#168 Jessica Szohr Loves To Be A Gossip Girl On The Orville XOXO

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Jeff Dwoskin 0:30

All right, Vanessa, thank you so much for that amazing introduction. You get the show going each and every week, and this week was no exception. Welcome, everybody to Episode 168 of classic conversations. We're going out of this world for this episode. My guest Jessica Szohr. You love her in the Orville. You know, I love the Orville one of my favorite shows. Jessica marks the third member of the cast to join me on the show so excited to have her But Jessica also was in Gossip Girl shame us Parana 3d It goes on and on. I can't list them all. I won't be able to get to the interview. This conversation is super fun. You're gonna love it. I had a great time talking with Jessica who also host by the way, an amazing podcast XOXO if you're into gossip girl, she does the recap podcast of that. We talked a bit about that as well. And that's all coming up in just a few seconds. And in these few seconds these precious moments. I want to remind everyone of last week's amazing episodes. That's what I do I remind you of the last one and go listen to them all, of course. But last last week, episode 166 with Karen Grassley, my from Little House on the Prairie amazing episode, Episode 167 with Debbie Wileman viral sensation saying as Judy Garland to entertain her friends during the pandemic goes viral ends up at Carnegie Hall. Now consider one of the greatest names the greatest Judy Garland Impressionists of all time. So much fun awaits you. But right now, we're diving into my conversation with Jessica. We're talking Orrville Gossip Girl. And we're going deep deep into Parana 3d as well. This episode has everything enjoy. All right, everyone. I'm excited to introduce you to my next guest. Loved her is Vanessa on Gossip Girl Nasaan shameless Lieutenant Commander Talak. Yeah, Leon The Orville host of XOXO the official Gossip Girl podcast. Welcome to the show. Jessica Szohr.

Jessica Szohr 2:37

Ah, hello, Jeff. How's it going?

Jeff Dwoskin 2:40

Great. How are you doing?

Jessica Szohr 2:42

I'm so well. I'm so happy to chat with you. It's like was so funny because obviously when when you were just listening, some of the things I've done, they're all so different. But I felt like really we were gonna dig into like the Orville of this all but I like listening to your podcast. I'm just excited to be here. I'm excited to talk about all the things and everything with you. You're just you're a really good host. And yeah, so I'm

Jeff Dwoskin 3:04

pumped. I'm pumped as well. Thank you so much. Yeah, we're gonna talk Orville, because that's I love the Orville I. But I always like kind of getting to other stuff first and make sure that we kind of cover some of the other things like I totally want to talk about Parana 3d. I'm really excited. I'm really excited I got so this is I'm watching. You probably prepped when you prep for XOXO. I'm sure you rewatch the episode and all that kind of stuff. And so like when I'm prepping for this, I'm like, I'm rewatching some Orville and I'm like, oh Parana, 3d. And so I've which I've seen before, but I'm like, you know, it's a pop up HBO Max. I think that's what it was. And I started watching it again. And of course, my wife walks in when you're doing the body shot on the off the porn star. And my wife's like, wow, like it's research.

Jessica Szohr 3:51

Where you know what's funny, I have a very interesting funny story about that. So I had taken an acting class in LA and one of the parts something that I took from it, which was interesting, I probably didn't even remember until I was doing that scene was that a lot of times when you're doing a scene with alcohol or drinking, you got to remember what that taste is like, or you know how you're sipping it because you're not really drinking alcohol. So whether it's water or lemonade or whatever you choose to put in you know, in that drank on screen isn't actually tequila, you know what I mean? So all of a sudden it dawned on me I'm like, you know, was going through the script, you know, that week or whatever. And I'm like, oh, yeah, there was something that stuck out like when you take the shot really? How does my face look when I take a tequila shot and we had taken we had done the scene and then someone in the crew wasn't the actual director came over after we like cut was like, are you okay? Like, do you need they're like, Oh, my God, like, you need like a chaser and I'm like, no, they thought it was real tequila. So I was I was happy because I'm like, I guess maybe that helped from that acting class, but because when I take a real shot at tequila, it's really not like easy.

Jeff Dwoskin 5:04

Oh, there's a reason there's salt and lime and lemon involved.

Jessica Szohr 5:10

Yes, that was also funny that we were on a lake for three months, like have a zoo in Arizona, and just having to touch up because I have tattoos and we had decided that Kelly wouldn't have tattoos. So the process of that was not as not as long as the Orrville for Talla but it was a lot to make my body look like I had zero tattoos. So I remember after that, I'm like, Oh, I don't know if I ever want to do a movie where I do cover up all my tattoos this swimsuit every single day, but I think it fit for Kelly. Like I don't think she was someone who would have had tattoos at the time.

Jeff Dwoskin 5:44

I agree. If you had had tattoos, I just went to bought the Kelly. There's no way Parana 3d Is it was a really fun movie. And actually it did well with on Rotten Tomatoes The sequel didn't brought up three Diddy didn't didn't fare as well, but you weren't in now. But this one had an insane cast. It was a great cast. It's such a fun movie. You are amazing. But let's face it, Jerry O'Connell probably deserved an Oscar for that.

Jessica Szohr 6:15

I mean, Jerry O'Connell was so funny and so ridiculous. And so that guy and so on point, but you know what I think they really did across the board from the directing like lens and the cast and the music, just everything what they did as they it was what it was, they weren't like it was campy, and they were letting it be that and they weren't trying to make it something different. And I think because of that it like worked. So like the stuff that was over the top and ridiculous was over the top and ridiculous. And the stuff that was sexy and wild and weird was sexy and wild and weird and gory and scary. And you know, it was like all the things and it was just we were letting it be what it was. So I just felt like it worked for that.

Jeff Dwoskin 6:55

I agree. It was great. It was Alexander Agia is a director right he had read on the Hills Have Eyes. And so but yeah, it was it was the perfect combination in the cast with Elizabeth Shue. And then you've got Richard Dreyfus of Jaws two couldn't even get Richard Dreyfus.

Jessica Szohr 7:11

I mean, in the dark we had the doc we had I mean, it was it was a nice group of people to be surrounded with and work with. And yeah, he Alex from like his view, and just again, letting it be what it was without trying to go too far one way or the other, or just going that far, you know what I mean? Even with the glory, they like got there and went that far. And it was like they knew where to push the buttons and go and where to kind of just let it be and I and I really enjoyed that. It was also kind of like fun to just be on a boat and like have a suit for a couple of months. And it was wild. And it was also crazy because around that time Steven who played my love interest he was going to do he had just picked got Vampire Diaries. So and he plays now my best friend Nina, he was playing her little brother on the show. But it was funny because then we were both like a part of the CW family where which was also a really great time in our lives. But it was just wild like super small world our industry like all of a sudden he's gonna go do a vampire show on the CW that Gossip Girl was on and play a girl that I didn't know at the time was going to become such a dear friend of mines little brother and you know, then we're doing upfronts together and press around the world together. And we met on this little campy, gory movie on a lake in Arizona. Well, that's

Jeff Dwoskin 8:22

that's a great story, though. That's awesome. Well, it's fine since you brought it up. So Nina dough graph. I said. So yeah, I just I was thinking of you just the other day because I was like with your podcast XOXO and there was a little blurb on my phone. It said Nina Gilbert reveals she and her ex broke up over her Vampire Diaries role. And it was brought in that story broke on Jessica Szohr's XOXO podcast.

Jessica Szohr 8:51

I feel like someone else. I don't even really remember her saying that we talked about so much. But I don't even really remember. I mean, I guess maybe I don't know.

Jeff Dwoskin 9:00

But I just thought I just thought it was cool that it was like forget that. I don't care about Nina's story. I just thought it was cool for you that it was like they sourced your podcast because that's always my dream is like somebody would read to me Oh, Jeff Dwoskin broke bla bla bla bla bla. I thought that was cool. I thought that was really cool. Yeah, but Parana 3d was fun. And Adams got on spoiler alert, if you want to turn it off or say Adams got gets killed the last.

Jessica Szohr 9:29

Yeah, my God. How great is he? He does and you'd kind of like you don't see that coming? No, obviously. Because it's like so dramatic and major. And yeah, it was wild. I remember the premiere for that, too. There was just so many different execs and really wonderful producers and filmmakers from, you know, way back in the day to you know, and it was just so interesting to see because I think everyone was so excited to see this remake, you know from the 70s. And what these producers that we were working with, were going to do so it was Quite interesting like the very different variety of people that came to that premiere like I was like shocking. I'm like, I didn't even I can't believe these people are gonna watch me and I can't believe these people are gonna watch us and see what we brought to life. But it was it was very cool. It was very interesting. And it's there's been so many people throughout my career that are like, that's one of my most favorite movies. I'm like, what that is wild.

Jeff Dwoskin 10:21

The Gore is a little hard but yeah, but it does. It's like I think it actually

Jessica Szohr 10:25

was supposed to like play at ComiCon around that time and I think it got pulled I mean don't quote me on this because I this was years ago, but I think it got pulled because of how gory it was, which now it would be fine there. But at the time, I think they like literally were like, Yeah, we don't know about this,

Jeff Dwoskin 10:40

right? And then it was funny because I remember the promo pack I was reading it was like they have a promo pic of you that never What does not in the movie, where it's like you're like no wasn't able to see my face. But you're all like and like underwater. Yeah, underwater and the Parana right there. But Joe Dante directed the first one James Cameron directed, I think prana to the original prana to so this comes from a long line of very famous thing. So anyway, that was was fun to revisit. Thank you. Don't watch anyone listening, watch Parana 3d, but do not watch it while you're eating. This is not a watch while you're eating tight. No,

Jessica Szohr 11:15

definitely not.

Jeff Dwoskin 11:20

I just wanted to take a quick break. And thank everyone for their support of the sponsors. When you support the sponsors. You're supporting us here at Classic conversations. And that's how we keep the lights on. And now back to my amazing conversation with Jessica Szohr. So you made that like during season two and three of Gossip Girl so you're like you were the hottest thing going. This is like you're riding high. And then right at this time I got I don't

Jessica Szohr 11:46

remember if it was it was definitely between seasons because we we were doing at that time 22 episodes, it was like nine months a year. So we only we had a short window to either do a film or travel or go like shut off for a minute. And it was like literally within days. I was like back to New York. So I do I do. It was definitely between seasons. But I think I guess maybe two or three maybe? Well, I don't know you're really bringing me back right now. And I'm liking it. Well, I'm

Jeff Dwoskin 12:10

quoting you and my sources, either a Teen Vogue 2010 Shoot that I saw on YouTube, or as self.com kind of workout thing. You were doing a playground workout thing and one of those you're like, Yeah, between seasons two and three I shot Parana 3d, I'm like, because that's where you find all the good information. Like all the old I guess

Jessica Szohr 12:29

I said it Yeah. And it was so so yeah, I we couldn't have been more different. Like we were filming in us, you know, in New York and this cement jungle and it's this fashion world and you know, it's TV 22 episodes. So it's much different than going and shooting a beginning, middle and end, you know, three months one location, I mean, for the most part on the lake, but it was also a good little change and a nice little, you know, in the desert heat on the water. It was fun. It was cool. Um, then went right back into season three, I guess. My daughter

Jeff Dwoskin 12:59

Emma was so excited. I'm like, you're talking to Vanessa from Gossip Girl. Hi, Emma. I said tell me tell me about Vanessa. This is what she wrote. She was from Brooklyn, so not bougie like the Upper East Side people and was childhood best friends with Dan, who was also from Brooklyn and was in love with Dan but Dan was trying to be with the most popular girl from the Upper East Side.

Jessica Szohr 13:23

She knows it. She knows it. Well, Emma. You're dialed in girl. Yeah, Vanessa was like this girl from the other side of the tracks who didn't live in this like glamorous Upper East Side, daddy bought it I got it kind of world. These very overprivileged, wealthy, sparkly fancy Lada as a family issues but a lot of things that they're all going through what I liked about Gossip Girls, they took things that kids go through heartbreak divorce, fitting in losing someone in your family things that aren't you don't have to live on the Upper East Side to go through, but they kind of placed it in that world. So it's a little bit glamour, you're not glamorized, but like, you know, it's, it's bigger and crazier. But you know, it's a show so there's it's entertainment. And you know, they want to do stuff for shock value and all that. But I liked some of the lessons and the things that you do learn and I'm I really didn't remember all that from when we were filming. I'm really learning that from doing this rewatch with the podcast with XXL. So when I'm going back, I'm like, I never realized how like this storyline or when I'm feeling now and now I'm a mom and I'm removed from the show and playing an alien on the Orville. So it's a very different, so I don't know if it's because I'm in such a different place in my life that I'm like, Whoa, Gossip Girl was trying to say this and now they're doing it. You know, I also like, didn't really realize some of the things that I like that got on my nerves about Vanessa. Like Vanessa is always going to the Upper East Side and like hooking up with these guys, but she like can't stand that world. So I'm like, go back to Brooklyn and like live your own life girl, but she's like always up on the Upper East Side which is very irritating to me. At times, but I'm also like, chill, it's a TV show, you'll be fine. You're fine.

Jeff Dwoskin 15:06

Is it fascinating kind of with the XOXO podcast to relive all this? Because I mean, you're in a completely like you said different part of your life right now that was a bit ago. Right. And so your whole perspectives are different. And plus, some of that may have been happening. You know, sometimes when things are happening while they're happening, you're not as aware of them in the fall. Yeah,

Jessica Szohr 15:26

I mean, yeah, for sure. At the time, you're reading the script, and you're, you know, diving into what your storylines are knowing what's all going on, because you're reading it, and you're there. I think, yeah, just being at a different stage in my life, a different age. You know, being a mom is a very is very different than me being 22 years old, running around New York City on the show that like kind of changed all of our lives at that time. So yeah, watching back is like very interesting to me. Like a couple of episodes ago, I was like, furious with Blair, and Serena and like, Who the hell do these girls think they are? Yada yada, yada. And then like, at the end of the episode, it was like this adult teacher that like really caused it on I'm like, oh my god, like because I'm forgetting like some of the storylines I don't I don't know or remember what happened. So it's been really fun. Also having a lot of the guests on that like, either haven't talked to in a while, or like I didn't have scenes with to like kind of break down like what their what they were going through or what the challenges were or how much fun we had, you know, so yeah, the rewatch has been great, because I it's really making me watch the show for the first time. I never watched before. Yeah,

Jeff Dwoskin 16:27

so everyone listening, get your Gossip Girl on.

Jessica Szohr 16:32

Wherever you get your podcasts

Jeff Dwoskin 16:33

right from the open, you know, you love me XOXO Gossip Girls fo it's a great name for the podcast. So wherever you get your wherever you're listening to this podcast, just hop on over to XOXO with Jessica, you can never get enough Jessica All right, going backwards in time. For a minute, six years old, you start modeling, how did you get where you like discovered a Toys R Us or something? Like someone's like, Hey, look at her. Yeah. Or is your mom like was in the family? Like how how it six? Did you get into the biz,

Jessica Szohr 17:02

um, I my mom was very young when she had me she was 1919 pregnant with me. 21 She had me and I guess some people had stopped her. I don't really remember at the time, I remember like, you know, starting to model for Kohl's department store in Milwaukee. And then when I was 10, we, you know, kind of started working in Chicago with like Sears and JC Penney's and stuff like that. But I think someone had just told my mom, you should really bring her in, I had this really curly wild hair. And I think someone wants was like that would be great, and a commercial or something along those lines. And my mom took me into an agency, Arlene Wilson at the time. And then I just kind of started modeling. And my parents were taking it one step at a time. But I think they were kind of thinking, Oh, we can kind of save this money for her for when she goes to school. And then when I was around 13, or 14, like eighth grade, or ninth grade, an agent in Chicago had asked me to come out to LA and my parents were like, one, we can't afford it to eight other siblings, and you know, me being like, you know, freshmen are around that time, I couldn't comprehend. I'm like, why this is so cool that this agent wants us to go out there like so I was kind of like upset about it. But the weird thing was I didn't have this like crazy passion to go and like be an actor, because I've never really acted. I've done commercials, which is I think it's acting, but it's a different thing. It's like going and being wild and weird. And like 30 seconds, you know, I'm not like getting into character and, you know, breaking down 150 page script, but I enjoyed the entertaining or making people smile. So there was something in that. But then what happened was, is there was an audition for Star Wars, Princess Leia, and I had not seen them at the time my dad was, is obsessed with them. And whatever it was, I got a call back. So they flew my mom and my dad and out to LA. So this experience, along with an agent wanting me to come was having me very fired up. So when my parents told me no, I was like, What do you mean, but when I look back, I'm like, What was I thinking? 13. But basically went back, this is actually really funny, when to the callback, it was less was shorter. At this point. I'm not gonna say it was two people, but I think it was like less than 10 or something wild. And my dad was super pumped and went to go, you know, they had one girl going and another girl come out another girl going in. And we were there for hours. And they had like things like crayons and markers for us. And this at this point. This was when I was 10. So it wasn't at the 13. But I remember this experience when this agent wanted me to go and like LA was nice, and there was palm trees. But I remember being 10 because it was around Christmas time. I was in fifth grade. And I wrote Jesus as the reason for the season. And while we were waiting for the two hours before I do go back in the room, I made a card for like the 12 people in there. And I went in and I handed all the cards to everyone that had like Christmas trees and saying Jesus as the reason for the season. George Lucas is in there. My dad's tripping outside in the waiting room. And then a little bit later, like a casting associate or casting director came out and kind of that had asked like who's with Jessica, my mom was like, we're right here. Why is something wrong? And this casting associate director says But I producer at this. I mean, this was when I was 10. I'm 37. So it was just a few years ago. But they basically said, we just want to say, wow, it's very refreshing. You're not like a stage parent, because almost everyone in the room is Jewish. And she just wrote Jesus is the reason. Anyway, so that's my part of my audition story for Princess Leia. And part of the reason that I was like, I liked the audition process for that I liked being in LA it was it was also just different. I was a girl from the Midwest and I'm being flown out with my parents to be in LA, you know, so that kind of stuck in the back of my mind. And then when I was a senior in high school, I just decided to do it. I just went.

Jeff Dwoskin 20:34

That's awesome. I mean, I

Jessica Szohr 20:36

finished high school, but I went, Yeah, at just turning 18. So do

Jeff Dwoskin 20:41

you do you feed your kids? Quaker Oats? Oh, my god.

Jessica Szohr 20:45

That's so funny. Actually. Yeah, the Quaker Oats oatmeal. Yes, they do. That's so funny. That was my first national commercial. Wow, you really do your research? Well,

Jeff Dwoskin 20:54

I was looking for the ad. I didn't find it. I you know, it's fine. I talked to somebody who in the 1950s did a carnation ad and he's like, Oh, it's in a Life magazine. And he told me which episode or which issue and so I found it on eBay, sent it to him. And he autographed it for me and send it back. So I love like, it's always like, Oh, this will be qualifying. And so but I did find what I believe is the least it looks like you it's a tent. Yeah. A GIF of you kind of going. Yeah, just smile. I'll send it to me. Yeah, it's so Okay. So then how did you get worried about because Gossip Girl is like where you kind of blew up? Right? You Oh, wait, you know, first, my wife and kids. That was one of your first things that you did, right? Big first TV show?

Jessica Szohr 21:37

Yeah, I went out. That's when I was like, first in LA. And that was like a guest star spot. I played like a DJ at the prom. Super fun to work with that family, the Marley I mean, like and then Tisha Campbell, all the Wayne's like it was, that was really fun. And it also made me kind of miss home a little bit, because all the cousins and all the brothers and everyone were there, and then not only just the family, like the family that they all had on set, and I was like, wow, and all my family was in this small town. And I was missing my siblings and missing my friends, because I graduated at early. So I remember being super grateful that I booked my wife and kids but also, I was like, I really homesick because as much as I was on a set with all these people, and it was really like, awesome to be a part of it. I was missing what the only thing I knew, which is my family and my hometown. So I got real, like, I was like, kind of feeling like I needed to go home for a minute. I like remember calling my mom and like, I'm super blessed and happy. But I'm like, missing you guys. And then there was also the thing of like, and if anyone is in entertainment, like you know this, like you're told no way more than you're told, yes, you can audition 100 times and not get a job. But then you finally get to one that you know, works. And that then it all makes sense. And so I remember my mom was like, shortly after that was going to come out and I thought fly me home for a little bit. And she kind of was like, Nope, you need to stay and push it, you know, push through this. And and I guess her point was is that when things get hard, the easiest thing is to run from them. And I'm really happy that she did do that because I couldn't picture my life any any other way right now. And I think everything happens for a reason like me meeting Brad, which has nothing really to do with the entertainment industry, but also then having Bowie, you know, everything in my path had to happen for me to be where I am today. And I'm super grateful for that and super blessed. But anyways, yada yada yada. I ended up staying and then like two weeks later, I was still kind of in a funk. Like I still miss my family. But my friends came to get me took me to a barbecue. I had no idea where we were. We were having margaritas and making burgers on the grill. There was like six of us there. And two days later, my manager called she's like, Where were you this weekend? I'm like, I went to a movie. I went to a barbecue. Why? And she's like, and I didn't want to go to this barbecue. By the way at the time. My friends were like you're coming and I'm like, Yeah, and it happened to be the creator of Gossip Girl. So they sent my managers decides for me to audition audition that Wednesday. There was like a debacle about like, if I looked like the girls on the show, if my hair you know, then we showed her pictures of my hair curly. And then I was on a flight like that Thursday, a fitting Friday and I think filmed like shortly after that it was wild. That was like a wild situation. That's awesome. Yeah. And then I was supposed to do two episodes and stayed for like four seasons and loved very much, very much love New York and working on that show. There was like a lot of great experience a lot of challenges and learning because it was a very wild time. But nonetheless, I really was very blessed and had a great time.

Jeff Dwoskin 24:32

Thank Jesus for the season something

CTS Announcer 24:34

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Jeff Dwoskin 24:39

Sorry to interrupt this amazing conversation with Jessica Szohr, but we have to take a quick break for our sponsors. And we're back with Jessica Szohr. Oh, you know, when I was talking to BJ Tanner, he mentioned Damon Wayans was very inspirational to him. He worked with him on Lethal Weapon. Oh yeah. And he mentioned that Damon had given I have some really great advice when he was starting out. So very cool.

Jessica Szohr 25:05

That's cool. That family knows they know what's up.

Jeff Dwoskin 25:07

I know that's, that's an incredibly talented group of folks there. So let's talk Orville, because I know we only got one important question, which is, is the ear under your hair? Alright, so, I'm sure I'm guessing everyone asked, but like, I gotta know, is it like, Okay,

Jessica Szohr 25:24

what's really funny about that is because you can't see it at all. You actually can never see the ear. Wait, my pony goes to the right. Yeah, under the My right ear. But yes, there is an ear there. And we Seth and I talked about that with hair makeup in the beginning when we were figuring out Tallis hairstyle, and one it kind of did feel like uneven. If we didn't do it. I could have managed to not have it. But we were just like, I don't know. And I think Seth and his vision, he was like, let's just have it because it makes more sense if it's there. And we're like, okay, so yes, there's an ear underneath the wig. On the right side.

Jeff Dwoskin 26:00

I was just like, I'm far from his eyes. Yeah, it's just I just, it was driving me. I just wondered because it was like, it doesn't have to be there. And you think like, oh, then you'd have to like deal with it pointing because it's pointy. So it has, you know, but alright. Alright. Well, now that we've got that mystery solved. I I'm curious. Like, you came into the Orville, which, by the way, just as is hands down one of my favorite favorite shows love the Orville have obsessed with it. It's, it's awesome. So I'm curious. Like, how was it coming in though replacing such a popular character? Right?

Jessica Szohr 26:29

Ah, I mean, I think she's so rad. I think she's so dope at what she did with the character. And I just never looked at it like that. I was just kind of like, you got to come in and do your do your job, do your work. And I liked that we're from the same planet. But there was very different things about our characters, which I also like, but again, it was someone leaving the show and a new one coming on. So there is like some sort of level of replacing I don't like using that, because it's just like, I think it was just something different, something fresh, but I think she came on made noise and left, you know, people loving her and wanting more. And I think that was rad. And then I think it was just my time to come on and do my thing. So I don't really like using the word replacing.

Jeff Dwoskin 27:08

But you're right, it was a bad word. I mean, she left the show you you

Jessica Szohr 27:11

as you asked. For me, it's like hard because I like her. I like her as an actor on the show. I like what she brought. So it's just like a weird thing for me to be like, but in I mean, if you break it down, that's what it was. But um, I just tried not to look at it that way. Or then you're I'm like kind of taking away something I'm trying to do if I'm you know, so I just had to go on and be what Tyler was and bring to the table what you know what was on the paper and what was asked of me and the best to the best of my ability. But what's wild is her and I both auditioned for Olara we got down to both of us, which I don't know if people know that. We tested opposite, opposite each other and know that Yeah, so when I found out it didn't get I was like, bummed. But then when I got the call a year later, or whatever it was, and they're like, Listen, you are still on our mind. And we want to you know, kind of change a little bit of you know, what character would come on if while she leaves. And so yeah, it was nice because it was it was a different thing from what I had initially in the year before auditioned for and, and I think it was right, I think Talla really brought a cool little flavor. And I really enjoy playing her. She's obviously very different from from anything I've done before, but from not even just the hair and makeup, but like coming from being a salon and coming from, you know, her background with her family and then being on the ship. And just all the things that the Orville is talking about and bringing to life in this space world is really radical to me. And so yeah, I've just I enjoy it very much.

Jeff Dwoskin 28:40

The topics that Seth covers is incredible. That's what makes it so such a compelling show to watch. I mean, it's like, yeah,

Jessica Szohr 28:49

I mean, yeah, it's like you open up and it's about suicide, but first episodes about suicide that you dive in a little bit later in it, there's an episode about bullying, there's an episode about changing your sex not feeling right in your body. I mean, just like it's very beautiful. And the crazy thing is, is like I would sometimes get like a little bit into like, the script, you know, I'm at page 20. I'm like, where's this going? You know, like, what I don't, you know, and then all of a sudden, you get to the end, you're like, holy shit, this is wild. And I also they were all very the network set, everyone was very stern about not letting anything get leaked or not taking photos on set. So you couldn't see the background whether it was on somewhere on the spaceship or you know, something on our uniforms that have changed where fans would know. And I remember thinking at one point, this is getting crazy that like, like, no one's gonna know anything from taking a picture in this hall where no one's gonna know anything, you know if they see this, but I think it's so beautiful and wonderful that that nothing was leaked, or no one knew anything because I think that was also really so dope about the show that you're watching this and you did no one knew what what journey we were going on, especially because it's a very different tone than the first two seasons.

Jeff Dwoskin 29:57

Oh, it's it's funny because I watched Season Two Having not watched one and two for a while, because there was a time and I love, I'm like, Oh, this is great because of the way they think they adapted the humor. And just it's a much more serious show, but the humor is there, but it's just more I felt more grounded, like, yes. And but then rewatching season one and two, which I still love. It was I could see where if someone's going straight through binging right now, it'd be a little jarring. It's very different. Yeah, the quality of the writing and stuff like that is like all the same. And the stories is still deep, even though they add those layers of humor, but yeah, wow, I this is definitely where it needs to be, though. In terms of moving forward. I hope they get to see some for not gonna ask because I assume

Jessica Szohr 30:40

you know, well, we don't and, I mean, I think we all have so much fun doing it and let and again, like the scripts are so wonderful. So yeah, I don't know. We don't know. Oh,

Jeff Dwoskin 30:51

wait, it's okay. Wait, so I was watching. I found this clip you were on like KTLA five or something, and it's February 2019. So they're having you on, I'm guessing you just probably recently come on the show, but they show a clip of Halston Sage, okay. Like, you're like you'd like in a quick snippet of it. But she's like, armwrestling so much. And then the woman doesn't know because you both land and you have the years and all that and I and they're like, Oh, what was it like to arm wrestle on your leg? And then you you answered it, but it was just I'm watching it. And I was like, Oh, this is really funny. Because they're showing the wrong person they did. They didn't even real well, why did I answer that? Well, probably because what else would you do? You maybe you didn't even

Jessica Szohr 31:32

really didn't do in the arm wrestle thing? Unless I was talking about like, in my real life, but I mean, yeah,

Jeff Dwoskin 31:37

you were I don't know. You were like you said something like you. You played it off like you she probably meant something else. You're like, oh, maybe I'll, I'll send you the clip. It was fun to

Jessica Szohr 31:46

me. Yeah, I guess I would have put Yeah, cuz Talon never did an arm wrestle?

Jeff Dwoskin 31:51

No, no, it was definitely Olara

Jessica Szohr 31:54

because also in this season, though, there's another arm wrestling thing.

Jeff Dwoskin 31:58

All right, with Isaac. Yeah, but this is yeah, this was this would have been years ago without

Jessica Szohr 32:03

funny. And then I must have not heard or see I definitely didn't see the clip because I would have just you know, made a joke of it or something.

Jeff Dwoskin 32:12

And BJ Tanner, kind of ratted you out is like being able to just zonk out was just this to you guys. Missy. Miss Jessica is wonderful. But she's always falling asleep.

Jessica Szohr 32:23

Who said that Scott PJ? Oh my god. Well, no, because when I get into the makeup chair, I put my robe on. I have a little stool for my feet. I recline the chair and I fall asleep. Well, they do all of my prosthetics and beauty makeup. I wake up for them to put the wig on and then I go back for them to put the have to put the wig on the ear. So yeah, I fell asleep. But listen, if my call times are 530 and six in the morning, I like I was happy I could fall asleep but you have no clue. Like there'd be like music and people talking and blow dryers and like air like airbrushing and I would just be out like out in the makeup trailer.

Jeff Dwoskin 33:01

And then Peter Macon told me a story. And then I was reading that maybe it was you that you bumped into him out of makeup. And you didn't even know who he was?

Jessica Szohr 33:09

No, because the first couple of weeks on the show. I only saw him as borders. So I was like walking to my car once and I think he was like by and I kind of looked at him and I said buy but I was like the way he had said it was definitely like I had known him. And I'm like he's like it's Peter and Mike bornus Peter and he's like yeah, I'm like, Whoa, it's wild. Oh, that's

Jeff Dwoskin 33:29

so funny.

Jessica Szohr 33:30

Well it's also crazy thing because if you meet someone when you meet someone the first time you meet them you kind of the kind of is in your mind, even if you get us around them a lot or see a ton of different sides of them or whatever. You know that first initial thing is me was borders with him. So it took me a while to like not have borders. And Peter in my mind.

Jeff Dwoskin 33:52

Your cutaway line is funny with the moustache when he likes to go Wow. You're funny. Yeah. Oh, so you had kind of a Gossip Girl reunion on the show as well. Blair right. Blair was on. Layton. Yeah, yeah. Layton, right. Yeah. And Gossip Girl. Yeah. That's I was I was trying to be cool. And reference her Gossip Girl name. Yes, Leighton Meester. Yeah, so she was in two episodes, two of the really great episodes by the way, the one with the iPhone where Scott Grimes character kind of falls in love with her but then twice in a lifetime, which is the time travel episode, which I think everyone talks about, because you had to be one of the kind of the tough person to tell him that I was watching that twice in a lifetime when you guys are trying to so what happens is, one of the characters goes back in time. He's not sure he's ever gonna be rescued. He ends up having a family which is against planetary rules, or you know, the planetary reunion rules. He's supposed to just stay incognito. But you know, risks the timeline has a family and the family it's a sequel episode to that iPhone episode where Layton Really and Scott Scott falls in love with Laden's character and so he actually goes back and meet sir and then they have a family and then just kind of goes back as I lead tenant commander now congratulations by the way on a promotion and they have to tell him like we have to take you back and it says your heart hits you right in the heart. I mean, that was like one of the most that was one of those episodes that just tore me apart. Wow.

Jessica Szohr 35:23

Yeah, because there's so many layers to it it's like he has a job and a duty to you know, where he gives his word and has to do something but then when your love and there's a family involved there was like a lot of Yeah, there was a lot of opinions on that on how that ended. But to that being said I love working with Scott so much he's hilarious and then having Layton on for those two episodes were awesome at the first one she came on is one of my favorite episodes of all of because I don't want to because it was just I love working with her but too I love just the whole concept of like going in remember the time and it was like a pack of cigarettes. It was like a cell phone. We all were like what's a US Weekly what's a pack of cigarettes board is gets addicted to smoking cigarettes like him just walking around the ship smoking was like I was dying. It was just such a wild episode. But so so fun.

Jeff Dwoskin 36:11

Yeah, I love that episode. And you know Scott Grimes can sing Oh my god. And like I found a clip of him. Maybe he's I'll say 10 I don't know. But like, singing Somewhere over the rainbow on YouTube when I was just playing messing around. I love when Seth hasn't sung yet on the show. And I know he has a great voice but everyone else seen it. That's

Jessica Szohr 36:31

actually now that I'm thinking about it crazy because he's such a good singer and loves to sing and as Christmas albums is one of mine and my mom's favorite. But yeah, I guess he's never saying I'm the Orville, which is kind of wild to me.

Jeff Dwoskin 36:42

I know. But Boris has now a couple of times

Jessica Szohr 36:44

sorted and he came on, you know, Charlie, Scott Gordon. I mean, you know, Layton came on and saying yeah,

Jeff Dwoskin 36:52

Adrian. The Orville Yeah, Adrian sang. Karaoke. Okay, so in twice of a lifetime and twice in a lifetime. The other thing that does set up is a funny setup where you give Jay Lee a massage at the end of that episode, right. And so yeah, and then now in the earlier episodes before you joined the salon with Halston character they always joked, or it was a running joke how she couldn't maintain a relationship with you. They took it to another level. Man, holy crap. So you given John Jay Lee's character, a massage and bison a lifetime and everyone on the speaker's hearing. And it sounds like you guys are having sex because it's just such a good massage. But then you do take it to the next level, you do take it to the next level. And it is the funniest stuff ham, just you inadvertently kicking the living shit out of him. slanter super strong for anyone who's gonna catch up from New York strong

Jessica Szohr 37:50

and they there? Yeah, but here's the funny thing. And this is why again, I've probably said this a couple of times during this episode, but that's what I love about the Orville, like, when I was starting to read that I'm like, where's this gonna go? I certainly didn't think it was going to be that they're not gonna be able to hold a relationship because of talent strength, but that's essentially what it is. But I also really like her and John together, but I also don't want her to hurt him physically like that. You know what I mean? And that's the hardest thing is she's like, she doesn't want to but there's nothing she can do because of her strengths. And because of the gravity of the planet that she's from. So it's insane.

Jeff Dwoskin 38:25

It just by the motto, the motto ism of John J. Lee and like going into the you know, to see the doctor fan and like not saying what it was. And like, I think there was a scene where he spits out teeth at the end after you've already sworn each other off. Just so funny.

Jessica Szohr 38:42

Oh, it's so funny. And he just did that so well, too.

Jeff Dwoskin 38:46

Oh, yeah, it was it's He's hilarious. They're all great. I mean, the entire cast that's what makes it so great is like each one of you brings like this amazing, like, just kind of piece to it. And then like all together, you guys are all just amazing. You guys all play together really? Well.

Jessica Szohr 39:01

Yeah, we have a lot of fun. It's like making me like, well, because too, it was taking between like, we worked on Season Three for a long time, like the pandemic happened and and trying to you know, have a safe environment and still get the season done. We were we you know, took years so we got to really like bond and have such a wonderful time.

Jeff Dwoskin 39:22

That's awesome. deflectors was a great episode to where you got you got to kiss him Auckland. But that was a powerful episode too, though. And that was another one of those episodes. were you telling off Clyde? And at the end? Yeah.

Jessica Szohr 39:35

Oh, God, I forgot about that. Yeah, it's crazy. Because there's I explain that when people are like, well, what's the show about and I'm like, you kind of got to watch it because it's your sci fi but it's not your typical and the things we talk about and touch on. Like I'm like there's an episode where there's a planet where you can only like male on that planet. And one of these characters ends up kind of falling for my character, but I find out like I'm like, why are we hiding this? And he's like, because it's not okay for me to like women. So I kind of explained it, and people are like, wait, what? And I'm like, I know, it's not like your typical sci fi show, you know, it's, you got to watch it. It's not like and it's kind of not what you see is what you get. Because even in the little trailers and teasers you, you're not really seeing, obviously, you're not seeing the whole thing, because it's a teaser. But nowadays, a lot of times you watch a trailer for two minutes, and you're like, you can kind of pick up a lot more. Seth didn't do that with this, which I think is very smart and great, but that's why I'm like, You guys have to give it a chance. If you wouldn't watch it, you should. And if it's something that's in your like, what you like it, you're gonna love it.

Jeff Dwoskin 40:34

Right, Seth? Seth approaches science fiction like science fiction of the old day, like what Star Trek did in the original Star Trek did the episode you're talking about? It's it's a male society, males love males. So if a male loves a female in our terms on earth now would be he would be a homosexual. That's because he likes the wrong quote, unquote, the wrong sex as society dictates that so their society that is so with him low carb, believe his name was falling in love with you. And then you know, Clyde in disliking it, the other character is because he's being ostracized because he's gay. You know, basically, the way it's framed the way set does it. It's brilliant, because it's like, oh, yeah, people who would be watching not really paying attention go away. A man liking a woman, but it's not working out. And not even thinking like, you know, I mean, that's the parallel they're making. It's like, I just, he's amazing. Yeah, yeah, everything is amazing. Yeah, it's

Jessica Szohr 41:31

like thinking, it's kind of making you think outside the box on things that people shouldn't be worried about. You know what I mean? Let people love who they love. You know what I'm saying? But that's what I like about that. Because it's it can maybe like, get someone who might be thinking about it in a different light and in a in a better light. You know what I'm saying? Does that makes sense?

Jeff Dwoskin 41:49

Absolutely, absolutely. That's supposed to make the world better. It's supposed to make a better. I think you gotta go.

Jessica Szohr 41:55

I think so. Yeah, they're texting me. This was so fun. I'm like, really glad we did this. And I would love to come back and do more. I would

Jeff Dwoskin 42:03

love for you to come and do more. That would be so cool. This was super fun. I am thank you so much for hanging out with me. It means

Jessica Szohr 42:10

for sure. Thanks for having me. Come on. And we'll we won't take so long to do another one. For sure. Maybe me and J Lee can come on and do an episode or me and Peter and J. Lee or something.

Jeff Dwoskin 42:20

Yeah, get me J Lee. Get me out or get me sad. Anyway. Anyone on the cast wants in you let them

Jessica Szohr 42:28

do one together. Yeah. All right. Are we done? We are done. Oh, am I said hi. I'm a bear hugging you. And thank you so much, Jeff. This was awesome.

Jeff Dwoskin 42:38

All right. Oh, amazing. was Jessica so fun to talk to. She has been a part of so many amazing projects or stories, gray areas. She's awesome. I hope she does come back to the podcast. I'm gonna start working on that right now. And bring some of her co stars with her. That'll be a party. That'll be a party. Check out Jessica's podcast as well. XOXO the official Gossip Girl rewatch podcast also head over to Twitter. #RenewTheOrville. If I'm introducing you to the Orville or you. You've been meaning to start to watch it. It's on Hulu and Disney plus it's awesome show. It's one of my favorite shows. Definitely check that out. All right. Well, with the interview over I can only mean one thing. That's right as I've run other trending assets in the world of hashtags that hashtag around up download the free always free hashtag roundup app at the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. Follow us on Twitter at hashtag round up tweet along with us in one day one of your tweets may show up on a future episode of Classic conversations, fame and fortune awaits you. This episode's hashtag of course inspired by my guest Jessica and her exploits on the Orville with John J. Lee. That is a romance for the stars. Alright, so the hashtag then I picked for this episode is #PickUpLinesInSpace brought to us by hashtag your it! McMahon's weekly Game On hashtag round up, take a pickup line and just give it a little space twist and you got #PickUpLinesInSpace to eat your own. Tag us at Jeff Dwoskin show on Twitter. I'll show you some Twitter love. But in the meantime, here's some #PickUpLinesInSpace or inspiration and love. Hey, what's your name? Some people call me the space cowboy. Oh, that is a perfect #PickUpLinesInSpace tweet to kick this off. You're getting it you're feeling it? Have you ever made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs? I have no idea what that means but it's so sexy. He sent me right in. Hey, I want to go back to my space station. Of course you do. Ah these #PickUpLinesInSpace are guaranteed to work next time you're in space and you see some One. Here's here's some more. You must be a phaser because you're set to stunning. Oh, gives me shivers. Working on me. And here's another one. Hey, want to test out the Big Bang Theory? Oh, that is scientific and sexy. Hey, after this you want to assist me in running a level two diagnostic on my thrusters. Ooh, these #PickUpLinesInSpace guaranteed to get your love and space. Hey, Saturn, give me a ring sometime. Oh, Saturn is helpless against the line like that. Have you heard #PickUpLinesInSpace? You probably thought Oh, there's one thing that has to be here and here it is. This is the one you've been waiting for. Hey, wanna show me your anus? Got it. It's a plant anyway. Okay. #PickUpLinesInSpace. Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I orbit by you again? And our final? #PickUpLinesInSpace. The one guarantee to have you going home? Not alone. Hey, if I say you have a heavenly body? Will you hold it against me? Oh, loving space, classic conversations. We will not let you down. All right. Well, that ends that hashtag there already tweeted that Jeff Dwoskin show, pick the one you like use it. Let us know if it works. Let us know if you go to a bar. Use one of those lines. I need to know well. Not necessarily in space, but you know, just try it anyway. Why not? What do you got to lose? All right. Well, with the hashtag over the interview over it can only mean one thing. That's right, where at the end of another episode episode 168 has come to a close. I want to thank my very special guest, Jessica Szohr for an amazing conversation. And I want to thank all of you for coming back week after week. It means the world to me. And I'll see you next time.

CTS Announcer 46:56

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