Digest

This episode of Fresh Air Weekend features two insightful interviews. First, singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers discusses her new album "Don't Forget Me," exploring her use of a persona to tell a more authentic version of the truth through fiction. She also reflects on her journey from viral fame to pursuing a master's degree at Harvard Divinity School, where she studied religion and public life to better understand her role as a public figure and the ethics of her career. The second interview features actress Kristen Wiig, who stars in the new Apple TV+ series "Palm Royale." Wiig discusses her character, Maxine, a former pageant queen striving to break into high society, and her own journey from aspiring art teacher to comedic success. She shares her experiences on "Saturday Night Live" and the creation of the hit film "Bridesmaids," reflecting on the narrative surrounding female-led comedies and the importance of embracing comedic freedom.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the episode of Fresh Air Weekend, featuring interviews with singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers and actress Kristen Wiig.

00:00:25

Maggie Rogers: Music, Spirituality, and Sustainability

This Chapter delves into a conversation with Maggie Rogers, discussing her new album "Don't Forget Me" and her creative process. Rogers explains how she uses a persona to tell a more authentic version of the truth through fiction. She also shares her experience pursuing a master's degree at Harvard Divinity School, where she studied religion and public life to better understand her role as a public figure and the ethics of her career.

00:02:26

Kristen Wiig: From Art Teacher to Comedic Icon

This Chapter features an interview with Kristen Wiig, who stars in the new Apple TV+ series "Palm Royale." Wiig discusses her character, Maxine, a former pageant queen striving to break into high society, and her own journey from aspiring art teacher to comedic success. She shares her experiences on "Saturday Night Live" and the creation of the hit film "Bridesmaids," reflecting on the narrative surrounding female-led comedies and the importance of embracing comedic freedom.

Keywords

Q&A

• How does Maggie Rogers use a persona on her new album "Don't Forget Me"?

  Rogers explains that she uses a persona to tell a more authentic version of the truth through fiction. By inhabiting a character, she is able to weave together memories from her 20s and tell a more real version of the truth than she could by writing directly about her own life.

• What prompted Maggie Rogers to pursue a master's degree at Harvard Divinity School?

  Rogers explains that she felt unqualified to answer the questions people were asking her about politics, suicide, and other personal issues. She felt like she was in an unconventional ministerial position without any training. She wanted to understand how people come together and create meaning in a divisive world, and she believes that music is the most sacred and spiritual thing she's ever been a part of.

• What is Kristen Wiig's character, Maxine, like in the new Apple TV+ series "Palm Royale"?

  Maxine is a former pageant queen who is determined to break into high society. She is constantly happy and sees the glass half full, but her pursuit of wealth and status is seen as shallow by others.

• How did Kristen Wiig's experience on "Saturday Night Live" shape her comedic approach?

  Wiig describes the fast-paced, deadline-driven environment of SNL as a puzzle that she loved to solve. She misses the frantic panic between dress rehearsals and live shows, and the constant need to adapt and rewrite sketches.

• What was the narrative surrounding the success of the film "Bridesmaids"?

  There was a lot of discussion about how shocking it was that a comedy starring women was successful and funny. People seemed surprised that a female-led comedy could be both entertaining and commercially successful.

• How did Kristen Wiig's journey from aspiring art teacher to comedic success begin?

  Wiig was initially studying art and was hired by a plastic surgery clinic to do Photoshop work. However, she had an epiphany during an acting class and decided to pursue acting. She moved to Los Angeles and eventually found her way to the Groundlings, an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe, where she honed her comedic skills.

• What is the significance of the Groundlings in Kristen Wiig's career?

  The Groundlings is an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe and school based in Los Angeles, California. It is known for its alumni, who include many famous comedians, actors, and writers, including Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Melissa McCarthy, and Conan O'Brien. The Groundlings is known for its rigorous training program and its emphasis on ensemble work. Wiig credits the Groundlings with helping her develop her comedic skills and giving her the confidence to pursue a career in comedy.

Show Notes