DeepSummary
In this episode of Fresh Air, Terry Gross interviews Hannah Einbinder, a comedian who stars alongside Jean Smart in the HBO Max series Hacks. Einbinder discusses her background, including being raised in a comedic household by her mother Laraine Newman, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live. She talks about her journey into comedy, starting with improv in college and later discovering stand-up.
Einbinder opens up about her experience with ADHD, being diagnosed in high school and taking Adderall for six years. She shares the difficulties she faced, feeling numb and cut off from her emotions, and the intense withdrawal symptoms when she stopped taking the medication. She also touches on her bisexuality and the experiences of biphobia within the LGBTQ+ community.
The conversation covers Einbinder's roles in Hacks, including her audition process and working alongside Jean Smart. She reflects on the themes of the show, such as generational differences, offensive jokes, and the consequences of cancel culture. Einbinder also discusses her competitive cheerleading background and the physical toll it took on her body.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Hannah Einbinder's comedic upbringing, with her mother as an original SNL cast member, heavily influenced her pursuit of comedy.
- Einbinder's experience with ADHD, Adderall, and marijuana use in her youth had a significant impact on her emotional and mental well-being.
- Biphobia and marginalization within the LGBTQ+ community are issues that Einbinder has personally faced and addressed through her comedy.
- Einbinder's role in the HBO Max series Hacks explores themes of generational differences, offensive comedy, and cancel culture.
- Competitive cheerleading was a formative experience for Einbinder, instilling a strong work ethic but also causing physical toll on her body.
- Discovering stand-up comedy provided Einbinder with an outlet for self-expression and emotional relief during a difficult time in her life.
- Working alongside Jean Smart on Hacks allowed Einbinder to learn from an experienced actress and navigate the challenges of her breakthrough role.
- Einbinder's comedy often draws from personal experiences, tackling topics like ADHD, sexuality, and her Jewish upbringing with humor and introspection.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It made me feel cut off from my soul. Oh, that's big. Yeah. Yeah. It was not positive for me. And I do want to just say for folks who do take Adderall, who have ADHD, I don't want to invalidate how much it can help people. It really. It can help people, and a lot of folks function so much better on it, and that is so valid. I did not have that experience, and I know of a lot of folks who also didn't have that experience.“ by Hannah Einbinder
- “I always wonder, and I certainly think if, you know, you know, it's funny, I know so many siblings who are both queer. Like, I know so many of my friends are two queer kids in a family. Like, I would not dare make any official scientific claims, but I definitely have wondered about that. And in the case of my family, it's certainly in the water, you know?“ by Hannah Einbinder
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Episode Information
Fresh Air
NPR
6/17/24
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