Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin - Patton Oswalt Runs at Love

Patton Oswalt Runs at Love

02/16/21 • 41 min

3 Listeners

In the glut of comedy that exists today - with hundreds of comedy clubs, sit-coms, late-night talk shows, and podcasts - Patton Oswalt has distinguished himself over his three-decade career by being a talented actor who also happens to be very funny. Patton talks to Alec about the sudden death in 2016 of his first wife, author Michelle McNamara, how it changed his relationship with their daughter. Patton says the strength of his first marriage allowed him to “run at love” when it came a second time (he married actress Meredith Salenger in late 2017). Alec and Patton also compare notes on the deep imprint their favorite TV shows growing up have had, what Patton learned about FOMO while writing for MADtv, and why Patton started all over when he started performing at comedy clubs in San Francisco in the early 90s.

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Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin - Patton Oswalt Runs at Love

Transcript Summary

In the episode titled "Patton Oswalt Runs at Love," comedian Patton Oswalt explores various aspects of his life, career, and personal experiences. Oswalt discusses the versatility of stand-up comedy and his desire to pursue other creative endeavors. He shares the story of finding love again after a tragic loss, detailing how he met actress Meredith Salinger and fell in love with her, resulting in their happy marriage. The conversation touches on their journey as comedians, with Oswalt reflecting on his eight-year struggle to find his authentic voice on stage. They also delve into his experience writing for Mad TV and the challenges of working for a big network. Oswalt explores his passion for movies, revealing his obsession during his time in Los Angeles, which inspired him to write the memoir "Silver Screen Fiend." The discussion touches on the risks and sacrifices involved in fully inhabiting characters as a writer and actor, emphasizing the importance of having a safe place to reconnect with oneself. The conversation also revolves around the constant dilemma of how much to hold back or delve deep into one's own darkness for the sake of art. Oswalt and his counterpart discuss the improvisational nature of performing and the desire to shed inhibitions and overthinking. Additionally, the episode highlights Oswalt's accomplishments in the comedy world, including appearances in sitcoms, book writing, voiceover work, and three Netflix comedy specials. The episode acknowledges the sudden death of Oswalt's first wife, Michelle McNamara, in 2016, and how he focused on being a single parent and supporting his daughter. The role of women in problem-solving approaches, McNamara's transition from comedy to true crime writing, and the documentary series "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" by Liz Garbus are also discussed. Throughout the episode, Oswalt reminisces about his upbringing, surrounded by funny people in the suburbs of northern Virginia, and how his father's influence introduced him to comedy legends like Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor, and Steve Martin. He shared his experience at William and Mary College and his pursuit of a career in comedy despite challenges with graduation. Oswalt's journey into stand-up comedy and the highs and lows of his career are explored, providing insights into the world of comedy.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:02.359

I'm Alec Baldwin and you're listening to Here's the Thing from My Heart Radio. My friend Lorne Michael's told me that back in the nineteen seventies when he launched Saturday Night Live, there were only a handful of comedy clubs in the United States. Today there are hundreds of comedy clubs, and Americans have available to them an ocean of sitcom's, late night talk shows and streaming comedy specials. To distinguish yourself in that world of come