Original subtitles

I feel like there's water coming out of holes in my face. Yeah, that's what

happens. We're squeezed like a sponge a little bit. But all that said, there's

no place I'd rather be.

Hey, what's going on, everybody? For First We Feast, I'm Sean Evans, and

watching Hot Ones. It's the show with hot questions and even hotter wings. And

today we're joined by Jason Siegel. Hey, man.

He's an actor, writer, and producer you know from films like I Love You Man,

Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Muppets, and many more. He had a nearly decade

-long run on the mega -hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and you can also catch

him on the acclaimed series Shrinking, which returns for its much -anticipated

third season January 28th on Apple TV+. Jason Siegel, welcome to the show.

Thanks, Sean. I'm really excited to be here. What's going through your head as

you prepare to take on the gauntlet? Are you someone who enjoys spicy food?

Yeah, I am, but I feel like that's not a fair question. This is not designed to

be eaten casually, right? It's designed to fuck me up, but I'm ready for it. I'm

excited. I feel nervous in my body, but calm in my heart and mind.

We just jump right in. We start with the wing, I think.

That's how it goes.

Great.

I've seen the show when people go, oh, great, no problem.

I'm no fool.

Have you absorbed any profound words of wisdom playing a therapist on

television? Like, is there a therapeutic tool that you've discovered by reading

a script that's actually been helpful in your day -to -day life?

Yeah, I think that the approach that the therapist that Shrinking is based on

have is that people actually want to be told what to do.

And so unlike some other therapies, they're like, listen, we will get to the

bottom of this. Like, we'll get to the why over months and months. But people

want to know what to do on Tuesday.

You know what I mean? When they have to have the conversation.

And these therapists will just tell you what to say.

It's a little bit controversial, but I think it's actually wish fulfillment.

I think that's what you want. Like, what do I say to my boss on Tuesday?

Great.

I'm trying to take legit bites.

The people will love that. Yeah, I think so. Forever a showman, Jason.

Well.

That one's nice.

That's really nice.

So when Paul Rudd was on the show, he talked about how the movies that he

funniest are often categorized as dramas, while some of the most dramatic

moments in film have happened in comedies. Does that at all ring true to

and what immediately comes to mind when you think about the phrase dramatic

comedy? I've always felt like that was the most honest version of any of these

subjects. Heavy on heavy isn't really how it goes in real life.

And also, I think as a viewer, you kind of get turned off. Like, okay, I get it.

Like, I understand cancer is hard.

You know, but like, what is it like to get through it?

Like, Sarah Marshall, that guy's having a really hard time.

You know, he's like crying at everything and just really devastated about, you

know, a breakup.

I think it's fun to see somebody feeling things a little too much on screen.

And it lowers the defenses so then you can sucker punch with some real dramatic

stuff.

So up next is a white hot mustard sauce. You said it, dog.

Man, I know it's coming.

I'm a fool.

But I feel like we're in kind of a...

We're living in a safe space right now. Yeah, you know, the difference between

sauce one, sauce two, sauce three, we're on the margins, you know, incremental.

That's right. It will not remain that way. No, I know. I'm a chicken wing talk

show host of the highest dignity, and I try to be transparent. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I appreciate that.

I know everyone does.

Try. Yeah.

What was it like working as an usher at the Santa Monica Playhouse as an 11

-year -old? Like, did that experience do anything to shape your aspirations of

one day becoming an actor?

I was a weird kid.

And so they sent me to the Santa Monica Playhouse, which at that age, it's not

really for kids who, like, love acting.

It's for kids who don't have friends. You know, so you're in this room of,

equally awkward people.

But what I found there was that when I was acting, I felt very comfortable. And

I felt like I understood the assignment.

In that space, I was like, oh, I know how to do this.

That was my first kind of flirting with, this might be something

that I'm, like, uniquely good at. And I didn't have other things like that at

the time.

So far, so great.

Some smokiness action on this one.

Yeah. Little sweetness from the peach.

Terrific. Kind of a little afterburn, you know, to let you know where you are.

Yeah, that's right. It says, hey, we're getting there.

A sign of what's to come. Yeah, yeah, great.

Was there any advice that Judd Apatow gave you as a teenager that maybe at the

time you didn't really understand, but you look back now and think of as

profound?

Two moments I remember as being kind of like anchor moments.

One was I had to play a song on Freak and Geek, on the guitar. I had to write

and sing it.

The script came in on like a Monday and I had to do it on a Friday.

I got the script and I said, Judd, I don't know how to play guitar.

Without missing a beat, he said, you'll figure it out.

You're living your dream. You figure it out.

And ever since then, I really do think you'll figure it out.

The other thing he said, which is the best advice I ever got, and I've talked

about it before, but he took me aside and he said, Jace, if you can improv the

way you're improvving here, you can write. You just need to learn how to do

You're a really weird dude. And the only way you're going to make it is if you

write your own material.

I think, honestly, I'm still around because of that.

All right. Would you believe me if I told you we are at the halfway mark?

Totally.

Story checks out. I can tell.

The next one is called Tropical Amarillo here. Great five spot.

A fool who was too eager would start chowing them down and then be met with

consequences.

Is it true that your mother sent out a mass email warning family members about

your nude scene and forgetting Sarah Marshall, which included the line, it is

not gratuitous and is essential to the plot?

Yeah, so I thought it would be a really, really great, like one of the great

practical jokes not to tell my parents that I did full frontal nudity and

forgetting Sarah Marshall.

and then take them to the premiere.

This was like a really thrilling idea for me.

And so we go to the premiere, and I have my dad on one side and my mom on the

other, because I always sit in between them.

And, like, within, it's like five minutes into the movie, my dick comes

know? And I'm like, oh, here it comes. You don't have to wait long. Yeah, yeah.

And I turn to my mom, expecting her to be laughing hysterically, and her face

beet red, and there's a tear coming down her face.

And I said,

Are you okay? And she said, why didn't you tell me?

And I said, I thought it would be a funny joke.

It's not a funny joke.

And she got up and left the theater. And then she came back in and she put

herself together.

And then that night she sent out an email to the entire family that said, I

would like to inform you that Jason has chosen to do full frontal nudity in his

newest film.

However, I'd like to assure you that it is not gratuitous and essential to the

plot.

Factor of fiction. After a test screening of The Muppets, you received a

feedback card written by a seven -year -old who said the one thing that he

didn't like about the movie was your character's face. That's right.

That is fact.

What do you learn from something like that? I have it framed.

It's like, what did you like? Muppets are cute.

What's your favorite part?

Muppets sing.

What did you not like?

Gary's face.

Isn't that awesome?

Now, I've watched a bunch as compared to other.

Eaters, guests.

How am I doing in relation to the wings?

Steady hands.

Steady. But up next is one that rather rudely announces itself as homegrown

in the sixth spot. The soft leopard.

Mm -hmm. Her.

Sean.

I think trying to have any strategy, trying to swallow it fast or anything

that, it's useless.

It's like a boxing match. You can walk in with strategy, but once the punches

start flying, all there is is survival.

Story checks out.

That's right, man.

If you were to put together a Peter Sellers double feature to show off his

-taking as an actor, which two films would you screen?

I mean, I think if you do...

Look, being there is for sure in there. Being there broke my brain open.

I was like, oh, you're allowed to do anything.

Don't let anybody tell you you're just this or just that.

And also, that movie is a drama, I guess.

There's also incredibly funny moments and incredibly funny line readings. And

I'm like, you do not have to be limited by anything.

I think you either put, like, for the juxtaposition, maybe Pink Panther.

Talk about dancing out there.

There's like a little bit of bravery that is required to take it for a spin.

My nose is running a little bit, but that's normal, I assume? Mine too. You

know, do this whole thing, same wavelength.

Amazing, man. Up next is a sauce called Nirvana.

Yeah.

Funky's hot sauce.

And then the possessive. Like, Funky's the guy.

I'm not trying to be tough.

Mm -hmm.

But we're okay.

Respect, because I'm a little smoky in the chest right now, but I'm being

totally honest. Because you confessed to me, it's a new year, this is your first

run at this conference. I've been on vacation, you know, a lot of practice,

I can feel it. I've got to work my way back into game shape over here. That's

all right. You're doing great.

Thanks, Chase. Yeah.

I understand that you would eat three Hot Pockets.

Every three hours. Yeah. To prepare for your role in the end of the tour. What

is pound for pound the greatest Hot Pocket flavor in your opinion?

The original pepperoni pizza.

It's what I grew up on. But this was not a healthy thing I did. I had to gain

like 50 pounds for it because I had gotten too skinny for something else

before. I feel it now.

Yeah. I had gotten a little too skinny before.

So I had like a month to gain 50 pounds.

So I ate three Hot Pockets every three hours. And it was super fun. It was a

great time in my life, but I wouldn't do it again.

What makes the BLT the all -time greatest sandwich? Because you can eat

time of day.

It's versatile.

It is an absolutely perfect sandwich.

From how I met your mother's best burger in New York, to the raw potato and

shrink one, to playing a chef in the five -year engagement, do you have an

-time favorite Jason Segel food scene?

from your career? Ooh, a scene involving food.

Yes. There is a scene in I Love You Man where we go around the table and all

give totems.

There were a bunch of comic geniuses at that table and everybody was just

slaughtering. Zinging?

Everybody was zinging.

I often make sure that I am enjoying the company that I'm in.

You know what I mean? Like...

Holy moly, this person is amazing.

And where better to do it than over a meal?

I feel that way right now.

Yeah,

this is the one.

Starting to sweat a little bit, but I'm keeping my cool.

Always.

Yeah.

Might take a second to get this one out. No, you're not like that, are you?

A little bit? It's touching you. Every time. Every time this sauce. I'll join

you.

Double bite and a bomb.

Listen, man. Oh, so you go one for one with whoever's here. I always, yeah.

You have the wheel right now. I'm a passenger.

Okay. Good to know.

Yeah.

So.

I should ask you some shit. Yeah, maybe. Take the pressure off over here.

So, before writing and starring in the Muppet movie, I know that you were a

longtime fan. Even crediting Kermit the Frog as one of your most important and

significant acting influences.

Absolutely. Who do you think is the most underrated, deep -cut Muppet character?

Like, does Lou Zeland get the credit he deserves?

Look, I'm a big fan.

I'm a big Janice fan.

I think Piggy gets a lot of credit on the lady puppet front.

Janice is pretty exceptional as well.

I also have the Jason Segel Muppet from the Muppets, which is pretty cool

because they also gave me a thing to control it by remote control.

So back in the day, I would tell people, hey, come on over to the house.

I'll leave the front door open. I'll be there.

And the puppet would be sitting on the couch.

And they'd come in and they'd look around and I could see them. And then

a sudden the puppet would be like, hello.

I've been waiting for you.

When you're working on a movie with blue chip IP, like the Muppets, do you ever

have to lose a scene or a plot point because it's nixed by the lawyers? Do

have a scene that you most regret losing to the red lines of a contract?

I do, but it wasn't to a contract. It was to an ethos.

You know, you have this bad guy, Tex Richmond, who's going to destroy their

studio, and so the Muppets all have to get back together to defeat this common

enemy. I had a scene at the end of the movie where all of a sudden Tex Richmond

unzips himself, and it's Kermit. And Kermit had orchestrated this whole

plot to get his friends back together. He missed his friends.

And it actually was, like, really cool, and I think very beautiful, but then

they said, listen, we can't do this. And I said, why? They said, because Kermit

never lies.

Kermit never tells a lie. It's a rule that's never broken.

And so, you know, what can you say to that?

I feel like there's water coming out of holes in my face.

Yeah, that's what happens. We're squeezed like a sponge.

Sure. A little bit. But all that said, there's no place I'd rather be.

Jason, let's see if you still feel that way after sauce number nine.

Up next.

A smoked Serrano.

The Squash Reaper X.

That's like a terrible basketball nickname.

What a poetic segue, by the way.

Big three by the Squash Reaper.

Boom.

You get kind of like so blasted by the bone.

Right, that it kind of creates everything.

It all becomes the same. Right.

There's a cumulative effect that we've had of these wings.

Total scorched earth. Just a flamethrower with the bomb. But it does

make everything a little bit easier afterwards.

I find, at least. Yeah, what you got?

Well, you know, on the topic of basketball nicknames, I know that you

Dr. Dunk. I did. I didn't go by Dr.

Dunk.

Say hello.

Hello, my name's Dr. Dunk.

As Dr. Dunk, you won the East Coast Slam Dunk Contest in 1997.

Do you remember the marquee dunk that helped you win?

Yes, I pulled a jersey over my head, and I had one of my teammates spin me

around three times.

You could obviously see through the jersey, but I was like, acting really

discombobulated.

Oh, no.

And then dunked. And so I managed to figure out where the hoop was, you know.

But, yeah, and then the next day it said, like, Dr.

Dunk is born.

And people called me Dr.

Dunk for a couple years.

They're really weird.

But this is not a skill that I'm good at at life either, opening these things.

How much are you putting on?

Like, we're doing it. Yeah, that's textbook right there.

Is this the worst one, by the way?

We'll see.

As you'll find, it'll build over here over, like, the next 15 to 30 seconds.

Okay, sir. Let's finish it up. Let's do it.

We did great.

And with that...

We've reached the summit of Spice Mountain.

And, you know, if there's a through line in this interview, it's that as your

Hollywood career continues, you're always evolving, you know, from

comedies to intimate indies to prestige television to multicam sitcoms and even

a Muppets movie. To close things out, I'm curious, which of those projects or

environments made you most nervous as an actor and which one felt most

immediately like home? Oh, what a great question.

You know where I felt really at home? Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I really had the naivety of youth.

That's the best. It really is. I was like a kid when I wrote it. I was like

25 when I wrote it.

So people often ask, like, what would you go back and tell your younger self?

I actually play the opposite game, and I try to remember, like, younger Jason

who wasn't afraid of anything.

Like, remind me to be that dude. Like, let your freak flag fly.

Felt very at home there.

I was actually...

I was nervous coming here. I don't know if this counts as me. It counts.

Yeah, yeah.

This is probably the most nervous I've been in a while because I didn't know

what my body was going to do. But it turns out I'm great at this.

Let your freak flag fly and look at you, Jason Stegall, taking on the wings of

death, living to tell the tale. Now there's nothing left to do but roll out

red carpet for you.

This camera, this camera, this camera. Let the people know what you have going

on in your life.

Cool. My name's Jason Siegel, and I've just completed the Hot Wins gauntlet,

my TV show Shrinking premieres now, nowish, on Apple TV with a bunch of

amazing actors, and I'm getting married this year, which is the most important

thing I've ever done.

Okay, thanks.

We did it.

That was great.

Had a great time. That's what I like to hear.

Thanks so much. You did great.

Thank you. Bodied that.

So did you.

I was just trying to keep pace, to be honest with you. I mean, it's hot for

sure. Yeah.

Cool.

Hey, what's going on, Hot Ones fans?

This is Sean Evans, and I want to introduce you to the new kids on the

Say hello to the Season 29 Hot Ones Hot Sauce lineup.

And if you want a chance to taste the show, it's easy. Just visit HotOnes

HotOnes .com. That's HotOnes .com to get your hands on the Season 29 Hot Ones

Hot Sauce lineup.

Keep milk on the ready. Ice cream not included. But most importantly, I

in you.