Maya Rudolph interview

John Krasinski had warned me about Maya Rudolph. The actor behind The Office’s only likable guy described his costar in the new Sam Mendes film, Away We Go, which hits theaters June 12, as “dangerous-funny. She can make you laugh so hard you hope you’re not driving a car when she’s there with you—or you hope it’s a movie car being driven for you.”

Fortunately, I was not behind the wheel when I spoke with Rudolph about her dramedic turn. Still, at moments, I had to remind myself to stop laughing and start asking some questions. Once the publicist connected us by phone during the Away We Go stars’ intensive press-junket weekend, the very first bit of our chat, which didn’t make it into TOC’s published interview with Rudolph this week, set her casually, delightfully wry tone. (Check back here next week for our online-exclusive interview with Krasinski.)

Time Out Chicago: Where are you at the moment?

Maya Rudolph: I’m just hanging out—at the Beverly Hilton. Just chilling.

TOC: A typical Friday morning, then.

MR: Yeah, I like to check into a hotel on a Friday morning and just order breakfast, look out at Wilshire Boulevard, you know, the usual.

TOC: Look down at the people.

MR: Oh, I’m throwing things at them as we speak.