Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” Podcast: Laughter, Impressions, and the Martha Stewart Connection

In the world of celebrity podcasts, Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” has established itself as a go-to destination for A-list guests and authentic conversations. However, as Poehler recently revealed during a December 23rd episode featuring her former Saturday Night Live colleague Ana Gasteyer, there’s one legendary figure she’s hesitant to invite onto the show: Martha Stewart. With a touch of humor that characterizes her style, 54-year-old Poehler confessed, “Martha, I’m not going to invite you on the show because I’m too scared but please listen and know that you’re something else.” This playful admission came during a discussion where both Poehler and Gasteyer, who performed together on SNL in the early 2000s, revealed their mutual admiration for Stewart while simultaneously dissecting the art of impersonating the lifestyle mogul. Both comedians agreed that capturing Stewart’s distinctive speaking style requires minimal mouth movement – as Poehler joked, “It’s a barely moving mouth… we’re going to make a Christmas meal and barely nothing’s going to move.” Their conversation highlighted the affectionate way comedians study their subjects, finding humor while also acknowledging the impact and presence of someone they clearly respect.

The Martha Stewart theme has become something of a recurring motif on “Good Hang,” extending beyond the conversation with Gasteyer. During a July episode featuring comedian Cole Escola, the discussion once again turned to Stewart, with Escola sharing his own admiration for the culinary icon. The 39-year-old comedian playfully imagined an outlandish scenario: “I want to serve cold mashed potatoes to dying Martha Stewart. That’s my dream dinner party. Her last bite.” Poehler, never missing a comedic beat, immediately added Stewart’s hypothetical deadpan response: “Mmm, cold.” These lighthearted exchanges reveal the enduring cultural significance Stewart maintains, particularly among comedians who grew up watching her build an empire around perfection, taste, and domestic expertise. The conversations also showcase Poehler’s talent for creating comfortable environments where guests can share quirky thoughts and engage in the kind of unfiltered banter that makes for engaging podcasting. The chemistry between Poehler and her guests creates moments of genuine laughter that resonate with listeners, allowing them to feel like they’re simply hanging out with funny friends – the podcast’s aptly chosen name capturing its essence perfectly.

Stewart herself has shown remarkable self-awareness and good humor regarding how she’s portrayed in comedy. During a January appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the topic of SNL impressions arose, with Fallon noting that Stewart had been impersonated “nine times” by various cast members including Poehler, Gasteyer, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Rachel Dratch, and guest hosts like Janeane Garofalo and David Spade. When shown photos of these various impersonations, the 84-year-old Stewart pointed to Spade’s portrayal as her favorite, noting with amusement, “He was wearing my poncho. The real poncho.” Her reaction demonstrates the grace with which she’s handled decades of being parodied, telling Fallon, “I love it. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. You might as well be imitated.” This positive response suggests that perhaps Poehler’s fears about inviting Stewart onto “Good Hang” might be unfounded – Stewart appears to appreciate the humor behind these impressions rather than taking offense, reflecting a self-assurance that has characterized her public persona throughout her multi-decade career in the spotlight.

The conversation with Fallon also revealed Stewart’s own comedic timing and willingness to poke fun at her past. When asked if she would ever want to host SNL, Stewart shared that she had once been interested but the timing hadn’t worked out – for a very specific reason. “I wanted to and they asked me as I was coming out of Alderson, that camp that I was in for a while, and my parole officer wouldn’t give me the time to do it,” she explained, referring to her five-month incarceration at Alderson Federal Prison Camp from October 2004 to March 2005 following charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to an insider trading scandal. Stewart continued with the joke, noting that she “was allowed to be out of my house eight hours a day. That bastard [the parole officer]. I’m so pissed.” Her ability to reference this challenging period in her life with humor demonstrates remarkable resilience and suggests a comfort with her complete story – both the triumphs and setbacks – that has endeared her to audiences even after her legal troubles.

The dynamic between comedians like Poehler and their subjects of impersonation highlights the unique relationship that exists in comedy. While impressions by their nature exaggerate characteristics and can sometimes border on mockery, there’s often an undercurrent of respect and even admiration. Poehler and Gasteyer both acknowledged being “obsessed” with Stewart, suggesting their impressions come from a place of fascination rather than derision. This tension between affectionate ribbing and genuine appreciation creates a rich comedic territory that SNL has explored for decades with various cultural figures. For performers like Poehler, who built part of their early career on such impressions, there can be a strange intimacy created with someone they may have never met in person – they’ve studied mannerisms, vocal patterns, and personality traits so closely that there’s a sense of connection, however one-sided it might be. This might partly explain Poehler’s hesitation to have Stewart on her podcast; there’s a vulnerability in meeting someone you’ve publicly imitated, wondering how they truly feel about your portrayal of them.

The success of “Good Hang” speaks to Poehler’s evolution from SNL performer to multi-hyphenate entertainment force – actress, director, producer, writer, and now podcast host. Her ability to attract high-profile guests while maintaining an atmosphere of casual conversation demonstrates the respect she commands within the industry and her skill at creating comfortable spaces for authentic exchanges. The podcast format suits her strengths perfectly, allowing for longer, more nuanced conversations than typical talk show appearances while still showcasing her quick wit and genuine curiosity about others. Whether she’ll eventually overcome her trepidation and invite Martha Stewart onto the show remains to be seen, but the ongoing references to the lifestyle icon suggest the possibility remains intriguing to both Poehler and her audience. If such an episode were to happen, it would likely feature the same blend of mutual respect, good-natured humor, and surprising revelations that characterize the best podcast conversations. Until then, listeners can continue enjoying Poehler’s distinctive approach to interviewing and the surprising connections and stories that emerge when creative people simply enjoy a “good hang” together, Martha Stewart impressions and all.