It’s a good time to write a comedy about billionaires.
The grotesque wealth inequity in America, however, is no laughing matter;Lootis acutely aware of this.
“I think the show takes a pretty clear stance on where it stands in that respect.”
Joel Kim Booster, Maya Rudolph, and Ron Funches in ‘Loot’.Colleen Hayes/Apple TV +
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You both reunite with yourForeverstar Maya Rudolph for the series.
How did the idea forLootcome to be?
MATT HUBBARD:We had done the showForeverwith Maya and just absolutely loved working with her.
Nat Faxon, Maya Rudolph, and a furry friend in ‘Loot’.Colleen Hayes/Apple TV+
She can do anything, obviously: Comedy, drama.
So we were thinking about that together.
While that was happening, I started to read things about billionaires in the news.
Maya Rudolph, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Ron Funches, Joel Kim Booster, Stephanie Styles, Nat Faxon, and Meagen Fay in ‘Loot’.Apple TV+
There were some billionaires who were going through divorces.
And those threads came together.
That led us down the foundation road and it all started to click.
We saw why that character would be funny.
We told Maya about it.
She loved the idea.
And we went from there.
ALAN YANG:It just seemed like the perfect marriage between the role and the actress…
But even from the inception of the role, it’s like, wow.
This could be a big comedy and an emotional journey.
There’s potential for growth, and there’s a real range to the character.
At least, we saw that potential at the time.
And nobody has more range.
It went viral, just like the scene in the show went viral.
So I was like, ‘Wow.’
That’s the first time in history a viral scene in a show went viral in real life.
She can do that level of comedy but she can also play the subtler and more vulnerable notes.
How did the glorious “Hot Ones” segment come to be?
YANG:We wanted to do an episode about Molly hitting back.
We talked a lot about different venues for that.
We talked about different talk shows she could go on, what the meltdown could be.
I don’t know, Hubbard, what else happened in the genesis of that?
I think the idea of it being “Hot Ones” came up pretty early.
We watched a bunch of “Hot Ones.”
I wasn’t crazy familiar with “Hot Ones.”
Once we saw it, I was like, Oh okay.
I totally get this.
We wrote a version of it.
And then 100 percent, everyone knows that she just took over, right?
I’m glad other people felt that way.
Some of the lines were written and some were improvised.
I could just text him and see if he wants to do it.'
I happened to have just met him.
It was very funny.
It’s so funny.
Were there any moments left on the cutting room floor?
YANG:There’s a lot more swearing.
HUBBARD:There’s certainly a version twice as long.
There’s also a version where she ends up lying on the floor.
Let’s dive into that finale.
How did you land on this closing scene?
YANG:I mean, we love this idea.
They’d change her in ways that are positive.
And she gives this speech.
So we had this whole thing with Arthur set up this season, And they’re so adorable together.
Maya and Nat are so good together.
They’re old friends.
They have a great chemistry.
So we wanted to build up that the whole time.
And then we wanted that misdirect.
She wakes up in bed with John.
We thought that was a great cliffhanger because everyone’s going to be appalled.
What do you hope to explore with Molly and Arthur’s relationship in season 2?
YANG:I can see it going either way.
We have some ideas about him pursuing her or her pursuing him or vice versa.
Also I think there’s juice going on with her and John’s relationship.
I think there’s something to dig into there.
I’ve talked to Adam a little bit.
What would Molly giving away all of her money look like?
What can you tease about that?
HUBBARD:you could’t just give away that amount of money immediately, right?
It takes a long time.
And that’s actually something we learned about foundation work.
And what are the ethical implications of that?'
YANG:We’re looking forward to delving further into the other characters' lives as well.
Lastly, what do you hope viewers take away from the series?
But I think what’s at the base of this show is ultimately a story of redemption.
I think that affected them in negative ways.
The story we’re telling through this show is, Can someone change?
Can someone find empathy again?
Can someone become re-engaged with the world through meeting new people that are very different from you?
And challenge you and hopefully affect you for the better?
Alan and I, two optimistic people at our heart, are saying that hopefully Molly can.
YANG:If people are looking for additional resources, I recommend books by Anand Giridharadas and Thomas Piketty.
So look up those books.
They both know a lot more about wealth and equality than we do.
We read all those books as research.
Don’t take our half-hour comedy as economics.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
All ten episodes ofLootseason 1 are streaming on Apple TV+.
