Blanchett yesterday and she was saying People who are Libras aren't necessarily as out and proud about their Libra-ness. Mm-hmm. Are you out and proud about your Libra-ness? I love my Libra-ness. Libra is not something to not be proud of. No, no, I love it But we were just saying like people Libras don't feel like they need to tell everyone they're a Libra.

Like, we're at Pisces and a Scorpio, and we're so loud and proud out here. My dad's Pisces, Scorpio, bestie. 100%. Yeah. Water signs, okay, she's an Aries. Oh! I like that!

There's a fire! There's a fire. I love that. I like that. In fact, I was looking at it- Ram forward. One of those like, you know, you know, swipe through Instagram things today that's like, here's what a cancer needs.

What? And it made a point about Pisces and Aries. So I might have to text Lalisa. I feel like you should. I'll get her information. She'll love that. Oh boy. She'll love it.

Okay. Is it time for your I don't think so honey or what? Oh God, I'm so nervous. Don't be. Do not be. You're made for this moment. Okay. Okay. This is Natasha Roth for your I Don't Think So Honey or what? Oh God, I'm so nervous. Don't be. Do not be, you're made for this moment. Okay.

Okay, this is Natasha Rothwell's I Don't Think So Honey and her time starts now. I Don't Think So Honey, stop asking me about White Lotus spoilers. First of all, the emotional labor black women have had to carry this country. I do not want a nary nother person asking me to drop the bag

that I have secured in an effort to make you sleep at night. It's not my job to make you sleep at night. You need to put yourself to bed. Stop asking black women to heal you. Watch the fucking TV show. Get your answers by watching the show like everybody else. Let me enjoy the fact that I'm on something that's exciting

and I don't have to walk around being worried that I'm gonna spoil something because you keep trying to sneak in questions. And do you really think you in the middle of Target that you sir, that I just met and don't know you're the one that's gonna make me give up the ghosties? No, kind of go fuck yourself and stop going in the 15 items or over line, you know you got 20 items.

You're a liar, I'm not, and I'm not telling you fuck shit about the show, watch. I don't think so, honey. And that's one minute, amazing. High energy. I don't think so, honey. I'm not gonna tell you. These are some high octane.

It's not gonna be you, man, and target. It's not gonna be me. It's not gonna be you, and it's not gonna be the man and target. Man man and target the bellboy, the guy and the cat. Like people have been harassing me. Well, it's like you want to tell them you don't want it. You don't want to find out this way. No, you don't want to find out this way.

Experience it through the viewing process, like the way it's meant to be. I think also White Lotus is harkening back to the way, you know, it's water cooler television. It's once a week and it's just like appointment television and folks are so gimme, gimme, gimme. They can't wait. You know what I mean? And so for me, I'm just like give into what this show is. You know, it's harkening back to like fucking Dallas. They had hour long episodes, you know, like being able to tell a story over time.

I feel like the anxiety of the culture is just like making people. Yes, you need more and more and more. And it gets people mean about it, too. Like, I find that that's obviously triggered down the online blah, blah, blah. Boring conversation about how Twitter sucks. But what I'm saying is we should be so lucky to be in a time when we have an HBO prestige show that is water cooler on every Sunday night. We are always living in a better world when that is the case.

Yes. And it feels like we had a golden age there and now we kind of like, you know, we're just, to put it mildly, we are eating right now. Yes. And so enjoy your food. Enjoy! Slowly bite. Slowly. Chew.

Swallow. Take time to digest because more courses are coming. And I'm not gonna be the one. Like, I like work too hard. No! I was like, if anybody's got loose lips, it's Parker. That's just true.

Yeah, I think she's already slipped. She's already slipped. What did she? No, wait, did she? She said suck. She was, I think it was unfalant or something. Someone came out and said, oops, I accidentally said something wrong.

Maybe this is about something else It's not on the checks text chain yet Maybe we'll cut this out, but I mean you've been sitting on this information for like a year at this point anyway, right? No longer higher longer higher Bob. So I got cast before the strike. Oh And I was sitting on it. We I was shooting How to Die Alone. Then they announced it thinking we were going to shoot that October. So I was the only one announced

and then no one else was announced. And for a whole year. Well, yes, well, no, that was, what was the strike? May? May through, I didn't shoot again until I got to Thailand in February Lord So I've been sitting on it for that plus so two years almost two years. Yeah, you're not gonna give up the ghost So we're not going to Target right now change

We're not going to Target right now. Change the policies. We're not. Change your policies. Change the policies. Change your targets. I will admit, I did go in yesterday to buy the exclusive Gaga vinyl. Oh!

But I think people on threads, at least, have given each other a pass. Yes. The little monster's been like, you can go to Target just to buy the vinyl. Yeah. But I've been proud of myself. My Amazon and Target shopping, way down.

How's the Chick-fil-A consumption? Chick-fil-A consumption is virtually gone as well. Okay, virtually gone! Virtually gone! Virtually gone as he picks chicken out of his teeth. Yeah, you smell like the filet. I'm proud of myself. It's not easy for me.

My addiction to both Target and Amazon, like obviously on the blackout day, I didn't. Yes, yes. This is real. It felt chic. It felt chic, but here's some shady shit. I had filled up my cart. Wait.

To press six. For 24 hours. Later? Period, press it. That's okay. Did you follow the blackout? I followed the blackout. I was like, today I'm not gonna press bye,

but tomorrow morning I'm gonna press bye. You better believe at the stroke of 12, I was like, all right. You were like, I'm gonna go. I was like,. I'm not gonna press bye, but tomorrow morning. I'm a press by you better believe at the stroke of 12 I was like alright You should have seen me driving around LA with two miles of gas in my car Oh, I was like I can't I was like getting where I need to go like on empty because you couldn't get gas that day Oh god, now. This is the truth Can you guess somewhere on two miles like how much do you want to black out? I wanted it bad. Oh

I'm proud of us. We are changing the world. Yeah one Economic blackout at a time. That's right. You certainly are worse. God. What a long time coming What a long time coming. We just so enjoyed having you here. I want to do this again No, you have to come back. So let's hang out without Mike's and I would love that. 100% so we can really say And not at an annual party. We will be the guys Okay, so I mean obviously why Lotus Sunday nights where I guess six episodes are out right now We're coming up on that finale obviously watch everything Natasha does because it's the best ever. I mean, we just adore you. Thank you so much for making time for us.

I love you guys so much, truly. Thrilled for you, so happy. No one is more like up in this, I mean, unfortunately you're like up on this pedestal, but the thing is you've been up on that pedestal for so long for us and you have never, ever, ever, ever disappointed us. And that's not pressure or anything. It's just our love.

It's pressure. No, it's just that we love you so much. Ditto. And just know that I am rooting for y'all so heavy. Everything you touch, now or will touch, I'm like, just know that I'm in your corner. And for me, watching what each of you guys do and how you have come together to like like it's just beautiful to see

especially in the comedy community that kind of support and I think that like What you do? I mean, it's it's smart. It's timely. It's needed and I'm just like I just want to keep putting a mic to you So that way your voices can continue to be amplified because the world needs you. Oh my god That is the kindest thing anyone's ever said. Thank you so much. It's just true. I mean, this is so meaningful and I feel we do end every episode with a song and people have been talking about how they haven't been hearing this enough, but when this theme jumped

out in the show, I was like, okay, I think this is Mike White telling us White Lotus is about to White Lotus. We all know the refrain. Woo do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do Las Culturas is a production by Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and I Heart Radio Podcasts. Created and hosted by Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Executive produced by Anna Hosniay. And produced by Becker Ramos. Edited and mixed by Doug Bae and Monique Laborde. And our music is by Henry Kibursky. Ugh, we're so done with New Year, New You. This year, it's more you on Bumble. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one filled with show tunes.

More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you dating with intention because you know what you want. And you know what? We love that for you. Someone else will too. Be more you this year and find them on Bumble. Have you ever wondered if your pet is lying to you? Why is my cat not here?

And I go in and she's eating my lunch. Or if hypnotism is real? We will use a suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive control. But what's inside a black hole? Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe. Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast, Science Stuff. Join me or Hitcham as we answer questions about animals, space, our brains and our bodies. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen

to Science Stuff on the iHeart video app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine you're scrolling through TikTok, you come across a video of a teenage girl, and then a photo of the person suspected of killing her. It was shocking. It was very shocking. Like that could have been my daughter. Like you never know. I'm Jen Swan. I'm the host of a new podcast called My Friend Daisy. It's the story of how and why a group of teenagers turn to social media to help track down their friend's killer. Listen to my friend Daisy on the iHeartRadio app,

Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In 2020, a group of young women found themselves in an AI-fueled nightmare. Someone was posting photos. It was just me naked. Well, not me, but me with someone else's body parts. This is Levittown, a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts, Bloomberg and Kaleidoscope, about the rise of deepfake pornography and the battle to stop it.

Listen to Levittown on Bloomberg's Big Take podcast. Find it on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.