- 5 months ago
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🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00I want to thank my publicist, Melissa Cates and Bria Schreiber.
00:05Melissa, I know I was your very first client that you signed,
00:09and I can't believe we have had all these wonderful years working together.
00:13Thank you, Melissa. I love when you boss me around.
00:20My manager, Stephen Levy.
00:24Stephen, you came to my little comedy show when I was starting out in Hollywood 34 years ago.
00:30And after the show, you told me, you should be on Saturday Night Live.
00:34I treasure you.
00:36You hustle so hard for me.
00:39You are my Mama Gypsy Rose.
00:45I want to thank everyone who showed up here to support me today,
00:48my entire team and all my friends.
00:50I'm not going to thank anybody individually.
00:52You know who you are.
00:53And all the filmmakers and writers and producers who believed in me.
00:56And to my fans.
01:01And thank you, God.
01:03I pray all the time.
01:05And most importantly, to my family, my husband, Fritz,
01:10and my kids, Stella and Nolan.
01:13I love being your mom.
01:15You two are the greatest gift of my life.
01:19Now, my story is, my Hollywood story is, I came out here to Hollywood on vacation with my dad and
01:25my sister, Mary,
01:26when I was a little girl.
01:27Here's a picture.
01:29And we came to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
01:31And years later, after graduating college, I moved to L.A. with my friend, Jean Pack,
01:36to try to make it as an actress.
01:38I came here with a couple thousand dollars in my pocket.
01:40I rented a wreck, and we rented a dumpy apartment on Fountain and Vine across from the El Pollo Loco
01:46about a ten-minute walk from here.
01:48People pursue showbiz for different reasons.
01:52Mine involved my dad, who often advised me on how to make it big.
01:55He would say,
01:56Molly, listen, you go into those Hollywood agents and casting directors, and you march in there, doll yourself up,
02:04put on your high heels, and you say to them, say, hey, hold the phone.
02:08I got talent.
02:09And don't forget, use your singing voice.
02:13That's what he told me.
02:14He said, use your singing voice.
02:17And another reason I did it was for my mom, who died in a car accident my family was involved
02:23in when I was four.
02:24Part of me, this is a little sad, thought that success would bring her back from the dead.
02:31It did not.
02:33But, you know.
02:34When I got a meeting with a big talent manager named Barbara Jarrett, I did sing just like my dad
02:40told me.
02:41I walked into her office, I hopped up on her desk, and I launched into the song Chicago,
02:46the Judy Garland version, in honor of my father.
02:52Chicago, Chicago, that title in town, that title in town.
02:56I was belting it out.
02:57And Barbara started clicking her fingers like that.
03:01Yeah.
03:02And then she goes, you got it, kid.
03:04And she signed me.
03:05And that was my start, Shaney.
03:08And after all, I got my big break in the world of waitressing.
03:13I may have served you and your family food at the following fine establishments.
03:17The old spaghetti factory down the street.
03:19The Lion's Head restaurant at DeBevick's.
03:21The Melrose Baking Company, where I'm not real.
03:24The horn and hard hat dino mat, where I got to dress in 1950s style clothing.
03:28And I had to chew gum and talk like this.
03:30Hi, sweetheart.
03:31Can I get you a order?
03:34I worked at the 4 and 20 coffee shop.
03:38I waitressed at this restaurant called Cravings up there on Sunset, which was famous for their
03:42grilled lemon chicken salad.
03:43And I would walk down the street, and former customers would recognize me.
03:47And they would point to me and scream, grilled lemon chicken salad.
03:51But that is not how I wanted to be known.
03:54So to make matters worse, I was auditioning, auditioning, auditioning, but I wasn't booking
04:00any jobs.
04:01So one day, I decided to spend all my waitressing money on new headshots, new colored headshots.
04:07And I went to the photo shoot.
04:09They did my hair and my makeup.
04:11And I put on my best blouse.
04:14And the photographer came and looked in the lens.
04:17And he got behind his camera.
04:20And I felt so glamorous and sexy, like a million bucks.
04:24And the photographer looked at me through his lens.
04:28And he said, why are you so ugly?
04:32This is a true story.
04:34And my heart sunk.
04:35I was devastated.
04:37And his girlfriend was a model.
04:39And she was standing next to him.
04:40And she was like, Andrew.
04:42And she hit him, giggling, like, coming out.
04:45Now, I have no idea if he thought he was trying to be funny.
04:49But I was devastated.
04:51But I chose not to let other people's opinions define me and not listen to him.
04:55And if you don't believe in karma, that photographer now makes his living running a dog hotel right
05:01down the street.
05:05Yep.
05:06And he cleans up dog shit for a living.
05:10Have fun, bitch.
05:15That's a true story.
05:17And I'm going to tell you his name after privately.
05:19Now, listen.
05:20Even though I had a manager, it was still really hard.
05:24There was so much rejection.
05:28Will, you know it's a hustle.
05:29I didn't get parts right away, so I paid my bills by doing the following jobs.
05:36Selling health club memberships at Park Avenue Squash and Fitness.
05:38Park Avenue Squash and Fitness says, Molly, can I help you?
05:41I was a receptionist for a video dating service.
05:43I sold office supplies, which was so terrible that I quit by asking if I could just go to
05:48the bathroom.
05:49And then I just ran outside with the big wooden key and left.
05:52I tailed it out of there.
05:54I still have the key.
05:58I took phone orders for a bagel delivery company.
06:01I worked as a booker for a modeling agency.
06:03I was a fragrance model at Nordstrom's.
06:05I was a food demo girl for Huxtable's liver pate at Gelson's in Marina Del Rey.
06:10I was an office assistant for the Orion Television Research Department.
06:14I was a temp receptionist at the Lake and Derue Literary Agency.
06:18I was a temp at Warner Brothers.
06:19I was a temp at William Morris Agency.
06:21And I was a temp at the Creative Artist Agency, where I got let go,
06:24because I couldn't roll the calls fast enough.
06:27He was like, faster, faster, faster, faster, faster, faster.
06:29Then he just pulled me out and brought somebody else in.
06:31I was like, fuck.
06:35So, yes, there is a lot of rejection in show business.
06:38And many people will make you doubt yourself until one day you get on Saturday Night Live
06:41and become a superstar.
06:46Then they'll all finally shut their mouth, except for asking you to get them tickets.
06:50Thank you, Lorne Michaels and Marcy Klein.
06:52Getting a star means so much to me.
06:55Dreams do come true.
06:58Yes!
06:58That's it.
07:05But anyhow, I remember a friend of mine from college got a part in a TV show,
07:08and I was so jealous.
07:09He had only been in L.A. for a few weeks, and I thought,
07:12damn, I wish I could get a job like that.
07:14And I took a walk, and I thought,
07:16how come he gets a part and I get nothing?
07:19And I remember my dad told me,
07:20you can always come home anytime.
07:22I'll send you the money and the ticket.
07:25I was so broke that I actually considered it.
07:28And then I started crying, and I decided to talk to God.
07:33I said, God, why?
07:36This is taking forever, and I'm really struggling.
07:40It's not fair.
07:41And then I had an epiphany.
07:42I thought, at least I'm out here doing what I love.
07:45So many people I knew from high school had given up on their dreams.
07:48I thought, at least I'm in L.A. trying.
07:50And that alone is a very meaningful life.
07:52And that is actually a good, brave thing.
07:55I thought to myself, you're doing more than most people will ever do,
07:58so I don't care if I keep trying until I'm a grandmother.
08:01And I'm just going to enjoy the process.
08:04And I still think of it that same way.
08:07There is no, like, getting there.
08:09You know, it's really just doing work that's meaningful,
08:12embracing the unknown, not knowing what lays ahead.
08:15And little did I know, what actually laid ahead
08:18was getting Will Ferrell a scone.
08:23Anyhow, thank you so much.
08:26This is such an honor.
08:28I hope you can hear me.
08:29I want to thank the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
08:33and the cast and crew of The Hawk and Netflix
08:37and Will Ferrell and Connie Britton for coming today to speak.
08:41Will, it means so much to me.
08:43I met Will years ago when I was a waitress at the Melrose Baking Company.
08:47We had a mutual friend who thought we would get along,
08:50so she brought Will over to my restaurant,
08:52and he introduced himself, and I said,
08:54what can I get you?
08:55And he said, I would like a scone.
08:59Remember?
09:02Remember?
09:03And we have been friends ever since,
09:05and now it's been 30 years.
09:08Can you believe it?
09:10Connie and I met when we were both actresses coming up,
09:13and I just adored her instantly.
09:15She is the most elegant class act.
09:18And then we really got to connect,
09:20as Connie mentioned,
09:21when we did The White Lotus together,
09:23created by my dear friend, Mike White,
09:25who believed I could do comedy and drama.
09:28Love you, Mike.
09:30He's in Paris right now shooting.
09:32So the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
09:34administers the Walk of Fame
09:35on behalf of the City of Los Angeles,
09:37and on behalf of our Councilman,
09:39Hugo Sotomartinez,
09:40I'd like to present to you this resolution.
10:03But I remember at dress rehearsal,
10:05I'm in the beginning of the sketch,
10:07singing, sending out an SOS by the police,
10:12and I had to run to do a quick change.
10:16And as I was changing,
10:18I'm hearing Molly perform the character,
10:21and I'm feeling the stands shake with laughter
10:27to the point where I thought,
10:31oh my God, I haven't heard laughter like this
10:33so far in the three shows we've done.
10:36And it hit me.
10:37It was such an emotional moment
10:39because I remember thinking,
10:41oh, we're going to be okay.
10:45That Molly has saved us.
10:47Like, at least we have one funny character
10:50that will drive,
10:52and from that moment on,
10:54it was such a momentum change.
10:56And what was so great about Mary Catherine
10:59is that it was a trademark of what you do.
11:03The character was funny,
11:05was real,
11:06it was dark in moments,
11:09it was an outsider who dreamed,
11:13which I think is what you bring
11:16to so much of your work.
11:19And it was a moment that I'll never forget,
11:22but it literally was a catalyst for us
11:24to continue on.
11:26And it was a catalyst for you,
11:27and you've gone on to have,
11:28and continue to have,
11:30the most amazing career in everything you do.
11:33So I was thankful to be a little part
11:36of that legendary character
11:38that really,
11:39I think Molly Shannon saved Saturday Night Live.
11:42I'll say it right there.
11:48Molly, thank you for having me here today.
11:52I'm so honored to be a part of this.
11:55And I want to start,
11:57I want to paint a picture.
12:00Let me paint a picture.
12:03The date is October 28th, 1995.
12:09All right?
12:10It is the fourth episode
12:13of the 1995-96 season of SNL.
12:17We are a brand new cast.
12:19It's only our fourth show.
12:22No one knows us,
12:24or if we're any good,
12:27or if anyone even likes the show anymore.
12:32It's coming out of a low ebb.
12:35Saturday Night Dead
12:36were some of the headlines.
12:39And we kind of don't know.
12:41We're just out there throwing things up
12:44to see what's going to happen.
12:46But that night,
12:47the host is Gabriel Byrne,
12:50and that's the first time
12:52we get to see Mary Catherine Gallagher.
12:55I was in the beginning of the sketch
12:58written by Steve Koren as well,
13:01who's here.
13:01Steve.
13:04And I think Snoop wrote on that as well.
13:10And as important as this is to you,
13:12this is Hollywood, kid.
13:15This is big time.
13:17This is big.
13:20Photographers,
13:21live stream,
13:23people eating sandwiches,
13:24watching this on their computers,
13:27in their cubicles,
13:29going,
13:30I didn't know that.
13:32This is dump trucks.
13:34This is big.
13:37But what's even bigger to you,
13:39I know,
13:39is how important your family is.
13:41And Fred's amazing husband and partner,
13:44and Stella and Nolan,
13:45two great kids.
13:46And I know that's your number one priority.
13:49But this still is pretty cool.
13:50And the other person I need to bring up,
13:52who would have loved this,
13:54and is so much a part of my SNL experience,
13:56is your dad,
13:57Jim Shannon.
13:59And Jim would have,
14:00he would have,
14:01he would have lost his mind.
14:03And he's so proud.
14:05He'd be like,
14:05oh my God,
14:06it's in front of Chaos,
14:085D Adventure,
14:11and the Wax Museum.
14:14So,
14:15to you Molly,
14:16I give you a small tip of a tiny chapeau,
14:21and say,
14:22you really are a superstar.
14:24Congratulations.
14:25I love you.
14:31Ladies and gentlemen,
14:32we proudly welcome to the Hollywood Walk of Fame,
14:35Molly Shannon.
14:37Woo!
14:38Woo!
14:39Woo!
14:39Woo!
14:40Woo!
14:40Woo!
14:40Woo!
14:40Woo!
14:42Woo!
14:43Woo!
14:48Woo!
15:04Woo!
15:07And down below, guys.
15:09And then all four of you down in the center.
15:12You guys, one last time.
15:14Right there.
15:21Woo!
15:23Woo-hoo!
15:28You're happy, right?
15:29Are you doing it now?
15:38Do you want to do umbrella?
15:42We want to do umbrella with them.
15:44I know, but we can't shoot real in the center.
15:47Guys, because we have you all in the center.
15:49All in the center, all in the shade.
15:51It's hard when you're half shade, half.
15:53Guys, everyone for Netflix right here.
15:56And then right down to the left, looks like they're famous.
16:03We love you guys!
16:07That's like that small there, that small.
16:09And back to the bed already?
16:10Right down to the left.
16:12And all three of you on the right.
16:18Right above it guys, that small.
16:25Okay guys, we're going to get the...
16:28Sorry.
16:32Volley and Prince.
16:35Right here guys.
16:37Guys for Netflix, right ahead please, together.
16:40How about a kiss?
16:41No, I'm going to do it for you.
16:44Sorry.
16:44Right here.
16:47You're going to get them for me?
16:49Yeah.
16:49Right here.
16:58Ladies, straight ahead.
17:00Smile.
17:12This way Molly.
17:14Woo!
17:15Woo!
17:18And Molly on the right.
17:19Amazing.
17:22And Molly, I was right here.
17:24Yeah.
17:25And back to the middle.
17:28And Molly.
17:28On the top row.
17:30And Molly.
17:31What else?
17:32I hate you.
17:33Where are these?
17:34Where are those?
17:35And Molly over here.
17:37And Molly straight ahead.
17:39Ms. Shannon right here please.
17:40Molly over here.
17:41Molly right here.
17:42No!
17:43No!
17:43Metal!
17:44No!
17:46No!
17:47No!
17:48No!
17:48No!
17:48And Molly.
17:52I thought he's gonna do.
17:54No!
17:55No!
17:57No!
17:59Molly!
17:59Molly on the right.
18:00And here's Molly.
18:02Shannon right here.
18:03Molly from positive.
18:05Well we Why are there.
18:07From you please.
18:07Please, go ahead.
18:08And there we go.
18:11Go ahead.
18:12Do you want to lay down?