Sketch comedy performance craft

Padilla says she fights to keep pauses because comedy rooted in behavior cannot be rushed.

“Because I like watching people behave. And to behave, it's not rushed”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Ashley Padilla (Sep 22, 2026) · Listen from 53:17

Padilla explains that SNL writers helped her adapt Groundlings material to be punchier and more suited to television.

“helping me make it more SNL, more for television. It's got to be a little punchier. It's got to be choppy”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Ashley Padilla (Sep 22, 2026) · Listen from 52:03

Padilla holds that a comedic character should never know they are funny.

“You don't know you're funny. The character doesn't know they're funny”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Ashley Padilla (Sep 22, 2026) · Listen from 20:44

Dismukes says Padilla's writing ideas center on playing the realness of a scene rather than being over-the-top silly.

“her ideas are all like about playing the realness of the scene”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Ashley Padilla (Sep 22, 2026) · Listen from 5:26

Dismukes says Padilla is a confident performer who brings real acting to her sketches.

“she's such a confident performer and so able to bring like real acting to the sketches she does”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Ashley Padilla (Sep 22, 2026) · Listen from 4:14

Poehler argues that Padilla's willingness to take her time on SNL's tight format feels transgressive and thrilling.

“the luxury of having a little bit of time taking a little time It feels transgressive”

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Ashley Padilla (Sep 22, 2026) · Listen from 52:23