DISCLAIMER:
The following output was transcribed from our audio recording.
Although the transcription is largely accurate, it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors.
It is posted to aid in understanding the interview but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
Mindy Cohn 00:00
Hi, everybody, Christian and I welcome you back to Monday's with Mindy, everybody. Welcome back. Today's episode features a conversation with one of my lifelong friends. We've actually known each other we counted it out 36 years. Wow. who stayed late Yeah, whose daily face times over the last five months stay at home have only solidified our everlasting and necessary friendship. Epic belly belly laughs so often that I decided to include that as part of my weekly ab workout. It happens to be the only ab workout I've been doing. Did Oh, yeah. So I obviously talked Well, maybe not obviously to you guys, but I'm talking about the wonderfully delicious and hilarious actress and producer Tara Carson. Tara is the daughter of the legendary actress Pat Carroll and Lea Carson and sister of casting director Carrie Carson. She attended Beverly Hills High and was a founding member of the echo Theatre Company. She began her career appearing in episodes of married with children and who's the boss designing women in The X Files, and in the 2000s guest starred on NYPD Blue CSI and Prison Break, as well as a recurring role in ER and also in life's work another sitcom in 2014, she co wrote and co starred with Andrea grando, her best friend one of her current producing partners also in the independent film BFFs, which also featured her mother Pat, the following year, she reoccurred in the ABC drama series blood and oil. Her production company girl crush films is a collective of five female artists committed to producing quality and compelling content that's not only more from the female perspective, but created and brought to fruition by primarily female teams, with each production having at least a 70/30 split above and below the line.
Christian Brescia 01:47
Wow, congrats for that...
Mindy Cohn 01:49
women power. Yeah, her most recent acting credits include the role of chef birdie in FX's, American Horror Story 1984 and post pandemic she is going to be joining the cast of a show that I am not allowed to mention. And I'm sure you're gonna know it when you see it because it's, it's a biggie. So I'm thrilled about that for her. Tara lives in Los Angeles with her one eye'd Bulldog, wink. And he's fabulous. Also, obviously I get to see and talk to him every day over FaceTime as well over the last five months. So anyway, Christian, are you ready? Ready!
Christian Brescia 02:26
All right, let's bring her in. Ladies and gentlemen. It is our pleasure to welcome to the show. Tara Carson.
Tara Karsian 02:33
Hello.
Mindy Cohn 02:36
for yourself. It's a big deal.
Tara Karsian 02:39
You know what?
Mindy Cohn 02:44
Yeah, no, wait. Just a second. People. Hi. Hi gorgeousness. We start every Monday. So it's Monday with a little a five question poll. I'm a big fan of the show. I know. Oh, thank you. Thank you. Oh, see Season Two works. People out. We
Tara Karsian 03:04
know who we are. This is Monday with me. Oh, I'm sorry. That's wrong. Sure. Come on.
Mindy Cohn 03:11
Alright, just go with us. You're slotted. Okay, your time. Okay. Yeah. What's your favorite place to travel to? And why?
03:20
rolling? You have to start with
Mindy Cohn 03:25
anything.
03:27
My favorite place to travel to is I love Carmel. Ramallah is an I know, it's not very exotic. No. Oh, but it's but it is. Yes. It's seriously my happy place. It's i think it's it's magical up there. And I think it's just I completely relax whenever I'm there.
Mindy Cohn 03:51
No, that's where and you've never heard you talk about it like that. That it you relaxed that
03:56
completely? Yeah. Well, we had a my family had a house there when I was growing up. And so it was always kind of a special place to go to. Because it was familial and everything. And then a friend of mine her family has a house there and I just I I it's there's something in the air there. That me Yeah, it's it's really great. I'd like to retire there actually.
Mindy Cohn 04:21
Okay, well, there's room for me. And you do you get lost easily up there because they don't use like house numbers and street numbers. Do they write? Read?
04:31
Yeah, I don't. And I just Yeah, I know. And I'm in the whole Monterey area in Carmel, which I find charming and really disgustingly cute. Yes. But I think Monterrey itself is just, it's it's unbelievable and a great, thank you.
Mindy Cohn 04:52
And I approve, even though you didn't ask, you know, have you
04:55
ever deal with you and you always throw it in? Go on. That's right.
Mindy Cohn 05:00
Next question. What assumption do people make about you? That's wrong? Are they understood by
05:07
such a great question? Because this happens all the time, people will say something to me, and then they'll preface it with I know you hate anything spiritual.
Tara Karsian 05:21
Right? You sit on satanic or Sunday.
05:26
I happen to be although I'm very private about my spirituality, I happen to be a very spiritual person. And I've always been, I always go, that person doesn't know me very well, they have to say that but so read.
Mindy Cohn 05:41
Like, nice, and especially during these past few months, if, in my humble opinion, you don't have anything to go to. You're in worse shape than most of us.
Tara Karsian 05:50
That was to see my offering could not be more true. Yeah.
Mindy Cohn 05:53
Okay. Um, who is excluding me? Of course. And now Christian? Who's the most fascinating person you've met? Christian? You are correct.
06:12
A little professionally? Well, you do well, the most fascinating person I've ever met. That is I meet a lot of fascinating people. Yes, he did. That's, that's, um, so I can I pass?
Mindy Cohn 06:28
No, anyone standout recently, Christian. Oh, well, we've not been anywhere recently. No.
06:35
Yeah, I just I really enjoy. I love people. Screw me. screwed up thing to say I love people outside of the industry. Mm hmm. I find them fascinating. I put I also like people names just move on. Okay,
Mindy Cohn 06:53
fair enough. A kid who was Can I ask you just because you've you were surrounded by so much showbiz royalty as a kid who was the most fascinating person you met? Maybe not most fascinating, fascinating. Who's one that pops into your head? I don't
07:06
know how close I was with her. But I remember there was a market in Beverly Hills. Maybe you might remember this co premier market.
Mindy Cohn 07:12
Oh my god. Of course I do. Okay,
07:15
so we had a house account there? Of course he did.
07:22
Oh, my God, and I bought a house account.
07:26
kiddo. At premier market. We would always another night we'd go there. And there was it happened a few times. But she would. She introduced me to this woman and she was the kindest woman, the sweetest woman. And I just there was something magical about this woman and I was in awe of her and it turned out that it was Ella Fitzgerald. Oh,
Mindy Cohn 07:52
wow. She used to go there all
07:56
around the corner. And my mother used to
08:00
go help Miss Fitzgerald with anything and I would. Oh my god, but that woman there was something about her aura. Look at me, but not spiritual person who's remora not hora. Mindy, it's not a bar mitzvah. Okay,
Mindy Cohn 08:14
geez, I got I got aura. I got
08:17
it. Yeah, you do in spades lady. But she was this. There was a vibe about that woman that was just there was something that was fascinating. And be aware of it as a child. Yeah, I think that's really too. Yeah.
Mindy Cohn 08:33
Yeah, absolutely.
08:36
That's a brown.
Mindy Cohn 08:37
Hi, that's major. I mean, Christian, that might be one of the best ones we've heard. I think it is the best. We've heard. We've heard some good ones because we've had some calls. But
08:48
this is exactly what do I win
Mindy Cohn 08:50
one more time with Monday's with Randy. Here it comes. It's an instant price. Okay, Tara Carson, what's your guilty pleasure? are one of them.
09:00
Not reality television? Hmm. Which Yeah, I'm judgment beyond her reality television.
Mindy Cohn 09:09
And I'd love to have her judge me.
09:12
Oh, and I do trust. My guilty pleasure is probably a old, not old, like 80s Just let me say ROM coms. I'm a huge rom com girl and which, again, people don't usually assume about me. I mean, there is
Mindy Cohn 09:33
there is still mystery in our relationship.
09:36
You know, Monday, something when I feel comfortable sharing with you. Well, wow.
Mindy Cohn 09:43
Just put it out in the ethers. Bravo. Um, last question, oh, what's the best advice you've been given and who gave it um,
09:53
that's the advice I've ever been given. And this is only this is only gonna make sense to ask Anything but no, I think it's true of anything. There was a very successful casting director in the 70s. And when I told her she was a friend of my parents, when I told her I wanted to be an actress, she said, promise me something. And I said, Yes. And she said, If you ever get desperate, you'll leave the industry. And she said, desperation walks in the room before you do. And yes, at one point, when I was younger, I got desperate. And I left the industry for two years. Wow, nice. Yeah. And it was. So her name is Sally powers. She's no longer with us. But that was probably one of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten. And I do think Yeah, I think that's true. But any, it doesn't matter if it's acting, I think I agree. Definitely. Yeah, I agree. And
Mindy Cohn 10:53
my experience has been to piggyback on that as neediness or, or that sense of, like, you know, I have to have this It smells, there's like an odor to it. I think when you walk into a room, whether it be an audition or an interview or meeting somebody parents for the first time, whatever, yeah, even like social networking, you see it like I mean, not the social network platforms, but when people are out and about in the past networking, and like meetups and stuff, you can tell there's those, there's some people who just need it so badly, everybody's sort of steering away from them kind of thing, you know,
11:27
without a doubt, because you go, Oh, I don't want to be around this energy, this person this. So I, I love that piece of advice. And the other piece of advice that I think I it's just I don't know, whoever said it to me, but don't take anything personally. And I do believe that we are As humans, we tend to take on without thinking, yeah, that it might not be about you. Right. You know, and to I think that also makes us for an empathetic to people. If we can not take things personally and go we don't know what they're, you know, the thing that drives me crazy is when someone says, everybody has a story. Yeah. That doesn't mean that they have to be, right. Yeah, no, we all have story. stories. And I think that, but it does help when you can look at somebody and go, I don't know what their deal is. I don't know, you know, yeah. Take this first step. Well, in most cases, it is about me, Christian.
12:35
So go on.
12:38
My five questions, we
Mindy Cohn 12:39
are done with that, that portion of the conversation.
12:42
Can you tell me how
Mindy Cohn 12:44
you did amazing? Do you feel warmed up? Really? Really? Do you feel like doing the deep dive? Oh, so I you know, basically and now that you've listened and you also know because I talk to you incessantly and ask your counsel on this and everything else in my life, talking to creators of all different kinds because basically, for me, I suck everybody else's energy to fulfill my own creative energy. No, I just like me, it's like, I appreciate that. What are and it's I know, this is a challenging question. Maybe in this time, but what are what inspires you when you're working? like where do you find your How do you define your
13:24
your creative process? I love people's talent, and it doesn't matter what they're doing. Hmm. Be a writing which I'm in awe of, I think anybody I think that's a gift directing. There is something which is why I would like to transition more into producing because I am a talent core. I love to watch people do what they do passionately and well. And there are a lot of people in this industry who squander talent and who are
Mindy Cohn 14:00
Yes, not only you're saying we've You and I both worked with, worked with many of them. Yeah.
14:10
It's energy sucking. And it's offensive to me because I go You were given a god given talent and an opportunity. Yes. And and I am a big one on we being allowed to do what we do. We need to be super grateful. Because there are like some jobs or jobs, you know, yeah. Yeah. Like to say sometimes the best part of getting the job is getting the job done. By even in those situations, I know for myself, I'm very grateful. Yeah. And because it's it's hard to be an actor. It's hard to be you know, very, it's, it's not an easy thing and to be able to do. It is a gift and But yeah, it goes across the board. I mean, I can sit on a set and watch people do their thing. And I'm talking about the grips. And that you go, your capture good. Wow. And they're there, there's a joy to what they do I hate them on a set and being around people who look like they would rather be getting, you know, root canal with no novocaine. Right. Right. And that goes from the very top to the very bottom. Yeah, sure does.
Mindy Cohn 15:28
Yeah. When you're when you're not working, or when you're not on a set. Is there any other things people, places that inspire you or that make you feel like, but add anything to your process of any kind. I mean, for me, it's music that emotes that brings a lot of emotion for me. So listening to music really helps
15:48
me music is as as I've people who've worked with me know this. I mean, no matter what it is, I always pick a song or playlist here and Oh, yeah. Music is super impact. If I have not been an actor, I would have wanted to be a music supervisor. Hmm.
Mindy Cohn 16:09
Okay. I never heard that before I
16:12
see flutter.
Mindy Cohn 16:13
This this little conversation for me.
16:17
It's because of you throwing up this stuff to kind of really, okay. It's working.
Mindy Cohn 16:27
Great. Oh, my gosh, what are your What are your obsessions right now? Right
16:33
now in getting out of the panda like, I'm politically I'm a little obsessed right now. Um, yes. Right. Yeah. I think we Yeah, there is. This is a I don't know if it's because I'm getting older. And I go, this is an incredibly important time for our not only our country, but our world. Mm hmm. And I'm, I tend to be kind of like human the I tend to be very optimistic and very good. And the last few years, I've been very optimistic. I've been in kind of a freefall as far as, which is why I started doing my podcast. Yes, we're gonna come down that. All right, stop yelling out. I know
Mindy Cohn 17:19
can help it. She's very important and very emphatic whenever
17:23
you are. Yeah, you are. Yeah. So I'm a little obsessed with politics. And yet at the same time, especially in this time of the pandemic, I have been very aware that I have to be careful of not going overboard and listening to too much in the same way that I can pull back from any kind of social media now because I end up going, Oh, my God, I hate the human race. And these are people that I'm friends with, you know, and I so I, I've had to really pull back and that's been a good thing. So politics, unkind of me, you and I have discussed this there. I've been watching a lot more TV than I ever have in my life. Oh, like, Oh my gosh,
Mindy Cohn 18:06
I mean, when I say there's nothing left to watch,
18:10
you know, I'm still I've still got a lot left. Yeah, but I've been amazed at some of the stuff that I've seen and just stamp there's so much talent out there right there really is and and yeah,
Mindy Cohn 18:27
yeah, well agreed. And you and I have talked about this too that my during this time, I have refound through TCM these incredible movies. I've never been more proud to be an actor and all my life and that's that's saying something during this time when it has not been fruitful
18:44
for me. I'm gonna sound like an old lady here.
Mindy Cohn 18:47
Oh my God, please.
18:49
It drives me crazy. Well, I'm not gonna say to people what you called the show in front of a 95 year old anyway. I'm about to Tara she really does Christian you know why
Mindy Cohn 19:07
you don't have Todd almond is going to be on the new episodes of Gossip Girl. So I caught you know the new the reboot I called it the Gossip Girl.
19:17
She goes on the Gossip Girl I go You mean Gossip Girl grandma session is that young actors do not know Do not are not studying TCM and have no basis in what has gone on before them and when you say to somebody you know and I'm talking about you can say Betty Davis nigga Yeah, I've never seen a Betty did and I'm like, why? I'm
Mindy Cohn 19:48
in roomier fury eights. me like, not even mildly uncomfortable. I go from zero to fury. Yeah, that fellow actors do not know their history. I mean, when I don't know what
20:01
a profession is
Mindy Cohn 20:02
that did that training, that sort of informal training because I studied film I studied acting. I remember the Kardashian dog and yeah, is it that because it's like it's more accessible now than ever. And I'm like, why are we getting all this? Because there's more people in this industry now seeking fame. Instead of claiming themselves as an actor and a creative Absolutely. And I'm not Pooh poohing reality as as business acumen. Right, the Kardashians are through the roof. I mean, I you can't help but even if you don't like them, I respect their role. And their business document. Right. It's very impressive
20:40
to me.
20:43
Come on right now.
Mindy Cohn 20:47
I'm sorry. Yeah, but it really it is infuriating. I just had an experience a couple years ago, working with someone who is lovely and adorable. Who knew none of my references and believe me, they weren't from the 1950s. Okay, they were from the 1990s. Yeah, there was no sense of who these people were. That went Oscars. You know that.
21:07
I mean, people who've never seen women, some of them were gone with wind up. We've never seen some of our great films that you go, yeah. You have to be able to, I need to be able to say to you, it's kind of like blah, blah, blah, or make the poor performance to me, blah, blah, blah. And I know, none. Yeah, none whatsoever. And it's terrifying to me. And I really I would, the sides that I would like to also have an actor etiquette class. Please get that to where we won't go on. Go on.
Mindy Cohn 21:43
Yeah. But you know, what's interesting is I remember when I was studying with Larry moss, him saying that, you know, part of being a good actor is exposing yourself to the other arts, whether it be fine art, perhaps and also old movie, right? the craft of filmmaking, right. And it's not, he would always say, it's not a waste of your time. You know, I have wasted many hours watching what we call binge TV, whatever have you. And there's been amazing stuff, too. Don't get me wrong, but there is nothing like sitting down and watching a movie with a classic. Yeah, that is so inspiring.
22:15
If you go Okay, well, because I know a lot of younger people look at this and go, Kevin, there's there's so over the top or there's so we thought about it's a different, it's a different industry now. Yeah, you know, exactly. But you have to be able to have a reference point to films to these actors to these to what came before you, you know,
Mindy Cohn 22:40
yeah, absolutely. You were talking about etiquette with actors. And I have to say the other thing that I have been increasingly behind the learning curve, and I'm really and really it's been a learning curve, it's acceptance of where the industry is right now. But just going into the rooms and the mutual respect casting directors had for actors that the lot of the agents and producers used to have for actors is so not there. I mean, it's so fascinating to me that we are so at the bottom of the totem pole in regard to a lot of things and and etiquette being one of them or just the just respect to be quite frank with you. And again, I think that lends itself to them being bombarded with this, you know, fame and numbers and reality stuff that has kind of muddied some of the art and the filmmaking and television making process. And not to be so down on it because we both have worked and recently and will work in the new recent feature with really wonderfully talented people. Yeah, I was gonna ask you, Tara, if you realize that today's episode of Monday's with Mindy is being sponsored by the Hollywood caucus podcast. So want to tell our listeners and our viewers a little bit about it. It is hosted by Tara and Jonathan del arco. The Hollywood caucus is an informal and fun interview format that covers guests careers, personal lives and political views. drilling down on the intersection between the entertainment industry and politics. We encourage you to jump online go to any major Podcast Network, just like Monday's with Mindy, you will find it there. If you're having any trouble go to Monday's with Mindy calm. You'll find more information about Tara as well as the show notes. We'll have a link to our podcast there as well. So you can just click through and have a listen. So thank you very much for joining us and hopefully our guests will take a listen to what you've got to say over there as well. Are you moved? Are you moved? Are you surprised?
24:39
You have no idea I might have even
Mindy Cohn 24:46
thank you for sponsoring this. Yes, I would really appreciate it. I'm
24:50
moving up in the world. Really? Yeah.
24:56
myself.
Mindy Cohn 24:57
I do love though, that you enjoy A thin sort of took this. You know, I mean, what we were talking about your obsession or passion for politics and turned it actually into something very creative. How has it been for you the experience? Well, I will I know, a lot of work. We've talked about that.
25:18
No, no, I think Johnny had actually called me up and pitch this idea to me. And I said, Hi, I'm not your gal. I'm not that well versed in politics. And he is so you know, he was, what is that called? surrogate for Obama. And now he's a surrogate for Biden, Harris. But I'm just I get that that's something that I never have. And he said, I know, he said, I would rather have you not be that first. And because I want it to be, you know, I want us to learn together and stuff like that. It's been fascinating to me, because I think a lot of times actors don't or creatives don't want to talk about politics. So when you give people this opportunity, it's it's been an I've learned, as I said, I can never look at another piece of plastic, again, without thinking being yelled up by Kara Sedgwick, you know, get her going on plastics. Um, it's been, it's been fascinating and seeing people be kind of vulnerable, as they're discussing something that they don't usually talk about, you know, and there is a fear of, you know, what, don't you don't want to offend people, you don't want to
Mindy Cohn 26:37
Well, actually, in this canceled culture, yeah, I've noticed that so many of my friends who are on social media with any regularity are either I find just two sorts one, me included, who just doesn't touch politics at all online, on their social media, and the others who it's become. They're just so aggressive about it. I mean, it's, it's all they can talk about. And while I feel as passionately as they do, I sometimes think what people decide to put out there on on either side, or on either side of an issue. It's not just blue or red. I'm not talking about that at all. It's too much for me personally, it's not what I go to social media for. I think there are times where it's so uniting on an issue or on on something and it's wonderful. But I have a huge problem be feeling like I'm being lectured to. on social media. I don't like what I was supposed to be no, but I'm supposed to think
27:46
no one likes to feel lectured to. And I think, as I say, all the time, the far left is as bad as the far right. And I've always considered myself very much centrist. Um, but I think when I post something, a my pet peeve I say to people, please, I'm sorry, I'm getting a phone call. Sorry to disturb. I always say to people, I it's just it's a very difficult time. And I my pet peeve is when people do not vet the sources that they're posting, specially today, we have to be so careful of that. And we have to really do our due diligence instead of hitting like and then re tweeting something. We have to check it out. Yeah, yeah. That's on both sides. One side seems to do it a little bit more than the other side. But we're not going to get into that. But I do I feel feel very strongly that right now. It's we've been an ugly time for a while now. And I am a big believer in empathy and kindness. And so I just told you who I'm voting for. And quite honestly, I was raised by I was raised by Republicans and I not proudly, I voted my first election was I voted Republican. And I say this all the time. I wouldn't vote republican if they presented somebody who had this. I'm a I'm a big believer in this country. I think this is an astounding country and with all of its differences and all of its but I what I've seen the last few years has been so disturbing to me on so many levels.
Mindy Cohn 29:43
For me that in this is more issue oriented, you know, you can't be learning and improving and have perfection at the same time. You got to give people a chance to learn, absorb, talk to among each other. Read St. Before we can get this, this sort of like talk about instant culture of social media and fads and whatever, I think it's bled into this, this political climate where, you know, if you aren't speaking our language and saying these things and posting these things, you're the complete opposite. It's like, Can you give me a minute to even just take in the information before you expect? What you classify perfection? Or, or
30:29
what it comes down to? Is you even differ a little bit with somebody? Yeah. And it's like, No, no, no, no, that's, that's what that was. That's what leads to conversation. Right. And in conversations I have the only thing that I will not converse about, because I am, I feel so strongly that it is our turn to listen, is black lives matter? I in fact, we were doing we're on a break right now from the podcast, but we're doing the podcast during all of it. And I said to Johnny, my, as a white person, I need to just listen right now. I don't need to comment. I don't need to we all know, my feelings as far as Yes, black lives matter that that's that's not even a question. Yes. But I need to just listen. And I think a lot of people do instead, I think you that makes you a better ally. I agree. In any in any situation. And I think that that.
Mindy Cohn 31:35
Well, I think what's been challenging for a lot of people is the anger coming. And and allowing someone to, you know, it's very grown up to sit and let someone be angry at you. Even though it's not out yet. Right? allow that. But instead this kind of like nodding yes. And oh, okay, wait a minute. It's like, Oh, you know, thank you for being very mature. And very good. But yeah, you know, it's, I don't know, I was gonna piggyback on that. I think that we have gotten to a point where, because of everything, you both just said, we need to kind of dial it back a little and be willing to allow people the safe space to admit they were wrong. whichever side you are, whichever The topic is, it's like people are so afraid to say like, you know, what, I I know now I know better. I'm going to do better. Because if they say you're right, I was wrong. It's like that cancel cultures already swept into eliminate them. Everybody bites their head off. It's like, we've got to give people a space to educate themselves to kind of learn. He said, 25 words and respond to it. Yeah, that's something they did 25 years ago, like you're going to know better, do better. That has stopped being a thing that even if you said it 25 years ago, that has now followed you into today, I have to say, some of the behaviors that I had as a 25 and 30 year old with which you both now Oh, my God, you guys.
33:19
Wow. called.
Mindy Cohn 33:25
Feeling it? I'm feeling it and taking it in. Thank you very much. Oh, anyway. Now I'm really curious about this list. And I'm also a little sweaty over here. It's like, wait, now I'm feeling shame all over again. And I don't
33:45
know why.
Mindy Cohn 33:47
No, recipie shame. Yes. Okay. So I didn't mean to get you know, so sidetracked into it. But again, you know, coming back to actually the work and doing what we do and the privilege and when we get I I do I want to be able to have the freedom to be creative. And notoriously I felt this during the some of the post and it's not even posed to me to but you know, sets are filthy places in a very good way. I don't know how else to say it. There is a liberation and safety hopefully actors especially feel on a set, I try to do everything in my power to feel safe on a set so that I can let it rip, whether it's tears or or jokes or whatever, I need to feel like you're all with me all 80 of you. Right, you know, and, and if there's if there isn't that the work isn't going to be good. I mean, and we've seen it, so
34:39
I might carry on or
Mindy Cohn 34:41
never Um, anyway, I'm excited to go back to work um, and I'm even with all the whatever's going to hit us what's your what's your take on going back to work, I know you're gonna go start shooting something very soon, which is very exciting, which we didn't talk about, and we can can't count we are silenced by terrorists NDA, having said that everyone will absolutely no, this time in six months or whenever it comes out, but because everyone will see it odd by the talent that is Tara Carson. Um, but how do you feel about going back on set, I'm a little freaked out. And I have a friend who's working right now. And she called the other day and said, not gonna lie to you. This is super creepy. Okay,
35:31
what's creepy about
35:32
it? Just the fact that that life as we know, it, is completely different now. And the fact that we as actors are used to them calling cuts and makeup people coming in touching yourself, that doesn't happen anymore. You know, walk over to a makeup table and do your own touch ups. Right? Oh, you don't you grab your own props. The things that we are used to. It's a complete it's a brand new world isn't always going to be like this now. Yeah. So there's part of me that's excited to see what it brings, and how difficult it's gonna be kind of, I don't know, how do you do scenes now?
Mindy Cohn 36:17
Well, at some point, I think like all of us, we're gonna act, at least after wise, we're gonna have to take little leaps of faith and trust, which I do anyway. We all do. I mean, that's, that's that is not new. why we're doing it is new. Yeah, that's not new. I think once people start to get rolling, I do think this time next year, so much of this is not even going to be an issue.
36:39
It's absolutely not. And I think it's going to be I mean, I think it's just going to be it'll be kind of interesting to me to see how it's done. But I'm also i just i think it's going to be a good thing. And I also I don't have any fear around getting sick or anything like that only because, you know, you're getting tested like every day you're getting Yeah, you're an options, by the
Mindy Cohn 37:04
way. Anyone? Do you know anyone who's gotten a cold in the last five months? I doubt we're not No. More, and the mask, I'm convinced. I Well, maybe, you know, terminal optimist that I am. I'm convinced flu season and cold season is going to go very much by the wayside. This Oh, yeah. I hope. I hope everyone's being so sanitary.
37:30
And I gotta tell you, I don't I know, this goes against. I don't hate the masks the mask. Yeah, whatever protection it is, it does make me feel sick. Yeah, I agree. I don't understand the difficulty and worry, one. I don't understand people who are behaving badly because they they feel that it's either been politicized or that it's No, it's just it's it's about being kind to one another. And it has so little to political
Mindy Cohn 38:00
unhygenic hygenic issue.
38:02
Yeah, exactly. And I in fact, I'm pulling on a mouse right now.
Mindy Cohn 38:09
So I do want everyone who's listening to Monday's with Mindy to know, the actor, Tara Carson that I know, which is you know, I just don't think given enough credit, the way that our brethren in the past have been given credit is I identify and I know Terra identifies as a journey person of sorts in that this is what we've done our whole lives this is what we're going to do for the rest of our lives and the work is the work is the work is the work is the work and you are one of my few friends who have had the longevity and the emotional wherewithal to weather the ups the downs the dry periods and
38:50
is always that simply because I have no other talent
Mindy Cohn 38:56
really say that but that's so not true. Okay. I well yeah outside looking in but the other thing is you share my sense of wonder still at what we we get to create and and I love that about you and will you give us like a five minute masterclass on your self talk to yourself in in times when you sort of have to do that to yourself. How you're able to live this life of an artist,
39:25
Mark I there have been people who said to me Well, you never stop working. And I go Oh, no. I'm well aware when I stopped working and i i think that that gives you great I think that's what makes going to work so wonderful is you know not being Have a look, I don't understand how any kid gets into this industry now and I'm talking kid like early 20s totally different industry. But I think that there's a goes back to lack of gratitude. I think it goes back to I have been there have been such dry times. And I do believe this industry is cyclical. But there have been dry times so that I go, am I ever going to work again, my, I don't think my talent changes but something else does out the world. And I think as you start getting older and you start becoming more competent, and more, as I like to say, I just I don't give a damn anymore but in the best way possible. You know, it's not it's not important to me that I get so many likes on Facebook or Instagram or the gram. Um, see, I put a blog and
Mindy Cohn 40:41
Instagram and
40:42
Grandma, you got that? Okay, no, I, but I think it's those times of dry periods. That makes me grateful for the work and makes me go God, I love this industry. And I do I am the day that stops maybe it's time for me, but I still have the same tingly feeling walking onto a lawn. I still have I love. My favorite place is usually makeup and hair, you know, they're the best, you just, yeah, that place in the world. And I just, I love the familial thing about the industry. And I there's so many amazing good people and just as many schmucks we're getting distance done. And hopefully, as you get older, you get better at discerning who's a schmuck. And you get into a position where you can say, I don't choose to work with that person, I just hold my air out to
41:46
allow theatres, you talk amongst your chiefest
41:50
know what I do? I think that it is what gives character actors, especially as my mother used to say, Be grateful you're a character actor, your work more and more as you get older. And she was right. Yes. You know, and what a what a what a gift, it's a gift to still be able to be working, you know?
Mindy Cohn 42:11
Yeah, I do know. And I feel the same way. It's we share a lot of that stuff. And you've also, you know, reminded me when I'm in the hole. Is this all there is? Of course not. And I do think the longer we've been in this business a very long time, you do understand that of course, you'll get another job because I've been doing this for 40 years. And what's it all of a sudden gonna stop right now? You know, same with you. It's like, No, we know better because we've lived it over and over and over again. And I do have to say, I am so excited to get back to work and the best is yet to come. I always feel that way.
42:49
And it is
Mindy Cohn 42:50
based on what we've experienced and been through. And I do believe your mother and and the great other actresses that have come, you know, with her and before her that have said the same thing. Thank you, Tara Carson. I mean, I have hills me not to be able to tell everybody what you're doing because I I do just have to spell for a minute you can cut this out if you want to Christian, I'm so excited for you. I'm so proud of you. I'm so excited for you have deserved this kind of job and many more that will follow for so long. And I'm so glad the world has finally agreed with me. I love being right. And I am so bloody excited for you. And Bravo.
43:33
drama. Well, I thank you.
43:38
And the best is yet to come for both of us. All three of us. I just want to take a minute. And thank you guys. Yeah, tell you what a fabulous job you're doing on this podcast. Because I have to be honest with you. There are a lot of podcasts out there
Mindy Cohn 43:55
is no
43:56
handyman. Exactly what I'm saying.
Mindy Cohn 43:57
Hence your podcast is our sponsor. That's how many are out there.
44:04
Chances are you guys are truly wonderful. And good at what you do. And it's been an honor and a pleasure. And thank you for having me.
Mindy Cohn 44:17
Thanks. Oh my gosh, thank you love to being had. Right? Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to have welcomed Tara onto the show. We encourage that you check her out. She is brilliant. She is funny. I think you got a little taste of that in this episode. When this project is able to be announced. We will put that in the show notes on Mondays monday.com we'll maybe even add a little something to the YouTube so people can check it out. But I think you're gonna they're gonna know without us having to tell. So, Sam, once again, we thank you for joining us and we look forward to talking to you again soon. Thanks, era. Ladies and gentlemen, the very talented Tara Carson.
