And, actually, I flew out of the chair the first time because, you know, I hadn't done much physical comedy on the show at all. It's about her life during the first year of the pandemic, when she felt overcome by anxiety and depression. And immediately he's concerned about the age difference, especially because the actresses, you know, who play these roles were never actually teenagers. Cecily Legler Strong (born February 8, 1984) is an American actress and comedienne who is currently a cast member of Saturday Night Live, starting in September 2012, for the start of season 38. But my man loves cooking. My guest is Cecily Strong. I know from your new memoir that when "Saturday Night Live" did some episodes with everybody at home, that you were - you didn't want to participate at first, and you didn't do one or two of the shows because you just didn't feel ready to perform, I mean, because you really were in a serious state of depression and anxiety. STRONG: I mean, I think I just felt smaller and smaller and smaller. STRONG: I said no, actually, at first to going to Vancouver and shooting because I was - I really was afraid. and "The Lorax.". And then they kind of looked - they made, like, a show of it and looked in every pocket but that pocket and then said, OK, you're good to go. We're not going to spend another minute in this town. Again, my family, everyone I know - huge fans. Frank DiLella talks to "Saturday Night Live" star Cecily Strong about making her New York City theater debut in the revival of the one-woman Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner play "The Search For Signs of . The men are dressed like they're in old-fashioned barbershop quartets. STRONG: That's usually just Colin and I. So right away I was like, oh, God. And, you know, everybody that was there was supposed to be there. She is also the longest-tenured female cast member in the show's history. Did you get to go backstage? And then it was just such a gift. This is FRESH AIR. Thea Chaloner directed today's show. . Let's take another break here. Like, where did you grow up? And the first morning that you're there, you're having breakfast on the porch. - because, you know, every kid wants to go to California. This is FRESH AIR. STRONG: Yes. Meet Cecily Strong's Partner: The Actress' Secretive Love Life Details. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) No. STRONG: No, I would - it feels great because, this past year especially, I'm just - I'm so proud of the show and being a part of the show. He also co-wrote the animated films "Despicable Me," "The Secret Life Of Pets," and "Horton Hears A Who.". She's taken all these concepts and just turned them into something confusing and wrong that she's very passionate about. This is a colostomy, Michael Che. STRONG: (As Jeanine Pirro) That's right. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) But not together. She stars with Keegan-Michael Key in the new series "Schmigadoon!" And we failed. GROSS: All right. STRONG: It's hard to say, honestly. STRONG: You know, we definitely loved the exclamations, you know, saving those for the - what? STRONG: Right. If you're like me, you've never watched the show, and you didn't know her name until now. Corn puddin'. It became my community, you know. I had the idea for this almost 25 years ago, and it was while I was watching the movie "An American Werewolf In London," of all things, one of my favorite movies. Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images. She helps our kids to punctuate. Corn, corn, corn, corn, corn puddin'. And she recommends the corn puddin'. She stars in the new series "Schmigadoon!" This is FRESH AIR. The couple is totally disoriented and dumbstruck when the townspeople break into song. GROSS: One of the things in some musicals is - the love affairs in some musicals, I think, would be considered pretty age-inappropriate now, like, for example, "The Sound Of Music," where, like, she's a young nun who's just left the convent. STRONG: Right. You know, and then it took a while to really understand - here's all of the things we're going to put in place. So I want to ask you about another character that you've done, and that's the Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. Cecily Strong had a special bond with her cousin Owen. And that's according to doctors, Michael Che. I guess I knew it as a job. And it's only recently that are - there are actually musicals about gay people who are out of the closet. Here with her final thoughts on this election is the Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. I am eating ice cream, and the voiceover says, like, well, McDonald's now has ice - soft-serve for 37 cents or whatever it was. And then I have to say the Marx Brothers have played a huge role in my life. GROSS: That was another scene from "Schmigadoon!," which stars my guest, Cecily Strong, and Keegan-Michael Key. Cecily Strong has 29 acting credits on her IMDb profile, along with her first producer credit for Schmigadoon!, a musical comedy television show that premiered on Apple TV+ in 2021. . GROSS: Had you been vaccinated when you shot the series? UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) I got us corn puddin'. I mean, I think it's certainly been a part of my life since I was little. GROSS: Did you get to meet the actors? And this is from the February 20, 2017, edition of "Saturday Night Live." God, this whole musical is so much fun. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble, singing) Never had had corn puddin'. And then one is the older sort of father figure love interest, you know, that you see in "King And I" and "Sound Of Music" and "South Pacific." How are you doing? STRONG: It's actually - I mean, it's funny timing. I met Daisy Eagen. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #7: (As character, singing) Who wants corn puddin'? Will Get Your Toes Tapping, So Sing Along If You Know The Words. Could be fun. STRONG: Yeah, exactly. And then my uncle is also a Broadway producer. In this scene, the couple keeps trying to escape Schmigadoon by crashing back over the bridge while bickering about their relationship. And my roommates - my COVID roommates, Matt (ph) and Kevin - were helping me shoot everything. Saturday Night Live cast member Cecily Strong will provide an exclusive preview of her new memoir, "This Will All Be Over . GROSS: That was another scene from "Schmigadoon!," which stars my guest, Cecily Strong, and Keegan-Michael Key. A TV series that I really enjoyed this year is "Schmigadoon!," a smart, funny and loving satire of musicals from the '40s and '50s. GROSS: I really love that. I think, you know, we were told - we went on our hiatus that was supposed to be our three-week or two-week hiatus in March and then just didn't come back until May. We'll be right back. Her characters have included Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Melania Trump and the Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) That's fantastic. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Guys, we're actually in the middle of something. So - but I definitely feel more anxious again. Grown adults burst into song, one of which extolling the virtues of "corn pudding." Comedy stars like Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key mingle with Broadway . You know, I was a straight-A student up until then. During her youth, she often attended Broadway shows, thanks to her uncle's career as a Broadway producer, and she sometimes got to meet the casts. We'll first hear the voice of Michael Che on "Weekend Update.". UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) We want corn puddin'. because everyone in it seems to be enjoying being in it so much. So somebody at Fox News said my name into a bathroom mirror three times, and here I am. It's so, like, vaudeville era. And so she was devastated when, in early 2020, he passed away at age thirty from the brain cancer glioblastoma. Strong said that because her uncle is a Broadway producer, . And you know, there is still an element of, like, you're playing with your friends. You put the bowl in your belly 'cause it's good for the soul. I saw my first Marx Brothers movie when I was 10 on TV, and I fell in love with the Marx Brothers and became obsessed. Disha Kandpal. I think it'll - honestly, I think she'll be so touched to hear that from you, too. STRONG: I did - and I mean, not always. One is the bad boy, you know, which is the Billy Bigelow character. How does it feel? Strong joined "SNL" as a featured player in 2012. GROSS: Well, let's take a short break here, and then we'll talk some more. I think there's nothing more thrilling than hearing Terry Gross likes (laughter) your show and (laughter) enjoys it and it has joy from it. Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key star as a couple of trying to reinvigorate their relationship by going on a hike designed for couples who need to reconnect. STRONG: I haven't. STRONG: And it would, like, end in some crazy, like, exclamation. I'll do anything. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham. He's a queer one, that man o' mine. If you're just joining us, my guest is Cecily Strong. Starring Keegan-Michael Key, Cecily Strong, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana DeBose, Fred Armisen, Jaime Camil and Jane Krakowski. And she ends up, you know, falling in love with this kind of mean-spirited older man who, of course, becomes a much better human being as soon as he falls in love with her, this kind of, like, magical transformation. But this is a song where she has no clue that her husband is gay. You know, we were getting ready for one of those - I think they were two "Update" specials because it was an election year. GROSS: Then you have a couple episodes where you share your opinions of films of the '80s and films of the '90s. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) So you're ready to give up on us because of what a leprechaun said? I'm Terry Gross. Cecily Strong (actress) social media, news and video. Here's all the safety measures - until I finally felt safe. STRONG: That's usually just Colin and I. Can you believe this, that we lost Hal, you know? She Knows Broadway Well. GROSS: Yeah, he's great in it. I was a new cast member. And, you know, even, like, operas have, like, songs like that, where there's, you know, like, a festival or, you know, a picnic or something. USA. I want you to talk about writing this because this is an example of a song that I don't think closely adheres to another song. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) Then he says something mean to get her back. We'll be right back after a short break. I rented every musical on VHS they . With a Broadway producer uncle in her own family, Strong was heavily exposed to the musical scene, making it an early love in her life. KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY: (As Josh Skinner) I mean KEY: (As Josh Skinner) Look, this whole thing is insane. STRONG: Yeah, absolutely I do. The first two episodes will premiere globally on Friday, July 16, 2021 exclusively on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode . GROSS: Oh, that's nice of you to say. I think you have a shout-out to that. First two episodes streaming Friday, July 16, on Apple TV+. STRONG: Well, I actually will say the police had a program that I was really lucky to have. You put the bowl in your belly 'cause it's good for the soul. Producer Ed Strong (bottom right) and his wife, Laurel Strong (bottom l.), take a break from celebrating to pause for a photo with their son Owen Strong, friend Cayenne Douglass, niece Cecily . I sure would like a taste. And she's nominated for an Emmy for her work on "Saturday Night Live." But what really cracked it for me was, oh, instead of two friends, it should be a couple. And so - but everything that is evidence that he's gay, she sees as a really positive quality. He also co-wrote the animated films "Despicable Me," "The Secret Life Of Pets," "Horton Hears A Who!" - in late September usually. STRONG: It was awful. Facts Buddy Fast, Factual, Free! overall No. And they don't even know what corn pudding is. And so it makes me want to, like, poke harder. You know, really, we talk about escapism, and I had real-life escapism where I flew into this beautiful, magical land of Vancouver, where there's, like, water and mountains and big trees. You put the bowl in your belly 'cause it's good for the soul. Cecily Strong is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer who has a net worth of $4 million. And she was like, well, no, this isn't OK. And then I went to see the family psychiatrist, who I loved. Because, I mean, we shot last fall, so that wasn't even - I didn't even know we'd get to be vaccinated. In her second season, she co-anchored Weekend Update with Seth Meyers and then Colin Jost. Oh, he'll have to marry me. Trailer GROSS: To shoot and be in these, like, exuberant, like, joyful production scenes? We'll hear two interviews related to the series. She also stars in the new series "Schmigadoon!," which is a very smart, funny and loving satire of musicals from the '40s and '50s. It was like as soon as I started singing, I knew what to say. Mere hours before the December 17 show, it was revealed that the 38-year-old comedian would be making her final appearance on the late-night . But she left the desk, preferring to do sketch comedy, which she's great at. STRONG: (As The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party) Please do not man-terrupt (ph) me when I'm wo-making (ph) a point, Michael. I don't have enough gym credits to graduate on time. And whenever a musical theater song would somehow pop up in my mix, he would say, skip. All rights reserved. No. You have to do people that everybody knows. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) Oh, no - no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm also - love the show and get a lot of joy from it. You just really got her down (laughter). Cecily Strong's new book, This Will All Be Over Soon, isn't what you expect from a Saturday Night Live cast member's . STRONG: Well, first of all, just thank you for saying that. I guess I knew it as a job. I was licking a soft-serve ice-cream cone. Here with her final thoughts on this election is the Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party. And then to be on those sets that were also gorgeous and then to be with this amazing group of people - and we are able to do musicals in a time when Broadway is shuttered, and that's so depressing to walk next to. GROSS: Reports are that you're not sure whether you're going back to "SNL" in the fall. And even on the tape - like, they do your expulsion hearings, and they're taping it. KEY: (As Josh Skinner) Oh, no - no, no, no, no, no, no. Corn, corn, corn, corn, corn puddin'. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) Just 'cause you feuded don't mean that you're concluded. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Can we please go now? GROSS: Well, I wish you well. And we were making the sets and making our props and hair and makeup, so it was really - we had a fun little make believe studio here. STRONG: (As The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party) Hello, Michael Che. This is FRESH AIR. The off . now and Cecily's character really likes to get involved in people's lives, she helps push him to, you know, proclaim to the whole town who he really is. This was performed after Pirro made anti-Muslim remarks about Representative Ilhan Omar. During a recent . And this is from the February 20, 2017, edition of "Saturday Night Live." I mean, it's real to most people, but, I mean, you saw the worst that could happen. Yum. Mama's got one volume, and it's three chardonnays deep at a crowded party. She's been in the entertainment business since 2012, officially making her a ten-year veteran of the arts. So, I mean, I assume it'll have to be soon. So I've gotten to see a lot of his shows in New York. And I can't - she's so far away. I was a weird kid, you know, singing "I Wonder What The King Is Doing Tonight" in my room, memorizing the lyrics. How were you first exposed to musicals? STRONG: Yes. And that's what I'd always rent whenever we'd go to the movie store. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Seriously, please? I'm Terry Gross, and this is FRESH AIR. I wish your mother well. UNIDENTIFIED CHORUS: (As characters, singing) First, she said something bad to get his gander. It was my first year talking with Colin. GROSS: That's really funny. Luckily for us, but maybe - who knows? Production Photos See Emmy Nominee Cecily Strong Take the Stage in Los Angeles Run of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. - about a couple who find themselves trapped in a small town from the early 1900s where life is a musical. We'll talk more after a break. So if he wants my puddin', he'll have to marry me. Cinco Paul, who also wrote all the songs, after we take a short break. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #3: (As character, singing) You can't eat a fish without getting some bones. GROSS: So when does a decision have to be made? Let's get back to my interview with Cecily Strong. And I was really, like, a kid who sort of wanted to stay under the radar, anyway. JOST: (As himself) You don't have to shout, you know. And, you know, she talks about, like, other men are really harsh and - but he's gentle, you know, like a lacy valentine. STRONG: Oh, definitely. STRONG: No. STRONG: Sure. I'm not going to do the show. STRONG: (As Melissa Gimble) Then what are you saying? We can't wait to make him watch it - with Cinco and Ken. And we just thought it was so funny, and it was a fun way to play her. And - yeah. Keegan-Michael Key's character hates musicals and is desperate to leave. And so I think they thought that might be a good outlet for me. You know, we were getting ready for one of those - I think they were two "Update" specials because it was an election year. PAUL: Yeah, I mean, that was the intention. PAUL: From your mouth to God's ears. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #6: (As character, singing) Still unmarried at 28. And I think my uncle probably didn't want me to be an actor as much as I did, just knowing that it was a tough life. Otherwise, it's hard to get an impression on the show. And I think she's doing well. GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. GROSS: A turning point in your young life (laughter) was in 1999 when you were a sophomore in high school. I mean, first of all, it's really funny to have someone who hates musicals be stuck in a musical but also for him to be the eyes and ears of the people unlike me, who don't love musicals. STRONG: I did - and I mean, not always. Our interviews and reviews are produced and edited by Amy Salit, Phyllis Myers, Roberta Shorrock, Sam Briger, Lauren Krenzel, Heidi Saman, Therese Madden, Ann Marie Baldonado, Seth Kelley and Kayla Lattimore. I loved that movie so much, and the songs in that are so good. But then, I mean, I did go back, and it was important to me, and it felt good to laugh. in season Host(s) Musical guest Original air date U.S. viewers (millions) 931: 1: Miles Teller: Kendrick Lamar: October 1, 2022 (): 4.02: Kendrick Lamar performs a medley of "Rich Spirit" and "N95" for his first set and "Father Time" with Sampha for his second.Jon Hamm and Shaun White appear in the cold open. But also, I remember singing "Singin' In The Rain" for the first time as a kid and Donald O'Connor doing "Make 'Em Laugh," and I thought that was the greatest thing I'd ever seen in my life. In this scene, the couple keeps trying to cross the bridge and escape Schmigadoon while bickering about their relationship. GROSS: Yeah. You know, I really wanted them - like, oh, that could genuinely have been a song sung in an undiscovered Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. So - but talk about writing this and what you wanted to do with it. 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