Key Takeaways

  • Aubrey Plaza is a highly sought-after guest, known for her unique blend of disaffected charm and genuine warmth, appealing to a wide audience.
  • Plaza’s career trajectory, from her early days in theater and improv to her iconic role on Parks and Recreation and her diverse filmography, highlights her versatility and comedic talent.
  • The conversation delves into Plaza’s personal experiences, including navigating grief, her love for basketball, and her fascination with witches, revealing a thoughtful and resilient individual.
  • Her collaboration with Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation was a significant creative partnership, evolving from initial awkwardness to a deep, supportive friendship.
  • Plaza’s approach to selecting roles is driven by artistic curiosity and a desire to explore different facets of her craft, often seeking projects that challenge her.

Segments

Early Career and UCB (~00:15:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Plaza’s early interest in comedy led her to UCB, which significantly influenced her career path.
  • Summary: Aubrey Plaza discusses her childhood, her early theater experiences in Delaware, and her move to New York City to study at NYU and train at UCB. She shares how UCB became a pivotal part of her journey into comedy and acting.
SNL Internship and Early LA Experiences (~00:25:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Plaza’s internship at SNL provided valuable early industry experience, despite the chaotic nature of the job.
  • Summary: Plaza recounts her experience faxing her resume to SNL and landing an internship in the design department. She also touches on her initial experiences in Los Angeles, including auditioning for ‘Funny People’ and meeting Mike Schur.
Meeting and Working on Parks and Rec (~00:35:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The dynamic between Aubrey Plaza and Amy Poehler on ‘Parks and Rec’ was immediate and evolved into a strong personal friendship.
  • Summary: The conversation focuses on how Plaza and Poehler met on the set of ‘Parks and Rec,’ their initial interactions, and the development of their characters, April Ludgate and Leslie Knope. They discuss the ‘playground’ atmosphere of the show and their collaborative process.
April Ludgate’s Character Arc (~00:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: April Ludgate’s secret was her deep care, masked by a disaffected exterior, which allowed for significant character growth.
  • Summary: Poehler and Plaza analyze April Ludgate’s character arc on ‘Parks and Rec,’ discussing how her hidden loyalty and eventual development made her a compelling character. They highlight the organic development of the April and Andy storyline.
Personal Reflections and Grief (~00:55:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Plaza shares her personal experience with grief, using a movie analogy to describe the ongoing presence of loss.
  • Summary: Plaza opens up about the recent loss of her husband, Jeff Baena, and how she is navigating her grief. She uses an analogy from the movie ‘The Gorge’ to describe the constant presence of sadness and the struggle to move forward.
Fascination with Witches and ‘Agatha’ (~01:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Plaza’s ‘witchy vibe’ and fascination with witches are deeply rooted in her personal history and creative interests.
  • Summary: The discussion shifts to Plaza’s connection with witches, her production company ‘Evil Hag,’ and her role in ‘Agatha.’ She attributes her witchy persona to her upbringing in Delaware and ancestral connections, finding catharsis in cackling.
New Movie ‘Honey, Don’t’ and Directing Aspirations (~01:20:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Plaza is selective about her roles, drawn to projects that offer artistic challenge and the opportunity to work with respected filmmakers like Ethan Coen.
  • Summary: Plaza talks about her new movie ‘Honey, Don’t,’ directed by Ethan Coen, and her process for choosing roles. She expresses a desire to direct more films, though she admits to being particular about her projects.
Comfort Movies and Laughter (~01:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Plaza finds comfort in 90s rom-coms and values genuine laughter, often stemming from close friendships.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss comfort movies, with Plaza citing ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and other 90s rom-coms. They also explore what makes them laugh, with Plaza emphasizing the importance of close friends and the ability to laugh at oneself.
Concluding Thoughts and Tributes (~01:40:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode concludes with a tribute to Jeff Baena’s work and a reminder of mental health resources.
  • Summary: As the episode wraps up, Poehler and Plaza reflect on their friendship and the success of the podcast. Poehler pays tribute to Jeff Baena’s filmography and shares important mental health resources, concluding the heartfelt conversation.