News and Happenings

I know Rainn Wilson best as Dwight Schrute from “The Office,” but I get to see a different side of him in our conversation. Rainn tells me how he knew acting was in his blood growing up, and how struggling with his mental health led him on a spiritual journey. He shares what he learned on this journey in his new book “Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution.” Oh, and this will make sense later, but that tidbit about Stevie Nicks? Total myth. All in all, our chat feels like sipping tea in a velvet lounge chair with a good friend.

Are power best friends a thing? Like power couples, but for besties? If so, that’s Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata. They co-host the aptly named podcast “Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata.” They talk to me about coming up in the industry together, and a long-disputed fact about their friendship leads Nicole to embrace her identity as a doll collector. Plus, there’s all-around great friendship feels from two incredibly accomplished women.

Are power best friends a thing? Like power couples, but for besties? If so, that’s Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata. They co-host the aptly named podcast “Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata.” They talk to me about coming up in the industry together, and a long-disputed fact about their friendship leads Nicole to embrace her identity as a doll collector. Plus, there’s all-around great friendship feels from two incredibly accomplished women.

Adam Pally’s whole career has been finding ways to work with his friends. From his early improv days, to his unforgettable stint hosting The Late Late Show with Ben Schwartz, he is excellent at playing off of other people. You can see that collaborative energy in action in his new film “Who Invited Charlie?” Set in the early days of pandemic lockdown, Adam talks about how the movie is able to find laughter and connection in tough times.

Fun fact about comedian Tig Notaro: she loves interacting with boring people. Tig is 100% no-nonsense and 100% all nonsense. She tells me how she once dragged a stool offstage and into the street for a joke. She also shares how she found her true voice after being launched to fame.

Chelsea Devantez is a comedian, writer, producer, podcaster and my burning question for her is: how does she balance it all? Chelsea generously shares with me her advice for navigating the big world of entertainment. She teaches me the importance of writing a good first page, and how she’s turning a very, very, very short film into something bigger. Plus, she tells me about pranking her wedding guests.

Comedian Hari Kondabolu is passionate, outspoken, and very experienced with hecklers. He’s also a pandemic parent. Hari tells me about learning to write more personal material for his new special “Vacation Baby.”Plus, we agree that you gotta take all the freebies from set (deodorant, chocolate, Goldfish crackers) when you go home.

Nate Bargatze has been called “The Nicest Guy in Stand-Up” and honestly? The rumors are true. Nate tells me how he started doing clean comedy, and the time he tried to copy a style of comedy that really wasn’t him. Plus, we talk about the power of (spoiler) just being a nice person in your work.

Holmes makes being off-the-cuff funny look easy. She got her start being hilarious on Tik Tok and Twitter before starring in Paul Feig’s “Welcome to Flatch.” Now, she wants to create TV shows that provide more representation. Holmes talks to me about falling in love in an escape room, and we bond over being Midwesterners.

You know when you meet someone and just vibe instantly? That was me and comedian and actress Aparna Nancherla. She talks about writing a book on imposter syndrome (spoiler alert: it doesn’t just go away) and how it led her to turn down a Netflix special. Plus, Aparna shares her decision to stop touring and why her latest acting role in “The Drop” was a big leap.