Fill the lighter with butane, it’s Michelle Pfeiffer. Honeywagon territory, mildewy screenplays, the trauma of stenography, and cutting Al’s finger. Welcome to the final episode [until next week]..">
Michelle Pfeiffer reflects on her career longevity, influenced by industry shifts and personal milestones.
The entertainment industry is evolving with more quality roles for women and changed TV vs. film perception.
Pfeiffer details early career challenges, from studying stenography to unconventional "Scarface" casting.
Hosts explore contemporary slang and share anecdotes, including humorous stories and theater observations.
Deep Dive
The hosts began discussing new slang terms including 'sus', 'riz', 'flexi', and 'zesty' at 1:12.
The conversation delved into defining 'chugi' as something outdated, with hosts researching definitions in real-time.
They also attempted to clarify the slang term 'chopped', expressing unfamiliarity with its meaning.
Michelle Pfeiffer was introduced as the mystery guest, discussing her recent work on 'The Madison'.
Pfeiffer shared details about her first television credit on 'Fantasy Island' in an episode titled 'The Island of Lost Women', where she had a single line.
She explained a 'honeywagon' as a small, divided trailer for actors on set, comparing the cramped space to a 'veal' pen.
Before acting, Michelle Pfeiffer studied court reporting at a trade school in Orange County.
She found stenography difficult, involving learning a new language and rapid transcription, which caused her hands to move involuntarily.
Pfeiffer admitted to not being good at balancing the cash register while working as a checker at Vaughn's supermarket.
Michelle Pfeiffer rarely reflects on her career's longevity, feeling that relevance is fleeting in today's media.
Despite this, she maintains a busy schedule with projects like "The Many Lives of Liza" on Apple TV+ and an upcoming Amazon movie.
Pfeiffer now enjoys acting more due to a relaxed approach, attributing it to not having the time or desire to overthink roles.
The conversation centered on factors influencing acting roles, emphasizing the director's importance over the script as a career progresses.
Discussions also covered practicalities of working on large film sets, like Marvel productions, including challenges of comfort and privacy.
Sean Hayes clarified an anecdote about a dozing audience member, stating he only commented during the curtain call, not the performance.
Pfeiffer observed a significant increase in quality roles for women in the industry, largely due to television and streaming platforms.
She noted that the majority of compelling work is now being done by women, creating more opportunities for actresses of all ages.
The conversation touched on the historical stigma associated with film actors taking television roles, citing "True Detective" as a modern example of this shift.
Michelle Pfeiffer, now a grandmother, prioritizes work-life balance, allowing her to be selective with projects.
Her husband, David Kelly, supported her filming in Montana by working remotely as a writer and director.
Pfeiffer enjoyed working with Kelly for the first time on "Margo's Got Money Troubles" and felt "born to play" the character of Cheyenne, a single mom working at Bloomingdale's.
Pfeiffer discussed the pressures and fears associated with filming "Grease 2" after the original's immense success.
She described the intense six-month shoot for "Scarface", detailing her role as a cocaine addict and the dynamic with a predominantly male cast and director Brian De Palma.
Pfeiffer noted she did not anticipate "Scarface" becoming a massive cultural phenomenon and cult classic.
The hosts expressed gratitude to Michelle Pfeiffer, acknowledging her talent, beauty, and cool demeanor.
One host noted her acting prowess consistently overshadowed her looks throughout her career.
Pfeiffer recounted an incident during a "Scarface" screen test where she accidentally cut director Al's finger, believing her subsequent 'sexy indifference' secured her the part.