October 22, 2025 • 44 mins
Nostalgia alert! This week, S.E. gets to tap into her inner 8-year-old in an interview with Mindy Cohn. So many 80s audiences grew up with Mindy, who played Natalie on the Facts of Life, a sitcom focused on the lives of four girls — and their caretaker — at a prestigious all girls boarding school. S.E. gets to find out what the dynamic was like behind and on the set, how that early celebrity affected Mindy, and how she said goodbye to the show after a decade of work. But Mindy has thrived in a tumultuous industry since. Mindy talks about the role that really changed her life, the friendships that continue to shape her, and how she stays balanced in Hollywood. She also gives us a peek into the next season of Palm Royale, which returns January 2026, and — as two Bravo fanatics will do — dive into the Bravoverse. And stay tuned for a very 80s lightning round!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
I think I'm an act of and integral part of
spreading kindness and joy. I think it's contagious, and so
I choose to like lead with that.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to off the cup my personal anti anxiety antidote.
I hope everyone's feeling good, doing good, taking care of themselves.
I've been thinking a lot about childhood, our childhood for
kids of the seventies and eighties. Life could not be
more different for our kids now. And I'm that kind
of cusp generation. I was born in nineteen seventy nine,
(00:35):
and some folks are calling us the Goonies generation, which
I buve, And that makes so much sense to me
because there were two things that defined our childhood. Freedom
and fear. Okay, right, On the one hand, we were
scared to death of getting kidnapped. Remember Milk Carton kids
at a Walsh Stranger, danger, candy vans. Okay, there was
(00:58):
also a lot of stuff to be scared of. We
were scared of drugs and sex and getting pregnant. But
on the other hand, there was so much freedom. For
some reason, despite the social panic about kidnapping, our parents
sent us into the streets, no phones, no way of
communicating with anybody just come home when the lights go off.
(01:21):
And so I would go. I played in the woods
by myself. I'd go ride my bike to different neighborhoods.
I'd go over people's houses without like telling anyone or
asking anyone. These are things kids just don't do today.
I don't know if you guys remember the story. It
was a couple months ago the parent of a like
eleven year old was arrested for sending her kid into
(01:43):
town a couple blocks just to like pick up some groceries.
Came back, she's arrested for that. Crazy Okay, so we
can't go back. We can't go back, but I know
we really want to. Have you seen those cute little
landline phones they're selling now. They're just for kids so
they can talk to their friend without the dangers of
the internet. And that's so adorable. But I feel like
(02:04):
we can't really put the toothpaste back in the tube
with this. Now there's this upcoming Roeblocks documentary which investigates
child predators using the platform to reach kids. And now
there's this other doc about the mom who cat fished
her own kid on social media. Dangers are in your
own house. It seems wild, problems that we could not
(02:25):
have imagined back then. It's stressful, but it's really fun
to remember the simplicity of childhood. Today's guest was a
big part of my childhood. No television show captured my
imagination and attention like the ones she started on when
she was a kid. It was about four girls at
a boarding school, and all I wanted was that kind
(02:48):
of independence maturity. Oh, she's so talented. She went on
to work on tons of other TV shows and movies,
including The Help, Sex and Death one oh one. She's
spent a long time voice actor, and you can see
her soon in the second season of Apple TV's Palm
Royal with Kristin wigg and Alison Janney. It's premiering this November.
(03:10):
Mandy Kolm, Welcome to Off the cop Thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
I am so tickled to be here.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Now I'm so tickled to be here. This is crazy.
If I had told eight year old SSI, you're gonna
talk to her one day, you're gonna be able to
ask her anything you want, I wouldn't have believed.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Me can't get anything.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
I mean to say that the facts of life changed
my life. It's no exaggeration, and you must hear that
all the time from women of a certain age.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
I mean, change life not so much so. I adore
you for saying that, But it's more that we grew
up together, which we did. There's a decade there, right,
I mean, I think I think that's the part that
sort of I can I think I can speak for
all the girls when I say, like, that's the most
moving part. That's the part that keeps on giving. We
(03:58):
can't believe it. Forty five years later, you know, people
are still like, I grew up with you. It's very
darling and it is kind of amazing.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
But it taught me. We'll get into it, but like
it taught me empathy and you know, special episodes with
cousin Jerry and things like that stuck with people for
a really long time.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Yeah. I also think what was never shown before was
friendship in that level. We saw adult friendship right on
TV shows, but we never saw girl friendship. And I
think that really changed the narrative for people of just
like I want to have a friend group like that.
Friends can actually be family, family of choice. Oh my god. Right,
(04:48):
I don't know what facts of Life started that, but
I think we were definitely like you know, on the
enter ride, you.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Know, yeah, but it was mindia. It was crack because
you had it was like the original Sex and the
City without the sex ishue, because you had like four
girls to choose from. Right, I could be a Blair,
I could be a Joe, I could be a two D,
I could be a Natalie, and I was a combination
of all four most days. And that was the brilliance
of the character development and the casting is that in
any moment you could relate to someone's experience or challenge.
(05:20):
And watching you girls navigate girlhood in this really cool
environment of boarding school in a way that was like
super wholesome but also where you tackled big issues, it
was just everything. It was everything. I was the exact
target audience for this show.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Well, it's been really amazing because you know, we were
the last of Norman Lear's sitcom before he went off
and decided to change the world in a different way.
And what's fascinating about that is when we were doing it,
I don't say we didn't get respect, but we were
sort of seen as kind of the bastard stepschot, like
the last one, you know, the holy Grail kind of
(05:59):
thing of his legacy. And what's fascinating is, gratefully before
he passed, he was able to see that, you know,
people like Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Aniston, you know the Facts
of Life. Was it all in the family and Jefferson's
in Maud were with their parents sitcom rights. Yes, and
(06:19):
it was really darling to have him kind of get
it on a very different level, and he did those
last few years, so it was very it was very
moving for us.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Oh, I'm sure. Did you get to work with him closely.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
The first year? Yes, and then that's when he handed
it off to Ellen Horn and Ellen's cohorts Glenn Padnick,
and then and then Rob Reiner came in and it
became Castle Rock. But Norman basically handed over, you know,
the keys of the castle to Alan Horns. He was
really he was really our boss and our incredible boss
for the next nine years.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
What a what an education. And I want to talk
to you about so much, so much, but let's since
we're on the facts of Life, let's just stay there.
I know how you got that role and it was
kind of in a funny way at school talk about
how the Facts of life came to you.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Yeah, it really is. It's so fascinating to you. People
still don't still end the story, but yeah, Alan Horne
and Norman Lear and Charlotte Ray came up to my school,
which at the time was Westlake School for Girls. It
has now merged to be Wes Lake carverd and His
co ed, but it was one of the premiere, you know,
pre collegiate private high schools in Belair, California. My sister
(07:29):
and I were attending. My mom is the reason my
mom went to law school and became a lawyer was
to afford that tuition. And I was one of the
students that got plucked out. Me dearre Perkins and Andrea Nagan.
I always give a shout out to them because the
three of us were called into mister Reynolds's office, our headmaster,
to talk to these people about what it was like
to be in Anaull girls school. The uniforms, did you
(07:51):
miss boys? Do you feel smarted? Our friendship's different and
we were kind of, you know, plied with you know,
Tab at the time. Tab and seven up and we
got to meet Charlotte Ray and I was sitting there
talking to Charlotte and from Norman's recollection to me, which
I'm so glad he remembered, he said, I had to
(08:13):
come over and sit next to you. Were sitting there
with Charlotte, and you did not have punctuation. You just
talked and talked and talked, and you were humble bragging,
which was a word back then, about your granny and
how she worked at Saxforth Avenue and your mom, how
she'd become this real estate lawyer, and how you're so
proud of your dad. And he said, and you had
us in stitches and didn't know it. And we decided
(08:37):
that afternoon on the ride back to the studio, we
were going to write apart for you.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Oh go.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
And the reason why her name is Natalie is that
it was Charlotte Ray's real life high school best friend's name, Natalie.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
So they weren't there to cast. They were there to research.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Absolutely, they were there to just see if they were
you know, had story ideas, if they were going to
kind of, you know, try and get the vibe amazing.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Were you popular at Westlake?
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Oh god? Now, oh no.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Now, I was flipping through your yearbook, which I have
right here.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Okay, I love that. First of all, that's my sister Pam.
Oh yes, okay, that's Pam. Those are my parents who
would be horrified that they're on your show right now.
The very private I just passed. We think about you
every day, Dad, that is I mean the beginning of
season two, that pitch, that's just when Nancy came on board. Yeah,
(09:34):
and that's a little mindy kne yep, yep.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Yeah, I was flipping through. I also went to an
all girls' school. I you know, I know, I know.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
The different it's a very different, very different upbringing. It's
a very different. Listen. I find it very empowering. I
always tell people who have kids who they're debating to
go to a school like that. For me, first of all,
it's like college from ninth grade. I mean, my first
two years of undergrad were just like, really, this is
(10:04):
college because my high school was much more challenging. I remember,
you know, Nancy and I laughing about her studio school was,
you know, she was you know don de estacasa de
Pepe was her Spanish, you know, when I was reading
Spanish composition. And that's just the level of education. And
then also the friendships, you know, we talk about in
(10:26):
this day and age of social media. I loved your
intro at such a different day. You know, back then,
while there was cattiness and there was bullying, bullying and
all that kind of stuff, really what there was also
was a real empowerment of girls in an environment like that.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
You know, yes, I do, yeah, I do. I have
like mixed feelings about high school. Mine was also Catholic,
so I was like some mixed feelings about that. But okay,
but but yes, being in an all girls environment, removing
some of those other distractions where you're not performing for
men or boys. You're just really there to navigate girlhood.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
In the uniform, right, no, no competition, close, no makeup, no,
exactly right.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
No.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
I mean our biggest thing was what tennischees are you
wearing for pe?
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Yeah, yeah, right right yeah, yes. Whatever you could, whatever
you could make your own was became. It became very
an important identifier. But I'm wondering if you I imagine that
sitcom changed everything for you in the midst, in the
midst of high school. But do you ever think what
if it hadn't happened, where would I be today? What
(11:35):
would I be doing if they'd never come to my
school that day.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Well, yes, and I you know, my higher self has
an answer to that and my lower self, right, I mean,
you know, you don't want to be like a braggart,
but I I still and have always been very fascinated
with emergency medicine. And I think I would have gone
on to med school and or lesser self says maybe
(12:01):
a nurse. Maybe med school would have been too much
for me. I don't know. I wasn't I was a
good student, but I wasn't a great student, and so
it would have been medicine. It would have been in
a hospital environment. I thrive in emergencies and I kind
of like all that. And I do have a little
bit of a like savior complex.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Yeah, yeah, a little This is very very self aware
and honist. I appreciate that. Okay, So in your mind,
you're not thinking I'd get I'd be a performer no
matter what, had they come to my school or not,
I would I would have been a performer.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
No, no, no, oh no, And I still listen. Took
it took years. It really took my mentor group. I
had this ridiculous group of women that literally found me.
I mean Eileen Heckgart was the one that introduced me
to these ladies. I did a play with her, and
my mentors were forty years my senior, and I met
(12:58):
them when I was sixteen years old, and it was
heckar Ruth Gordon, Geraldine Page, Elaine Strich be Arthur, Betty White,
Cloris Leachman.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Oh you've never heard of I mean, did I drop.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
An off names? But these women became not only my
role models on how to navigate through the industry. They
gave me confidence. They implored me to fall in love
with the craft and get good at it and have
an ego about it, but not myself. They also gave
me pearls about how to be like the earner of
the family. They just across the board. They were so
(13:33):
instrumental in me falling in love and choosing actually this
career that was chosen for me in the beginning. But
at some point right like, I did choose and the
one answered like, yeah, you'll work, come on, you know, Yeah,
So that was it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Well, and I'm sure they were helpful as you go
through this series because let's talk about the dynamics of
the cast. Because I also grew up dancing, classical ballet.
I was just around girls all the time, and it
was a sisterhood, but like it could also be tough
at times. You're growing up together. So what were cast
dynamics like, as you're all just girls growing up anyway
(14:12):
outside of this incredible, you know scenario that you're in.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Well, I'll tell you that, I think it's really important
to really remember that this was a job. Yeah, you know,
however good it looked, it was a job. And I
think the reason one of the reasons the four of
us got on so well is we all kind of
came from that Norman Lear school of work. This is
a job, and you play well with others. And the
(14:40):
other thing that helped was we all came from ridiculously
amazing families where we were not the earner, and if
we were the earner, we still weren't the queens of
the castle. The other thing was that we were in
it together. And there is something you know, I really
relate to these realities show casts, because there's something about
(15:03):
being in the trenches with the same group of people
doing the same thing that you can't explain it to
anybody else. Yes, So the dynamics were also the age
work to our benefits. So Nancy and I are a
month apart, were the same age, Lisa's three years older
and Kim is two years younger, and so that helped.
You know, just so many things added to why you
(15:26):
don't hear drama about four of us. You just won't
because there isn't any and that's the truth. And I'm
still exceedingly close with a couple of them, and that's
just because life circumstances. I mean, the four of us
are incredibly different people and always were. I also think helped, right,
(15:49):
we were not competing with each other. We were so so,
so so different. And I think the writers wrote that too,
that these different group of girls could actually be incredibly
close and care for one another.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
That was the part that modeled. That was the most
important part that they modeled, That these four seemingly very
different women girls could find common bonds and common ground
and a reason to be friends. And it forced you
to figure each other out. And instead of just giving
a passing glance and saying she is not in my
(16:25):
friend group or we're not in the same into the
same thing, so I'll move on. You can't do that
when you're at a boarding school, and that was really captured. Well.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Yeah, and listen, you know, Charlotte was there at our home,
you know, as our homes person. So there is like
a Nancy called her and calls her rest in p
Charlotte our north star. You know what I'm saying. Yeah,
we always you know, you know, had her there. And
I think that was important too. We weren't just these
four girls, you know, whirling out of control.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Yes, yeah, you had a mother figure, you had It
was a family dynamic, you know. We talked to Henry
Winkler on this podcast about the end of Happy Days
and that was very hard for him when the show ended.
How do you feel when the show ends? What's your
plan and where's your headspace?
Speaker 1 (17:15):
So I had differred college for so many years that
I actually had a different feeling about it. And I
won't speak for all the girls, but I will say
we were all very ready, you know, ten years and
at that time, Nancy and I are twenty one years old,
like yeah she ready, Yeah, I'm ready. I'm ready to
go do something else and get out in the world
(17:38):
and see what's there for me. And I like every
twenty year old, right, yeah, I know what I know,
and I think I know everything and let me go.
And so it wasn't sad. We felt we told every
possible story to tell with these four girls together. I
mean it was almost getting weird, right, like, Okay, we're
(18:02):
either gonna immediately turn into the Golden Girls and just
forget our twenties, thirties and forties and fifties, okay, or uh,
we gotta go.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
We don't know on, Yeah, to move on.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
And I think again to your beautiful intro, the world
changed in eighty nine, right, the eighties were over and
nineties were a very different decade from the beginning, as
you know, probably better than anyone else I've talked to.
Having your background, so like, the nineties brings in a
whole different and we were done. Our audience was ready
(18:33):
to go out into the world and do some things,
and so were we.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Were you ready to go chase more acting jobs?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
I think I was just ready to have This is
going to sound terrible, and I don't I really don't
mean it how it's going to come out. But I
was ready to have Natalie dye for a little while, right,
like put her in the coops, put her up, put
a bow on it. We love her, but what else?
What else do you have for me? World?
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Can I be? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Yeah, I wanted to travel. I wanted to spend more
time in New York, which at that point I was
spending three months out of the year. But I really
wanted to spend more and more time in New York.
I wanted to go to school. I wanted to have
a life whatever that looked like. And yeah, there was
a little bit of adulpa. No, you know, you have
your ten years of your life. Think about doing something
(19:20):
for ten years with the same people. It's scary out there.
But I was ready and I had the arrogance of youth,
which is.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
A nice shield sometimes.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Yeah, frontal lobe not really warm.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Did you find it hard for Natalie to die everywhere
you went? Is that what people saw and said to you?
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Yeah, listen, she's still God bless her, alive and kicking.
I mean, yeah, you know, yeah, I don't think she
Maybe she will in another forty years. But this seems
to have a life. I mean, for some reason, it's
so fascinating to me. But there's certain shows that just
(20:02):
keep going. As far as you know out there, you
can find it somewhere.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Happening somewhere, yes, Eric, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
And I have friends who's not only kids watched it,
but are you ready for this? Grandkids who are like
the DVD set is like ready and waiting for them.
It's saying, really, God, yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Wow, I want to talk to you about another project.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
You do?
Speaker 2 (20:38):
I think pretty soon after The Boy Who Could Fly
changed my life, Mindy, this was very important to me
as well. At this movie. Was this your first feature film?
It was okay, I want to know everything, and I'll
tell you.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
It was also the first part that I got. I
auditioned for it, and the director and writer, Nick Castle,
had never heard of Facts of Life. So when I
heard that, I almost started crying and I think I
hugged him probably.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
He was so relieved.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I well, it was. It was such a It was
so affirming, you know that that you know? And yes,
and it was my first you know, big location shoot
on my own and I was two months in Vancouver.
It was a year that Mindy Kong lost to Virginity.
I left my home in Vancouver. Yes, and yeah, lots
(21:29):
of big things happened that summer. So that movie and
also obviously the cast. I at this point, you know
was an adult, which makes me laugh. But you know,
I hung with Colleen Dewhurst and Fred Gwynn and Bonnie
Badillia Legends Legends shed Savage's first film. Yeah right, first, yess,
(21:51):
and the topic was freaking amazing, amazing.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
I was obsessed with this. First of all, I was
always moving myself, so I totally related to Millie and Lewis,
the new kids in the neighborhood and new kids at
school and the mean girls in needing to find a
geneva to be my sort of safe space. And I
mean this, it was like a movie about my life,
except I didn't live next to a boy who could fly.
But then again, the empathy and the humanity that that
(22:20):
movie teaches you and taught me at a young age.
Plus it was so romantic. It was so romantic and
like a very sanitized age appropriate way, but it was
oh it was It had everything a girl my age
would want in a movie.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Yeah. Yeah, it was a good one. Yeah, No, I
mean I didn't eve. You know, again, my life has
been incredibly I always say this, very serendipitous in monumental ways.
And that was another one, like another first that was
just could not have been better in every way.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
I don't have a memory. I was too young. I
don't have a memory of how well this movie did.
I only know that I was obsessed with it. Did
it do well?
Speaker 1 (23:00):
I mean it did? Okay. What started to happen is
we remember VCRs. When the video came out, that's when
it kind of became like a little you know, had
a following. People like bought it and like watched it
like oh the Wizard of Oz like every year. Not
that I'm equating its Wizard of Oz please, oh my god,
but like, you know, people would watch it, bring it
(23:22):
out and watch it every year.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I mean I loved that movie. Did that feel bigger
than the show?
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Just different?
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Different? You know?
Speaker 1 (23:30):
That was one of the things that the show really
afforded me was, you know, did my first off Broadway show,
first feature all these firsts that to any other kid
actor or teenage actor would be like, yeah, workers, work,
job is a job. But these first were really huge
for me because there wasn't an expectation that this stuff
(23:52):
was going to keep coming. Yeah, especially back then, like wait,
what I have an audition? Like what do I do?
I'd never done that before. It was one of my
first auditions.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
And what are the other girls doing? You get this
future film after the show raps?
Speaker 1 (24:06):
Oh, everybody works, everybody. I mean Nancy had a TV
Movie of the Week every friggin' yes, you did, that's right, Yeah,
and deservedly so.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
I know that Lisa got married and had children and
Kim always working, still working like the most prolific person
and got the greatest hustle. And I mean that in
the best way possible. Yeah right, I literally she's like
my role model for the hustle. She's so incredible in
that way. Yeah, She's just and she's had it from
the time she was time I met her. Yeah, yeah, incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
We got to know Kim a little bit more because
she crossed over to one of my other favorite things, Housewives. Yeah,
and I know you live in Bravo as well. I
know you've got that's what happens to live. And I
know you know Jeff and you're always hanging out with
Margaret and like, we need to get into this, yeah,
because it was one.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
Of my closest friends in life, Dolores.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Yes, And I need because I need to know how
all of this happened because I live in Bravo as well,
and it's a very special it's a very special home
for me. Yes.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Well, you know, when Kim said she was going to
do I was very concerned.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
But why because you knew the franchise and what they
would do.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Well and also that's but again, this is why I
have mad respects for this woman and not only love her,
but mad respect. She went in with a goal very clearly.
Instagram was new, how we're dating ourselves again. She said,
I want a million followers, I want to get myself
back on television and I need exposure.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
And I forgot what the third thing was, but cut
to a season on that show. She had all three. Right,
that's what I'm talking about. Like, that's Kim Fields in
a nutshell. She's like, I'm going to dip in, get
my goods, dip out, and that's exactly what happened. She's
just a wizard in the best way.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
Well that's a rare feat too, because I mean a
lot of people think I'll just do I'll dip in,
dip out, or I can go in and preserve my reputation,
and I mean no, you can't sometimes and it's hard
to leave these franchises because they become intoxicating and then
you become a brand within that.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Well, I think the difference is is that and I
know no one will know one that I love and
that's in my life in the Brava world will be
offended by this. There's a there's an aspect of fame
mongering that's very needed in all the franchises that actors
don't necessarily have, right, Yes, right, autographs and sunglasses come
(26:38):
after or as part of it, but it's not why
we do it. And so that's where reality and acting,
you know, is divergent. Yeah, so there's there's a different animal.
Kim had no problem dipping in and out of that.
She was already famous, right, there's no need for that.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Would she tell you stories about Atlanta and the other
ladies he's traumatized? I mean, yeah, Temple, her season was interesting.
I mean, she got out unscathed, but it was like
a lot for her.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
She and she and her ex paid a price, no
doubt about it. And and by the way, again her
being her, like she knew it there'd be something. She
didn't think it would be as nasty as a guy.
But I think she also had her eyes wide open,
and another reason that she went, this isn't one and
done for me. I'm going to get what I need
(27:27):
out of it and dip out. And I think sometimes
other ladies that we know and love she could have
dipped out before, right, like stay a little too long.
They're still waiting for a miracle. I don't know what
that miracle.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
Is, but they're not. They're waiting for you know, another
redemption arc, you know, because they come I see.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
I Also, you know, the money is a thing. Most
of these women are not wealthy, and I think that's
part of the you know, what's come out with Jeff
Lewis's show, Like people people talk talking about the women specifically,
not just the other like below decks and all that.
But there is so much cash and money that that's
(28:09):
hard than to let go of. So that and the
fane is really really hard.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
I can see it. I've seen it with people. Yeah,
So how do you come to know Dolores? I love her?
Speaker 1 (28:20):
I love her a lot too. So how we meant
is is not for air, But I will say that
we are each other's and have been for many years. Touchstones. Yeah,
and she's just you know, as wonderful and as incredible
as all her fans are picking the right person. She's
(28:41):
just an incredible human being. Yeah, and I and I
love her and I pull for her. Yeah, I'm in
her court like period. Yeah, she's me. Yeah, one of
those Yes, she's one of those girls that I will
I will go to the.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Map for Yeah, what she would do? Like that's her
personality too, Like she's a rhye my.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Dad, he's absolutely she's got me.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
Yeah. How do you come to meet Jeff Lewis?
Speaker 1 (29:09):
I got asked to do his show, and actually it
was Margaret. Margaret said, by the way, she told Jeff
is a huge fan of Palmreel, you should totally do
his show, And I'm like, okay, And I had obviously
watched his Bravo show too, so I knew him. It's
not like I didn't know who he was. And yeah,
so I started doing it.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
It's fun. He's so he's so funny. I did a
pilot with him once. He's really really fun and good.
I don't know that i'd want to work for him.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Yeah, with him, I'm going to put it this way,
He's very good to me.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
You know, Yes, I totally know what that means.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
And that's where I'll lead it. And yeah, like he's
just been really really good to me.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Yeah, how have you navigated Hollywood both as a kid
and as an adult that you would sort of pass
on as advice to other people, like, here's what I learned,
here's what I did, and here's what worked well.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
I think the most important thing. And again I can
only speak to people who are actors and everyone else.
I mean, you know, but I think it's just really
important as an actor to have a full, amazing, rich
life that you enjoy and love and invest in that
you can drop at any moment to go get it,
to go take.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
A job because we could.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
So there's this level of, right, there's this level of
really embracing and having the life that you want and
create and manifest and do it and pay for and
all of that stuff, and then yeah, you know, you
got to drop it and go away for two months
and go do something. But it's also what is so
frigging exciting, and listen, the business I am in is
(30:44):
so amazing and I love it so much in that
your life can change in a day. Mine has done
that numerous times, and I don't know anyone else's career
where that happens. Yeah, and it's by the way, I
have no power over it. Talk about powerlessness, right, Like,
I mean it's so random. I find that very exciting.
(31:07):
I find that challenging. I don't find it scary. It's
a little anxiety provoking. Again, as I get older, it
gets much easier. I've been doing this for forty seven years. Like,
at some point you realize this is probably for me,
you know this life.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Yeah, this is what I do now. Yeah, this is
what I do.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
It's like every career. There's costs, theres but then you
know the prize. My best friend Tara, who's also an actor,
has been acting since she was eighteen, same age as
I am. We've been friends forever. We talk about how
incredible it is that at our age there's still excitement
and what's around the corner and what job? And it's
(31:44):
so fabulous.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
Yeah, to have a life.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
That has a piece of that in there. I mean
I love it. I thrive in it.
Speaker 2 (32:04):
Talk about Palm ray Olt, What a fun what an
incredible cast? This looks like such a fun show.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Hell yeah, it's ridiculous. It is a dream in every aspect.
The people I'm working with the people I'm working for
the part, especially in season two, and Holiday just becomes
not only outside of the story, but a part of
the story. Which I'm so grateful to our creator Abe
(32:30):
and Kristen for allowing this character to just do a
deep dive into the plot now of season two. It's
a kick in the pants on every level. And we
have the best time making season two and we are
praying and rubbing buddhas and lighting candles and on the
beads for season three pick up. Yeah, but we'll see
(32:51):
how everybody responds to it. I'm excited. There's some really
great surprises, really great.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Yeah, as far as guest cast stand plot lines and
who comes back and who doesn't and who moves forward,
and it's it's great all with Kristin at the helm.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
That's that's very much the thing. Now, Like you know,
a successful show like a White Lotus could start all
over in a season with totally new people and there
aren't always holdovers, and you know, cast members can can
be killed off, and you know that happened with Game
of Thrones a lot of like the big the big
stars were killed off. Yes, that's a that's different than
(33:29):
how we were making shows series anyway before, in the
eighties and nineties and even early two thousands. What's that
like as an actor to know, you know, this show
could look totally different next year and I might not
even be on it.
Speaker 1 (33:42):
Well, it doesn't, It didn't, it does. I mean season
two is wildly different than season one, no joke about it.
It's got a different vibe field tone. I mean, all
that you love is back. But but we we just
we get on skis and go for it. I mean
it's like it is so funny and so zany and
(34:04):
so full of highjinks and fantasticness the side in a word,
I hope people just buckle in and enjoy it is
such it's such a fun ride. I think people will
be very pleased.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
We talk a lot about mental health on this show
because it's simplar to me and I've shared my stories
with my struggle with anxiety. How do you protect your
mental health? Well, a lot of ways.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
I have a really significant support group which helps, and
a group of friends. And again what we talked about
like a real emphasis on building my life as a
good one, and it's a choice. And I just think
it's all about choices, and I think sometimes we forget
(34:54):
right that we actually have a choice in what we read,
what we watch, how we think, what do, how we
interact with people, no matter what else is going on
around us. That I you know, it's also like acting
for me how I describe acting, which is, I have
access to all my emotions, but I'm not a slave
to any one of them. I live my life like that, essie,
(35:16):
you know, like I own myself to feel anxious, to
feel scared, uncertainty, rage, frustration, but I don't let it,
you know, I don't let it rule the day, and
I don't let it overtake the joy I refuse. You know, Listen,
I have my Granny Roses disposition, Thank god, I know
(35:38):
not everyone, and I have dear friends who were not
born with a Granny Rose disposition. Terminal optimism. See the
good in everyone, you know, pull for everyone else. That
just like sun, there's something for everybody. Like you know,
what is yours is yours. I maybe want my version
of it, but I don't covet other people's lives, husbands,
(35:58):
you know whatever. Yeah, yeah, I think that's that comes
from I mean, people are different, and I get that,
but I think it's a choice, and I actively choose
every morning when upon awakening and every morning when my
head hits the pillow, to be grateful, to try and
be humble, and also ask ask for what I want right,
(36:21):
I'm no foul like, I'm okay with that. I've been
doing that a really long time and it seems to
work for me.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
What do you want to do next?
Speaker 1 (36:30):
Oh my gosh. Well, I just think the best is
yet to come. And I mean that in the best way.
I'm reclaiming that. I'm reclaiming that phrase. I you know,
I just feel career wise, interpersonal, all that there's just
so much life to live. And it has been such
a misunderstanding from society and from most of the people
(36:52):
in my life in my thirties and forties that when
you hit your fifties it's over. And I have to
tell you, this decade has been the best, the best
outside of losing my dad, the best. And what I
can only ascertain from that is that the sixties are
going to be even better. Yeah, you know, and given
(37:12):
good health, seventies as well. So I find a level
of excitement and optimism about the future. Knowing full well,
what is happening to my state, my country, our world.
I'm very aware I don't have rose colored glasses on,
but I think I'm an act of and integral part
(37:32):
of spreading kindness and joy. I think it's contagious, and
so I choose to like lead with that and I
have my life. Yeah, so that's the plan.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
That's a good plan. Okay, let's finish with a fun
lightning round. Okay, what do you miss the most about
the eighties?
Speaker 3 (38:02):
No?
Speaker 1 (38:02):
Social media? Yeah yeah, yep, yeah, and mobile phones like
I love mine, but I hate mine?
Speaker 2 (38:09):
Like yeah, same yeah, same yeah. What's your favorite movie
of all time?
Speaker 1 (38:13):
Oh? Gosh, I have two. It's Willy Wonka and the
Chocolate Family Willy Wonka in the Chocolate or Factory and
the original Sunset Boulevard.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
Oh yeah. Have you seen the Broadway revival?
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Yes? And magnificent, but just the film is priceless.
Speaker 2 (38:34):
Yeah. Okay, what's your favorite book?
Speaker 1 (38:37):
Oh? That's really hard. I am a voracious reader. That's
really challenging. But you know what, I'm gonna have to say.
Something that really got me into reading the book that
got me into reading, yes, was Roots, Alex Haley's Roots
and you know it's the only autograph I ever got.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
Yeah, well, it's an incredible.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
I do have to say, like in high school it
was the Grapes of Wrath, and as soon as I
read Roots, Yeah, there was something about it in every
aspect that just gripped me and made me become a
voracious reader.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Yes, yeah great. What was your worst vacation? Oh?
Speaker 1 (39:21):
Think? I love vacation. Essay. I love traveling. I love trips.
I mean, just take me anywhere. I will not say no,
but I do have to say not a fan of
This is not going to be popular. Don't like Vegas?
Speaker 2 (39:35):
Yeah, okay, this is not for me.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
So I will have to say my last trip to Vegas.
And for no reason other than it's not even Vegas's fault,
I just don't like it.
Speaker 2 (39:44):
It's just not for you.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
It's like a cruise ship on land.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Yes, sick. Oh, I have the same I have the
same sensibility like Vegas. You're great at what you do?
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Yeah, don't want to.
Speaker 2 (39:54):
Do it's not for me? Yeah, totally. Okay. What's the
thing you do best besides acting?
Speaker 1 (40:03):
Ooh? Probably cheerlead? I really I love cheerleading. People that
I love and respect and admire and yeah, and I'm
good at it. The truth.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
What's the best thing your parents ever did for you?
Speaker 1 (40:21):
Oh god, there's so many. As I say, the first
serendipitous thing that happened to me was I was born
to naton Iina Cone. Yeah, that is literally the truth. Yeah,
you know, my dad passed, he's still doing great things
for me. They just say both are. But yeah, I
think my mom is. She's such an incredible person and woman.
(40:45):
I just want to grow up and be just like her.
Both of them. They're just do the right thing. It's
really irritating. I'd like to do that too.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
Besides Facts of Life, what was the best eighties sitcom?
Speaker 1 (41:00):
Oh? Yikes, m oh my god.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
I I don't even know what to say. I know
I'm gonna I'm.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
Gonna pull it out of my tush a little bit,
only because I'm going to say Different World.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
Yeah. Yeah, we had some weird ones like Alf small Wonders.
Speaker 1 (41:23):
We both said Elf, you know that.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Like, what why were we with so many aliens?
Speaker 3 (41:28):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (41:28):
My god, I did Hollywood Squares with Elf. He had
his own squares, Bastard, Like.
Speaker 2 (41:33):
What what that's amazing?
Speaker 1 (41:36):
Okay, yeah, we.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
Did some weird ones in the eighties.
Speaker 1 (41:42):
I'm just having kind of a mind numb. I'm having
a yeah, a little bit of a mind numb.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
And also, you know what I would say, but this
is so controversial, Yeah, Cosby Show. I mean, the Cosby
Show was so there's nothing good.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
There's no reason it should be controversial because the show
is the show.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
It was so good.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
It was it was agreed, agreed, see agreed.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, it's not You're right. It's not
controversial to say that show is great. That is uncontroversial. Objectively,
it was fantastic. It's just it hurts. It's a little
sad to think back on that show, knowing what we
know now. But it was so good.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
It's a horror.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
It's a horror. Okay. The last question we ask every podcast.
It's the most important to me. When is it iced
coffee season?
Speaker 1 (42:31):
Always? I live in Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
Three single, it's the correct answer. That's the correct answer.
Speaker 1 (42:38):
Thanks, it's year round, it's truth, year round. Thank you. Okay,
I'm so glad.
Speaker 2 (42:47):
This was so great.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
Thank you so much, my god, thank you. I so
appreciate it. So three me too, Yeah, me too.
Speaker 2 (42:55):
I appreciate so much of what you've given us, you know,
publicly and and also personally. You're just so lovely. So
thank you for coming on the pod. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
My pleasure.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
Coming up next week on Off the Cup, country music
star and activist Shelley Wright.
Speaker 3 (43:13):
This is the kid me who, when she was four
told the entire town of Wellsville, Kansas. I'm going to
be on the Grand Ole Opry and I'm going to
sing on the radio and make records. And I kitch
you not Ssie. My whole town.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
Said yeah, let's go. Yeah. Off the Cup is a
production of iHeart Podcasts as part of the Reason Choice Network.
If you want more, check out the other Reason Choice
podcasts Spolitics with Jamel Hill and Native Land Pod. For
Off the Cop, I'm your host, Si Cup. Editing and
sound design by Derek Clements. Our executive producers are me
(43:48):
Si Coup, Lauren Hanson, and Lindsay Hoffman. Rate and review
wherever you get your podcasts, Follow or subscribe for new
episodes every Wednesday,
I think I'm an act of and integral part of
spreading kindness and joy. I think it's contagious, and so
I choose to like lead with that.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to off the cup my personal anti anxiety antidote.
I hope everyone's feeling good, doing good, taking care of themselves.
I've been thinking a lot about childhood, our childhood for
kids of the seventies and eighties. Life could not be
more different for our kids now. And I'm that kind
of cusp generation. I was born in nineteen seventy nine,
(00:35):
and some folks are calling us the Goonies generation, which
I buve, And that makes so much sense to me
because there were two things that defined our childhood. Freedom
and fear. Okay, right, On the one hand, we were
scared to death of getting kidnapped. Remember Milk Carton kids
at a Walsh Stranger, danger, candy vans. Okay, there was
(00:58):
also a lot of stuff to be scared of. We
were scared of drugs and sex and getting pregnant. But
on the other hand, there was so much freedom. For
some reason, despite the social panic about kidnapping, our parents
sent us into the streets, no phones, no way of
communicating with anybody just come home when the lights go off.
(01:21):
And so I would go. I played in the woods
by myself. I'd go ride my bike to different neighborhoods.
I'd go over people's houses without like telling anyone or
asking anyone. These are things kids just don't do today.
I don't know if you guys remember the story. It
was a couple months ago the parent of a like
eleven year old was arrested for sending her kid into
(01:43):
town a couple blocks just to like pick up some groceries.
Came back, she's arrested for that. Crazy Okay, so we
can't go back. We can't go back, but I know
we really want to. Have you seen those cute little
landline phones they're selling now. They're just for kids so
they can talk to their friend without the dangers of
the internet. And that's so adorable. But I feel like
(02:04):
we can't really put the toothpaste back in the tube
with this. Now there's this upcoming Roeblocks documentary which investigates
child predators using the platform to reach kids. And now
there's this other doc about the mom who cat fished
her own kid on social media. Dangers are in your
own house. It seems wild, problems that we could not
(02:25):
have imagined back then. It's stressful, but it's really fun
to remember the simplicity of childhood. Today's guest was a
big part of my childhood. No television show captured my
imagination and attention like the ones she started on when
she was a kid. It was about four girls at
a boarding school, and all I wanted was that kind
(02:48):
of independence maturity. Oh, she's so talented. She went on
to work on tons of other TV shows and movies,
including The Help, Sex and Death one oh one. She's
spent a long time voice actor, and you can see
her soon in the second season of Apple TV's Palm
Royal with Kristin wigg and Alison Janney. It's premiering this November.
(03:10):
Mandy Kolm, Welcome to Off the cop Thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
I am so tickled to be here.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Now I'm so tickled to be here. This is crazy.
If I had told eight year old SSI, you're gonna
talk to her one day, you're gonna be able to
ask her anything you want, I wouldn't have believed.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Me can't get anything.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
I mean to say that the facts of life changed
my life. It's no exaggeration, and you must hear that
all the time from women of a certain age.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
I mean, change life not so much so. I adore
you for saying that, But it's more that we grew
up together, which we did. There's a decade there, right,
I mean, I think I think that's the part that
sort of I can I think I can speak for
all the girls when I say, like, that's the most
moving part. That's the part that keeps on giving. We
(03:58):
can't believe it. Forty five years later, you know, people
are still like, I grew up with you. It's very
darling and it is kind of amazing.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
But it taught me. We'll get into it, but like
it taught me empathy and you know, special episodes with
cousin Jerry and things like that stuck with people for
a really long time.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Yeah. I also think what was never shown before was
friendship in that level. We saw adult friendship right on
TV shows, but we never saw girl friendship. And I
think that really changed the narrative for people of just
like I want to have a friend group like that.
Friends can actually be family, family of choice. Oh my god. Right,
(04:48):
I don't know what facts of Life started that, but
I think we were definitely like you know, on the
enter ride, you.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Know, yeah, but it was mindia. It was crack because
you had it was like the original Sex and the
City without the sex ishue, because you had like four
girls to choose from. Right, I could be a Blair,
I could be a Joe, I could be a two D,
I could be a Natalie, and I was a combination
of all four most days. And that was the brilliance
of the character development and the casting is that in
any moment you could relate to someone's experience or challenge.
(05:20):
And watching you girls navigate girlhood in this really cool
environment of boarding school in a way that was like
super wholesome but also where you tackled big issues, it
was just everything. It was everything. I was the exact
target audience for this show.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Well, it's been really amazing because you know, we were
the last of Norman Lear's sitcom before he went off
and decided to change the world in a different way.
And what's fascinating about that is when we were doing it,
I don't say we didn't get respect, but we were
sort of seen as kind of the bastard stepschot, like
the last one, you know, the holy Grail kind of
(05:59):
thing of his legacy. And what's fascinating is, gratefully before
he passed, he was able to see that, you know,
people like Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Aniston, you know the Facts
of Life. Was it all in the family and Jefferson's
in Maud were with their parents sitcom rights. Yes, and
(06:19):
it was really darling to have him kind of get
it on a very different level, and he did those
last few years, so it was very it was very
moving for us.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Oh, I'm sure. Did you get to work with him closely.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
The first year? Yes, and then that's when he handed
it off to Ellen Horn and Ellen's cohorts Glenn Padnick,
and then and then Rob Reiner came in and it
became Castle Rock. But Norman basically handed over, you know,
the keys of the castle to Alan Horns. He was
really he was really our boss and our incredible boss
for the next nine years.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
What a what an education. And I want to talk
to you about so much, so much, but let's since
we're on the facts of Life, let's just stay there.
I know how you got that role and it was
kind of in a funny way at school talk about
how the Facts of life came to you.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Yeah, it really is. It's so fascinating to you. People
still don't still end the story, but yeah, Alan Horne
and Norman Lear and Charlotte Ray came up to my school,
which at the time was Westlake School for Girls. It
has now merged to be Wes Lake carverd and His
co ed, but it was one of the premiere, you know,
pre collegiate private high schools in Belair, California. My sister
(07:29):
and I were attending. My mom is the reason my
mom went to law school and became a lawyer was
to afford that tuition. And I was one of the
students that got plucked out. Me dearre Perkins and Andrea Nagan.
I always give a shout out to them because the
three of us were called into mister Reynolds's office, our headmaster,
to talk to these people about what it was like
to be in Anaull girls school. The uniforms, did you
(07:51):
miss boys? Do you feel smarted? Our friendship's different and
we were kind of, you know, plied with you know,
Tab at the time. Tab and seven up and we
got to meet Charlotte Ray and I was sitting there
talking to Charlotte and from Norman's recollection to me, which
I'm so glad he remembered, he said, I had to
(08:13):
come over and sit next to you. Were sitting there
with Charlotte, and you did not have punctuation. You just
talked and talked and talked, and you were humble bragging,
which was a word back then, about your granny and
how she worked at Saxforth Avenue and your mom, how
she'd become this real estate lawyer, and how you're so
proud of your dad. And he said, and you had
us in stitches and didn't know it. And we decided
(08:37):
that afternoon on the ride back to the studio, we
were going to write apart for you.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Oh go.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
And the reason why her name is Natalie is that
it was Charlotte Ray's real life high school best friend's name, Natalie.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
So they weren't there to cast. They were there to research.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Absolutely, they were there to just see if they were
you know, had story ideas, if they were going to
kind of, you know, try and get the vibe amazing.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Were you popular at Westlake?
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Oh god? Now, oh no.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Now, I was flipping through your yearbook, which I have
right here.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Okay, I love that. First of all, that's my sister Pam.
Oh yes, okay, that's Pam. Those are my parents who
would be horrified that they're on your show right now.
The very private I just passed. We think about you
every day, Dad, that is I mean the beginning of
season two, that pitch, that's just when Nancy came on board. Yeah,
(09:34):
and that's a little mindy kne yep, yep.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Yeah, I was flipping through. I also went to an
all girls' school. I you know, I know, I know.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
The different it's a very different, very different upbringing. It's
a very different. Listen. I find it very empowering. I
always tell people who have kids who they're debating to
go to a school like that. For me, first of all,
it's like college from ninth grade. I mean, my first
two years of undergrad were just like, really, this is
(10:04):
college because my high school was much more challenging. I remember,
you know, Nancy and I laughing about her studio school was,
you know, she was you know don de estacasa de
Pepe was her Spanish, you know, when I was reading
Spanish composition. And that's just the level of education. And
then also the friendships, you know, we talk about in
(10:26):
this day and age of social media. I loved your
intro at such a different day. You know, back then,
while there was cattiness and there was bullying, bullying and
all that kind of stuff, really what there was also
was a real empowerment of girls in an environment like that.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
You know, yes, I do, yeah, I do. I have
like mixed feelings about high school. Mine was also Catholic,
so I was like some mixed feelings about that. But okay,
but but yes, being in an all girls environment, removing
some of those other distractions where you're not performing for
men or boys. You're just really there to navigate girlhood.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
In the uniform, right, no, no competition, close, no makeup, no,
exactly right.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
No.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
I mean our biggest thing was what tennischees are you
wearing for pe?
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Yeah, yeah, right right yeah, yes. Whatever you could, whatever
you could make your own was became. It became very
an important identifier. But I'm wondering if you I imagine that
sitcom changed everything for you in the midst, in the
midst of high school. But do you ever think what
if it hadn't happened, where would I be today? What
(11:35):
would I be doing if they'd never come to my
school that day.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Well, yes, and I you know, my higher self has
an answer to that and my lower self, right, I mean,
you know, you don't want to be like a braggart,
but I I still and have always been very fascinated
with emergency medicine. And I think I would have gone
on to med school and or lesser self says maybe
(12:01):
a nurse. Maybe med school would have been too much
for me. I don't know. I wasn't I was a
good student, but I wasn't a great student, and so
it would have been medicine. It would have been in
a hospital environment. I thrive in emergencies and I kind
of like all that. And I do have a little
bit of a like savior complex.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Yeah, yeah, a little This is very very self aware
and honist. I appreciate that. Okay, So in your mind,
you're not thinking I'd get I'd be a performer no
matter what, had they come to my school or not,
I would I would have been a performer.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
No, no, no, oh no, And I still listen. Took
it took years. It really took my mentor group. I
had this ridiculous group of women that literally found me.
I mean Eileen Heckgart was the one that introduced me
to these ladies. I did a play with her, and
my mentors were forty years my senior, and I met
(12:58):
them when I was sixteen years old, and it was
heckar Ruth Gordon, Geraldine Page, Elaine Strich be Arthur, Betty White,
Cloris Leachman.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Oh you've never heard of I mean, did I drop.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
An off names? But these women became not only my
role models on how to navigate through the industry. They
gave me confidence. They implored me to fall in love
with the craft and get good at it and have
an ego about it, but not myself. They also gave
me pearls about how to be like the earner of
the family. They just across the board. They were so
(13:33):
instrumental in me falling in love and choosing actually this
career that was chosen for me in the beginning. But
at some point right like, I did choose and the
one answered like, yeah, you'll work, come on, you know, Yeah,
So that was it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Well, and I'm sure they were helpful as you go
through this series because let's talk about the dynamics of
the cast. Because I also grew up dancing, classical ballet.
I was just around girls all the time, and it
was a sisterhood, but like it could also be tough
at times. You're growing up together. So what were cast
dynamics like, as you're all just girls growing up anyway
(14:12):
outside of this incredible, you know scenario that you're in.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Well, I'll tell you that, I think it's really important
to really remember that this was a job. Yeah, you know,
however good it looked, it was a job. And I
think the reason one of the reasons the four of
us got on so well is we all kind of
came from that Norman Lear school of work. This is
a job, and you play well with others. And the
(14:40):
other thing that helped was we all came from ridiculously
amazing families where we were not the earner, and if
we were the earner, we still weren't the queens of
the castle. The other thing was that we were in
it together. And there is something you know, I really
relate to these realities show casts, because there's something about
(15:03):
being in the trenches with the same group of people
doing the same thing that you can't explain it to
anybody else. Yes, So the dynamics were also the age
work to our benefits. So Nancy and I are a
month apart, were the same age, Lisa's three years older
and Kim is two years younger, and so that helped.
You know, just so many things added to why you
(15:26):
don't hear drama about four of us. You just won't
because there isn't any and that's the truth. And I'm
still exceedingly close with a couple of them, and that's
just because life circumstances. I mean, the four of us
are incredibly different people and always were. I also think helped, right,
(15:49):
we were not competing with each other. We were so so,
so so different. And I think the writers wrote that too,
that these different group of girls could actually be incredibly
close and care for one another.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
That was the part that modeled. That was the most
important part that they modeled, That these four seemingly very
different women girls could find common bonds and common ground
and a reason to be friends. And it forced you
to figure each other out. And instead of just giving
a passing glance and saying she is not in my
(16:25):
friend group or we're not in the same into the
same thing, so I'll move on. You can't do that
when you're at a boarding school, and that was really captured. Well.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Yeah, and listen, you know, Charlotte was there at our home,
you know, as our homes person. So there is like
a Nancy called her and calls her rest in p
Charlotte our north star. You know what I'm saying. Yeah,
we always you know, you know, had her there. And
I think that was important too. We weren't just these
four girls, you know, whirling out of control.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Yes, yeah, you had a mother figure, you had It
was a family dynamic, you know. We talked to Henry
Winkler on this podcast about the end of Happy Days
and that was very hard for him when the show ended.
How do you feel when the show ends? What's your
plan and where's your headspace?
Speaker 1 (17:15):
So I had differred college for so many years that
I actually had a different feeling about it. And I
won't speak for all the girls, but I will say
we were all very ready, you know, ten years and
at that time, Nancy and I are twenty one years old,
like yeah she ready, Yeah, I'm ready. I'm ready to
go do something else and get out in the world
(17:38):
and see what's there for me. And I like every
twenty year old, right, yeah, I know what I know,
and I think I know everything and let me go.
And so it wasn't sad. We felt we told every
possible story to tell with these four girls together. I
mean it was almost getting weird, right, like, Okay, we're
(18:02):
either gonna immediately turn into the Golden Girls and just
forget our twenties, thirties and forties and fifties, okay, or uh,
we gotta go.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
We don't know on, Yeah, to move on.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
And I think again to your beautiful intro, the world
changed in eighty nine, right, the eighties were over and
nineties were a very different decade from the beginning, as
you know, probably better than anyone else I've talked to.
Having your background, so like, the nineties brings in a
whole different and we were done. Our audience was ready
(18:33):
to go out into the world and do some things,
and so were we.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Were you ready to go chase more acting jobs?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
I think I was just ready to have This is
going to sound terrible, and I don't I really don't
mean it how it's going to come out. But I
was ready to have Natalie dye for a little while, right,
like put her in the coops, put her up, put
a bow on it. We love her, but what else?
What else do you have for me? World?
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Can I be? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Yeah, I wanted to travel. I wanted to spend more
time in New York, which at that point I was
spending three months out of the year. But I really
wanted to spend more and more time in New York.
I wanted to go to school. I wanted to have
a life whatever that looked like. And yeah, there was
a little bit of adulpa. No, you know, you have
your ten years of your life. Think about doing something
(19:20):
for ten years with the same people. It's scary out there.
But I was ready and I had the arrogance of youth,
which is.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
A nice shield sometimes.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Yeah, frontal lobe not really warm.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Did you find it hard for Natalie to die everywhere
you went? Is that what people saw and said to you?
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Yeah, listen, she's still God bless her, alive and kicking.
I mean, yeah, you know, yeah, I don't think she
Maybe she will in another forty years. But this seems
to have a life. I mean, for some reason, it's
so fascinating to me. But there's certain shows that just
(20:02):
keep going. As far as you know out there, you
can find it somewhere.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Happening somewhere, yes, Eric, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
And I have friends who's not only kids watched it,
but are you ready for this? Grandkids who are like
the DVD set is like ready and waiting for them.
It's saying, really, God, yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Wow, I want to talk to you about another project.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
You do?
Speaker 2 (20:38):
I think pretty soon after The Boy Who Could Fly
changed my life, Mindy, this was very important to me
as well. At this movie. Was this your first feature film?
It was okay, I want to know everything, and I'll
tell you.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
It was also the first part that I got. I
auditioned for it, and the director and writer, Nick Castle,
had never heard of Facts of Life. So when I
heard that, I almost started crying and I think I
hugged him probably.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
He was so relieved.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I well, it was. It was such a It was
so affirming, you know that that you know? And yes,
and it was my first you know, big location shoot
on my own and I was two months in Vancouver.
It was a year that Mindy Kong lost to Virginity.
I left my home in Vancouver. Yes, and yeah, lots
(21:29):
of big things happened that summer. So that movie and
also obviously the cast. I at this point, you know
was an adult, which makes me laugh. But you know,
I hung with Colleen Dewhurst and Fred Gwynn and Bonnie
Badillia Legends Legends shed Savage's first film. Yeah right, first, yess,
(21:51):
and the topic was freaking amazing, amazing.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
I was obsessed with this. First of all, I was
always moving myself, so I totally related to Millie and Lewis,
the new kids in the neighborhood and new kids at
school and the mean girls in needing to find a
geneva to be my sort of safe space. And I
mean this, it was like a movie about my life,
except I didn't live next to a boy who could fly.
But then again, the empathy and the humanity that that
(22:20):
movie teaches you and taught me at a young age.
Plus it was so romantic. It was so romantic and
like a very sanitized age appropriate way, but it was
oh it was It had everything a girl my age
would want in a movie.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Yeah. Yeah, it was a good one. Yeah, No, I
mean I didn't eve. You know, again, my life has
been incredibly I always say this, very serendipitous in monumental ways.
And that was another one, like another first that was
just could not have been better in every way.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
I don't have a memory. I was too young. I
don't have a memory of how well this movie did.
I only know that I was obsessed with it. Did
it do well?
Speaker 1 (23:00):
I mean it did? Okay. What started to happen is
we remember VCRs. When the video came out, that's when
it kind of became like a little you know, had
a following. People like bought it and like watched it
like oh the Wizard of Oz like every year. Not
that I'm equating its Wizard of Oz please, oh my god,
but like, you know, people would watch it, bring it
(23:22):
out and watch it every year.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I mean I loved that movie. Did that feel bigger
than the show?
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Just different?
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Different? You know?
Speaker 1 (23:30):
That was one of the things that the show really
afforded me was, you know, did my first off Broadway show,
first feature all these firsts that to any other kid
actor or teenage actor would be like, yeah, workers, work,
job is a job. But these first were really huge
for me because there wasn't an expectation that this stuff
(23:52):
was going to keep coming. Yeah, especially back then, like wait,
what I have an audition? Like what do I do?
I'd never done that before. It was one of my
first auditions.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
And what are the other girls doing? You get this
future film after the show raps?
Speaker 1 (24:06):
Oh, everybody works, everybody. I mean Nancy had a TV
Movie of the Week every friggin' yes, you did, that's right, Yeah,
and deservedly so.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
I know that Lisa got married and had children and
Kim always working, still working like the most prolific person
and got the greatest hustle. And I mean that in
the best way possible. Yeah right, I literally she's like
my role model for the hustle. She's so incredible in
that way. Yeah, She's just and she's had it from
the time she was time I met her. Yeah, yeah, incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
We got to know Kim a little bit more because
she crossed over to one of my other favorite things, Housewives. Yeah,
and I know you live in Bravo as well. I
know you've got that's what happens to live. And I
know you know Jeff and you're always hanging out with
Margaret and like, we need to get into this, yeah,
because it was one.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
Of my closest friends in life, Dolores.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Yes, And I need because I need to know how
all of this happened because I live in Bravo as well,
and it's a very special it's a very special home
for me. Yes.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Well, you know, when Kim said she was going to
do I was very concerned.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
But why because you knew the franchise and what they
would do.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Well and also that's but again, this is why I
have mad respects for this woman and not only love her,
but mad respect. She went in with a goal very clearly.
Instagram was new, how we're dating ourselves again. She said,
I want a million followers, I want to get myself
back on television and I need exposure.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
And I forgot what the third thing was, but cut
to a season on that show. She had all three. Right,
that's what I'm talking about. Like, that's Kim Fields in
a nutshell. She's like, I'm going to dip in, get
my goods, dip out, and that's exactly what happened. She's
just a wizard in the best way.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
Well that's a rare feat too, because I mean a
lot of people think I'll just do I'll dip in,
dip out, or I can go in and preserve my reputation,
and I mean no, you can't sometimes and it's hard
to leave these franchises because they become intoxicating and then
you become a brand within that.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Well, I think the difference is is that and I
know no one will know one that I love and
that's in my life in the Brava world will be
offended by this. There's a there's an aspect of fame
mongering that's very needed in all the franchises that actors
don't necessarily have, right, Yes, right, autographs and sunglasses come
(26:38):
after or as part of it, but it's not why
we do it. And so that's where reality and acting,
you know, is divergent. Yeah, so there's there's a different animal.
Kim had no problem dipping in and out of that.
She was already famous, right, there's no need for that.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Would she tell you stories about Atlanta and the other
ladies he's traumatized? I mean, yeah, Temple, her season was interesting.
I mean, she got out unscathed, but it was like
a lot for her.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
She and she and her ex paid a price, no
doubt about it. And and by the way, again her
being her, like she knew it there'd be something. She
didn't think it would be as nasty as a guy.
But I think she also had her eyes wide open,
and another reason that she went, this isn't one and
done for me. I'm going to get what I need
(27:27):
out of it and dip out. And I think sometimes
other ladies that we know and love she could have
dipped out before, right, like stay a little too long.
They're still waiting for a miracle. I don't know what
that miracle.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
Is, but they're not. They're waiting for you know, another
redemption arc, you know, because they come I see.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
I Also, you know, the money is a thing. Most
of these women are not wealthy, and I think that's
part of the you know, what's come out with Jeff
Lewis's show, Like people people talk talking about the women specifically,
not just the other like below decks and all that.
But there is so much cash and money that that's
(28:09):
hard than to let go of. So that and the
fane is really really hard.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
I can see it. I've seen it with people. Yeah,
So how do you come to know Dolores? I love her?
Speaker 1 (28:20):
I love her a lot too. So how we meant
is is not for air, But I will say that
we are each other's and have been for many years. Touchstones. Yeah,
and she's just you know, as wonderful and as incredible
as all her fans are picking the right person. She's
(28:41):
just an incredible human being. Yeah, and I and I
love her and I pull for her. Yeah, I'm in
her court like period. Yeah, she's me. Yeah, one of
those Yes, she's one of those girls that I will
I will go to the.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Map for Yeah, what she would do? Like that's her
personality too, Like she's a rhye my.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Dad, he's absolutely she's got me.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
Yeah. How do you come to meet Jeff Lewis?
Speaker 1 (29:09):
I got asked to do his show, and actually it
was Margaret. Margaret said, by the way, she told Jeff
is a huge fan of Palmreel, you should totally do
his show, And I'm like, okay, And I had obviously
watched his Bravo show too, so I knew him. It's
not like I didn't know who he was. And yeah,
so I started doing it.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
It's fun. He's so he's so funny. I did a
pilot with him once. He's really really fun and good.
I don't know that i'd want to work for him.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Yeah, with him, I'm going to put it this way,
He's very good to me.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
You know, Yes, I totally know what that means.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
And that's where I'll lead it. And yeah, like he's
just been really really good to me.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Yeah, how have you navigated Hollywood both as a kid
and as an adult that you would sort of pass
on as advice to other people, like, here's what I learned,
here's what I did, and here's what worked well.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
I think the most important thing. And again I can
only speak to people who are actors and everyone else.
I mean, you know, but I think it's just really
important as an actor to have a full, amazing, rich
life that you enjoy and love and invest in that
you can drop at any moment to go get it,
to go take.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
A job because we could.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
So there's this level of, right, there's this level of
really embracing and having the life that you want and
create and manifest and do it and pay for and
all of that stuff, and then yeah, you know, you
got to drop it and go away for two months
and go do something. But it's also what is so
frigging exciting, and listen, the business I am in is
(30:44):
so amazing and I love it so much in that
your life can change in a day. Mine has done
that numerous times, and I don't know anyone else's career
where that happens. Yeah, and it's by the way, I
have no power over it. Talk about powerlessness, right, Like,
I mean it's so random. I find that very exciting.
(31:07):
I find that challenging. I don't find it scary. It's
a little anxiety provoking. Again, as I get older, it
gets much easier. I've been doing this for forty seven years. Like,
at some point you realize this is probably for me,
you know this life.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Yeah, this is what I do now. Yeah, this is
what I do.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
It's like every career. There's costs, theres but then you
know the prize. My best friend Tara, who's also an actor,
has been acting since she was eighteen, same age as
I am. We've been friends forever. We talk about how
incredible it is that at our age there's still excitement
and what's around the corner and what job? And it's
(31:44):
so fabulous.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
Yeah, to have a life.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
That has a piece of that in there. I mean
I love it. I thrive in it.
Speaker 2 (32:04):
Talk about Palm ray Olt, What a fun what an
incredible cast? This looks like such a fun show.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Hell yeah, it's ridiculous. It is a dream in every aspect.
The people I'm working with the people I'm working for
the part, especially in season two, and Holiday just becomes
not only outside of the story, but a part of
the story. Which I'm so grateful to our creator Abe
(32:30):
and Kristen for allowing this character to just do a
deep dive into the plot now of season two. It's
a kick in the pants on every level. And we
have the best time making season two and we are
praying and rubbing buddhas and lighting candles and on the
beads for season three pick up. Yeah, but we'll see
(32:51):
how everybody responds to it. I'm excited. There's some really
great surprises, really great.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Yeah, as far as guest cast stand plot lines and
who comes back and who doesn't and who moves forward,
and it's it's great all with Kristin at the helm.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
That's that's very much the thing. Now, Like you know,
a successful show like a White Lotus could start all
over in a season with totally new people and there
aren't always holdovers, and you know, cast members can can
be killed off, and you know that happened with Game
of Thrones a lot of like the big the big
stars were killed off. Yes, that's a that's different than
(33:29):
how we were making shows series anyway before, in the
eighties and nineties and even early two thousands. What's that
like as an actor to know, you know, this show
could look totally different next year and I might not
even be on it.
Speaker 1 (33:42):
Well, it doesn't, It didn't, it does. I mean season
two is wildly different than season one, no joke about it.
It's got a different vibe field tone. I mean, all
that you love is back. But but we we just
we get on skis and go for it. I mean
it's like it is so funny and so zany and
(34:04):
so full of highjinks and fantasticness the side in a word,
I hope people just buckle in and enjoy it is
such it's such a fun ride. I think people will
be very pleased.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
We talk a lot about mental health on this show
because it's simplar to me and I've shared my stories
with my struggle with anxiety. How do you protect your
mental health? Well, a lot of ways.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
I have a really significant support group which helps, and
a group of friends. And again what we talked about
like a real emphasis on building my life as a
good one, and it's a choice. And I just think
it's all about choices, and I think sometimes we forget
(34:54):
right that we actually have a choice in what we read,
what we watch, how we think, what do, how we
interact with people, no matter what else is going on
around us. That I you know, it's also like acting
for me how I describe acting, which is, I have
access to all my emotions, but I'm not a slave
to any one of them. I live my life like that, essie,
(35:16):
you know, like I own myself to feel anxious, to
feel scared, uncertainty, rage, frustration, but I don't let it,
you know, I don't let it rule the day, and
I don't let it overtake the joy I refuse. You know, Listen,
I have my Granny Roses disposition, Thank god, I know
(35:38):
not everyone, and I have dear friends who were not
born with a Granny Rose disposition. Terminal optimism. See the
good in everyone, you know, pull for everyone else. That
just like sun, there's something for everybody. Like you know,
what is yours is yours. I maybe want my version
of it, but I don't covet other people's lives, husbands,
(35:58):
you know whatever. Yeah, yeah, I think that's that comes
from I mean, people are different, and I get that,
but I think it's a choice, and I actively choose
every morning when upon awakening and every morning when my
head hits the pillow, to be grateful, to try and
be humble, and also ask ask for what I want right,
(36:21):
I'm no foul like, I'm okay with that. I've been
doing that a really long time and it seems to
work for me.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
What do you want to do next?
Speaker 1 (36:30):
Oh my gosh. Well, I just think the best is
yet to come. And I mean that in the best way.
I'm reclaiming that. I'm reclaiming that phrase. I you know,
I just feel career wise, interpersonal, all that there's just
so much life to live. And it has been such
a misunderstanding from society and from most of the people
(36:52):
in my life in my thirties and forties that when
you hit your fifties it's over. And I have to
tell you, this decade has been the best, the best
outside of losing my dad, the best. And what I
can only ascertain from that is that the sixties are
going to be even better. Yeah, you know, and given
(37:12):
good health, seventies as well. So I find a level
of excitement and optimism about the future. Knowing full well,
what is happening to my state, my country, our world.
I'm very aware I don't have rose colored glasses on,
but I think I'm an act of and integral part
(37:32):
of spreading kindness and joy. I think it's contagious, and
so I choose to like lead with that and I
have my life. Yeah, so that's the plan.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
That's a good plan. Okay, let's finish with a fun
lightning round. Okay, what do you miss the most about
the eighties?
Speaker 3 (38:02):
No?
Speaker 1 (38:02):
Social media? Yeah yeah, yep, yeah, and mobile phones like
I love mine, but I hate mine?
Speaker 2 (38:09):
Like yeah, same yeah, same yeah. What's your favorite movie
of all time?
Speaker 1 (38:13):
Oh? Gosh, I have two. It's Willy Wonka and the
Chocolate Family Willy Wonka in the Chocolate or Factory and
the original Sunset Boulevard.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
Oh yeah. Have you seen the Broadway revival?
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Yes? And magnificent, but just the film is priceless.
Speaker 2 (38:34):
Yeah. Okay, what's your favorite book?
Speaker 1 (38:37):
Oh? That's really hard. I am a voracious reader. That's
really challenging. But you know what, I'm gonna have to say.
Something that really got me into reading the book that
got me into reading, yes, was Roots, Alex Haley's Roots
and you know it's the only autograph I ever got.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
Yeah, well, it's an incredible.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
I do have to say, like in high school it
was the Grapes of Wrath, and as soon as I
read Roots, Yeah, there was something about it in every
aspect that just gripped me and made me become a
voracious reader.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Yes, yeah great. What was your worst vacation? Oh?
Speaker 1 (39:21):
Think? I love vacation. Essay. I love traveling. I love trips.
I mean, just take me anywhere. I will not say no,
but I do have to say not a fan of
This is not going to be popular. Don't like Vegas?
Speaker 2 (39:35):
Yeah, okay, this is not for me.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
So I will have to say my last trip to Vegas.
And for no reason other than it's not even Vegas's fault,
I just don't like it.
Speaker 2 (39:44):
It's just not for you.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
It's like a cruise ship on land.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Yes, sick. Oh, I have the same I have the
same sensibility like Vegas. You're great at what you do?
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Yeah, don't want to.
Speaker 2 (39:54):
Do it's not for me? Yeah, totally. Okay. What's the
thing you do best besides acting?
Speaker 1 (40:03):
Ooh? Probably cheerlead? I really I love cheerleading. People that
I love and respect and admire and yeah, and I'm
good at it. The truth.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
What's the best thing your parents ever did for you?
Speaker 1 (40:21):
Oh god, there's so many. As I say, the first
serendipitous thing that happened to me was I was born
to naton Iina Cone. Yeah, that is literally the truth. Yeah,
you know, my dad passed, he's still doing great things
for me. They just say both are. But yeah, I
think my mom is. She's such an incredible person and woman.
(40:45):
I just want to grow up and be just like her.
Both of them. They're just do the right thing. It's
really irritating. I'd like to do that too.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
Besides Facts of Life, what was the best eighties sitcom?
Speaker 1 (41:00):
Oh? Yikes, m oh my god.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
I I don't even know what to say. I know
I'm gonna I'm.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
Gonna pull it out of my tush a little bit,
only because I'm going to say Different World.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
Yeah. Yeah, we had some weird ones like Alf small Wonders.
Speaker 1 (41:23):
We both said Elf, you know that.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Like, what why were we with so many aliens?
Speaker 3 (41:28):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (41:28):
My god, I did Hollywood Squares with Elf. He had
his own squares, Bastard, Like.
Speaker 2 (41:33):
What what that's amazing?
Speaker 1 (41:36):
Okay, yeah, we.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
Did some weird ones in the eighties.
Speaker 1 (41:42):
I'm just having kind of a mind numb. I'm having
a yeah, a little bit of a mind numb.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
And also, you know what I would say, but this
is so controversial, Yeah, Cosby Show. I mean, the Cosby
Show was so there's nothing good.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
There's no reason it should be controversial because the show
is the show.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
It was so good.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
It was it was agreed, agreed, see agreed.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, it's not You're right. It's not
controversial to say that show is great. That is uncontroversial. Objectively,
it was fantastic. It's just it hurts. It's a little
sad to think back on that show, knowing what we
know now. But it was so good.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
It's a horror.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
It's a horror. Okay. The last question we ask every podcast.
It's the most important to me. When is it iced
coffee season?
Speaker 1 (42:31):
Always? I live in Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
Three single, it's the correct answer. That's the correct answer.
Speaker 1 (42:38):
Thanks, it's year round, it's truth, year round. Thank you. Okay,
I'm so glad.
Speaker 2 (42:47):
This was so great.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
Thank you so much, my god, thank you. I so
appreciate it. So three me too, Yeah, me too.
Speaker 2 (42:55):
I appreciate so much of what you've given us, you know,
publicly and and also personally. You're just so lovely. So
thank you for coming on the pod. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
My pleasure.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
Coming up next week on Off the Cup, country music
star and activist Shelley Wright.
Speaker 3 (43:13):
This is the kid me who, when she was four
told the entire town of Wellsville, Kansas. I'm going to
be on the Grand Ole Opry and I'm going to
sing on the radio and make records. And I kitch
you not Ssie. My whole town.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
Said yeah, let's go. Yeah. Off the Cup is a
production of iHeart Podcasts as part of the Reason Choice Network.
If you want more, check out the other Reason Choice
podcasts Spolitics with Jamel Hill and Native Land Pod. For
Off the Cop, I'm your host, Si Cup. Editing and
sound design by Derek Clements. Our executive producers are me
(43:48):
Si Coup, Lauren Hanson, and Lindsay Hoffman. Rate and review
wherever you get your podcasts, Follow or subscribe for new
episodes every Wednesday,
Host
S.E. Cupp
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