Contributor Angela Yvonne speaks with SNL alum Maya Rudolph about her variety special airing tonight on NBC.
Maya spent seven years wowing us on Saturday Night Live with her dead-on impressions of Donatella Versace and Beyonc├⌐. Now we’re blessed again to see this comedic genius in her own variety show, aptly named The Maya Rudolph Show.
I got the opportunity to talk with Maya about who we can expect to see and how much her children love listening to their grandmother Minnie RippertonΓÇÖs music.
I’ve been a fan of yours since Saturday Night Live and the sitcom Up All Night. Is there a chance that any one from those casts will be reunited with you on your show?
Yes. Yes, I was lucky enough to have Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell all on my special. And those guys are like my brothers. I know them so well and they’re such wonderful people.
What about Sean Hayes, he’s also appearing.
I met Sean doing Up All Night, who I fell madly in love with, and we just have a special bond. I find him to be like a thoroughbred when it comes to comedy. He’s just unbelievable, and he’s also done Broadway.
We know!
Sean Hayes can do anything. He’s like a quadruple threat or whatever threat – whatever number threat he is, he is. But he also just is one of those people with one of the best attitudes possible, which is: “Life is good. Like we get to do this, all of this.” He just comes to play and have fun. And we laughed our asses off.
You have some major funny guys around you for this special.
Afterwards we all said, “that was really fun.” And I thought, “That’s exactly what I wanted.” So having your friends around when you’re doing stuff is one of the major elements of the joy that is possible, that just creates I think a better energy and a better comedy. I mean it’s just more fun to do. I’m really lucky that I have great friends that came through for me. It was really, really, really fun.
I know that you have children and you are exposing them to this variety lifestyle. Do they know that they come from such a talented lineage? Do they listen to their grandmother’s music and do they have a favorite song?
They just love their Grandma Minnie. They know who she is and how special she is. And they love hearing her voice. I think they always feel like that’s an exciting thing for them.
DonΓÇÖt forget to tune in on The Maya Rudolph Show, airing Monday, May 19 at 10 p.m. on NBC.
Connect with Angela Yvonne @AngelaYvonne
