SNL's Amy Poehler: Smart Girls Have More Fun

By Marianne Schnall, Huffington Post. Posted December 2, 2008.

AP: It IS as fun as it looks! I'm so lucky to have such awesome and talented friends as Meredith and Amy. We wanted to be able to show young girls how girlfriends can have fun at any age.

MS: Why did you choose the title "Smart Girls at the Party"?

AP: Titles are hard, but we wanted to convey something that was fun, age appropriate, and reminded everyone that it was cool to be smart and smart people can still party.

MS: How would you describe the overall message of the show?

AP: Be yourself! And then tell us about it! And then let's dance!

MS: What are your goals for the series?

AP: I want to win an Acomedy Award!

MS: What do you hope girls and their parents take away from it?

AP: Ultimately, that they think it's funny and it makes them feel happy to watch it.

MS: Your show features empowered, motivated young girls -- are there any common qualities that are emerging?

AP: We interviewed all types of girls, and they were so different. But I think all the girls had this common thread of being passionate about something. I remember at that age being excited when people asked me questions about what I was interested in, or what I was good at, or what I liked doing that week.

MS: What are some of the most harmful stereotypes young girls face these days?

AP: Girls have to fight against a lot of the same stuff we did growing up...peer pressure, exploitation, etc. But what worries me the most is this trend that caring about something isn't cool. That it's better to comment on something than to commit to it. That it's so much cooler to be unmotivated and indifferent. Our culture can get so snarky and ironic sometimes and we kind of wanted Smart Girls to celebrate the opposite of that.

MS: I read your mother was a teacher. How did that affect you? Do you see yourself as a mentor or teacher to these young girls on the show?

AP: My mother and a lot of other teachers always encouraged original thinking and spirited debate. Its really important for girls at that age to be reminded that the sky is the limit, and anything they want to do is possible. I like to think of myself as the cool teacher that doesn't give any homework and moves class outside.

MS: Because this isn't broadcast television, are there things you can accomplish through this medium that you wouldn't be able to otherwise?

AP: We were able to shoot this show fast and on the cheap, and ONNetworks have been great in terms of giving us total creative freedom. The computer is the new fireplace, everyone in the family gathers around the digital hearth for warmth. It's great to be able to throw our own log on the fire, so to speak. Shall I continue this metaphor? Because you can really "rake this show over the coals" and still find its "embers burn brightly." Too much? I agree. :)

MS: What is your interviewing style? Who would you most compare yourself to -- Barbara Walters, Charlie Rose, Larry King, Katie Couric?

AP: I would say my interview style is Morley Safer meets Kermit the Frog, with a dash of Christiane Amanpour. And a pinch of Dinah Shore wrapped in the shell of Lois Lane. My goal is to be the Edward R. Murrow of girls.

Watch "Smart Girls at the Party" at www.smartgirlsattheparty.tv

See more stories tagged with: feminism, snl, saturday night live, tina fey, amy poehler, smart girls at the party, women and media, entertainment news

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