Mariska Hargitay on Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hello everyone. Welcome to another

episode of Good Hang. Very excited about

our guest today, the one, the only

Marisha Hargatee. We have wanted

Marishka to come by uh for a very long

time. We're so happy that she's here and

we're going to talk about a lot of very

exciting stuff. We're going to talk

about her beautiful new HBO documentary,

My Mom, Jane. We're going to talk about

um the fact that she's America's

favorite detective. We're going to

discuss what parts we would play in an

all female version of Hamilton. It's a

great interview and um let's get started

listening to it. But oh, but before we

do, guess who we have? You know, we

always like to talk to somebody who

knows our guest, who has a question for

our guest. And we got a good one. We got

Christopher Maloney. That's right.

Detective Stabler is here. And you may

know him from Oz and from SVU and from

Law and Order: Organized Crime. Uh, most

importantly, you might know him from his

Star Turnot American Summer where I met

him. But Chris Maloney is joining us

today. Chris, can you hear us?

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All I ever wanted.

>> How are you, friend?

>> I'm fantastic. Michelle,

>> so good to see you.

>> Thank you.

>> Where am I talking to you from? Are you

Are you uh in the city or

>> Do you know what the irony is? I'm

staying at Marishka's place.

>> Get out of here. How cool.

>> Yeah. And I can't show it to you cuz I

haven't been authorized. So, No.

>> But it's it's super secret. It's like a

layer. You know, you remember the Matt

Batmobile?

>> Yeah.

>> It's a fence that goes down and you go

into a cave and the fence goes up. That

I mean, it's really It's crazy.

>> Oh, you have to like put your hand on a

sensor and it only and it reads your

fingerprints.

>> Yep. Everything. Yep.

>> God. You know, this is all just this is

also satisfying for for for listeners

that you're staying at Marisha's house.

>> Yeah.

>> Okay. Before we get to her though,

hello. Hi.

>> Hi. We um we got to know each other on a

cult classic, a film called Wet Hot

American Summer, which I mean some could

argue you stole that movie right from

under

all of these sketch little shrinky dinks

you just came.

>> Wow. You're you're uh Thank you. That's

that's really sweet because I just look

at the whole piece as

you know it's to me it's the epitome of

a cult classic. I actually in fact when

it did not do well at the box office

I remember you know I'd been in the biz

long enough to go you know w that I had

a great time. I thought it was great,

whatever. And then all of a sudden, you

know, over the years, you keep seeing

these young people or being stopped in

the street by younger people and you're

like, is okay, am I crazy or is this a

thing that's happening?

>> Yeah.

>> And that was so exciting.

>> Let's talk about what you're working on.

Are you shooting currently right now?

>> No. I want to play the head coach of uh

a football team in the NFL.

>> I mean, you definitely have a coach

vibe. How do you stay so fit?

>> Oh man, you know, four four four or five

days a week.

>> Oh my god.

>> Um, you know, and as you as I look, I've

been working out. I I I calculate and I

think the longest I've not worked out is

maybe two weeks.

>> Oh my god.

>> And I've been doing that for 50 years.

>> 50 years.

>> That's That truly sounds like a

nightmare.

>> Yeah.

>> What?

>> And it was Yeah, it is. But but now it's

my drug of choice, so it's it's all

good.

>> Yeah, I I get it. I mean, it's a

fantastic thing to invest in yourself

and it feels good and it's it it it

lengthens your life and all of it, but

man,

>> yeah.

>> Yeah, that's a lot of that's a lot of

hard work. Well, I I on behalf of of

everyone everywhere, thank you.

Congratulations.

>> All the little people thank me. all the

little actors in in Hollywood,

the frail little actors.

>> Now, Marishka and you, I mean, you've

had to answer a million questions over

the years about um your relationship on

on the show and off the show and on

shows and off shows and but it really is

truly like you are family to each other.

>> Yeah.

>> How would you describe, you know, your

relationship to each other? Um I I think

it was based uh I think it there's a

strong cornerstone

that is uh comedic based. We both are

constantly

uh in search of great comedy

on and you know we we literally tested

out on each other. We used to in between

setups we would act drunk

>> and then critique each other. Go like

this. No, this too much. No, no, bring

it. Okay, there. Go ahead.

>> I used to say too when I had to play

drunk, the first thing I would do is I

would take a big step closer to whoever

I was talking to.

>> See, that's good. So, spatial awareness

is gone.

>> Just one step. cuz I know those people,

you know, they do this thing and you're

like "Okay

>> totally." Okay, so you and Marishka like

to do bits like

>> Yes. This is something about

for a split second she was she was

talking about she was looking, you know,

she was going out on dates a lot or she

was going out on dates

and I said, "I've you should be dating a

guy named Gerald."

And why that struck us as funny, we

don't know. But all of a sudden, she had

a fan phantom

guys that she dated that she was really

in love with, but it was difficult to

manage with Gerald.

>> Sure.

>> Like a fake boyfriend.

>> Yeah. I But I mention I mention I said I

go Gerald's here, but I told him to get

lost because you were working in the

middle of like, you know, setting up a

scene. And she goes, "Gosh, Chris,

you're not allowed to do that." And she

starts running out. She goes, "Gerald."

I went, "There you go. It makes no

sense. It's not even particularly funny,

but it's just funny to us."

>> I love a bit. God, I I mean, it's the

only way sometimes to get through a long

day is a dumb bit.

>> Yeah. And I'll say this because the the

the uh the genesis of where I drove us

came your question was you know what's

what's the secret to the sauce and so

you know it's the comedy but I would

also add that there's something

spiritual in it and I think that's in

her nature and you know perhaps it's an

aspect of mine that I I recognize.

>> Do you think you knew each other in a

past life?

>> That's funny. Yeah. I don't think in

those terms even though I feel that way.

Like New York to me is that is that to

me that

>> when I arrived in New York I went I I

don't even know what this thought is but

I should have been born here.

>> That's so funny you say that. I felt the

same way when I came to New York. I

thought, "Oh, right. This is the city

I'm supposed to live in

>> now." Right. Oh, you know something? I

can check this box. I'm no longer lost.

>> That's how it felt to me.

>> Interesting. I man I wonder if there's

like there's all this like spirit

speaking of spirituality there's all

this idea that there's like people in

your life and I can think of some for me

who just when I met them I was like oh

there you are and they be they became

part of my life they're now you know

we're all of the age now we're now we're

knowing and working people for with

people for 25 years 30 years and

suddenly it's like they're some version

of a you know a a group that was

supposed to come together.

>> You're funny. I have the same thing. I'

and I've never put it in those terms,

but when I walk away from someone I I'll

say this,

>> that's a solid citizen.

>> But, you know, that's someone that you

can build a community with. Yes.

>> That's a solid citizen. And it makes me,

you know, again, makes

>> Oh, I love that. That's a solid citizen.

I love that. Okay. Speaking So, we're

talking to very solid citizen Marisha

Harate today.

>> Yeah. I'm very excited to have her in

the studio. Marisha and I have gotten a

chance to see each other out in the

world, but never really had a real

conversation. And I've seen her, you

know, at, you know, I've been lucky

enough to be part of the many good works

that she does. And of course, I'm a huge

fan of her work and I've been very moved

by her recent film. But there's a lot of

sides to her and I feel like you get,

you know, that everyday work environment

thing is like you really get to know

someone. And so I guess do you have a

question for me today that I could ask

her that you feel like she never gets

asked or that you know I don't know she

would like to be asked about. She is the

consmate multitasker and it's a gift

that

I marvel at.

You know, she she's a good connector of

people. Um, so she has a wide spectrum

of the world as well as a very keen

incisive

uh monoemano

uh engagement with people. you know, she

can assess people very well um and

engages them always from a kind of a

pure heart. She's always trying to find

the solution or the good. And

>> I guess you know a question what is

that? What's the driving force of all of

these things? And did you know that you

know did you start out oh I'm going to

be an actor

and then when was it when when do the

tumblers start to drop? I love what

you're saying because the like figuring

out the why of things,

>> the why of the journey. Yeah.

>> That is is like to me the you know like

what a cur what it's what curiosity is

about. like she's a seems like a very

curious person and I would be and I'm

curious about her curiosity basically

>> and you know it that's what I thought

made her uh documentary about her mom so

poignant

>> was the clarity of what the journey was

right the genesis of it the the the her

feelings the the things that needed to

get resolved for her the deeper insight

oh my god

>> oh we lost we lost lost video again.

>> Hey,

>> but that's okay.

>> No, no, no. Hold on. Do Do you have me?

>> We have you.

>> Do you know why I lost you? Marishka

just called me.

>> Amazing. Amazing. She's like, "What are

you talking about?"

>> She goes, "Why won't you pick up? Are

you naked?"

>> Do you want me to call her?

>> Yeah, let's call her right now. Cuz

she's I think she's on the way here.

Does she know you're doing this?

>> No.

>> Amazing.

>> No. So, hold on a second. Don't say

anything.

>> What? What's up, girlfriend?

>> But I'm just I felt so happy that you're

there. I really am. I want I'm so happy.

I I want you to enjoy it and just text

me or Sophie if you need to figure out

how anything works or whatever.

>> Okay. Do you Do you And but And was that

a hit? Do you want a nudie?

>> Could I? But first of all, I'm so sorry.

That's so gross about those lemons. I

went through and buy a [ __ ] ton of

lemons because I loved having lemonade

there all the time. Serious.

>> Well, I saw your lemonade sign. I saw

your big lemonade sign there.

>> Hey, where are you going? What are you

doing?

>> I'm right now I'm going to uh Amy Polar.

I do a podcast,

>> you know. I met her, but I don't like

know her or anything. And then um I'm

doing that and then I just have meetings

for like now that I'm a mobile. I have

meetings. Why are you laughing?

I I love

>> No, I No, I love Amy P with all my heart

and soul. That's all. I was just playing

you.

>> You've always loved her

>> since day one. I love you more than you

know. Thank you so much. Ciao. Love you.

>> When I tell you

>> that was a lot.

>> When I tell you that you guys should

start an Only Fans where people pay to

hear you guys FaceTime, that was

incredible. I got very nervous. That was

actually I actually started to sweat

because that was like a high school

version of like hearing how somebody was

going to talk about me. Thank god she

didn't say anything bad. What if she had

said I have to go do this dumbass

podcast?

>> Well, number one, I trusted that you

know she it's not that that. But I love

that she didn't want to offend me. I'm

like

>> when you said I was like are you nuts?

>> She would just wants to play. She wants

>> She's the best. I love talking to you. I

hope I see you soon.

>> Good. I love you, Amy.

>> Thanks, Chris. Great to see you, buddy.

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>> I was walking out of my apartment this

morning and some lady very sweet lady

goes, "Oh my god, my my son goes to

college where she went to college." And

so she said, "Oh, your son, he's so

great." And then I I don't know how my

age came up, but I go, "Yeah, I know."

And now I'm 60. And she goes, "Don't

tell anyone your age." And I go and

she's probably 70. And I go, "Why? I'm

proud of it." And you know 60 60 is 60

is very hot.

>> 60 is the new hot.

>> 60 is hot.

>> Yeah it is.

>> Yeah it's hot.

>> That's why I'm so I get so happy for

people that turn 60. I'm like trust me

sweetie. It's all just beginning.

>> I know. I mean I people get really

bunched up about age. I want to talk to

you about it too because I do think like

it. I love talking about it.

>> Okay. Because I bet you like me like

it's only getting better. Only getting

better.

>> Only getting better. And I'll tell you

something. I remember when I turned 40

and I thought and I used to tell people,

"Oh my god, life

>> begins at 40." Cuz my 20s were super

hard and really struggled and then 30

you go,

>> "Oh, okay. So now I it's a new

beginning." But then 40 is when it

really

>> kind of kicked in and I got married and

had kids. And then 50 you go, "Oh, I'm

in it and I know how to do it." But 60

gives you a

>> new permission. We learn we learn no but

no with love

>> and we learn like oh this is how much

time I have left and I'm so grateful to

be alive and I want to spend my time in

the best most useful productive loving

generous but also generous to myself way

that you go I'm just so clear

>> there's a clarity to 60

>> top of act three 60s is top of act three

>> that's exactly And bottom of act two can

be a little there can be some like some

reckoning.

>> Yeah.

>> But top of act three you're like all

right let's do it.

>> Let's do it. But also listen you're the

teacher of this also to everyone about I

really I really do

>> like I would say humor and comedy

>> has has has saved my life.

>> And like a person who can make you laugh

when you're really down is like an

angel.

It's exactly right. Those are the words

out of my mouth and sometimes I'm so

this is why I'm still married because my

husband sometimes I'm so upset or

something's happened and I'm so scared

and I'm like no no no you don't

understand or I think I'm having an

anxiety attack and then I'm like no

Peter something's wrong. I think

something's wrong. I feel a thickness a

tightness in my chest and I might have

to go to the hospital. I can't feel my

right arm and I think I'm going to die.

He immediately goes into the comedy and

then as soon as I laugh I go because

that's his test, the litmus test. Should

I be scared or not?

>> And um

>> I'm so grateful for that. I'm so great

I'm profoundly grateful for that. Even

when my kids do bad things,

I call them losers

>> and then they say, "Oh, it's must be

it's not that bad if she's gone."

Totally. And we laugh through it.

>> I know. I mean, that kind of like I've

said this before, but like gentle

teasing is like a love language that

means you're safe. I'm safe.

>> We will get through this.

>> I know. We'll get through this. I know.

And you know, you

>> gentle teasing, even hard teasing.

>> Hard teasing.

>> Hard teasing. I learned that from Well,

Chris Maloney was my teacher. This guy

played so rough. Yeah. and was the first

person that busted balls so hard. But I

did grow up with two brothers, so I was

like, "Oh, oh, is this how we do it? Is

this how we do it?" And we were so rough

on each other, but then it became truly

our love language.

>> Okay, this leads me to say what I was

going to say later in the interview, but

I have to say now, which is we do a

thing at the beginning of the interview

where we ask someone to speak well

behind someone's back.

>> Okay? And we kind of ask like we do a

little like Zoom with somebody. Oh, I'm

talking to Mushka today. Do you think,

you know, have any questions I should

ask her? So, we talked to Chris.

>> Oh,

>> and not only do we talk to Chris, but we

just talked to him 20 minutes ago. And

>> oh my god, look at me starting to sweat.

>> Okay, I'm sweating, too, because he

answered your phone call while we were

on Zoom.

>> And I wrote back and said, "Why won't

you answer my FaceTime? Are you naked?"

That's what I said. just answer my

FaceTime because he's at my house right

now.

>> Okay, we know we know he's at

>> because

he he was talking so lovingly about you.

I mean, absolutely. He's going through

your

>> He's going through all of it. I'm here.

>> He is. First of all, thank you for not

saying anything bad about me because it

was like Maloney put us both on the spot

in the best way when he was like, "What

are you doing?" And you're like, "I'm

going into Amy Fuller's podcast." And I

was like, "Oh my god." Wait, you were on

the phone. You heard what I said?

>> Yes.

>> And I said, "You love her."

>> Yes. You were so nice. And it was And so

like while I was talking well behind

someone else's back, somebody else

talked well behind my back.

>> That is so sweet.

>> Very healing. Thank you. Um, but by the

way, is there anything better than that

than having somebody have your back?

>> No, there's nothing better.

>> There's just nothing. I was talking to

my sisters this morning all all morning

about it. It's everything to me. Well,

Maloney's got your back.

>> Yeah.

>> And you guys have I mean, I want to get

into it because it's it's to me it

speaks to like this bigger idea of like

how our workplace becomes like a second

home and our family. But

you guys tease each other in a way that

to me is like that's what what what it

looks like with the people I love.

That's how I show my love. And people

don't know you were in the ground links

like comedy first

>> always. How did I end up as America's

sweetheart sex cop? I should have been

you.

>> Oh my god. Let's switch.

>> I wanted to be you.

>> I wanted to be a model. I wanted to be a

model.

>> I was like, "Oh my god."

>> I got to be taken seriously.

>> All I wanted if it was you. I was like,

"Oh my god, she's

>> Oh my god. All I wanted to do was be

like be like listen to me." And everyone

was like, "No, babe. No one's got switch

for a day."

>> My dream.

>> Okay. I'm going to try to see if we can

make this happen.

>> We'll freaky Friday that [ __ ]

>> Yeah, we'll freaky Friday that [ __ ]

>> I mean, because I would watch and I was

like, God, to have that gravitas

and to play those scenes and to be able

to be in charge instead of being like

boing.

>> But I'm But in real life, you wanted

to be boing

>> cuz you start Wait, how old were you

when you did Groundlings?

God, that was many a year ago.

>> 20s.

>> Yeah, 20s. And then Kathy Griffin always

tells me in her book, she tells a story

about how she dropped me. Also,

>> she was holding you.

>> She said we did the trust exercise. And

then I of course am like, you know, Yes.

And and uh she said that I just, you

know, leaned back and she dropped me.

>> Do you don't remember that?

>> I don't. And I also think maybe that's

part of what's wrong with me now.

When you were auditioning in the

beginning, were you going out for

comedic stuff or you were?

>> I did a lot of um Yeah, I did, you know,

I did uh Seinfeld and um I did Single

Guy and you know um I you know I tested

for Friends. You did

>> so many times.

>> Do you remember?

>> I think it's Monica. I think so long ago

again. But I always thought that I would

end up being on a sitcom or doing

comedy. That's what I thought. Yeah.

>> And it was so funny because this is one

of my favorite stories that you will

love.

>> So I'm in LA, struggling actor. Um was

doing I think it was a after was it

after er

I was like what am I going to do? What

what am I what am I going to do? I loved

er but I was like I want to I had a

development deal with um dis Warner

DreamWorks and so I was developing a

show and it was sort of like all um um

what's the show with Kalista Flockheart.

>> Oh yeah Ali Mciel Ali Mciel where it was

half drama dramdy and that's what I

wanted to do. I was like I want to do

drama but it has to be funny because

that's what I felt like my gifts were.

So, I came to New York, which I did

three times a year to see uh theater.

And then I met with this psychic.

Everyone said to me, "Oh my gosh,

Mushka, you have to meet with this

psychic. He's amazing." So, I drove out

somewhere on Long Island to this man and

I went there and he started saying all

this amazing stuff to me. Stuff about my

mom and stuff about a ring. My

grandmother had just died and he said

there was going to be an issue with the

ring, which there was. And then he said,

he looks at me and he goes, I I was

listening to him really intently like

this. And he said to me, Amy, you see

that face you're doing right now? You

see that face? He talk like that. I said

I said, "Yeah." He goes, "You're going

to be famous for that face. You're

moving to New York and you're gonna be

famous for that face." And I said, "Uh,

no. I uh live in LA and I'm going to be

a comedian because I'm funny and I'm

pretty and that is a deadly combination.

I am going to be a comedian. And he

looks at me and this is my favorite

moment in my life. He goes like this.

>> I don't give a rat's ass what you say.

You're going to be famous for that face.

Six months later.

>> Oh,

>> swear to God on my children. I got this

for you.

>> Woo woo.

>> Right. Woo. Woo. Woo. Woo woo.

>> And it was one of those things where you

just go, "But I don't who's rat's ass."

>> Yeah.

>> Not the best line you ever heard.

>> Here's how I feel about psychics. Like I

love a bossy psychic.

>> Yes.

>> Because Sure.

>> You know what I mean? Like just tell me.

>> And tell me with confidence. Totally.

Because if you're insecure, I'm out.

>> And I'm going to forget what you said

anyway.

>> I'm going to forget. I remember the

parts that came true.

>> That's right. And he said, "I don't give

a rat's ass." Six months later, I was

walking around doing that face going,

"Where were you Tuesday night?"

>> Okay, so guys,

>> God, I want to do that so bad.

>> It's so good. I'm gonna I'm gonna make

this happen.

>> Well, you know, let's talk about You

were on ER

>> and you were incredible on that show and

can you just tell me before we get to

your incredible show what it was like to

work

>> changed my life

>> and your performance on that show is

very tender. Thank you.

>> I love your performance on that show.

That character was felt very vulnerable

and very funny and very sweet and tender

and

>> to me that uh what was your character's

name?

>> Cynthia Hooper.

>> Thank you. Cynthia Cynthia Hoopers

working at the desk being like

overwhelmed and being in love with Dr.

Mark Green played by Anthony Edwards

>> and being like is this the right place

for me? And it was so interesting to

watch that character on that show at

that time because the show was about

like we're all here with a mission and

there was someone that was like or maybe

I'm or maybe I shouldn't be here.

>> Yeah, very much so.

>> And it was so nuanced how you played

her. I loved her.

>> Oh, thanks Amy experience to be on that

show.

>> You know, we all we lived through what

er was. It was

the pinnacle of all television. I mean,

it was the greatest show on the planet

and the acting was so next level. And I

look back at it and I think of how that

show really shaped me and those actors

shaped me

>> and how invested they were, how amazing

they were, how it was,

>> it was acting like I'd never seen, but I

knew I didn't know how to

>> I didn't know how to do exactly what

they were doing. It was it was like a

little out of my league, but

I watched them so skillfully and so in

such a beautiful nuanced way. I think

that was when I went,

>> I want to do that. I want to do that.

>> Whatever they're doing that's so

masterful and skilled. And that was such

a turning I love that you're bringing

this up. It was such a turning point in

my life because of in in acting the

truth is it's both, right? It can be so

tragic. But then it's so funny, right?

Because we we panic, you know, our heads

get squeezed. We don't know how to deal

with it. All we can do is laugh. And so

it was such a integration moment. One of

the greatest gifts I think that my dad

ever gave me was Mushka. You can learn

from everyone around you. So I've always

been like, if you don't know it, watch

and learn. Watch and learn. whether

they're younger, older, anyone, watch

and learn. So I did and I do attribute

so much of my success to those days

of watching these masterful actors and

going, I want to do that.

You have this moment, you're on that

set, you're learning what kind of actor

you want to be.

Can you walk us through how SVU comes

into your life? Because it is I mean

it's that show is beyond a TV show. That

show is not only like a cornerstone for

a a network, a franchise, but it's also

become,

you know,

an iconic American experience that show.

and you are the captain of that ship and

I'm sure all of these things you are now

able to reflect and kind of process and

and hopefully enjoy. But at the very

beginning when it it's not a tree yet

and it's just a little tiny seedling.

>> What what's that experience you walking

in finding out about that show,

auditioning for it,

>> meeting Dick Wolf? Scary. Scary Dick

Wolf. I'm scared of Dick Wolf. I'm sure

he's

>> You know what? Dick Wolf wasn't scary to

me then because I didn't fully know who

he was and and his what he represented.

Um, and you know, I don't know if if

you've talked to Chris or but if he told

you about our audition. No, the

experience was pretty magical in terms

of

>> Okay, tell us please.

>> In terms of I mean, listen, I'm have

this personality and Chris and I I think

where we bonded is that we both have

that sense of humor, that sense of play,

that sense of risk, that sense of I love

you, it's safe, so I'm going to beat

you.

>> You know what I mean? And so that's

where the trust was built.

and it came

for SVU, he obviously had read for SVU.

And so our call back was three women,

three men.

>> Mhm.

>> And uh we got to the audition and we

were to be paired up.

>> A lot of people don't know that that you

an audition sometimes you just get like

a dance partner and it can make or break

your chance to get on the show.

>> Period. Because it was about chemistry.

>> Yeah. So my agent said, "Oh my god,

there's an amazing guy there. His name

is John Slatterie." And he's reading for

for the role as well. In walks Chris

Maloney and I go, "Slatterie."

And he goes, "Maloney."

And so minute one it that's how it

opened. That's how it opened because I

didn't know what either one of them

looked like in 1999. And he came in and

I didn't know there was going to be 47

people there. So as soon as Chris comes

in, I'm like, "Slatterie, it's going to

be me and Slattery." And he goes,

"Maloney." And then I said, Chris comes

in and, you know, he's like wearing no

clothes.

>> Big surprise. And so he has this huge

cross and I'm like, "Oh my god, you're a

Christian."

>> You're just getting it wrong. That's

>> And he goes like this. Yeah. No. And I

go, "Then why do you have Jesus Christ

on your arm?" He goes, "Because I admire

his commitment."

And I'm like this, "Okay, got it. Got

it." And it was such a I was like,

"Okay, well, there's that. I've never

met anyone like you, but I like it." And

um so we're sitting there and then

everyone comes in and then we got paired

up and that was the end of it cuz I knew

he was going to get it.

>> I knew I knew that he was Elliot

Stapler. I knew it. I knew it.

>> And so the other people I think he felt

the same way. Yeah. So as soon as they

paired paired us up, we were like, "Oh,

okay." Partner,

>> it was interesting. It was overwhelming.

To get back to your question, it was

utterly overwhelming. I loved the script

and I loved the uh progressive nature of

the show. I loved the subject matter and

the fact that they were willing to

tackle it

>> and I loved Chris.

>> What's so interesting about your

performance in the show and your dynamic

together is you trade kind of like

masculine and feminine a lot back and

forth.

>> That's right. And the dance is really

interesting and and in other hands that

character of Olivia Benson would feel um

a little one-dimensional because she

would feel, you know, kind of cut off

from certain parts of herself. But

what's been so interesting and what I'm

sure he brings out in you and you bring

out in him is the like the ying and yang

of those

>> very much so. And I changed very much

when he left. But also

that was done by design. And because as

soon as I got the role, I went through a

40-hour training and became a rape

crisis counselor. So I could fully

understand because I was entering in

such a new world. And I wanted to

understand the cops of it. I wanted to

understand victims advocates, rape

crisis counselors, and sexual assault

from a, you know, more holistic uh

viewpoint. And there was so much for me

to learn. And so once I became, you

know, did the 40-hour training, I went,

"Oh, I am not going to play this, you

know, like a hard-nosed detective woman

who's trying to fit into a man's world

and be masculine. I am going to be

>> all of myself because that's where as

women, our power

>> lives. Yeah. But also, that's where

anyone's power is is when they have the

ability for integration, right? To say,

I'm this and I'm this and I'm this and

I'm this." what you don't want to do is

let is be put into a box or let anyone

put you a box or put other people in a

box for that matter. And then we learned

very young, I mean very early, we

weren't young, there was nothing young

about us when we got the show, but we

learned very early that the show was as

only as good as the guest cast, right?

So then we became very with the guest

cast and we would just like help

everyone and it became really and that's

one of the things I think I'm most proud

of is like when you step on to SVU

>> some people come on and they're just

unbelievable and talented and they

understand it and some people they're

nervous or they struggle or they don't

fully understand the character or they

don't whatever.

>> We have like 16 safety nets

>> in place that they it's very hard to

fail on our show because we got you. I

mean, you're often someone's first job.

You're often like Adam Scott was on here

and he talked about how he did a Law and

Order episode. Um,

>> I don't think it was my show. And I'm

really upset because I'm so obsessed

with Adam Scott. I know

>> and all things severance. And I think it

was with Jerry Orbach who also I used to

hear was like really like if you showed

up and you knew your scene,

>> Jerry would love you forever if you

didn't know your scene.

>> No. No. He's like, "What time I am?"

>> Yeah. Like chop chop.

>> Yeah. I got a heart out of five.

>> I get it, Jerry. You got Jerry, there's

a steak waiting for you and Morton's

like, "You got to get out of here."

Period. Period. End of story.

>> Yes. But um but what who were some

people You must have seen a lot of

people that have come through that you

thought you saw them at the beginning of

something. Is there anyone that you

>> Abigail Brereslin?

>> The two people that I went holy

holy god were Abigail Brereslin. She was

so young on the show. Mhm.

>> She kept doing uh this dance between

takes and going like

some kind of dance she was doing and

then I started doing it with her and

then we would just do it and it was some

funny little nursery rhyme stickick. I

don't know what it was but I would just

do it with her and then they'd say

action and I swear to God I don't think

I've ever seen anything like it. She

would turn

one tear and start like lip quiver one

tear. no acting. But like I said, I

remember going, "What the

>> are you like Merryill Street?" I I said,

"Are you like Merryill Street?" And

she'd be like, "I don't know." And then

she'd go back to her nursery rhyme and I

was like, "Oh, there's something this

kid has touched. She is so magical." So

Savant and then there was another

person, another person that I called it

and I remember saying it to her is um

Megan Fehee.

>> When she did the show, I was like, "Let

me tell you something. I'm just going to

tell you right now. You're going to be a

big movie star. you're going to be a

huge star. And I don't like use that

word because it's so like star. What

does that even mean? But I I I just

recognized her a talent, b light, and c

she was like she was so sparkly

internally, like an internal sparkle.

>> And there just been people that have

come through where you go, "Oh,

oh, wow." And it's it's almost like an

effortless

>> Yeah.

>> Uh beautiful light and it's so exciting.

It's so exciting to see them go on and

go,

>> I called it.

>> Totally.

>> I called it. And and also to your point

like I'm just so uh uh in awe of the

fact that you in working with the

material on on a daily basis then made

sure that you were able to handle the

material in your personal life like that

you knew like okay I'm going to really

get trained here so I not only know what

I'm talking about but I imagine you

anticipated because I know you do get

people who approach you with very

personal things. I do.

>> Yeah. Listen, the subject matter of the

show is the reason I started Joyful

Heart, my foundation.

>> Yeah, talk about that.

>> Well, I just felt like I can't when I

found out the statistics, which was one

out of four, one out of three women in

their lifetime will be sexually

assaulted. One out of six men in their

lifetime will be sexually assaulted. And

when I learned those statistics, I was

like,

stop, hold, please. Why is everyone not

talking about this? This is an epidemic.

This is something that affects everyone.

If you're at lunch with three or four

women, one person has been assaulted.

And so

because soon as I started the show,

>> everybody because it was, you know, this

>> it's on television, it becomes water

cooler conversation and then it's okay

to talk about. Yeah. And that was the

power of SVU is that you had these

horrific stories, true stories, ripped

from the headline stories being told and

then you had a fierce,

protective father figure

>> and a fierce, nurturing mother figure,

which was, you know, Chris and I, to

protect you, and that's all anybody

wanted. So, I think that a lot of it

comes from the fact that there's space

to be heard.

>> And think about everybody, every person

on this planet, all we want is to be

seen. To be seen and listened to,

>> that doesn't always happen.

>> But when we're listened to,

half of it and believed, half of the

injury

can go away.

>> And so,

I know that that's how I heal is being

listened to and believed.

And so I think the character

who listens, who believes and then feels

a need to fix and protect obviously is

going to create safety because that's

all you want. But I also um I can't save

the world. I can't I I'm just trying to

do it. But what I can do is teach people

about how we begin. We teach people how

we how we can listen and and live in a

more compassionate, empathetic and kind

way. And simply by listening and simply

by believing and simply by saying, "I'm

so sorry that that happened to you."

>> It's

it's like tectonic plates shifting.

Well, it kind of gets back to what we

were saying, which is it it's not so

much always about the doing of the

thing. It's just about the sitting and

the feeling of the thing.

>> It's not as much to do as you think.

It's

>> That's exactly right. And I think to go

back to our how we started this

conversation, I think that is

>> that is the clarity of being older and

understanding. And for me, it's been

more about

>> learning to be tolerant tolerant with

myself. Yeah.

>> And the more tolerant I've become with

myself or my own pain,

um, the more internal space that I've

had, which is why I was able to make my

my film.

>> Yeah. Yeah.

>> So, let's talk about your film and and

and Chris's question to me for you is a

perfect segue into the film because

Chris wanted me to ask you when we were

talking well behind your back and then

he took a phone call from you and then

you talked well behind my back. Thank

God. Um, but no, but Chris wanted me to

ask you like, and it's kind of what

we've been talking about today. There's

a curiosity to you. You You don't want

to just figure out, you know, you don't

want to just be outraged about things

that are wrong or not working. You want

to figure out the why behind things. The

why is very important to you.

>> Yeah.

>> And

he was wondering where do you think that

comes from? And that question made me

think about your film because

um you know for people uh you know it it

premiered at the um Can Film Festival.

My mom Jane um Mishka made a beautiful

documentary about learning more about

herself and her mom and her entire

family and all the connections there.

And um

it felt like that uh exercise in trying

to figure out the why behind your origin

story feels like it also exists in other

things that you do in work and in life

and in your family right now. Is that is

that is there a connection there? Is

like figuring out the why

>> of everything?

>> It's funny. Um, my mom, my stepmom just

actually texted I don't have my phone,

but she she texted me yesterday. This

this sort of why of it all is just

coming up right now in a very uh

crystallized way, which which I love

when sort of everything sort of comes

together like that. But yeah, I think

that I've spent a lot of my life trying

to

make sense of things, of chaos,

>> and

also

I'm living a life right now

that I never thought that I was capable

of living,

>> right? And so

I still am trying to put together the

pieces of why and what those

Jenga or Lego pieces were that helped

build it, right? And so for my film, I

was just trying to understand these

people

>> and their decisions. And so I wanted to

go in with this um

disciplined curiosity because

>> I had jumped to so many conclusions and

because I felt different my whole life

and like I didn't belong

>> and then when I found out what I find

out in the film I was like why why would

he

>> not choose me

>> or claim me? Like what's wrong with me?

Why would she leave me in this mess? Why

did I feel what were the things that

were said? Why did like a little

detective child, I was like, "This

doesn't add up. This doesn't add up.

This doesn't add up." And I and I wanted

to understand

>> why. And I also wanted to just have

somebody be straight with me. I mean,

Mushka, it's so deep what you're saying

that that is little like that is

detective child then becomes in real

life this powerful detective on

television who is advocating for other

people to get answers while she's

>> spent, you know, the the the very most

important beginning years of her life

trying to figure that out for herself.

>> Yeah. And I think that, you know, I

don't think I could have made this movie

before now. Yeah.

>> I had to build the infrastructure.

>> Yeah.

>> Right. To make sure that it was solid as

a rock.

>> One of the most beautiful things about

the film is, you know, this idea that

you're toggling between kind of like

yesterday and today and your present is

you're such a beautiful family and you

have such a wonderful partner and Peter.

>> I do.

>> And that relationship, watching that in

real time is so moving and also just

like sexy and fun. Like you guys are a

lot of fun together. I' I've had the

opportunity to see you together and

you're a really like you you you spoke

about it earlier like the way in which

he can kind of joke you off of the ledge

like you guys have fun with each other.

You enjoy each other. You've been

married for how how how long?

>> 21.

>> And you met on SVU.

>> Chris and I were so that was what was

hard for people and a lot of people have

said it. We were so in our own private

Idaho and we would just be joking joking

and it was such intense energy between

us that I think people were like

>> I can't play on that level. Do you know

what I mean? I can't I'm sure it's like

that on you guys people go oh [ __ ] this

is some next level [ __ ]

>> Oh yeah. Like sometimes when I would

kind of you know u have um someone

around all the comedy people and they

would just be doing bits and bits and

bits. I'd look over to a person's face

and they'd be like get me out of here.

>> Yeah. Yeah. No, I can't imagine.

>> Help me. Help me. Yeah. And or or also

like I don't know how to get in there.

Okay. But but Peter

>> Oh.

>> Oh, tall Peter.

>> Tall Peter.

>> How tall?

>> 65 a.m.

>> 65.

>> 65.

>> No, it's it's so crazy with Peter and I.

And I'll tell you something. That was

another thing that my dad said to me. He

goes, "Mushka, find out where you're

going and then who's coming with you."

>> Oh, that's so good. But Peter and I

just, you know, we I didn't get married

till I was 40

>> and we we dated for two years and then

once he asked me to marry and we got

married in four months cuz I had to do

it over hiatus, you know what I mean?

And so it was like, "Okay, jump." They

were like, "And we're rolling."

>> And yeah, we're rolling. And so then it

was just it's been a, you know, I'm so

grateful for me that I don't think I

could have handled a marriage earlier. I

don't think I'd be married. I was just

too had too much to learn. So, I just

went straight to like, you know, the

second husband. Um,

>> smart.

>> Yeah. Right.

>> Yeah. Smart.

>> And so, we're It's just good, you know.

I'm just grateful that I had a little

bit more life experience.

>> And what's your communication style

like? How do you guys, you know,

>> it's so genius.

>> How do you Yeah. How does it work?

>> I tell you something.

We have a skill that I wish I could

teach.

>> You can you could start a seminar right

now. we do is there's like tension like

somebody will say something that'll

annoy me and then there's this brilliant

thing we do um

>> and I think it's brilliant because it

it's again it's comedy and always works

where we do this thing where we switch

roles right but you do a thing like if I

said Peter

>> you know I'll get mad at him because

he'll leave his clothes around and I he

leaves little messes everywhere and I'm

like why can't you just pick your [ __ ]

up and put it like why does it have to

be in every room. Everywhere he goes,

there's messes everywhere. Just tiny

little pile. And I'm like, do you know?

>> And he's so tall that the piles must be

huge.

>> Huge. That's exactly right. And I'm

like, why do you see how much effort I

put into having the house neat? I need

the mental space for something to be

organized. I have so much going on.

>> And so then he'll do I'll get like mad

and we'll have things. He's like, I just

left it there for one second. Whatever

it is. And then he'll come in and left a

cup. And he goes, how many times have I

asked you? It's really important to me

if you could just and then he'll say

exactly what I said. So what it means is

he gets he really gets it.

>> Yes.

>> And it works with everything.

>> So you're meaning he he he he parrots

back to you what you said

>> but from his point of but but like as if

he as as he takes

>> it's like wife appropriation.

>> Well I'm saying I think it's actually

what they do in couples therapy which is

basically like say back but he does it

as it's his. And my the problem now is

because I'll do it to him. I go like

he'll sometimes I'll say the wrong word

and he's like I just wish you'd be more

thoughtful with your words because he

always says the right word and I get I

say the gist, right?

>> I'm I'm a gist person, too.

>> I'm a gist. And so I go, you know what I

mean? And look at all this like

justiculating I'm doing. So you could

feel me. I could my energy is coming at

you. And he's like just be take a second

and maybe think about it. But all in our

house the comedy thing is we just rip on

the kids. Same. I mean,

>> I just say don't do that cuz if you do

that, you're a hack and a loser. Is that

what you want to be? Is that what you

want to be?

>> Totally.

>> And people come over and they don't know

us and they're like, "Oh shit." And I

go "Yeah

>> that to me that is intimacy is that

>> I I've said this before, but like

>> politeness is for strangers and for

people that we don't know." Like,

>> by the way, I don't feel safe around

polite because then I'm like neither.

What are you thinking? I promise you I

won't torture you. I won't play games

with you. And don't and and please if I

go, "Do you like this?" and someone

goes, "No." I go, "Great." I I want to

know if they don't like it.

>> We're exactly the same this way.

>> Yeah.

>> Somebody came to me and said, "Do you

like these shoes?" And I went, "Nope."

>> And it helps with directing, doesn't it?

Because you just make really fast

decisions.

>> I say, "Do you know what I do on the

set?" You ask them what I'm directing. I

go "Guys guys

you suck." And I'll say that. I go, "Oh

my god, you're so bad." We'll be in the

middle of a take. say, "You guys are so

bad. I don't know what just happened,

but I'm embarrassed for you." Let's cut

and try that again.

>> And but now they know to laugh, but they

also know I'm right.

>> Yes.

>> And also, you know what I love about

you, Marishka, is I knew that you would

>> tell me.

>> I I knew you wouldn't do this podcast

unless you wanted to.

>> I wanted to so bad

>> because I know that you don't really do

things you don't want to do.

>> Not anymore.

>> Right. That's the that's the that's kind

of like the the reward that one gets

>> if they're trying to stay true and

they're and they're trying to be a good

person. One of the rewards if you're

paying attention is you might get to a

point where you really try to stay true

to what you want to do.

>> Yeah.

>> And so I get comfort in that like you're

here because you want to be here, not

because totally

>> someone told you to be here.

>> No. Exactly.

>> Okay. But let's get into some real

questions. Okay. So this is rapid fire.

Speaking of directness.

>> Okay,

>> rapid fire.

>> Let's go.

>> Jaylen Brunson.

>> Love.

>> People are so jealous of me.

>> I know.

>> I like it.

>> That cutest relationship ever. How did

that start?

>> He loves you.

>> I love him.

>> I know you guys love each other.

>> I think it started.

>> New York Knicks player for the New York

Knicks.

>> I mean, it's just the sweetest thing and

it's just it's just like a another one

of those meant to be. Sometimes I don't

even question things. I think Jaylen was

brought up on SVU. You know what I mean?

I think his dad Rick I every time I say

that I laugh. Sounds like I'm name

dropping Rick. Rick and I were like

this. But um Rick Rick uh loved SVU. He

watched it Jaylen. So I think the first

time I went they were like oh like you

know they it was in that and then we

connected and it was just easy and

effortless. And I'm, you know, huge

basketball fan and I I got to meet

Jaylen also before he was Jaylen. You

know, he's Jaylen now these last what

three four years, right? But

>> but it was it predates that. And so it's

so beautiful because he there was just

such a he's so

>> I mean he's so sweet. He's such a killer

and such a captain and such a leader,

but he is so like soft and mushy and

sweet and kind and he's such a lover of

his family. He's so good.

>> And so, um,

>> I just feel so, um, honored to be in his

orbit. I really do. It's crazy.

>> It makes you feel good.

>> Okay. Strange. I'm sure you've had a

million of strange things happen to you

shooting in the streets of New York.

Anything that stands out like a moment

of

>> pretty wild New York. Um,

like a, you know, only in New York

moment. Well, there's, you know, there's

the old when we're shooting and then

people will just come up to us right

while we're in the seat and start

talking and then be like, "Oh my god, I

love your show." And I'm like, "Well,

that's good because we're actually

shooting it right now to see that

camera." And they're like, "Oh my god,

hi." And then they keep talking. So that

I like. Or there's the opposite of that

when people have said to me, "Thank

Chris. Chris was there. I love this one.

I don't really get your show.

>> I don't get you or your show." And I'm

like "Well

>> okay. Thank you. Thank you for the

inerson feedback. It doesn't speak to

everyone

>> and they go right up and tell. Do you

think of yourself as a New Yorker now?

>> I do.

>> You do.

>> I do now.

>> Yeah. Okay. What about um who should

play you in the movie of your life?

I always Let's think about this.

>> Oh god, that's a good one.

>> I mean, it's because it's like, do we

want do we want

I feel like it's got a I feel like it's

like a

>> There's this really good girl. I can't

think of her name. It's Kate Blanchhat.

>> I think Kate Blanchhat plays you in the

story of your life.

>> I like it. I Now you are really thinking

outside the box here, sister.

>> Get this movie to open.

>> I want this blanched. I think it's um

>> Well, I'm going to go with the Megan

Fehey. See how I Megan Fehee is you in

your 20s and 30s on ER trying to figure

it out. And then we got we cut to the

same

beautiful blue eyes. Go ahead.

>> You're right. Okay. Um, have you always

had such nice hair?

>> Yes.

>> And yes, I have.

>> Your hair is incredible.

>> Well, my hair was good. Um, in the Well,

my hair was good. I didn't love I had

some bad years on SVU when it turned

red. I did some Martha Washington stuff

that was not good.

>> We always We've all been there.

>> There was some stuff that I There was

not good. That combined with like bad

Botox. I had some bad years.

>> We all have had some We've all made some

choices that we we regret.

Yeah. And we have like we're just

tossled and loose.

>> I have so much fake hair and I don't

even want to take it out on the table.

It would be horrifying.

>> Do you know that I didn't wear fake hair

today? Because I was like I just

>> You were like Amy's not going to wear

it.

>> I know. She goes, "Do you want to put in

a piece?" I go, "No, Amy's like just

real and natural stuff." And she I just

want to be like Amy and have

>> 25 pieces of fake hair.

>> Um Okay.

>> Next time I come, should I be invited

back? And I swear to God, I'm going to

look like Rapunzel. Okay. I want full

volume volume. Um, how badly have people

screwed up your name?

>> Oh, like

>> I still live with it. Who was it last

night? Oh, I had a lunch yesterday. I

had a brunch yesterday for my sister and

my cousin was there.

>> Your own cousin.

>> I've known him from 19 since 1994 and he

kept calling me Marissa and I at lunch.

I I I go and then I said, "No, just let

it go." And then Chris and my friends

when it happens because it happens on

set a lot now I on the call sheet it's m

a r i s h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h

h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h

h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h

h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h

h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h

h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h

h h h h hh h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h

h h h h h k k k k k k k k k k k k k k k

k k k k k k A. That's how I put it on

the call sheet just so people go, "Oh,

okay, got it. She's big on the hes." But

he was calling me I get called Marissa,

>> um Marca, um Marisa. Um but Chris will

call me Marissa at one or

>> just to confuse people.

>> Oh yeah. Marissa

Marissa and Marissa.

>> You know, I'll tell you who learned it.

All of America

>> and the world. The world learned it. So,

>> but it's Marishka. Marishka.

>> And what does it mean? What's What does

that name mean?

>> Oh, gorgeous, talented one. Queen of

sunshine.

>> Queen of Queen of Queen of

>> Queen of Queen of Queen of straight

talk.

>> Yes.

>> One one with thick luxurious hair.

>> That's it. Um, it means it's a nickname

for Maria. It means little Maria in

Hungarian. The K A or K on a end of a

name. It just it's like a little

endearment.

>> So, the name is actually Maria after my

grandmother. Both of them. Hungary, not

Italian. See the film people.

>> That's right. On HBO right now.

>> On HBO right now.

>> Such a good film.

>> It's such a good But don't you kind of

love that both grandmothers

>> beautiful name? Maria.

>> Maria. Mario, you um do you you you're a

Hamilton fan, by the way, cuz I was just

about to sing.

>> So hardcore.

>> Me, too.

>> Did you say it 27 times?

>> No. I win 27.

>> 27. And by the way, my claim to fame and

when people say like, "When did you know

you were famous?" And I go, "When I

would call Hamilton or just show up at

the theater and they'd go, they'd bring

a chair and put it in the audience." And

I'd be like,

>> "That's right. That's right. You earned

that. You earned that." I was so like,

I've made it.

>> You earned that.

>> I don't even have to have a ticket. You

know how much those tickets were?

>> No, they were like, let's get Mishka her

chair.

>> Just get her her chair. The old woman. I

didn't even mind

>> and I going in with a cane.

>> That is a 27 times.

>> I know. And I just had this a great

actor on SVU last episode and he's now

in the show. And so he was like, "Oh, I

hope you come." And I go, "Oh, I'll be

there." So, I'm It's even a thing where

the new cast members want me to come see

you.

>> Oh, that's so Have you ever done Have

you ever done Broadway?

>> Broadway?

>> Yes. That's um That's how you're

supposed to say it.

>> Well, thank you.

>> Broadway. That's how

>> you know. I want to do Broadway.

>> Broadway.

>> I want to be in an all Hamilton.

>> [ __ ]

>> Right. You and me with straight talk.

Wait a minute. We would be Aaron Burr

and and and Hamilton.

>> Well, who's who?

>> Let's get Let's take a minute. Let's

>> Okay, let's Yeah, thank you. Slow it all

down right now.

>> Who's who? Aaron Burr. Cuz

>> I think I

>> I think I think you might I think I

might be Aaron Burr.

>> I That's what I was going to say. You

swear.

>> Yes. And not just cuz I want to be

Hamilton.

>> I want you to be Hamilton. Aaron Burr.

>> And I feel like I could get the rage. I

I I I think I think you have a gravitas

that Aaron Burr needs because and I

think I have a um like a uh

like um

>> I know all the lines though. Do you

>> an energy? I don't know why.

>> I could you maybe you should do both.

>> But you just do there and then you lip

sync to me.

But the only problem is one thing I

can't sing.

>> You can't sing. No, but maybe we do it

like in

>> God is fair. You can't sing. One thing

you can't do, babe.

>> We

>> One thing you can't sing.

>> Oh, that's funny. Ask me more questions.

>> Okay. Okay. Um Okay. What's making you

laugh these days? What do you was What I

ask I always ask my guests, what do you

like? What do you listen to, do read,

like you know, to to lighten up, to

laugh?

>> Nate Bargotsi.

>> Oh, love Nate. He's my fave. He's so

>> I don't even know who I don't even

understand what he's doing.

>> Okay, let's break him down because I

love him.

>> Well, it's the it's he's like mastered

this like kind of slow guy that's a

genius,

>> right? That's the shtick, right? It's

like he's kind of slow and dumb, but

he's smarter than everyone.

>> Yes.

>> I love him so much. And can I tell you

why also I love him? I was at in LA. I

didn't know who he was and I was with my

friend and she said, "I think that's

Nate Bargotsi." And I said, "Who's Nate

Bargotsi?" And he goes, "That's August's

favorite comedian."

>> Oh.

>> So I went up to him and I go, "Are you

Nate Bargotsi?" Hopes hope hoping I'm

saying.

>> He was like, he was like, "We're

shooting right now. You have to."

>> He goes, "Yeah, I am." And I go, "Well,

I my son loves you. Can we call him?"

>> Yeah. I swear to God. No, I swear to

you. I swear to you, I did. And you know

why I did it? Because do you know how

many people do that to me? And I thought

that I had good karma. I had good call

karma. And you know what he said? Yeah.

And so we called him and I'm like

August. You did not

>> and he's like, "Hey man, I love him."

>> Love him. He's so funny.

>> Do you Do you watch a lot of standup? Do

you like to go to see stand up?

>> I love good I love good comedy. It's my

happy That is my happy place. August.

That's what we love.

>> But I'm also critical.

>> Yeah.

>> They're not funny.

>> Yeah.

>> And I don't know who I am to judge.

>> Yeah. You can judge as much as you like.

>> I feel like comedy is like music. You

just like you just like who you like.

You like what? Like you like their song,

whatever it is.

>> I love it.

>> And I love Nate and and

>> I love you know what I'm listening to

late in the night before I go to bed. I

don't know why I love it so much. Is

that Jim Carrey bit doing vanilla ice?

>> Hold on. Okay. It's an in living color

sketch.

>> This is it.

>> And he's dancing.

>> Watch. Just listen it.

>> He really looks like him.

He He kicks his shoe off.

Just stop.

>> Is that not the best thing?

>> This was so fun.

>> I know. But do can you imagine how

excited? Cuz I said I used to see you

around.

>> Well, we don't even I don't see you

anymore. And I remember I remember.

>> What do you remember?

>> They said you're good and sparkly and

and beautiful and kind and you bring

joy.

>> Thanks, Marisha. And Chris doesn't like

anyone.

>> Yeah. He He really is a very judicious

guy. And he loves his family. He loves

his kids. And he has like three friends.

He likes me.

>> Yeah.

>> And that's pretty much it.

>> And I just remembered like he just loved

you.

>> And so I it's um that's very nice to

say.

>> I was so funny that I called him today.

>> Okay, Marisha, you're the best.

>> This was so fun. I told you. She's like,

"Are you ready?" I was like,

"Sweetheart, I'm born ready."

>> Thank you so much, Marishka. That was so

fun. That was such a good hang. And you

know, in this polar plunge, I just want

to take a second to say, let's picture a

world in which Kate Blanchett plays

Marishka Hargatee in a movie of her life

story because I would watch it. And if

there's any producers or financeers

listening who want to partner up with me

on that and Kate, if someone can get

this message to Kate, I think that that

would be a great project. And I've been

asked before,

if your life was a movie, who would you

want to play you? And my answer is very

simple, and that is Meryill Street.

I want the best. And I can't guarantee

the movie will be good or interesting in

any way. Honestly, it'll probably be a

flop, but Merryill at the helm, it's

going to be a good performance. So,

Merryill, Kate, and Merryill, I'm

assuming you're together. Please, please

call us at 1 800

GoodHang the movie's

movie

slash lifes

and we'll get this going. Okay, sorry.

I'm I've lost I've lost the plot. Okay,

bye. Thanks for listening. Bye.

You've been listening to Good Hang. The

executive producers for this show are

Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and

me, Amy Per. The show is produced by The

Ringer and Paperkite. For The Ringer,

production by Jack Wilson, Cat Spalain,

Kaia McMullen, and Alia Xanerys. For

Paperkite, production by Sam Green, Joel

Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman.

Original music by Amy Miles.