"Vocalista" (w/ Amanda Shechtman feat. Henry Koperski)

Is it the weather? It's the weather. And you know, I'm a little tired and I'm in this you know, lope not low place, just like, um, I just took a soul cycle classes. So I'm just like a little you know, endorphined out. I'm crashing a little. That's okay. Not everyone is always on, but I'm saying I'm on. I'm definitely fuck you, I'm on. I'm not saying you're

not on. I'm saying now, I understand you've released a lot of physical energies actually, and I'm I'm in a very good place right now and I'm just you know, for me and my my body doesn't manifest that in like a let's go. Let's go. So I'm not being a glacier. Please refrain from calling me a fucking a thing that's melting, honestly, and that's sad. And how dare

you relictit that image? How dare you? Do you think that the listeners of last culture ass will feel sad when they when they hear the word glacier and then they think about across the world what's happening? Absolutely? Yeah, that's it's you know, it's something that we have to fix in our lifetime. What would you do about global warming? I would, um, you know, just tax carbon baby, Now would you do? What would you do me? Yeah? Um? I would write Leonardo DiCaprio a letter, Yeah yeah, because

he's the one I will. I write him a person a letter because I feel that he has the influence in the power hunting to do something about this. And also at the bottom of the letter, I would include a PostScript and that would say, PA, punk script, I feel that you could really reduce your carbon footprint as well, because I have to say, this is not the moment for I don't think so, honey. That does come at the end of the episode classically, but I don't think

so honey let on DiCaprio and him being all inconvenient truth. Meanwhile, you see him on his fucking yachts on yachts on yachts with all these models. So and you have to imagine that man takes a private jet. Yeah, he doesn't fly commercial airline. He's not God. There's this insane woman on the internet who has all of her trash from the past five years in a jar because she just does not want any waste. And even God bless her, she's doing She's doing God's work, but she has all

her ship and one jot. So it's so annoying. That sounds annoying. Beyond annoying, it sounds not realistically feasible, not realistically feasible. But you know what is realistically feasible this. Let's talk about the set up real fast, because this is a new little rig, a new little you know, a new little set up. I think that's why you're so dropped in. But I'm so comfortable, right, That's what it was. I sensed the different energy and I was like, oh,

now I don't understand. He's not being the glacier. He's merely being dropped in. Tell Us tell us all where we are sitting. We are back in hot engineer Ronnie's apartment and he has laid out the couch and we, Matt and I are just luxuriating on the couch. You could call us splayed out. We're splayed out and Honey across from us. Yes, we have to. We have two guests, fabulous guests. Now let's introduce one. Yes, welllet's first introduced

prior guests of the show. You can catch them every Wednesday night at Club Coming doing the amazing Cabernet Cabaret with the luminous Catherine. And this is Henry Koperski. Hello, Henry. I'm so happy to be back here you guys. This is historic. This makes you our second return asked, maybe third, if you count Pat, which we don't. We don't. Welcome back Henry. Thank you. Now before we move on, Henry actually told me he wanted to He wanted to really make a point of being here. He says he has

he has something to say. Oh my god, Okay, wait, this is when what you said. You've been getting a lot of questions. Oh yeah, So I'm often talked about on this podcast. Sometimes my name is used. Sometimes it isn't. And people make a lot of assumptions about things, and so I think we just just say right now that Matt and I dated for like two years and a

couple of months and we broke up in May. I'm just hearing about this now, and we still lived together, and it has brought us together even more in a friend way, and we've done a lot of forgiving and wonderful things and growing together. And I just want you all to know what's going on so you don't have to make assumptions. So basically Henry saying he is now accepting new new strange tale. He that's what you did. I don't think in that way. That's not what he's saying.

He just wants to clarify. And you know, a good I I wish there was you know. I wish Shonda Rhymes was in there was in the room with you all, um for the many for the many months, not the many months, but for the months since the breakup, just so she could study, really study what post breakup life is because she gets it wrong. She gets it really wrong, and honestly, not everything is such drama, Shanda. It's actually

rule number twelve of culture, not not everything is such drama, Shanda. Now, we're so happy to have Henry Beck in thank you for Thank you, Hanna. But the main event today, Yes, now, this is such an exciting episode for Bonn and another person oft mentioned on the pod. Absolutely. Now the credits they come around into she is an alumna of our amazing amazing if I do say so, my saf you could say musical sketch comedy group, popular le She's a dear,

dear friend. We've known her, you know, we we've known her when she's known us, when we leverage so much what else? So, um, this is like the big event that's going to be happening this. I think I've been hearing the trades. Do you read the trade? Read the trade? So the trades are saying that December four, It's Monday, December four, that's seven pm at the Duplex. This is the event of the season, the winter event of the season.

You know how in two thousand and six when dream Girls came out, that was the event of the season. This is the events of this season. So this is called Amanda Shakman hates to sing. It's going to be a cabaret performance. It's gonna be everyone's gonna be very, very lucky to be there. I am so excited. I'm I'm going to be there with bells on. Oh I'll be there without bells on because I don't want to distract from what's happening. For I'm so sorry I was

making noise famously. That's actually rule number twenty of culture noise famously. Now I can't wait for this show. It's going to be so fantastic. This person has the singing voice of the banter, the charm to fill a whole stadium, and she's going to fill out the Duplex and it's going to be really special because the Dude Plex famously much smaller than a stadium, and so she'll definitely be able to fill it out absolutely, because if we could fill open a stadium, it's just a matter of scale.

It's just a matter of scale. And ticking up a tiny five ft two of scale in this room right now is a shack man. Did I get that right? Five ft two? You gave me two inches? So then her documentary, your documentary is just gonna be five ye what would your main struggle be in your Netflix documentary? Because hers is famously you know fibromyalgia. Yeah, living living, living, it would just be like like the histrionic way that

I just can't can't. Yeah, you just can't, can't. Well, before we got on the air, you guys were talking about how you get sick often newly, newly as you would say it, within the last year and a half. Yes, what's been the lifestyle change? Can you track it back to a lifestyle Yeah, definitely. I started working with kids a lot. They's yeah, you know, they're not good kids. I don't. I don't want them personally. I'm still it's

a jury is still out for me. I the kids that you're that's that's that's awful, that that they're germ infested little pockets of flesh and like they can't help it, you know, And so I don't. I don't fault them for it. But do I get mad at them because I'm like, take your hand out of your but and then don't also put it in your Yeah. Now, I mean I don't think if the onus is on you to make a lifestyle change, to be like a wipes person, like I don't want you, don't hate that. I don't.

I've never been that person. I don't I don't want to. I don't. I'm not like a like Germans. That's yucky. I've never I've never been that. So then what what's the who's going to budge here? I'll tell you what. I'll tell you who. It's got to be the parents. Yes, I think so, and I love blaming them. So yeah, I was saying this the helicopter parents. It's like, why are you helicopter about everything except your kid's hands are all in their But it's the new Age, it's the

new it's the new age way of parenting. Yeah, just like good bacteria, let them play in the trash and no, absolutely, those people are seminar away from being anti boxers. And I've said that same thing about people who believe it's a tone shift away you. Oh my god, can you imagine if you came to lunch as a youngster and you went into your as your ass, No, if you want to see your lunch box and pulled out your you know, thermosis soup something, you know whatever. I used

to do amos No, but I can imagine you. Yeah. Well, because I was telling Henry the other day, when I was little, I was afraid of I was kind of like I had like a food fear, like I didn't want my lunch to sit in the box all day and then open it later. I totally when the lattice would turn to like a darker I was like nine moms. But I will say it's like especially cold food. When food is cold and sitting around, I'm like, no, that's bad.

So there was something about the hot soup and a thermos thermiss by the way, it's rule culture number nineteen. Thermosis are unbelievable. Are unbelievable the way they can keep something hot. Of course it's science. Yes, So listen, what

was I saying? Oh, can you imagine you reached into your lunch and next to you, some kid who's probably named something cool like Brooklyn, like reaches out and pulls out a kombucha, And I mean, you're if you were you, I know, we just established that you don't want children, but you would feed your child much well. I know. Actually we used to have this disagreement when we were dating. I said, our kids will drink soda, and I say, our kids will not drink soda. Soda is poison, yes,

juice is poison. Famously, how Henry Henry famously says juice is poison as well. Okay, Amanda, and feel free to feel free to be as cryptic as you want because obviously this is like professional. But um, now, these kids, what's your approach? I have a very famous kid in one of my classes. Go on, Okay, I feel like I can't. We can't. We can't talk about specific children. But let's can we at least broadly and not negatively at all? I mean, we don't want to let's get

into getting into the kids and a famous one. Yeah no, no, no, no, just the kids in general, just all kids across, all across all you know contexts. How how how is your approach to kids in general? Like? Are you stern? Are you warm? Like? What's like? What would you say as your approach? I think that the key with kids, and a lot of parents don't get this is like is treating them like their people. Yes, it sounds so dumb and simple, but like, there there's this thing that I've

watched happen where and especially around the youth parts. Is like there's there's this, um, there's this tendency to tell children that they are or make them feel that they are extremely special and I've I've seen a lot of spoiled kids. There's like a Brooklyn spoiled and I Manhattan spoiled.

And there are two different branches. So the Manhattan spoiled is you're sort of like, you know, stereotypical TV, you know, archetype of like the you know, bully or like the mean I you know, I babysat a child actor for

a while. That was a trip who and he was in manhattanite um and he once turned to me and asked me, um, am I more like Leonardo DiCaprio or Charlie Chaplin Jesus Christ of course, the two types, you know, which is just so alarming because it means at some point somebody was like, you know, you know what I'm and these and he's trying to get to the bottom of like what like whaty So he was he was like seven, which is just the worst age amongst a seven year old boy passed past um. It's like it's

like a little like um preview of their adulthood. He's like, here's what's coming um or he would say to me, you know, like what jobs have you booked? Oh? My god, Like the horror of facing my it was like this little like embodiment of my here's of rejection. So also like just hearing that from anybody is atrocious. Sure, it's like I had to teach him what the word humble and that like physically be like humble me. I was like,

is this real? So so there's the Manhattan spoiled, which is like the money that we go to upper one and then in the uniform whatever the Manhattan's or the sorry, the Brooklyn spoiled is more righteous, yes, and it's it's this kind of like give them freedom, give them spaces like they do. And so what they do is they take their freedom and they just think like you know,

they they you know, they feel victimized. They often which you know, it's sure, am I am I going to tell a child that's telling me that everybody hates them and nobody likes me that that's not really happening. I would never denounce that or belittle that. But but it's not necessarily really happening. It's their perception of like it's this kind of is the allergies, it's all a part of it. It's like this is my issue, you know, and it's like they're just self pathologized. Yes, exactly exactly.

I mean, is this is this something that like, is this is a thing that a lot of kids are coming to you with, is people don't like me, people everybody hates me, because that never leaves you. No, no, no, no, there's just no. There was one instance of of that.

But again it was like, I know the child, and I think it was stemming from a place of that not necessarily really happening, but but being clear or being obvious that that was their perception of because I've seen the way they interact with their parents, who was just so like, oh my, oh my sweet baby. And it's it's just there's a babying that I wonder, like I would be that parent, Like I would try to resist that,

resist that so so much? Would you would would be like, I know and and and it's so insane to like make any criticism about any parents at like this stage and this point in my life, because I have no fucking clue in these political times and in the time everyone's just so scared of hugging their kids, you know. Oh. I had to teach the day after and we were

doing an Annie themed class. It was like a mini musical class and we were doing Annie and there it was a class of the girls and like we sang like the song will come out tomorrow, and it was just like me and my co Teachirt, we were just like it was just that and they and they all had opinions about you know that they have they have these liberal parents, so they just I think it's so fascinating they have this like menacing image of our president. Yeah, yeah,

I went. I tored schools sometimes and I was doing that something for story parts and I was like strolling around the halls waiting for uh, my my thing to start. And I was early and they had artwork up on the wall and it was actually a school in um North Carolina, and on the wall it was just prior to the election, and it was like their hopes and dreams for the upcoming school year, and it was like,

I hope that Donald Trump is not elected president. And that was up like a couple of times like references to Trump and like true like kids like in story parts, like you go out into the audience and you get suggestions from the kids, and they would they were obsessed with Trump and that's like it was this thing they

were thinking about and right. And I do wonder what that felt like to be this seven eight nine year old kid who's you know, fixated on this thing, which is Donald Trump, who's not a person to them, He's just this thing in the news, like the way Lewinsky was for us, you know what I mean, Like it's just something that exists out there in the world and you don't understand it. But to then be told so for so many months, like if Donald Trumps president, that's bad,

that's bad. Here all this doomsday imagery and be a seven eight nine year old kid and then get told when you wake up in the morning that Donald Trump was elected. That's freakish to think about. Yeah, it's like there's a cloud of fear. I don't know, it's I don't like to think about. Yeah, well, because they're so young. No, well, I will say we're talking about you know, the children's children.

They will listen. Wow, maybe that's like a perfect segue. Actually, I mean, so, Amanda, we're going to ask you the question that we ask everyone that comes on our show. Now, this question is the central question of Lost Culture restas and we ask you know, our listeners this at home too, Like maybe I don't know. In your five star review of last Culture Rests on iTunes, you can drop what your culture that affected you and made you want to take a step in a cultural direction? Was, um, just

think about it. Um, But Amanda, we're going to ask you that question right now. What was the culture that made you say culture is for me? Defining culture? Can it be like a three part It's like the because I've been thinking about this because I knew you were coming.

It was on your Google cow Um Okay, It's like the intersection of um Long Island, Jewish American princess culture and in relation to also like the way those people respond to theater and being close to the city and all of that, right, yes, Like with a droplet of the fact that my mom's a hairdresser. Okay, so that's that's that's the same land okay, um diva, yes, and

and all that that falls under that umbrella. So like, um, just all of the ship that comes with that, the PA and also and the ego as well as the vocalization. Like it's all in there, right and then like bone will like this one, I think, um, like mid two thousand's Indie Girl. Yeah, and like the muppets. Um that's I think that is a breakdown as such, an accurate

breakdown of Amanda. I mean, I would we would go to I think it's not self aware, and we would go to a man's house and they went at the home videos, and let me tell you that was a trip.

Oh my goodness. Yes, I've been talking about this lately because it's sort of like been on the back of my mind as I'm yes, and the home videos for me are such a mind because it's always like like it's it's so fun to have the experience of like you know, if like I bring my boyfriend to my my house and like I'm like, oh, let's like pop in these home videos, like this is gonna be so funny way to see like the dynamic, the relationships. It's all.

It's so revealing. It's funny. And I literally always leave like like I just came from like physically, I'm just like that was not what I thought it would feel like, well, just watching a little version of yourself that is inside you still to this day that it's like oh no, like owning the room, like yeah, there's they exist, I know, and it's it's just a weird weird mirror that's being

held up to you. But also like just the fact that those home videos exist, and I've seen a couple from you know, specifically the ones that I've seen a view uh in in in your school musicals is the intersection of Long Island Jewish American princess and how they respond to theater meets hairstyling hair style. Yeah, yeah, and um so there's a video of where is that is that? From Ragtime? It was Ragtime? Okay, back to before from Ragtime? Um, and fucking Amanda is like you have this up, dude,

which is insane and literally what are you sixteen? In that video? But but it's a fifty year old woman and I was like that, yeah, just old? Did you play a lot of the older place? He was playing mom matron Lee sort of but not matron like like it was. You know, it's it's the difference between like like uh golden Yanda, like I was the gold I was the like mother, but like but in in an iconic way. I mean, I think the mother in an iconic way culture but that's the title of that, you know.

I also was sort of there were I did have my enew moments but like not real, like it was like brassy on Princess their like she's not no, no, no, no, she's character. She's character. She's a character. Yes, So so yeah, I did sort of fill that space weirdly when I was a very very young and I was always like that. I was just very old. Oh my god, can I

say one thing about it. There's a good home video of Henry please, which is, um, Henry is smiling and popping his head out of picnic area it eating a hot dog, and his his dad is taking the video and he goes, Henry, did you pray yet? And Henry's just like looks at the camera, and Henry's dad goes, I don't think you did, And then it ends because you had in praye had you? I don't think I had. I didn't. I wasn't a believer when I was a kid. Yeah. I don't think I ever truly believed, Yeah, or in

the way that my parents did. Of course, of course religious. Were they taking you to to to temple Temple church? When I had sort of what I think is probably a similar experience to a lot of people in that area, which is like you're super Jewish for the sake of faith, showing faith, and then and then you have your bot mitzvah and they're like, we never want to talk about this effort literally the same socially socially religious and but

then completely secutar. It was like, so the biggest deal that we go to church every week and then I got my confirmation and then literally we never went again. And I think that I I have some opinions about this, but I think that religion is you know whatever. I won't get too much into that, but when you're growing up, I do think, um, and I think that's especially of Judaism, that it's a nice sort of like basic framework for

like being a good person. And like, you know, especially in Jewish culture, there's a lot about like you know, there's a lot of guilt and bullshit, but there's also like a good amount of triumph and sort of like, um, it instills a sense of, I don't know, celebration a little bit more than I think some of the guilt that's associated with religions. Yeah, that's what That's what appealed to my sister when you converted. It's it's not really

a religion about shame or punishment or anything. It's not anything punitive. It's it's always about remembering, remembering and being a good person, leaving the world in a better place than you came. And I was like, oh, yeah, like that does make sense. Um, I've talked about this a lot, but yeah, folk the folklore in Judaism and I I think there's a lot of like music and there. Yes, I love some of the traditions and Judaism and really into some of that and also botzvah themes. Oh sure,

what was yours? Was? In my life? Wof theme? My theme was, Now this is very complex. Um that it was Broadway. I don't understand. I'll explain it to another time. I'm just gonna say, like, that's like the perfect like that, like it's not specific, but it is. It's right. I mean it's like it's like, no, the theme is going to be Broadway, and you're like, Okay, at the time, everyone was like you she picked the Broadway. But now

it's like that's amazing, Okay, so so funny. There's nothing fun are so zero And I'm like, how this was like the theme was applied? Um, okay, I love talking about this. So first I'll tell you just just a sort of esthetic element is that each of my tables and like insane to think that just to have tables at thirteen years like just around it is so wild. Were was it a candle celebration as well? Now to light my eleventh yeah, I did all the thing. I

had the cancel lighting the montage. I sang reflection from Mulan God, bless you, thank you so much. I made my friends sit down and watch me singing reflection, which is like like sort of a dark song, you know, it's it's yeah, it's not no, it's like who it's an identity Christ not Broadway, but thank you for bringing

Asian culture into your you know. That's like when when um, I think it was Bill Clinton got inaugurated, Aretha Franklin came up and sang I dreamed a dream from lay Miss, which is like just a devastating like essentially like the last rattle cry of like Fantine and like people don't understand contact No, but anyway, the aesthetic element was that

I had on my tables my center pieces. Um, I went to some like place in Long Island that did like moments to stuff and I like, you know, and so they were all playbills through the year, but it was my I was and I had seen this at another girl's bought mitzvah that you know, right, and of course like in in classic, just like my family, my life fashion, it was like it was like watered down, for it was just not quite there when you look at a pinter sport and then you want to do

the thing and then and then just never turns out that way exactly. And like my dress was the same way. It was like custom made, but it fell apart like halfway there. You know. I try, I'm always trying. The center pieces were playbills, and but instead it was just pictures of me doing the thing that's in that play about so instead of what I wanted was like my face superimposed onto like the actual thing, which it would have been crazy like the graphics required for that. I mean,

I don't know. But but then what ended up happening, what ended up happening was like hair spray, you know, and I can't this is all, but it's the face. So it's just me like no effect, this mouth, open, hands on my cheeks, close up like dead eyes. You know, she's giving us a perfect Merissa Jarrett Winoker face right now, cut out the white background with the blue hair and then but no, no, not even effects. But then would you have the logo of the show over? Yeah, so

I had like hairspray at the top. The best the tord force though, was rent because famously there's there's nine and is like nothing. So it's just like the awkward thirteen year old body like a pink te Soe T shirt. You know. Yeah, I wasn't even thirteen year and and and just doing all the rent poses but like with like minimal effort, you know, And did you at least do a Dina's screaming face like I've seen it? Yes, I commit, No, I commit. It was entirely copied. They

were all very accurate. But listen, that's literally pastiche and it's gorgeous, Like I'm saying that in a good way. It's a tribute. It's gorgeous. I had never seen it, and I didn't know the music. But well, I mean, speaking of Broadway now, I think it would be a wonderful time. I think it would be a nice time to hear a song. So tell us, so this first song that you're going to do for us, and this is going to be included in the in the show

un December four. The story of at Least you know my journey with this song is I have my best

friend Ryan Um. He contacted me or you know, we were just talking and he was like, I've had I've had a like a talent crush on this perform um Katie Thompson for a very long time because I saw her in the musical and Michael john accusin musical Giant at the Public like five years ago, and she just had she was like Adele with like more power and but but but acting and like I just I just I have such a crush on her and I am.

I I felt like she had this raw quality to her voice and I sometimes feel like I struggle to fit into a category um in terms of type and vocally, and I I sort of watched her do this thing where she she she's actually a composer. She's like written a lot of music and she just has this amazing quality. So he was like, I found this video of Katie Thompson. She's singing this song. It feels so like something that comes from that would come from your heart and mouth.

And I looked it up and I just like I'm not often I've heard I've sung for so long, so it's not often that I'm just like, oh, I would love to have this music in my mouth. Um. So I did it at one of Henry's shows once and yes, and I just felt like there was an understanding of this feeling. And that's really what I look for in songs, is like, am I just singing? Or am I getting at something that people are understanding on on an emotional normal.

It's by Jonathan reed Galt, who's a really talented composer and that sort of camp of contemporary musical theater composers. Um, and I'm not a very good fan because I don't know the context. If it's from a musical of any kind. I think it's sort of just a one off. I think I think you're right. I think I think it's right.

So my sheet music says from the album thirteen Stories Tell Yeah, And I think that there's some really amazing singers on that album just doing his songs and he he has a really some really good stuff on there. So a little plug for him. Yeah, it's called no reason at all. Now let's hear it. M h m hm. I lay here in the dark, yearning for something, a tiny glance, a kind word, to give my life meaning.

But you would never know because I never shown how much you've helped me to see the woman I'm longing to be. Sometimes I just need to cry for no reason at all. Sometimes I'm too tired to try for no reason at all. Sometimes I just have to learn to let go for no reason at all. I stand in the door life passes by and feel like I'm stuck in between the life that I want and what I can reach. It's like I'm not heard and not seeing.

There must be a way at the end of the day that I can help make you see the woman I long to suffering. Sometimes I just need to pray for no reason at all. Sometimes, on your time, you try for no Sometimes I just talk to you. Go for no reason. I can see the things that I need to change in me, and that's a start or play side rather be. But when the time comes, will I have the strange to pull myself up and see? Yeah, Sometimes I just it's a cry for no reason at all.

Sometimes I t to try for not at all. Sometimes I just have to learn to like go for no reason, for no reason at all. Oh my god, I'm hand Amanda shucked. Man, you thank you for doing that. Oh my gosh, that was unbelievable. It's it's um hard to feel. I'm not just yelling no no, no, no, no no no. That was really like, I'm so excited for everyone that just heard that, and I'm but you don't know what it was like to be in the room. So what I would suggest is that you buy tickets to the

show because you have an opportunity to be in the room. So, um, it's again, I'll just keep saying it. Then we're gonna hear two more songs, which just fucking nuts. But um, it's on December four at seven pm at the Duplex. It's called A Man of Shaman Hates the sing So um, get your tickets at Purple Paths. Yeah. Um, And really

you should be in the room. City. It's so easy to stay in, especially when it's called but like, you're in the greatest city in the world and you can hear one of the greatest singers in the world, and to see her, to feel her presence is what takes it to the next level. It's really fabulous. Henry. You were also amazing on that is and Henry also is also accompanying at the show, so you'll see Henry as well. Um. Okay, so I do want to get into this now. It's

called a man of Shackman hates this thing. Now. Um. When I met you at n y U, UM, we did a show together. It's called the Reality Show at m y U and um we collaborated and UM, you had just experienced something in your life which I think sort of changed your life. UM. And that was, um, I guess being on famous reality television singing show. Um. So I was wondering if you could talk a little

bit about what went down with American Idol. Yes, yeah, um wolf Okay, So, and I know that it is a wolf, but I'm so you know, it's it's been this thing that's sort of unnecessarily I've like, you know, grown it into this monster in my brain and I'm really excited to just like take the power away from it and just let it be like the stupid thing that I think. I think And this sounds so whatever. I think you have really come so far from that think that mental space too, you know. So so yeah,

I go ahead and describe it. Um, and like you know, take the sort of things that we've talked about about myself into account when I'm telling this, because it's all part of it, you know, and so um because thinking for me was very pure, Like it was so pure for me. Um. And that's okay. And just before we even get into the details, that's the most that's the shittiest part of all this is that someone who like has a gift, a gift of all gifts, like for

that to be sullied. But yeah, in any way, yeah, well, and and the thing is that that goes that dates back. That approach to what I can do dates back to before the Idol experience, because I think there was a culture of in you know, in our society and just the way that we treat talent that there is a tendency to um, I want to manufacture it or or or take it, and yes to put it frankly, yes,

to make money from it. And I think that you know, my my friends and family did this to me throughout my life as well, and out of a not a bad intention at all, But this is just I think we've been conditioned to treat talent this way. And I do it all the time. I do it with you guys.

You know, like I'll just we'll just dish about some singer on the internet, and it's it's no big thing, and it's it's like when the journey from singing being like a pure facet of music into something that we judge and and you know, manipulate and all of that has been present in my life for for a long time. But um so after my um my freshman year of college, um, which of course is so easy for everyone and everyone knows exactly just just a breeze, just a total breeze. Uh,

I was a mess. Oh my gosh, I was a mess. I was is I just you know, I was sort of having in this really crazy place with my identity and I had gone on such a wild journey up until that point of knowing that I had talent, not really knowing if I want to do that, being boxed in blah blah blah. And by the time that I got applying to schools, you know, I at one point was like looking at like liberal arts colleges in like upstate New York where I could like major double major

in English and art. Like you know, I was like so ready to just be like leave me a new Yum and then I don't know it just the the sort of uh feeling that what's what's possible, the potential that I've been sort of um pumped up with my whole life. It's harder when you know you can do it right, and when people have affirmed that for the longest time, the affirmation absolutely of just like your special, you're amazing, you're a talent, you have a gift, and and I believe me. I mean I I rejected that

for a while. I like I got into like drawing, and like, you know, it was like, you know, the quiet things, but the quiet things. Uh. But eventually it was just like, well, funk, I'm going to go to TISH, Like who am I kidding? So but when I applied to TISH, I was like, but I want to go to the Atlantic School for act you know, I like I really wanted to like be taken seriously. So my

my major was acting. It was not musical theater. I did not major INNY school theater UM or go to that studio rather, and I went to UM, a wonderful studio within the drama department. That was an amazing place, but you know, left it was an interdisciplinary studio. So you're directing, you're designing, you're you're being taught how to

be a whole theater artist, right, which you know. My ego I think was it was so hard to imagine art for art's sake at that point, Like it was just like no, like it was hard for me to let go of this idea that like I could really be somebody yea, And I wanted to believe that I was somebody that could just be a theater artist and

like be a downtown theater and through the whole thing. Um. But I just had this moment after my freshman year where I was like, what if I just cuss in on this idea, you know, an audition for American Idol and win, because of course I will, yeah, but of course mentally you go to that place where like, I'll do it because I think I have a shot at winning. The whole part, well, you would fit and I'll get into the people that you know, think I don't think

like that, and what happens to those support people? Um? But yes, So I had had this thing happened my whole life of like you have with the addition of our market, So I I saw that. I don't even know how I knew, like how it came up right, like who knows God in Manhattan and it was like a post on the American Eagles sign in the South but by the way American. I was skinning peasy to see an get that down there. Oh my gosh, I

hate so much, but so okay. So I I find out that the nearest audition location was Boston, and yeah, I like I traveled, uh, and I and I went to the stadium, the sports stadium whichever where you go where you go sing. I think it was Gillette Stadium. But also I could making that up. Oh my gosh, but I'm sure you know that, you my um. So I go there and it's like tons of people and you wait around and it's a whole thing. And and

I was going to sing the whole thing. In music at that that year, I think it was two thousand nine, was like that our space singer British Girls who Josh Daniel on our last live show Artisanal Singings singer. Yes, yes, but yeah that was and it still is. That's a grace vander Walt anyway, right, like it's it's this thing of like um, like I'm not really a good singer, but isn't it cool I'm doing until I mean that, you know, obviously some of those women are amazing singers,

and who even knows what that means? The whole concept of that is what I'm worried about. But anyway, the whole thing was like a dull duffy yeah right, you know, and Amy, we just didn't know the half of it. But those types of singers, So that was sort of what I was bringing to the table. I was like, oh, I could probably do something like that. So I was gonna sing Melt my Heart to stone. But um, and I was like, you would not recognize me, you know.

I was like freshman and uh, I had like blonde long hair and a plump bang and I was just like like flannel shirt, ripped stockings, boots. I went to like I live in the city. Like that was what I was. Yeah, I was bringing that all to the table and um, but that was really like what I was, you know, I wasn't that. That's what the projection whatever

I was going through, And that's so great. Um, and I get up to this there there are all these tents and they have that's how many people produce this show. Is that like there are like ten of these tents and each of them have two producers in them. And you line up cattle call style and um, I sing this little part of not My Heart to Stone and they're kind of like like squirming around, like do we like her? And they're like, yeah, okay, okay, we're gonna have you come back, but I want you to, um

dress up, like look nicer. We're like a dress or a skirt or something like that. Um. And they kind of give me this costume to come in, which is what it would have been to me because that's not how I was naturally dressing at the time, right um. And I'm like but I'm like, oh my god, Like okay, whatever you say, because like the dream, the dream is on the line. Um. And they take you into this other room where they give you a questionnaire and they

kind of want to know about you. So what's your story, what's what are some things that make you interesting? What's fun, what's new, what's different? Blah blah blah. And I have this flicker of a moment where my grandmother had passed away that year and she was a singer, not professionally but she had a beautiful voice, and I was like, do I talk about my grandma? And it would have

been a totally different result. I don't know if I'd be sitting here like, I don't know what would have happened if like that was the story I chose to tell. But I was like, no, I'm not going to exploit her. I'm not going to like use her my loss of my grandmother as some like you know storyline and this sure, well I didn't know it's a straight at the time. I just kind of looked at it like an interview. So I put down what makes me me write? I'm a drama student. Um, I like to sing musical theater,

but I also think bob, I, I do impressions. I like, can do different voices, I can talk with my mouth, clothes, like all these things that are just kind of won't make me unique because not everybody can do that. Okay, So then tons of time goes by, I would say, like most of the summer. I think, again, this is all very the timeline is very blurry because it's not the way it looks on TV. I'm sure so they don't.

So they called you back at a later days yeah, oh no, Like so the way they make it seem where it's like, here's everybody lined up side, I feel like I'm doing an expos on. I had all that good. So so yeah, so there's the way they do they portray it on the show is here's these like hundreds of thousands of people and then Simon and Paul and are waiting waiting. Oh my god. Um So it's like months later that I go back for a second audition

that's not not even yet televised. So I but this one I had like a little time to prepare for. They gave you a list of songs that you can sing. I like, go back and forth, you know, how who do I want to be? How do I want to sound? What do I want to do? And it was a weird headspace for me to be in because I wasn't really living my life as a vocalist. I was living

my life as an acting student. So taking all of the things that I learned as like an experimental theater actor and then being like, what pop song do I want to sing? It was just the weirdest attention in my brain. And so they gave me this list, here's what you can sing, and I'm like, well, I should probably stay in the same lane as this like adevil thing that's happening right now. So that song Mercy by

Duffy was everywhere at the time. I'm like, that would be a good one to do, I think, because I can show off focally and it feels like it's sort of un vogue right now. And then they say to have a backup song just in case. So I don't even know how I got there, And this speaks to like, this is so symbolic of me as a person, is that I end up going with this like Billie Holiday song that like no one knows um, And I think that was like the little like like indie girls and

me being like something fucking weird. So so I have this like pop song and this like weird jazz standard that I can like riff up a bit and make it kind of cool again, like pure pures could be just like the purest right, and I go with the whole fam Sister, my mom my dad were like, we're getting in the car, we're driving to Buston and um, they take you to this kind of you know, I don't even know where we were. It was a space

that had rooms yea conventions, I don't know. And the my first big mistake was what I chose to wear. I were um tube up which just why um? And and a skirt a highwaisted skirt that was just way too short and like my mom's like wouldn't protestly like heels. It was so bizarre. Um the look that I strung together and um again, this hair, this two thousand nine bangs moment um, just like the most uncomfortable you go through, like a second adolescence in college. It's so uncomfortable and um,

it's like out there all the world to see. But anyway, so they take you to this space with these you know there were I'm wrong. There were two producers before the televised one. There are three auditions before you get on camera, so just know that when you're watching the voice like it's all the same ship. Okay. So so they take me into this room. I sing, it's good, they like it. Whatever I get, I'm getting, I'm getting

moved in the next round. So then the next one is the key one because this is the one where they funk with you. Okay. So I go into this room and it's like these very British producers take that have you will? Um? And and so I sing my songs from and like, you know, great for television, great, great for television, bubbly great personality. Um. And you know what's great about you is that you you've done You've done a lot of Broadway. It's singing theater um. But

you have a pop sound, which is great. Keep do that in the room, you know, really, wow, do that. You have a great pop sound. It's very pop. Keeps saying that to me. It's like it's not theatery at all. It's wonderful. And I'm like, oh, that's awesome. I'm so happy to hear that. Now I'm moving on. Okay, the people, the producers will take you and be like, hey, can you do your like Celendon impression? And can you do you do this? And can you talk with your mouth clothes?

And they'll take you in a room interview you, um, and they'll have you kind of like do all these like fun things that you do with the camera on you. And I'm thinking, like this is so fun, Like they love all this stuff that I can do. Um. The moment where they told me that I didn't have a theatery sound is key, So just remember that. So then um, I go into the room. I want to mention that before I went in, they had to shut down production because there was a severely autistic girl who had a

breakdown when she was rejected. Um, so just know that that's like the fabric of this and so of course it just sort of it's the fabric of the show. And it also like put you affected you in whatever way. Yeah, I was just like, what is this? Is this a scary thing? Should I be scared of what's about to happen? Because here I am thinking everyone's loves me so far. I got pipes, so I know I can do this. I've been told my whole life, like here I go solo. Yeah, no,

it's important. Um, and it haunts me. I think about that because I just think, Wow, that was like the peek behind the curtain. So I I go in and it's them. And this was when they had the guests. They started doing the guest judge. So mine was Victoria Beckham right right, vocalist Victoria Beckham, um, and then the other three assholes um. And then okay, so I go in and I sing mercy and they're just like you're so dramatic, and I was like, no, that's the opposite

of what the producer said. But I can't say that because no one's supposed to know about one to three rounds of producers before this one. And then I just go to like, I'm like what, like I feel so mentally and you're and I've been sitting around for hours all day and this is like you're you're drained, so you know, and I haven't eaten and whatever. At the moment, I put my hand through my hair, so I was like, God, and he starts mocking me. When I walked into the room,

I forgot this. They asked me, like it says here. I thought they would be like, so you do impressions, and I would do some impressions on camera for them there. But instead I had said something in my right and my interview or my um little sheet of paper about how I I this was again I'm in a weird place after my freshman year. But I said something about how I like I like to change a lot, like I changed my hair and like I I like to like you know, um, I do different voices because like

I love change, like I don't know. It was like something I threw out there made at the focal point. So he's like says, too, you like to change a lot, and I was like, well, I just you know, right, and I try to kind of explain this really kind of macro concept, like and I know Victoria Simon in Victoria, and as soon as it's coming out of my mouth, I'm just like it's over right now, because like I just saw him being like he just cut me off and was like, okay, I don't know what you're saying.

And I was like, anyway, So I sing this song and they're like that was horrible that it's so theory. You sound like Judy Garland. There's so much vibrato, like what is this? And he's making fun of me. He's doing this, he's doing this, and I get upset because I'm game being bullied and being sort of like me told that I'm not a good singer, which was like, you know, it's some new information. Um So then I'm

like please, like I've been ye all day. I don't say that, but like that's the emotion is that I've got. It's been all summer, you know. So I'm like, let me sing another song. So they agreed to let me sing another song. So I sing this weird Billie Holliday song and they're like again, no to theater eight. And then they're like, let's put it to a vote. Yes, yes, yes, yes, m They wanted you to get upset, and you know, I wasn't happy when they said yes, yes, yes, yes.

I was just fucking confused. So then I'm like tired and crying and come out with the Golden ticket and I'm like questioning my whole life and they have me like redo my reaction, and I'm and now I'm very aware of like because I'm like, this is there not, this is not feeling good. But you know, I committed. I said I'm going to Hollywood, so I did. I did am academic semester where I took only music classes. I took you know, piano lessons. I was like voice lessons.

I was like, I'm gonna go back and I'm gonna show I'm going to do this thing right. You literally change your educational path. Yes, absolutely, between that audition in Hollywood so much, I would say the entire false semester. So yeah, December you went, yes and my and my audition with them, happened over the summer, right, So now December you go to Hollywood. Yes, and also know that in between that time that that interim, I signed an

insane contract. Okay, describe Can you describe the contract? I don't know, all right, so let's not it's been put out there. It definitely has, so we know we can say, I'll say for you, we can say the contract basically allows them to uh portray you in ways that you might not agree with or or be privy to. But they're giving you this opportunity, and so you sign a con track that says you can't do anything about the way we show you. Right, Okay, so you go to Hollywood.

So I go to Hollywood, and um, I do that first round in Hollywood, and it's my one good audition. They can never show it. What did they say there? I'm not kidding, and I know that I sound insane when I say this, But Randy Jackson said, I sound like Beyonce, and I will always remember that. So great. That's so to say to a young white woman. But but who literally if you sound wonderful but not like

Randy Jackson? You know music producer, who knows? But this is the thing about this show is that it all felt like like it was more theatrical than anything I was doing at school. It was like nobody is saying what it was so choreographed, and who are the judges? Now it's Randy, and then it was yes, it was those three. But then they also had Ellen. Okay, so like so well that one goes extremely well, they don't show it. I'm like, oh my god, I'm moving on.

Then it's the Group Round, Famous Group Round, just as as exhausting and horrifying as they make it ease, because you stay up all night because you're you literally have to be there like the next morning, and they give you the songs like the night before, so they set you up for a failure. And the other thing that they did was they were like, um, we had choices

of songs to sing. Three of them were normal like easy songs, or two of them whatever, how many there were, um, and one of them was the Sweet Escape by Gwen, And of course everyone's like mothering that one. I would like them and like in retrospect of course, which the plot of that episode was, no one can get these lyrics like, you know, because aren't words. There's no words I can do it for you perfectly, and I will.

But so, so okay. The first mess up thing is that they're like chooser groups, and it's like, okay, because this is huge. Who you end up with is like all a part of how this goes right. So I look around I don't I don't know. I don't know. I haven't talked to many people. I don't know what's going on. And I see this guy. He's like from Long Island. We met because we're from the same place, and I was like him, okay. So I go to him and he's with two other guys. So suddenly I'm like, okay,

I can work with this. It's like three big dudes in me. Like that's like a fun thing. It's kind of like show and uh no. Um. So then they have this moment where they set us all down, the producers and they're like, who's who's doing this song? And everyone's like, me, who's doing this song? Who's doing the sweet Escape cricket? And then and I think everyone's just dumber because people are so vulnerable that it's entired and they're just like whatever you say. So they're like, really,

no one's doing the Sweet Escape? The judges are gonna want to hear that one or like they say something along those lines that feels like maybe we should do it right. So we're like, oh, let's do the subverse, like, let's do the thing that no one's expecting and do the sweet Escape. That's so fun. So we did the Sweet Escape. We're like, I'm like choreographing with three grown men dance at I mean, I went without my family because I was like, I'm doing this and I had

no support. I mean, so all the confidence goes out the window. You know. Of course we get up there and we're like, no one remembers my whole group gets eliminated. While I'm in l A, I put on the TV one night, or rather, I got some texts that said a bunch of stuff like you're on Oh my god, Amanda, this is so exciting blah blah bah because sorry, go flashback. I I when they showed the Boston auditions, they didn't show me. So when I went to Hollywood, I thought

I got out scotfree. I was like, oh my god, They're not going to show my audition, Like this is amazing. I have a fresh start. But they did the Best of Show and you were on that, and I was on that, and I was blindsided, and if you were, what was happening, oh right after you got eliminated? It was I think it was before, but I might as well have been eliminated because when I saw the audition, you knew it wasn't like a Winners audition. Yeah, I that audition. So how did they was a trauma that

I'm still dealing with. How did they make you look really unwell well or just too much? Like just a mess? I mean, as someone who's you who've seen it, I will say they edited you into a dramatic theater kids, like I understand it was. It was just clips of Amanda, like doing the impressions and talking with the mouth closed and like saying that she acts and then these things that Amanda would not necessarily offer up front to someone

she's just getting to know. But the the edit was by the way I can do impressions, I can s it was like, what is going on? And then also the really telling thing is they show your audition and they don't show you singing mercy. So this is the other thing is that they in the editing, they show me starting with good morning heartache which did not happen. Did not happen. It started with mercy, so they didn't

show mercy. They just I was had already been told you're not getting through and I was emoting when they start my audition, which was brilliant editing, but you know, it just it was I had its teacher or she was sort of a head of a department in college who when I went back to school and was just a shell of a human. Um, I had to take a whole semester off, which because I did that, I took the leave of absence because I thought, well, what

if I make it? Then I was just living at home while all my friends were like at school and doing all the things. And I went through a lot with that, you know, taught myself to play an instrument like you, because I needed to get a sense of grounding. After being portrayed, I was like, oh, I'm a nightmare, and um, all the things I feared about myself are true, which, of course you know now I know that's not true mirrors. But I was nineteen years old the season nine, and

that's that sounds like a leader. She It was the season that lead Dewise forgotten and who really cares. But at the time, it's like you look at the ratings and it's like, oh, million people watching it, So then you're like, it's public shaming. But I had this advisor or this person tell me, Um, I think one of the biggest m challenges for you getting through this is accepting that that person is a part of you. And

it was so hard to hear. But in a way, it's like I think she sort of had this foresight of me in the future reclaiming this and being like able to laugh at it and think that it's ridiculous because I remember when we first met. I always like, when you shared this with me, Um, I was like, you know, well you just gotta laugh at it. And a lot of people have that reaction, but that is

like it's simplistic. It's not easy to get there. No, no, no, no, because you know there's also these things in your mind which are like I take myself seriously and I look like a joke. The biggest show in the world made like a joke, which is why comedy was such a saving grace for me, because it was like, oh no,

I'm in on it. You know. It was like I could drive the car instead of being this person who was vulnerable and pure and out there in earnest and people were like ha ha ha, you know, and and so it feels like protective and good to be like I see and I make fun of myself and it's it's all a part of man. I can quit with the best of them. Yes, And I want to I want to ask, because we talk about the voice, let's

talk about the voice. Do you do you when you watch the shows now you like American Eiles coming back? I mean they definitely changed their identity because you know, from William hung to now. So this was but that was the other thing I was going to say is that the reason that those people will William Unk should have never happened. And the really really and the reason that those things happen and those people get on the show and like what you say to yourself, like okay,

but like they're asking for it. Why they clearly have the talented No, because you take a person that is down on their luck looking for a ticket anything anything right, or you take a person that is not well or or you know, any what happened is not even in William when William Hunk's case not even assimilated to the culture. Somebody who's on the outskirts of of of mainstream culture or whatever. That you take that person in the producer room and you say you're terrific, you have an amazing

voice with and you mean it. It's cruel, and then you flip it on them, and then there it's being televised. It's very it's very cruel. It is a cult. It perpetuates a culture of bullying. And I'm glad that the show was canceled. I cannot believe it's coming back. I know, I don't think anybody can. I feel like, I mean, I hope that they've cleaned up their image and that it's going to be a different thing, because I think

just as a culture, we've moved into this place. I cannot Obviously there's people that don't feel this way, but in pop culture at least, I feel like there's a shift towards self care and being kind and that they're positive right Voice. I mean, you know, The Voice is still a real pity show, but they don't humiliate people. They don't humiliate people, and even the people who don't

move forward, they leave with dignity. Yes, every people seriously, they're all vocalists, which is why the show is better is because you're watching people with talent compete and not people who are looking to be on TV exactly as a first and foremost priority. There are so many people who are on Idol who I think just wanted to get in front of a camera, and that doesn't happen

on the Voice. The Voice has a vetting process, they have a casting process, they have a casting direct, they have somebody that reaches out to already established artists and says, do you want a competition for the Voy or not necessarily artists who are getting a lot of attention but are out there. You know, they'll reach out to those people. So I feel warmer feelings for The Voice because I feel like that show is trying to help these artists.

It's about mentorship and it's it's about what it says, which is the Voice Idol's mission. First of all, Idol started in England, and yeah, there is an approach to reality. There's there's that that was I think co opted and done here and not not well not well yeah I would you no, no, no, I I think that yeah,

would you ever ever audition for the Voice yeah. Every time I watch I have that same thing that happens after my freshman year where I was like, I can do it, I could do it, like I know I could. I placed of course, And then they'll have like a like not a confessional but a talking head moment or like that, a moment where there and I'll see the working inner workings of it the reality show, and it just turns me off. And I just have the past

trauma of like going putting myself out. And I know they wouldn't make me look bad or stupid, but but that the element of like I'm performing self yeah no, no, no,

really freaks me out also. And this I don't take this to be simplistic in that same way of like you gotta laugh at it, but um, I think just with you being able to sort of see that in the moment, I think that's a sign that you've taken the trauma and like you're wearing it as an armor now because it's like, oh no, I'm not going to put myself in that dangerous position again because I know

what that is. And like and people always there's a tendency to like let the wounds be there, like but like the shield of being able to like poke at it and laugh at myself has been so much more healing for me then, And and like there's there's therapy to be had, and like I will I am processing this and it's it's all there, but like I like

taking the power away from it. Yeah, And and and a lot of people we'll see this tape of this audition tape and be like like, but it's always going to be a bigger deal to you, right, And so sometimes I have this self conscious moment of like, oh God, am I like Swan songing about this thing that's like actually not that big a deal. No, But I think it's important to share it because I think it reveals something about something that we all butt into. We still are,

and we still are. You gotta imagine they sign a similar contract with the Voice, they don't go through with it the way that they did. Or I'll have moments watching the Voice where I'm like, how organic are these times where the judges, Yeah, like that's always whenever I'm laughing at Adam and Blake whatever, Henry always is like jokes and he's like always like wow, they're so funny. And I was just like I I catch myself making fun.

Let's hear another song. Let's let's talk about this next song You're going to do by famous contemporary singer adele Um. This song, I feel like this song had such a moment and I really love her. I just think there's something really special about her as an artist. For me,

it was that moment at the Grammys. Was that the Grammys when she did the tribute two I'm gonna look so bad now whatever, it doesn't matter, but it was She's got so many George Michael, Yes, yes, and she said she when she stopped it and said, I have to write for him. That was the most compelling thing

I've ever seen a singer do. Because there's or or or uh a pop star do right the facade because that also and she's also like raising a huge middle thing or like the TV producers And I'm just like this again because and like to to quote sort of Henry's mantra, like none of it's real, nothing, nothing's real, nothing is to be like and and and the charade of celebrity and just the whole thing, especially with with these with these singers, these vocalists, I mean like five

ft two, like I I was so it's moved by that. And like, and I just watched Elaine Stretches documentary or the documentary about Elane Stretch, and I'm I'm really fascinated with this right now, this like this thing of singer in the spotlight. It's just it's really interesting. So anyway, I have to send you this New York Times article about Miles and Whitney. Please all that stuff, amy, like all the Michigan I'm so, I'm so interested in that, you'd just word for insanity. Um yeah, so I love

I love Azo. This song was like a huge moment I think on her album and I did a little cover of it at one point, and uh, this is just like kind of fun. So now, um I had an ex shoot and record that and that's it was this like my friends calling me, who knew that. We were like, how dare you be so meta? Because the song is all about that relationship. All right, let's let's

hear it when we were young. M m. Everybody loves the things you do, from the way you talk to the way everybody here is watching you because you feel like home. You're like a dream come true. But if by chance you're here long, can I have a moment before I go, because I've been from myself all night long, hoping you're someone. How you soon know? You look like a movie. You sound like a song. Oh my god,

this reminds me. But when we were you let me phone wouldn't grab you in this light in case it is the last time that we might be exactly alike we were before we realized we were sad of getting old and made us dress less. It was just like a movie. It was just like a song. I was so scared to face my feet. Nobody told me that you would be and I swore you moved overseas. That's what you say when you left me. It still looks like a movie. You still sound like a song. My

godess reminds me where we were. You let me phontograph you in this light in case it is the last time that we might be exactly like we were before we realized we were sad of getting old to made us rass lace. It was just like a movie. It was just like a song. And we were young when we were on, when we were u, when we were tired to win me back. Everything just takes me back to when you were there, to when you were there, and the part of me keeps holding on just in

case it hasn't gone. I guess I still care? Do you still care? It was just like a movie. It was just like a song. God, this reminds me but where we were on O case it is the last time that we might be exactly like we were before we realized we were sad again. Lord and made us restless, Get made me read less. It was just like a movie. It was just like a soul when we are you. Wow, Oh my god. I just held my breath for that entire time. It's just such a good song. It's such

a good performance of the song. Thank you, Henry oh Man. So here's what I think we should do. I think we should do. I don't think so, honey. I think we're all going to do it. I don't think so honey. And then I think we'll do one more song to close it out. Yes, that sounds good. That sounds great. That sounds great to me. Um, this is so good. Okay, So I don't think so, honey. Um. By the way, thank you guys so much for coming out to all

of our shows that we've had fun. Yeah, Cult Wars a big success and then you guys so much for that. And I don't think so honey. At the Bellhouse, that was like a dream come true for my best friend Bowen and I and um, those episodes are going to be out in a couple of weeks. Um, and here we go, so boone Yang. Do you want to do your own things? Do you know if you have something? I have something I haven't. I have the seed of the kernel of something. Yeah, he's got the kernel bit alright,

So um, this is Bowe yangs. I don't think so, honey. And as time starts now, I don't think so honey. People who don't fucking like talking about the weather, or they think that that's that it's like shitty small talk, you guys. The weather is the thing that binds us all together. It's the great equalizer. It's something that we all share in common. It's a shared experience the world over, the community over. At least I want to talk about how it's rainy outside, or how there's a do in

the air this morning. Isn't there in the elevator? Look, don't crucify me for wanting to talk to meteorology. I don't think so, honey. You know what I just want to make small talk with you because it's an entry point and then I can get to know more about your fucking small business. You fucking ding dong, fuck you. I don't think so, hony. People who don't like talking

about the weathers, you gotta keep going. It's the great equalizer, as I said, and it bears repeating, bitch, so listen, talk to me about how it's warm in Portland this time of year, and um, you know, actually, um, you know the Poconos aren't as cold as you would think in December. That yeah, that was beautiful. And you know what, sometimes I don't think so, honey. It can just be seconds. But no, it's can't. And I mean, but we're in

such a again. I'll say it dropped in place because I love the vibe in this episode, because this vibe is very laid back, and we're all feeling very comfortable, and we've just been truly sung beautiful music should be. Ja is sitting here enjoying as well, and we are very gig all right, So now I'll do mine. This is Matt Rodgers is I don't think so, honey, And his time starts now. I don't think so honey ed Shearon, Sharon, you want to know what you are? The third most

suffable Ed Ed Harris is number one. Mr Ed the Talking Horses number two, and then there's you, bitch. You want to believe in the Illuminati? Look at Ed Sharon and understand that that man is famous. Okay, some dark magic is going into that. Yes, can he plung a plung plung on the guitar and do something? Okay, yeah, that's fine, but you know what, It certainly doesn't excuse him rapping. Yes, I said, rapping on the New Tailorship's

album reputation. And no, it is not acceptable for Taylor herself. But you know what, she can She can kind of do it. Ed Shearon cannot do it? And I said to Taylor, well, I never said this to her, but I would say this. T say, listen, it's one thing if you want to appropriate the house down, but don't drag your friend into it. Because now I know what she's doing. I tell herself, she wants to make sure she is using him as a shield. I don't think so,

honey ed Sheeron. I'm not going to make a hobbit joke, but I guess I just Did'm so mad about plung a pung pung. Honestly, the fact that he is number one. He's starting to talk about having sex and his songs and I don't want to fucking picture that. Do you know how many streams? Do you know how many streams Shape of You has on Spotify? Like a hundred billion, one point five billion? No, which is crazy. Damn, there is something happening. I've had some magic. You're right, you're right,

and magic. He appropriated all his albums are like plus minus divide whatever. He appropriated math from my fucking people. So he appropriated that to fuck at Sharon. We're not into it, all right. So now is Henry's time? Henry? Okay, Henry has he he wanted to do it. I don't think so, honey. He's going to get this moment to shine right now. Henry, of course did one of the

great I don't think so, honey. Is at the first I don't think which was I don't think so any dancing and now we're gonna have I don't think so, honey, his time starts now. I don't think so, honey. Katrina Rogers, mother of Matt Rogers, oh my god, you are a loving sweet, generous woman, and we're probably a great mother, But you did not teach your son how to recycle. He does not know the difference between paper and plastic

and metal and ten. Maybe he doesn't know to read how to read, and that's fine, that's nothing to be ashamed of. But I think he does know how to read, okay. And I even labeled three different bins paper and cardboard and then plastic, aluminum and etcetera, and then trash are super when we moved into our apartment, said it's very important that you separate these things. He looked us both in the eyes and asked that. And I've done a

lot to make sure that happens, including label everything. Also, Matt, take the trash out every once in a while, like maybe at least once a month. Please? Um oh sorry, this is about Katrina. You were so love and beautiful and wonderful and funny, and you gave so much that to your son. But teach them how to recycle? Oh my god, And that's whys have to deal with me for a much longer. Oh So, I'm sorry, but where to start off? I'm go trash, recycle, recycling. You don't

take out the trash I do. Sometimes that's my worst pipe. One of my worst pet peeves is when my roommates take out the trash. I have to do everything I do. Sometimes I feel really ambushed by the like Matt Henry, honestly of this episode, do you think it's you don't think it's beautiful, you don't think you don't think it's wonderful. It's it's so beautiful. It is beautiful. It's a night, it's a it's an exemplary, you know, sort of dynamic.

This is the moment for Amanda Scheckmans. I don't think so, honey. This is the moment, not knowing I had to do on these until imagine this is Amanda's I don't think so honey. Her time starts now. I don't think so honey. People that think it's funny or interesting to talk about how short I am talked about before I am. I okay, like I was born, b I went to the doctor. I know my goddamn high. When I reached five ft zero, that was a big goddamn moment for me. Okay, that

was huge. I was four eleven For so long I thought I'm never going to reach five. Now you're gonna take my five ft zero and take that away from me and talk about who. When guys do this, I want to fucking kill them. Use my head as an arm rest one more time. I fucking dare you. I fucking There's so many more interesting things to talk about. I am a really complex person. There's a lot that

you can learn about me. But when people feel uncomfortable, they go to the most simplistic thing, which is you know, actually, for the most part, you can't really comment on a person's appearance. But for some reason, it's very fucking game. And I want to talk about the tall people too, because the people that talk about how tall you are, that's sucking dumb. Also, don't talk about how tall someone is or how short someone is because you're somewhere in

the middle. For you. Don't talk about my hype bitch. That was great and that was culture, and that was culture and uncovered something new big time. That it's it's fair game. Height is game. When you talk about from now on talking about someone's height and objectifying it, it is canceled. We cancel it. In fact, it's rule number ninety one of culture. Talking about someone's height and objectifying them is canceled. Oh my god, now I want to leave.

I want to leave. On a fun note, We've had to kind of like like kind of like um emotional ballads. You know, I'm having this problem with my show. We are going to sing Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande, and so we're going to go out with this. So um. My name is Matt Roger and we've had on our show and accompanying Amanda is Henry Koperski, and we've had the amazing Amanda Shaksman. Yes, and we're at the Duplex on December four, seven pm. Amanda Shakman hates this thing.

Get your tickets are You're gonna be missing out? So here we got Dangerous Woman by Amanda Shakman. It's on your permission. Made my decision to testimony mad because it's my business. God has my witness started with a fine? Don't need no hold up taking control of this kinds of moment. I'm locked and noted, completely focused. My mind is open. Oh that you got skin to skin? O my god, don't your supper something bag you makes me

feel like a dangerous woman? Something about something about something bag you makes me wonder do think that I should something bout something back nothing to proven. I'm bullet proofing, know what I'm doing. And then the way we're moving, like introducing assonerthing. I want to save her, save it for later, that taste of flavor because I'm a taker, because I'm a giver. It's only nature and live for

dant Oh that you got skin to skin? Oh my god, don't your sapp but something back and makes me feel like a dangerous we're made. Something that you makes me one do things that I should take something about something that something doer ocus want to be like that backers underneath the light that You'll know how I'm feeling inside something about August wanna be hig that bad girls some

should be drug. You know how I'm feeling inside. Something bagging makes can't something bagging makes me one do things that I should. August wanna be like that. They don't any hate like that. You know how I'm feeling san August want to be like that. Bad goes on like that, You're not how I'm feeling in say yes. This has been a Forever Dog production executive produced by Brett Boham,

Joe Cilio, and Alex Ramsey. For more original podcasts, please visit forever dog Podcasts dot com and subscribe to our shows on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Keep up with the latest Forever Dog news by following us on Twitter and Instagram at forever Dog Team, and liking out page on Facebook.