1 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: Welcome to another episode of Strictly Business, the podcast where 2 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: we talk with some of the brightest minds working in 3 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:17,599 Speaker 1: media today. I'm Andrew Wallenstein with Variety Intelligence platform. My 4 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:20,439 Speaker 1: guest today first rose to fame on YouTube, where she's 5 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: still going strong today. But Lily Sing also as a 6 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: second job you might have heard about as host of 7 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: her own late night talk show on NBC. She must 8 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: be doing something right because A Little Late with Lily 9 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: Sing just got renewed for a second season. So it's 10 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 1: great to talk with her today about how she juggles 11 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 1: a career in two different mediums. Congratulations Lily, So is 12 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 1: this the kind of thing where you were sweating? Is 13 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:48,959 Speaker 1: renewal or you knew you had it in the bag? Well, 14 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: first of all, thank you, I'm so excited to be 15 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 1: here chatting about this. Um. Definitely, no, I was sweating. 16 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: I think if I could summarize season one in any way, 17 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 1: or this whole experience in any way, it would be 18 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: all of the emotion. I am constantly in the state 19 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 1: of nervousness, being excited, being grateful, being honored, feeling like 20 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: I need to puke a little bit, all of the 21 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: about Well, don't puke now, but I'll try. What I'm 22 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 1: curious about is when when you hear out late night 23 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 1: talk show host in their first year, no matter how 24 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: successful they are, it's a tough road. You're finding your voice, 25 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:24,640 Speaker 1: you're learning the ropes. So what was it like for 26 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:28,360 Speaker 1: you in your one? I mean, that's exactly correct. This 27 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: is the first time I've done anything like you know, 28 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: I come from the digital world where I am the editor, 29 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 1: and I am the writer, and I am the on 30 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: screen actress, and I do all of the things. I 31 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: am the standards and practices, and so going into this world, 32 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:43,320 Speaker 1: if I'm just being really honest with you, it was challenging. 33 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: I did have to learn an entirely new world. Um 34 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: And just like my first video on YouTube, you know, 35 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 1: there were moments and episodes where I was a little uncomfortable, 36 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: when I was super out of my comfort zone and 37 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: making mistakes and learning from the mistakes and just constantly 38 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 1: trying to level up. UM was my experience. But I think, 39 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 1: just like with anything else, it takes practice and it 40 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: takes experience. And I'm really proud of what we did 41 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 1: in season one, but I'm also super pumped to improve 42 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: and do we even better in season two. And how 43 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: hands on are you in terms of producing the show. 44 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:20,960 Speaker 1: I mean, as you mentioned from your YouTube days, you 45 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: were probably a one woman show doing a bit of everything. 46 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 1: So is it a big adjustment you have to sort 47 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: of lose control to some degree? Um, I have all 48 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: of the hands. Let me just say I tried. I 49 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: was actually learning her from me, if I'm being honest. 50 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: When I first started, I thought I'm gonna be involved 51 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: in every single script and every monologue. I'm going to 52 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: have review every single episode. There was a lot I 53 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,119 Speaker 1: wanted to do, and I managed to do a lot 54 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 1: of it, probably admittedly at the cost of sleep and 55 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 1: a little bit of sanity, because I interview almost every 56 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: single episode, which is not typical. I think of most posts. 57 00:02:57,240 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 1: I sat there in the editing room being like cut 58 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: that with each camera A and will do all that. 59 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:03,519 Speaker 1: It took me a little bit of time to let 60 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:06,119 Speaker 1: go of some of that control, But I think that's 61 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 1: what comes with a learning process and learning how to delegate, 62 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 1: learning that these people are experts at what they do. UM, 63 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:14,799 Speaker 1: I'm definitely gonna try to delegate more in season two, 64 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: but I still think in Jet by Nature, I'm a 65 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 1: pretty hands on person. You know, my name is in 66 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: the show title. It's my point of view that I'm sharing, 67 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: which I believe is an extremely valuable and unique point 68 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: of view in the late night space. And so I 69 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 1: want to make sure that things have my personal question 70 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 1: that's important to me. And if that means sometimes sleeping 71 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 1: a little less, I'm gonna find a balance of doing 72 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: that sometimes. So how involved was the network was? That's 73 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 1: also something that you hear a lot about first year shows. 74 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: Lots and notes, lots of pointers or do they give 75 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: you free rank. I'm gonna say, ultimately, I'm pretty grateful 76 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: and impressed with NBC in this regard. Of course, some 77 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 1: episodes where I'm getting a little too risky and they're 78 00:03:57,960 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 1: gonna be like, all right, write it back a little bit. 79 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 1: Every year. Of course, they have stands and practices and 80 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 1: that was a word in curve. But for the most part, 81 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: they let me be who I was. That was my 82 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 1: number one concern when I got the Late Night show 83 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 1: was am I gonna be, you know, encouraged to be 84 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:18,039 Speaker 1: someone else or or fit a mold? And I can 85 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 1: genuinely say that that was not the case. Of course, 86 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:23,800 Speaker 1: people shared with me best practices, their point of view, 87 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 1: what they thought would work and not work. But at 88 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:26,839 Speaker 1: the end of the day, no one made me ever 89 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 1: be something I'm not. Was there any particular joke that 90 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 1: you remember, or any kind of vein of humor where 91 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 1: you had to learn that there were some sensitivities that 92 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: you might not have otherwise experienced on YouTube? Absolutely, I think, 93 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:45,920 Speaker 1: just like you know there's there's you gotta make mistakes. 94 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: I mean, the reality is you have to make mistakes 95 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:50,279 Speaker 1: when you do things like this or you will never grow. 96 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 1: And if I reflect back on back on some episodes, 97 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 1: there were things that I didn't work properly or or 98 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: even the thing mores of the case was there were 99 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: certain times where I did feel like this this humor, 100 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 1: I think, I'm I'm trying to dive into the late 101 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: night world, and so I'm poking fun at celebrities and trends, 102 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 1: and sometimes I felt, is this a little bit in spirited? 103 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: But no, it can't be. It's late night. And when 104 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,840 Speaker 1: I watched about this episodes, I think, maybe maybe I 105 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:17,840 Speaker 1: should have phrased that joke a little differently, And I 106 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 1: think I had to go through that process to learn that. 107 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 1: But Um, I think going into season two is something 108 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: I really want to prioritize is positivity and love and 109 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: all the things I stand for in real life and 110 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 1: kind of feel less of the pressure of Late Night 111 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:34,279 Speaker 1: being jabby in some ways because it can be a 112 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 1: little bit like that and install thoses that's okay, but 113 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 1: by nature that's not necessarily who I am. So that's 114 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 1: something I definitely learned. So we'll season to be in 115 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:47,480 Speaker 1: any way different than what you were doing in season one. 116 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 1: Any any significant changes, Well, I absolutely hope so, because 117 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 1: I feel like, if you know, for our season one, 118 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 1: we always said we want to mess with the format 119 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:00,360 Speaker 1: and we want to really break the multiple we've seen 120 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: on Late Night. We did to a certain extent, but 121 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:05,359 Speaker 1: at the same time I was learning a whole new world. 122 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 1: Like I said, so, there's only so much breaking and 123 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: redefining you can do when you're learning the ropes, the 124 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 1: very basic ropes of that thing. And so I think 125 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: now that I have more experience and I know how 126 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 1: the game goes, I definitely do really want to just 127 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:21,680 Speaker 1: break the rules of the format of Late Night. I 128 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:26,239 Speaker 1: want to have people that we otherwise would not see 129 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: on Late Night in terms of guests, and so I 130 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: definitely want to change things. I think if the first 131 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: episode and last episode of season two looks the same, 132 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 1: I would consider that not growth and not a great thing, 133 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:38,720 Speaker 1: and I want metually look differently. So what kind of 134 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 1: guests might Who's on your dream list? Who do you 135 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 1: want to have in season two? Listen, sir, we have 136 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 1: the people that I've always want that just the Beyonces. 137 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: I also have just learned from. You know, I had 138 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: the honor of having Lala on my show, and for 139 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: me personally, that was one of my favorite episodes because 140 00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 1: I got to really dive deep into her work and 141 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 1: just things I've always wanted to ask her about her 142 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 1: experiences and turned into this really sweet, genuine and powerful moment. 143 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 1: And I think there's other people like that, from the 144 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: Emma Watsons to the activists that are local to their 145 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: communities that are doing awesome things. I just want to 146 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 1: have really good conversations with people. I mean, in some instances, yes, 147 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 1: it's great to have a shiny celebrity, and other instances, 148 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 1: I think there's so much power and value and just 149 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: amazing this and having people are still a story. I 150 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: don't really care about their celebrity profile. I just want 151 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 1: good conversation and good stories. Now, from what I understand 152 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 1: the way you guys produced in season one, you've already 153 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: you've wrapped your season back in December, and you shot 154 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 1: multiple episodes per day, and those episodes are sometimes months 155 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 1: into the future. I would imagine it's meal different this time. Yeah, 156 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 1: there's proms and guns to do that. In season one, 157 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 1: we shot nine to six episodes in three months. And 158 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: when I tell that to people like you, like you 159 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: just did right now, Yeah, in their face, they're smiling 160 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 1: with their eyes are saying, you're a crazy person. And 161 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: I see that because, um, yeah, it's there's present con 162 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 1: It's great because you know, it allows me to fulfill 163 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 1: from my other ambitions. It allows you to have a 164 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 1: tight knit crew and and production where everyone is committed 165 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 1: for a certain amount of times. So there's a lot 166 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 1: prose to doing that. Now we're at a very unprecedented 167 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: time where I wrapped season one and then unfortunately the 168 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 1: world was with the pandemic and where everyone else it's 169 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: kind of an ironic joke went back to shooting their 170 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: show at home, something I've done for ten years. I 171 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: was already wrapped and my shows all have a live audience, 172 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: So this really timely conversation around quarantine ing UM is 173 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 1: so important and everyone else is doing it and I'm 174 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: not able to because my shows are shot and don't 175 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: address the pandemic at all. So it was definitely a 176 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 1: learning experien It was definitely interesting. UM. We will make 177 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:05,320 Speaker 1: changes for season two. I don't plan to have that 178 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:10,719 Speaker 1: schedule for just being topical, my sanity, for sleep, but 179 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: the clearness of my skin, for the grays on my head, 180 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 1: for all of those reasons. We're gonna extend that schedule. 181 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:20,320 Speaker 1: But can I just tell you after that, I really 182 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 1: feel like I can do anything. I truly believe I 183 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 1: can do it anything. You are battle tested, Yes, I 184 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 1: am just ready to go here, ready to go. So 185 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,199 Speaker 1: the thing is, I can understand, you know, the appeal 186 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 1: of actually sort of not having to deal with topicality 187 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 1: and you know, providing a certain kind of world where 188 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 1: people don't have to be reminded of the issues that 189 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: are going on. But do you think in this new season, 190 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 1: with this new schedule, you'll be able to be a 191 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: bit more topical at times? And what kind of topics 192 00:09:55,040 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: do you think you'll touch on. Well, that's definitely the goal. 193 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 1: UM as much as we can be topical, that is, 194 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,160 Speaker 1: of course the gole. I don't know if it's gonna 195 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: always be possible, but we're gonna try to make it possible. 196 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: In terms of topics, I have never particularly been someone 197 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 1: who discusses politics. There's a few reasons for that. I mean, 198 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,680 Speaker 1: of course I understand the importance of voting and the 199 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:20,839 Speaker 1: importance of being informed, but it's a little bit of 200 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: an interesting situation because I myself cannot vote in the 201 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 1: country I live in. I'm a Canadian. Whether the Late 202 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: Night show, hav instaid that there are issues I'm very 203 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 1: passionate about and that I'm very vocal about. Whether it's 204 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 1: gender equity, whether it's about legislation regarding women's bodies, whether 205 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: it's about um education. There's things that I'm very passionate 206 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,520 Speaker 1: and I will continue to talk about through comedy because 207 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:46,319 Speaker 1: I think comedy is a great vehicle for doing that. 208 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: But yes, I do think to a certain extent, having 209 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: content that is evergreen and does help people skip is 210 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: also important because if people are like me, they want 211 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: to be informed, but they also sometimes want to escape 212 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: after a long day and I want that option to 213 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,199 Speaker 1: also exist. You know, there's lots of places you can 214 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: go to get informant and here drugs about politics. I 215 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 1: feel like less and less there are places where you 216 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: can go where you are not reminded of that. So 217 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 1: I want to find it out. You mentioned being Canadian. 218 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: That's just one of the ways you're different than pretty 219 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 1: much just about everyone in Late night. For starters, you're 220 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:28,439 Speaker 1: not a man, Yeah, you're an Indian descent, you're bisexual. 221 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 1: There's all these different things than what you see from 222 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:34,839 Speaker 1: the standard host. Do you think that's help you cut 223 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 1: through the clutter? Um? Yes and no. You know, it's 224 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 1: a really complex thing because obviously my late night show 225 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 1: was announced, a lot of headlines said just that, you know, 226 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: it's that Canadian. The hyphen it's were extreme. Headlines were 227 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: this one Canadian Indian person with long hair, it's long 228 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 1: about it went on and cut and on about who 229 00:11:56,920 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 1: I am. And of course I'm proud of that because 230 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 1: I really truly do believe representation matters. And I think 231 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 1: when you see an episode with me and Minty Kaling 232 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:08,280 Speaker 1: and we're making references about things from our upbringing that 233 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:11,560 Speaker 1: are so unique our culture, that's beautiful and awesome, but 234 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: at the same time, I don't want to be defined 235 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: as that, and I'm kind of, from being honest, I'm 236 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 1: stuck in a little bit of a loop, right, don't 237 00:12:19,720 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 1: quite know how to handle it because when I'm doing 238 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 1: a monologue and I'm talking about my experience, at one hand, 239 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:28,960 Speaker 1: I feel like I'm so much more than all those hychmiths. 240 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 1: But at the other hand, my point of view is 241 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: so influenced by those hype of its. So um, it's 242 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:35,719 Speaker 1: kind of this weird pattern of being defined by it 243 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 1: and not being defined it. So I'm honestly still trying 244 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:39,360 Speaker 1: to figure it out and what it means and how 245 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: to navigate it. My solution is to truly just be myself. 246 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:44,959 Speaker 1: Everything is from my point of view, and my point 247 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 1: of view happens to be those hypimiths. So got it? 248 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 1: And of course, you know, in addition to everything that 249 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: you're doing on NBC, there's that whole YouTube career that 250 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 1: is going. How do you how do you balance the two? 251 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 1: If you're doing twelve our shoots, you know, from nineties 252 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: six episodes, how do you have time to keep video 253 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: coming to your channel? Very poorly, very poorly. Um, it's 254 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 1: you know, before season one started, I remember being like, Oh, 255 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: I'm gonna bank a bunch of YouTube videos. I'm going 256 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,959 Speaker 1: to keep uploading during the season one. Then season what 257 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:22,440 Speaker 1: happened and I was like, Oh, this is a lot 258 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: of work and I really want this to be good, 259 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: and so this YouTube needs to take a back seat. 260 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 1: I don't have the answer of how we gonna navigate 261 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:33,439 Speaker 1: and this in season two. I just know that YouTube 262 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: continues to be a huge priority for me. I mean 263 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 1: that is where my community is, as what my core 264 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:40,920 Speaker 1: fan base is. I believe in the digital space so much. 265 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 1: I'm going to try to figure away. And I think, 266 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 1: going back to your question about the schedule, I think 267 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: expanding the late night schedule will allow me to insert 268 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: some days where I can do YouTube. But no, definitely, 269 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: I feel like I have three full time jobs all 270 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:56,679 Speaker 1: the time. Um, it's super stressful and exciting, and when 271 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 1: I have any other way, absolutely not. I think busy 272 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: is a blessing and I think I recognize this opportunity. 273 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 1: I recognize what an honor it is. And I think 274 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 1: the one thing that will change, if I'm being honest 275 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 1: in season she is I don't think I'll feel guilty 276 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 1: about it. I think season one I felt really guilty. 277 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 1: I was like, oh, I didn't post like YouTube video. 278 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:16,439 Speaker 1: I into this. I really want this show to be great. 279 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: I understand the path that could pay if I understand 280 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: the opportunity I have. I'm gonna try my best to 281 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 1: balance both. But we need to teeter from backseat to 282 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: baccine and I'm gonna do that. Okay, Well, did you 283 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: ever get counsel or advice from I don't know, an 284 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: agent the network to say like, listen, you gotta just this. 285 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: This whole YouTube thing's gotta go. You're a TV star now. Um, 286 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 1: No one really says that to me. The thing about 287 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: people counseling, and I'm in such a unique space. You know, 288 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,560 Speaker 1: other late night closts didn't necessarily come from the digital space. 289 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 1: They were on TV and then they now migrated into 290 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: the digital space. I am in a very unique position 291 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: with There's very few people like you ask for in 292 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 1: terms of advice, because I have one foot on each ladder. Really, 293 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 1: to be honest, there were other people that gave me 294 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: other sound advice, you know, Trevor know what. I keep 295 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,760 Speaker 1: referencing this because it was the most beautiful piece of 296 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 1: blatant and blunt advice. And you know, he said, everyone's 297 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 1: gonna tell you that you'll be able to do other 298 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 1: things during the show, and you'll have balanced during the show, 299 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 1: and you should know that's a lie. You should know 300 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: that you're gonna go to the show and it's going 301 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: to consume your entire life and it will take up 302 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 1: every moment of your day. And I was like, huh, 303 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 1: but he was not wrong, and that's exactly what I 304 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 1: needed to hear. Um. I think anyone that says to 305 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 1: me that don't worry about YouTube on TV now is night. 306 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: I think digital space is such it can't be more. 307 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 1: We're not in living in the time anymore where you 308 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: can just say YouTube, YouTube, and it's just no. That's 309 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: how a lot of people consume content. And it's um 310 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: the line between traditional digital and definitely blurring. You know, 311 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: there's been a lot of Internet stars that have tried 312 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: to make this resition transition and have not made it work. 313 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: What do you think has enabled you to dodge something? 314 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 1: You know, there's been others that have really stumbled with this. 315 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 1: I mean, listen, I can only speak to my experience. 316 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: I what I can say, and this has just been 317 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: being like looking straight into my webcams super candid. It's 318 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 1: really hard. It is super super hard to do. There's 319 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:29,880 Speaker 1: been countless times where I have been pretty close to 320 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 1: giving up, if I'm being honest, because you come from 321 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 1: a world where you are your own boss, where you 322 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: have these rigid schedules uploading things, and that's really tiring. 323 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 1: I know people think about ten minute YouTube video, how 324 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: long can that take? But those are that's just a 325 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 1: lot of energy and social media seven job, and so 326 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: you already have that, and then to try to transition 327 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 1: into something else on top of keeping up with their 328 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: socials and doing brand partnerships and doing events and doing 329 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 1: all of these things. It is a lot. And then 330 00:16:57,920 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 1: when you go to late night, especially for me, I 331 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:01,960 Speaker 1: had all of these ideas that I wanted to do, 332 00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 1: which there's so many reasons you can't do them a 333 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 1: late night because of because of unions and because of rules, 334 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: because of standard of practice. That's not't a bad thing, 335 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:13,120 Speaker 1: it's just a different machine. And so I really did 336 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:15,119 Speaker 1: feel like the dumbest person in the room a lot 337 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:18,480 Speaker 1: of times where I thought, wow, I have to learn 338 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:21,200 Speaker 1: a whole new set of everything, and I could see 339 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: in that moment how people would be like, why am 340 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:24,960 Speaker 1: I doing this? Let me just be my own boss 341 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 1: again on YouTube? And it's really hard. It's really really hard, 342 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: if I'm being honest. There's some days on season one 343 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 1: where I left feeling that was a great episode, this 344 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:38,360 Speaker 1: is amazing, I'm so proud. Is exactly what I wanted 345 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: to do. But just like anything else, there's some days 346 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 1: where I literally cried for hours in my green room 347 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: being like, I don't know what to do and I 348 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:47,959 Speaker 1: don't know how to deal with this. I don't know 349 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 1: how to navigate this, and actually just give up. So 350 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: I have nothing besides positive energy towards anyone who has 351 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 1: ever stumbled in this process, because it's a doozy for sure. 352 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: Well what did you think it is in terms of 353 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:05,879 Speaker 1: is there something about the nature of the appeal of 354 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 1: YouTube stars or stars and other platforms that possibly doesn't 355 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:19,240 Speaker 1: translate to TV that maybe you figured out how to navigate? Um? Yes, 356 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: and no, I feel like the style and the way 357 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:25,120 Speaker 1: in which we do things doesn't necessarily translate to TV 358 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: because now you have a crew of so many people, 359 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: and the more people you have, the more complex processes 360 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:35,520 Speaker 1: get I think it's easier to do a jug kind 361 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:37,399 Speaker 1: of video and execute something when it's you want a 362 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:39,880 Speaker 1: smaller prove in some ways, to be honest when it's 363 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 1: mean my YouTube prow I do feel like we move 364 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 1: at a different pace, but the quality of our product 365 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: doesn't compare to the quality of a TV show at 366 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:50,679 Speaker 1: the same time, So there's definitely pros and cons. I 367 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 1: think what it is is that, more than anything, it's, 368 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 1: like I said, learning a new set of rules. I 369 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: don't think that the talent doesn't translate. I don't think 370 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 1: that the energy doesn't Hansley. I think it's learning a 371 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:06,679 Speaker 1: new world. That is what you know, hurdles people to 372 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: be honest. Well, let me ask you this is is 373 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: YouTube Lily and NBC Lily the same? Because when I 374 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 1: watch both I see some differences. No, definitely, I wish 375 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:22,679 Speaker 1: the answer to this question was yes. I want to 376 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:24,719 Speaker 1: sit here and tell you, yeah, let's same. But I 377 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:29,400 Speaker 1: know that they are not um or Season one NBC 378 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: Lily and first YouTube video Lily the same. Yes, they're 379 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 1: both trying their best. There you can see glimpses of like, 380 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:40,919 Speaker 1: oh that's when we go. It's really funny, but you 381 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: can tell they're still learning being done, which is why 382 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 1: my main sentiment going into season two is like, again, 383 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:49,800 Speaker 1: like I said, I'm so proud ninety six episode three months, 384 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: the things we did, I'm really proud. But for people 385 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:55,800 Speaker 1: that have been like you know, I feel like your 386 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 1: monologues are not kind of like you on YouTube, You're 387 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:01,159 Speaker 1: right because I'm sitting there learning in front of three cameras, 388 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,399 Speaker 1: in front of a live audience, with notes from a studio. 389 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,639 Speaker 1: I'm I'm gonna have to learn and make mistakes. And 390 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:09,440 Speaker 1: so if you ask me this question four seasons from now, 391 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 1: I'm confident my answer will be yes, that YouTube really 392 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 1: who is the real Lily? And NBC Lily was also 393 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:19,880 Speaker 1: the really? But learning, that's my goal. When you say 394 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:22,439 Speaker 1: something like four seasons from now, I'm curious, are you 395 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 1: looking that far ahead? And you know, the thing about 396 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:28,000 Speaker 1: late night TV is it is not uncommon to have 397 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:31,159 Speaker 1: careers at last decades. Are you in it for the 398 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 1: long haul? I'm in it to win it, baby, I 399 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:40,119 Speaker 1: really want. I really believe that I can mold this 400 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:43,680 Speaker 1: show into something that consistently excites me and other people 401 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: and means a lot to myself and other people more 402 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:49,720 Speaker 1: so than it already does. Um. I always know, it's 403 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: just they never say never. You don't know what the 404 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:53,639 Speaker 1: future holds. I think right now in this time, we 405 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 1: know that, know that more than any other time. But no, 406 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: I really am grateful to NBC and my fan base 407 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:03,360 Speaker 1: for this opportunity. I know it's bigger than myself. I 408 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 1: know that, you know. I remember there's one episode with 409 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:09,680 Speaker 1: me and cal Penn and we're Indian restaurants. Remember so 410 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 1: many comments under that episode being like I have never 411 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:15,720 Speaker 1: watched the show where two people are making Hindi or 412 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:19,159 Speaker 1: Bollywood references talking about this, and I remember reading that 413 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:22,399 Speaker 1: like this is why and it's not just because of that. 414 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 1: I don't want to say that it's just for Indian people, 415 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:26,720 Speaker 1: but it's the fact that it's a point of view 416 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 1: that we don't see. And I think that's bigger than me, 417 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:32,160 Speaker 1: and I'm in it to win it. I am gonna 418 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 1: if I have to cry in my green room for 419 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:36,919 Speaker 1: a couple more seasons to figure it out, then I'm 420 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: gonna do that. You know, you mentioned ethnic jokes, and 421 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 1: the thing is there's criticism that comes with that when 422 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:47,639 Speaker 1: you do that kind of humor. People are going to 423 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 1: get annoyed. Even if you think it's brilliant and hilarious, 424 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,280 Speaker 1: and you've gotten your share of criticism, both on YouTube 425 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:57,119 Speaker 1: and on NBC. Do you have a thick skin that 426 00:21:57,160 --> 00:21:59,159 Speaker 1: you've grown as a result of this or do you 427 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: feel it again? I want my answer to say, yes, 428 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 1: I have thanks care, But I being honest, of course 429 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:09,120 Speaker 1: it gets to me. If you care about something, when 430 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:12,240 Speaker 1: someone criticizes it, it's gonna get to you. You know. 431 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 1: It's why people are very protective over their children. This 432 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:18,919 Speaker 1: show is my child, and so of course I get 433 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 1: affected by it. Um Am. I used to it in 434 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:23,639 Speaker 1: terms of it's not my first rodeo, of course, and 435 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:27,199 Speaker 1: make YouTube's for ten years about all the comments. But 436 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 1: I think for me is what I'm learning is I'm 437 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 1: gonna I'm gonna try my best to make sure I 438 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 1: have an inclusive, positive, wonderful show. Is it gonna be 439 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: everyone's cup of tea? Absolutely not. That's impossible. That's truly impossible. 440 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:45,639 Speaker 1: I've learned that. Um there's times when I make jokes 441 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: about my ethnicity where people don't like it, and then 442 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 1: there's times if I don't make jokes about my ethnicity, 443 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:56,720 Speaker 1: people think I'm not representing, So it truly is you 444 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,200 Speaker 1: can't please everyone. I just want to be myself, be 445 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 1: true to who I um. And that's literally the only 446 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:05,520 Speaker 1: solution because you will not please everyone. And I can 447 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 1: tell you truthfully on any situation or any issue, there 448 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:12,119 Speaker 1: is a loose, loose scenario and in some way, so 449 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:14,640 Speaker 1: to stop paying attention to it, be who I am. 450 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:17,679 Speaker 1: If people like a great if not, Luckily, there's so 451 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:19,680 Speaker 1: many other things that you can watch, so it's great. 452 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 1: It's a great time of content. So, as you mentioned, 453 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 1: you wrapped back in December. Uh, what have you been 454 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,880 Speaker 1: up to in I know right now, like everyone else, 455 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:33,320 Speaker 1: you're probably homebound. Uh. You know everyone's lives have been 456 00:23:33,359 --> 00:23:37,560 Speaker 1: sort of disrupted by the pandemic. But you've actually done 457 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:43,359 Speaker 1: some interesting things online, some interesting charitable efforts. Talk about 458 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:46,200 Speaker 1: what you've been up to. Yeah, I mean I've done 459 00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: a game of things online, from supporting causes in India 460 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 1: to supporting the Global Citizens Cause Stronger Together. There's there's 461 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:57,720 Speaker 1: been many things online I've done, and I think it's 462 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 1: so important just because it's crucial to remember this pandemic 463 00:24:01,840 --> 00:24:05,679 Speaker 1: does not affect people equally. And I've always been the 464 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:09,159 Speaker 1: person to at least try to check my privilege. You 465 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 1: know that the thing about privileges, it's so hard to 466 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 1: check because it seems like it doesn't exist, but it 467 00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:17,199 Speaker 1: does exist. And I'm constantly the process of checking my privilege. 468 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:20,240 Speaker 1: And this pandemic has been just that. Knowing that in 469 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:22,639 Speaker 1: India people some parts of it. In other parts of 470 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,520 Speaker 1: the world, people can't socially distance, knowing that a small 471 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:29,120 Speaker 1: business is going to suffer more than a bigger, mega company. 472 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:32,480 Speaker 1: You know, it's moments like this where I really try 473 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 1: to focus on the silver lining, which is, yes, people 474 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:39,840 Speaker 1: are suffering, the world is struggling. But for me, the 475 00:24:39,880 --> 00:24:42,119 Speaker 1: silver lining is the world is also coming together in 476 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: a way which really really makes me restore my faith 477 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 1: in humanity. I think people are there for each other, 478 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 1: people are willing to support each other, and I want 479 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 1: to be a part of that through and through and 480 00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 1: through because at the essence, that's what I love about humanity, 481 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:58,719 Speaker 1: like I love people, and this right now is what 482 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,240 Speaker 1: I love about people, is that we innately do care 483 00:25:01,280 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: about each other, even though sometimes when we're not in 484 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 1: the pandemic, we like to pretend that we don't and 485 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,159 Speaker 1: we get distracted by things. But when moments like this, 486 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 1: you really see at the core that people can be 487 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 1: there for each other. I saw on your YouTube channel 488 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:17,760 Speaker 1: you actually interviewed Dr Fauci about a month or so ago. 489 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:23,320 Speaker 1: What was that like? Super cool? I mean, it's a 490 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:27,080 Speaker 1: huge honor to to be interviewing someone going straight to 491 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:29,399 Speaker 1: the source because and that was really important for me 492 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 1: because maybe you can relate. I was in so many 493 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:37,160 Speaker 1: groups with so many people who were what's that doctors 494 00:25:37,160 --> 00:25:40,199 Speaker 1: who were sending articles and sending facts, and it was 495 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 1: creating fear, and I thought, you know, I had this 496 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:47,200 Speaker 1: opportunity to interview Dr Faucci. There's so many different directions 497 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:49,119 Speaker 1: I could go. Of course, I could get politically do 498 00:25:49,119 --> 00:25:50,640 Speaker 1: all these things, but I'm like, I think it's really 499 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 1: important to just get the facts about this virus and 500 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:58,320 Speaker 1: let people know to try to alleviate some fear and 501 00:25:58,359 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 1: try to alleviate some misinformation. We I do think this 502 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:06,800 Speaker 1: information is really as just so much more pain into 503 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 1: the world right now, And so that was really cool 504 00:26:08,800 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 1: to do with myself and two other creators. I got 505 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:12,440 Speaker 1: to do it, and I thought it was a huge honor. 506 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 1: He was very cool and very willing to talk to me, 507 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,480 Speaker 1: even though I, you know, I don't know any terminology 508 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 1: or anything about science or anything about anything he does. 509 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 1: But he spoke to me like a real person. That 510 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: was great. Well, but I think what's great about you 511 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 1: doing that kind of interview is particularly on YouTube or 512 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 1: your your fan base is probably young and not necessarily 513 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:36,639 Speaker 1: attuned to the news. You in effect becomes sort of 514 00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:40,240 Speaker 1: something of a news person. It's you're reaching an audience 515 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 1: with serious information. Do you feel that kind of responsibility 516 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,520 Speaker 1: in that instance? I definitely did, you know, because we're, 517 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 1: like I said, in an extraordinary time where information is 518 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:56,399 Speaker 1: so valuable. So yes, um, otherwise and other times in 519 00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:59,159 Speaker 1: my life yes and no. You know, it's an interesting 520 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:01,160 Speaker 1: balance you have to play when you have a platform, 521 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: because of course you want to have a sense of 522 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:08,679 Speaker 1: responsibility where you are spreading positivity, information, education, knowledge. But 523 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:12,440 Speaker 1: you can't do any of that well if you yourself 524 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:17,200 Speaker 1: are not a happy, productive, healthy person. And that's where 525 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:19,280 Speaker 1: we go over here, and to be happy, healthy, productive 526 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:21,159 Speaker 1: you have to be true to yourself. So and you 527 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:23,399 Speaker 1: can't do that if you always feel like you're responsible 528 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:25,800 Speaker 1: for the masses. You always feel like you are living 529 00:27:25,800 --> 00:27:28,080 Speaker 1: for other people and delivering to other people. Now, it 530 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: is crucial, and I think people really need to understand 531 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:34,119 Speaker 1: that all these people that have a platform, their platform 532 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 1: is gonna mean nothing if they're not doing well for themselves. 533 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:40,359 Speaker 1: And so I think it's important to find the balance 534 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:44,879 Speaker 1: of doing stuff for themselves and for the masses. You know. Also, 535 00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 1: we're you know, certainly when you're talking about NBC, you're 536 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,920 Speaker 1: talking about an American audience, but YouTube it's a very 537 00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:56,359 Speaker 1: global audience that you've got there. Um, how do you 538 00:27:56,359 --> 00:28:01,600 Speaker 1: sort of cultivate audiences outside the US US and resonate 539 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:05,280 Speaker 1: with them? Uh? Is there is there sort of a 540 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 1: difference in your appeal and say India or the UK 541 00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 1: or wherever, uh, compared to what you're resonating with here 542 00:28:13,640 --> 00:28:16,720 Speaker 1: in the US. Yeah, that's a great question. I think 543 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:21,560 Speaker 1: that's also why I'm pretty keen on making sure that 544 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:25,120 Speaker 1: some of my material is evergreen and it's not topical, 545 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:26,560 Speaker 1: because we do need to remember that a lot of 546 00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 1: these topical episodes are topical to Americans. You know. It 547 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 1: is a very catered to cater to an American audience, 548 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: which is why in season two I want to prioritize motivation, positivity, 549 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:42,400 Speaker 1: evergreen comedy because those are universal languages. And I think 550 00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:45,440 Speaker 1: that's why my YouTube channel is so appealing to people worldwide, 551 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 1: because you don't need to live in America to be 552 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 1: down one day, watch a video and film motivated. That's 553 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:55,040 Speaker 1: a universal concept. Um, if a joke is funny, universal concept. 554 00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 1: So again, it's about directing that balance. And I do 555 00:28:57,760 --> 00:29:00,000 Speaker 1: think that is a little unique to my position because 556 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:01,680 Speaker 1: I did come from a world where I have a 557 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 1: good blocks. I had a huge audience in India, and 558 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:05,840 Speaker 1: it's very important to me when I do my late 559 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 1: night show that I'm not excluding them. I want them 560 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 1: to be part of that conversation, especially because the show 561 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 1: gets screamed. It gets streamed in India, you know, and 562 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:15,520 Speaker 1: the clips go on YouTube, which is for the world, 563 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:17,880 Speaker 1: and I want my show to be for the world. 564 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:20,040 Speaker 1: Like I said, I'm Canadian. I know what it feels 565 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:21,720 Speaker 1: like to be raised. I moved to l A five 566 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 1: years ago. I know what it feels like to feel 567 00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:26,760 Speaker 1: like everything is scared to an audience. Um. Of course 568 00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:29,200 Speaker 1: the audience is huge and has a lot of power. 569 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:31,960 Speaker 1: Doesn't mean that the rest of the world doesn't deserve 570 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:37,080 Speaker 1: to see content that they can well literally, congratulations again 571 00:29:37,320 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 1: on the second season. Uh, you're keeping busy now on YouTube? 572 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:43,680 Speaker 1: Until when does the new season start? By the way, 573 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:48,880 Speaker 1: I have no idea what productions it will look like 574 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:52,240 Speaker 1: because everything is currently shut down and pause. But what 575 00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:55,560 Speaker 1: I can say, just as a final thought, is, in 576 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 1: case it didn't come through, my effort is going into 577 00:29:59,280 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 1: this show. Extremely grateful to NBC and everyone who's supported me. Um. 578 00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:05,920 Speaker 1: I can't wait to learn more, come back stronger, come 579 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:08,600 Speaker 1: back from more experience, and tell well that supported me. 580 00:30:08,720 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 1: Please keep at it because it means a lot. Folly, 581 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:12,440 Speaker 1: I'm here right now. We're here right now, So thank you, 582 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 1: thanks for your time, really, thank you. Bye. This has 583 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:22,360 Speaker 1: been another episode of Strictly Business. Tune in next week 584 00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:26,640 Speaker 1: for another helping of scintillating conversation with media movers and shakers, 585 00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:29,640 Speaker 1: and please make sure you subscribe to the podcast to 586 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 1: hear future episodes. Also leave a review in Apple podcast 587 00:30:33,720 --> 00:30:34,760 Speaker 1: let us know how we're doing.