That Was Us - Homeward Bound | "Clooney" (S2E12)

Episode Date: March 4, 2025

This week on That Was Us, Mandy, Chris, and Sterling discuss the importance of the “strays always find who needs them” theme running through the episode, from William’s cat Clooney to the lost pieces of each character’s past. Kate finally sees Madison, Kevin finally sees the sacrifices Jack made, and Randall realizes William’s lost love is the view from his window – but at the heart of this story is Randall’s desire to connect with William and his former life. Plus, the hosts also chat with Olivia Allen who shares how the show inspired her family to reconnect with a loved one. That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith. Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of That Was Us, we will be discussing season two, episode 12, titled Cluny. Kate goes wedding dress shopping with Madison. Kevin embraces sobriety and moves in with Rebecca. Randall digs into Williams' past, and the Pearson's. Go to the mall. Hello, friends. What's going on, people? How are we doing today?

I'm having a wonderful morning. I'm glad to hear it. Oh, man. What's happened so far? Can I rub off on me a little bit, please? Well, let me tell you, like, last night in the evening's bear likes to rock out before bed. Like, wait. Hey, Dad, can we rock out?

What does it look like? Yeah. It looks like him up on the couch holding a ukulele and me playing what, rock song he's never heard before. So I give him like a new rock song. And last night, I played him Smells Like Teen Spirit for the first time. Okay. And he lost his efferlovered.

Did he really? He loved it. Loved it. Loved it. And so this morning on the ride in, I re-listened to Nevermind, like front to back. And I was like on the 10 freeway. Transformed back in time. Yeah, yeah.

Like, so excited to see you guys. I'm amped up. He likes to rock out. Apparently. That's amazing. And IFA just sits their head bangs. Cool, kids. Well, that is a good morning.

We're working on it. My morning's been good. My wife's got an audition today. It's always a good thing. She gets excited when prospects are on the horizon. I told her that Chris said she should do the podcast sometime. And she's like, well, if you guys are like dragging the bottom of the barrel and you need somebody of course i was like you're not the bottom of the barrel bird never and then the brainstorm came if we have one that focuses an episode that focuses like on couples which our show always focuses on couples and maybe we all bring our spouses that's fun that could be a cool idea and can do a little something like that i think she should sit in on not just guest on the show but like help us narrate an episode so that we can cross promote your other podcast too i appreciate that but let's also get her on the phone because if she remembers she was in

invited to like the first round of recordings. She was. Like, I can't. Yeah, I'm busy. Boom. And then I think she was invited to the second round of recordings. And she's like, I don't feel like it. So Ryan, bottom of the barrel. Hardly. My ass. Not even

gross. Not even gross. First thought. Mandy, you look lovely and red. Thank you. By the way. Mandy Moore just had a baby, folks. I can't tell. I can't see. I don't know how you do it. Oh, my goodness. You got the snapback. No, no, I don't have the snapback.

I have the pillow hiding. Is that what it is? Okay, strategically placed for those on YouTube. Exactly, exactly. Anyways, come see us on YouTube. Yeah, come see us on YouTube, guys. Come check us out. So this is, it's entitled to Clooney.

My first question I have, we all know, because we've read the scripts and et cetera, et cetera. Do you think the audience remembered who Clooney was when they first see the cat running across the screen? You don't? No. They're like, why are we watching a cat? Can I also say, I'm an animal lover? Yes. Anytime there's an animal, like, on a television show or in films, I'm petrified.

Like, where is this going? Is the animal going to be okay? And I've heard there is a website that, like, chronicles every movie or TV show that has, like, an animal featured in it, just to make sure you can, like, check and say, like, no, no, all clear. You know it's going to be fine. All clear. It's not like a Bambi situation. Like you're not going to be watching old yellow and something's going to be going down. Correct.

Okay, I got you. Because I can't handle that. So seeing this. guy, of course, the whole time he's, like, running across the street, dodging him. I know, I was like, this is NBC. There's no way, like, something's going to happen to this cat. Right. Yeah.

And we're also there, I don't remember what happens with this cat. He's got the one little ear? Do you think the one little ear was, like, glued down? Or is that the way that cat came? I think that cat was like that. I don't think you know how to glue animal ears. Surely you could. No, I don't think so.

I don't think it's what they call humane. You can't put makeup on an animal? Did he have some stretch and stipple on his ear? Stretch and stipple on the ear? He's in there getting it removed, hot towel at the end of the day. Hopefully folks will let us know in the comments, because we all know from the beginning that it is William's cat. But I'm curious to the audience is like, who's this cat?

Yeah. Okay. The episode, after the cat, we see the little cat montage, et cetera. We see Jack doing some woodworking, right? He's building an entertainment center. Correct. Very excited once to have it ready to go. before the Super Bowl.

And then Kate enters and she wants to go to the winner-formal and asks her mom if they can go to the mall, which is like about knocks Rebecca over. We're going dress shopping. Did you see that? Did you hear that? She wants to like spend time with me.

She wants to hang out with me. In public? Scooby snacks, okay? And then everyone wants to go to the mall. Jack goes to Kevin's laid up in his cast having a pity party, but Jack takes everybody to the mall. Randall says, I want to go to the mall. And I'm like, why does Randall want to go to?

like okay cool and then Kevin says God he's weird because he just sort of like pops out he's like he's like I want to go it was a perfect weird delivery too yeah I want to go to the mall I love him so much

he's great he's so great okay so then we go to the present and Randall is helping Annie with this diorama he's very excited he gets all into it etc do you guys remember diaramas did you oh yeah oh yeah it was an active active part of the California

I have two kids in California school. Diarramas top off in the Browns. Still. We did missions. California missions. Talk to me. Wait, what do you mean when you say a mission? Like a church? Catholic missions. You know, there are famous missions all up and down California that are from the Spanish. Viejo? Viejo. That's one I know. I mean, I can't even remember which when I did. But yeah, it was a lot of macaroni, a lot of lasagna noodles for those Spanish roofs. Oh, cute. Very, very innovative. But I also, I also noticed that, like, Randall was the one sitting in front of the diary, like, putting it together. He's doing the whole thing. Doing the whole thing. And my mom was kind of the same way. He's doing the whole thing. She just did it all,

did all the hard work. Kind of. This is an unemployed dude who's, like, pouring himself into whatever's in front of him at that moment. I ain't got nothing else to do. That's right. Is this the first time that we, is this the first time or do we hear any hints of Beth's occupation before episode 212? Oh, I think we have. Remember when she, like, went back to work and... Yes.

I just, I feel... She went back to do the job itself, though. Was sort of nebulous, much like Toby, until one day we were like, oh, he works in IT. Toby's an IT. Beth is in city design, public... Yeah, public works. Public works, etc.

Right? She just lost a lot to, what did they? A Costco. A Costco. And then Annie's like, hmm, people probably want a Costco more than they want a. That was funny. Because then Randall's like, hey, don't talk. Your mom is upset. Yeah, yeah.

Which is a brown move. Anytime Andrew says something to his mom that's just a little more sass than what it needs to be, you got to read the room, big dog. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Sometimes like, hey, man, don't say it. You're making life hard for me. Yeah.

When you make her men. Let's take it back to one. Let's try this again. Bring it down again. So he says he's sorry that it's going on. He has a job interview later on that day. But he is so nonplussed about the whole thing. Like it's not, it's a job interview that anybody could do.

And doesn't get his... That would really like him to be happier about it. You know what I'm saying? More into it. She would like him out of the house, doing something productive. Because Randall's not the dude that can just kind of be there and be cool. Oh, he's going to be in everybody's stuff. Yeah.

Right? So there you go. Not doing anything for his juices. Go to Kate at O.A. And she's talking about the wedding dress, right? And sort of kind of brings some things up. My man wants the big wedding, so that means you've got to have the big dress. And that's sort of bringing a few things up for me.

But, you know, this is what he wants. So we're going to make it happen. Madison makes a joke. I think my wrists are getting fat. She asks for that. And they're like, okay, that breaks the tension. Dan, so I'm, we always, our show does this thing where you kind of delve into something and it feels a certain way and there's always sort of like a slight tension release and it's not

it's not for like a pure laugh per se but it's for like so it doesn't become too heavy too soon. I feel like he does a good job of finding the balance where it doesn't disrespect what happened immediately prior. But it's also how we kind of, as human beings, is like, we can't live that heavy all the time. Like, even when folks ask us about the show, what is it like doing the show? Was it just sad all the time?

I was like, we cracked up constantly. But I also think you kind of had to crack up constantly, because the flip can be true too. You can go to a comedy set. And when they're not like cracking yucks, dead silent. People get real serious about comedy. Very. And it's almost like they think that that's what it would be like on our set.

And our set is completely the opposite of it. It's true. You know? Yeah, drama seems to need that flow. You need to have that lightness to, so that you can flow into these, be present in these moments. And I'm, and I, in my experience, what you're talking about, like comedy, a lot less fun. Yeah. Because it's a lot more mathematic.

It is. There are rhythms. There are things. Well, I found it when, when I was. We were in New York a couple summers ago doing a comedy. I was doing a play. It was a comedy. And I thought, oh, this is going to be great.

And I forgot, like, how stressful a comedy is. Because drama just works. Sure. You just put it up and people look at it in it, but this is dramatic. Hopefully, I'm feeling emotions with you. But if comedy starts failing, if everybody on stage isn't in rhythm. Like a sinking ship. Yeah.

If a joke gets missed, if a, if, if, if, if, If the audience doesn't quite hear the punchline of a joke, then everyone's out of sync. It's like double dutch. It takes you time to, like, get back into it. And it's, it's terrifying. It is.

It is terrifying. So yeah, our set was always very light. Yeah. And that definitely came from the top down, too. I would say so. But also, it's like, it is a group of naturally funny humans. Like the two of you, John Wirtes, Justin, like, there is just a, Chrissy.

It's like, there's a lot of, like, just, Your instinct is always to be funny and to be light, and that helps, I think. Are you not funny? No, I'm definitely the straight man. I'm not the funny person in the group, but man, I loved coming to work with you guys because I was like, oh, I'm not gonna be able to keep it together.

I just get to laugh at my friends all day. Were any of the kids, particularly, jokesters, were they like... Eris is very, very funny. Okay. Like, heiress would have us all... in stitches. Okay.

Like literally, she has such a big personality. Personality. Or personality or whatnot. She's always trying to crack up lyric and cracker.

And actually, Faith, who plays Annie, is also really funny. Because she would, they started giving her, like, those one-liners

at the end of, like, like piercing scenes, and she would, every single one of them, right? So those, those guys were really, really funny.

What about your kid? The littles were always with their parents, so it's not, Like, there was, like, a ton of, like, I mean. You weren't, like, standing at crafty? Yeah, exactly, like, getting a cup of coffee with them. Tell me a joke, kid.

But, like, Niles and Hannah and Logan, like, they all had their own language with each other. And they were constantly, I mean, Niles is always laughing. He's always, like, in a great mood. And I felt like the three of them had their own language. And I'm like, we weren't always, like, we weren't always, like, doing their thing. Yeah. What are you guys laughing about? Yeah, totally.

Let's see. What's a joke? I want to laugh Yeah Do I laugh? Yeah, Aris made me laugh All the time Oh, I love that

All the time She would do this thing Like in scenes sometimes Like right before Like the scene would start She go, Ayo And then like I remember like A couple of times

It made it into the scenes Like where folks would just go Ayo And just so dumb I loved it Anyway No, it's the best It's the best

It's the best It's the best More that was us After this short break And I remember one year we all went down south. I think we were in Atlanta, and we found this beautiful home. And big family, we had about 16 of us all in this house. And it had four stories.

And we were able to split it amongst ourselves. And the family got a chance to be together. Little cousins playing with each other all under the same roof. Ping pong table, foosball table, pool table. absolutely perfect. Sometimes it's the spaces we share that help people create new memories, whether it's a family coming together, someone finding a moment of peace, or even just a chance to reconnect with what feels familiar.

That's what hosting on Airbnb is all about. Hosting isn't just about providing a place to stay. It's about offering a space that feels meaningful even for just a little while, like those times in life when small, unexpected connections make a lasting impact. So whether you're thinking of opening your home to someone looking for a peaceful retreat, a family getaway, or a special memory in the making, hosting an Airbnb is a way to make your space a part of their story. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.com slash host. Then we go to Kev and Barbara. And she's talking about the need for structure in his life. And I don't know if going back to Hollywood is necessarily like the right thing for you at this moment.

Kev says I got an idea, like I'm actually, my mom and I had this great conversation. I'm thinking I'm going to go and stay with her, right? which I think is cool. Like after going through everything that we just went through, like, do we have anything with each other, et cetera? He's like, I want to spend some time with my mom, right? He goes and Miguel's there, and they're all talking to each other. And, like, you know, maybe we'll go grocery shopping.

Grocery shopping. And Miguel's like, you know, I'll come along too, right? And you see Kev just like, hey, man, I'm trying to spend time with my mama. Here you are up in the spot. Miguel's like, yeah, I'll come along too. So anyway, we go to the dress shopping with Kate and Madison. I'm going to take you dress shopping. She's very excited.

It's a really sweet offer, too. Like after listening to her thing in O.A., etc., I'm jumping all around. Should I continue with one of these things, McGregers? Why don't we go to the mall in the past? Let's go to the mall in the past. I like that. Yeah.

Where do you want to start with the mall? What do we have? We have three different situations. Yes. We have Kate with her mom at the clothing store. looking at dresses for the winter formal. Yes. We have Randall, who we've realized

is pursuing a lady. A lady. He stutter stops on a, we see a redhead. Yep. At like a little boutique. Like Randall's Charlie Brown. Yes. And then we have Kevin is with Jack.

They're both looking at suits. Correct. Because they both need suits. All right. So let's do, let's do the ladies. Rebecca and Kate? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, they're in this clothing store. Kate finds this dress that she likes.

She takes a couple of different sizes in and kind of, like, tells her mom, like, never know, like, what one's going to fit. And Rebecca's, like, absolutely. Yeah. She goes into the dressing room and Rebecca's just, you know, futsing around the store, like, very excited. Like, I'm shopping with my daughter. It's like, oh, what a dork. I love the enthusiasm that you bring to it is so genuine and beautiful. I'm just waiting for my daughter.

I'm just waiting. We're shopping. Yeah. Me. Me and my daughter. Would you believe it? Yeah. And Mandy, that was funny.

It was. Oh, gosh. Rebecca. She sometimes has a sense of humor. But the overarching theme of this interaction, which if we want to stick with this one for a second, was really interesting to me because it is a not often discussed angle on this situation. We've obviously already talked about Kate's insecurity around clothing,

clothing size, trying on clothes, all this things. But what we come to find out through this whole miniature storyline as it relates to the present day is that she is a little self-sabotaging on this trip, which I can relate to. She has a dress that fits, but it's not good enough. She needs to try the next dress down. Yeah, which doesn't fit. Which doesn't fit. And then go, see?

Yeah. See? And it's this. I have no value. I have no value. And it's an interesting as the, as the quote-unquote family of addicts conversation that was started in the previous episode. It's an interesting thing that alcohol is not the problem. Food is not the problem.

These are solutions. Sure. These are solutions for people. I see what you're saying. Yeah. They're like, this makes me feel better. Right. It doesn't work.

This will fix. It's dysfunctional, but it's the solution. Sure. The real problem underneath all of these things is an addiction or an attachment to shame and to feeling shame. Yeah. And I mean, Kate says as much to Madison, when they're dress shopping, she's like, you know, I got skinny right before my dad died.

And I, you know, once I lost the weight, I realized I didn't know who I was without the weight. Right. You know? And she was like, and I liked that voice. I like to be mad at myself. People get it. People get so, they tie their personality around this thing. Yeah.

And then they can't, they get so terrified that if they lose this thing. Who are they? Who am I? I've heard comedians talk about it. Will I be funny without alcohol? Right. You know, I've heard actors talk about it. Will I be effective without my trauma?

Yeah. Yeah. You know, what happens if I, musicians yeah what if i'm happy yeah what am i going to write a song about exactly and so they get so attached to like destroying their life yeah like drugs alcohol uh sex whatever the thing is to like create chaos so that i can so that i can be be an artist yeah or um yeah it's it's it's a dysfunctional attachment to to self and it comes from a core belief of what you were saying, lack of value, low self-esteem.

If I truly believe that I am worthless, then it makes it easier to believe that if I behave in a worthless fashion. Yep, correct. Yeah, and so she looks beautiful in this dress. Yeah, she does. She hit, I mean, ready to go to the ball. Yeah. And she decides, But what if I try on a size five? Yeah. And it, and it's, and now she can wallow. There you go. Leaves the, yeah, because she like, that's where she feels most comfortable.

That's right. With that voice sort of egging her on, like, nope, not good enough. That's right. And it's, and it's so interesting that these inner critics, these voices, they don't come from, always, like, don't come from Jack. They don't really come from you. Yeah. They just come from within. They come from those little moments at the pool where the girls.

Mm-hmm. draw a picture, and she gets, and a little eight-year-old gets this image of a monster in her head and attaches it to who she is and then runs with it for 30 years. Carries it with her. And we all, I mean, I do it. A lot of people, a lot of people do it. We all do to certain degrees in different ways, absolutely. It's a hard thing to get out from underneath.

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I mean, that's a good, that's a good summation of their trip. I don't know how it gets, I don't remember how it gets, gets resolved. Well, I think it just sort of, like, it's there as a device to sort of show what's happening present day with Madison, and that she's sort of like, like, she's trying

to relate to Madison, and because she's called over to Madison's house later. Madison has eaten a ton of macaroons and sweet stuff when they were wedding dress shopping, and she goes home to purge. She excused herself to the bathroom there. Yes. Kate knows what she's up to. And then later that night, she calls Kate and says that she passed out, she hit her head. Yeah.

Can she come and kind of be with her? And I think this is the conversation that follows where Kate admits that, you know, she knows what she's going through. Like I got to a point where I thought, you know, if I get to a certain weight, if my body looks a certain way, then I'm finally going to be happy. And once she got there, she realized that voice, she needed that voice. She was so comfortable with the voice that was sort of screaming at her. Yeah. It's another great example of essentially empathy in photonegative. Like it's the same thing that happened what you talked about in the last episode with Jack and Randall about Randall talking about feeling unbalanced.

And Jack finding a way to not just sympathize, but empathize with him even though it's like, all right, well, your experience. as a young black man, and my experience as a Vietnam veteran, shouldn't in your mind, but you find a way to connect and empathize. It's the same thing with the way Kate gets chaotic versus the way Madison gets chaotic. But they can empathize, or at least maybe this is the first time that Kate really has a real understanding of the dysfunction that Madison is going through. Because up until this point, any time Madison says something to the most part, you're like, it was an eye roll.

Yeah. Why are you here? What is it? You don't have the same problems at us. And then there's this moment of empathy. And then there's this beautiful and also comedic sort of thing that sort of like allows us to exhale a little bit. Madison saying, I finally have a best friend. I wrote that down too.

Yeah. And Kate was like, I guess, I guess is that what we are now? Yeah. Another little peek at like a little dysfunction. Also, I love that she was like, should we have a podcast? Really good. Yeah, and Kate's like, no. Like, that was hilarious.

Who would start one of those? Yeah. That idea. Anyways, we're being heckled from the past. Yeah, totally. I thought that. Let's, I would, let's, uh, Randall's sort of storyline, because I think it's quick to, quick to sum up.

Yeah. Because it's small, but they know there'll be dividends later on in, in this season. Because you see him at the beginning of the episode, young Randall, sort of like doing something with a magic eight ball. Yeah. It's like opening it up.

I was like, man, you're a real nerd. You're cracking open eight balls and changing him. It's so sweet. Excited to go to the mall. You see, he sees Little Head, Red Girl, Allison. Allison, yes. Allison. And he leaves, sir, because he doesn't have the nerve.

Wasn't the right moment. Wasn't the right moment. And I'm wondering if there was, I think there was something that happened. They go to, he goes to the food court with Miguel, Jack, and Kevin. And Miguel, and this will intersect, Miguel winds up talking to the fellas like,

you never told him about Big Three Houses? And he's like, no. He's like, my dad, your dad was gonna start his own construction company, building homes, et cetera. And you see Kev kind of looking at him like, oh, I wonder why he didn't do it. And then Jack says something to them, like, you know, you own your choices,

You stick to him and you see him through, right? And you see Randall for a second, be like, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to go ahead and do this thing. Yeah. And so then later in the episode, he goes back up to, I don't even know if this redhead chick knows who he is. Like, I'm wondering, like, I'm sure, make something. They know each other from school. They know each other from school.

And he asks if she would go out with him. And she's like, uh, and he's like, well, you know what? Maybe you should consult the eight ball before you get a chance. And what does the eight ball say? Try not to think too hard about it or something like... Yeah, it has her name on there. It has her, it does have her name on it. Oh, it did.

Yeah, it had her name on it. So she smiled and I was like, he got a little charm, a little smile. And so ultimately she does wind up going out with him. But I was sweet to see what happens. And it's also because there will be personal resonance when we get to later on in this storyline. Yes. With like how it all ultimately winds up playing out,

but that's the summation of that. Well, I love that, you know, Kevin and Jack are suit shopping, and they run into Miguel, and Miguel is sad because Shelly's just gotten engaged and Kevin's wallowing in his own, his life has fallen apart. And Jack goes to give like a pep talk and he's like, stop, you always do that. Let us be sad. Like, I'm bummed out. Miguel's bummed out. And then when they get to the food court, you know, Kevin is sort of, I think he's sort of like, I mean, you know, you know, I mean, you. Have you not ever lost something that you really wanted?

And that's how the big three homes comes up. And Miguel's like, he has? Did you not tell them about when you were going to start this company? So that's sort of the connective tissue there. Randall shows up and Jack thinks it's going to be a ray of sunshine, but he's also a wallowing. Yeah. Yeah, everybody is. It's really good.

You know, that aspect of Jack is something that I have to check within myself. the desire to not have people feel down. Yeah, okay. You know what I'm saying? You feel responsibility. Yeah. For booing people. Yes.

Yeah. But also recognize there's a time and a place for all things. It's okay to let people feel what they're feeling. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah. And I think for the longest time, it would make me uncomfortable. Like, hey, come on.

Hello, my baby. Hello, my darling. You know, just trying to lift everybody up. But like, there's a time and a place. And I think it's become clear for me over time. But as that was happening, and as Kevin said that to his dad, he's like, hey, man, why are you doing? The dude just lost his wife. I just lost my whole, like, future thing.

Like, can we just have a moment? Yeah. And I was like, oh, yeah. Ryan tell me that sometime. Yeah. She most definitely does. Yeah. Yeah.

I'm just clacking that for myself. Yeah, I'm the same. Yeah. Well, this storyline eventually wraps up with Jack. going home and talking to Rebecca about, like, maybe we should do this. You know, maybe I should start big three homes again. Like, maybe this is the time the kids are getting ready to go off to school. Rebecca's into it.

Rebecca's into the idea. So supportive. Yeah. You know what? Yeah, it's scary. Let's do it. There's, I mean, like, that aspect of that relationship is so, when you feel supported by your partner, even when, like, it seems like it's not the prudent thing to do.

Yeah. But, like, your partner has your back. What an incredible feeling that is. How safe. You know what I'm saying? Like, okay, everybody else may think I'm nuts. But my girl, my dude, like, they think I'm okay? Yeah.

I can do this. Let's take a shot. You know what I'm saying? Jack and Rebecca, man. They're my parents. Yeah, they're a good team. But they also allude to something in this episode. There is the reminder in the beginning.

and then at the end of like, remind me to get batteries, right? Right. And then the episode sort of ends on a similar note. And there's a close-up of the fire alarm. You have the smoke detector. Of the smoke detector. Yep. Which will factor in.

It will indeed, madam. Yes. Should we talk about Randall, present day? Present Randall? Yes, let's do present Randall. So he has to go pick up a box from Williams' building, right? Of keepsakes or what have you.

He says he'll pick it up and then he'll go to his job interview. So he goes there. He gets the box. There's a lovely moment of him just being in the building and just sort of like William walks right past. Yeah, I love that. It's like his father's

spirit is still sort of permeating the edifice, if you will. And he gets the box. He goes out to his car. He's got sweaters and there's a race. and all sorts of things. And then he finds a journal and, like, a poem. And a poem about this lady.

And how, like, you know, he's sort of transfixed with this lady and everything. And then there's some sketches of who this is or whatnot. And he's like, I've got to find out who this is. Who is this woman, right? So he goes back into the building and he starts sort of asking people, like, you know. Well, first he goes to visit Beth. Does he visit Beth first? I believe so.

He's like, I found this thing. And he's interrupting Beth at work. Yeah. And she is not having it. Not having it at all. No. This felt very much like me and Rachel. Rachel's constantly working on stuff and I'm constantly like,

you're never going to believe it. And she's like, do you mind I'm working on something? I got stuff to do. And she said, listen, you need to get a job. You know what I'm saying? It's not like for the money, anything like that, but you need something to, like, give your attention. Yeah, pour yourself into.

You know what I'm saying? Like, it's going to be better for our relationship. It's going to be better for our family. And he's like, all right, cool. But he still goes back to ask some people if they know who this lady is, right? And the first moment, he goes, like, did you know my dad, Williamson? Yeah, I know. Like, did you know him like?

Did you like him? Did you love him? Did you love him? She's like, wasn't he a fancy man? And she goes, wasn't he a fancy man? It's like, oh, you mean gay? Oh, you mean gay? He's like, bye.

Bye? Yeah. And she goes, bye. Bye. Good writing. That was so funny, though. Fancy man, you're like, no, he wasn't that bad. Oh.

Oh, you mean gay? He's more bye. And then she goes, bye, shuts the door. Hilarious. He goes through a few people and he's trying to find some information, whatnot. He winds up leaving, and I think he gets a call from Lord. saying that, like, he was always talking to the super. So maybe...

Let's talk about Lloyd. What are you going to say about, look? Listen, I mean... Garrett Morris. Yeah. Legend. Another legend. Legend.

Original cast... Let's on the list. Saturday Night Live. So, and that man is... He was funny when we were shooting. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like, he's up there in age or whatnot.

But, like, any opportunity he had to make people laugh, he seized it. Oh, what a gift. It was kind of awesome. Yeah. It was kind of awesome. There's, we also had Don Lewis in this episode in the building as well, who was a series regular on a different world. Yes. Yeah. I had a question about Garrett Morris.

Because sometimes I show up to work and I don't look too far ahead and I don't know what's happening that day. Sure. And I look at the call sheet. Sure. And I'm like, no way. And we'll get this. Like I had a scene with an action named Michael O'Neill. Okay.

And I was like, no way. No way. Michael O'Neill is. Remember what I'm talking about? We'll get there as many seasons. I do. But was Garrett Moore, do you know he was coming? Or was that like, was that a day of type?

Just a day of like, you gotta be kidding. You gotta be kidding me. Totally. Cool. Yeah, very cool. What a great job. It's a great job. Michael O'Neill, I have a story.

You have to remind me of the Michael O'Neill because he was on Army Wives. He lives in my neighborhood. We see each other all time. Okay, we'll go, we'll get there when we get there, to Michael O'Neill. We'll be right back with more, that was us. Life can pull us in so many directions, kind of like our characters on This Is Us.

And when things get hectic, finding time for yourself isn't always easy. That's why we love Peloton. Peloton has the convenient and varied instruction we all need to stay on track. You can find whatever you're looking for. If I want to focus on upper body, there's upper body workouts, there's glutes and legs workouts. There's core workouts, right? You got boot camps. You have runs.

hikes, biking, whatever it is, is there. Whether you're into Pilates, boxing, marathon, prep, or just need a good stretch or meditation session, Peloton has a class for you. They've got something for every vibe, every goal, and all three of us look for different things in a workout, but we can always find it on Peloton. Some days, I want to challenge myself with a tough boot camp.

Other days, I just need a 10-minute walk or a calming meditation. Pelotan gives you the ability to choose what you need whether you're pushing yourself or taking it easy. And let's not forget the instructors. They are the best motivators out there. It's fun to imagine which instructors our characters would connect with. Like Randall, who's always pushing himself, would probably love someone like Robin Arson, while Rebecca might go for a more soulful yoga session with Aditi Shah.

Allow me to give a special shout out to my girl Jess Sims for the dope Sims 60 that she always brings the pain on, Adrian Williams with the Thunderfellings. 45. I love you guys. And the class lengths are perfect. Whether you've got 20 minutes between meetings or just enough time to sneak in a quick workout while the kids are napping, Peloton fits right into your day. It's all about finding your push and your power, no matter what season of your life you're in. And with Peloton, you've got the variety and motivation to do it all. Find your push, find your power with Peloton at onepeloton.com. But one of the other things that's happening is he's also finding about how William would help other people with things in the building.

Like any time I had a complaint, yes, about something he would go and talk. The building's in a bit of disrepair, right? The buildings and a bit of disrepair. I go and talk to the super and I was like, were you and my dad in some sort of thing? She's like, child please. No. He would just come to complain to me. Any somebody had a problem with their oven or with this, like something in the building, he was constantly coming here and letting me know what was going on. And I was like, oh, man, I was just trying to find this lady. And he's like, you know what? Give me a second. I got an idea. Because I think she knows. Do you think she knows who the lady is? Like when she tells him to go look in the apartment? Yeah. She's like, why don't you take a look around? Why don't you take a look

around? He's like, I don't want to disrupt anything. She's like, no, just go look. Go look. Yeah. That actor, her name, I have it right here. Matthew Moriarty, plays a super. Raging Bowl. From Raging Bowl. Yeah. Wow. We got beasts permeating the world of T.I.U.

Yes. You know what I'm saying? And our producers have pointed out to us, which maybe wasn't even, I wasn't aware of it. Yeah. Is that every tenant in that building is a TV regular. Like, every, every, the entire casting of that are TV regulars. So they all live in the subconscious of the audience. Of ours, yeah.

They're all family. I love that. We go, Randall goes into building, into the apartment, looking around, and just sort of feeling his father's presence and what have you, looking for any kind of clues he can. And he goes to the window and he looks out. And there is a picture of Billy Holiday right across. Lady Day. Lady Day. There's a little bit of a montage.

of William talking about, ah, Lady Day, you know, just enjoying that whole thing. And so it wasn't a lady per se. It was just the space, you know. I mean, probably because we opened, did you know that episode open with Billy Holiday? As, oh, right, the music. Yes. Yes. Yeah, with, as Clooney's running through. God bless the child. God bless the child. And so it dawns on Randall as he comes to his wife. He's like, I think I know what it is. it is. He's like, I think we should get this building together, right? And rehab it and make sure that these people have the building, the space that they deserve. He wants more than a job. He wants a purpose. He wants a purpose, right? And he wants to do it with his partner, which was lead me to

one thing. You guys, you make music with your husband. And it's a pretty harmonious experience which you said. Look at that big old slum. She's just happy as good. She's like, you're like, Yeah, he's pretty cool. He's pretty cool. You guys have done music together as well. Have you done other ventures professionally together? Collaboration. Yes.

I mean, Rachel has started her own business. Yeah. But I have very little. I sit on the board of directors, but I stay out of it mostly. I hear you. I have, so the podcast, Ryan and I's podcast is like the first thing that we've sort of done together. And we're pretty smoothly. And it's interesting because I had a little.

little bit of agita surrounding it, because I'm like, if it goes bad, then when we go home, we have to talk about how it went bad. You know what I'm saying? Like, there's no space or separation. Yeah, yeah. My life is a podcast. You know what I'm saying? The day at work, the car right to work, like sometimes I feel like absence helps the heart grow fonder in that sort of way. But I do, when I remember doing this show, and I remember the Randall's enthusiasm for being in partnership with his wife, I remember thinking, that's something worth modeling, Brown. Yeah. Like, if it can be done,

not in a way that feels forced. Mm-hmm. You know what I'm saying? But, like, it feels like, oh, Rye skill set is this, and Brown's skill set is this. Maybe those things fit together in a way that makes sense. It, we did a season one. Yeah. But that's... We'll see. But that's something.

And I feel like because you guys have your own respective careers, that, like, are the focal point. Being able to come together when it does make sense is great. So for you guys, in terms of, like, the, how it works, is it just, does he just sit around and jam? Do you sit around and write? Do you write something and be like, Taylor, what do you think? And then does he, like, get an idea about how to...

It has to be intentional. Like, okay, I'm going to make music now. Okay. And let's do this together. Yeah. Yeah. It's not more of just like, oh, I like what that... Remember that riff.

What were you just playing there, sir? Yeah. This seems to be one of the great misconceptions about how artists function. Yeah. It's that they're always just kind of floating around and then. Maybe some people are, that's never how it's worked for me. Yeah, I mean, maybe, but I guess, I guess this is what it is.

In our younger days. Sure. When you're 22. Sure. And you're sitting there and you've got no kids. Yeah. You wake up at like 11. Nowhere to go.

Yeah. And all of a sudden you're like, oh my gosh, this melody he's in my head. And you just have time to, like, go sit at the piano. Taylor is probably cracking up listening right now. Is this what Taylor just... Yeah. And, and, oh, God, let me...

I just have to record this before it gets away from me. Yeah. I have to get this idea before it flies away. It's being channeled through me. Once you become... Once being an artist... Yes. ...becomes your job.

Yeah. Right. There's like, no, no, no. Now it's office time. Yeah. Now I have office hours. Sure. And I've heard, especially writers who do it alone, I've heard many, many writers who are like,

from the hours of 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., I am in my office. And I sit in front of my computer type right, whatever the thing is. And I sit there. Yeah. And if I write, I write. If I don't, I sit there. Ass in the seat. Ass in the seat. And sometimes I'll just write garb.

just so that I'm writing. But so that the process is in motion, and there's a time when it has to happen. I was just saying these trips back and forth to Toronto, I try to go a day early, so that I have a day to look at my scripts, go over my things, make some choices, whatever, prepare. Because it's just not happening at home.

I hear you. Yeah. It's not happening at home. Yeah. There's, okay, wait, so I want to go back, because we still have to get to present day, Kev. And that sort of, we wrapped up Randall, yeah? Yeah.

I mean, we can go straight to that conversation between Kevin and Miguel and the cereal aisle. It's a really good one. Because it is. It's a really good one. Yeah. Okay, let's do that. It is. It is. What are you doing here, Miguel?

He said, you know, you see I'm trying to hang out with my mom or not, and you wind up showing up. And he said, well, you don't have to protect her from me. I'm her son. And he says, well, I'm her husband. Yeah. And then he says, he being Kevin says. My father was her husband. I was like, okay.

Yeah. Yeah. Good thing Rebecca was getting eggs or whatever. That was so ice cold. Yeah. Because again, Justin's delivery is never like sort of like, no. Justin doesn't go hot.

He just goes, like, matter of fact. You know, You know what I'm saying? Little knives. It's the shiv. Yes. It's the prison shiv that you don't see coming. You think you're talking to each other.

You didn't even feel it. Yeah. Yeah. Look down, you got blood on your hand. Yeah. And so later on, Kev is upstairs and whatever his upstairs bedroom is because clearly, Rebecca McGill's house is bigger. Yes.

Than Randall and Beths, right? But there, you guys are watching like some sort of home. Renovation show, yeah. Show. Home renovation show about the tiny homes, et cetera, and how you've been. And just having the best time and just laughing and smiling, hugged up underneath, under each other's arms. And Kev walks down and you see Rebecca sort of separate from her husband and like, what's up, man? You need something? And he's like, no, I was just, you know, coming to see what's going on. I can't remember exactly what. But then later, he goes to the kitchen. Him and Rebecca have

a conversation saying, I noticed when I came downstairs, you kind of separated from Miguel. Like, was there a reason why? And she says, like, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, right? And it's almost like, he realizes in that, I feel like in my mind, it's like, no, he really is her husband. Well, because let's get back to the way that conversation wraps up. Go. in the supermarket is Miguel says to him, essentially all those things happen, I am her husband, but Kevin, I'm not going anywhere. That's right.

And it was a gauntlet down. But it was also, it was a big moment for our audience. Yeah. Because they took it two different ways. The gauntlet, like, you can't get rid of me. But also, Kevin, I'm here. Yeah. Yeah.

And I know your dad is not. I know your dad went something. somewhere, but I'm not going anywhere. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. And I'm curious for audience, for audience members who were going through it at that time, who are obviously having their own difficulties with Miguel.

Yes. Like if any people settled at that point or if they were still, I'm sure, I feel like it was a gradual thing. I feel like different people got to a place of comfort with Miguel at different times. Well, I feel like the conversation that proceeds from here, between Kevin and Miguel, brought a lot of solace. Yeah. Because Kevin basically, like you said, I don't know if it was the next day.

It's in the kitchen somewhere. Yeah. He basically says, were you in love with my mom while my dad was still alive? That's right. Yeah. And Miguel's like, that would have been impossible. Yeah. Like, they were so synonymous with each other, your parents.

Your mom and dad were one. Yeah, it wouldn't have even entered my consciousness to like that that would ever be an option so no because it and it didn't even occur to me until he asked that question that that was the problem that people were having yeah oh yeah that was the question that people needed the answer and that's what i mean it was just sort of like it's not so much that he's in love with you or that he married you yeah it was fighting time when did it start when did it never occurred to me waiting in the shadows like until Kevin asked the question, it's like,

oh, that's why people have such an issue. They need to know the answer to this question. Yeah. Yeah. And then Kevin giving that permission to Rebecca to be happy with Miguel and not have to hide that. Yeah. Is this the episode where you talk about,

it's probably the next one? Like for a long time after your dad died, I didn't know if happiness was going to be. No, it's this episode. Because of happiness was going to be a part of my life anymore. Yeah. And what we have is like it's quieter. It's quieter.

but it's like, but it's no less important. I think that's why people had a big issue jumping way ahead to the train. They felt like Miguel didn't get his due, you know, that it was like he was more so jack-focused. And Rebecca and Miguel like shared more years and a very important chapter for both of them as healing older adults to like find each other and have become grandparents together and like i never thought about yeah people were like what that's messed up he was so glossed over on the train when he really had he was still alive no no he dies before rebecca yeah that's right yeah spoiling alert sorry sorry no i was getting turned around yeah and and and and i also think because you said it's quieter but you said he makes me laugh yeah and i you should you

We saw Kev be like, you know what, man, I got to cut this dude some slack. Yep. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. This is her husband, right? And it's crazy that you would, it would take this much time to get there and have this conversation. Yeah. I feel like, listen, he's been in L.A.

Of course. No, I mean, it makes sense, but like, I don't know as, as Mandy, if I could have lived with that sort of very obvious tension. He made it, he made no bones about how he felt about Miguel. Right. Yeah. So, I was, he needed, he needed to be rough on, on Miguel, so that the audience could eventually be, could eventually come around. Sure. See that like, okay, buddy.

Because he kind of represents. It's been going on long enough. Yeah. Yeah. You can. But it's, and it's true to that most folks that I know, and I don't know if you guys can speak to this personally, however tangentially, if you have a step parent after, you know, watching your parents been together for years, et cetera, and now all of a sudden. you seeing them couple with somebody else. That's not an easy transition for most people.

No. You know what I'm saying? I've seen both of my parents with new partners. Yeah. And it took time to wrap my head around, like the idea of my parents not being together and what that meant and how that sort of informed my idea of monogamy and love and what did that mean that they weren't together anymore. Like, I think growing up with divorce all around and it being so commonplace and seeing so many of my friend's parents, sort of families fall apart for, you know, lack of a better term, that was such a fear of mine.

So when it did eventually happen, it took a long time to come around to accepting their new partnerships. Yeah. And, you know, but now it's like, it's, the realization is like, oh, everybody ended up where, where they're. were supposed to, with whom they were supposed to be with. Sure. And they're better for it. Yeah. Yeah.

It's not so scary. There was a season where it lasted and then that season ended and they moved on to someone else. And that's because I feel like, and we'll get to this later on with Kotobie or whatnot, I had my cousin who was divorced, like people act like it's a failure. No. Right? And so like maybe it was supposed to be for that season of

my life. This partnership was supposed to be for this time. And there was something else meant for another time. And look what it brought. It brought two beautiful children and Kate and Toby's situation and so much growth and so much learning. And then they just got to a place where it was like, we've branched off from one another and it's no longer serving us in the way that we both deserve. And I think that's to be celebrated instead of the idea of like digging your heels and in sticking with something when it's no longer working. Amen. Amen.

Oh my gosh, you guys. You know what she do, guys? What's your do? What's your do? Let's do it. Let's do a kick-ass fan segment. I like that. We have a fan coming on the show who is also a friend of the pod.

I know personally. Yeah. You've met her. I know. I've not met her. But boy, does she have a story to tell? I've heard it. You two have not heard her.

The audience certainly hasn't heard it. But you're now going to want to miss this. All right, folks, it is time for one of our favorite parts of the show, the fan segment. A lot of mysteries are uncovered in Clooney. Kate finally sees Madison. Kevin finally sees the sacrifices that Jack made. And Randall realizes that Williams' love lost. love, I should say, is actually

the view from his window. But at the heart of the story is really Randall's desire to connect with William and his former life. Even though William only had a short time with Randall, he made it count. And Randall is determined in this episode to extend that connection just a little longer

looking for answers to a mystery. That is right. So for today's fan segment, we are talking to a fan and friend of the podcast, Olivia Allen, who will tell us how this is us inspired her mother to do something pretty amazing. It's a story she told me when I was on her podcast, broad ideas.

You two don't actually know the story, so I am excited for you to meet. For the mystery. Olivia. What up, Olivia? Hi, Olivia. Oh, hi, guys. I love that you don't know the story. Yeah, I made sure not to tell them so that you could tell us.

So, Chris, you were on the podcast. So, yes, I went on the podcast, on Broad Ideas with Olivia and Rachel Bilsen. Okay. And we got to talking about the fact that that's not only had Olivia seen the show, but that her and her mom had kind of a really interesting story around the show. Yeah, I was telling Chris that watching the show was obviously emotional, as it was for everyone in the whole world, that watched it, but my mom and I started a tradition where she would come over every week

and we would watch the show together. Wow. And it makes me feel emotionally even thinking about that because one day I will miss that, but she would come over and I had just had a baby and it was a really bonding time. It was like our thing. We'd watch the show. And then one night I heard her upstairs crying in the bedroom by herself. And so I went in and I was like, what is going on?

And I could hear that it was like she was trying to stop the crying. The show was already over. So I knew something was brought up. And I said, what's going on? And she said that, you know, and I knew this information. I knew she had given up a baby for adoption when she was 19 years old. She's now 82. So at this point, I don't know how many years ago.

ago it was. But she had told me when I was young, it was a close adoption, we'll never know who he is. And this was something that caused her great pain throughout her life. And then while we're watching the show, she said it brought up so much pain of wanting to know who her son was, that she would never see him, she would never find him. And through your character finding your dad, that's what broke this open 50 years later. Okay. So the next morning, I went on 23 and me, and I'd been on 23 and me for, I don't know, five years at this point, something like that. And it was the first time I clicked the buck and opt in to connect with relatives. And And when I did, I saw that there was someone that shared 25% of my genes.

And I was like, it says I have an uncle or something along those lines. And I wrote him and I said, this is going to sound crazy, but I think you're my brother. And he wrote back immediately, this is why I got on 23 and me. Stop it, Olivia. Yes. He is in my life. in my mom's life. They have the most beautiful relationship. They are, they talk twice a week. They're best friends. He came. He met the family. He is a complete light. He is a wonderful guy.

And it was 100% because of watching This Is Us that that happened. And it caused lineages of healing in our family. Oh, my God. Let the shell shock set in. Yeah, I'm like, hold on. That was how I responded when I heard the story. So this, what is his, can you tell us his first name? Steve. Steve.

So Steve, with the direct purpose of trying to find you guys. To solve this mystery, got on 23 and me. And we just waited and just waited for someone to click that button. Just waiting. Yes. How long was he on there? Do you know? He had been on it.

I played for years. and nothing ever moved. And that one night when I heard her crying, it's like an episode of This Is Us. It's like the episode opens with a guy who invents a DNA service. And it's like, you know what I mean? Like the whole story is an episode of This Is Us. It totally is.

Wow. Well, it also is because it's a good outcome. Yeah. Yeah. It's a great outcome. Yeah. It's the best outcome possible. Yeah.

And let me tell you, she lived with this, you guys, the pain of not ever meeting her child for 55 years. I can't even imagine. And in one night of cracking that open, it made me go, wait a minute, there is something I could do. Wow. Wait a minute, hon. Just real. I have to, my question is, because he, Randall looks for William, like, on the pilot. Was it the pilot or was it like later on in the show?

Do you know like after like what episode it was? Do you sure? We were deep in. You were deep in. We were deep in. Yeah, because it's like, yes, in the pilot, he looks for him. That's what got it. Yeah.

But then it was like the relationship building. Yeah. Oh. It really solidified it. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. It's such an incredible story, I love you.

It's an incredible show. This is, I, I, I, yeah. Kudos to our producers and to young Sullivan for like, they're like, they're like, let's, let's, let's not tell them what's going on until we. So, because me and Mandy here are just like, I'm like, I can't stop. I can't close my mouth. Wow. Do you have a relationship with him or is that just? Oh, totally. Yeah.

Yeah. He's a wonderful guy. And the craziest thing is he grew up down the street from where I lived at the time. So when he came to visit, he's like, I grew up three streets over. No. Three streets over. No, he's fantastic. He's a wonderful person.

It's so crazy. He looks more like my mom, acts more like her, the mannerisms than any of us. Are you serious? Genetics, man. Yeah, genetics are wild. Jeans are freaky. Yeah. So if you want to shake up your life, just go on that 23 and me app.

It'll do it. Connect with relatives. I've done it. Have you really? You found people? I mean, there's nothing, nothing like this. Did you find a brother? No.

No, but there's definitely like, it goes down to like fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth cousins. Does it really? It's a long list of like people that you are genetically related to who, you know, you would never know or there would be no reason you would know. Sure. But this is the second story I've heard. My next door neighbor has a story like this too. I'm sure there's some crazy stories, too. We're like, I didn't know of it.

Just a 23 and me story. I got you. I gotcha. That's why this show will always hold the most profound place in our hearts. Thank you so much. That's amazing. We're so honored and honored that you would share the story with us and our audience. That is unbelievable.

It's one of those things. I say it time and time again. You think you're making a little show trying to like me. bring a little light, you know what I'm saying? Do your thing or whatnot. But like the number of lives that it is changed, impacted, transformed to that level. Like, I don't know if we'll ever do something again quite like it. That touches that, yeah.

Maybe. But who knows? At least we had this. Yeah, you guys nailed it. And she's a grandma to more kids because of it. All of it. It's just incredible. However, you guys should take a lot of responsibility for that because,

if it didn't hit so hard on that emotion, it wouldn't have propelled the action. Sure. And so like what you're doing is actually very important in this world. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Wow, what a story. Thank you so much. Please give your mom my love.

Yes. And your brother. Oh, that'll make it so much. Yeah. I guess we should have your mom on. Yeah. I guess we should talk to your mom. Yeah.

Just interview your mom. and real before before we say goodbye i just i have to know what that pillow says behind you what's that pillow say always what i say that's a good question i don't always wound but when i do there it is and if that's not a reason to subscribe on youtube so that you can see this pillow that's the best pillow i've ever seen yep wow you've brought now two amazing stories to this podcast want to plug the podcast before we get out of here oh yeah please please uh tune in to broad ideas with rachel belson and olivia allen we need you now sterling we've had mandy and chris deal yeah anytime okay deal thank you very much i look forward to it okay

right there on camera i said it i'm in i'm in feel the deal awesome well i trapped him we're got him That Was Us is filmed at Rabbit Grin Studios and produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.