SmartLess

STAYING ALIVE: Will Arnett, Part 1!

February 26, 2026

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  • Will Arnett shared his controversial, yet retracted, 'bit' that having more tattoos correlates with being more boring, which sparked unexpected online reaction. 
  • Will Arnett detailed a strict, nutritionist-guided health regimen involving cutting sugar, limiting carbs, and adhering to a once-a-week cheat meal to manage weight gain after turning 50. 
  • The interview highlighted the intense, non-stop, and vulnerable filming process for Will Arnett's movie *Is This Thing On?*, directed by Bradley Cooper, who also operated the camera during intimate scenes. 

Segments

Podcast Intro and Guest Welcome
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(00:00:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode of SmartLess features Will Arnett as a guest on the Staying Alive podcast, hosted by Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally.
  • Summary: The segment includes advertisements for Allstate and LinkedIn Ads before introducing the crossover episode. Hosts Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally welcome Will Arnett to Staying Alive, noting they will discuss fitness, sugar, and his film Is This Thing On?.
Tattoo Controversy Discussion
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(00:03:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Will Arnett stated that the more tattoos a person has, the more boring they are, a comment he clarified was intended as a ‘bit’ but caused an overreaction online.
  • Summary: Arnett recounted an interview where he made a controversial statement about tattoos, which he claims was a bit he often uses with friends. The resulting online outrage proved his point about boring responses to controversial statements. The hosts then referenced a specific quote from the interview about ‘bow-legged women’ as another example of material taken out of context.
Health and Diet Overhaul
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(00:09:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Will Arnett began a significant health overhaul after his agent suggested seeing a nutritionist, leading him to cut out sugar and severely restrict carbohydrates.
  • Summary: Arnett revealed that after turning 50, his ability to stay thin became difficult, prompting professional intervention from his CAA agent. His diet now strictly limits sugar and carbs, allowing only one cheat meal per week, which should be ‘high class’ rather than fast food. He also mentioned incorporating boxing workouts like Fight Camp for cardio.
Sleep and Nicotine Habits
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(00:19:04)
  • Key Takeaway: A nutritionist advised Arnett to eat a cup of berries or sorbet 40 minutes before bed to induce a sugar crash for better sleep, a tip that proved effective.
  • Summary: Arnett shared a sleep hack involving a small, natural sugar intake before bed to aid sleep, contrasting this with Pally’s switch from bourbon to chamomile tea for winding down. The conversation touched on nicotine, with Arnett admitting to using Zyn pouches despite knowing the health risks, while Pally noted the conflicting information about nicotine as a nootropic.
Filmmaking Process and Vulnerability
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(00:29:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Creating the film Is This Thing On? was a serious, seven-and-a-half-year process that required Arnett to drop his comedic instinct for earnestness during promotion.
  • Summary: Arnett explained the difficulty of promoting a serious film about comedy while maintaining his comedic persona, noting that his instinct is always to undercut sincerity. He praised co-writer and director Bradley Cooper for his intense focus and for guiding Arnett through vulnerable scenes by demanding ’no bullshit’ acting. Arnett’s 15-year-old son provided perspective after the film did not receive award recognition, reminding him not to let external validation diminish the quality of the work.
Comedy Background and Trust
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(00:35:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Will Arnett rehearsed stand-up material for Is This Thing On? at The Comedy Cellar under the character’s name, relying on Bradley Cooper to prevent him from reverting to his improvisational instincts on stage.
  • Summary: Arnett worked with Bob Castrone to write the stand-up material for his character, Alex Novak, to authentically experience the process of performing at The Comedy Cellar. Cooper explicitly instructed Arnett not to use his natural comedic impulses on stage, ensuring he stuck to the scripted material for the film’s narrative. This deep trust built during the writing and rehearsal phase carried over into shooting vulnerable scenes.
Future Career Direction
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(00:46:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Arnett is prioritizing projects that feel valuable and personally resonant, recognizing that his current success with SmartLess already satisfies the desire for riffing with funny friends.
  • Summary: Following his work on more dramatic projects like a Tony Gilroy production with Pedro Pascal, Arnett is not actively chasing comedy roles, though he remains open to funny material. He stated a realization that he only wants to pursue things he personally responds to, a clarity gained later in his career. The enjoyment derived from the SmartLess podcast scratches the itch for comedic collaboration, reducing the need to chase that high elsewhere.