Kate McKinnon

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Hi everyone, welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We have a great, hilarious guest today, the amazing Kate McKinnon. Kate, who you know from SNL and Films and The World, and Kate and I go on an adventure, and we're gonna talk about woodworking. We're gonna talk about sketch. We're gonna talk about what do you do next when you have fulfilled your dream.

And in Kate's case, it's homesteading and being in the movie, The Roses and writing the second book in her Millicent Quib series. So I'm so excited to talk to Kate today. And before we do always, we check in with someone who knows our guest, who has a question for our guest, and we have a great one today. Kate's fellow cast member, her chosen sister. You know her from SNL, from shrill.

She's an incredible comedian and actress and writer and person, 80 Bryant, 80. Hi! This episode is presented to you by Paul Mollov. Some of the best memories you'll ever make are around the dinner table. You'll never regret trying out those new recipes that may or may not go sideways, or putting on a spread so big that your in-laws are still talking about it years later.

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We're talking to you from Los Angeles. Yeah, that's where I am. That's where you live now. I know, I know it's weird. 80!

I had a moment today where I was like, I was just excited about talking to you and just thinking about, I know this doesn't sound very basic, but just like the women of SNL. Like just like, you know, there's not, there hasn't been as many as you think. No, totally. It's like a major crew of cool stars and girls. It's true.

Like I think you and I were at a photo shoot and somebody, I feel like we were at the same photo shoot when someone said the number of cast members of SNL and it wasn't a lot. Totally. Also, I don't know, I felt this at the 50 years, where like then when you have kind of everyone in the room, not counting the hosts, you're kind of like, this is little, like this is a little group, you know? Yeah, I got a laptop here. So I'm gonna see how many cast members have been on SNL.

But yeah. You have a guest first, I jelly bean jar, guess? Okay, yeah. Let's guess before, okay, I won't look. Three, like 140, is that wrong?

Yes, 167. Come on. That's the Black Box Theater, honey. That's just a full Black Box Theater. You always see everything in theater sizes.

That's a stadium. But yeah, what I was thinking about, it's a great group. It's like a witch I'm very proud to be a part of and I know you are too. It's a name, oh my God. Yeah, it's like very overwhelming to me if I think about it at all.

I know, me too. And you and Kate McKinnon are guests today. They're at the same time and the people, especially the women that you are there with at the same time means a lot. So tell everybody, when did you guys start? When did you start?

And are you starting the same year? Yeah, well, she had kind of a weird thing where she started like five shows at the end of the previous season. My Rudolph did that too. My has started at the end of the season. Which that seems like so stressful to me.

I kind of don't know how she did it because she also came in alone in that moment. But I think Kate and I, we shared an office and also just, we both are like scared. And I think we both were also like, we like are both extroverts for our jobs, but I think we're both kind of secretly like introverts who like to be quiet. And so we bonded over that, I think. It's funny you say that that was one of the questions I had for her today is how she managed being in such an extroverted job as an obvious introvert because I really find her to be a genuine introvert.

Yeah, I mean, I think in some ways like, it's part of her genius is like, she's almost like a recluse who has to go and have like time. But then it's so fruitful. Like I mean, once like one of the first times I went to her apartment, I was like, oh my God, what are all these cool paintings? And she was like, I did this. You know, and I was like, what?

You know, I'm saying like, or we would be writing a sketch and then she would be like, well, get up keyboard and then like be playing a full. And you're like, wait, you play the piano. And then like, she was like, well, I do play the cello too. Like it just, she is like a sneaky freak who has a million skills and talents, kind of like a savant kind of thing. And that's why she's like mysterious in that way.

She is, she definitely is like an onion. Like she, and it also not to make it about me, but I'm feeling such shame about the fact that if I knew how to play the cello, you would know it babe. You'd know it, you'd know it day one. No, I was saying everywhere I'd be like, well, I'd be cello, but I do piano too. And I paint a little on the side, but anyway, let's get back to you.

Like I would say, I guess I'm sorry, I'm one of the greatest sketch comedians of all time too. That's just like the other thing I do. And I can build tables and garden and like, I'll take a grande la tape, please. I know, there's, she is, and I have to say, Eddie, I find this with you too. Both of you guys have a very calm energy that's like draws you in.

Neither one of you, you're very like, come hither. Come hither. That is what everyone always says about me. I'm sexy, come hither. You are babe, because you both are like, there's not a lot of push.

There's not a lot of push. I think we really helped each other in that way because like, you know, especially when you get to SNL, it's so overwhelming. It's like so cool. And I think sometimes we both would have the instinct of like, is it okay for me to leave this party and go home? And we often for each other were like, I would like to.

Let's go. You know? We gave each other permission to like, be the ones to go first, basically. That's actually good. I'm really helpful at times, you know?

Yeah. But I'm so honored to be thought of it as calm hither. That is like, that might be my new like, shallow like, come hither. This whole thing's, come hither. Cut to your cosmetic brand, come hither.

Come hither, baby. And you're like, and then you're like, where is it being sold? I'll never tell. Before I get to your question, for Kate, what was the first stuff you did together and wrote together? You know, one of the first things I think we really started, like putting our heads together on stuff were those like girl music videos that we would do.

Kind of like twin bed, I think was one of the first ones. And then we did like back home ballers and a couple after that. But that was like one of our first, like we both were like, we like music and let's try this, you know? Did you shoot them at the Douglas house? Yes, awesome.

I feel like our generation wants some of the last to still go to the Douglas house and go there anymore. For people listening, the Douglas house was just like a big house about 45 minutes outside of the city where if you watch in the 90s and 2000s, every commercial was shot at, every fake commercial was shot. It's gay, like all the oops, I cut my pants. All the, for our generation, it was like lower back tattoo remover and like the room that went up your pants. And it was just so many mornings, like super tired at the Douglas house.

Completely, yeah. I would lay in their rooms as if they were my own, just so rudely. Like I would never do that if I was shooting in someone's house now. But at that time, I was like, I gotta lay on the floor in here. I don't know, someone's couch your bed.

I don't know. You gotta know how anything works. So I was like, our space. And also, I just like what I love about watching you on the show and all the women of SNL and Kate too is just like never worried when you perform. Like never always feeling super relaxed that you're in control of what you're doing, that you have like a deep sense of play.

And like something natural does happen, I think is the longer you're there, which is just like you get a good case of like the fuck it's like, who cares? Like let's just try shit. 100%. And Kate as seniors were really fun together. Well, we were like doing bad behavior.

Basically. Like what was your bad? I feel like she, I mean, she's the number one culprit of this in my time at SNL, which was she would basically perform so funny during the week, so funny during rehearsal. And then at Air, it was just something that you had never seen before. And I would be, you know, like I with her or whatever.

And I'd be like, this bitch, let's it rip. And I'm just like at her mercy, you know. So fun. He's a thrill, you know. Well, I'm excited to talk to her today.

And also like a little, I'm intrigued by Kate always because Kate is like has a million hobbies and interests. And she is, you know, she's not on as a person. She's not like a, she's not like a, you can actually go pretty deep and go into these crevices of her mind. So I'm excited to get there. But what do you think?

Do you have any question for her today that you think she might want to be asked or, you know, a story she might want to tell or anything? Do you think you'd want to know? Well, it's funny because I feel like knowing her, I'm like, there's no question she wants to be asked. I've already heard that she's like, she told somebody, I know she was like, Amy's going to look into my soul. And I don't want that.

She doesn't want to do this interview. She's going to be, you want us to do no interviews by the way. I know. Okay. I'm stalling.

I guess my question is like, what's her perfect day of solitude? Which might include like an indoor activity, probably an outdoor activity, knowing her and also like a meal she would make just for herself. I feel like that's like where she's in her full state. And I'm like, what's she doing? What's her dream version of that?

Or even, you know, how she spends her time like that? That is such a good question. Because asking somebody about what their, you know, quote unquote kind of perfect day tells you so much about them. And I definitely feel like Kate's perfect day is a solo day. Which I like respect massively.

That's a fantastic question. Wait, I feel like there's one last question you should ask Kate. This is just one, but ask her what she used to carry her her extensions in. I don't know what the answer might be, but I think she might remember what she used to go around. Perfect. Can't wait.

All right, Amy, thank you so much for getting on. It's so great to see you. Your come here, the attitude is it just drew me in from minute one, babe. No, come here anytime you wish. Say hi to Connor.

Lots of love. OK, bye. Oh, my God. Wait, McKinnon. Wait, what's going on with this water?

It's water. Talk to me about this. Do you try to get through this one today? I try. I put it away for months at a time.

And then I say, where's my jug? Oh, my God. How many gallons is in here? This is one gallon. Actually, this is not full, but you couldn't see how this is nice.

Yeah. And you do try to get a gallon a day. No, I mean, when I'm doing when I'm when I'm being good and cool. Yeah, that's why your skin is so good. It's this gallon jug.

It's thank you. Yeah, no, it's good because it weighs 25 pounds one fall. So you're getting that whatever this is. And it's really good in a zoom because it's funny. Your zoom is flagging.

And then you bring this into frame without introing it. That's another five minutes. That's a lot for your zoom. I love this jug. Thank you so much here.

You can may I? I'm just going to put it over here for continuity. Yeah. So we can make sure that it doesn't. As Lauren say, co-star.

OK, I know. Thank you. Yes. Let the audience come to you when in doubt seduce and keep your jug on the floor. Try to get your jugs all the way to the floor of you.

Hi, friend. Hi. Beautiful. Congratulations on this. Thank you.

I'm so happy that you're here. I know that you do not like to do interviews. Well, and my first question is just something very, very simple, which is what is God's plan for us? God has gone. God has jumped ship.

God is taking on to a different universe. God was like, I was like, Yikes. That was a miss. And I shall, I'll let them do it. Yeah, we are d-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du-du.

No, I know that you don't like love interviews. But I think what is so special about you, Kate, is I feel like you just deep end it pretty fast. Like you like deep and complex conversations. Bless you for saying so I would, I'd like to, what is your sign? Virgo.

Got it. Capricorn. Oh, of course. Good, finally, finally. A reasonable person.

And your writer's works. E-N-T-J. Got it. Good. What's yours?

Good INFP. Yes, your definite I. Good. And also your Enneagram. Four.

Wing five. Of course, your four. What are you? I'm an eight. And that's the one.

Eight wing nine. I'm the challenger. But you are the romantic. The asshole. Sensitive of.

Wait, but what is eight again? Eight is the challenger. Eight is the, like, to lead. Has problems with vulnerability. So like, doesn't go with feelings first.

Action first. Four is lots of feelings. Yeah, right. So if you're at Thanksgiving, the H is maybe at the table arguing about vaccines or something. The four is in the basement looking through photo albums of old thanksgivings.

Yes. Would that make sense? Yes, and saying stuff like, it's all over. Yes. OK.

Awesome. Like we are doomed. Like God is gone. I need you to also to know that my face is covered in poison ivy. Can't see.

OK. Can't see one piece of evidence for it. Can't see at all. You're incredible makeup artist who we love. Cassie.

Cassie. You also I work with. Yes. Incredible. She's always she's always she relays.

That's just between the two of us. Yeah. She's like, I saw Kate. Kate's at high. It's really nice.

And you could not tell for one minute that you have poison ivy on your face. But I know that you are like an outdoor cat. Outdoor cat, indoor cat, but you are you live. You're basically you've gone. You've gone to the farm.

I've gone rogue. You've gone rogue. Yes. I remember so clearly. I believe we were in maybe we were at the Kennedy Center Honors, NBC or something.

And I was telling you about my desire to go to the woods. And you were like in New York, the nature that we have is our pets. And we need more nature than that. Yes. And so that I always had that in my head.

And I did it. You did it. How does it feel? It's the best time I belong on the Homestead. Yeah, I believe it.

I belong on the Homestead. I believe it. Did you feel that way when you were younger? Did you feel an affinity to nature? Were you that kind of person like young kid who liked to be in the woods?

I loved bugs and science and making nature crafts. I remember making little bits of mud and putting in places. And I remember every time we went to a seafood restaurant, I would say, Mom, can I take the empty clam muscle and lobster shells home with me and put them in the bathtub? And after rinsing them of marinara sauce, she would let me put them in the bathtub. And I would get in with them and just enjoy that.

And so yes, I did always have this. Did you? Well, I kind of liked adventure. I liked the idea of being alone. I liked getting on my bike and riding through the neighborhood, feeling alone.

But talk to me about, without obviously revealing anything too personal, what is your Homestead? What do you do on your Homestead? Talk to me about what happens there. Are you farming? I think the reason I've done it is that I believe very much that we are doomed.

And I want my goal is surviving the apocalypse four days. OK, that's it. If I can make it to four, I will have achieved something along weekend, like a holiday weekend. That's such a funny thing to think about, is what it would take for four days. It's more food than you think, obviously.

It is. Yeah. And I know I wouldn't make it past two hours. But I'd like to think that I could go 48. And I would be crying the whole time as a four-wing five.

But I would like the lack of invitations to social gatherings in the apocalypse. That would be fun. OK, you are a true introvert. Which I am ashamed of because I love people. I am fascinated by and love to talk to and listen to people.

But the word fascinated is the part. You're fascinated by people. People are, that's what I think I feel from you, is a fascination and a curiosity about the world and people. That is what is so compelling about being around you, is you're very curious about many things. But I sense that people, in general, a lot of people, it's not really your gig.

It's just one-on-one people. It feels like, or two-on-one. No, or you like it. One-on-one, two-on-one. But when we were talking about you going, like getting back into nature and checking out, I think it was in the context of New York City being overwhelming.

And being there for a long time. Because you lived in the city for how many years? 20. And you were on SNL for how many years? And every day you saw hundreds of people.

This is the voice of the person. I think I better hear, excuse me. I bet you need a cold press order. And so you were like, fascinating, that you were in a bustling city on a bustling show. And it makes total sense that you want to go somewhere and just get a little bit quieter and more peaceful after that experience.

How does an introverted person like you, how did you manage the hugeness that was that show? It's such chaos. Do you want me to do an impression of myself at the afterparty? Yeah. OK.

So you are, let's say, you're an agent that I know. Great. OK. And I'll just be talking to you. OK.

Really close. Really quiet. Tell me about your parents. You know that kind of thing. Yeah.

You want it? But that's what I'm talking about. You like a one-on-one connection. You like people. You want a connection.

Really, too. Yeah. When I watch you on SNL, you're so connected to what you're doing. You're very relaxing to watch. Because you don't seem nervous.

You don't have to do that for real. But was that all? Am I getting it totally wrong? Like was inside a whirly swirly or was inside kind of peaceful? When you were in the zone, when you would perform?

Oh, gosh. Always terribly nervous, horrifically nervous, less so at dress. I always felt I did my best at dress. And then air was just less good because I was thinking about the cameras. But when it was just dress and just, I could really, sometimes, if I was really in it, I feel like I was in dialogue with the people in the audience.

And we were sharing something. I feel like Sketch is like you see something that you love that delights you. And you're just showing it to people. And then you're like, do you guys like it, too? Because I think this is funny.

And if they do, then you have a connection. And I felt sometimes I was just with friends. I mean, Lauren said that, I'm sure. It should feel like you're in your living room playing. Oh, it's good.

And I did get to that point. You definitely did. First of all, we got to see, I mean, this might make you uncomfortable with this kind of praise. But I feel like this. Here she goes.

OK, hold on. Hang on. Praise is coming. OK. Praise is coming.

There are people on that show that I felt were natural on that show. Now whether or not they felt natural is their own personal story. But you, my Rudolph, this is my opinion, you, my Rudolph, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, people who just kind of came onto the show fit right in and just became just like instant captains, just instant crushers, just so good at that show. Because that show needs a specific kind of something. I don't even know.

And I always felt that from you, just this calm confidence when you were performing. And it's interesting to know that inside you were not feeling that way. What did you do when you were not feeling like you did well? Like, how did you manage that feeling? I mean, I can't think of any time you did well, but I'm sure you felt that.

They were planning of desperate failures that hold me even now. I know a lot of failures. And they still sometimes I'll think of something that didn't work or that I just couldn't get there in time with the writing or the performing. And it still stings. And I still feel shame.

And that's on me. But I also made the terrible mistake of reading stuff on the internet. I truly wish I could go back and have never looked at the internet because it has that haunts me as well. So you just cannot remember the good things. You just can't remember.

No, for the hundred good things. You just can't conjure them up but the one bad one. You'll never forget. Yeah. There are phrases that I have read that not even that mean.

Right. Sure. Not unfounded. Like things with a kernel of like thoughtful critiques that I agreed with that have ruined my life. That will be on your head.

Okay. So when you were profiled, did you have any like where you did you like to rehearse all the time? Or did you go? Were you the kind of performer go you're in your room before you're doing your sketch quiet and intensely working on it? Did you like to play around and stay loose before a scene?

Because I didn't really ever get a chance to work with you very much. We only did a few small things together. Did you like to be alone and get ready for stuff or did you like to stay loose and you know what I mean? Yeah. I think I mostly like to wing it.

I there were like I don't know if you can relate to if it was like a just a two person scene that was like really a scene that required like your eyes are so beautiful. I'm mine. Yes. Okay. You know what?

You shot my cousin and I'm having trouble concentrating on what I was ironing. I love you too. My queen, my queen. If it was like a two person scene with a lot of lines, I would try to not memorize but become very intimately familiar with the lines. I can feel that that you like to know your lines, which some people don't really try to do because people don't know but it changes a lot of us and also sometimes you're a little screwed if you know your lines too well.

Right. Right. So if it was like not changing that much, I was like more active. Yeah. Scene I would sort of like to like run through it a few times but otherwise I liked to wing it.

That's what I mean is you have you had a very groovy flow in a lot of stuff that you did and so who knew babe that inside was you know a bunch of mice carrying ladders and stuff like like who knew and so when we talked about you like hitting the road and getting home studying basically what I feel like was underneath that was like here's the new next chapter of the version of my life like you know if my life is a book I'm interested in what the next chapter is. What is the what would you like what would you title this chapter of your life post SNL?

Growing growing your own food prepping for the apocalypse. My goodness. What would you say what era are you in? Getting real. Getting real or 41 or getting within a positive feet getting real.

Well let's be honest I feel like I had one dream one dream it was SNL. Did it? Done. Loved it. Awesome.

Not quite sure. Not quite sure what to really be like single minded about. I love filming movies and the small amount of episodic television. What do you love about making movies? I love being able to I love going somewhere for a month or two and walking around and falling in love with 80 new people and the circus the camp of it.

The summer camp. You went to camp? I never did. I went to a day camp but I never went away. I would have loved to have gone away from home.

But yeah just this idea that you have this stolen time almost in another place. You can be anything and I love that. And I also love I love I just love movies. I think they're wonderful as a medium and I love doing a scene as scripted and then trying at 80 different ways and they pick the best one and as opposed to like you've got one shot one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted. You capture it earlier.

You let it slip. Do not miss your chance because opportunity comes once in a lifetime. But that was what SNL was. Yes. So you did it so well.

So you feel like you. Yeah. I hear what you're saying. It's like okay I did that I did it as to the best of my ability. Now I want to practice my backhand basically or not even my backhand just try a new shot.

Yeah. Yeah. So I have to do that for that very reason and I have loved truly loved every experience I've had working on a film. So I'd love to do more of that. But there's only so many hours in a year that SNL took up so much of all of our lives.

And when it's over it just leaves a time hole. And so I had to film my time hole. That's the name of your workshop. Feel your time home with Kait McInan. So I've done that.

I've tried to be useful in growing food and I've also taken up carpentry as well. Okay. I've heard about this. Can you talk to me about the materials you're using? Because I know a little bit about woodworking from the coffee.

Right. Have you spoken to Nick? I've never. No, I mean I've meant to. He has an amazing workshop and he's such a good teacher and share of knowledge.

And tell me what you like about woodworking and carpentry. What's your favorite part? It is. Well, I think it's in Magines because my grandfather was a woodworker. My father was an architect.

And I just I love the practicality of you can manipulate this material and then you can spend time in it. Yeah. How crazy is that? You can sit on it. I love to sit on things I do.

It's just so much. It's you know a sketch a book of something. It's so ephemerable ephemerable and to say I will sleep on what I did today. Yes. It's like rarer.

That's like life. That's cool. That's so satisfying. With what kind of wood I've been doing mostly trim carpentry with which is moldings and paneling and I've been using reclaimed hemlock for that mostly. You've been making your own moldings?

Yes. And I thought I was the only one then I'm backstage at that SNL 50 concert. I'm talking a brandy Carlisle. She's doing shrimp carpentry. I'm like Brand.

Of course you are. She's like John Stewart's doing his turn. I'm like turned out. It's right. What I'm doing.

Everyone's doing shrimp carpentry, I know. I mean, people think I'm doing shrimp carpentry, but I'm not. So when you're making stuff like, it was something like when you're working with wood, what happens when you make a mistake? Because I'm asking, I'm very intimidated by working with wood. I feel like if you measure wrong, you're fucked.

Like you can't. What do you just kind of? I put it up inside the home anyway, and I have absolutely decreased the property value of the house with my shoddy work. Yes, I know that I have. It is not brainy car level.

No, nothing is. That's true, that's true. What do you wanna make? What's the dream thing you wanna eventually make? Do you wanna move on from molding and moldings?

And do you wanna make furniture? Do you make furniture? I have made a table. Dang, that was cool. But honestly, I would like to move into plumbing and electrical.

I would like to be, have all the skills of a general contractor. I love that. I love that. I don't know. Well, because the end is near.

We have to, well, someone's got to wire the shelter. Yeah, exactly. If we're gonna get one more day in that shelter, we're gonna need how to fix the toilet. Yeah, fix. Yeah.

I so, okay. I mean, I have no doubt you will. I have no doubt you'll learn about plumbing. I mean, that's a ways away. You think so?

Well, it's someone's job for a reason. Yeah, that's a way to. That's a two year certificate at minimum. Yeah. So, but yes, I would like to acquire all of those, the skills that can make a home function for four days.

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Can you speak about the last show of yours at SNL? Because I remember that feeling very powerful. I'm very moving and I think we spoke about it and it was for you. It was a very beautiful send-off where you walk up into the stairs as Ms. Rafferty.

Yeah, yeah. Meeting the aliens. Finally, maybe we don't know. Finally meeting, you know. Or them taking you away.

Are you willingly going? We don't know. What do you think happens to her and you? That walk up the stairs and the wave goodbye was really beautiful. That's really cool.

What was your last show like? I thought it was really beautiful too. It was not my pitch. That was Streeters. I thought Ellen Mikey Day came up with that.

My pitch was that I did this character Sheila Sauvang. Oh, yes. The bar or fly. And my pitch was that I would tongue every single person when you could pass in a line. And I thought ultimately that the alien thing was a little more meaningful and had a better tone.

So we went with that. So everyone narrowly missed sucking my face. A good vice. A good vice. A good by tongue.

But that was very emotional because it was everything. You did over 200 shows or something. Everything to me. And those people are everything to me. Jenna.

Yeah. You know, Chris Kelly, everybody. And Lauren who has been, you know, a surrogate father to me. And I could cry now thinking about what he has been to me in my life as I'm sure we all could. What can you speak a little bit more?

What has he done too? What was your relationship with him? Well, my father passed when I was 18. I loved my father beyond. And he, Lauren, just was nothing but paternal.

And when you have somehow by the grace of whatever earned the esteem of a man like that, a man who's that like larger than life, it just, it means everything. And so I was like, just sad to go. I had to, I had reached a point where I was like yawning during the show. And that just did not, that was not working for me physically anymore. Yeah.

And there, there you have it. So it didn't mean I wanted to get away from those folks. You love those folks. You love those folks. And boy, Kate, they love you.

You know, who loves you so much and there's a million people who do Seth Meyers. He loves you. He, he, he just is like, and again, praise coming in, prepare. But you were just such a natural captain when you were in there on that show. You just, you led that show through a lot of years and you were in a lot of sketches and you were doing a lot.

You were, you were carrying a lot on your shoulders and that show, whether or not you felt it or not. And you were, you were being asked to do really big playing like really important, like important people at important times, whether it's Hillary Clinton or Rudy Giuliani, or like you were playing all the, it was the world, the world is nuts. And it's weird. And I know from experience, because we both played political figures to play people in real time that are also existing in real time in the world. And there's real world consequences.

And it's very strange. Yes. Yes. And what was it? What, what, what, what, how did it feel?

Did you feel your responsibility when you were playing anybody? Or did you have to kind of let that go and not worry about it? No, mama. I felt a lot of, I felt a lot. Yeah.

I'm sorry just to talk about Seth for one second. Yes. When Seth left, it was in a February. That was another that I felt like I only overlapped with him for two or three years or so. But he, and he is not very much older than me, but I felt like he was like, had a paternal, you know, thing.

And like when he left, oh my God, I was so crushed. And I forget that life goes on and you like you form, you know, other connections and stuff. But that was like, oh, I love that guy. Yeah. I love that guy.

Yikes. Any horse. What were we saying about politics? Politics. Politics.

Well, it's a double edged sword. I felt. And you let me know how this lands for you. Yeah. But I felt it was a double edged sword in that I felt like I was really doing something with my life, something meaningful, being engaged in the most peripheral possible way in, in culture, in history.

Yeah. Yeah. Just on the sidelines, putting on a wig, right, you know, it's doing little songs about whatever was actually going on. But like being in the smallest way, a part of that felt like I was doing something meaningful. And with that came, you know, like I heard there was one article that was like, will she hurt Hillary Clinton?

Oh, God. And I was like, God, y'all, y'all should read, should not have read. Right. But that like that notion just broke my brain. And like, obviously no one I think doing a satire has the power to actually influence.

But I did not want to hurt anybody, even people I vehemently disagreed with politically, like I still didn't want to ever hurt anyone's feelings. And so yeah, there was some balancing to do there. Did you ever meet anybody while you were dressed as them? Yes. I met Secretary Clinton, Senator Warren.

That was awesome. Oh my gosh. Oh, you guys did a really fun, you guys did like a TikTok, switch your ear. Yeah. Yeah.

She was like, after there was some vote on the floor of Congress, I believe it was on January 6th about I forget what it was. And all the Democrats were saying no and all the Republicans were saying, yes, I forget what about. But they were going down the list calling the names of all the Democratic senators and everyone was saying, no, no, no. And then it got to her and she was like, no. And then I noticed the question you get asked on time, but I do love this question, which is, well, too.

Did you ever go on the server and watch sketches that bombed? We used to watch our sketches. Do you kind of like it when sketches bomb a little bit? Did you ever enjoy that? And did you ever re-watch a sketch that didn't make it?

We used to go and watch our sketches from dress that bombed and just like, oh, and just watch it together. Like, you know, kind of like process it together. And it was just like such a nice feeling, basically just a reminder that everybody bombs, basically. Did you ever do that? Yes, there were a few hits that we would watch over and over again.

There was one rehearsal where a person I won't say who simply stopped doing the sketch and sat down on the stage. That was a fun watch. Yeah, just stuff like that. We had a host again. I won't say who, like halfway through just kind of fell asleep a little bit.

And it was like, this is a rain dress. I was like, okay, well, I guess we're the guest's character is asleep now. Don't blame him. Agree. It's a tough gig.

Did you find that hosting was so much harder than you could have ever imagined? Yeah. I didn't want to be in. Yeah, I know. I wanted to be like, we're going to be over there.

Like I want to be over there. Yeah. Yeah. And who did you love? What host did you love?

Like, you just think about it. You're just like, oh my God. So like, I remember really loving Amy Adams. Yes. And we blunt.

Yes. A lot. Those are the two that pop into my mind. But just I loved, I loved actresses who were wonderful comedic actresses and also actresses. Oh, that's so interesting.

That's what time was worth it for. I enjoyed weirdly often athletes because they wanted to be coached and they would be like, how do you want me to say it? How do you want me to do it? And I'd be like, oh, thank God. This is exactly how I want you to do it.

You know, and they felt really good about that. Like, there was no, and they would, if they scored, they were like, yeah, and if they didn't they were like, this isn't my gig. Like, they didn't feel, and it relaxed me. It relaxed me when athletes would host. Or people like that.

People who are just like, this is so weird that I'm here. Charles Sparkly ever host when you know. Did you love? Oh my God. You loved him?

That would be the funniest man alive. And I did do one of my bar fly sketches with him. So I have his tongue has been in my mouth and I, it was nice. Fantastic. Okay, so we do this thing in the show where we talk to people before our interview.

I don't know if you know this. We talk well behind their back. We talk to somebody who knows them and they give me a question to ask them. So we talked to Adi Bryant today. The great.

Oh, here we go. Dear, water works. Adi and you, like, tell me a little bit about what Adi, what it meant to have Adi there when you were there and like working with her. What was your relationship like? I mean, she taught me about like so much about comedy, but she also taught me about just like being a person.

Comedy is not, I mean, she's a genius, but like just one of the most solid people I've ever known and I, she just, like when I moved into my apartment, she was like, invest in your base, which she was basically telling me to like get kind of okay furniture, which like I wasn't doing. But she just, she, I think in many ways she taught me how to live and how to be okay, even in silence. Okay, this is my sister. Everyone here is my friend. This is my sister.

I, we were rewatching the sketch today of you and Adi as the, as it was Henry and Ann, the PowerPoint ladies who couldn't get the PowerPoint to work. It was, I was reminded of 15 more of those right now. I was reminded of that the other day and I was asking the gal who wrote it. Did you come up with the phrase did you file? And she said no, that was Adi.

Did you files? I like what Adi said. And Adi says, I don't think I can learn anything anymore. I don't think I can learn anything new anymore. Oh my God.

That, uh, it's, and, okay. So Adi had a question for you, which is, should two great questions for you. One is ask Kate what she used to carry her hair extensions around him. Do you remember? It was a, it was a tiny linen drawstring polka dot bag that I think she gave me.

Okay. Great. It seemed like an item that Adi would have because it was polka dot and it was like sweet and drawstring. Okay. So, um, I'm going to take your word for it.

There's no way we can check. And then the second question was what would be your ideal day? Cause we were kind of talking about what we were talking about earlier that there's this part of you that like loves that feeling of performing and being, you know, meeting 80 new people and being on the road and being part of circus. And then there's a part of you that wants to kind of be in the woods in nature and be in kind of a peaceful version of your life. What is Kate McKinnon's perfect day?

How would it go? I would wake with the sun. I would garden for a couple of hours, do carpentry for a couple of hours and then gather my mother and sister, the loves of my life or some other folks that I love and make pasta together and from scratch. Damn. That was my 40th birthday party.

It was a pasta making party with my family and my best friend and her family. That sounds cool. My 40th. Yeah. My 40th I was still filming Parks and Rec.

So it was like a bar somewhere in the middle of filming. My 50th I had a dance party. That was so fun. I love dancing and I prefer dancing over talking. Do you like to dance?

I love to dance and I also prefer dancing. I will leave a party after 10 minutes if it's just talking because I can't. 80s is the same thing that you two gave each other a lot of permission to leave parties, which is what friendship is all about. Okay. We're going to talk about your incredible book because, and I want to talk to you about books, but I want to just do a very quick rapid fire.

Number one gardening tip. Or any gardening tip. Compost. It's okay. I got to compost.

Oh, God. It's no, it's a pain in the ass. Yeah, I got to do it. Favorite ice cream flavor chocolate fudge brownie. You said that really casually.

Do you not like ice cream? No, I love it. Okay. Favorite childhood movie. The producers.

We watch the producers every week in our house. Favorite books growing up. Rold doll. And I loved a good atlas. I loved a book about geography.

Are you good at geography? Cultures of the world. I do love geography. Do you have a good geographical sense? I would say yes.

When you know, like when you're standing somewhere, you want to know where North is and you talk that way, like it's west of the highway. And you know where countries are. I do. That I do. That's great.

I love the countries and I love to know their capitals and I love knowing countries and capitals. It's a hobby. I'm going to give you one. Argentina. Buenos Aires.

I'd say Canada. Ottawa. China. Beijing. Costa Rica.

Well, now is it San Juan? Close. No, it's San Jose. Okay, thank you. Let's see Ethiopia.

Aa to Sababa. Hangry. Bouda pasht. Hungary. Bouda pasht.

Iran. Tehran. Libya. Tripoli. And the last one is the capital of Senegal.

Is it? No, Akra is the capital of Ghana and the capital of Senegal is fuck me. I knew this. I really, it's with an R. Yeah, there's an R at the end.

It's Dakar. Yes. Fuck. Shit. Okay, that's impressive.

Hobby. In fact, during a read through at SNL when I wasn't in any sketches, I just was practicing my capitals for fun. So let's talk about the Millicent Quib school of etiquette for young ladies of mad science. Your second book. Incredible.

Congratulations. Thank you. You have written a series now, the Millicent Quib series, and you have one and two, and two is out. Yes. And it's in your time's bestseller.

Tell us about this book. Why you wrote it. What's it about? Yeah. Well, I started writing it 12 years ago before SNL.

Amazing. And then I just kind of kept at it intermittently throughout that time. And I love middle grade literature because I think it has things in common with sketch comedy, i.e. funny hair and funny names. And a sense of hope and questions of identity and questions of belonging.

You know, a sketch is often about a fly in the ointment, an odd man out. I wanted to write about being a 12 year old girl in a repressive turn of the century town. I didn't grow up in a repressive turn of the century town, but I grew up in a town with normal folks. And I felt like a freak. I think every 12 year old feels like a freak.

And I loved science and I loved bugs and I love icky stuff. And I was fortunate enough to have adults in my orbit who were funny and weird, my parents among them and a lot of my teachers. And I think having that kind of a mentor who celebrates what is unique about you instead of stepping on it is absolutely instrumental. Yes. And so I wanted to write about a mad scientist who's a pariah in this town.

And who takes these weirdos under her wing and teaches them mad science and they fight the bad guys and have adventures. And I wanted to write something that hopefully would inspire young people to go outside for the first time in days. And touch up and touch up and I mean the times of my childhood that which was before cell phones which are just the best time. I mean one day me and Alexis North found like a fox skull in like someone's hedges and like there was an earwig in it. And it was the great talk about the best day of my life.

Oh my God, the earwigs in that fox skull. We were just like, the world is magic. It's made of magic. And I wish children had some more access to that kind of stuff. Yes.

And I wanted to inspire them to go outside and touch a buck. Okay. Well, I feel like, you know, this interview started with you worrying that you weren't going to be funny or something. Like remember that? I feel I wasn't.

I'd like to start again please. You're not. You're so nuts. But I want to finish that this thing. This thing which is I think people in comedy are all we know, they're all different kinds of people.

Do people come up and expect you to be a certain way? And are they surprised when you are quieter and more reserved or more introverted than they expect you to be? I think they are. And sometimes they're disappointed and vocal about that. I've gotten a lot of wow, you're not funny in real life.

Or speak up. What? I've gotten I've gotten you're so serious for comedian. Yeah. You're being very serious.

Oh, you're being very serious. Well, well, that's not funny. I'm sorry. It wasn't very funny. Anyway, nice to meet you.

Oh, shit. I got to ask you one question. Oh, fuck. I forgot one question. And it's the best question and it's the best one to ask you.

Go for it. What is making you laugh these days? What do you what are you watching reading, listening to, watching a video of when you need to lighten up? I'll tell you. Ooh, there's a man on YouTube.

Can't wait from Australia. He cleans drains. He clears hopelessly disgusting clogged restaurant drains filled with grease. I love unclogging videos. This man.

You never see his face. He is enthusiasm on two feet. He says he'll say, oh, you guys, these what dreams are made of. Can you believe we get to be here clearing these drains? This one's chock-a-block.

Let's fire up the jet. Oh, you little reaper. Come on, you good thing. Like he has like freight and it's about. And then he'll be like, oh, these are cockroach.

Oh, there's some corn there. Toilet paper. Oh, this is what dreams are made of. And I just love enthusiasm. I would recommend it's called drain cleaning Australia.

Okay, I'm just going to watch one little thing before you answer. He's amazing. Drain cleaning Australia. Also, I love his commentary about what he finds. Yeah.

Okay, stand by. This one says sewage spraying into the sky. Is that good? Okay, here we go. We're back flying that I blocked dry night.

And I'm just going to let the lovely cast of it out here. Good night, Bruce from dry and cleaning Australia. You're home. He goes to meet the people first. Let's see.

That's a direction. Oh, sorry. We got a commercial. You don't pay for YouTube. You don't pay for YouTube.

Are you kidding me? They want me to pay to cut out the commercials now. I'll wait until the skip button. Okay, here we go. You're little rip-eye.

Hey, hey, hey. And while you can see what tree roots still can, they're so we punch the hole through the walking. I get it. Tree roots are the least of its problems. Usually it's like a dachshund sized piece of hair or grease or human shit.

It is. And he's like, whoa, you little rip-eye. Okay, thank you for being here. Thank you. I can't tell if your eyes are green or blue.

I think they're both. And it doesn't matter. They're just so much as it's today. All that matters is you. Thank you, Kate McKinnon.

You are so interesting to talk to. And I love being around you and your beautiful skin. Check out Kate's book. And in this polar plunge, I just wanted to talk about the books that I loved when I was in middle school. There were many, many series of books that I love.

But we talked a lot about homesteading today and growing your own vegetables and pulling potatoes out of the earth. And it made me think about Little House in the Prairie and Laura Ingalls Wilder. And God, I just, I love those books. And here's a tip in my polar plunge. If you need to take a wonderful nap, put on an old episode of Little House on the Prairie and the sound of the clip-clop of the horses and the music and like, and then paw just coming in from the cold and somebody putting like a hot cake on the fire.

It's going to knock you out. You're going to go right to sleep. So read the books, incredible books from Laura Ingalls Wilder. Watch the TV show and try to stay up as long as you can while you do. Okay.

Thanks so much for listening. Thanks, Kate, for being here. I love talking to you. And see you soon. Good hang.

The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, John Weiss Berman, and me, Amy Polar. The show is produced by the ringer and paper kite for The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alia Zenerys for paper kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Level, and John Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Myles. Oh my God! Oh my God!

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