Isabella: I don’t normally do this, like I don’t normally,
I’m not normally myself on camera. John: Funny you should mention that,
because I’m not normally someone else. Isabella: Okay, so we're switching places
John: For me it’s super uncomfortable. I’m gonna do the intro–
Isabella: ok John: Good Morning Hank, it’s Tuesday.
I’m joined by Isabella Merced. She plays Aza. She's brilliant.
Isabella: I’m with John and he is an amazing writer
and also, he’s an actor--
John: Today’s the day we’re filming my cameo.
And it’s so physically uncomfortable. How does acting work?
Isabella: Acting is a weird thing to be into because
you can’t just do it whenever. Like singing, you can do whenever.
John: Right. Isabella: If someone goes,
oh you sing? Sing a song.
Oh you act? Act something. Like, you can’t just do that.
John: You’re very, very good.
You are just her for me.
And now when I think of her I think of you as her.
Isabella: That’s just such like, an awesome thing to hear as an actor.
Like, that’s just so reassuring and all we look for.
Like literally we’re in this career path because we need reassurance from people.
John: (laughing)
Isabella: And I’m. And I like–affirmation.
John: Hmm... it’s true for writers as well, actually.
Isabella: Yeah, so, it’s amazing to hear that from the person who created it.
I’m curious about that because I--I wondered what you envisioned in your head. Does
Aza have a face for you? For a minute?
John: That’s a great question. Not really. I, umm– Isabella: She was just you with a wig on?
John and Isabella: (laughing) John: That’s a little too close! It’s too good.
Isabella I also kind of copied you.
John: right Isabella: I kind of
copied the way you talk in a way. When we filmed probably, like,
the most difficult scene, in the whole movie
which is in my opinion the climax of the movie,
with the hand sanitizer– I don’t even remember doing that.
I just like, blacked out in that moment. I cant remember! It was the weirdest thing.
John: It was painful. I just wanted to stop it, and like turn all the lights on,
and make sure everyone was ok. It was really–
Isabella: Mmmm… that’s the papa in you
John: Yeah, yeah. Probably the dad in me,
but also I think I can feel empathy for Aza
that I struggle to feel for myself.
When I’m really sick I struggle to find myself that same kind of compassion.
Isabella: Yeah, that’s so true. Yeah, I’ve learned that from this, for sure.
That I need to give myself a break. John: ok, that was intense,
so I have to think about a questions Isabella: Light hearted ones
John: oh yeah, I’ve got one. Isabella: okay
John: What’s your favorite color
Isabella : Oh, uuh, I think, sage green, sage green, yeah
John: And who’s your favorite member of the rock band the Beatles?
Isabella: Oh no…I watched your fideo with Cree John: Doh! Damn it!
Isabella: You can’t even catch me with this one.
John: Allright, well we’re not doing– the Beatles thing isn’t gonna play
Isabella: Wait, what’s your favorite color?
John: Green! Isabella: (laughing)
John: It’s my whole identity! Isabella: Is it actually your
favorite color, or is it – John: That’s a great question.
Isabella: –a predetermined thing? John: I don’t–I don’t know
Isabella: You don’t John: There’s some really deep blues I like
Isabella: Almost like the sky, when the sky is almost–
John: The sky, when the sun is– Isabella: –down
John: yes Isabella: On the
farthest end of the sky John: Mmm Hmm
John: I have a new favorite color. I have dad who's been in therapy since the age of thirteen.
So like, any time my kids are talking to me about feelings,
I always like, lean in. Isabella: I wonder, when I’m a parent,
I’m always gonna want them to share things, but I also don’t wanna look too desperate.
John: That is so true, that is so well put. Isabella: How do you do that?
John: I don’t know, because I come across as super desperate.
Isabella: And they can sense it too, like– John: Yes!
Isabella: LIke they sense it, and they back away. Mmm. hmm..
Isabella: What’s your favorite animal? John:
Humans, what about you? Isabella: I like dogs.
John: Oh, your dog is the best Isabella: I can place a bet on dogs.
John: I love your dog. I can take it back. My favorite species of animal is your dog.
Bella has to get back to work. And I guess I have to get back to work.
Isabella: Well you’re gonna, yeah. Hank, I'll see you on Friday.