Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang - "Mama's Singing" (w/ Mandy Moore)

Episode Date: March 21, 2024

The time has come. The sisters have been teasing this episode for weeks and we will finally get the answer to the most pressing question that has ever been posited on this podcast: was that really Mandy Moore's Xanga? Scoot to the edge of your seats, readers. She has arrived.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City are back. I love that. I love that. Oh my gosh. Welcome. And last season's drama was just the tip of the iceberg. You're recording us? I am disgusted.

Never in a million years after everything we've been through did I think that you would reach out to our sworn enemy. We were friends. How could you do this to me? I don't trust her. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Wednesdays at 9 on Bravo, or stream it on City TV+. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, five-year-old Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was found off the coast of Florida. And the question was, should the boy go back to his father in Cuba?

Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home, and he wanted to take his son with him. Or back to his father in Cuba? Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or stay with his relatives in Miami? Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Julian Edelman. I'm Rob Gronkowski. And we are super excited to tell you about our new show, Dudes on Dudes. We're spilling all the behind-scenes stories, crazy details,

and honestly, just having a blast talking football. Every week, we're discussing our favorite players of all times, from legends to our buddies to current stars. We're finally answering the age-old question, what kind of dudes are these dudes? We're going to find out, Jules. New episodes drop every Thursday during the NFL season. Listen to Dudes on Dudes on the iHeartRadio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Look, man. Oh, I see. Wow. Bowen, look over there. Wow, is that culture? Yes. Oh, my goodness. Wow.

Las Culturistas. Ding dong. Las Culturistas calling. Tactile. Tactile. This is one where I'm going to need to be tactile with my sister throughout. I'm going to be clutching.

I'm going to be clutching. I'm going to be clutching. I have to say, like, this really is a moment in podcast history. Not lost culture history. Oh, podcast history. I think this is someone who, well, gosh, we're just talking about our guest already. I mean, yeah, because usually Bowen and I will sort of catch up. But here's a peek behind the curtain. We went to lunch. So we did all that. We did all that. Bowen'sen and I will sort of catch up. But here's a peek behind the curtain. We went to lunch, so

we did all that. We did all that. Bowen's here in Los Angeles, really for this reason. Really for this reason. And you know, we might go to Universal Studios, so I might take Bowen to Super Nintendo World. Which is very exciting. That'll be big. That'll be very big. I'm happy

to support Universal Studios. NBC Universal. NBCU. We have an NBC Universal icon with us. We do in so many ways. But this is a, I think this is someone who is well regarded and respected and has gotten a lot of different things going in different parts of this industry.

Cross media conglomerates. Cross media. This is a Disney icon. This is an NBC Universal icon. Uh-huh. I'm imagining... I want to say... I want to say, like,

BBC? I think BBC would do well to... I'm sure there's been a BBC thing. Absolutely. They should court the guest. Because if there hasn't been a BBC thing, there needs to be a BBC project. Definitely.

There's been... Yeah, she's on BritBox somewhere. BritBox? I don't know that. They get all the British TV shows for Americans to watch. Oh, okay, great. Great. So can I ask about the BBC? Yeah.

So what is that? Like, it's sort of like, not NPR, like, is it public? It's British broadcast. I'm not the right person to ask I thought you would be an Anglophile having spent so much time there no

I need a little break from the UK got it a little bit I totally understand that and that's no that's no that's not knocking

an entire country especially like aren't we a little bit saturated with UK stuff right now this whole Kate Middleton thing is getting me out of hand all kind of confused.

Well, first of all, did you believe that that body double was her? Listen to that. You know what I think now. Well, apparently the body double has spoken. I don't know what she said, but I saw something today that was like, the body double has spoken. Did it sound like Kate? I think they just meant like, she has

broken her silence. The body double said, if I speak. What if the body double sounded like, hey, it's me. The body double has like Fran Drescher's voice. Sounds like a gay guy. Oh, Fran Drescher. Oh, it sounds like a gay guy. Which Fran kind of says, hey. Fran Drescher does kind of have a gay guy's voice.

That does kind of sound like a gay guy. That's your real coach number eight. Fran Drescher does kind of have a gay guy's voice. But I just. I who is a woman's soprano voice. Our guests. A celebrated voice. Can I say, I think underrated voice.

In some households underrated, I have only ever put it on a giant pedestal my entire life. Talk about the guest place in your life culturally from the ages. Oh my God. Of 7 and up. This is...

Is this uncomfortable? It doesn't matter. It 7 and up. This is, is this uncomfortable? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. We're not concerned about her comfort yet. She doesn't exist yet in the podcast space. So the thing about DVD culture,

VHS culture. Holy shit, here we are. Home video culture in general. I'm back. Pre-streaming, you really would have your rotation. Yeah.

Wouldn't you say? Did you have the five CD changer? Oh yeah, we had that. We had that for sure. I had our guest self-titled in the changer for sure. Like it was like in the spots. Self-titled was really like,

so real was like, okay. It was so real. Well, so real you're like, this is someone to watch. But then self-titled was like, here we go. Like, what are the influences here within my pocket? You know what I'm saying? That was on a now.

That was on a now. Remember the now compilations? That's how you know. When you get on now, that's how you know. That's how you know. You're of now. You're of now. That's the thing. Do they still make now? I think they still make now. That's rule of culture number 77. When you're on now, that's how you know you are of now.

And we've talked about coverage at length. At length. 77. When you're on now, that's how you know you are of now. And we've talked about coverage at length. At length. I really liked, which you can no longer find on streaming anymore, which is totally fine, Amanda Lee. But then the last two albums have been sublime as well.

And the last album was with The Husband! The Husband! Sublime musical artist and formative. And to say nothing of the acting career. And the reason why we even like went off the way we did was because we were talking about J-Lo as sort of multi-hyphenate icon. Yeah.

But our guest, it's really been there all along. J-Lo level. J-Lo level. And so. She shakes her head, but I don't. She shakes her head head but it's incorrect and I saw that out of my peripheral

and I'm not happy about it I'm not happy about the lack of respect for us of respect for respect yourself in our space you have to

here's what I'll say I believe my favorite movie as a child was A Walk to Remember this is what I was saying in the Days of Home video it was once a week

I would watch it yeah once a week oh yeah if you wanted Yeah. Once a week. Oh yeah. If you wanted to let it out. That was a sob fest. There's a line read of our guest and Shane West in the car and for some reason, two

syllables, one word. Go. Seatbelt? Telling Landon to put a seatbelt on. And we're going to get into that line reading. Jamie? I want to know, was that Shankman on set? Being like, hey. Hey, you got to tell Shane to put on his seatbelt. Hello, Adam.

Hi, Adam. I always see Adam Shankman at the Hollywood Equinox and he's always dancing on the floor. Yes. And then you go up to him and you're like, what's going on, girl? And he's like, I'm choreographing next week's episode of Drag Race.

At any given time. Oh my, he's choreographing. He is in the center of the Equinox Hollywood choreographing Drag Race. Oh, he's choreographing in the center of the Equinox Hollywood choreographing Drag Race oh he's so good at it anyway our guest has gone on

to become an Emmy nominee for This Is Us you can now stream Dr. Death it's out now on our streamer of choice Peacock

you've never been thriving harder Peacock congratulations on Vanderpump Rules being back I bet that's huge for you guys

have you been watching I have not I've really fallen off this being back I bet that's huge for you guys have you been watching? I have not I've really fallen off this season but I think it's probably just time it's time to bring it in and we've been buzzing all day in fact in the car I was just smiling to myself and I looked over and Bone was also smiling to himself and we were listening to Only Hope

and you are in luck everyone because today we are welcoming to the podcast the one, the only, Mandy Moore! We did it. Was that terrible? Was that okay? Honestly, that was one of the most, I'm sweating so much. I can't imagine. I'm in the same room while people are talking about you.

No. I'm so beyond flattered. You have no idea. I'm so thrilled to be here. We're so excited you're here. And now I feel like you have to take the moment that you've been wanting to take for years. Do we wait for later on in the podcast to work up to this question? Do you feel like you can wait?

I feel like we can. Wait, the Zynga thing, babe. Yes, but I think let's just like talk and catch up and then I'll work it in. I can't believe that you're not edging. Oh, I've waited like 20 years at this point. What's another like 20 minutes? I'm curious to find out, but all right. Okay.

Well, I think we got it out of our systems that episode where we really just like bust the doors open in terms of our Mandy love. And we're just like, oh my God. And to say nothing of like saved and like license to wed and how to deal. It's an endless list of accomplishments and stuff that you've done. Honestly, like I don how to deal. It's an endless list of accomplishments and stuff that you've done. Honestly, like I don't have words. It's beyond.

But don't you feel like it's like, I feel like maybe you, you just need to hear it more often from people. Do you hear it? No. No?

But that's okay. That's okay. I'm almost 40. I've been doing this since I was 15. I'm like, that to me is success. Like just having this kind of longevity, you know? Yeah, absolutely. I don almost 40. I've been doing this since I was 15. I'm like, that to me is success. Like just having this kind of longevity.

Yeah, absolutely. I don't know. It's so strange. Like literally, I told you, Bo, and I almost drove off the road because I listen to you guys every week. I'm like, all right, it's Wednesday. I'm in the car. I'm like running errands. And then I heard like it's Segway and I heard my name and I was like, wait, it was out of

body. I was like, are you, are they talking to me? Like I had this like existential crisis where I was like, I think they're just talking to me. Can everyone hear this? It was so bizarre. I was like, I wonder if like someone's going to hear and let her know if she actually does listen, because you never really know if this will be a shock and she'll drive off the road

and to hear that, that almost happened. I do apologize. No, no, it's okay. To and she'll drive off the road. Almost. And to hear that that almost happened, I do apologize. No, no, it's okay. To you and to everyone on the road. Yes. Who's also,

we have to think about too. Oh, no. Their safety. That's the thing. I hope we don't say anything too crazy right now because some of y'all are driving.

And I hope you're not watching this on YouTube while you drive. Please don't watch this on YouTube if you're driving. But you were like recording from the scene. You were like in the car.

I pulled over. You pulled over. Thank you for flagging that. Safety first. Yes. Sure. Do you identify as a good driver? I think I'm a conscientious driver.

Yeah. Sure. I mean, in LA, you have to sort of be defensive and aggressive. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Did you learn defensive driving? I learned defensive driving.

The only thing I remember is nine and three instead of 10 and two, which I don't think means anything anymore. Like your hand placement on the steering wheel. I feel like ten and two feels way too high. Ten and two is way too high. Yeah. But I feel like I've gotten flack in the past for like someone in the past being like, you're holding it at the sides. And I'm like, isn't that what you're supposed to do? I've never heard nine and three in my life.

I haven't either, but I feel like that's where my hands tend to go. Okay. I did 12 and hip. No, that doesn't feel safe. I did 12 and hip. That's defensive? And my hip. I let them have it.

What is defensive driving exactly? It's when you drive scared, honestly. It's like when you're just like- High alert. Truly high alert. Like stops, not just at stop signs, like stop most of the time, very much below the speed limit. Right. Yeah.

Because we all know it's culture that we can pretty much at all times go like five to ten over the speed limit. Sure, sure. Sure. Great. I was just making sure I wasn't all over. We all know. We're all in agreement. Yes.

This is the thing about you guys in LA. It's like you guys get to drive to work, which is sort of nice. It is. I kind of like that lifestyle. I like the routine of it for sure. But you probably are all over the place. Like when's the last time you shot in LA? Was This Is Us in LA?

This Is Us was in LA. Lucky. The best. Yeah. Sleeping in your bed every night. Like that is the gift of all gifts. Yeah. They don't do it anymore.

Dr. Death was New York? Was New York. Which was great. He's like the gift of all gifts. Yeah. They don't do it anymore. Dr. Death was New York? Was New York. Which was great. He's like the whole family relocated. It was so much fun. It was like a real adventure. But yeah, I mean,

there's no place like home. Being home is the best. I know. Do you like New York or are you like an LA girl? I love New York. Yeah. But I feel like I checked

that off the bucket list for now. Gotcha. I feel like it's a young person's town. I'm too old. I have kids. Like it's such a different thing to list for now. I feel like it's a young person's town. I'm too old. I have kids. It's such a different thing to be there now

with my family. With kids, it must be really different. Hats off to anybody who parents in New York. It is so much more difficult just to schlepping a stroller down the subway. There's so much that you don't think about here in LA. It's like you have a car and everything sort of exists in the car.

Yeah. It's different. It's your closet. It's your backpack. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Have you ever done Broadway or theater in New York? I would die.

I was just kind of thinking that. That's the ultimate. One day. Feels like such a natural one-to-one. Why hasn't this happened yet, I wonder? Not the right project. Sure. Have they come to you?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. First things that, like, just weren't quite right. And I was like, no, I got to save it. Totally. You know come to you? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. First things that like just weren't quite right. And I was like, no, I got to save it. Totally.

You know what? You'd be amazing doing. If they ever do. No. Well, yes. Baker's wife. You'd be great.

But if they ever did waitress. Oh, do they ever pitch you waitress? They have. They have. Yeah. And you didn't connect to it. I mean,

I do. I love it, but I was just like, the timing wasn't right. Totally. There's, you know, all those things have to sort of line up. If we came to you with a jukebox musical of your own work, not? I mean, I do. I love it, but I was just like, the timing wasn't right. There's, you know, all those things have to sort of line up. If we came to you with a jukebox

musical of your own work, not, I mean, that'd be crazy if never. Thumbs down immediately. What if it was really good? We have a really good story. If it was like, if it was like, if it was on a meta level, like really cool, like

it was Mandy Moore as Mandy Moore, like trapped in her own jukebox musical. And she's like, get me the fuck out of this. Oh, that's fun. That could be interesting. Yeah. I just came up with that off the top of my head. I like that. Okay.

And the music is sort of like more of like set pieces and helps tell the story of different points of life. Like a classic jukebox. But like in terms of like, I don't mean to speak in sweeping generalizations about your life and career, but it's like you have had all these different chapters and seasons that like it would lend itself very interestingly in terms of the variety of it. It's like you get a pop song here,

you get like a rock song here, you get like a- He's saying Taylor Swift stole eras from you. No, no. That's what you just said. That's what you just said. That's what you just said. I mean, like, it's just, I think I might write this. Okay, Bowen.

Honest to God. I'm so down to see anything. That means it's going straight to the Great White Wall. They're dying to give him a book, Tony. They're dying. A book, Tony, to me. To you, Bowen Yang. Oh, my God.

Here's the question, though. Like, do you have a song from back in the day? dying. To you, Bowen Yang. Oh my god. Here's the question though. Do you have a song from back in the day because I know my favorite and it's because it takes me back to literally my childhood bedroom because I want to be with you. It was so like, it allowed

me like, well, wow, like a little gay kid to like act out those feelings that you had to like not have or talk about with anyone. But like having a crush, like not to quote another one of your songs, which is literally that, but like that was like, I'm surprised that maybe people don't like tell you this more, but like very, very formative and memorable from like being like a kid experiencing that

song. Like it's very evocative and your voice is like always been so evocative. So it's not surprising that you did the Disney princess thing because you have such a color. There's so much color in your voice and you're such an actress. Like you've always been in the way that you sing. Louise, Louise, thank you. That's so kind of you. Well, I do mean it.

And like, I wonder if you have a song that's like from back then that like, if you had to sing it now, like you wouldn't be too mad. I love I Want to Be With You. Yeah, that's a great song. I feel very similarly to you that like, it really echoed what was happening in my real life. I was 16 when I recorded that. Like, it very much mirrored exactly where I was at that juncture of my life.

So I think back on it really fondly as well. Yeah, that's great. Yeah. I'm just thinking about how coverage was you were 19, 18 or 19 to like go into that endless vault of like I can really pick anything to cover. Yeah. But it was such a well curated set of songs that like at 19 is like incredibly wise beyond your years, as they say. I'm like, I've just always been curious about and coverage can lead us into the Zynga question because I feel like coverage was around when the Zynga popped up. Got it. So, okay.

But don't answer yet. But first I want to know like what went into, do you remember what went into like selecting those songs? Well, I knew that I was sort of at the end of my relationship with my record label. Like I had one record left to give them. And because there hadn't been like tremendous success, it kind of allowed me the freedom to do something like this. And just to come with them, like come to them with this idea, like I'm going to do this cover record. And then that's my obligation fulfilled. But I really loved this idea of taking music that I had discovered over those last few years and introduce it to people my age and maybe a slightly different package, you know, than the original songs. And then maybe that would influence younger people to like go and discover Joe Jackson and John Hyatt and Joni and Carly Simon and stuff.

I mean, it didn't necessarily work in that way, but it still exists in the world. And I'm like, I got to put out a record with like a Todd Rundgren cover. Like it was, it was so much fun. And I like checked that box with the label and said my goodbyes and like moved on. So it was, it was kind of perfect. Yeah. Classy. And that will also forever be such

a chic choice that's what I'm saying to have done was it two albums at that point three maybe three I think

so then you do this album that's this like your contemporaries of the time which everyone sort of was saying at the time it's like it's Britney

it's Christina it's Jessica it's Mandy Moore like you probably felt a certain type of pressure to like compete with them or that they were putting that on they were always in such a stratosphere like above me and

beyond me that I never felt that competition I always knew that I was like my record labels answer to them or version sort of but because they were so wildly successful and I never really reached it in quite the same way that it gave me more freedom. Like I didn't feel that intense pressure of like, now how do I follow up Candy?

It's like Candy did what it did, but it wasn't, you know, some of those, my contemporaries, like huge hits. And that allowed me to do stuff like coverage. Yeah. You know? Yeah. So can I now ask? Yes. Candy Moore, was that your Zanga page?

No. I was positive you were going to say yes. I'm sorry. I was so positive you were going to say yes. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Do you need a hug? Are you okay?

No, I'm okay. Wait, wait. Can you tell me more about this and tell me the year? I'll tell you whatever you want. So coverage was 2003? Yes. It was like 2003, I remember. Yes. I'm so sorry. The design was like,

it looked like it was from like the label had set it up for you. What is Zynga? Zynga was... It wasn't even... I literally tried to Google it and was like, I Oh my God. It was. You were going to know the platform. I literally tried to Google it and was like. No problem. I misspelled it.

It was. I was like, what is this? X-A-N-G-A. Okay. It was of the day of like live. It was actually a pre-live journal, I want to say. Okay. Like 2000 to 2003, four was like the heyday.

Yeah. So you would just have your, you know, this is back when the blogs were called web logs. Yep. Sure. And you would just like post an entry like a day. It was like your little digital diary. Every day. It was not every day.

Okay. Okay. Whoever kept this up. Okay. But can I just say the only thing that gives me pause is that I did like, I was very involved in like message boards and writing stuff. So I'm like, I wonder if this was something that I'm just because we're talking 20 years ago. Right.

If I'm just misremembering, like I would write something, send it to someone on the to the label or something and they would post it. Like I think it was back in the day where that was still like kind of rudimentary Internet. Right. I definitely wouldn't have known like really how to use that totally totally so because the phrase that you mentioned which was put it mildly did feel very on brand really yes so all of this gives me pause i'm like i didn't i don't remember zenga but i'm also like maybe i wrote stuff and Maybe you did. I did keep track of like, hey, I'm on set. Hey, this is what I'm doing with my day.

So there is something that feels vaguely familiar. I wish I had like a concrete answer. Yeah. It's a maybe. It's a maybe. Wow. Or it's like a Schrodinger's cat. Like it's kind of in this, it exists in this quantum state of like, yes and no.

I was going to say it exists in a quantum state. If someone out there is like, no, I'm going to come forward and say, I was the author. You know what I mean? But I have to say, if you are that person, you lock them up.

Because the fact that they were clearly shadowing you so closely that they had young impressionable children thinking that Mandy Moore was live journaling. This is exactly out of a Satoshi Kon movie called Perfect Blue, which I told you to see. It's this pop star who transitions from pop to TV. Oh, wow. This was like in the 90s, late 90s.

She transitions from a Japanese movie, animated movie. She transitions from being in a pop girl group to going on a television show. And then like one of her stalkers writes a blog, starts a blog writing in her voice. And she reads it and she kind of gets confused about like what her own experiences versus what someone else is like writing for her. To put it mildly. To put it mildly. But at one point, whoever this person was did write in your voice saying, all of you guys saying that it's not me in the comments. All of you guys not believing that it's actually me.

You guys are so silly. That was not me. Then it wasn't you. Then now we know for a fact. No, no, then that wasn't me. I'm dying. Isn't that?'s actually me. You guys are so silly. That was not me. Then it wasn't you. Then now we know for a fact. No, no, then that wasn't me. I'm dying. Isn't that? That is surreal.

So I'm sorry, are we all scared to death now? Like, did I just like put something, did I just really terrify us? Okay, great. This is 20 years ago. It is 20 years ago. But also like, how sad that someone would do that. I mean, the thing is though,

I felt a deeper connection with you, even though it wasn't even you. Like, what does that mean? You know what I mean? I think we, though, I felt a deeper connection with you, even though it wasn't even you. Like, what does that mean? You know what I mean? I think we're talking about a time, too, where you weren't just like famous. People were so famous. Like, I remember like when there was like pop idol worship of the late 90s, early 2000s. Yeah.

That had to feel cuckoo bananas. It did. But also, like, I feel like it would be crazier to be a young person finding success now now the access people have via social media it's like that's the difference like that was the only platform in which like you could receive communication from someone right besides like watching them on entertainment tonight or like on a premier red carpet or something or reading about them in a teen magazine once a month. Like there was so like little information out there about people that

we lived and died by like the little morsels that we would get. Yes. And now it's such a wild, different world. I wouldn't know how to navigate being a young person with like all of the just like just the content that's constantly out there there's no privacy there's no you know yeah right now instead of a morsel it's like everyone is expected to throw out like the full pig every full hog you know what I mean all the time constantly there's never enough to

satiate people yeah yeah and it also feels like even in the work like because back in the day it's like you could sing Candy or Britney could sing Baby One More Time or Christina could have Jeannie in a Bottle and it would just be like a song like a pop song and nowadays it's like you could sing Candy or Britney could sing Baby One More Time or Christina could have Jeannie in a Bottle. And it would just be like a song, like a pop song. And nowadays, it's like Olivia Rodrigo and like the young girls now. It's like it all feels like it has to be part of a larger narrative about them. And we're so aware of the narrative in a way that has to feel, I would imagine, at the very least, like a little disorienting, if not like very, very almost like dysmorphic in terms of your own image.

Correct. Yeah. That's such a good observation. Yeah. It's different. It's like, yeah, things existed in such a like particular box. and go to the Beverly Center with my friends or go to Universal Studios or like hang out and be a teenager and then like put the work hat on and be, you know,

have the adult responsibilities that my friends didn't have. I had like the best of both worlds where I just don't know if that's possible in quite the same way now. Not sure. Were they encouraging of you moving into acting or was that something that you were like,

I really want to do this? I really wanted to do it. Yeah. I don't think like record label was really aware. They didn't really care. Okay. But the other like folks in my sort of immediate orbit and my parents and stuff, like they all knew that that was something I had my eye on. Yes.

Yeah. Nice. Oh, I'll try to remember what was the first movie, right? Princess Diaries. Princess Diaries. Oh my God. Stupid Cupid. Oh God. You were iconic remember what was the first movie, right? Princess Diaries. Princess Diaries. Oh my God. Stupid Cupid. Oh my God.

You were iconic. You were the villain. The villain. You were the villain. Oh my God. Any memories from young Anne Hathaway and you on set in an adversarial relationship?

Hardly. I remember her like walking into the trailer always singing in the morning. Which I was like, oh. She was trying to flex on you, Mandy Moore. No, not at all. It was was like, She was trying to flex on you, Mandy Moore. No, not at all. It was just like, she was just sort of happy

and like, just like doing little vocal trills and stuff. Like, it was very, it was very cute. It was really cute. And then you had Sandra Oh yelling at you

to get off the thing. Oh, God. Iconic. Just the best. That's like the two people I love the most, just like interacting with each other.

And the movie holds up. And I guess now they're doing a third one you should absolutely come in people have asked me they're like so you're gonna be a part of it I'm like in what world

would that make any sense I don't know we can make a big choice where your character's like the president or something right just a big swing a huge swing

we should write that too we're gonna write that listen if there's not a script come on give us a crack at it please come on I mean we need it I'd watch that

we have to do it we have to do it we have to do it you would watch that and we're saying you would be in that one correct and you would maybe be in the jukebox musical

yes all of it anything you guys put your hands on I'm done I'm in good to know famous last words but wait so okay

you do Princess Diaries and then you have your first lead role which is A Walk to Remember so is it something where you even at that age are reading scripts talking about, I like this or I like that?

Oh yeah. Okay. And going on meetings and auditions and all of that for sure. Yeah. But I had read, of course, this Nicholas Sparks book. Yeah.

It was like targeted for someone like me, my age. And I was like, I have to do this. Yeah. So I had an audition and then I had a screen test with Shane and Adam, our dear friend Adam. And that was it. Wow. The book was period, right? It was.

It was in the 50s or 60s? The 50s, yeah. Oh, you know what? I think that that movie had such a strong hold on my attention at that time that I did read the book. And that was a big difference. It was in the past. Right. Yeah. Yeah.

Do you remember how long that shoot was? Was it like five weeks or is that? It was, I want to say maybe like two months, maybe a tiny bit longer.

Yeah. Yeah. In Wilmington, North Carolina was so much fun. There's nothing like, I mean, just the ending. Like,

I can't see it, but I can feel it. And then like cry playing it's so iconic so when you watch it when you watch that in the movie theaters are you like you kind of know I slayed that I'm a movie star no I just

it was such that experience left such an indelible mark on me it was like do you guys ever have that like summer camp experience where you're like I will do anything to rel like, did you guys ever have that like summer camp experience where you're like, I will do anything to relive that. And you just like push that bruise

just to feel it, just to remember what it felt like. Like that was the first experience I'd ever had with like, I don't know if anything's ever going to feel like this again. Like the people, the material,

like how much it meant to us. And then in turn for like young people specifically to find it and for them, for it to resonate specifically to find it and for them for it to resonate so deeply with them and continue to resonate like next generation after generation now it's somehow finding that film that was I'll just I'll never forget that feeling it's like you just you're like I'll chase that for the rest of my life feeling that way yeah I mean what is it about that movie I mean besides like the quality of it but there is some

invisible force there that drives someone like me to watch the commentary multiple times do you know what I mean I talked about this when we were gushing about you like you and Shane and Adam Shankman just not really even caring what's going on on screen just like

talking oh Daryl Hannah's wig is crazy in this shot it was what the hell was that I remember even at the time I was like this is this is bad doesn't feel human I think what it so clearly was

was the chemistry between you guys and you have you obviously it's a compliment to you but also like you seem to have really great chemistry with a lot of your, of course, a lot of your leading men. But like a lot of your co-stars, like you really do. You, you find a connection as a viewer and like almost everything you do, like you seem very like committed and connected to your scene partners. Thank you. That's, that is very kind.

Since the beginning. I mean, let's say Shane was a tremendously easy person to pretend to be. Thank you. That is very kind. Since the beginning. I mean, let's say, Shane was a tremendously easy person to pretend to be in love with. As a 16-year-old, you know, those lines blur and you're like,

this is... I was going to ask. Yes, I had such a crush on him. For sure. You know. And that never really ends. Like, even when you're an adult on a movie set,

like, we know, but like, that's so real. There's like an electricity that's something that like bubbles up there for sure and then hopefully

it translates on screen yeah it did but then like your body just doesn't really know the difference most of the time yeah

you know what I mean yeah it's like it is just like a somatic response of like oh like yeah I think like Lena Dunham was saying this one time

like she would like have a make out scene with someone and then like go home and be like I'm in love with that person do I really like that do I really like that someone and then like go home and be like, I'm in love with that person. Do I really like that? Do I really like that person?

Is that real? I'm in love with them. I'm in love with them. I mean, yeah. What a funny little business. Funny world we're in. The only kissing scene I've ever done on camera

was with a straight guy. And I remember I felt like a little robbed of that. I was like, I want like the showmance because no matter how hard I try. You're going to have day one day yeah yeah yeah one day i see that for you anyways i have to say like when you do walk to remember and like i because i remember the the response at the time was like okay red alert red alert one of the pop girlies is actually good at

this like and like and like, this is happening here. So then comes like saved, which is so iconic. And you keep going, there's chasing Liberty, et cetera. And then like, fast forward to now you're this like Emmy nominated actress.

Like, is that what drives you in terms of career is like, you're looking for acting stuff or are you generally still open to everything? I know you did release an album a couple of years ago, but like, yeah, I mean, acting, I think is the thing that's always pulled me. Um, and music has always felt like my side piece. Like it's the thing that my side piece that I'm like most passionate about probably, but because I never found the same sort of success, nor did I ever have aspirations of like wanting to do like arena tours or anything

I was like I don't want to make that kind of music um it's always just sort of existed in its own little box which is great it's like I can lean on it when I want and I'm looking to be creative and there's not a lot percolating in the other areas of my life but but acting has been the thing that's like really creatively I I think sustained me. Yeah. Now I'm waiting for in seven months, you release like a huge arena. It's like you and Reputation, like with a shaved head,

like stomping out, like she's back. She's back. I feel like, I mean, is it fair to say that like you kind of got swept up in the music to begin with, like within a year of like you being like discovered, was it like just growing up in Orlando?

And then like, it was like, Hey, we got songs for you. Yes. And then like within a year of like you being like discovered was it like just growing up in Orlando and then like it was like hey we got songs for you yes and then like within a year you're like touring with NSYNC yeah I went from I remember watching NSYNC like I have very visceral memories of watching they're like remember that Merry Christmas like that watching like getting ready to go to school almost done with like or like halfway through my freshman year, just about to leave to go start recording my first record and cut to like six months later opening up for them on their summer amphitheater tour. Looking back now, like 20 plus years into the future from that moment, what is like the takeaway? Like, is it like, whoa, what the hell kind of rapturing was that? Or like, obviously you're grateful that like it all happened, but like on some level, like

does that inform like the relationship with music now where you're like, that was something that was like happenstance a little bit. And like, now I get to actually decide how I want to like move forward. Yeah. I mean, I'm, like you said, incredibly grateful for this absurd opportunity of getting like plucked from obscurity and, and given this like platform. But sure. Now,

20 years removed from all of that, almost 25 years to think like I can make my own choices creatively. Like I can make music when I want to, when I, like I feel inspired to again, like that to me is the metric and measure of success. You know? This fall on Bravo.

It's time to turn up. Think you've seen it all? I don't think you've been a good friend to me lately. We're friends like that. Who needs enemies? You ain't seen nothing yet. Cheers to being Germanic. With the Real Housewives of Potomac. Oh my gosh, can I take this in?

It's going to be amazing. New York City. Everyone is a gossip. No one gets a happier life. Salt Lake City. We don't wear costumes, we wear fashion. And below deck sailing. You broke the rules and now you're here getting upset.

Watch all new seasons on Bravo or stream it on City TV+. Let's have a real good time. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, a five-year-old boy floated alone in the ocean. He had lost his mother trying to reach Florida from Cuba. He looked like a little angel. I mean, he looked so fresh. And his name, Elian Gonzalez, will make headlines everywhere. Elian Gonzalez. Elian Gonzalez. Elian.

Elian. Elian Gonzalez. At the heart of the story is a young boy and the question of who he belongs with. His father in Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or his relatives in Miami. Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. At the heart of it all is still this painful family separation.

Something that as a Cuban, I know all too well. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story, as part of the My Cultura podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Cheryl Swoops, WNBA champ, three-time Olympian, and Basketball Hall of Famer. I'm a mom, and I'm a woman.

I'm Tarika Foster-Brasby, journalist, sports reporter, basketball analyst, a wife, and I'm also a woman. And on our new podcast, we're talking about the real obstacles women face day to day. See, athlete or not, we all know it takes a lot as women to be at the top of our game. We want to share those stories about balancing work and relationships, motherhood, career shifts, you know, just all the we go through. Because no matter who you are, there are levels to what we experience as women.

And T and I, well, we have no problem going there. Listen to Levels to This with Cheryl Swoops and Tarika Foster-Brasby, an iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. This might be a good place for the question. Yeah. So you mentioned growing up. The one centerpiece question we ask here on Lost Culture is, Mandy Moore, what was the culture that made you say culture was for you?

So this meaning, that thing that you can look back and you're pretty positive like you started to form in a personality or personal way around that thing i think it was disney movies oh thank god and how wait how well did that work out the little mermaid specifically was like the thing i remember being about six and that coincided with seeing like my first play my school did like the sixth graders put on a production each year at like the big touring theater where all the Broadway shows came through and they did Oklahoma and I very again viscerally remember like being in a seat watching the girl who was Lori sing oh what a beautiful morning and I was like I looked around at the audience like in awe of how great she was and I was was like, I'm doing that.

And then I like would go home and I'd sing along to the Little Mermaid. Like that time was just like very formative. And Little Mermaid led to obviously like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. And I was like, I have to do this. Like the music, the acting, like there was something about the combination of both. I was like, this is what I have to do. Oh, amazing. Was this Orlando at the time?

Orlando, yeah. So like, and Disney itself kind of looming. Oh, amazing. Was this Orlando at the time? Orlando, yeah. So like, and Disney itself kind of looming, being in the air. Yeah, in the backyard. That factors in a little bit. I mean, ish. Like I had no idea that the Mickey Mouse Club existed or like what that was until years later. Wow, that's so funny. So I just like randomly happened to truly just be a kid from Orlando.

I had no like other connections to like the business or anything. Yeah. Yeah. And then so, I mean, years later, do they come to you with Tangled? No, no, I auditioned. You did. Yeah.

And I was terrified. I was like, what? Like, this is all I've ever wanted my whole life. This is the dream of all dreams. And, you know, like Disney wasn't doing musicals then. They had really like sort of gone away from that. And then like The Princess and the Frog, I remember, was like the first sort of foray back into like the classic Disney musical. And then Tangled, this Rapunzel story was the next one.

And I was terrified. I just had this album that you mentioned earlier called Amanda Lee come out. And I was like, well, maybe that'll bode well. Like they can listen. Like I am a musician. I am a singer. Like there'll be able to reference that. And I just remember like going in for the initial audition and it was terrifying. And then I was in New York and I had to go in with Alan Menken in New York and like sing some songs with him at the piano. Yeah. Which was also terrifying. The mermaid guy. Yeah, exactly.

Beauty and the Beast, like all of that, like classic Disney. And so I somehow got the part. But then when you get in the room and it's you and Alan, does it somehow melt away and all of a sudden become fun? Oh, yeah. Yeah. And you're like, whoa, like I get to do it. We were at Capitol Records down the street, like performing, doing I See the Light. Like with an orchestra,

with Alan Menken, like first time that Zach Levi, who plays the male lead in the film, like that we actually work together. Oh, and you sang it together? We sang it together, yeah, in separate rooms, but I mean, for the rest of like a movie, I mean, you guys have all done animated stuff, it's like you're by yourself.

It's hard. It's so hard. You're doing your lines with a director sometimes just by yourself, like multiple times. So to like have the chance to actually sing that song, a duet with him was great. With the orchestra there. That's so special. Only Disney can do it like that. I feel like with the budget wise, like you see, you do see videos of them like creating it.

Like I believe for Frozen, they release videos of like Idina singing whatever song it was. And like, there's people there Idina and Kristen in the room together that was, I mean It's magical. It is. Yeah, it's like that's what it should be if it's Disney. When you go to Disney now, do they roll out the red carpet?

They should. I feel like you get your sort of opportunity to have a tour guide every so often. I'm just waiting for my kids to be I feel like you get your sort of opportunity to have a tour guide every so often. Yeah. Okay. But so I'm just like waiting for my kids to be old enough to really appreciate that and like, you know, understand. They've seen Tangled.

My older guy is three and he just sort of like understands. He's like, mama's singing. Like he kind of, like he sort of understands. Mama's singing. That's the title of episode. Mama's singing. I love mama's singing. That's the title of episode. The title of episode. Mom is singing. I love Mom is singing. I mean, yeah.

It's sweet. I'm going to say something that could be construed a certain way, but I really think that like, for all like the gargantuan success that Frozen is, was, will be, like it needed Tangled to like set that path.

I think Tangled needed to succeed in order for it. I think so too. Like I think it opened the door for the Disney musical again to sort of come back into fashion. I mean, you really bent that whole movie towards Rapunzel and her

life and what she wants. I love that movie so much. I still get chills when I listen to the reprise of When Will My Life Begin. Both of them. Oh yeah get chills when I listen to the reprise of When Will My Life Begin. Both of them. Oh yeah, but when she literally touches grass for the first time. It's so good. The way that shot

kind of works. It's just so good. There's a Kingdom Hearts 3 level that takes place in Can we talk about that too? Please, let's talk about Kingdom Hearts. So I had no idea what I was doing. For Aerith? For Aerith. Okay, so wait.

Say what this is, because they might not know. Okay, so I had also referenced that in my discussion Final Fantasy VII and Rebirth, and it's this big AAA video game that's come out that's been anticipated for years. And now I think you understand that she is one of the most

iconic video game characters ever. Beloved. For sure. Now, I guess. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't at the time. At the time, this was Kingdom Hearts. This was the crossover game between Disney and Square Enix,

which was the Final Fantasy games sort of maker and an all-star cast, truly. Like Haley Joel Osment playing Sora, you know, Hayden Panettiere, and then David Borey now as Squall from Final Fantasy. And I think they had Cadet Kelly.

What's her name from Even Stevens? Oh, Christy Carlson-Romano? Christy Carlson-Romano played Yuffie. Anyway, so then you play Aerith. This is so funny. So you play Aerith. Yes. What was that experience like?

Well, as a non-video game person. Yes, no problem, no problem. No, please. I just, I didn't know what I was doing. And I think because like it was the first edition of this game, I just like went in, did my job and that was it. And they came back to me asking me to do it subsequently, I think for like the next version, but I couldn't because of scheduling. And I guess they just like continue to recast. Yeah.

But like other people have played this character. Can I say, and it's not just because you're in the room with me, like you are my preferred voice for Aerith. Thank you. Even to this day. The new girl is lovely. There's something. The new girl is lovely. Exhale.

There's something about Mandy Moore doing Aerith that is like, that just gets it right. And it's like, Aerith is like the savior of the planet. She is like pure, pure like sweetness and love and joy. And like whatever a two hour day of work for you imbued that character with exactly what it needed. Hans is thumbs upping. Don't you agree, Hans?

There you go. Many fans. I mean, I'm glad I could give you that joy since I didn't give you the Zanga joy. I'm literally going to live with this like horrific guilt and shame that I had nothing to do with the Zynga thing. It's crazy. Oh, please don't feel an ounce of guilt. It's just, isn't that such a funny story?

It's wild. It's wild. I wish I had a better answer. But even the way that you were like, I'm going to wait to answer this question. I was like, oh, that's going to be such a moment when Bowen finds out that it was her. And for you to say no. That was so good. I was like, oh, that's going to be such a moment when Bowen finds out that it was her and for you to say no. That was so good. I love it.

Perfect. Well, I had plenty of you mentioned the guides because I just went to Disney the other day because Joel Kim Booster, our friend, was working for a Hulu thing

and they're Disney and so they offered him like a VIP guide and so I'm the kind of person that goes to Disney and I'm like sort of it's me and the guide. We're right here. Yeah. And then everyone else. Asking questions, talking to him. Oh, we're planning the trip. Like we're doing the whole thing. I've taken you. Yes.

Yes. We went to, we went to Orlando and did the guide and like, I love it. I get so like in the weeds with like, sometimes now I feel like I want to be on the app. Like crazy apps. Like you'll, you'll know when you, have you taken your kids? Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, you have to be on the app. Like these crazy apps. Like you'll know when you, have you taken your kids? Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, you have to be on the app, but no,

you have the VIP guide. Yeah. She doesn't. No, I do. I bought the tickets on the app once. For sure. Yeah.

What I'm saying is like, oh, looking to see like how long wait times are on rides. Oh my God. The app culture is so, it has, it's really captured like Disney. It's like,

you have to be down on the phone and then you go and the way that I like can activate in it is by being like right here with the guys. Totally. But the other day we went to California Adventure on St. Patrick's Day. It was a beautiful day and I have to shout out Jazlyn. Jazlyn. You rocked.

She was our guide and she was amazing. I mean, look, Jazlyn is this is the second time this week that you've told me of Jazlyn. Because I connect with these people. I think about when I was a little kid, how much I would love, like, I can't think of anything more than,

like when I was a little, little kid, you might remember this. Like, you remember Universal Studios in Orlando? They have the Jaws ride. Yeah. All I wanted to be was a Jaws ride boat. The boat captain? The boat captain.

With the whole spiel. I literally am off book on it to this day. Wow. a Jaws ride boat. The boat captain? The boat captain. With the whole spiel. I literally am off book on it to this day. Wow. We did a show. We did a show at UCB years ago. Called You Will Get Wet. Called You Will Get Wet

where I played someone who was a musical and I played someone whose dream it was to do that and then Bo and Yang played the shark. I played Jaws. Yeah.

Wow. He was amazing as the shark. Damn, I really missed that one. Yeah. You should have come to UCB in 2015 I would have you would have loved it

I mean okay but Little Mermaid is like reign supreme for you yes yeah Jodie Benson something about that tone of voice for her

gosh we saw her at a gay bar at 3am in New York City once what was she doing at 3am it was with her daughter her daughter's birthday wow it was 3 in the morning.

Had we just seen SZA that night? I wasn't there. You guys had just seen SZA or something, and then you guys went to Flaming Saddles. Something wild. Like, we went to go see, like, the SZA concert. I think it was my birthday last year, and then, like, we went out afterwards.

It was 3 in the morning. And you recognized Jodie Benson. So one of us did, and maybe Aaron Jackson did. Like, I think that's Jodie Benson. Sure enough, it was. Like, every gay taking their turn to kind of go over to her and be like, I just want to say, you changed my life. You being here is an honor. Like, everyone telling her that her presence at the gay bar at 3 a.m. was an honor.

I love it. She's like, in her Disney voice, like, thank you so much. I'm just here with my daughter, though. Bye. Like, gay guy. Like, can I just live? And then, of course, like, it's Bla, can I just live? And then of course, like it's blazing saddles,

right? Flaming saddles. Okay. So at that bar, they get up on the bar and they like do a little dance and they were all little mermaid. And I was like,

that has to be, she was living her life. Sure. Sure. Totally. You have to imagine some musical theater majors have come up and belted

in your face though. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. How does, how does that go usually? I mean, I'm sure you're so nice to them. You belted in your face though. Yeah. For sure. How does that go usually? I mean, I'm sure you're so nice to them.

You love it. I love it. Okay, great. Come on. You were them. I encourage it for sure. I wouldn't be, I wish I were that bold.

I know. Do you think going back you would have gone to like musical theater school? A hundred percent. Yeah. Yeah. I went to a stage door. Oh my God.

Like the musical theater camp. Yeah. Wow. What was that like? Oh, really formative experience. I bet. Yeah. I went to a stage door. Oh my God. Like the musical theater camp? Yeah. Oh. Wow. What was that like? Oh, really formative experience. I bet. Yeah. And it's crazy the people that you run into in the business who are like, I'm an entertainment lawyer now and I'm a casting director. And I went

to stage door. And I went to stage door. I was there like a year before you were. I was there during your summer. It's like everyone's peppered throughout the industry in different ways. I know a lot of people that went to stage door. Yeah. Any fun people from your group? in different ways. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Any, any fun people from your group? Natalie Portman.

Oh my God. Were you friends? No, we were in like the little cabaret troupe. I mean, she's a little, she's a few years older than me, which, you know, at that time, at that age. It was a huge gulf. 11 for sure. It's like, please.

But we were in like the little cabaret troupe together where we went and performed at like the like free labor at the Catskill like nightclubs and stuff free labor free labor yeah we like went

and performed like a two hour show like medley for a bunch of people at these Catskill hotels amazing hilarious I mean

that's a pretty good one that's a really good one like at a certain age you were like just jealous that you weren't going to stage door right I mean I don't think I knew of anything until later, but I remember like hearing when I went to college, it was like, oh, I did interlocking.

Or I did whatever the fuck, like, you know what I mean? Like it just all these things. And I remember feeling when I was in college, like it didn't matter what I did. I was going to be behind everyone else. And I would imagine that we all have that to some extent where it's just like you always feel like, well, I can never be this because I don't I haven't done that. Or like I don't know when I got over that. But like, I don't know, like like those little things of like, you know, we don't have like acting training or like so you can't be a serious actor. Like, did you ever have like imp training or like so you can't be a serious actor or like did you ever have like imposter syndrome like all the time still oh a hundred percent yes i mean i feel like if people say they don't they're lying yeah everyone has that to a certain degree i wonder if you ever get to that point where you're like not nervous before you start a job or like you don't leave

a take and be like oh god maybe if you're like m merrill or something like i don't but i i kind of like it it makes me feel like i care about something like the stakes are high you know if you just like reframe it in that way yes that like you just want to show up and be your very best like it's i don't know yeah i i kind of like thrive off of that i know that like I'm pouring all I need to into something. Yeah. And it comes out of like just accounting for failure. Yes. You're like, oh, this could go in a way that I don't want it to.

And therefore I shouldn't do this. And it's dangerous. And it's like all these evolutionary like lizard brain things that we like think about. Yeah. It is a dangerous thing. Yeah. Not like physically, but like emotionally. Yeah. Yeah. When I was a kid, I didn't, sorry to interrupt. No, no, no. Not like physically, but like just emotionally. When I was a kid,

I didn't, sorry to interrupt. When I was a kid, I didn't think about that. Like I, I can sort of visualize being 15 and walking on a stage in front of 20,000 people

at like a Backstreet Boys concert. Clearly that audience is not there to see little old me. They're there to see the Backstreet Boys. But I had like no fear if i were to do that now i would shit myself like i i i don't know what it is i mean i guess it's what you were just saying like i didn't recognize the stakes at that point i was just like i didn't know what i didn't know so there was just this giant like unknown of like i'm gonna go up there and

i love this opportunity and i'm gonna you, you know. And I know my steps. I'm going to sing my notes. And I'm doing 15 hard minutes. The people behind me are really doing the dancing. Exactly. 15 hard minutes. 15 hard minutes.

15 hard minutes. And then the boys are coming out. Yeah. They're going to fly across the audience. Right. Were you sort of more

in line with the NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys fandom? And you can answer now. I mean, I feel like or the Backstreet Boys fandom? And you can answer now. I mean, I feel like I was Backstreet Boys. Yeah. Like that was Millennium. That album is huge. Right?

Like that was just a moment and they had their show was like in the round. Remember that? It was pretty stellar. It was good. Yeah. I think I saw like, I never went to,

I wish going back, I had gone to more of those types of shows I never saw the Spice Girls I will always kick myself like if they ever reunite again I will go the one I guess big pop star I saw my first concert ever was Mariah Carey

that's a pretty good first concert but like I never saw Britney I saw Christina in Vegas years later. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But like didn't see Backstreet Boys or NSYNC. So I'll never know like that type of insane fandom. But then again, we did go to the Eris tour and I don't know how it could get crazier.

I don't think it gets crazier than that. Historically crazy. Yeah. Are you a Swifty? Sure. Yeah. I will say I don't know her music like terribly well, but I cannot imagine the joy that she brings so many people.

It's so shocking. That to me, I'm like, what an incredible gift to be able to spread that kind of joy to the world. Yeah. That is what it is. It's like a very joy. I think that's what kept me going back and back and back. I was like, it's so fun.

And everyone there is having the best night of their life. Like, wow, to be in control of that. A collective mood. There is some sort of charm that happens on the audience. It is almost like a magic trick. And there's times that she's doing things that you're like, Taylor, come on. Like when she points at the audience, she's like, let me see what this does.

And she points at the audience and the crowd screams. And you're like- There's something witchy about that. But it's really happening. And I'm like, it's just so funny. Like having that type of, that level, it's like, I can't imagine what it's like,

but like probably she did walk out there and think like another day like you did at 15 sure yeah sure at that point yeah you're like this is my life yeah this is my life I've adjusted to it yeah exactly I mean I feel like your last album like writing with your husband must have been like the diametrically different thing from like starting out in music where it was just like okay okay, just like, give me what you got. I'll learn it. Like, yeah,

not to discount like your process and like making those songs. I had no part of that process. It truly was an A&R person saying like, you're going to record this song on this day at this place. This is back in the day. Yeah. There was no candy. Candy was not like,

no, that was just like, that was a song that they had found and you were going to go and record it. How hard was it for you to go? Give it to me the first time. Or were you kind just like, that was a song that they had found and you were going to go and record it. How hard was it for you to go? Give it to me the first time. Or were you kind of like, no, yeah,

I'm going to do this. I'm going to give, give it to me. Cause you gave it. I don't remember. I just remember the spoken word part. I'm like, you know who you are.

Is this weird? It feels weird. Even I think it's underrated. I think it's aged like a fine wine. I think it's underrated. I think it's aged like a fine wine. I think it's really good. I think it's really good and I think it's up there with Christina's did you want to be the one tonight? Do you know exactly what you like?

That. You need a spoken word. If you're going to be a pop star of that era, you need the spoken word bridge. Okay, I'll take your word for it. And you have it. You did it. You got it right out of the way. Exactly. You checked the box and I will say, before I forget, the video for Crush came on one time when we were on a family vacation with another family. And there's a quick moment where you're like fully clothed, I might add, just like in bed

with like the guy, like the love interest, just kind of like playfully, flirty, like, you know, PG, like very PG, very PG. But the fact that you guys were lying down in a bed was enough to ring every alarm bell for one of the mothers where she was like

no we're turning this off and so I I do associate you with like a sort of like mischievousness like well I'm not supposed

to watch Mandy Moore you know what I mean thank you for imbuing me with something I definitely don't have like I feel like you've like I'm the most boring vanilla person so I'll i definitely don't have like i feel like you like i'm the most boring vanilla person so i'll take it no it was like i think you've like really you

have a stake in every single area of my life from various times and it's like so it's amazing to talk that's very special though because like i will say like for and for some reason when i say this it sounds pejorative it's literally not like for millennial people like you are truly a pop culture icon and then like to see like like I'm on set with Ray Romano yesterday and I told him like oh I'm doing this episode tomorrow my podcast with Mandy Moore and he was talking about how much he enjoyed you in This Is Us and like you know my parents are so excited about this because they love This Is Us and like you've really gotten to touch a lot of people with your talent like and that is that is like, that's really cool. And they're very special.

It's very special. Thank you guys. I'm going to remember this day for a very long time. When I'm having a low moment, I'm going to be like, Bowden, Matt, like. I do want to ask you about This Is Us. Like, was that the most challenging thing you've ever done? Yeah, I think so.

Yeah. And that must feel nice for that to be like, also like the most, I guess, on paper, like acclaimed thing is like. Sure. Or the most recent at least. Yeah. Well, you know what I mean? It's just like you get this like big opportunity and it's like not only is it difficult in terms of what you're actually doing, but also a ton of people see it.

Yeah. Like that's a huge, huge hit. Critically, commercially. Yeah. And it went for a really long time. And so then you have to keep it interesting for yourself and also maintain the way they heighten the way it gets difficult. Like the age range gets bigger and the way to keep it surprising for the audience gets

more challenging because people are aware of, I guess, in so many words, the way it ends. Like, and I would imagine that like that has to be looking back on that as like a whole body of work. Like, is that like the thing in your career that you're the most proud of? For sure. Yeah. Yeah. I don't think I've ever been a part of something that's been as long running.

Yeah. And has also touched as many people like that I'm aware of. Yeah. As a project like that yeah yeah and also Milo and Milo Milo

he never it never will get old to me looking at that man uh huh yeah I am not a bad scene partner no

no and that's what I mean like also great actor yeah such a good actor yes I mean I remember from Heroes he was so good in Heroes.

He was great in Heroes. Did you ever watch Heroes? I did not. I didn't watch Gilmore Girls either. Oh wow, so you had a blind spot. I had a real blind spot. I was like, I don't know anything about you, but let's jump into being husband and wife. Yeah. That's probably good though at a certain point when you don't know too much about someone.

I'm working right now with Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano and Linda Cardellini and I'm like, I don't be like I'm working right now with Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano and like Linda Cardellini and I'm like I don't understand how I'm gonna like not talk about the comeback act like me towards Lisa Kudrow

you know what I mean but you do it sure who's been the number one person for you that you're like I can't even believe this that I've been around

yeah that you've worked with that I've worked with Diane Keaton I was gonna ask yeah probably Diane yeah yeah yeah that you've worked with uh Diane Keaton I was gonna ask yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah that was like hard to ever sort of separate like you are Annie Hall like yeah first wives club like I that was that was and she is just everything you want her to be though yeah seems very warm and also like idiosyncratic funny. Correct. But like so deeply maternal I think at her core which is why she's so good

at playing a mom. Yeah. And she would also just show up to set in like the most incredible outfits. Just like the hat, the gloves. Like it's 6am when I'm in like sweats and like wiping the sleep out of my eyes. She was just like in a full look. Yeah. Of a time.

She's of a time in a culture and like a mindset where like no like you show up and you yeah yeah consummate professional like yeah this is her world yeah oh man that is the best that is an all-timer yeah robin williams what was that oh wonderful yeah same like never got old being around him. He was constantly on, which I remember thinking like, I wonder if that's a burden to feel like you have to show up and perform and like be that person that everyone expects you to be.

Cause he was just always cracking jokes, like always sort of, yeah, just on. But so lovely, really kind as well. Just like very, very warm, very much like family man. I loved, loved working with him. Very cool. Man, I miss Rob.

Yeah. So bad. Like the culture would just be a little bit better. I was thinking of myself on set the other day, like just how easy he made everything look, but yet his comedy was so, it was so obviously comedy, comedy right like it was like he was playing things hard but it always looked really easy like in a way that Jim Carrey is like too like it's like a heightened groundedness

yes yes like where you realize like they are just acting as themselves and yet it's good for the camera and works for everyone in real time like that's a crazy thing to be able to walk. Spinning a lot of plates.

Yeah. But they did it very well. And Diane. And Diane. Yes. Oh, my God. Something's Gotta Give is going to get rewatched. Immediately.

Immediately. It holds up. It really does. Yeah, that's one of those movies for me. Like, anytime it's on, I can't. I have to watch the whole thing. Her face journey when she delivers the line to Jack Nicholson. Like, this was a lovely night.

Ugh. And she just, like, Look at you doing it. She has, like, five different faces within, like, two seconds. I can't do it. But it's so, like, You kind of just did it. No, I didn't.

I didn't. You did it. No, I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. But I watched her performance in Something's Gotta Give before we shot Fire Island. I was like,

how do I portray heartbreak in this way? She does that so well. Oh my God, you did watch that before Fire Island. Yeah, yeah. I was like,

this is such a good movie. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City are back. I love that. I love that. I love that. Oh, my gosh. Welcome.

And last season's drama was just the tip of the iceberg. You're recording us? I am disgusted. Never in a million years after everything we've been through did I think that you would reach out to our sworn enemy. We were friends. How could you do this to me? I don't trust her.

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Wednesdays at 9 on Bravo or stream it on City TV+. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, a five-year-old boy floated alone in the ocean. He had lost his mother trying to reach Florida from Cuba. He looked like a little angel. I mean, he looked so fresh. And his name, Elian Gonzalez, will make headlines everywhere. Elian Gonzalez. Elian Gonzalez.

Elian. Elian. Elian Gonzalez. At the heart of the story is a young boy and the question of who he belongs with. His father in Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him.

Or his relatives in Miami. Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. At the heart of it all is still this painful family separation. Something that as a Cuban, I know all too well. Listen to Chess Feast, the Elian Gonzalez story, as part of the My Cultura podcast network available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Cheryl Swoops, WNBA champ, three-time Olympian, and basketball hall of famer. I'm a mom, and I'm a woman. I'm Tarika Foster-Brasby, journalist, sports reporter, basketball analyst, a wife, and I'm also a woman.

And on our new podcast, we're talking about the real obstacles women face day to day. See, athlete or not, we all know it takes a lot as women to be at the top of our game. We want to share those stories about balancing work and relationships,

motherhood, career shifts, you know, just all the we go through because no matter who you are, there are levels to what we experience as women and TNI. Well, we have no problem going there. Listen to levels to this with Cheryl Swoops and Tarika Foster-Brasby and I Heart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. What gets you in? Like, are you a music person? Yeah. For sure. Do you have a secret artist? No, it's like, it's weird when I was doing This Is Us because I had to cry a lot. All the time.

Yeah. I would often just be like driving around like with my, you know, like music on shuffle or whatever. And a song would come on and it would just elicit some sort of activate something, elicit some reaction. And I'm like, well, I got to remember this one. And then lo and behold, I would like go back and try to like mind that. Like, what was that feeling that I felt there? And if you have some sort of association to a song or just listening to something like trigger something in you, I'm the kind of person that's like, I'll listen to it like 10 times in a row. Yeah.

Sort of like get into that place. Yes. Yeah. So that's funny that you bring that up because I remember I had, there was a crying scene in Fire Island and I really struggle with accessing emotion like that. Like it's one of those things where it just doesn't come super easy to me. I feel like you're very good at it. I don't know about that. But I feel like sometimes I'll get so frustrated that the frustration makes me cry.

And I like, I guess I'll just use this. But I literally remember saying to myself, I was like, should I watch a walk to remember? Because I was like, it literally used to solely exist for me as an outlet to. Yeah. Catharsis.

Yeah. Literally like just to, just to have the thing of like, I know it would feel amazing to release the feelings I have right now, even if I didn't have words for them or words for why I felt like I wanted to cry but it was like there's something to that too like that art existing

as like a just a release for people again and again and again it was that movie and a movie called Heart and Souls I don't know if you know that movie I don't. Iconic movie with Robert Downey Jr. and Keira Sedgwick and Alfre Woodard like in the early 90s. One of my goals is to like at

some point like reboot that movie or do something with that movie. It's so great. Like there's four people who pass away in a bus crash in the 50s and their souls get attached to a baby which is Robert Downey Jr. and they're with him all the way until he's an adult and they

watch him grow up and he sort of becomes like this difficult adult. And suddenly he's able to see them. And you find out that they have to use him to do their unfinished business. And so like, it's about like all their relationships together. It's like a comedy, but very heartfelt.

And it is such a tearjerker. It really is like the definition. And every time like someone doesn't know this movie, I ring the bell because I'm like, this is such- You've never talked about this to me before. I think I have, but like I sometimes bail on it.

You ever have that movie like that's just yours? Yeah. And you sometimes bail on talking about it because you're like, oh God. I don't know if anyone's going to get this. What's that for you? Do you have that?

I can't think of one top of mind. Yeah, exactly. But like this of mind. Yeah, exactly. But like this is that. Yeah, totally. And I know Keira Sedgwick a little bit because we're friends with Sosie, her daughter. And I literally said I was like heart and souls. And she was like, oh, wow, no one ever says that one. And I was like, this is what I'm saying.

Like no one ever says that one. Special. I got to watch it. It's good. It's really good. Like she has this monologue at the end. I can't. Everyone watch it.

The readers, Katie's publicist finalists. You're going to love it. Oh, I guess this is when we should tell you. So upcoming is the Las Cotiristas Culture Awards. Oh my God. It's a category called record of the year. Okay. One of your songs has entered the conversation.

It has? Gardenia. Gardenia. Oh, wow, you guys. We're in rehearsals. We're in rehearsals for Gardenia. We've been rehearsing it even today. We're going to rip it up on stage.

Because you rip it up on that record. Thank you. You opened all the way up and sang that song in the words of Ariana Grande with your full chest. With your full chest. You gave it. Thank you. Wow, I can't believe it's like in contention for record of the year. It is.

Wow. It's up against Tough Competition, Single Soon by Selena Gomez. Well, I know that's your jam. That's my number one jam. I don't know if I can beat it. What else is nominated? Oh, I forget. But I think the front runners are Single Soon and Gardenia.

Just Gardenia is, that is a stand and deliver, good old fashioned, spelt-y ballad. That album, Wild Hope? Wild Hope. Wild Hope. Wild Hope is one of your best. Thank you. I love that record. That was not on streamers for a while.

It wasn't. What is with that? Just record label and the shit. Yeah, yeah. But it's back. Is there a story behind Gardenia at all? My first heartbreak. Yeah. Which is ridiculous. story behind gardini at all like my first heartbreak which is ridiculous i just sang it at a show a couple weeks ago and you did i did my husband was

like who's this person that like you made love on the floor with i was like hey we don't need to um but this was like my first love and you know those relationships that loomed so large and we had gone through this breakup. It was so traumatic. And I was working in New York and I just remember like, oh, God, the poor people that I was working with, like laying out the drama of my life as if like it was the worst thing to ever happen to anyone that no one else had ever been through heartbreak before. It was ridiculous. Now thinking back to it. But I just, yeah, remember taking like

walks through Central Park by myself, like having this real just time being in the city for the first time, like living there, working there

and trying to like heal from this just awful event in my life. It's been good getting to know me more is such a good lyric. It's such a good lyric.

It's great. I mean, that was that walked so Taylor could run. Yeah. It's Been Good Getting to Know Me More, if that's not Taylor Swift. That's why it's the nominee for record of the year. Golly. This is huge. Guys, I'm like floored for an almost 20-year-old song.

I have to tell you. I was listening to it the other day, and I was just like, this goes off in a way that I honestly had forgotten. Wild Hope. I was so sad. You were sad. I was so sad. Are you a very deep feeling person? I can tell. What's your astro sign? Aries. So it's your season.

It's my season, yeah. Congrats for that. Thanks. We just left my season. We did. Well, happy birthday. Thank you. It was tough. This Pisces season didn't... It was a rough one. It didn't deliver. It was like, you ever know when you're in an emotional mood and there's not a clear reason why?

Yeah. Yeah. It's like for some reason I've just been over the past like three, four weeks, I've just been a little anxious, a little on edge, a little like melancholy for like something I can't really pinpoint. There don't have to be reasons. I guess you're right. Right. Like, and I guess that's kind of just like what it is. Yeah.

But I'm sorry. Sorry. I'm happy we're in your season. Yeah, exactly. We're out of it. Out of it. And I love blaming things on the stars. An easy scapegoat.

It's just so easy to just get around. Can I tell you guys? So a couple of years years ago I remember seeing you at the Emmys oh we saw you at the Emmys yes yes yes and you

I remember I was with some of my cast I was with Susan Kalechi-Watson and she ran up to you guys icon and ran up to you guys

and took a picture and I was like wait I know them why is she taking a picture with them and then she came up and she was like do you listen to their podcast and I was like wait I know them why is she taking a picture with them and then she came up and she was like do you listen to their podcast and I was like no and that's when I started listening oh my

god Susan Kalechi Watson thank you so much were you nominated no it was Sudi it was for SNL for writing was nominated and I had just gotten moved to the cast it was before I spent this is like two weeks ago I like gotten moved to the cast yes so this is before you got your acting like two weeks ago I had gotten moved to the cast. Yes.

So this is before you got your acting nomination. This is, you guys were writing nominees. When we were writing nominees. Okay, I remember seeing you. I remember seeing you guys and I was like,

I was like, oh, Sue really likes this podcast. I guess I must listen to it because I know, I was like, I recognized you guys and I just couldn't pin,

I was like, there's someone. There's people to know. So for us, like you have to imagine like we're on that red carpet and it's like all famous people. But then there's you and it's like a whole different thing because like of everything we've expressed. But I remember the funniest part was you looked stunning.

You look unbelievable. And then our friend Kristen Bartlett and you were in the same dress. No way. Yes. Do you remember that? Yes, totally. And Kristen was like, I think I'm in the same dress as Mandy Moore. And we were like, Slay!

I love that. It was really fun. And I just remember like, I think that was the first time ever I've been around like a ton of... Yeah, that was my first big award show. I guess like, you don't really understand

what the ecosystem of that is until you're actually there and you're like, oh, wow. Do you see those? Do I like them? Yeah, like... Yeah, I mean,

I liked them because I was going with like my cast and we all loved each other. And so it was like, just a fun excuse to all be together. I think if I were just by myself, it might be a different thing. Cause I always feel like an outlier and an outsider. But when you're nominated. Sure, but still even then I'm like, this is so weird.

Like how did I get caught in the fray of this? I should be at home in my pajamas watching this on TV. It's strange to be in the audience. It is weird though to watch it and it's a show. It's a show. You're kind of just like, oh, yeah, it's a show. We're watching them come out and do the bits

and do the whole thing. It's a production. It's a production. Well, speaking of award shows, June 15th, Gardenia. the bits and do the whole thing. It's a production. It's a production. Speaking of award shows, June 15th. June 15th. I said it on the Today Show. We said the date. We haven't said where it is.

But look forward to a performance of Gardenia. Stay tuned. Oh God, I gotta be there. If you're there, that would be a pretty good thing. That's very People's Choice Awards to be guys. if you're there that would be a pretty good thing if you were there that's very people's choice awards if you guys

hello wait where was your if you could be there in person I know it is very people's choice something might happen no no don't obviously don't do that

but like I would just don't fix it for you I have news for you we will like can we say like we're not better than that I mean I would just come and like say hi

and do a thing no you have to come in and do the song I'm not gonna win over single suit like come on let do a thing. No, you have to come in and do the song. I'm not going to win over single soon. Like, come on, let's be honest. What do you mean? That's such a funny sentence. I'm not going to win over single soon.

I know your feelings about that song. Listen, I'm only half of the voting committee. There's the other half over there, okay? And he loves Gargini. And I love Gargini. I have for many years. Where was your show a couple weeks ago? I did this weird thing where we all sang at

Carnegie Hall. Like my husband sang, I sang. I know it was crazy. It was like this thing called the piano concert and my husband played the piano for me and I sang Gardenia. That's fun. Just Gardenia? And then I sang a song that I sang on This Is Us. Oh, cool. Yeah. We haven't even talked about Only Hope. We haven't talked about Only Hope.

Wait, Taylor, your husband, multi-instrumentalist? Does a lot of instruments? Yes. So cool. What does he play? Nothing like a musician. Well, he kind of plays like a little bit of everything. Wait, Taylor, your husband, multi-instrumentalist, does a lot of instruments? So cool. What does he play? Nothing like a musician. He kind of plays a little bit of everything. Bass, guitar, piano. Was it kind of over when you realized how talented he was? You probably weren't immediately attracted because of whatever, and then when someone is that good at music,

it's kind of like full rap. Full rap. Absolutely. And then he's also just the best person ever. Look at the way she said that. also just like the best person ever. Look at the way she said that. Best person ever. Wait, ask about her line reading. Of what? You wanted to ask about the line reading

in the car seatbelt. Seatbelt? I mean, I understand that it's nothing, but you just tell Shane West to put a seatbelt on. And then it was right. It was a very prissy read. Very prissy. I was like, how would he not know that's the most important thing to do when you sit in a car? Totally. Put your seatbelt on.

Put your seatbelt on. And then it was like, I mean, that scene is so important because it's the first time we hear, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. Like for Jamie to say that is so informative about that character. Yeah. I could tell you, but. There's more than what meets the eye. Yeah. You've had many iconic lines in cinema.

Just don't fall in love with me. That and I am full of Christ's love. Yeah. That was a fave for sure. Yeah. So good. That had to be so good to be able to play that part too after you just did like the most pious,

like I'm dying of cancer, but I don't want to be in anyone's way. And then like, and then you get to be like this, like this little Bible crashing a van into a giant wooden Jesus. I'll never forget the scene

of you praying aggressively. I was like this is another level. That's a great movie. Jenna Malone. Shout out Jenna Malone, my other Lydia Bennett I See You Sister. We're in the Lydia Bennett society. Oh yeah. Andrew on Fire Island would call me his Jenna Malone, my other Lydia Bennett. I see you, sister. We're in the Lydia Bennett society. Oh, yeah.

Andrew Onn on Fire Island would call me his Jenna Malone. Yeah, you were his Jenna. You were his Lydia. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City are back. I love that. I love that. Oh, my gosh. Welcome.

And last season's drama was just the tip of the iceberg. You're recording us? I am disgusted. Never in a million years after everything we've been through

did I think that you would reach out to our sworn enemy. We were friends. How could you do this to me? I don't trust her. The Real Housewives

of Salt Lake City Wednesdays at 9 on Bravo or stream it on City TV+. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, a five-year-old boy floated alone in the ocean. He had lost his mother trying to reach Florida from Cuba. He looked like a little angel. I mean, he looked so fresh. And his name, Elian Gonzalez, will make headlines everywhere.

Elian Gonzalez. Elian Gonzalez. Elian Gonzalez. At the heart of the story is a young boy and the question of who he belongs with. His father in Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or his relatives in Miami. Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. At the heart of it all is still this painful family separation. Something that as a Cuban, I know

all too well. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story, as part of the My Cultura podcast network available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Cheryl Swoops, WNBA champ, three-time Olympian and basketball hall of famer. I'm a mom and I'm a woman. I'm Tarika Foster-Brasby, journalist, sports reporter, basketball analyst, a wife, and I'm also a woman.

And on our new podcast, we're talking about the real obstacles women face day to day. See, athlete or not, we all know it takes a lot as women to be at the top of our game. We want to share those stories about balancing work and relationships, motherhood, career shifts, you know, just all the s*** we go through. Because no matter who you are, there are levels to what we experience as women. And T and I, well, we have no problem going there. Listen to Levels to This with Cheryl Swoops and Tarika Foster-Brasby, an iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. Is it time? I think it's time. Might be time for I Don't Think So, Honey. So I Don't Think So, Honey, Mandy, is this segment we do where we take one minute to Oh, you think that I don't think so, honey? That's grinding our ears. And I actually do have something. It's more

practical in life. It's less of the culture. I do feel like we need to start putting our money where our mouth is. Oh, interesting. This is kind of a call to action, I feel. Oh, wow. There's a timer and everything. I'm very obsessed. Welcome to the BTS. And did you see Bowen's 3, 2, 1? He's always counted down. We always count down to the BTS. And did you see Bowen's three, two, one? He's always counted down.

Always count down to get insane. So professional. We're time bound here. Tunneling in. This is Matt Rogers. I don't think so. And his time starts now. I don't think so, honey.

Express lines at the supermarket. If we're not going to use them. So if I see an express line at the Gelson's, at the whatever it is, and it says like eight items or less, and then it's dark. It's like, why do it then? The footprint.

It's so big. It's just like, open the lineup for other people then. Let's stop pretending we care about those who aren't buying bulk if we're not going to care about them. Because I'm standing there with one thing, something from the hot bar.

What I do is I get my lunch every day from Gelson's. It's the way I want to live my life. Okay? I don't care what you, you, or you think about it. I go there. I want to buy one thing, which is the food on the tray. I go. I sit there. I'm online for 20 minutes.

And there's a perfectly good express line, which I have never seen used. I don't think so, honey. I have ever seen the express line used. In which case, why are you playing in our face? Five seconds. Have some respect for those who are frugal. That's one minute.

I think I realize express lines might be like early aughts culture. And we've just, it's no longer of the time. You know what I mean? Like self-checkout has replaced express. But even self-checkout is like. Even self-checkout has replaced express but even self-checkout is like even self-checkout isn't totally like up and running

like I think like something's going on retail not retail but just like the shopping experience is in a crisis of identity under attack

is under attack the shopping experience is under attack it's actually roller coaster number 94 the shopping experience is under attack I think like

if you're competing with an e-commerce, a way of life of ordering things online, like I think everybody who's running shops and stores is like, how do we make this interesting? You just have to think at any given time. Like if there's 30 people in a supermarket, at least five of those people are buying something with eight items or less. Or just running in there for something.

Why would just put one of the cash register on the express line. I guess there just aren't enough people working in stores now. You know what, maybe that's what it is because that's also markedly different. We're all feeling this. I know. We are all feeling this. I'm so sorry.

No, it's okay. I think that's a perfectly good I don't think so honey. I feel that. I don't think so. Honey. Yeah. I'm trying to keep the, I don't think so. Honey's light. But even that like really bugged me because I'm like, I'm there and I see ability for it to be used and it's sitting there labeled.

And also how thrilling as a cash register to be beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. You're gone. It's like your day will probably move faster. So I'm thinking of not only myself and my community,

which are the shoppers, I'm also thinking about the community behind the labor. The seeds, yeah, yeah. Really, I want a better experience for everyone. Efficiency. Wow. So there we go. Open the gates, aka.

The lanes. The lanes. Bo Nying, are you excited and galvanized to do your, I don't think so. Yeah, I have one that's like so behind the lanes, the lanes, uh, bone Yang. Are you excited and galvanized through your, I don't think so. Yeah. I have one that's like so behind the curve pop culturally, but I just finally tried something out on it. I realized it wasn't for me.

Okay. All right. Great. So I'm excited to explore this more. This is bone Yanks. I don't think so. Honey. And this time starts now.

I don't think so. Honey. Love is blind. Season six, this most current season, this most recent season, a lot of people having a lot to say about the disastrous scale of the season and how amazing it is.

I was into it for three episodes, and then I realized, okay, there's something, and this is not a knock on religion specifically, but there is like a Christian element to it. There's a Christian element to it. This is the only Christian media I'll watch. Saved, I'll watch and remember. It's the only...

There's just something about it. One of the women calls herself a patriot and it took me out. I'm sorry. I love this country. Oh my God, that's right. But this woman was like, I'm a conservative, I'm a patriot.

And then it did take me out of it enough to be like, I'm so distracted. I was distracted for another episode and a half and I was like, I'm a conservative. I'm a patriot. And then it did take me out of it enough to be like, I'm so distracted. I was distracted for another episode and a half. And I was like, I think I got to tap out. Five seconds. Please, readers, case, pulp, business finalists, let me know if I should keep watching. But for now, I think for that reason, I'm out. And that's what meant.

I think you're actually, you're going to be good. But people really are invested in this season. It's true. People talk about Love is Blind. People talk about Love is Blind a lot. I watched that first season with you. I've never seen an episode of it. You've never seen an episode? No, I. People talk about Love is Blind. People talk about Love is Blind a lot. I watched that first season with you. I've never seen an episode of it. You've never seen an episode? No, I don't participate in Love is Blind.

But I always say this about things, like I said this about Housewives for years, and then suddenly there I was, like it became like a pretty, like at least 85% of my personality. Right, right, right. Was like, yeah, that. You just need your right way in. It got you though. I mean mean here you are saying you watched

at least three episodes yeah I mean I watched the full first season it's just something about I had no interest in going back but something was so emphatically special about this season that everyone was like you have to watch and I was like okay great and then I'm a little just like I don't know what my way in is with it

but it's not going to be through someone who refers to herself as a conservative patriot. As a patriot, which I just... Yeah, I would be out too. It's coded. I know that that person exists out in the world and she is on these reality shows, but something about

her leading with that was a little bit like it took me out into the real world where I was like, the reason I'm watching this is because they're in these pods. To escape that. So anyway, that's my little love story. See, but that's what... out into the real world where I was like, the reason I'm watching this is because there are these pods. To escape that. You know what I mean? So anyway. See, but that's what,

that's, oh, so. Peek behind the curtain. The cameras went down. The room is too hot. So then we were talking about how sometimes discourse about like, you know, pop culture things

can start to mean more. It's like you go to those pop culture things in order to escape the heaviness. Because it's frivolous. And so all of a sudden someone's like, I'm a conservative patriot. And you're like, oh, I'm back in the real world. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I'm swimming to the the heaviness. Because it's frivolous. And so all of a sudden someone's like, I'm a conservative patriot.

And you're like, oh, I'm back in the real world. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I'm swimming to the surface aerial style. Exactly. All I want is my legs. Or you have your legs. Right. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

All I want is my fins. It's obviously been too long since I've seen it. Though I did just go on the ride at Disney World. The ride is kind of flop. I should have done it. I don't think so, honey. The Little Mermaid ride at Disneyland California Adventure. It sucks because

can I tell you what they did? And this is the woke mind virus. They took out at the end Ursula like dying. They did? Because it's too violent. I think they thought that Ursula's death

was violence against women. And I have to tell you she was an evil sea witch. She was an evil witch. And if I ever saw Ursula in person coming for me, it's on sight. She's getting punched because I know what she's

capable of. Murder, devastation. Faustian bargains. Absolutely Faustian bargains. But I'm on this ride and literally Ursula is like the best part of the movie, but she's in two scenes of the ride. And then they used to have the ride ends

pretty abruptly with like the audio animatronics of like uh eric and miss mama ariel ariel like sort of miss mama just mama singing um but they're like waving goodbye and and like you see like king triton like sort of half in the water saying goodbye to his baby girl. And then in the back, you see Ursula like, like kind of getting it in the water. They took that out. And so I'm like, okay, so now two things.

One, if I'm a little baby girl, I'm wondering what happened to Ursula if she's still running amok. You need that signal. The closure. That there was accountability. That there was accountability. Correct. Can I tell you something with Ursula, is she still running amok? You need that signal that there was accountability. Can I tell you something with Ursula? It's not cancel culture. It's accountability culture.

She was doing Fauci and Morgans and she got hurt. And that's okay. That's okay. It's okay that we don't have Ursula in the seas anymore. She was a menace. She was a menace, truly.

And for that not to be depicted in the ride, I think is coddling kids. I think it's the woke mind virus. Oh God. And I'm a conservative patriot. No. As a result of my experience on the Disneyland ride. Don't love his blind man.

I know I should. I should. I'd probably slay. Okay. All right. So with that, it's now time. Oh God.

For Mandy Morris. The pressure. I don't think so, honey. Well, listen, you guys have done how many episodes of this show? Oh, my God. We're almost at 400. It's literally almost 400.

So I'm sure someone somewhere along the way has had this. I don't think so, honey. But it's something that irks me to no end. And I was like, I'm bringing it. Well, we're going to hear your point of view and take on it. Yeah. Until the unique to you. That's what's going to set it apart.

Exactly. All right. Okay, this is Mandy Morris. I don't think so, honey. Her time starts now. I don't think so, honey. People that take off their socks and or shoes on an airplane. Oh, you are heathens.

We are in a tiny tin can on top of each other. The fact that you think that I want to think about your feet or see your feet or smell your feet is ridiculous. Now, I get sometimes we're on long haul flights. People want to like let the dogs out. But it is so disrespectful of yourself, of your neighbor. And the thing that I find most egregious is when people walk on their bare feet or their socks on the dirty floor and go to the bathroom. Thank you.

Those sticky, sticky socks. And then you have to put them back in your shoes. I mean, you should just burn them. Burn the socks, burn your clothes, never go home. Cut your feet off. Cut your feet off. I just like, I don't know what kind of people think that this is appropriate behavior. Like it is just chaos on flights now.

People are in their pajamas. They're bringing pillows. They're taking their socks and shoes off. It's disgusting. 100. And that's one minute. Oh my God. Thank's disgusting. 100. And that's one minute. Oh my God. Thank you for-

Yes. Anytime I see that on an airplane, I'm like, how were you raised? This is disgusting. Can I ask a clarifying question? Yes. Is it okay to take your shoes off but keep your socks on?

If we're like on, we're talking like we're on a long haul flight. How long is long? I took my shoes off. I put my shoes back on if I'm going to the bathroom. Well, yeah. Can I make sure

that everyone knows I don't go to the bathroom in the socks. But in my seat, I take my shoes off. But not socks. But I keep my socks on. Yeah, please keep the socks on.

Are you kidding? No, I mean, I guess it's okay. It's like when I see people raw dogging it on the flight. No, no, no. That's horrible. But even going to the bathroom in their socks,

I'm just like, no, that's big no-no. Because you're going to get pissed on the bottom of your sock. Or God knows what. Well, I have news for you about socks. They immediately absorb the liquid and then that liquid is on your foot. Right.

So if you think that your sock is a protective barrier between you and someone else's urine, you got another thing coming. I don't think so, honey. Yeah. Is I believe the phrase. Have you slipped a shoe off on a plane? Yes, for sure.

Okay, so we're not hypocrites. Yes, but like I'm also aware of my surroundings. Like I'm not going to do it if I'm like sitting next to someone and I have any qualms that like maybe it's a stinky sock in situation. Are you a Delta girl? I'm an American girl because my dad was an American.

Oh my God. Oh, well, there you go. Your legacy. Yeah. So it's like a family thing. I did an American flight for one of the London trips for work.

Not bad. I will say, I was like, this is quite nice. That was my dad's route. Wow. It was, it was LAX to London.

His like, his, his like last few route. Wow. It was LAX to London. His like, at the end, his like last few years. Wow. Yeah. So then flying was not a big deal to him because, well, because he was up there all the time. But also once you do LAX to London a few times, anything is possible. For sure. That's a long trip.

And I imagine like if your father is a pilot, you can't be a nervous flyer, right? No, never. I love it. You love it. I love it. You love it. I love it. And that's how you feel you can occupy this space of authority of the skies where you think you can say what is the right- I'm a sky patrol.

You are. You're like an air marshal. Yes. I'm a glorified air marshal. No one can arrest you. I'm self-appointed. Self-appointed. This is all going in the musical.

If I could like citizens arrest people for taking their socks off on the plane, I would. It's clear you would. This is all going in the musical, you said? This is all going in the musical. Yeah. I think we're going to do some casting. I think there is something to the, there is a meta thing here where you're like, I want to get out of my own jukebox musical. Yeah. You know? There's

more to me than. There's more to me than my songs but then by the end you realize, oh but I really am appreciative of what my music gave me. They're a part of my story. They're a part of your story. Yeah. Literally. I'm in. The musical starts with little Mandy on a plane, looking out the window. And what is she singing? She's singing. She says

when she is leaving a place where she used to live. And she's like, I'm missing you like candy. This is his first thought. Well, LAX to London, would you go on that route sometimes no but we can okay so

we can pretend Mandy has a song called Try My Best Los Angeles yeah which is like really good when I tell you I'm a fan jeez

and it's like but first of all it's a great like this town song yeah it's one of the best LA songs thanks I really do mean that

thank you gosh act one closer is Gardenia Act one closer is Gardenia. Act one closer is Gardenia, but like, but I think little Mandy singing, I'm trying my best, a very adult mature song. Yeah. For her to be like six years old. Well, it can get reprised at the very end.

You love a reprise. I love a reprise. You love a reprise. You did two of them entangled. You couldn't get enough of the shit. She kept asking for her life of this shit she kept asking for her life to begin she kept asking

for her life to begin well it began Rapunzel but I think there are multiple it began Rapunzel you were annoyed I'm not annoyed you were upset

with Rapunzel you were like oh my god it began no that's not that's not what I meant Donna Murphy did you ever meet yes

oh my god god legend what a legend and I mean this in the best way, like a true, like, one of our great like minxes to me, like just a gorgeous woman.

If you can call Stephen Sondheim Steve, you're a legend. You've made it. You're a fucking legend. You are a legend. And she called that man Steve. They did that pandemic tribute to Stephen Sondheim. Do you remember that?

Yeah, yeah. And it was just Donna Murphy like at her Zoom, like, happy birthday, Steve. And I was just like Murphy like at her Zoom like happy birthday Steve and I was just like fuck yes yeah this is this rocks this rocks

like that is like a woman Donna Murphy I would love to hear her Gardenia I would love to hear Donna Murphy sing I'm the one who likes

Gardenia except her verbato would be spinning at 90 miles an hour. God. I love her song Entangled. Mother Knows Best. The reprise of that is so good.

So good. Mother Knows Best. She really gave it everything. And also, I feel like the character kind of looks like her, too. Oh, interesting. She's sexy. Don't they do that? Well, obviously, with Rapunzel, it's like they had to give Rapunzel.

Sure. But don't they do that like they sort of try to reference the actor a little bit sure sure in your stuff have they done that

no they had to draw Rapunzel they couldn't put a little Mandy Moore in there no but she gets Mandy Moore hair by the end at the end she did

I was like I have that haircut yeah yeah yeah there you go oh yeah when her hair gets cut and it's short and brown it was very like

how to deal era how to deal how to deal oh my god oh my god Sarah Dessen books yeah yeah It was very like How to Deal era. How to Deal was so How to Deal. Oh my God. Oh my God. Sarah Dessen books? Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Allison Janney. Oh, that's another one. Yeah. Yeah. I still occasionally like run into her at events and stuff. And I'm like, the fact that I didn't know who CJ Craig was when I was working with her. She played your mom?

She played my mom in How to Deal. Amazing. And I just remember like she was doing West Wing and she was you know had like her summer hiatus and she came and did this movie and then like halfway through the movie she got nominated for an Emmy and like we all sent her flowers and stuff but I had no idea

and then like years later I of course like devoured the West Wing. Of course. I'm like fuck. It's one of those ones that like it'll always be good front to back. course. I'm like, fuck. It's one of those ones that like, it'll always be good front to back. Oh, classic, like number one show for me. Love. And truly like one of those performances that's like pretty much only one person could do it.

It feels that way. You know what I mean? Like that's always my rubric for like, should something like win an Oscar or like be like have the stamp for approval of like this thing. It's like, could you see anyone else doing it? Allison Janney has that like five or six times over.

Yes. She is one of those. Like she's just like it feels right no matter what it is. Like character actress, but also very idiosyncratic, identifiable brand, but also like can do it all. Yeah, effortless. Yes. Whatever she brings to a role, you're right. You can't imagine anyone else

playing it yeah like you gotta watch Drop Dead Gorgeous again her and Ellen Barkin it's doesn't get better than that doesn't get better

and it doesn't get better go ahead get a picture of that most smartest most smartest doesn't get better than this episode no I love it Bandy thank you so much

for coming thank you thank you for coming all the way out to Los Angeles I know it wasn't just for this, but I'm so honored you made time in your schedule for this, guys. Of course. Literally, I mean, we can't say enough,

as you can probably tell, just like congrats on everything and having an impact the way that you have. Thank you. I mean, like you're the best and we're such fans. And guess what? We're going to exchange numbers. Oh, yeah.

Yes. And watch this space for the culture awards because you might hear this and we end every episode with a song I'm the one who likes gardenia I'm the one who likes

to make love on the floor if you want to hear more of that listen to the actual song sung by the person in front of us. Or check out the Culture Awards. Bye. Bye. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty and I'm the host of On Purpose. My latest episode is with Jelly Roll. This episode is one

of the most honest and raw interviews I've ever had. We go deep into Jelly Roll's life story from being in and out of prison from the age of 13 to being one of today's biggest artists. I was a desperate delusional dreamer. Be a delusional dreamer. Just don't be a desperate delusional dreamer. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Trust me, you won't want to miss this one. I'm Julian Edelman. I'm Rob Gronkowski. And we are super excited to tell you about our new show, Dudes on Dudes.

We're spilling all the behind-the-scenes stories, crazy details, and honestly, just having a blast talking football. Every week, we're discussing our favorite players of all times, from legends to our buddies to current stars. We're finally answering the age-old question, what kind of dudes are these dudes? We're going to find out, Jules. New episodes drop every Thursday during the NFL season. Listen to Dudes on Dudes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, five-year-old Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was found off the coast of Florida. And the question was, should the boy go back to his father in Cuba? Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or stay with his relatives in Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him.

Or stay with his relatives in Miami. Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.