Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus Listen Again: Julia Gets Wise with Catherine O'Hara
Sep 10, 2025
Catherine O'Hara, a comedy icon known for her roles in Beetlejuice and Schitt's Creek, shares her improv roots and experiences in the entertainment industry. She recounts her exhilarating journey with the Practical Theater Company and the unique pressures of auditioning for Saturday Night Live. The conversation covers the humorous epidemic of over-apologizing and reflects on aging in showbiz. Catherine also shares whimsical stories, including a memorable Vatican visit, alongside Julia's heartfelt anecdotes about motherhood and creativity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Meeting The Pope Over Laughter
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus shares meeting Pope Francis with other comedians where he spoke about laughter's spiritual role.
- She recalls shaking his hand, receiving his blessing, and later shopping for papal garments with David Sedaris.
Understudying Gilda Radner
- Catherine describes meeting Gilda Radner early in her career and understudying her at Second City, which shaped her craft.
- She credits Gilda as a formative model for acting, improv, and authenticity onstage.
The Internet Shrinks Creative Risk Space
- Catherine and Julia observe that today’s internet era reduces safe space for experimentation and risk-taking.
- They argue early-career anonymity once allowed fearless trial-and-error that the internet now undermines.
