"Kathryn Hahn"
55:44 Share

One second. Hello? Oh, you got a phone call. I'm just in this intro thing with Sean. With Sean from, yeah. Hey, you want to finish with me first and then take the call? One second, Sean. This is very important. Yes, host of the year, Sean Hayes. Why don't we start the show? Sean, one second. I'm going to be there. Why are you so... Why don't we just start the show and then you can take the call? This is an important business call. Just give me one second. Yeah, just chill.

What's going on with you? Guys, welcome to Smart Less.

All right, real quick announcement here right up at the top. Yeah, good news, bad news kind of thing. It's a dark day for sweet Willie Arnett. It's a bummer. We're not going to, because of everything that's going on in the world, we are unfortunately going to have to cancel our Toronto shows. Yeah. So sorry to all our Toronto friends. And just so people understand, it's due to current capacity restrictions and the uncertain timeline of those limitations that we have to cancel the Toronto show. And they can get refunds, right?

Yes, the good news is that a refund will be processed automatically if you bought tickets. If you bought tickets directly from Ticketmaster, I think is the caveat. But let's tell them where we're going instead. The new city is... Sean? Washington, D.C. Wait, what? Yes, February 2nd, the same day as the Toronto show, but now since we're not doing Toronto, we're doing D.C., February 2nd at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in D.C. Constitution Hall.

And for our listeners, you can use the special password Tracy, T-R-A-C-E-Y, to buy tickets now until Thursday at 10 p.m. before they go on sale for the public. And those tickets are already on sale. Yeah, so they can already get those tickets. And you can go, if you go and you use the promo code Tracy, T-R-A-C-E-Y, you can get tickets now in advance of the public up till Thursday. Is that right? Yeah, so now until Thursday for all our listeners, use the password T-R-A-C-E-Y. Yeah.

You can also go to smartlist.com slash tour for tickets and more information. Smartlist.com slash tour. Yeah. Never go to the post office again. So we're very sorry, Toronto. We love you, Canada. We will return. We love you so much. We know we have a lot of fans in Toronto and D.C. We can't wait to see you at Constitution Hall. February 2nd. And that's great. February 2nd. And anyway, let's get to the show. Let's get to the show. Let's get to the show.

This is odd, isn't it? We're doing a little Monday matinee. Listener, I've got shoes on. I don't think I've had shoes on for... How many episodes have we done now? Yeah. It's the first one. And you're wearing a nice crew neck. Yeah. Well, how dare you? It's a sweater. Yeah, I guess. That's what I mean. It's a crew neck sweater. It looks like a cash sweater. It's a...

It is. It's cash. You guys are also wearing. I'm wearing a V. Will, you're wearing a crew neck sweater. Slight V. Slight crew neck. And Sean's wearing a Henley collar. But he's wearing a Henley with a t-shirt. Is it a sweater? We all have t-shirts under. We all have t-shirts under. Yeah. Isn't that interesting? We all grew up on TV.

being dressed by costumers that like to put a little color t-shirt underneath the sweater. That's so true. We all have t-shirts under our sweater. My t-shirt is a slight V. It's not really a V. If you want to get into it, this is a Heather Gray. You know, when the Hogan family was over, that was a show I was in for a few years. And I'm out, guys. I'm out. No, listen. So back in the Hogan family. We're not rolling yet. So when they were done with the show, they said, hey, would you like any of the wardrobe that your character wore? And I said, how much?

much can I take? And they said, well, tell us what you don't want.

And I said, well, I'm not sure I don't want any of it. Can I have all of it? And they said, sure. So my whole wardrobe for, well, really until I got with Amanda was all David Hogan stuff. All Hogan family and it still fit? Yeah, it did still fit for a bit. Would it fit now? It would, yes. Yes, I think it would. You know what, the same thing they offered. Well, now they offer if you want any of the wardrobe, you have to buy it.

Yeah, that's a really tacky thing, I think, that production companies are doing nowadays. I don't have that. The shows end and they sell all the props and all the furniture and all the clothes. And it's like, hey, hey, let's ease with the tacky garage sale. Sean, I'll tell you, when we first did Arrested...

Hang on, I was getting to it. I just wanted to have a nice pause. When we were first doing Arrested Development, we used to, Jason and I, especially amongst everybody in the cast, would have our sides. And for Tracy, I think we've been through sides. Oh, no, tell Tracy what sides are.

Whatever scenes you're shooting that day, they print out those scenes so that you can have quick access to those scenes for your lines of dialogue. And they make them smaller if you'd like them to, so you can kind of carry them around easily. And Jason and I would, we often had quite a bit of dialogue. We would quickly look at it. And then we'd be, especially in the model home set, we'd jam them in the couch, right?

Our sides, they'd go rolling. Here we go, guys, we're rolling. We just take a last look at that and jam it in the couch to do the scene. So years later, we go back to start doing the Netflix season, like season four, and they bring all... And they had some of that, all that old stuff they had in storage. And they bring the couch, and Jason, I don't know if you remember, you and I went in the first day, we had to do like a...

like a 12-page two-person scene that was insane, that Mitch had changed the dialogue first day. We were like trying to remember, "Get to the couch." And I'm like, "Huh. Reach in."

And there are all these sides. There are all these sides from like eight years before. We had a terrible housekeeper on the show. Yeah, we really did. We would do that too, like all around the set. We'd just like hide lines and stuff. I'd write them on the table. You know, Ted Danson's famous for keeping his script behind the bar. So if everybody looks down, he's looking at his pages. Oh, really? No kidding. He's not working the ice, huh? Sometimes he might. Huh.

Guys, let's get to it. - Oh, shit. - What an extraordinary person we have today. This little girl got her start-- - Higher. - Higher and less red. - This little girl got her start on a local puppet show called Hickory Hideout. And then because of that impressive credit, it made sense her next move would be on the hit NBC drama, "Crossing Jordan." And then went on to steal scenes in "Parks and Rec," "Transparent," and on and on. And in film, she does incredible roles in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."

tons of other great comedies, as well as amazing dramas like The Last Mimsy, Revolutionary Road. But her latest gig, which I'm a huge fan of, was from the Marvel world, starring as the amazing villain Agatha Harkness in WandaVision. It's the illustrious Katherine Hahn, who I love. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Oh.

You guys. Our Katherine Hunt? Yeah, why is she your guest? You guys. Katherine, how dare you come in on Sean's list? You should have called me and said, before I say yes to Sean, I just want to make sure you're good with me not being your guest.

Well, I'm also really like, everything about this is cute. First of all, that it's a paper towel. That was over your camera? Yeah, not just camera off, but just that I'm supposed to hold a paper towel. So I saw your cute, look at you're all dressed the same.

Yeah, we dressed up for you today. We literally dressed exactly the same. It's all of us dead, kind of. Look at all of us. Oh, yeah, you're in the same... Well, it's kind of rainy here, isn't it? Yeah, it's all cozy and rainy. Well, Sean, would you guys mind taking a tight 60-minute break and just let me hang out with Catherine for a bit? Sure. Oh, sure. I think I may like her more than both of you guys. Put together. We have a lot of catching up to do. We really do. I know. Catherine, I don't know. I think...

I think we met a long time ago. Sean, thank you for having me. Yes. We did. Yeah, a long time ago. And we share a very good mutual friend. Well, don't gloss over that. Where did you guys meet a long time ago? What was that event? Well, you might remember it differently, but I remember it was like when I was doing Crossing Jordan. Yeah.

There was an NBC party, maybe at 30 Rock. Yeah, sure. And then we ended up at a bar called Names and Faces. Yes. Sounds great. Right by what we used to call the Regal Beagle, the Regal Royale. Was it called Names and Faces? Yes. Names and Faces. Jason would hate that place. He has problems with both of those things. LAUGHTER

They don't let them in. They don't let them in. Wait, Catherine, quick question just so I don't have to speed bump your story, but how long did it take to cross Jordan? Oh, I'm still crossing Jordan. Okay. No, she never got a cross. Seven seasons. That's what kept it going. Just for the record, if I made that joke, Will wouldn't talk to me for a week. Yet Will makes it, and I laugh my ass off. It's how you make it. It depends on what time of the year you're going to cross Jordan.

That's a great point. If it's winter, they've got tough winters over there. Wait, you're in your house, but it looks like you're in a record store or something. What's happening? It does look, yeah. Me? What if I was just in a record store, you guys? I'm living out my high-fidelity dreams. Are you in the set of a... I'm in my garage, guys. I don't know what to tell you. What do you do, paint, or what's going on? Is it a gal cave? You guys, can I tell you a very funny story? Sean had asked me to do this before, and I was the guest that had to bail last minute.

That was you. You had to bail last minute? I was in Serbia and it was late at night my time and my headphone jacks. This is my headphone. They wouldn't work.

And turns out all I needed to do was-- - It should be noted that you just made the universal sign for-- - Masturbation. - Jacking off. - Pulling a rope down. Jason. - Well, needless to say, all I had to do was turn the computer on and off, apparently. But I was in such a frenzy, and your tech team was so patient with me. But it would've been really goddamn cute because I was shooting

a film, we were having our wrap party on the roof, and the lead actor was like, "You're not getting away with this." And so he had brought, in the middle of what would have been our podcast, he brought, it was Daniel Craig, and he was gonna bring, force me to answer the door and get a glass of champagne during our podcast, which would have been real goddamn cute. - For the Crossing Jordan movie? - Yes.

We were shooting it in Serbia. It's a long story, Will. With Daniel Craig? Daniel Craig's in it. Wait, does Jill Hennessy have anything to do with the... I shouldn't have said it. The Crossing Jordan movie everybody's been waiting for. Names and faces. Faces and names. Faces and names.

Arnett, haven't you done some light hanging with Mr. Bond? Daniel Craig, I did years ago. We went to a Super Bowl party, and then he said, let's go to... Hey, wait a second. Will, did you just wake up from a nap? Look at the back of your head again. Hang on a second. I did. Did you really? I did.

That's why he's on fire. Listener, it's 3 o'clock on a Monday and Will just got up. I like that. Can I tell you something, Will? Yeah. Me too. You did right? You guys are the worst. You guys, I'm going to shake it up for you. It really is. And I appreciate you doing this at a 3 o'clock on a Monday. Okay, let's get back to Serbia. I want to go to Serbia. How was shooting in Serbia? Quick trip. We're in Serbia with D. Craig. What was it? It was...

It was Knives Out. We did some stuff there for the second Knives Out. Oh, great. Right. And third, right? Just the second. But there's two and three, right? But there's going to be a third, yeah. You get killed in the second one? There we go. Spoiler alert. We got it. I love that movie. So, Catherine, you get shot or knifed. You get knifed probably in the second one. But just blown up in the trunk of a car. Oh, no.

No. Why are they shooting in Serbia? I can't say anything. No, Jason, what are you doing? By the way, in Australia, it's called That's Not a Knives Out. That's Not a Knive. That's Not a Knives. Yeah. All right, so you're in part two, but not in part three. I mean, yeah. You don't know. We don't know. They haven't contacted you yet. Well, you know, they do a new cast for every, I guess, Knives Out. So, except for Daniel. Daniel's the one. Right.

But you're tech avail, L.A. Listen, I will tell them I'm tech avail. Means technically available. Put a different wig on her. Who knows? How did you like working in Serbia?

Serbia, let me, this is what I'll tell you about. I loved Serbia. However, I, if, I'm not like, I don't really, I haven't been eating much meat lately. If you like day old cheese poured over deer, Sure. Serbia. Is your place. Is your place. Served to you by a guy in a Sergio Ticchini tracksuit like that, right? Oh my God, which are so rad. And let me tell you, I got a couple for my son and he is wearing them proudly. I can serve you this food or also I might, uh,

I might have a piece under here, too. Also, there's a lot of, like, at baggage claim, people just full-on smoking cigarettes inside, just waiting for their luggage. Sure. In the airport. I mean, they smoke in the elevator in Serbia, I think. Yeah. Oh, yeah, for sure. Bless them. For sure. But it's actually, like, a gorgeous, like, really beautiful, really beautiful graffiti. Mm-hmm.

Will and I went to Istanbul, Turkey once, and when we got off the plane and in the airport, they put, I don't know why, they put us on that little truck that drives you through the airport in the sea of, and I'm not exaggerating, a million people.

Yeah. Like, beep, beep, beep, beep. Did you guys look particularly bloated when you got off the plane or something? Why'd they put you on the truck? I don't know. Not everybody's worried about bloat 24-7. And they don't put people on an ambulatory golf cart. Is it about the bloat? All right, so, Catherine, back to you. How long were you in Serbia for?

Not that long. We were in Greece for a big chunk of it, which was the best, which was awesome. That was like the beginning of the summer. And I was having, and I'd never been there before. And I literally got there and I felt like immediately I was like 67 years old, just like with an overall strap off. I was just like, right.

I was like, I was Mamma Mia City. I loved it so much. In Greece. I was so into it. I was like, you leather up the skin. Like, I was so down. I loved it. What part of Greece were you in? There's some great spots in Greece. Yes, we were in a really off the beaten path, kind of like three hours north, or I guess maybe, I guess it was more...

It was like three hours outside of Athens. It kind of felt like the big, like the big syrup. So you're coming off the main highway.

Catherine, you think our listener doesn't know? They don't know shit about anything. I love your listeners. I'm one of your goddamn listeners. Tracy's got... How did she get so dumb, Sean? Tracy, I'm with you. I hear you. She's part of the fruit bowl. Why are they so cruel to you? We love Tracy. We love her. It was like, we took little air... We took little taxis to, like, um...

Spetses or Hedra were islands we visited. We never went to like the party islands. Did the kids or Ethan make it out there? Yeah, they were with me the whole time. Come on. Oh, that's nice. And then Leonard and Ethan went, they went home early so they could, you know, Leonard could have his first like the camp, sleepover camp. How's that going? 15 for him, right? Is that what you said, 15? Yeah, it's good. Actually like much better than middle school.

I don't know if you feel the same, but I feel like a cloud lifted. Middle school is tough. Middle school is rough. It's rough. I'm glad that Franny missed the bulk of that. She missed 7th and 8th. And I think, aren't they both in the same class? They're the same class. Yeah, exactly. Middle school, or what Jason calls high school, right? It was the same. Or just the end. Middle school was...

Or not even. Almost made it, is what I call high school. Jason, don't you dare. Well, listen, I was busy chasing my passion. You were earning. Yeah, I was doing some 50s dance in Teen Wolf 2. Somebody said, hey, here's your diploma. And Jason said, what do I need a diploma for? And he sped off in a 911, you know what I mean? So...

It all went downhill. Catherine, listen, I want to talk to you about your start and everything because I'm really interested in that and you grew up. Let's get the interview started. It's 20 minutes in already. I know. Sean, by the way, Sean is our top interviewer on this program. Oh, I know. You guys, I love your podcast, by the way. Love it.

Because you've got the world's greatest host on it. The world's greatest host. It is the worst. Go ahead, tell Catherine. I mean, I'm the best. Go ahead. Sean, here he comes. Here comes one of his award-winning questions. How old were you when you started to act?

Did your parents want you to get started? How do you memorize all those lines? Don't start. Catherine, you know, the three of us host this thing, and the nice folks at iHeartRadio gave us a few nominations for their annual podcast recognition. Yes, they should have. And they singled out young Sean P. Hayes for host of the year. Yeah. The worst part is that Sean sent us the article. Oh, he did?

And I didn't read it. Under the caption of good for us. Good for us. Exclamation point. And then Will said, sounds like good for you. And he goes, oh, I didn't read it all. I didn't read it. I really didn't read it. Sean! Yeah, isn't that hilarious? And I'm like, check out the pictures of these Emmys. Oh, I didn't know I sent that. All right, so how'd you get started was the question, right, Sean? So how early...

No, no, I want to know. Hang on one second. I actually have a question. Okay. So when you were, you come from a family where there's three kids and we kind of ask this question a lot because I'm interested. I was the youngest of five. A lot of people who are the youngest of siblings feel they need the attention for the actor. But you were the oldest of three, which is rare. So what gives? Yeah. What's with the freak show in your life? Yeah, hey, weirdo. What gives?

Too much of a big shot to stick around and be an example for the young kids, huh? You had to get out of there? Sorry, Catherine. Go ahead and finish swallowing your drink. Oh, my God. We almost got our first take. Almost. So even though you were the oldest, why did you get into showbiz? Um, I...

I'm actually interested in that question. I love you. Me too. I, you know, I was, I grew up going to Catholic school. It was more of like a cultural thing for us than anything else. It was like the cheapest private school, to be honest. And every Saturday I would take classes at the Cleveland Playhouse, which has now kind of been mostly taken over by Case Western. Okay.

the big hospital down there. But it was just like the most-- - I thought you were gonna say mostly taken over by kangaroos or something. - It's been mostly, no, it's been overrun by kangaroos. - What? - Yeah, no, I know, it's a long story.

That's exactly what I was thinking too, Sean. Yeah, thanks. I thought she almost said kangaroos. Catherine, please just go ahead. Please go on. It's so silly today. It's because it's later. I love a matinee, guys. Yeah, the matinee is yielding real fruit. Turns out the matinee is the only way to do it. Okay, so the kangaroos are in the gym. What a clown show this is. What a... So far we can't use any of that. None of it's usable. We're 25 minutes in. Okay. We'll be right back.

And now back to the show. Okay, so you found a passion there at the Catholic school for acting. Okay, so what was the first big job? When did you know, I might be able to make a living at this? Okay, my first big job, I played Salty the psalm book,

And it was a, I played a psalm book at the church. It was like I wore a cardboard box and they painted it to look like a psalm book. And I kind of stood in the middle of the church and I would dance around and it was like, apparently it's a thing that they do in churches. I thought that it was just like a singular thing.

you know, that we had written it for our, you know, for St. Anne's, but apparently, like, it goes, it's something that is in a lot of different, like, fundamental churches throughout the country. But I played Salty. Sean, you're familiar with this? No, not that. P-S-A-L-T-Y. Pasalty. Oh, I get it. Pasalty, the Pasalm book. And you felt like you nailed that particular piece such that you... No, I had a lot more to learn, Jason Bateman. Did you end up doing Psalm Like It Hot? Did you guys ever do that? Ha ha ha!

I mean, something's got to give. And this guy cannot get a nomination. Yeah. Okay? It's unbelievable. Now, that's high-level shit right there. Something's got to give. Hey, Hayes, you couldn't come within a mile of a joke like that. No, absolutely not. Fucking waste of space. I say kangaroos, and it goes cricket. Catherine, keep talking. I want to know, you went back to Northwestern. From kangaroos to crickets, the Sean Hayes story.

This is my favorite. That's the worst. Okay, so, Catherine, wait a minute. I can't tell you. You have to fire your publicist after this, Catherine. No. So, wait, you went to... Then I went to the Cleveland Playhouse, and I just took classes. I was called a curtain puller there, but I didn't actually... Apparently, back in the day, they used to be able to pull the curtains. This is going to be such a boring story. No. But then I didn't get to. Well, walk us through it.

Okay, wait. And then you went to Northwestern. I know so many people that went to Northwestern University. It seems like so many famous people come out of there or went there, right? Did you love it there? Jumping forward to Northwestern. Sorry. Yeah. Okay. That was about a 15-year jump, but I'm with it. Go ahead. Please. Sorry. The job, she didn't get to pull the curtain, Jason. Right, right, right. And then we went to Northwestern. Unless you got another... What other jobs have you not gotten? Okay, listen. I played... Listen. In the middle there. In the middle.

I'm in the middle there. I did Hickory Hideout. Yes, Hickory Hideout was your puppet show. How old were you when you did that? I was in fourth grade to sixth grade. And it was at our local news station. And we shared the space so they would like, it was the treehouse was always in the corner. And then on Saturdays when they weren't doing the evening news, they would just roll out the treehouse. I got to see footage of that. And it was me and two squirrels named Nutso and Shirley Squirrely.

and an owl, puppet named Know-It-Owl. I love that joke. And I played a character named Jenny, and I would knock on the treehouse, and we would ask, not so unassuredly. That sounds like a hoot. That's beautiful. Now there, hey, who's in the game now? Good for you, Sean. Look who's thrown his hat in the ring. You know who'll watch that? You know who'll watch that? Owl.

Oh, my God. Somebody just passed you. Boy, did you see him go by you there, Will? What he's hitting for the cycle right now. That was unbelievable. Whittley gets to buy at the end of the episode. Barely keep up.

Go ahead, Catherine. So, yeah, let's get to Northwestern. Fuck the treehouse. You're six years old now. You're at Northwestern. So what happens at Northwestern? You go to some Wildcat games? I did not take in one Wildcat game, but I met my husband. There we go. Oh, that's nice. My then boyfriend, now husband. How'd that go? Tell me about the first date. We... Hurry, goddammit. Because he shot at me real fast. We...

Are you talking about the date? I remember we... Oh, Jesus. Sorry, we can cut that. I'm trying to get in on the quick jokes. Cut it. We're going to double it. Can I get in on the quick jokes? Double it, you guys. We were at the cafeteria. His plate was... I remember his tray was very neat. Mine was a disaster because I wanted to try everything on the buffet. That sounds like mine. And he was very neat. I made a lot of fun of him. And the rest is history.

Wait, so he was sliding. I honestly want to know this. So you guys are filling up your tray. You're next to each other in the line there? Or did you see him sitting alone at a table for one? No, he was not sitting. No, he was not. Okay, so you're sliding down the thing together. And you start making small talk while you're scooping stuff onto your plate. No, we had arrived at a table where there were other people sitting. And I was like, Jesus, because his tray was so vainly neat. Neat.

And that was not a turn on or it was? It was. It was interesting to me because I had to try everything. It was like as if I had never been fed before in my life. I had piled everything that the cafeteria had offered onto my tray. You wanted to get your money's worth. Absolutely. Did he have his great hair back then? Great hair. He's got great hair. Really, really. Doesn't he have beautiful hair? Beautiful hair. Great hair. Uh-huh.

Now, when did you, because this is what I really want to know, you worked at a beauty salon. You've got to have like crazy, awesome, funny beauty salon, like stories. Was that while you were in college you worked at a beauty salon? It was after college, moved to New York, skipping ahead.

worked at a hair salon called Guerin, New York, that was out of Henry Bendel. So this was in 95. Copy. He was like one of those hair, you know, like those hair cutters that were charging like $300 for a haircut. And you were like... Where was it? Where was the... What? I know that name, Harry. Where was his... Henry Bendel, it used to be on Fifth Avenue. It was like a very fancy little... Yeah, very fancy. I remember it. It was like a...

Bergdorf's was right there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And were you assisting this hairstylist? Not a haircutter. God, they don't like to be called that. I was the receptionist. Okay. My cousin George gave me the job. Okay. My cousin George gave me the job. Mm-hmm. Um...

Would you dabble with nails or hair or anything? No. In fact, I wore the same Banana Republic suit there like every day so much so that it turned like shiny because I had to dry clean it so much. Do you know like how you like? Oh, yeah, yeah. All the dudes got together to get me a Mason Pearson hairbrush for like the holidays one year because they were like, brush your hair. Because I was such a disaster working at the front desk. Uh-huh.

Because I would literally be like, I remember they would kind of try to experiment on me. Like, Sweet Garen gave me, like, Anne Bancroft, like, skunk stripes. Yeah. And Ethan, we had been living in, like, a one-room, fifth-floor walk-up near Scores. Okay. So, like, on the east side. I don't know where that is. Right, right. It's a sports club, right? Anywhere near Names and Faces. Names and Faces. Faces and Names. Names and Names.

So because Sean jumped in, you and Ethan, you meet in the line at the cafeteria, and all of a sudden now you're living in New York together. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Sean... What? Because he just wants to hear about stories about people crapping their pants at the salon, but you know what I mean? Like, let's...

No, you know where I'm going with this. I want to know about theater in New York. Yeah, things went well in Northwestern with you and Ethan. Ethan. And you said, hey, let's go east. Let's go to New York because I've got a passion for theater. And it seems like you have a passion for hair, Ethan. So why don't I get a job at a hair salon? No. Mm-hmm.

That we kind of looked in the village voice when we were at Northwestern that summer after graduating, we saw that there was like a hotel that was 60 bucks a night. And we were like, great. Got a U-Haul, went, got, saw the hotel, put our stuff in storage, saw the hotel. It was the Jane Street Hotel. Oh yeah. Pre- Cool. Pre-Hedwig. Yeah. Yeah.

So it was like pre-becoming like a hip place. It was rough. Yeah. It was like my mom was like, bring flip-flops because she was so afraid I was going to get like planner's warts from the shower. Sounds like me. And I was like flip-flops because the water, the standing water in the shower was like

Three inches high. Why would you check into a hotel at $60 a night as opposed to, like, an apartment for, I don't know, $300, $400 a month at that time? Because we didn't even know the city. Like, we went so blindly, like, just like, we're going to go there, we're going to stay in this hotel until we find an apartment. Just dirty hippies. Good with anything. Like, my cousin George is going to get me a job. Ethan's working at Starbucks. Like, it's all going to happen.

It was crazy. And did it – how fast was it? Did it start happening? No. So you were auditioning for stuff, I would imagine. It didn't start happening for a really long time. I mean, I started – I was auditioning like, you know, I had like off, off, off, off, off, off, off, off Broadway, you know, that crap like – that was like you can do it if you find 12 people to pay to come see it. Right, right, right. Yeah. And like –

What was the first thing that gave you some money and you were like, okay, I can make a living at this. I no longer have to work the reception desk at the beauty salon. I mean, we started going to Williamstown. I probably did like seven summers there, which was amazing.

pretty life-changing. Right. Williamstown, they do a lot of theater there, yeah. Yeah. And then I got into... But that doesn't pay. No, it doesn't pay. In fact, no, it doesn't pay at all. But then I got into Yale, and I went to grad school for acting. But that also doesn't pay. Which does not pay, and in fact, I put myself into it. When you came out, did you get something that was... I came out with a holding deal. There it is. And...

And that's when I got crossing Jordache. So a holding deal is when they pay you money so you don't audition anywhere else. Yeah, they basically own you, which is good. Well, you know, then it was great. It is, yeah. Well, especially in a fickle business, you get a guaranteed check. It's nice. So, Catherine, you know, I love horror, theater horror stories, and I know these guys well.

Love them too, but they'll say they don't. Sorry. Horror. You're saying horror. Okay. And so tell these guys the story about some clinking glasses or something or cheersing something. Didn't you have a horror theater story about like in a scene somebody was cheersing? No? Didn't you? Catherine, you got something about there's a cheers story. Didn't you have clink glasses or something? Funny stuff. Go.

Fuck. You're not going to win it, Sean. They're listening right now. The people making their decisions. You have won, Sean. You have. It's been narrowed down to five people now. Can you believe what I deal with? It's just you against...

We're just jealous that Sean got it. I was in a play. Yeah, come on, guys. It's the host of the year. I'm sorry. It's bitterness. It hurts. I know. It does. Okay. It was, I was in a play with, my one and only Broadway play was called Bowing Bowing. Oh, yeah. I remember that. It was, do you? I remember going, nope.

Yeah, yeah, not buying tickets to it. But promises, promises. Yes, yes. Yes, yes. No, no, no. All jokes aside, I remember when that was yes on Broadway. So that was your first... That was my only one. That was a big hit. But the cast was like crazy. It was Mark Rylance and...

with Verde and Mary McCormick. It was a big show. It was Christine Baranski. It was a great experience. And it was like a farce. Matthew Wark has directed it. It was like a big old farce. And I think that's what you mean. Like we had to cheers each other every night. And so I just always did, like there were so many times I did it with such force, like poor, like...

fucking Mark would be so annoyed at me. And then I had to do this thing where I flashed him every night. So from the audience's perspective, they just saw like the towel and they just saw his reaction. But then we all wanted to just to make Mark break because he was such an easy laugh. No, like he's such an easy laugh. It was hilarious. So like one night I would just like take Bradley Whitford's headshot and I cut it into a triangle and I just taped it down there. Okay.

We would just do the stupidest crap to try to make him laugh. And then he would just like lean into it. So like our stage manager would be like, okay, like it would, the show, the duration time would be like 20 minutes long.

- Screwing around time. - I mean, he would be like, depending on how the audience was, it would just, it was hilarious. Allmark. But he's like, you know, he's a shaman, I think. I think he's so gifted. - Actor's actor.

An actor's actor. So this is not a great question and a tough one, I'll bet you, but your star is rising with a bullet. And I'm sure that all, you know, they want you to continue to be the funniest thing on screen and steal all the scenes and stuff. But then you're also getting these parts probably that

are maybe even the lead on something where it's not always maybe that funny and and and are you battling sort of the decision between like do I continue to take these parts where I can really score or do I take these larger parts that I less score but I'm in more of it and like how do you are you strategizing about your future what kind of stuff you want to do I'm

I don't know. This is why I don't get nominated for fucking hosting. Oh, stop it. But I mean, I've always like... Go ahead. Did I say any of that out loud? You guys... After I was done with the question, did you hear me talking at all? Unfortunately, the question was out loud. That's an awesome question. I mean, I... I like...

I mean, I feel like I've been able to do some stuff that's kind of lands in the middle of all of it. So that's the kind of stuff that I'm the most attracted to anyway. So if it happens to be a lead, it happens to be a lead, but it's also can be supporting. - You know, Katherine, you're in this sort of elite group of actors and I put you in there a lot of, and it's not that big,

of people you're always, always, always good, no matter what the thing is. Yes, in every single thing you do. You're like John Goodman in that way. You're like, it's a very small... Oh, my God. That is the most flattering comparison. Yeah, like Meryl Streep, like all those people. But no, you're always good. And, you know, you're not going to phone it in like a Bateman or a Hayes. You're going to deliver every time, you know? Oh, man.

No, you're gonna phone it in like a nar-net. -So the-- -Nar-net phone it in.

- I wanna just a little bit more about the career stuff because I think you're such a fascinating actress and I think you, do you feel now that you're finally getting the attention you deserve? Sure, you're always working, but now you're kind of more in the spotlight than ever. It feels like from my perspective, from someone who, you know, who watches your work and admires you, it just seems like finally, like I've been a life fan, but I feel like finally the press is catching up to you. Do you feel that as well?

I mean, WandaVision was nutso. Like, that was crazy. Yeah. I've never experienced anything like that, so that was bonkers. Yeah. And it was certainly, it's interesting because it was certainly not the thing that I thought would have been the thing. You know, you just never freaking know. Yeah, it's massive. But it seems like people are finally taking notice in the best way. And I don't know, from my perspective at least. Do you have something when you're working, do you have a big peeve about...

or the way that things are getting made that you just don't adhere to. You're just like, you know what? That really doesn't work for me. I mean, I guess it would be like in the hair and makeup trailer when someone comes in and is doing like a voice memo really loudly. Yeah.

that everyone else has to shut up for. Right. It's always really freaking annoying. Or just walking in on a FaceTime. Right? It's just kind of like, guys, you can step outside. Like, now the whole trailer has to be kind of quiet. And also, just pick up your clothes. And maybe that comes from the theater, but I'm always like, hang your freaking costumes up. It's not that big of a deal. I agree with that. Hang on. Are you sharing a trailer with somebody? Do you need a better representation? No.

We always share trailers. I mean, can Aline negotiate you at least a triple banger or something? Yeah, but our triple bangers are just, it's just one long car and then we're all just kind of bouncing around. That was the other title of our podcast was triple banger. Triple banger. It would have been good. Don't you think in general though, FaceTimes need to happen when you're alone. You can't, if you're in a group of people, you cannot,

use FaceTime, right? Isn't that imposing on other people's space? Because I also feel like naturally the human voice gets louder when we're on FaceTime. Right. And it's just like a little bit performative. And then when other people are around, yeah, I'm with you. I don't want to be a part of your conversation. I mean, you probably are not with me on this, but I hate phones on sets. Yeah, well, of course. I do too.

Who likes it? Well, but to sort of fill the gaps in between when you're working and not working? You should not because I think it takes you out of it. And I used to try to institute a rule and said like, no, because now you look around and if everybody's there, you look and everybody in every department is on their- Yeah, but where's the small talk? Where's everybody hanging out together? Like, we got to be making an, you know, whatever, ensemble. Either go back to your trailer or just like hang out.

out. It feels like. It bumps me out sometimes. I agree. But Catherine, if there was a no phone rule on set, do you think that you'd be great about generating, maintaining all of that small talk? Are you good at small talk? Are you a sociable person? I am good at leaving when I need to and coming back when I need to. I go to my trailer for lunch and recharge. You know. Do you nap at lunch ever? Do you ever nap? Really good at a power nap.

-Same. -We just did it before you came on. Will, didn't Barry Sonnenfeld teach you how to nap on set? Yeah, he told me one day after coming back from lunch, he was like, "Oh, you had a nap, didn't you?" I go, "How do you--?" He goes, "I can tell by your face is puffy." And he goes, "You got a nap sitting up." And I was like, "Thanks a lot." -Nap sitting up. -Meanwhile, he's like, "All right, let's start shooting." I'm like, "I'm not gonna shoot with this face. Are you crazy?" Nap sitting up like a cow. -That's still my angle last. -Nap sitting up. I do. I nap sitting up. And we will be right back.

All right, back to the show. Katherine, other than your beautiful family, how do you balance life from work? Do you have, like, hobbies and stuff like that? Hmm. Sean, did you just give up? Mm-hmm. Yep. You know why? You know why? Why? Because I'm sweating my balls off. Are you? Hi, honey. It's hot.

Oh my God, it's so hot and Scotty's not in here. Oh, you're in New York, right? Oh, go up and change it. You have to suffer. Get up and change the thermostat. This is incredible. Do you have any hobbies? Now he's putting a bag on down. Sean, go do it. Go adjust it. I just did it.

What was it at? What was the thermostat at? 75. 75? What are you, a monster? I'm like drenched. Sweating my balls off. Hey, do you have any hobbies? You like it cold over there, Catherine? Yeah, we keep it a little chilly over here. Not going to lie. I love it. We do.

Sean, let's get back to your hobby question. Yeah, so let me ask it a different way. So, Catherine, you know, other than your beautiful family, how do you fill the time in between gigs? Because I'm always looking for great ideas. Okay, thanks, Sean. Catherine?

Thanks, John. Catherine? I mean, listen, between gigs, it is mothering and existential crisis until the next gig. Yeah, all right. Right. Catherine, I'm sorry about this. You know, it's just, if we didn't like you and know you so well, we'd actually have a decent interview here. But we don't want to do a decent interview. We want to fuck around with our panel. Let's just fuck around, guys. It's fine. It's a rainy Monday. I love you. I'm sorry.

I'm so grateful that, Sean, you asked me to do it. Well, listen. Catherine, talk, I want to know a bit. Let's get to five questions. I think we're at about three questions. Let's get two more good quality questions. Here's what I want to know. Here's what I want to know about you. I want to know about your sensibility. What is your favorite film of all time? Do you have like a film or like a sort of an area that you like that you go? A touchstone. Yeah.

What lit your fuse? And don't be cool. And don't be cool. And don't be like, Das Boot. Yeah. By the way, Das Boot's a great film. Das Boot is a great movie, but also intense. I mean, I would say, I mean, listen, Woman Under the Influence is an incredible movie, but I also love E.T.,

Great. I love E.T. That's a great answer. A little bit of the both. That's a great answer. And when you were a kid, who would you watch movies and TV and go, God, I'd kill to have her career. I'd kill to be just like her. Oh, Terry Garr. Nice call. There you go. I just watched Tootsie last night. By the way, you've nailed it. But you've nailed it. You know that I have, independent of ever knowing that you said that,

I've referenced you as Terry Garr a thousand times. Is that true? Are you serious? On my kid's life. Both of them.

Yep. That's crazy. Boy, you're real quick to put stuff on your kid's life. I've noticed that. Because you've said it a few times. Wait, Sean, you just watched Tootsie recently? I just watched Tootsie last night. Did it hold on? Oh, my God. It's one of the best movies of all time. It's like one of the best movies. It's flawless. It's a perfect movie. But getting back to my earlier dumb question, now, Terry Gard didn't really have a lot of lead roles in her life, did she? No, but again... Do you want that, I guess, is my question. Yes, of course. I also love...

Gina Rowlands, forget it. Forget it. Yeah. Are there any roles that you get offered and because of their, like maybe they lean towards more obvious, they lean towards like the sexuality of a woman and you're just like, God, I don't want to do those things. Like is there stuff you turn down right away? No. I think I've done it all. Like, I mean, I've definitely done like all, like I've, you know, I've been afforded in this weird chapter like post-kids and,

I've been able to do some juicy, tell some juicy stories that have not been just like, you know, there's this movie I did called Private Life, which I'm crazy super proud of. It's me and Giamatti. Yeah, Paul Giamatti. What was that like? How was he? He was great. I love him. I think my favorite experience, and it's about a couple that's like, it's Tamara Jenkins,

And it's a couple that's going through like their, it doesn't sound funny, but it's funny. The couple going through their IVF journey. But it's like really funny and it's also horribly heartbreaking. Right. And like, you know, I Love Dick was something that was like a different, like a whole different like. Keep it to the movies. Keep it to the movies you like. Okay, we're not going into general likes. We're not going to go into general likes.

I'm just saying things that I enjoy. My poor children. But like, so yeah, I mean, of course, I'm attracted to like the, that I, there's nothing that I'm like,

if it's an interesting story and whatever. How are you managing all of this work though with, I know you love your husband and your kids too, like, but you say they went to Serbia with you. They did not go to Serbia. They went to Greece. Then they, then I was gone for a little bit and then I came home and now it's like nothing. I'm here. I mean, you know how, I mean,

I mean, you know how it is. It's like you're gone for a chunk. Right. But the ratio, like, I don't think I've, have you guys declared the ratio that you're going to spend away from home versus at home? I mean, I guess we can't really, right? You just kind of go from job to job. Yeah. Yeah, but you know what sucks? It turns out they need you the more, the older they get. I know it.

They need you around. And yet, the older they get, the harder it is for them to travel with you because they're involved with their social continuity and their educational consistency and all of that stuff. Yeah. So it's like really big... Everyone is a big decision now. For sure. Because of all that stuff. What about dream role? Is there something that you've always wanted to play and you just haven't got a chance yet? Or are you like, I want to play this. I guess I'm going to have to write it for myself because it'll never be offered to me. Anything like that? I mean...

I guess like, you know, I guess there's just a woman. Nancy Reagan. Nancy Reagan. Yeah. Nancy Reagan. Everyone's list. Yeah. Yeah. Very complex. I'm going to be allowed to, but I really would love to play Nancy Reagan. There we have it. No, but I think...

I, you know, like any, a woman, like just as she's aging, like in the juicy complexity of it is to be a person in a woman's body that's getting older and older and older. Like I, you know, if I could continue to have those parts to show like- Well, that's great to hear. All the nooks and crannies of-

Right, yeah, because as we age, we get to play more interesting characters where some actors think, oh, God, as I get older, all the good parts are gone or they're not going to hire me as much because I'm getting older. Well, it's actually where all the good parts are. That's what I have found in my career, oddly, is the more interesting my life has been post-40, which is like I really think I want to tell all these young actors that are panicked, like,

You just never freaking know. Like, all the society was telling me, like, once you have kids, you're done. Like, especially as a woman. Like, you're done. Right. But that's old thinking, though. That doesn't exist. That's old thinking. You know, I used to have an acting teacher who used to say he hated child actors. He's like, what do they have to draw on? They have no experience. These people, they're boring. They have no... And it's the same thing with young... A lot of young...

Who gives a shit? You know what I mean? Now, of course, that's saying that as a guy who's getting older, as a middle-aged guy who still plays 30, but, like, you know, that that's my, you know, barely. And, you know, who's an icon for the young people, but...

No, right, right, right. And I could go on and on. No, you're not. We got it. What do you think the youngest Will Arnett could play, Catherine? Be honest and be kind. No, you don't have to be kind. Be honest. I mean, let's really be honest here. What is he? I'll start. We'll go around. It'll be my turn, then we'll go for each of us. No, we're not going to start with you. In fact, I don't even think you get to respond to this. I would honestly say I could honestly cast you as a 32-year-old guy. Come on. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. What? I was going to say that. I was going to, I was to be totally honest. I was going to say 36. Yeah. Now, not, I don't, I just want to be honest because we were talking about that before. This is the greatest day of my life. I would say all four of us could play in our 30s. Could we not? Are we nuts? No, I don't know. Are we nuts? I mean, listen, I've, I've seen 50 year old people.

And I don't, they look a lot older than you, Will. You know what's interesting? Remember the show The Golden Girls? Yeah. They were all, weren't they all, I'm going to get this wrong, God bless. Weren't they all in their 50s, but we were made to believe they were older than that? Or were they in their 40s even maybe? Come on. I wish there was a way we could find out information quickly. Guys, I've got a computer over here. You want to hold on a second? I want to find that out. The Golden. Hey, Catherine, let me ask you the last great question. Have you done an interview worse than this? They're in their 50s.

Have you ever been interviewed by three dumber, less prepared... I have never done an interview that has been more entertaining and charming. None less interesting. And just vague.

That's what we're going to call this. Completely vague. Yeah, that's what it is. Charming as hell. There's no beginning. There's no middle. There's no end. Which I love. It's kind of like life. Yeah. You know, this was just a slice of life. Yeah. Big finish, Sean. Big finish. What's your best question on the list? No, I don't need any more questions because she's going to come visit me in my apartment in New York City. Is that true? And I can ask her.

I'm going to make her. And I'm going to ask her questions without these two knobs. Maybe we'll go to names and faces. What about for Tracy? One last good one for Tracy. She's very disappointed in this interview. Tracy, don't be disappointed, Tracy. It's a lot of fun. Give her one more, Sean. We're having a lot of fun. This was a rainy, cozy, matinee. Here's one that I love. Here's one that I ask often because I'm always interested. Kids want to do what mom does or no?

No. Or dad. Oh, actually, my son. Oh, my God. You guys, I almost just burped right in the microphone. You almost threw up on the mic. I almost made myself laugh when the paper was over it at the very beginning because I was like, what if I just had cut the loudest fart while you guys were just doing it? If you had laughed with your tiny little snort, I would have known exactly who it is. Good.

Good, there it is. But my son wants to, as of right now, he's really into film. He's in a film class. He's like really into it. It's a lot of psychological horror going on. Yeah. Can I ask you a question? And this is going to seem somewhat serious. What drew you to the cinema? Ha ha ha.

Just to finish this off. Catherine, thank you for your time today. I'm sorry. Somebody needs to be. Sean, Sean. No, that's it. So, Catherine, listen. I don't want to think ahead, but I feel like this is your submission for next year's podcast awards. Absolutely. This is going to get Will and I in the conversation, I think. We're now part of the conversation. This is going to be the submission. Thank you for the time in your garage that you gave us.

Hopefully they let you back in the house. Get back to framing more posters. Sure. Sorry, what is the turnaround on a poster? Like just a regular poster size? If I get it in the mail? Yeah.

It's quick. Okay. Because if I do a curbside, if I do a curbside drop-off in the morning, can I get same day? Can I get same day? Really? Three hours. Plastic or glass? Wow. Does it matter? I prefer plastic. Sure. Got it. It's better for the environment. It's a little tacky. Catherine. Catherine, I could do another hour. I know our audience couldn't, but I could. I know. I love you guys so much. Thank you so much.

Yeah, thank you so much. There was nothing about this hour that I didn't love. Other than you can't get it back. You're a mega talent. You are a mega talent, and we worship you. Worship back. Thank you so much for all of this. Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah. Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah. Okay. Bye, sweetie. Robin Bennett, do I stay on? Flip it. No, you slam your laptop closed. Bye, I'm finding you all. Bye, Catherine. Love you. Bye.

You know what? If you're a fan of the show, if you listen to the show and then you come on the podcast, feel free at the end of the interview to just slam your laptop shut. Yeah. Because we will have newfound respect for you. Yeah, that's the move. It's the mic drop. That's the power move, right? Just slam it shut. But what if you're on a desktop? You walk away. You just can't walk away.

Just get up and walk. Cut the power to your house. Stick your gun back on your camera. Go outside and just cut the power. Guys, I have to— Sean, listen. I think that might have been one of our worst interviews. Yes. Because we just wouldn't get on track. I was trying. And I've got to blame you for that. No, no. It's your guest. You've got to keep us on the rails. Was it our fault? You feel like it was our fault. No, no. A little bit.

But listen, I think that it was also, I think it was a Monday matinee. We were all a little giddy. Plus then you get the fourth giddiest person on the planet. I know. So we all had a really good time. It was probably not our, not definitely not our worst. It was probably our most silliest, which is more fun than us. Let me tell you, this is what it's like working with her. Have you guys worked with her yet? I have not had the pleasure. You just can't get anything done because it's just too much fun hanging out with her. You don't want to get serious and say, okay, okay, hold it. Okay, okay. Now let's rolling, please.

Yeah, but I really have been such a fan for a long time. I've seen almost everything she's done, and I've always kind of felt like we'd be friends because she's so— I was just going to say that. I don't have a lot of female friends, but if I could count three, she would be one of them. Why do you think that is? I don't know. I do. Why? Uh-oh. Why? Here it comes. Because I think that your personality is kind of grating. Okay. Yeah.

No, no, listen. Don't let him keep going, Sean. No, no, that was it. That's a full stop. Oh, there wasn't a qualifier on that? Especially towards... It's grading towards women. Oh. Men tolerate it. Sorry. I should have said towards women. I think women find your personality. So you're saying the reason I don't have a lot of female friends is because they don't want to be friends with me. Exactly. Because of your personality. I thought I had a choice. I thought...

Got it. Okay. You know what I say to that? That's not true. By the way, that's not true. Is it at a level that I could maybe, could I work on it? Or is it a little too heavy? That's not for us to answer. Work on your personality. You've been working on it for 52 years, pal. Sorry. What are you going to do now? Okay. No, I will say this. You have a lot of, you do have a lot of female friends. That's not true. You have Catherine. Yes. No, but I mean like, like, like...

close, tight, like just call them up, like here's how my day's been going kind of thing. Well, like I have, as you know. You do. My wife's one of them. Your wife is one of my close friends and she's a female and she and I talk on the phone or FaceTime often. Right. I am, I love Amanda, I am friends with both sexes because I am non-threatening.

That's not... One of my favorite things that Sean does, and he likes to do this a lot at dinner. He does this a lot at Jen's because Jen often has candles on the table, as we know, for dinner. Sean will go, he'll pick up one of the candles, and he goes, which way is the bathroom? And he protects the candle like an old-timey Scrooge. Like I'm Scrooge. Like, yeah.

Which way is the bathroom? And he walks like as if he's going through like a haunted mansion. Oldest bit in the world. Or I'll pick up literally any purse that a woman left behind. I'll pick it up and go, I'm running to Ralph's. Anybody need anything? LAUGHTER

Remember we were at this dinner and Taika showed up and he had that, he had like Joseph's Technicolor coat and it was really, a lot of colors and stuff like that. And he came in and he put it on the chair and then Sean and Scotty got up to leave like 20 minutes later and all of a sudden Sean comes in the room and he, Sean's wearing it. He goes, anyway guys, and Taika goes, hang on a second. And he goes, and Sean goes, I came with this. I walked in with this.

He kept going, I walked in with this. He's a nice guy, Taika Waititi. Gosh, he's talented. Anyway, Katherine Hahn. Let me just say, Sean, thank you for getting Katherine on the show. Yeah, you're welcome. She is one of those just mega wattage talents. And I meant it that she is...

-Always. So good. -Always good. It's so true. And you know what? There's-- There aren't-- Like you said, there aren't a lot of actors out there that-- It doesn't matter what the material is, if the material's great or it's just kind of not so great. She always shines in everything. I couldn't agree with you more. And I think she's just hilarious. -Hilarious. -She really is. She just sparkles. And a really, really nice person too. Like a very genuine, nice person, real--

Nice, talented people work a lot. Forget working with her. Even just hanging out with her, it's almost impossible. Like, this interview was tough just getting through because she's so much fun, and you just want to laugh and just have a conversation. Yeah, it's like we were at a restaurant or something. You never want to get serious. Yeah, I love it. If she ever had an autobiography, she should call it Honestly. Uh-huh. Oh, I get it. I get it. Because her last name's Han. And that would be the title of her... Bye. Bye. Autobiography.

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