By Leave it up to Amy Poehler to get a couple laughs out of one of the most iconically stoic actors of our day.
The “SNL” alum sat down with legendary actor Robert De Niro on the latest episode of her podcast “Good Hang,” released Sept. 15. While De Niro is famously known to be, well, not the chatterbox type, Poehler appears to get him to crack through a pretty nontraditional interview tactic.
“I’m gonna ask you a favor,” Poehler says, pleading with the actor. “If I don’t meet my word count by the end of this interview, I’m screwed.”
While De Niro seems to understand the assignment, he comes up a tad short when answering Poehler’s first question, “Would you consider yourself an introverted person?”
“In some ways I am,” he says. “Depending on the situation.”
And the comedian does not let him off the hook.
“We need at least 10,” Poehler replies, as the two dissolve into giggles. “We need at least 10 more words every sentence.”
During the podcast episode, Poehler and De Niro touch on a wide range of subjects from thirst traps to his new documentary “Tribeca 25,” which explores the beginnings of the famous film fest that he started with producer Jane Rosenthal after the 9/11 attacks.
The comedian truly hits it off with De Niro. At one point, she even moves him to tears when she praises his activism.
“It makes everybody feel very safe,” Poehler says of De Niro’s advocacy. “I’ve seen you do it over and over again, and I really appreciate it.”
Moments later, Poehler realizes that the comments have made De Niro emotional.
“This is going to be a real switcheroo,” Poehler says. “I can’t believe I just made you cry.”
