Ashley Padilla

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Host Amy Poehler sits down with SNL cast member Ashley Padilla to discuss her comedic journey, from her training at the Groundlings to worki

Key takeaways

• Ashley Padilla describes her formative years working for Diane Keaton, which included running her Instagram and co-creating a fashion book.
• Padilla shares a chaotic story of being arrested at 16 after hiding in a rosebush to evade police during a hit-and-run investigation.

Main topics

• SNL Cast Members
• Diane Keaton

Notable quotes

'It's about time you motherfuckers caught me.'

Conclusion

An entertaining deep dive into the life of a rising comedy star, blend

Transcript preview

Speaker 3 (0:04) Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We are really excited about our guest today. It is Ashley Padilla. Ashley is so talented, so funny. In her third season at SNL, just an excellent cast member who we've all fallen in love with. And we are going to talk about a lot of fun stuff today. We're going to talk about the wonderful Diane Keaton. We're going to talk about getting arrested. and mouthing off to cops. We're going to talk about how lucky we are to have comedy as our job and how we pinch ourselves every day. We're going to get into a lot of good stuff. But before we do, we are going to talk to somebody who knows our guest, who works with our guest, and that is Andrew Dismukes, another hilarious performer and writer on SNL, a good Texas boy who has a real New York coffee order. So let's check in with Andrew. I believe he's speaking to us from a poorly lit hotel room. Andrew? This episode is brought to you by Uber. 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Speaker 1 (2:10) Yeah, I'm a real one. Pretty Speaker 3 (2:12) serious stuff. Speaker 1 (2:14) Well, yeah, I'm a tough guy. I'm a tough New York guy. Speaker 3 (2:19) Andrew, I was so happy that we were talking today and realizing that I need to get you into the stewed because I feel like, are you a New York guy? Did you grow up in the East? I don't know enough about you. No, you're not. I'm Speaker 1 (2:31) from Texas originally. Speaker 1 (2:34) Become, you know, I've become a New York guy. Actually, Speaker 3 (2:37) you have because you've been what you've been living in the city for how long now? Speaker 1 (2:40) Yeah. Nine years now. Dang. It's crazy. And I and I've seen like none of it. Every time people ask me, like, what my favorite restaurant is, I'm like, there's one like two blocks from my house. That's great. Speaker 3 (2:53) And do you have a set tonight, stand up set tonight or did you just do one last night? Speaker 1 (2:59) I did one last night flying back home later. How Speaker 3 (3:01) did it go? Speaker 1 (3:02) Crushed. Just say it. There's no two ways about it. Crushed. Speaker 3 (3:09) And did you change some minds? You changed some lives? Well, Speaker 1 (3:14) that's what it's really all about is it's about touching hearts and changing minds. And we did. We did. Speaker 3 (3:18) Yeah. Speaker 1 (3:19) And Speaker 3 (3:19) I know I have heard that people have asked you to stop touching their hearts. And Speaker 1 (3:24) I said, well, that's too bad. Speaker 3 (3:27) HR has asked you to stop touching someone's hearts. Speaker 1 (3:30) I'm just trying to change people. Well, you're literally touching their hearts. I thought that's what I was supposed to do. Speaker 3 (3:38) I'm very excited to talk to you about Ashley today because... Speaker 3 (3:44) You two have something that you just kind of can't manufacture, which is chemistry. You two have a way of being together in the world as performers that feels very natural and fun and playful. How did you first meet? Speaker 1 (4:00) We first met at the show, like her first episode. And just pretty quickly, it was clear that like, oh, this is somebody who has got. chops like crazy and I think specifically both like performer and writer chops like um she's such a confident performer and so able to bring like real acting to the sketches she does but then also like what she writes you're also like damn you're good at both of those things that's crazy and Speaker 3 (4:33) did you start writing with her right away Speaker 1 (4:36) No, really, her whole first season, we didn't collaborate much. I think we maybe wrote one or two things that didn't make it to air. But yeah, the first real collaboration was the weekend update thing, the couple who just hooked up. Speaker 3 (4:51) Right. Speaker 1 (4:51) Yeah. And Speaker 3 (4:52) your tie is askew. My Speaker 1 (4:54) tie is askew. It's very steamy. It's very. Her Speaker 3 (4:57) hair has got that bedhead thing, and you guys are talking about the Super Bowl. Speaker 1 (5:02) Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 3 (5:03) I mean, that is my favorite thing about Weekend Update features is what the characters are talking about. Yeah, this is Speaker 1 (5:09) who you got to talk about this. And they're doing a very bad job. It's like just the worst run show in the world. That's like the premise of Weekend Update is they have the worst booker of all time. Speaker 3 (5:22) Yeah, they have terrible guests. And what do you like about writing with her? I Speaker 1 (5:26) think what I like the most about Ashley's writing and writing with her is like her ideas are all like about playing the realness of the scene. And so that's just fun. to create in that space where it's like we're playing real emotion to comedic effect rather than like being kind of over the top silly. It's just a fun energy to get into. Yeah. Speaker 3 (5:51) I want to talk to her about that today is that, you know, she's a really good actress. And so she's like acting everything very naturally and very real. And it's funny because she puts herself in very insane and she's often like very incredulous. as a character. You kind of can't believe what's happening to her. Speaker 1 (6:12) Yeah, I think about the, like, fart sketch that she did, which everybody loves a fart sketch, but it's so funny the way she plays it where it's like, this woman is very legitimately upset that it just happened. It's not like, oh, I farted! It's like, oh my god, I farted. I just love that. I love that approach that she has. Me Speaker 3 (6:34) too. For people that don't know, she plays a woman who her coworkers try to surprise her. They turn on the lights and she farts as soon as she sees them. And it's just like downhill from there. She cannot get past it. And then there's like two minutes of her asking everybody what they make, what their salary is. Speaker 1 (6:55) So good. Speaker 3 (6:56) Played very real. Do you have a question for Ashley today? Anything big or small that I could ask her? Speaker 1 (7:02) I feel like Groundlings specifically, when people come to SNL from Groundlings, it feels like that. It feels like those people are so equipped for SNL off the jump. Thinking like Mikey, Heidi, Ashley, as well as like former cast members who come back and host. It just feels like that's the most mappable training ground for people. in a really interesting way and I guess I'm just curious what would like if she has any insight in like what was it that she learned in Groundlings or what was it that Groundlings specifically instilled in her that made her be like so ready and so equipped what's the thing she learned in Groundlings um or just from that time in her life that she feels like has applied the most to being on SNL Speaker 3 (7:53) Great question. I mean, what if we found out that Groundlings has like a mini SNL set and they just run drills? Speaker 1 (7:59) That would be, I wouldn't be surprised. Yeah. I'm just so impressed with her. Like so quickly. I'm like, what's the secret? How did, what did you learn? Like, please tell me. She Speaker 3 (8:10) does do a thing that I think good. And I think you do this too. And is that, you know, in sketch you have to be grounded, but you also can't be like too, too internal. to interior, you know, I'm sure like actors come on the show and they're, they get kind of quiet and they really want to, and you're like, Oh no, you have to be loud. Speaker 1 (8:32) Totally. Totally. Yeah. I think, especially just in that room, like I think people have talked about it where it's like, doesn't have the best acoustics. Like there is a thing of like, sometimes you'll do a sketch and you'll be like, I don't think anybody in that room heard what I was saying. I think everybody in the audience was like, oh, wow, they just went and did like a silent little play. Speaker 3 (8:54) Yeah. Speaker 1 (8:55) And we didn't enjoy it. They did a little Speaker 3 (8:58) whisper play. Speaker 1 (8:59) They did a little whisper play. So, yeah, being still able to being able to be micro, but also like, yeah, play, play big enough to get laughs in that room is very important. And she does do that very well. Speaker 3 (9:09) Yeah. Right on. Awesome. Well, it's great to see the last time I saw you, I felt like I was dressed as a man and I was holding a tortoise. because of something that you wrote. That's true, yeah. We had a sketch where Speaker 1 (9:19) you were dressed as a man and holding a tortoise. Well, thank you for that. And thank you for doing that. We really appreciated it. Of Speaker 3 (9:24) course. And I will, the tortoise wrangler who, you know, was very nice, did warn me that the tortoise could and would most likely bite. Speaker 1 (9:37) And you handled it like a champ and we really appreciated that. Because the wrangler did say that and we were like, and you're cool with that, right? And you're cool with maybe getting bitten. Speaker 3 (9:45) Totally. Well, thank you for talking in from your hotel room. Good luck with the coffee. Thank you. Please don't turn any lights on. Just stay in the dark. I'm Speaker 1 (9:55) going to Speaker 3 (9:55) stay Speaker 1 (9:56) in the dark because this is just sort of where I like to be. This is just where I'm most comfortable. Yeah. Speaker 3 (10:01) With a Speaker 1 (10:02) hard light coming here. I think that's best for a Zoom. And I'm sure that your producers are really happy that this is my configuration. Well, Speaker 3 (10:10) we're going to use those Zoom filters. We're going to put on funny sunglasses. We're going to put on like a beret. Speaker 1 (10:15) You're going to Speaker 2 (10:16) make me look Speaker 1 (10:16) like a cool, tough guy. Yeah, nice. Yeah, Speaker 3 (10:18) like a cool, tough, yeah, like a New Yorker. Speaker 1 (10:20) Right, because like a New Yorker, I got sunglasses on like a New Yorker because I'm a cool, tough guy. Speaker 3 (10:24) Andrew, thank you so much for doing this. Ashley's going to be thrilled that we talked and it's so great to see Speaker 1 (10:29) you. Speaker 3 (10:29) Thank Speaker 1 (10:29) you, Speaker 3 (10:29) Amy. Yeah, thank you so much. Okay, buddy. Bye. Speaker 1 (10:32) Bye. Thanks. Speaker 3 (10:35) Folks, it's officially fall, which means we've entered the season of change. Changing leaves, refreshed wardrobes, and new routines. But the one thing that doesn't need to change, your phone. The smartest upgrade this season isn't a new phone, it's a better wireless plan. Switch to Visible, the ultimate wireless hack. You get unlimited 5G data and unlimited hotspot, powered by Verizon for just $25 a month. That means keeping the phone you already love, ditching your overpriced phone bill, and saving enough to give yourself a pumpkin spice all season long. All the perks of big wireless for half the cost. Switch today. At visible.com, the Visible plan starts at $25 a month or get our premium Visible Plus plan and save $10 on your first month with promo code HANG. Terms apply. See visible.com for plan features and network management details. Speaker 3 (11:30) Glad you're here. This Speaker 2 (11:31) is surreal. Come Speaker 3 (11:33) on. Come Speaker 2 (11:34) on. Speaker 3 (11:36) I'm so excited. This Speaker 2 (11:38) is crazy. Speaker 3 (11:38) Yeah, I know. What? People don't know that we're talking on a very stormy and rainy morning. It's very rainy. I mean, I don't know if people care about the weather outside when we do this. Speaker 2 (11:49) I guess. Today's Speaker 3 (11:53) forecast. Maybe it's too stormy. Maybe Ashley won't come. Speaker 3 (12:02) I Speaker 2 (12:03) got scared. Not today. I can't do this. Sorry, Amy. It's raining. Okay, are we good Speaker 3 (12:10) with Ashley's? Okay, wait. Oh, I can move this. Okay, Speaker 2 (12:15) let's move that. We can scoot. We can scoot. Can I take a sip of this yet? Speaker 3 (12:19) No, it's lighter fluid in there. Oh, fuck. It's for the cameras. Just Speaker 2 (12:24) do Speaker 3 (12:24) water. It's for the cameras? I'm so sorry. There's no way. Speaker 2 (12:27) We can't drink anything. Okay, Speaker 3 (12:29) I trust you. Yes, of course you can. Okay, very good. So move. Speaker 1 (12:34) Did you see Ashley's episode? Speaker 3 (12:36) They're just kind of moving. Speaker 2 (12:40) Weirdly, the laptop is the only thing you can Speaker 3 (12:42) see. It just gets closer to camera. It's fun because look at this. Can you imagine if I was just on it to the whole time? Then you're on Speaker 2 (12:52) Facebook. You're on Twitter being like, ever been so bored in your life? I'm on Facebook marketplace. You're on Facebook marketplace. Speaker 3 (13:05) Ashley Padilla is here. Yeah. I'm so happy you're here. I Speaker 2 (13:08) can't believe it. I'm Speaker 3 (13:09) thrilled you're here. And congratulations on being one of the captains of the show. Speaker 2 (13:14) Wow. Coming from the captain. Ma Speaker 3 (13:18) 'am. Ma'am, please don't talk to me. Speaker 2 (13:22) Oh, Speaker 3 (13:23) please don't. Oh, I don't want to talk about my life. Please don't. Speaker 2 (13:25) I'm interviewing you. Speaker 1 (13:29) But the Speaker 3 (13:30) cast is so good right now. Wow. The Speaker 1 (13:34) show Speaker 3 (13:34) is so gelled. Congratulations on having an incredible year. Speaker 2 (13:38) Thank you. Your Speaker 3 (13:39) second year, second season of the show. Speaker 2 (13:42) And Speaker 3 (13:42) I guess what I wanted to start with is that I don't, you know, I don't know a lot about you. Very mysterious, Ashley. And you like to keep it that way. Yeah. So great talking to you. Speaker 2 (13:54) Bye-bye. Anyways, it's still raining outside. Speaker 1 (14:00) It's getting harder. Speaker 3 (14:02) Let's talk about the rain. Yeah. But you're a private person. Uh-huh. Or I would say you don't have a lot of. It's not that I'm private. Okay, tell me. Speaker 2 (14:10) It's that I'm so scary boring. And I thought, I'm going to reveal this. Last night Speaker 1 (14:17) in bed, going to bed, Speaker 2 (14:19) thinking about today. And I had an image of us sitting there, no talking, and you going, so. Speaker 2 (14:27) I was like, no, Ashley, that won't happen. She'll have questions for sure. She'll think of something. Speaker 3 (14:34) She'll think of something. She'll talk about the weather or something. Speaker 2 (14:36) She'll say that it's raining outside. I had a nightmare that you were like, okay. Because there's nothing to share. Speaker 3 (14:45) That's not, everyone has something Speaker 2 (14:46) to share. Everyone does. Cut to Sue. Speaker 3 (14:51) But one of my kind of themes of today is that you entered the show kind of as a grown-ass woman. Oh, yeah. With Speaker 1 (14:59) your Speaker 3 (14:59) skills and your readiness for the show and us getting to know you on the show seem to have matched, in my opinion. And that's very, very cool and satisfying to watch. Speaker 1 (15:10) And Speaker 3 (15:11) also, you have something that I really, really love. When you talk about your job and your show is a real... gratitude for how cool it is to get paid to do comedy on TV. It's crazy. Speaker 2 (15:28) It's crazy. I'm scared if I say it out loud too much, people will be like, hey, Speaker 1 (15:31) she's right. Get her out of here. Speaker 2 (15:35) pay or nothing what the hell I do worry about that Speaker 3 (15:39) because because to be a successful actor on a tv show that is so beloved that people are responding to your work it's and even just you know I was looking up the number again because I always get blown away by the fact that there's only been like 180 170 something cast members yeah it's Speaker 2 (15:59) a club it's an airplane it's an airplane Speaker 3 (16:03) So to be on that show, I guess, what are the still kind of pinch me moments two years in? That feel like this. Speaker 2 (16:15) You speaking to me. It really is so crazy. It's like there's pinchy moments every day because it's so silly because what you said, I mean, I've been practicing this craft for so long. Speaker 3 (16:31) Yes. Speaker 2 (16:31) Even in childhood, doing it without you realizing you're doing it, right? Just being an idiot and funny and saying you're. annoying. And it's just like, it was so natural to me. And so to do it for a living is crazy. I know. It's Speaker 3 (16:49) a Speaker 2 (16:49) pinch me moment all the time. What Speaker 3 (16:50) kind of little kid were Speaker 2 (16:52) you? I was loud and really funny, I think. And I think, you know, my, my uncle, I think could, my uncle Chris, he, he's the one who really got me into sketch comedy. He did, he would. I did a thing called the Sign Spinner. I came up with this girl named Esther the Sign Spinner. Oh, Speaker 3 (17:12) like the person that's outside of you? Yeah, Sign Speaker 2 (17:14) Spinner. And she was a character named Esther who would, she signed spinned for fun because she loved it. So she'd make signs for different restaurants around town and do it for free. And they're like, get out of our, we don't, I know. And it was this thing we came up with and he like recorded it with me and- Cute. How old were you then? Edited it with me, 13. So he was the one who was like, you have something and I like comedy and let's make this. And he was like, he was the man. He played the manager of this place. I was like, get out of here. And I'm like, I like doing this. And I was there. And I remember being so proud of myself that I could keep a straight face. Like you'd be like cut. And I'd be like, I didn't even laugh. I didn't even laugh. It was Speaker 3 (17:58) hilarious the whole time. Speaker 2 (17:59) It was funny the whole time. I was keeping that in. I wanted to laugh. Speaker 3 (18:04) Were you watching Sketch at the time? Like, did he? I don't Speaker 2 (18:07) know that I was watching Sketch. A lot of people have cool Speaker 3 (18:08) uncles who, like, introduce them to music and comedy. Speaker 2 (18:11) Oh, yeah. What were you watching at 13, or what were you into? I was watching The Office, and I was really obsessed with it. I was really obsessed with Dwight Schrute. Yes. And I wanted to, that's kind of why I wore the glasses as Esther, and like. I was obsessed with him in a