"I'm, I'm looking for Joseph Silverman. Let me guess. You've got a husband. He's got a secretary. Am I wrong? No. The secretary is still a thing. Okay, but not secretary. Personal assistant, posh secretary. You seem like the type who might have a handsy husband in the media. What type is that? Sort of, you know, doe-eyed and helpless. You seem like a bit of a. [Zoe laughs] I feel seen."
"How do you remember all those words, Helen? Oh, this was our question backstage. [Emma laughs] Yeah, so when we did our sort of, hello, how are you Zoom, about a week ago. I said, I have two ideas for us to construct this conversation around. One is comedy and the other is politics. And Emma said they're the same thing."
Comedy and politics are presented as overlapping realms. An early drama club experience at thirteen produced the first instance of making others laugh. Memory and rehearsal methods are discussed as tools for remembering long passages. Audience reactions and applause punctuate moments of humor and recognition. Personal anecdotes reference romantic relationships and workplace roles such as personal assistants and perceived media types. Observational characterizations and self-deprecating remarks generate much of the laughter. Introductions and light banter establish a convivial atmosphere that blends theatrical craft with political and personal commentary.
Read at The New Yorker
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