"RE-RELEASE: Jenny Slate" - SmartLess Recap

Podcast: SmartLess

Published: 2025-11-13

Duration: 44 min

Guests: Jenny Slate

Summary

Jenny Slate shares her journey from Massachusetts to Hollywood, her experience with voice acting, and her personal life, including her family and her iconic character, Marcel the Shell.

What Happened

The episode opens with the hosts engaging in humorous banter, setting the stage for a light-hearted conversation with Jenny Slate. They discuss Jenny's life in Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband and their 17-month-old daughter. Jenny shares anecdotes from her past, including a humorous story about a THC overdose that led her to stop using marijuana.

The conversation shifts to her career, specifically her work in voice acting. Jenny talks about her roles in shows like 'Big Mouth' and 'Bob's Burgers,' and how she stumbled into voice acting. She describes the unique challenges and joys of creating voices for animated characters.

One of the main highlights is the discussion about 'Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.' Jenny shares the origin of the character, which began as a joke among friends, and how it evolved into a beloved film. She explains the creative process behind the movie, including the lengthy production that involved improvisation and collaboration with Dean Fleischer-Camp.

Jenny also touches on her personal life, including her marriage and motherhood. She humorously recounts meeting her husband in the Arctic and living in a small Massachusetts town, balancing the demands of her career with family life.

The hosts and Jenny delve into the challenges of performing live comedy. Jenny expresses her love-hate relationship with fear in performance, noting how it motivates her while also being a source of anxiety.

Throughout the episode, Jenny's humor and candidness shine, as she discusses her transition from Hollywood to a quieter life in Massachusetts, and her ongoing projects. The hosts share their admiration for her work and personality, making for an engaging and entertaining episode.

Key Insights