美国国家公共电台 NPR 'SNL' Wasn't A Good Fit For Natasha Rothwell. Now On 'Insecure,' She's Anything But
时间：2019-01-17 作者：英语课 分类：2018年NPR美国国家公共电台9月
SAM SANDERS, HOST:
From NPR, I'm Sam Sanders. IT'S BEEN A MINUTE.
It's Tuesday, and I have a conversation for you. Today, I'm talking with Natasha Rothwell. She joined me at NPR West studios in Culver City. A lot of you know Natasha from her role as Kelli on HBO's "Insecure." This character, Kelli, is, in my opinion, the funniest character on a show full of funny characters. Kelli is this loud and unapologetic and hilarious 1, driven black woman who is part of this friend circle of strong black women trying to make it professionally and personally in LA. And Kelli isn't the lead on the show, but every scene she's in - every scene - she steals the show.
The third season of "Insecure" comes to a close this weekend on HBO, and Natasha and I talk all about the show in our chat. We also talk about how she went from being a writer on "Insecure" to becoming one of the show's stars. We talk about how a character like Kelli, who is outspoken 3 to the nth degree - how that character is actually not what Natasha is a lot of the time in her real life. We talk about what it's like to work on a show that is consumed and sometimes torn apart in real time on Twitter on everything from break-ups to make-ups to sex. And we talk about what Natasha did before "Insecure." She taught high school drama, and she got a writing job on "SNL" through a secret black woman-only "SNL" audition 5.
But we start with me giving her a little bit of grief over rescheduling our interview. Natasha changed our first interview time because she claimed she lost her voice.
(SOUNDBITE OF FLEVANS' "FLICKER")
SANDERS: It's funny - so when you said that you had to postpone 6 the, you know, interview because of your voice, I was like, is it really her voice?
NATASHA ROTHWELL: Right (laughter).
SANDERS: Is she playing us? But then I saw your Instagram video...
ROTHWELL: Oh.
SANDERS: And it was for real. We actually have the tape of that.
ROTHWELL: Oh, do you really (laughter)?
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ROTHWELL: Hi, fam.
Oh, my God.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ROTHWELL: I've lost my voice, and I need you to sound off in the comments on what I can do to get it back.
(Laughter).
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ROTHWELL: Help.
(Laughter).
SANDERS: That was for real.
ROTHWELL: That was...
SANDERS: Your struggle was real.
ROTHWELL: The struggle could not have been more real. And I was shook. And I'm, like...
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: ...A textbook goody-goody.
SANDERS: Oh, really?
ROTHWELL: And, like, I don't like disappointing people - like, on my list of things that bring me great anxiety. So I was - like, it was, like, firing on all cylinders 7. I was, like, someone on this Instagram give me some witch's brew 8.
SANDERS: What was the weirdest 10 tip you got?
ROTHWELL: Well, it was weird 9, but it worked. It was warm pineapple juice with turmeric.
SANDERS: Bleh.
ROTHWELL: Right.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: But it's - it was like - the turmeric has, like, anti-inflammatory qualities...
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: And so that worked.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: And so I was, like, all right.
SANDERS: Hearing you talk about how in real life you don't like to let people down, you were - it seems like you were describing to me someone who is, like me, a little bit underlyingly always kind of anxious about...
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: ...Getting it right.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: And I compare that to your character Kelli on "Insecure."
ROTHWELL: Right.
SANDERS: She gives no F's.
ROTHWELL: No. She cares not.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: Is that you at all?
ROTHWELL: I think, like, in the Venn diagram, we overlap 11 in - like, I was going to say in a lot of areas but not in a lot of areas...
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: In the area that we both care very deeply, we just express it differently. Like...
SANDERS: Explain.
ROTHWELL: I'm a little bit more anxious about it and, like, cautious...
SANDERS: Yes.
ROTHWELL: ...And I think she's - her caring for Issa and everyone - she's just, like, first thought, right thought.
SANDERS: It's funny hearing you speak of the way that she cares for Issa. One of my favorite scenes between Kelli and Issa's character on the show is when Issa's trying to get a new apartment.
ROTHWELL: Right (laughter).
SANDERS: And your character, in her wonderfully motherly but real talk way, is, like...
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: You can't do this, young lady.
ROTHWELL: Right, right, right (laughter).
SANDERS: I think we have that clip prepped, too.
(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "INSECURE")
ROTHWELL: (As Kelli) I'm sorry. There's no way to get around this credit issue unless you get a co-signer - not me - or you could put down three or four months' rent if you've been saving.
ISSA RAE: (As Issa Dee) Ooh, I have been saving.
ROTHWELL: (As Kelli) OK.
RAE: (As Issa Dee, singing) I've been saving, I've been saving, I've been saving.
ROTHWELL: (As Kelli) Hey, hey.
RAE: (As Issa Dee, singing) I've been saving.
ROTHWELL: (As Kelli, singing) She's been saving. She's been saving. Ah, ah - uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh.
RAE: (As Issa Dee) No, you know I eat out a lot.
ROTHWELL: (As Kelli) Oh, girl - Lids?
RAE: (As Issa Dee) I like my caps fitted.
ROTHWELL: (As Kelli) That is just - Radio Shack 12 ain't even a store no more - Rite 2 Aid? You buying groceries at Rite Aid?
RAE: (As Issa Dee) I buy panties there, too.
(LAUGHTER)
SANDERS: That kind of real talk - like, how often in your life are you delivering that to your friends, to your people, to your family?
ROTHWELL: I think when asked...
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: ...More often than not. I think that Kelli doesn't necessarily need permission (laughter).
SANDERS: At all.
ROTHWELL: At all.
SANDERS: Right.
ROTHWELL: And I think that's why I love playing her is because she's - I feel like with all characters that I approach, like, they exist within me but at a different volume (laughter). So, like, when I step into a role, I'm, like, oh, I need to turn up this aspect of myself or turn this one down to, like, sort of calibrate 13 how I approach. And I feel like, with her, she lives in me, but the dials are way down...
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: ...In a lot of areas. And I feel like, for her, her wanting to help lives in me, but my access or, like, my access point into, like, being helpful is different.
SANDERS: How do you bring Kelli to life? How do you channel that? How do you turn the dials up?
ROTHWELL: There's a permission that I give myself as a performer when I put on a role to just check my inner critic and, like, to be able to really say yes to everything that's in the script and embrace it as my own...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Which is why I love performing. I think that's why I was drawn 15 to it when I was younger...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Is just to be - it gives me permission to do, say, think and be things that I wouldn't ordinarily.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so, in writing the scripts and, like, working on the show and in developing her in real time, it's just understanding that I don't have to be so cautious.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so it's just checking that sort of...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Like, self-consciousness in the dressing 16 room.
SANDERS: Yeah. Well, and it's so interesting to see her character, Kelli, because, like, on this show called "Insecure," she is incredibly so secure...
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: ...Which is beautiful.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: And, I mean, you've actually spoken about this before quite poignantly 17. Your interview - was it with pridesource.com a while back? I love this quote. You said, until I got into my 30s, I felt like I was apologizing for being a woman, for being black. The beauty of playing Kelli is I get to have a character match how I feel, and I get to play a woman who's never known any different.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: That must be so freeing.
ROTHWELL: It's unreal. And it's...
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: And I also think that just, like, as a woman of color...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Watching TV, I - not that every character or - I saw was apologizing for it but was aware of it. And that to me is the beauty of Kelli. She has known no different.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: She knows that freedom of self-possession that, like, I dream of. And so...
SANDERS: Yeah. She's as free as a wealthy white man.
ROTHWELL: Yes. Yes.
SANDERS: Like, she is just...
ROTHWELL: Yes. And in her - she would say she's as free as a black woman. You know what I mean?
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: Like, she doesn't even have that...
SANDERS: There's no difference.
ROTHWELL: There's no difference. And so for her, that kind of, like, bald, like, approach to life - it's exhilarating to play.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And for me it's just - like, what I do find funny is that, like, in real life, people think that's (laughter) me.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so they, like, come up to me, and they expect - and I'm just so - more reserved and more aware of it than she is. So...
SANDERS: Yeah. We've got to talk about how you came to portray 18 Kelli on the show because when you started with "Insecure," you were a writer.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: So how'd that happen?
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: Won't he do it?
SANDERS: Yes, he will (laughter).
ROTHWELL: I mean, I was hired to write on the show, and I was so excited to do it. And really it was my first sort of narrative 19 scripted show. And...
SANDERS: What kind of work were you doing before?
ROTHWELL: I was writing for "Saturday Night Live," and then I wrote for my Netflix special. And right as I was in post for my Netflix special is when I got this job opportunity. And so I went in with blinders. I was, like, I want to be good at this. I want to...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Learn as much as I can and not present as someone who was gifted an opportunity but earned it. And so I was in the room writing and, like, really trying to, like, pitch my [expletive] off...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...And like be considered as sort of, like, a clutch person in the writers' room that can be really helpful. And about two months into the writers' room, Issa called me into her office.
SANDERS: Two months in.
ROTHWELL: About two months.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: I want to say we had maybe two or three scripts in the bag. Kelli had already been created. And I think I don't come in until Episode 2.
SANDERS: Who created Kelli?
ROTHWELL: Ben Dougan...
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: ...Who's a writer on the show, pitched a wild friend when we were, you know, thinking about how to expand her social circle.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And we do internal table reads. So like...
SANDERS: OK, so writers will read.
ROTHWELL: The writers will read. And this is before we do the proper table read where, you know, HBO execs come through and we, you know, have the actors read for them. And I kept reading Kelli at the table read, which was fun to do. And they knew I was performing because I was in post for my Netflix special, so I was...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Like, juggling 20.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so when I was called into the office, I was, like, am I in trouble? Like, what is going on?
SANDERS: Also, there was, like, a Nerf subplot.
ROTHWELL: Oh, yeah. So the...
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: We were in the middle of a Nerf war in which - so, like, when we tackle scripts in the writers' room, there's I think about 12 of us. And so we split into sort of two groups to - like, one will be working on Episode 2, one will be working on three. We're breaking story and writing the script. And those turned into factions 21...
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: ...Warring factions when equipped with Nerf guns.
SANDERS: I love it.
ROTHWELL: And so I think the week prior the other room, like, brought in, like, a Beats Pill and, like, was playing opera music as they attacked...
SANDERS: Stop.
ROTHWELL: So it was very...
SANDERS: Cinematic.
ROTHWELL: Yes. And so when I came in, I was, like, OK, should I bring my gun (laughter)? Like...
SANDERS: Into Issa's office.
ROTHWELL: Yes. So - when I was called because I was just, like, we have talked about taking someone hostage, and I was, like...
SANDERS: In the Nerf war.
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: It's very - like, it was war games.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: So I was, like, are they calling me in here to, like, you know, as a point - act of war?
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: And they looked weird. They're like, no, calm down. Put your Nerf gun down. I was, like, all right.
SANDERS: You came in there with your Nerf gun.
ROTHWELL: I remember it was smaller. It wasn't that big because we had, like, smaller ones, too.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: But, yeah, they were just, like, you know, we would love for you to play Kelli. And I cried instantly...
SANDERS: Wow.
ROTHWELL: ...Because it was the thing that I didn't allow myself to want because I was just, like, I want to do the one thing that I was asked to do well and, like, exceed at that. And so I didn't even entertain that I would be a part of the show, let alone asked to do it and not have to audition. So...
SANDERS: It's funny hearing you say that because Kelli - I feel like Kelli would have walked in there Day 1 being, like, y'all know at some point I'm acting 22 in the show.
ROTHWELL: (Laughter) No.
SANDERS: Just so y'all know.
ROTHWELL: Just the - hits the differences between us (laughter).
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: Yeah. Yeah.
SANDERS: One of the things I'm sure you've noticed about the show and probably think about a lot is that everything every character does is dissected 23 by black Twitter and all of Twitter.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: And there are some times where these characters who are meant to be flawed are torn apart for doing things that flawed people do (laughter).
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: How does that feel? I'm thinking about the episode about oral sex. I'm thinking about...
ROTHWELL: Oh.
SANDERS: ...Other stuff like...
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: Y'all get it.
ROTHWELL: We get it. And we hear it.
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: I think that it's what happens when there's not enough representation because it's a story, not all stories. And so when...
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: ...People see the show, they're, like, well, I don't see my specific experience reflected in this specific storyline.
SANDERS: So it's wrong.
ROTHWELL: So it's wrong. And for me, I can hear that, and my answer to that has always been and will continue to be, please tell your story. Like, I feel like I want to hear your nuanced take on contraception, blowjobs, all of it - dating, blah, blah blah. Like...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: Like, the whole laundry list of things that we have seen - cis white men, their whole rainbow of story being told, the nuanced stories that we've seen from a very homogenous 25 group.
SANDERS: Oh, yeah.
ROTHWELL: Here's an opportunity for us as marginalized individuals, especially with as many platforms that are out now, for you to tell your story. So my hope is that as provocative 26 as the show is to black Twitter and to all Twitter, that we are provoking some future creators to put their story down so we can hear that nuanced take.
SANDERS: Oh, yeah.
ROTHWELL: Because I'm interested.
SANDERS: I want to see it.
ROTHWELL: And I'm on the show, and my story is not always on there. You know what I mean?
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: And we have a writers' room full - that's one of the things that I love about the show, is we have such a diverse writers' room. And we have more than just one black person. We have more than just one black woman. And so to sit around with a bunch of black women, various sexualities, various ages, various races - and we're approaching a topic, it gets heated because we're just, like, that's not my truth. That's not my truth. Right?
SANDERS: Exactly. Exactly.
ROTHWELL: So because we have a diverse writers' room, we can tell a diverse story. But it's not everyone's (laughter).
SANDERS: It's not - yeah. And, like...
ROTHWELL: It's not everyone's.
SANDERS: I mean, like, I'll watch it as a black guy who lives in LA now. I'm from Texas, and I am Texas black. And that is different than LA black.
ROTHWELL: That is very different from LA black.
SANDERS: The words are different.
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: The mannerisms are different. I would never wear all those loud colors.
ROTHWELL: Uh-uh.
SANDERS: But, like, it's...
ROTHWELL: Sweaters in...
SANDERS: It's different.
ROTHWELL: ...The summer, yeah.
SANDERS: I don't know. It's crazy.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: And so, like, you just have to say, like, that is just as black as my black. It's just different.
ROTHWELL: It's just different. And it's very freeing when you can see it from that vantage point.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And it's just like, oh, I can connect to stories of love and loss and belonging. It doesn't have to be dressed as I'm dressed. You know what I mean?
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: I can connect to that.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: So...
SANDERS: And it's, like - one of the things that I love about this, like, new renaissance 27 of black TV is that, like, you look at shows like "Black-ish," most of the audience is white.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: It is exciting to see white viewers...
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: ...Understand that they can see a universal humanity in our stories, too.
ROTHWELL: Yeah. I mean, I watched "Seinfeld." Like, that was my life.
SANDERS: Yeah (laughter).
ROTHWELL: Like, I was just, like, oh, my God.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: This is me. I watch "Friends," and I'm, like, I get it.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: So I spent my childhood watching shows filled with stories and people who didn't look like me exactly, but they told specific stories about humanity that I was able to connect to.
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: And I feel like that is the get for a lot of people who don't look like "Insecure" who stand for "Insecure..."
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: ...Because they're just - like, you're telling a very specific story about love, loss, relationships and belonging, and I connect to that.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: So I can watch the show.
SANDERS: Oh, yeah.
ROTHWELL: And my (laughter) response to that is just, like, of course you can watch this show.
SANDERS: We're all human.
ROTHWELL: We're all humans.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: Surprise.
SANDERS: Really.
ROTHWELL: And I think that's, like, the gag of the show, is just, like, surprise, we're normal.
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: Like, watch us, you know?
SANDERS: Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. When was the first time you as a kid growing up watching TV and movies said, oh, my God, I see someone who looks like me?
ROTHWELL: Nell Carter.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: Yeah. "Gimme A Break!"
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: Tell me what you liked about her.
ROTHWELL: She was irreverent and subversive 28. I feel like so many versions of, like, playing the help on the show I'd seen - you know, I'd seen that. But to see her talk back to someone who is white...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...And have, like - and to be right...
SANDERS: Yeah (laughter).
ROTHWELL: ...And be apologized to...
SANDERS: Yeah, and win.
ROTHWELL: ...And, like, to be - and win.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: To me, I was, like, OK. Like, I see that. But...
SANDERS: And she could sing.
ROTHWELL: And she could sing.
SANDERS: (Laughter) Like, come on.
ROTHWELL: But just her fearlessness and her range - I just remember watching "Gimme A Break!," and she would have me, like, you know, aww-ing (ph) along with the - like, the soundtrack, the - you know the laugh track where the audience aww-ed (ph)? I'd be, like...
SANDERS: You're, like...
ROTHWELL: Aww. And then I'd be laughing. And so her comedic range - something that really spoke 4 to me.
SANDERS: All right, time for a break. When we come back, Natasha's old life as a high school drama teacher in the Bronx and how she left that behind. BRB.
(SOUNDBITE OF FLEVANS' "FLICKER")
SANDERS: All right, dear listener, before we get back to the show, I want to ask you a favor. If you're enjoying this conversation and you are in the Southern California area - LA, Pasadena, et cetera - I want you to come see us do it live. I think you'd enjoy it. Tuesday night, October 2, I will be in partnership 29 with NPR member station KPCC in Pasadena talking onstage with comedian 30 Guy Branum. He is one of the funniest people alive. I mean it. Don't miss out. It'll be a good time. There'll be laughs, and drinks, too. You can get tickets and info at kpcc.org/inperson - kpcc.org/inperson. That link is also in our episode data, too. All right, back to the show.
So where are you from?
ROTHWELL: Everywhere. My dad was in the Air Force, and so I'm a military brat 14, moved around a ton. But mostly - I feel like - if you - wherever you go to prom is, like, where you're from.
SANDERS: That's just - yeah.
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: Like - for me, that was Maryland, southern Maryland in Waldorf.
SANDERS: Please tell me you have prom photos.
ROTHWELL: Oh, I do.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: I do. And so I went to two high schools. My first high school was in Florida, but I graduated from and went to prom in Maryland. And then I ended up going to University of Maryland.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: So that feels home-like.
SANDERS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
ROTHWELL: But I don't have any family that's there still. My folks - born and raised in Philly, and so they've retired 31 to south Jersey 32 right outside of Philly.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: So that's where, like, you know, Christmas and Thanksgiving is.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: What kind of kid were you? I'm guessing you weren't a Kelli.
ROTHWELL: No.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: No. I was just - I was the straight-A sort of, like, student with talks too much on her report card. I was very chatty. I had a lot of questions, very inquisitive 33. My mom used to have to come up to school and talk to teachers a lot because I would say - I would just ask why. And they would just - like, well, because I said so. I'm, like, but why are you saying so?
SANDERS: Good thing you're not a journalist.
ROTHWELL: I know (Laughter). I wouldn't give up. And I broke I think a few teachers...
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: ...With my questions. But - yeah. And I was always funny. I - like, making people laugh was something I always did. Like, I would - we would play, like, make me laugh with my - I have two sisters and a brother. And so when you move around a lot, sometimes the first couple of months you're in a new city, you're each other's friends...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Whether you, like, like your siblings 34 at the time or not. And we would, you know, sit someone down in a chair and try to break them comedically. And so...
SANDERS: Really?
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: How would you break your siblings? Was there, like, one that you knew would always do it?
ROTHWELL: There wasn't one thing. I think the thing that I love to this day is just committing a thousand percent to, like, a joke or a decision. And I think that always got them because they would have a line of comfortability. And I was, like, I will go up to that line, past that line.
SANDERS: Wham.
ROTHWELL: I was, like, I'm going commit.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so it would be a lot of silly stuff like that.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: But...
SANDERS: How - did you study in college writing drama? What did you do?
ROTHWELL: I went to two colleges. My first college was Ithaca College. I was a journalism 35 major.
SANDERS: Oh.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: Could have joined the crowd.
ROTHWELL: I could have joined the crowd. My biggest issue was the rigidity 36 (laughter) of journalism where it's just, like, you have to tell a very specific story.
SANDERS: You've got to tell someone else's story.
ROTHWELL: Someone else's story.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And for me that was creatively frustrating 37. And so I transferred to University of Maryland, where I majored in theater performance.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: Theater performance. And then - OK, if - you taught drama for a while.
ROTHWELL: I did.
SANDERS: I love it - at a KIPP school.
ROTHWELL: I - yes.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: Are you familiar?
SANDERS: I know - so I went to a public policy school, and a bunch of my classmates are doing stuff with KIPP now.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: It seems like it is - everyone that I know who's a part of KIPP - like, they are so devoted 38 and committed to the idea of it.
ROTHWELL: Yeah. It's a very...
SANDERS: We should say what KIPP is I guess for those who don't know about it.
ROTHWELL: Yeah, yeah. It's the - KIPP stands for Knowledge Is Power Program. And it's the idea that students from areas that are underserved deserve quality education. And it was - I had always done, like, teaching artist stuff. Like, when you're on the grind with the theater - when you graduate with a theater degree, you have to eat...
SANDERS: You - yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...And pay your bills.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: And for me, I was just, like - well, proximity 39 to my craft was, like, my focus. I was...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Just, like - I mean, I think there's incredible, like, nobility in waiting tables and doing the sort of, you know, cliched...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Artist hustle 40.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: I just know I would be terrible at it.
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: So I was, like, I need to, like, find employment that, like, would be sustainable. And I knew I loved theater enough to want to teach it. And so I was in Japan. I lived there for a year.
SANDERS: Doing what?
ROTHWELL: I was performing at the Tokyo Comedy Store and teaching English. And so...
SANDERS: I want to read that book.
ROTHWELL: I know.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: It's - black in Japan. It's a - I'm working on a pilot, so...
(LAUGHTER)
SANDERS: Yes.
ROTHWELL: It's very - it was wild being there. But while I was there, my sister messaged me. She knew it was operation New York. I wanted to get there by way of. And she was, like, you know, there's a KIPP school that my friend is opening up, and they need a theater teacher.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so I got hired. And so I was able to teach, you know, from 7 a.m. to, like, 2, 3. And then I would do the - you know, play rehearsal 41 or, like...
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: ...The - you know, whatever the after-school thing is. And then I would go to UCB. And I would do comedy from - you know, either be in a class or be teaching a class later on in my career at UCB. And then by the end, it would be, like, running off to do a show. So it was like - it was a true New York hustle of just, like, doing that for four years.
SANDERS: And how old were the kids?
ROTHWELL: It was high school, high school theater in the Bronx...
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: ...For four years.
SANDERS: All of your life needs to be several movies.
ROTHWELL: (Laughter) It was very challenging in all the right ways. And it - like, the most cliched thing I could say at this moment is, you know, they taught me more than I taught them. But it's just true.
SANDERS: Aww.
ROTHWELL: Right?
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: It's just true. It's cliched because it's real. And so they forced me to articulate sort of my passion. And it was one of the things - like, in my third year there, I was talking to, like, my students and, you know, telling them how important it was to follow your passion and not to get deterred 42. And there I was, like, in a classroom in a city that I went to specifically to manifest my dreams and my passion.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so that contradiction was a real catalyst 43 to be, like, OK - I need to really figure out my new hustle.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: Like, what does it look like for me to do this full time? And so I strategized about sort of going part-time at KIPP my last year there and then was able to transition out, yeah.
SANDERS: Do they watch "Insecure," your kids?
ROTHWELL: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: It's an adult-themed show.
ROTHWELL: It is. And I've gotten messages from, like, yo, miss, I saw you on that show doing dirty.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: And I was just, like, OK. You cannot...
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: You cannot message me on social media.
(LAUGHTER)
SANDERS: Don't do it. Don't do it.
ROTHWELL: Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. But it's lovely because I feel like the best lesson I taught them - or could teach them on passion and following your dreams is to do what I'm doing now.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: Yeah. And I mean, so like, you leave that probably very safe space. And then you're, you know, back trying to make it, trying to make it, trying to make it. And then all of - I mean, not all the sudden - I'm sure it took years. But like...
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: ...You end up being one of the success stories out of the weird, strange "SNL" race debacle.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: How do we set this up? So there had been critique - and there's always been critique about...
ROTHWELL: Always.
SANDERS: ...The racial makeup 44 of that show. But it reached such a fever pitch that, a few years ago, Lorne Michaels, the head of the show, had, like, a secret black lady audition.
ROTHWELL: Uh-huh (laughter).
SANDERS: How - what...
ROTHWELL: (Laughter).
SANDERS: ...I just - so I talked to Sasheer Zamata a while back about her experience at that audition.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: And I'm still, like, that must have been the craziest thing.
ROTHWELL: Well, here's the thing.
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: For me, doing comedy in New York - for most people who do comedy in New York...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...I'll speak generally...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...They have sort of their crosshairs set on being on "SNL."
SANDERS: That is the holy grail.
ROTHWELL: That's the holy grail. That was not my case because of said...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Issues with their casting.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: I had not seen myself reflected in the cast - or someone who looked like me...
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: ...On the cast. I'll rephrase that. And so...
SANDERS: Because - like, in thinking of black women, Maya Rudolph...
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: ...Another black woman from way back in the day...
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: But there was, like, two.
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so, for me, I was just, like, you know, I don't want to feel like running my head against a wall that I knew that was sort of impenetrable. And so while I was on that grind...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...I was contacted by the artistic 45 director at the time at the Peoples Improv Theater - and said, listen. "SNL" reached out to me. They're doing this audition. And they asked me who I think should be a part of it. And I said you. And I was, like, OK.
SANDERS: Did it feel weird?
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: For some reason, it's like, this is the Underground Railroad audition. What in the world?
ROTHWELL: Yeah, I didn't - to be honest, like, me being completely wide-eyed and naive 46, I showed up and I thought it was just going to be a multicultural 47, like...
SANDERS: Oh.
ROTHWELL: I didn't know it was just, like, black women until I'm...
SANDERS: When did it click?
ROTHWELL: ...Backstage. I was backstage. I was, like, what kind of utopia is this?
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: I was, like, this is heaven. I remember we took a picture, which, like, got leaked somehow.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And I was just, like, this - I'd never - all of us talked about how we were always the only one.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: You know, like...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: When we're on our Harold teams or if we're showing up for different things up until that point, there'd be a black person...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...Maybe a black woman, not a room full of talented, funny black women.
SANDERS: Yeah. Well - and then they bring you together...
ROTHWELL: And they'd bring us together.
SANDERS: ...To kiki (ph)...
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: ...But now you've got to compete...
ROTHWELL: Yeah. Like, to the death. Right?
SANDERS: ...In the comedy "Hunger Games."
ROTHWELL: In the comedy "Hunger Games." But I - when I - here's the thing (laughter). Like, I want - I, like, a thousand percent, like, was at the point when someone's just, like, here's a party that you definitely weren't going to be invited to. But now you have a special invitation. You dress up. Like, you get dressed.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: You, like, get ready.
SANDERS: Oh, yeah.
ROTHWELL: So I was, like, OK. I'm going to really try to go after this. But I remember seeing everyone backstage. And I hit a point emotionally where I was just like, I don't think I'm what they're looking for - and not for my ability. But they classically cast people who look like the imitations, like the impersonations that they'll do.
SANDERS: Oh.
ROTHWELL: And at the time, they were looking for a Michelle Obama. And I was, like, that ain't me. But you know what I am? I'm funny.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And so I was, like, I'm going to write and perform something that I think is very funny and that makes me laugh.
SANDERS: What'd you perform?
ROTHWELL: I did impressions of Oprah, Maya Angelou. I did Kenan. Kenan was in the audience, and so I did a Kenan.
SANDERS: You did Kenan?
ROTHWELL: I did Kenan.
SANDERS: Can you do a little bit of Kenan?
ROTHWELL: It was completely silent. It was just me doing all of his looks...
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: ...Which are just, like...
SANDERS: Yes.
ROTHWELL: Because he does a lot of wide eyes...
SANDERS: Oh, yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...To the camera.
SANDERS: Oh, yeah.
ROTHWELL: So I just announced that, you know, I'm doing Kenan. And it was just...
SANDERS: I love it.
ROTHWELL: It was just a lot of, like, side looks. And...
SANDERS: (Laughter) I love it.
ROTHWELL: And I had such - I felt in that moment, like, a fearlessness with the audition because I was, like, I've got nothing to lose. And I had a great audition. I felt really good about it. And that's what I want to have happen. And, like, everything else that happened after that was all a shock and awe 24 campaign. Like, I had no idea...
SANDERS: 'Cause then they came to you and said, you should write for us.
ROTHWELL: Yeah. They reached out to my manager at the time and they - well, now she's still my manager. I love her to death, and that was that.
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: She said that they contacted her and were just like, it was one of the best-written auditions 48 we'd seen, and would you come in for a meeting to write for the show? And it was - I remember getting the call for that, and it was a long time.
SANDERS: Oh, really?
ROTHWELL: It was a time enough for me to sort of grieve not getting it. Then that popped up again, so it was just a very - it was a back and forth 49 of just like, you know, the hot guy wants you. He don't want you. He called. You know, it was just like...
SANDERS: Yeah, yeah.
ROTHWELL: You know, I don't want to mess with him.
SANDERS: And you were like, I already blocked his number.
ROTHWELL: I blocked his number. Who's this? And then you're just like, OK. Let me, you know, put on some makeup and see what he want. So...
(LAUGHTER)
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: It was definitely that going in to meet with the head writers and, you know, ultimately write for the show.
SANDERS: Yeah.
(SOUNDBITE OF FLEVANS' "FLICKER")
SANDERS: One more quick break here. When we come back, more on "SNL." The show's new season premieres this weekend, and the show this season will feature a new, black, female cast member named Ego 50 Nwodim. Natasha is an alum of that show as a writer, and she has some bigger thoughts on the show's larger diversity issues. All right. Back in a minute.
(SOUNDBITE OF FLEVANS' "FLICKER")
SANDERS: I have interviewed now - you're my third interview with someone who used to be on that show. I talked to Taran Killam...
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: ...Sasheer, who was just delightful 51. I got the feeling from both of them that their relationship with that show, even after being off it for a while, is conflicted. Was it a good experience for you? I wonder about what it's like to be there from what I've talked to folks about.
ROTHWELL: It's not easy. It's not easy. I'm appreciative 52 of the time I, like, had there.
SANDERS: Yeah. How many years were you there?
ROTHWELL: I was just there for one year.
SANDERS: OK.
ROTHWELL: It was Season 40, which was a wild time to be there.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: And I don't think it's meant to be easy (laughter).
SANDERS: Yeah, yeah.
ROTHWELL: I also think that being in a 40-year-old institution that is predominantly white...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...As a woman of color...
SANDERS: Oh, yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...It's a different journey. And I'm not trying to sugarcoat it or whatever.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: It's just - it's sort of, at this point, my process with having been on the show and now sort of having hindsight, it's really sort of matter of fact where I learned a ton. I learned a ton. I was, like, working alongside amazing, smart, funny people in an environment that wasn't for me. Like, some people thrive there.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: You know, so it's like no shade, but it just - like, it wasn't for me. But at the time, I wanted - it's like you want the glass shoe to fit so badly and you're bending your foot and you're trying to figure out how to fit in because you want it to be you.
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: You want them to want you as much as you want them.
SANDERS: But you should never break your foot.
ROTHWELL: It shouldn't break your foot. Find something that fits. Find a nice, you know, easy shoe (laughter).
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: Something where it's just - you know, there's a comfort level there. And so...
SANDERS: Get you some Naturalizer flip-flops.
ROTHWELL: Yeah, that's right. Get some like, you know, little, low wedges...
SANDERS: (Laughter).
ROTHWELL: ...Nothing crazy. Yeah.
SANDERS: But this is the challenge, I think, with these legacy 53 institutions that are being forced to acknowledge diversity. When they try to change things up, they have to acknowledge that some of the very structures they've built...
ROTHWELL: Yeah.
SANDERS: ...Are inherently not conducive 54 to a person from X, Y, Z background succeeding.
ROTHWELL: Right, right, right, right.
SANDERS: And they don't see that. You can't just paint by numbers and put new people and new faces in the places that they had never been before and say, you should have the same thing that these folks before had...
ROTHWELL: Right.
SANDERS: ...Because well - just do it right.
ROTHWELL: Right.
SANDERS: It's different.
ROTHWELL: It's graduating from tokenism to inclusion and to understanding diversity and the true meaning of it, which is not we got one.
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: Do you know what I mean? And I think that the biggest thing that it did for me was give me confidence in my voice because I think my first couple of months there, I was desperately 55 trying to be what I thought they wanted. And then I realized me being myself in that audition at the Peoples Improv Theater where I just gave zero [expletive]...
SANDERS: Yeah.
ROTHWELL: ...That's what they wanted.
SANDERS: Exactly.
ROTHWELL: And so I sort of did that to myself, this sort of, like, trying to - again, I told you I was a people pleaser by nature.
SANDERS: Yeah, yeah.
ROTHWELL: I was, like, not wanting to disappoint, so my focus going into it was just like, how do I get them to like me and not accept that I was already at the table and not continue to audition two months into writing for the show? If that makes sense.
SANDERS: Exactly. If you were - you've been a teacher.
ROTHWELL: I know. Yes.
SANDERS: If you had to give - yes. If you had to give "SNL" a grade on how they're dealing 56 with diversity, what would it be right now? They just announced the new cast for next season.
ROTHWELL: Yes, Ego.
SANDERS: Yes. She's going to be a black woman onscreen...
ROTHWELL: Bowen Yang, yeah.
SANDERS: ...Which is great. But, like, where do you think, scorewise, gradewise, "SNL" is doing right now on diversity issues?
ROTHWELL: I feel like grading them means that they - you know, they've turned in a complete assignment. And I feel like they're - it's a constantly moving, growing machine. I do think that they are aware. They are very hyper-aware.
SANDERS: Well, Twitter has made them aware.
ROTHWELL: Twitter has made them aware.
SANDERS: There would be no Underground Railroad audition without Black Twitter.
ROTHWELL: No. Without - right. And without the response to that being, you know, Kenan saying, you know, I'm not going to dress up as a woman anymore, right? So I think that they're answering the call. But I think the true evidence of diversity on that show will be longevity 57 of marginalized groups behind the camera and in front of the camera.
SANDERS: You know, you talk a lot about being on screen and seeing people like you on screen and knowing that there is a journey for representation. And it's a thing you take seriously. So I wondered, in prepping for this interview, like, if you could have any projects or any role - no budget limit, you get whatever you want - what is the role that you're dying to play as you?
ROTHWELL: Wait. What do you mean? Like the...
SANDERS: I mean, like - like...
ROTHWELL: Like, if there's like a movie that already exists or the kind of movie?
SANDERS: Kind of movie, kind of role - like, in thinking about, like, having - wanting to see you on screen as a kid and even now.
ROTHWELL: Yeah, yeah.
SANDERS: What role do you want to see you in still?
ROTHWELL: Still? A rom-com - and it seems so basic. But I watch a ton of them - watched, past-tense and currently watch.
SANDERS: You've been in some.
ROTHWELL: And I say this - there are obviously, you know, films that explore black love. But a mainstream 58, like, rom-com that gives me the feels that I felt when I watched, you know - God - "Bridget Jones," like, you know, "You've Got Mail," "Sleepless 59 in Seattle," you know, like "It's Complicated." We're watching all of these - sort of like the Nora Ephron canon of...
SANDERS: Yeah, the kitchen porn.
ROTHWELL: Yes. Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: I want, you know, cabinets and, you know, crown molding...
SANDERS: Yes, yes. And the center island that's as big as New Jersey.
ROTHWELL: Yes. And, you know, the kitchen, the farmhouse 60 sink - that kind of story where the protagonist 61 is a plus-sized woman of color, and those things aren't central plot points (laughter). Right?
SANDERS: Yeah, yeah.
ROTHWELL: So like, I think that like - again, the Kelly of it, of just not apologizing for any otherness. I don't know if I've seen a rom-com not apologize for it. There's the like, I love you even though.
SANDERS: And so much of the basic structure of rom-coms is that women have to apologize for themselves to get the man.
ROTHWELL: Yes. There's just like, you know, what I was wrong about me. You know what? But, you know, let's work on this together. Thank you for teaching me. So yeah, I think that, like, I love love. And I love the idea of - I would love to, like, star in a like word-for-word remake of "When Harry 62 Met Sally" and just cast it different.
SANDERS: Yeah. Who is your male lead?
ROTHWELL: Oh, I don't even know. That's how - like, I'm just like - I truly have no idea. But I'm just like that, for me, is like one of the best. Not even for me, it's the best romantic comedy. I watch it all the time. And it's not even just like - it's just a really well-written movie. And so I was just like what if that - like, that's, like, would be a joy to see.
SANDERS: I want to see you in "My Best Friend's Wedding."
ROTHWELL: Yes.
SANDERS: I actually want to see you in it.
ROTHWELL: Oh, my God. Yes. I wasn't even thinking.
(LAUGHTER)
ROTHWELL: I love that movie, that soundtrack.
SANDERS: That movie's so good - yes, yes.
ROTHWELL: That soundtrack is bomb. I was listening to it yesterday on Spotify. Check it out. It's good.
SANDERS: All right. I have asked you all questions I have for you. I am so happy this happened.
ROTHWELL: Me too.
SANDERS: I'm happy your voice picked up.
ROTHWELL: I'm here, yes.
SANDERS: You're here. It's great. Thank you so much.
ROTHWELL: Thank you.
(SOUNDBITE OF FLEVANS' "FLICKER")
SANDERS: Many thanks again to Natasha Rothwell. You can catch the finale of "Insecure" season three on HBO this coming Sunday night. We're back on Friday with our regular weekly wrap. Again, for those in SoCal, come hang at this live show with me next week in Pasadena - nprpresents.org. You'll also find that link in the episode data for this episode.
And as a little treat, dear listeners, we're going to end this episode with a song that Natasha Rothwell made for her episode of a Netflix series called "The Characters." This song, maybe don't crank it up all the way at work. But it's all about being a little bit basic. And honestly, it speaks to me on so many levels. All right, we are back Friday. Until then, thanks for listening. Talk soon.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BASIC B****")
ROTHWELL: (Rapping) Basic, basic - you calling me basic? Oh, you have no idea. That's right. I'm a basic bitch. Forever 21 got me looking rich. Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author. I drink diet coke like its goddamn water. I wear yoga pants every day of the week. I got heels in my purse and Toms on my feet. No clean underwear, yo, that's no problem. I'm just going to wear my bikini bottoms. I'm a basic, basic, basic bitch. I never leave home without my selfie stick. I'm a basic, basic, basic [expletive]. If this is karaoke, I'm singing Taylor Swift.
- The party got quite hilarious after they brought more wine.在他们又拿来更多的酒之后，派对变得更加热闹起来。
- We stop laughing because the show was so hilarious.我们笑个不停，因为那个节目太搞笑了。
- This festival descends from a religious rite.这个节日起源于宗教仪式。
- Most traditional societies have transition rites at puberty.大多数传统社会都为青春期的孩子举行成人礼。
- He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。
- She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。
- They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
- The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
- I'm going to the audition but I don't expect I'll get a part.我去试音，可并不指望会给我个角色演出。
- At first,they said he was too young,but later they called him for an audition.起初，他们说他太小，但后来他们叫他去试听。
- I shall postpone making a decision till I learn full particulars.在未获悉详情之前我得从缓作出决定。
- She decided to postpone the converastion for that evening.她决定当天晚上把谈话搁一搁。
- They are working on all cylinders to get the job finished. 他们正在竭尽全力争取把这工作干完。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- That jeep has four cylinders. 那辆吉普车有4个汽缸。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Let's brew up some more tea.咱们沏些茶吧。
- The policeman dispelled the crowd lest they should brew trouble.警察驱散人群，因恐他们酿祸。
- From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来，他好像有点怪。
- His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。
- Think of the weirdest, craziest shit you'd like to see chicks do. 想想这最怪异，最疯狂的屁事。你会喜欢看这些鸡巴表演的。
- It's still the weirdest damn sound I ever heard out of a Jersey boy. 这是我所听过新泽西人最为怪异的音调了。
- The overlap between the jacket and the trousers is not good.夹克和裤子重叠的部分不好看。
- Tiles overlap each other.屋瓦相互叠盖。
- He had to sit down five times before he reached his shack.在走到他的茅棚以前，他不得不坐在地上歇了五次。
- The boys made a shack out of the old boards in the backyard.男孩们在后院用旧木板盖起一间小木屋。
- Pesticide levels in food are simply too difficult to calibrate.食品中杀虫剂的含量很难精确测定。
- He's a spoilt brat.他是一个被宠坏了的调皮孩子。
- The brat sicked his dog on the passer-by.那个顽童纵狗去咬过路人。
- All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
- Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
- Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
- The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。
- His story is told poignantly in the film, A Beautiful Mind, now showing here. 以他的故事拍成的电影《美丽境界》，正在本地上映。
- It is difficult to portray feelings in words.感情很难用言语来描写。
- Can you portray the best and worst aspects of this job?您能描述一下这份工作最好与最坏的方面吗？
- He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
- Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。
- The gens also lives on in the "factions." 氏族此外还继续存在于“factions〔“帮”〕中。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
- rival factions within the administration 政府中的对立派别
- Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
- During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。
- Her latest novel was dissected by the critics. 评论家对她最近出版的一部小说作了详细剖析。
- He dissected the plan afterward to learn why it had failed. 他事后仔细剖析那项计划以便搞清它失败的原因。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The sight filled us with awe.这景色使我们大为惊叹。
- The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。
- Japan is a wealthy,homogenous,developed nation with a stable political system.日本是一个富裕的同质型发达国家，政治体制稳定。
- My family is very homogenous and happy.我们这个家庭很和睦很幸福。
- She wore a very provocative dress.她穿了一件非常性感的裙子。
- His provocative words only fueled the argument further.他的挑衅性讲话只能使争论进一步激化。
- The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
- The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。
- She was seen as a potentially subversive within the party.她被看成党内潜在的颠覆分子。
- The police is investigating subversive group in the student organization.警方正调查学生组织中的搞颠覆阴谋的集团。
- The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
- Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。
- The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
- The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。
- The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
- Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
- He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
- They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。
- Children are usually inquisitive.小孩通常很好问。
- A pat answer is not going to satisfy an inquisitive audience.陈腔烂调的答案不能满足好奇的听众。
- A triplet sleeps amongst its two siblings. 一个三胞胎睡在其两个同胞之间。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- She has no way of tracking the donor or her half-siblings down. 她没办法找到那个捐精者或她的兄弟姐妹。 来自时文部分
- He's a teacher but he does some journalism on the side.他是教师，可还兼职做一些新闻工作。
- He had an aptitude for journalism.他有从事新闻工作的才能。
- The rigidity of the metal caused it to crack.这金属因刚度强而产生裂纹。
- He deplored the rigidity of her views.他痛感她的观点僵化。
- It's frustrating to have to wait so long. 要等这么长时间，真令人懊恼。
- It was a demeaning and ultimately frustrating experience. 那是一次有失颜面并且令人沮丧至极的经历。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
- We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
- Marriages in proximity of blood are forbidden by the law.法律规定禁止近亲结婚。
- Their house is in close proximity to ours.他们的房子很接近我们的。
- It seems that he enjoys the hustle and bustle of life in the big city.看起来他似乎很喜欢大城市的热闹繁忙的生活。
- I had to hustle through the crowded street.我不得不挤过拥挤的街道。
- I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
- You can sharpen your skills with rehearsal.排练可以让技巧更加纯熟。
- I told him I wasn't interested, but he wasn't deterred. 我已告诉他我不感兴趣，可他却不罢休。
- Jeremy was not deterred by this criticism. 杰里米没有因这一批评而却步。 来自辞典例句
- A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。
- The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。
- Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
- Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？
- The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
- These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。
- It's naive of you to believe he'll do what he says.相信他会言行一致，你未免太单纯了。
- Don't be naive.The matter is not so simple.你别傻乎乎的。事情没有那么简单。
- Children growing up in a multicultural society.在多元文化社会中长大的孩子们。
- The school has been attempting to bring a multicultural perspective to its curriculum.这所学校已经在尝试将一种多元文化视角引入其课程。
- Find modeling auditions, casting calls& acting auditions, all in one place. 找一个立体感试听，铸造呼叫和表演试听一体的地方。 来自互联网
- We are now about to start auditions to find a touring guitarist. 我们现在准备找一个新的吉他手。 来自互联网
- The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
- He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
- He is absolute ego in all thing.在所有的事情上他都绝对自我。
- She has been on an ego trip since she sang on television.她上电视台唱过歌之后就一直自吹自擂。
- We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
- Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
- She was deeply appreciative of your help.她对你的帮助深表感激。
- We are very appreciative of their support in this respect.我们十分感谢他们在这方面的支持。
- They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
- He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。
- This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.这样的氛围更有利于学习。
- Exercise is conducive to good health.体育锻炼有助于增强体质。
- He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
- He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。
- This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
- His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
- Good habits promote longevity.良好的习惯能增长寿命。
- Human longevity runs in families.人类的长寿具有家族遗传性。
- Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
- Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。
- The situation gave her many sleepless nights.这种情况害她一连好多天睡不好觉。
- One evening I heard a tale that rendered me sleepless for nights.一天晚上，我听说了一个传闻，把我搞得一连几夜都不能入睡。
- We fell for the farmhouse as soon as we saw it.我们对那所农舍一见倾心。
- We put up for the night at a farmhouse.我们在一间农舍投宿了一夜。
- The protagonist reforms in the end and avoids his proper punishment.戏剧主角最后改过自新并避免了他应受的惩罚。
- He is the model for the protagonist in the play.剧本中的主人公就是以他为模特儿创作的！