Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
You are Black in the green room with me, your host Keith Underwood, and this is your spot!
(00:07):
For real, talk about entertainment with entertainers, creatives, and showbiz professionals.
My guest today is best known as the host of the Emmy nominated baking series Nailed It.
She is also one of the stars of the MV C sitcom Grand Cru, and she recently performed
at Netflix as a joke festival, and she can also be seen in her own Netflix comedy special,
(00:34):
Big Beautiful Weirdo, and her upcoming One Night Only comedy show at the Annenberg Center
for the performing arts. Welcome to the room Nicole Byer.
Hello, how are you?
I am doing fantastic. What about you?
I'm good. My dog is being a dog right now. He's got this giant little ducky that he likes
(01:00):
to play with, so we're going to the dog park later, so he's like, "He's getting ready."
Can we go now?
Right!
So, Nicole, you're a Jersey girl?
Yes, I was born in Jersey, lived in Jersey until college.
Yeah, until I was like 17, 18.
(01:23):
Right. What? I'm sitting.
I'll go ahead, I'm sorry.
Oh, no, no, I was just saying that I moved to the city, and I was in the city for a while.
Yeah. What's the biggest misconception about Jersey girls?
I mean, people are like people from Jersey are trashy.
They are, but like, I think that's an okay thing.
(01:46):
I don't think trashy never equates as bad. We used to have this chain of stores called Joyce
Leslie, and everything was made out of spandex and was super tight and real like,
but I love Joyce Leslie, and I miss it so much. Joyce Leslie is one of the best stores.
But yeah, I guess, I don't know.
(02:09):
I don't know.
Yeah, and you said, but it's true, but you love it.
What do you love most about that kind of Jersey girl trashiness?
I mean, it's the people I grew up with, so they have a special place in my heart.
(02:32):
I just think people from Jersey are, they're good people.
Like, some of my best friends who are still my best friends, I met them in high school.
Yeah, I think I just think East Coast people are more upfront with intentions.
When I moved to the West Coast, I did not realize that when people were like,
(02:54):
oh, we should hang out. That didn't mean anytime soon or...
That'll let Nicole.
Because that's that's so true. It's so crazy. I mean, I was raised here, but you know,
but I don't think I'm that dude because I spend a lot of time on the East Coast, but I agree with you 100%
(03:17):
New Yorkers, people from the East Coast, they say they're gonna do something.
They're gonna do their best to do it. And if they can't, they're gonna be like, look, I can't do it.
Yes, they're like up front with you. Like, here people, it's so funny.
Like, in LA, if you don't check in like the day before the day of, it's not happening.
You have to like double, triple quadruple confirmed plans. It's so wild.
(03:40):
Yeah, yeah. Nicole, with your comedy, how much of it is you just said natural,
comedic, instinct, and then how much of it is performance?
I mean, the way I write jokes is I come up with like either a premise or a punchline.
And then I just kind of talk on stage to see what happens. So I think it's just like a combination of it.
(04:05):
Sometimes if a joke's not working, I'm not a comedian who like hammers it out and like rewrites,
rewrites, rewrites, try it differently on stage and see what happens. And I do a lot of improv. So
I feel like improv kind of influences the stand-up and yeah.
Yeah. Was there ever any time that you were really passionate about a bid and you were like,
(04:30):
this is gonna hit and it didn't. Of course. Yes. I told a joke. I was with Sishir Zemeda.
She's my best friend in the whole wide world. We were in I think Costa Rica and the sun was
setting and the water was like warm and glistening and pretty. And I was like, I think this is a joke I
(04:56):
want to try. And she was like, I think you should do it. And it's a joke. I've like talked about a lot of
podcasts. But I like went, I set up the premise at a show and then nobody liked it. A lady was like,
boo, boo. Oh, God. I am completely bailed on the bid. I was like, Sishir Zemeda told me to tell this joke.
(05:23):
And then later it was Kristen Shawl show and then later Kristen Shawl was working with Sishir.
And she was like, did you try to call fire to tell a joke? And then Sishir texted me and was like,
did you tell that joke? And it not go well? And I was like, no, it didn't. And I threw you under the bus.
But I like her severe and kept working on it. And then I did it. I did it at Marcella Aquella show.
(05:44):
She's so funny. Women Crush Wednesday is when it was at the nerd melt.
I had done her show and then I got off stage and I was like, I forgot to do this joke that doesn't work.
And she was like, come back next week and only tell bad joke. So that's what I did in it.
Fucking crushed because I like figured out how to tell it. So if you persevere, you'll figure it out.
(06:08):
Yeah. Yeah. I love that. I love that. So Nicole, what is it like to reveal, you know, like, you know,
real life parts of yourself to an audience and how much do you keep to yourself and how much do you give to them?
I talk a lot about my personal life because I'm a chatty. I'm a real yapper. I'm always yapping.
(06:37):
I truly tell everybody my business.
So I mean, I guess I just feel comfortable sharing that with people because like people aren't a monolith
and I think my stories are relatable and they have been. But there's a ton of stuff I keep for myself.
(06:57):
I'm just like a little conscientious of it. I remember during the pandemic when we weren't going out
as much, I was like roller skating in my cold assac and I was like filming my roommate and somebody was
like, from that street sign and other things you posted, I know you're exact address. And I was like,
(07:20):
okay, cool. I don't post anything about where I live. Not even like barely the inside of like my
living room. I know this is being recorded, but I know the video is not going anywhere. I have one room,
my office, that's the only place I'll actually film things in. But yeah, I was like, okay, so where I live
(07:45):
is mine. Nobody is that. But yeah, there's other stuff that I'm just like, you know, that's personal.
And then like, there's people in my life who have not chosen a public life. So I don't talk about them.
If I talk about my family, I ask them first. But yeah, like, yeah, people in my life who would like
(08:12):
to be private, I don't really talk about it. Yeah, that's, I mean, that's real talk. And I understand,
I mean, because when you're an open person, you're an open person. And then I mean, you really have to
think hard about keeping some stuff to yourself. I totally get it. As an actress, have you ever,
(08:33):
do you want to do any dramatic roles? And if so, what would be your ideal type of character?
I would love to do some dramatic roles. I think that would be really fun because I also think that like,
I think drama and comedy have a very fine line. I like it's funny. Yes, life is funny.
(08:58):
I love, I mean, one of my favorite characters is Martha and who's afraid of Virginia Wolf.
She's so vicious and she, but also hurt and wounded. She just says she's so, like, it's more than
three-dimensional. She's like, I don't know. She's one of the most interesting characters I think
(09:21):
written. I would like to play something interesting like that with like super, like just lots and lots of
layers, like a flaky little crepe. For me, for a shot, I don't know. I was going to say or a croissant,
either one, they both take good. They both take good, you know? So the Annenberg, the Annenberg Center
(09:44):
for the performing arts is where you're going to be doing your upcoming comedy show. Have you ever
been before and is there anything special about it that's going to lend to this show?
I think I have performed there. I think I did a live reading of Wayne's World there recently.
I don't know. It depends on the audience, like, it's never really the location,
(10:08):
unless it's Boston. Boston's one of my favorite places to perform their wild.
What is it about Boston? They like departing, man. Yeah.
They like departing and they start departing before the show starts. They're departing during the show.
They're happy to respond. They're a good time. Yeah, the Wilbur is one of my favorite theaters.
(10:29):
But yeah, I mean, every show is different and it depends on the audience.
Yeah. So with the show at the Annenberg, what can we expect to see? What's going to be happening in
the show? Hopefully you'll laugh. I think it's not like a brand. No, it is new jokes.
(10:51):
But if you watch my special, it is that style. I have it fully up and changed my style.
I'll talk about dating and working and love. Yeah, that's what I talk about.
There'll be more of that. Yeah. What is a big beautiful weirdo?
(11:13):
May. So I think it's just a, I'm big. I take up space. I think I'm beautiful and I'm a very,
I'm a little wackado. I like weird little silly things. And I think I'm pretty unapologetic about
that. So yeah. Yeah. Okay, the upcoming second season of Grand Crew is premiering March 2nd.
(11:41):
And let me tell you, I love that show. It got canceled. No, you're joking.
Yeah. But it is going to show this last season, correct? It showed it earlier this year.
Oh, wow. Okay. Wow. I got to catch up.
I mean, yeah, the, it's, the, you know, it is what it is. Now work is hard. Yeah.
(12:04):
I do you think our second season was really, really, really good.
I'm very proud of the show. I, what, what did you love most about it?
I mean, my friend Phil Augusta Jackson, who created the show, I've known for almost 20 years.
We did improv and a basement in New York. So when we were making our network pilot,
(12:27):
where he called me was like, I have a part for you. And I was like, you know, I would do anything you,
you write. We've written pilots together. We've, he's just a really great friend. And I remember we
were shooting the pilot. And Carl Tarte is a friend of mine. I've known him for like 15 years who,
who plays Scherm, Aaron Jackson, who plays Anthony. I've known for like five or six years. He played
(12:53):
my brother on a different show. Echo Kela, who plays my brother Noah. We had done improv,
or no sketch together for like a decade. So like, I was like, looking at all these people.
And I was like, I cannot believe we came up from doing, I mean, yes, I believe it. And yes,
I knew it would happen. But like, it's more magical than I thought it was going to be. So to be
(13:16):
able to do two seasons of a show with like my actual friends based on our friend group, who I loved
working with, like when the boys were working without me and Gracie, like we would be on the text
thread being like, what's going on? What's, should we come in? Should we just like come in and hang out?
Let's go. So yeah, it was like, yes, it was work, but it was also joyful work because we had,
(13:39):
like, we were actual friends and we love each other. Like we're planning a trip to New York. I think
later this month because we just love being around each other. Yeah. And it transcends. I kid you not.
I think that was one of the things that I love most about it. And you saw my shock in horror when
you said the show had been, had been canceled. I'm very disappointed. A great show. Are there any plans
(14:02):
for you guys to do any more work together on something else? There's no plans right now, but
UCB will do like shows together. Yeah, I don't know what the future holds. I know
Phil is working on other stuff, but like we're all still friends because like the show is literally
(14:26):
based on our friend group. So yeah, I mean, we'll probably end up working together at some point.
Yeah. What's coming up next? Are currently happening now in the cold world?
Well, I got four podcasts. I talk a lot and tired.
Best friends. This is the Shares of Meada. Newcomers with Lauren Lapques. And then 90-day bay with
(14:53):
Marcy Jaro. So those are all weekly podcasts. And I filmed some stuff, but none of it's been announced.
So yeah, are you smarter than a celebrity that comes out sometime soon? I think maybe in October.
And that's a revamp of are you smarter than a four-creator or a fifth or a fifth? Yeah. Hosted by Travis
(15:20):
Kelsey, which was very fun. Boy, he's pretty. You said you can eat with your eyes while you're working.
Really? He's really funny. He's very, he's very, very sweet. Yeah, nice. Nicole, where could everyone
find you on social media? On Instagram, it's @NacoleBire on Twitter. It's @NacoleBire on TikTok. It is
(15:46):
NicoleBire was taken because the handle NicoleBire was taken. Yeah. Okay. Well, we know we're, we know
where to find you now. Yes. Yes, NicoleBire. Thank you so much for joining me on Black and the
Green Room. I really, really appreciate it. Thank you so much. For more information on upcoming
(16:07):
guests and shows, please check us out on Instagram @BlackAndTheGroundroom. You can also follow me on IG
@MrKethelUnderwood and FB@JustKethelUnderwood. Until next time, this has been Black and the Green Room.
Black and the Green Room.
(16:31):
you
You
You
[BLANK_AUDIO]
You are Black in the green room with me, your host Keith Underwood, and this is your spot!
(00:07):
For real, talk about entertainment with entertainers, creatives, and showbiz professionals.
My guest today is best known as the host of the Emmy nominated baking series Nailed It.
She is also one of the stars of the MV C sitcom Grand Cru, and she recently performed
at Netflix as a joke festival, and she can also be seen in her own Netflix comedy special,
(00:34):
Big Beautiful Weirdo, and her upcoming One Night Only comedy show at the Annenberg Center
for the performing arts. Welcome to the room Nicole Byer.
Hello, how are you?
I am doing fantastic. What about you?
I'm good. My dog is being a dog right now. He's got this giant little ducky that he likes
(01:00):
to play with, so we're going to the dog park later, so he's like, "He's getting ready."
Can we go now?
Right!
So, Nicole, you're a Jersey girl?
Yes, I was born in Jersey, lived in Jersey until college.
Yeah, until I was like 17, 18.
(01:23):
Right. What? I'm sitting.
I'll go ahead, I'm sorry.
Oh, no, no, I was just saying that I moved to the city, and I was in the city for a while.
Yeah. What's the biggest misconception about Jersey girls?
I mean, people are like people from Jersey are trashy.
They are, but like, I think that's an okay thing.
(01:46):
I don't think trashy never equates as bad. We used to have this chain of stores called Joyce
Leslie, and everything was made out of spandex and was super tight and real like,
but I love Joyce Leslie, and I miss it so much. Joyce Leslie is one of the best stores.
But yeah, I guess, I don't know.
(02:09):
I don't know.
Yeah, and you said, but it's true, but you love it.
What do you love most about that kind of Jersey girl trashiness?
I mean, it's the people I grew up with, so they have a special place in my heart.
(02:32):
I just think people from Jersey are, they're good people.
Like, some of my best friends who are still my best friends, I met them in high school.
Yeah, I think I just think East Coast people are more upfront with intentions.
When I moved to the West Coast, I did not realize that when people were like,
(02:54):
oh, we should hang out. That didn't mean anytime soon or...
That'll let Nicole.
Because that's that's so true. It's so crazy. I mean, I was raised here, but you know,
but I don't think I'm that dude because I spend a lot of time on the East Coast, but I agree with you 100%
(03:17):
New Yorkers, people from the East Coast, they say they're gonna do something.
They're gonna do their best to do it. And if they can't, they're gonna be like, look, I can't do it.
Yes, they're like up front with you. Like, here people, it's so funny.
Like, in LA, if you don't check in like the day before the day of, it's not happening.
You have to like double, triple quadruple confirmed plans. It's so wild.
(03:40):
Yeah, yeah. Nicole, with your comedy, how much of it is you just said natural,
comedic, instinct, and then how much of it is performance?
I mean, the way I write jokes is I come up with like either a premise or a punchline.
And then I just kind of talk on stage to see what happens. So I think it's just like a combination of it.
(04:05):
Sometimes if a joke's not working, I'm not a comedian who like hammers it out and like rewrites,
rewrites, rewrites, try it differently on stage and see what happens. And I do a lot of improv. So
I feel like improv kind of influences the stand-up and yeah.
Yeah. Was there ever any time that you were really passionate about a bid and you were like,
(04:30):
this is gonna hit and it didn't. Of course. Yes. I told a joke. I was with Sishir Zemeda.
She's my best friend in the whole wide world. We were in I think Costa Rica and the sun was
setting and the water was like warm and glistening and pretty. And I was like, I think this is a joke I
(04:56):
want to try. And she was like, I think you should do it. And it's a joke. I've like talked about a lot of
podcasts. But I like went, I set up the premise at a show and then nobody liked it. A lady was like,
boo, boo. Oh, God. I am completely bailed on the bid. I was like, Sishir Zemeda told me to tell this joke.
(05:23):
And then later it was Kristen Shawl show and then later Kristen Shawl was working with Sishir.
And she was like, did you try to call fire to tell a joke? And then Sishir texted me and was like,
did you tell that joke? And it not go well? And I was like, no, it didn't. And I threw you under the bus.
But I like her severe and kept working on it. And then I did it. I did it at Marcella Aquella show.
(05:44):
She's so funny. Women Crush Wednesday is when it was at the nerd melt.
I had done her show and then I got off stage and I was like, I forgot to do this joke that doesn't work.
And she was like, come back next week and only tell bad joke. So that's what I did in it.
Fucking crushed because I like figured out how to tell it. So if you persevere, you'll figure it out.
(06:08):
Yeah. Yeah. I love that. I love that. So Nicole, what is it like to reveal, you know, like, you know,
real life parts of yourself to an audience and how much do you keep to yourself and how much do you give to them?
I talk a lot about my personal life because I'm a chatty. I'm a real yapper. I'm always yapping.
(06:37):
I truly tell everybody my business.
So I mean, I guess I just feel comfortable sharing that with people because like people aren't a monolith
and I think my stories are relatable and they have been. But there's a ton of stuff I keep for myself.
(06:57):
I'm just like a little conscientious of it. I remember during the pandemic when we weren't going out
as much, I was like roller skating in my cold assac and I was like filming my roommate and somebody was
like, from that street sign and other things you posted, I know you're exact address. And I was like,
(07:20):
okay, cool. I don't post anything about where I live. Not even like barely the inside of like my
living room. I know this is being recorded, but I know the video is not going anywhere. I have one room,
my office, that's the only place I'll actually film things in. But yeah, I was like, okay, so where I live
(07:45):
is mine. Nobody is that. But yeah, there's other stuff that I'm just like, you know, that's personal.
And then like, there's people in my life who have not chosen a public life. So I don't talk about them.
If I talk about my family, I ask them first. But yeah, like, yeah, people in my life who would like
(08:12):
to be private, I don't really talk about it. Yeah, that's, I mean, that's real talk. And I understand,
I mean, because when you're an open person, you're an open person. And then I mean, you really have to
think hard about keeping some stuff to yourself. I totally get it. As an actress, have you ever,
(08:33):
do you want to do any dramatic roles? And if so, what would be your ideal type of character?
I would love to do some dramatic roles. I think that would be really fun because I also think that like,
I think drama and comedy have a very fine line. I like it's funny. Yes, life is funny.
(08:58):
I love, I mean, one of my favorite characters is Martha and who's afraid of Virginia Wolf.
She's so vicious and she, but also hurt and wounded. She just says she's so, like, it's more than
three-dimensional. She's like, I don't know. She's one of the most interesting characters I think
(09:21):
written. I would like to play something interesting like that with like super, like just lots and lots of
layers, like a flaky little crepe. For me, for a shot, I don't know. I was going to say or a croissant,
either one, they both take good. They both take good, you know? So the Annenberg, the Annenberg Center
(09:44):
for the performing arts is where you're going to be doing your upcoming comedy show. Have you ever
been before and is there anything special about it that's going to lend to this show?
I think I have performed there. I think I did a live reading of Wayne's World there recently.
I don't know. It depends on the audience, like, it's never really the location,
(10:08):
unless it's Boston. Boston's one of my favorite places to perform their wild.
What is it about Boston? They like departing, man. Yeah.
They like departing and they start departing before the show starts. They're departing during the show.
They're happy to respond. They're a good time. Yeah, the Wilbur is one of my favorite theaters.
(10:29):
But yeah, I mean, every show is different and it depends on the audience.
Yeah. So with the show at the Annenberg, what can we expect to see? What's going to be happening in
the show? Hopefully you'll laugh. I think it's not like a brand. No, it is new jokes.
(10:51):
But if you watch my special, it is that style. I have it fully up and changed my style.
I'll talk about dating and working and love. Yeah, that's what I talk about.
There'll be more of that. Yeah. What is a big beautiful weirdo?
(11:13):
May. So I think it's just a, I'm big. I take up space. I think I'm beautiful and I'm a very,
I'm a little wackado. I like weird little silly things. And I think I'm pretty unapologetic about
that. So yeah. Yeah. Okay, the upcoming second season of Grand Crew is premiering March 2nd.
(11:41):
And let me tell you, I love that show. It got canceled. No, you're joking.
Yeah. But it is going to show this last season, correct? It showed it earlier this year.
Oh, wow. Okay. Wow. I got to catch up.
I mean, yeah, the, it's, the, you know, it is what it is. Now work is hard. Yeah.
(12:04):
I do you think our second season was really, really, really good.
I'm very proud of the show. I, what, what did you love most about it?
I mean, my friend Phil Augusta Jackson, who created the show, I've known for almost 20 years.
We did improv and a basement in New York. So when we were making our network pilot,
(12:27):
where he called me was like, I have a part for you. And I was like, you know, I would do anything you,
you write. We've written pilots together. We've, he's just a really great friend. And I remember we
were shooting the pilot. And Carl Tarte is a friend of mine. I've known him for like 15 years who,
who plays Scherm, Aaron Jackson, who plays Anthony. I've known for like five or six years. He played
(12:53):
my brother on a different show. Echo Kela, who plays my brother Noah. We had done improv,
or no sketch together for like a decade. So like, I was like, looking at all these people.
And I was like, I cannot believe we came up from doing, I mean, yes, I believe it. And yes,
I knew it would happen. But like, it's more magical than I thought it was going to be. So to be
(13:16):
able to do two seasons of a show with like my actual friends based on our friend group, who I loved
working with, like when the boys were working without me and Gracie, like we would be on the text
thread being like, what's going on? What's, should we come in? Should we just like come in and hang out?
Let's go. So yeah, it was like, yes, it was work, but it was also joyful work because we had,
(13:39):
like, we were actual friends and we love each other. Like we're planning a trip to New York. I think
later this month because we just love being around each other. Yeah. And it transcends. I kid you not.
I think that was one of the things that I love most about it. And you saw my shock in horror when
you said the show had been, had been canceled. I'm very disappointed. A great show. Are there any plans
(14:02):
for you guys to do any more work together on something else? There's no plans right now, but
UCB will do like shows together. Yeah, I don't know what the future holds. I know
Phil is working on other stuff, but like we're all still friends because like the show is literally
(14:26):
based on our friend group. So yeah, I mean, we'll probably end up working together at some point.
Yeah. What's coming up next? Are currently happening now in the cold world?
Well, I got four podcasts. I talk a lot and tired.
Best friends. This is the Shares of Meada. Newcomers with Lauren Lapques. And then 90-day bay with
(14:53):
Marcy Jaro. So those are all weekly podcasts. And I filmed some stuff, but none of it's been announced.
So yeah, are you smarter than a celebrity that comes out sometime soon? I think maybe in October.
And that's a revamp of are you smarter than a four-creator or a fifth or a fifth? Yeah. Hosted by Travis
(15:20):
Kelsey, which was very fun. Boy, he's pretty. You said you can eat with your eyes while you're working.
Really? He's really funny. He's very, he's very, very sweet. Yeah, nice. Nicole, where could everyone
find you on social media? On Instagram, it's @NacoleBire on Twitter. It's @NacoleBire on TikTok. It is
(15:46):
NicoleBire was taken because the handle NicoleBire was taken. Yeah. Okay. Well, we know we're, we know
where to find you now. Yes. Yes, NicoleBire. Thank you so much for joining me on Black and the
Green Room. I really, really appreciate it. Thank you so much. For more information on upcoming
(16:07):
guests and shows, please check us out on Instagram @BlackAndTheGroundroom. You can also follow me on IG
@MrKethelUnderwood and FB@JustKethelUnderwood. Until next time, this has been Black and the Green Room.
Black and the Green Room.
(16:31):
you
You
You
[BLANK_AUDIO]
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