FULL TV Comedy Actor Roundtable: Bowen Yang, Michael Che, Jake Johnson, Danny McBride & More

Bowen Yang ('Saturday Night Live'), Danny McBride ('The Righteous Gemstones'), Jake Johnson ('Minx'), Jerrod Carmichael ('Rothaniel'), Michael Che ('Saturday Night Live' and 'That Damn Michael Che') and Will Forte ('MacGruber') joined The Hollywood Reporter to talk about their respective projects.
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FULL TV Comedy Actor Roundtable: Bowen Yang, Michael Che, Jake Johnson, Danny McBride & More
The Hollywood Reporter
/ hollywoodreporter

[@TheCultureCounselor]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Let Lacey host all Roundtables. Give her a budget to help educate and train other moderators in her methods. As far as that’s possible. Some things can’t be taught.

[@eme.261]

Unfortunately, what Lacey possesses as a moderator can't be taught. She's clearly invested in learning about those she converses with and so easily flows from prompting queries to follow-up questions. She enjoys the process and is willing to step back and let the responder(s) express themselves and engage with the others participating in the discussion. She's naturally brilliant at this, because, as she stated, "[She] is genuinely curious."

[@mariuspatru7]

yeah, the only thing I'd change is the forced "AHA" that she keeps repeating, other than that, great.

[@eme.261]

@@mariuspatru7 - I'm not remotely bothered by this, as I don't perceive those utterances as forced. I utilize the same or similar responses when I'm fully invested in an engaging and relaxed (key feature) discussion with people I like. Whenever the conversation around the table flowed easily between participants, Lacey tended to respond in this manner. She was signaling that she's with them, but she's not inserting herself in a manner that would interrupt them. She also utilized those types of responses to prompt a participant who was in the middle of a long response to continue going. She helped them to open up more fully. This is a big part of Lacey's success as a moderator. She's not rigid and repressed in her expressions, while also being unusually dexterous in the art of conversational flow. The other moderators are too formal and polished-- their demeanor skates close to being off-putting and leads to very stilted (and, far too often, boring) roundtable discussions.

[@teradaloo]

she should have her own show/podcast

[@christhefury]

"uh-huh,uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh?"

[@LewToons]

Lacey is absolutely on par with a "Sean Evans" with great questions and actually letting everyone talk, but also steering the conversation

[@gonzalesbuttmuncher8491]

ali plumb (BBC)is also great.. jakes takes on youtube is another shoutout

[@jennyonthespectrum4581]

Who's Sean Evans?

[@killalltheugly]

@@jennyonthespectrum4581 he's the host of "Hot Ones". Interviews celebs while eating wings that get progressively more hot. His questions are always very unique and engaging, with many of the guests commenting on how well-thought out they are.

[@Adrian-zd4cs]

I was just about to say, Sean Evans and Ali... Add Lacey to thos group. "Internet" interviewers who have a genuine human connection

[@natashaelise4852]

Lacey Rose on Hot Ones please

[@dakotac180]

Protect Jerrod at all costs, I hope he found closure with his mom. I think I'd have a heart attack from laughing so much at this table.

[@Tytytytyty1776]

It's crazy just how influential SNL is on American comedy. We've got 2 current cast members, 1 former cast member promoting his show based off of a SNL character, and Jerrod who hosted SNL earlier this year and will probably be nominated for an emmy for it.

[@stephenfeld772]

Yeah, as the intro rolled I was a little taken aback and wondered if this video should have been titled a little differently when I realised how SNL-heavy it was. SNL will always get more than its fair share of detractors but it remains a great and relevant (if not the most popular) platform for current mainstream comedy.

[@TabethaAurochs]

Jerrod absolutely crushed it as an SNL host. His monologue alone was so above and beyond, I immediately thought "this has gotta be The One that SNL gets an Emmy nom for this season." I found it hilarious when Che mentioned how apparently he & Jerrod were "supposed to hate each other" because they're both black comedians who "talk slow" 🤣

[@moreilly9836]

so true, the majority of the comedy actresses said they wanted to host snl one day

[@emheartwood2195]

Lacey guiding and engaging this table is encouraging to all women in male dominated fields, she is the star

[@fitzofpassion]

Jerrod’s energy carried this whole panel. He actually seems to be having fun. I love remembering being young and emotionally available. ❤️

[@actionscott8033]

well duh he’s the only one that doesn’t get work and is here for absolutely no reason.

[@luthandosomdaka8708]

@@actionscott8033 Well he's the showrunner of "Ramy" and currently has a HBO special and a movie which he produced and directed himself. I wouldn't call that not getting work.

[@pattmahiney]

Rough lmao

[@micahclawrence]

You could argue he was a little me me me here but whatever

[@vernverp4360]

It’s weird that Will Forte seems like the most reserved person in this group. Love this group.

[@nsnbc6093]

People who play wild characters are usually pretty calm because they know what crazy looks like and they don't want to be that in real life. Danny was pretty quiet too.

[@Agave310]

@@nsnbc6093 plus the veterans usually let the youngins do the heavy lifting.

[@jamesgraves4724]

Old ppl always let the young ones do the most talking in a room like this … they wait to hear something that they deem really important to speak up on, otherwise they sit and listen to the younger generation… I believe it’s a way to connect cuz they probably don’t usually have ppl this young around them on a daily basis, especially someone going that does the same job… it’s pretty much shoots, and press tours… at home they hanging out with kids who have never been actors and ppl around their age I feel with no relation to acting

[@ben_jammin9470]

It's also so funny that his cited experience is "McGruber" even though he was such an extensive history with SNL and Last Man on Earth.

[@BlanBonco]

He's still counting potato chips at NASA

[@jeandakaud4286]

I too said "G**amn" after watching Jerrod's special...that thing was a masterpiece Also Lacey is KILLING IT, as a host

[@JemmaSara]

I love Jake Johnson sooo much 😭 he has the best vibes 😂 also Jerrod is lovely 🥰

[@GummyBearWA]

Michael Che is so quick and his observations in the moment are spot on.

[@britneytian3768]

Are you being sarcastic? He seems high AF and barely engaged

[@YoDeMoxie]

​@@britneytian3768Right!!! It's like his mind somewhere faaar away...

[@chanellerenee6987]

Jerrod is so reflective and I find him really interesting. Also Will and Jake seem so sweet. This was a great roundtable

[@R__K]

11:30 Danny McBride is just being modest... Eastbound and Down, Vice Principals, and Righteous Gemstones have totally killed it. The movies he's done are just bonus to the tv content he's put out.

[@autumnsantomauroganggang]

Huge facts!!! He is a LEGEND

[@jessicadean9998]

I was reading this as he was saying this. So weird!

[@lurkinturk4284]

Eastbound and Down is one of the greatest comedy masterpieces ever made.

[@dwiputrisutanto1945]

Thank you for including Bowen Yang! Love Lacey Rose, girl's the best interviewer ever...

[@christahester9174]

I just love how comedy actors are always so supportive of each other. There's always a great camaraderie on the comedy roundtables. You can tell the community is tightknit. When I watch other roundtables with, say, writers, the vibe can get pretty catty/vicious lol

[@nickmarkopoulos2720]

We love Lacey!! Keep her conducting these interviews!🙏🏽

[@julietaponce1645]

I need at least one whole episode of Las Culturistas where Bowen talks about filming this!

[@nia-uo8nc]

YESSSSS SAME

[@Slimshadybbyy]

I don’t understand how these aren’t more known. Much much better than tv interviews. I adore these conversations

[@Lala216]

Only 13 mins in and I'm so excited by the host's thoughtful questions, how she's both guiding the conversation while letting it flow and letting the participants finish their thoughts 🥰

[@TabethaAurochs]

Jerrod with the "If I've learned anything from a Tiffany Haddish press tour-" 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@kerjoysands]

Bowen's reaction to Danny's 90 day fiance reference is me whenever someone mentions bravo

[@stephaniefulton5819]

Danny McBride playing Kanye West actually does make a lot of sense

[@nsnbc6093]

You can cut the does and change make to makes. I like how you put a space in a lot.

[@gabeschwartzman6166]

@@nsnbc6093 nah

[@nsnbc6093]

@@gabeschwartzman6166 point counterpoint ya

[@drewhudd3288]

@@nsnbc6093 A lot, which is often misspelled as alot, means “a large number or quantity” or “very much,” and it can be used as a noun or an adverb

[@JEarlePrepStar]

Who woke Michael Che up and made him come to this? He looks so excited lolololol

[@beda543]

This was my first time watching an interview and I thoroughly enjoyed every second. I stopped because of Jake, Danny, and Jerrod but Bowen, Michael and Will were amazing too. I put it on as "background noise" and ended up actually watching it! Everyone was thoughtful and interesting.👏🏽👏🏽

[@Bjhorn279]

You and me both

[@RobynLouise86]

"On a scale of 1 to Tropic Thunder.." 😂😂 I'm dead. Lol

[@brwnbull]

Thanks for including Bowen! Fire Island was 🔥 !

[@refahel]

When they talked about Batman I was waiting for someone to point out the fact that they were sitting there with a Spider-Man. I loved Jake Johnson in 'Into the Spider-Verse'.

[@Bjhorn279]

This might be my favorite roundtable, love all of these guys. And I didn’t know Bowen Yang much, but this makes me like him a lot!

[@noodle_723]

I'm ready for one of them to create a show inspired by Will's mom. A woman who's child is in show business and she sticks by them throughout everything, and at some point has a fist fight outside a movie theater or even a school play about how her child was a star and will always be one.

[@pihla01]

Always a sigh of relief when you see Lacey is hosting the episode.

[@Biotoze]

This is truly a legendary table. Awesome hosting as well. Thank you THR

[@donnap6254]

I love them all, but Danny McBride is so so wonderful

[@kazza6078]

Jake: everyone always asks me about prince Group of famous people: no but we also need to know about prince

[@celsobeltran5011]

This is an awesome group of guys! ❤️

[@grafffuller3265]

Loved this one. I haven't watched most of their work, but seeing them as working actors talking about their process and goals was truly interesting.

[@bunnyfernwood]

Will is such a goof yet so grounded at the same time. I love him.

[@gauravvikalp]

All my favourites in one table!

[@alisonbeautyxo]

this is an insanely amazing group of people

[@camerond7654]

Jerrod seems like the nicest person

[@Universalhealing1122]

Amazing to see all my favorite Comedians on one table they all work so hard and they have done so well in whatever phenomenal characters they have played on television mad respect for everyone their career and their dedication love you guys keep growing keep going keep us smiling & making us laugh in this horrific ignorant divided TIMES 🎊 🎉THANKS ROUNDTABLE

[@jdantes7912]

love all these guys. Thanks for making this one happen.

[@blinksstayfresh2524]

I love everyone at this table. So much talent

[@dadbodmascot]

LOVE this panel! Great episode!

[@Shea_J]

The bit about Will's mom had me in tears

[@kikib8434]

This was delightful af - big fan of all these guys and thoroughly enjoyed this 😁🖤.

[@Hasani751]

This one was so refreshing 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@elzbthcho]

I LOVE THESE FELLAS THANK YOU HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

[@kennysmith1925]

jerrod and che I loved when I first saw them as standups. before snl, daily show, films. man so great to see them doing so well and together here

[@49erfaithful86]

This is one of the best ones! It’s so honest and comfortable. I love how after the halfway point, it really heated up. This is one of my fav episodes of RT! 🙌

[@Z32andCG6]

The talent was all great but let's not forget how great the interviewer was. That was masterful how she managed the pacing, and prompting, and limiting interruptions. Well done

[@shyslayer]

Amazing host and such an interesting panel.

[@karlakelly8810]

Best Roundtable episode of all

[@camfifer4911]

This is a great panel. Like Michael Che, jerrod, jake and will forte? 🔥

[@somerset8088]

Jake’s observations of Prince was what all us New Girl viewers needed answered!

[@jaxsun72]

McBride has perfected the craft of playing the same character in every project for nearly 20 years. 😂

[@luminyam6145]

That was a well conducted interview.

[@dthill96]

Lacey needs to host all the roundtables

[@conradomartinez8623]

Uh huh, uh huh

[@itpbeats8053]

I’m not gone lie, if I see Danny McBride as Kanye West, I’m preordering my tickets right there

[@jude2930]

Brilliant interview.

[@thesnlnetwork]

Great panel 👏👏👏

[@firstlast2023E]

When Jake said "when you look like this you take what you get" then Bowen and Jerrod's reaction haha

[@watchlistenwrite]

This was delightful:)

[@tonyabrookes9931]

Absolutely ❤

[@phenyontsekeltsa1950]

"That's a note you pass a banker" 🤣

[@rosevinet873]

Amazing panel!

[@ajeshbenny5955]

michael che he is great🔥🔥🔥

[@ajeshbenny5955]

Jerrod❤️❤️❤️

[@eme.261]

"It doesn't always feel the way it is to watch." -Jake Johnson Hmmm... this perfectly encapsulates why there are so many people choosing to escape from living by watching TV, movies, playing video games and pretending to be people they aren't on social media.

[@abcdefg2120]

Or by overeating and complaining in the comments section of an unrelated KZbin video.

[@nexuslux]

Must watch.

[@michaeljacksin9367]

that damn Michael Che writes great comedy and has the best sketch show right now

[@PimpScampii]

I need more McBride! He's the goat!

[@AllGreyEverything]

What a weird lineup of people who either aren't in the lead or supporting comedy actor category or are way on the outside of the conversation to be nominated. This is almost just a cool group of people who make comedy.

[@moringaottawa]

Che is the lead writer at snl and that damn Michael Che on hbo was kind of a prolific hit and Danny McBride is an hbo comedy heavyweight then forte has so many cult classic bits plus LMOTE so I'm not sure I understand your comment. Who would you expect to be chosen for comedic actors on TV /comedians with a new stand up? If you're thinking Katt Williams then I'd agree. I guess Gervais released a new stand up too... Is that who is on the inside of the conversation? serious

[@jamesgraves4724]

⁠@@moringaottawa these dudes aren’t up and coming, if anything it’s a bunch of different ppl doing the same job which is what most of the round tables I’ve watched has been

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

I have a massive crush on Bowen Yang. Can't seem to get over it.

[@petertaylor8944]

Not to mention his Richard Pryor inspired wardrobe was a nice touch

[@sunnieray1871]

These are some of my favorite funny guys 🤗

[@chillbest14]

love round table

[@boco1951]

Che and Yang are just funny!

[@jamalwright7337]

I hope Jerrod got them digits

[@TheZSEP]

Batman making a noise as he gets our of the batmobile had me rolling, lmao

[@eviltwiiin]

I see Jake Johnson and I click

[@wildoceanappaloosawomangay2535]

Geniuses, all. 💚

[@WahooNikki]

I've been so confused about these comments about Righteous Gemstones, because I was thinking of Uncut Gems!

[@mylesmattatall]

I'd love if you included where to watch participants in the round table. links to stream etc.

[@sarah-janeallsopp3155]

Love all of this .. 👌🏻👍🏻✌🏻

[@CarlosCasanova9]

jerrod is the best

[@katherinewilliamson1884]

Fun conversations!

[@conradomartinez8623]

Drink everytime she says " uh huh, uh huh " 😆 🤣 you'll be hammered

[@KH-fd1vg]

Jerrod is so cool and interesting and talented. He feels so himself.

[@jasonofspades]

Was something off with the sound. I’m watching this on my KZbin app on the tv and the audio is hard to hear even turned way up. Jerrods mic specifically seems way down and Danny’s is way loud.

[@Oliveoyl2000]

Jake Johnson 😻😻

[@DaveKovalComedy]

I love this interviewer she’s super passionate and engaging

[@Galindojohnd]

It's wild watching Che in his zone, for the first solid 10 minutes he does nothing but listen, nod agree and empathize... Hell of a roundtable

[@THEE_Kisywisy]

I LOVE MacGruber!!!

[@coolmon0613]

Bowen is such a natural and he makes it looks so easy. Would never guess that he would be nervous at all.

[@koco23]

I can’t get enough of Che

[@ofsaturnstar]

this is the first roundtable i watched all the way through, this table is legendary and Lacey is amazing.

[@pattmahiney]

Here for Bowen 😩😩🙌😂

[@demarcdegasol]

He is the opposite of funny

[@A22DNAL]

People are SLEEPING if you are not watching The Righteous Gemstones! Been a fan since Day One and SO glad they came back for Season 2!

[@hiroshikari]

53:11 I love every time I hear this story. Want this to happen so bad

[@jamilablake5315]

Danny McBride is hilarious

[@filteredcreativity9409]

Michael Che absolutely refusing to laugh

[@christopherblue2004]

they need a roundtable on TV animation with Seth Macfarlane, Matt Groening, Mike judge, and Trey Park and Matt Stone.

[@shaneplace2871]

Trey and Matt have to much respect for them self to do a round table with Seth macfarlane

[@christopherblue2004]

@@shaneplace2871 lol true enough. Just thought about that.

[@hankhippopopalous5826]

@@shaneplace2871Sounds like they think too highly of themselves

[@dani3670]

@@shaneplace2871 after the Cartoon Wars ep years ago, I was never able to watch Family Guy again.

[@TJGibson0]

Justin Roiland would 1000% need to be there as well.