Tina Fey, renowned for her comedic genius, recently graced the stage during the Detroit stop of her joint tour with Amy Poehler, titled the Restless Leg Tour. Clad in a cozy matching pajama set, Fey perched on the edge of an oversized chair, sharing anecdotes from her past, including her early days as a receptionist at the Evanston YMCA in Illinois during the early '90s. Despite the challenges she faced — including a long commute from Chicago and uncomfortable interactions with the men at the YMCA — she humorously noted that the job helped fund her Second City improv classes.
This intimate scene unfolded in front of a sold-out audience of 5,000 fans, marking the closing segment of the evening's Q&A session. One audience member, seeking advice, posed the question of whether she should quit her job, to which Fey and Poehler humorously responded, "Yes." The duo has crafted a 90-minute show that caters not only to their dedicated fan base but also aligns with their personal preferences for comfortable attire and early bedtimes, allowing them to return to their hotel rooms and change into their pajamas by 10 PM.
Later in the evening, Fey recounted her experiences from a past event — the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary celebration. As one of the most successful figures to emerge from Studio 8H, she returned as a staff writer for the special, eager to celebrate. However, reflecting on past afterparties, she lamented, “I’ve never been able to get over the fact that I left the 40th afterparty before Prince’s surprise set.” This time, she prepared by hydrating and going to bed early, but upon arrival at the afterparty, she found herself without friends and opted to leave early once again.
Over the past 25 years, since Fey's breakout role on SNL, she has carved an impressive path in the entertainment industry. The 54-year-old has created and starred in 30 Rock, produced six other TV series, featured in more than a dozen films, and penned the iconic Mean Girls. Furthermore, she transformed Mean Girls into a Broadway musical in 2018, collaborating with her composer husband, Jeff Richmond, and later adapted it into a movie musical.
Fey's partnership with Poehler continues to thrive, as evidenced by their latest tour, which pays comedic homage to their 30-year friendship. While much of their material is recycled from city to city, they infuse freshness into their act. During one performance, they showcased a segment reminiscent of the Weekend Update anchor desk they once shared on SNL, including a humorous jab at Elon Musk accompanied by a visual of a burning Tesla, much to the delight of their predominantly female audience.
Fey's newest project involves adapting Alan Alda's 1981 comedy, The Four Seasons, into a Netflix series, set to premiere on May 1. In this series, Fey stars alongside notable actors like Steve Carell and Colman Domingo, marking her first regular on-camera role since the conclusion of 30 Rock in 2013. During our conversation, she emphasized her identity as a writer, reflecting on her evolving work-life balance, the challenges of producing the second Mean Girls movie, and the significant influence of her mentor, Lorne Michaels.
On a rainy April morning in Detroit, Fey arrived at a local café on foot, sporting a baseball cap from her production company, featuring a doodle of her firstborn, Alice, dressed as the NBC peacock for Halloween. As she navigated her day, Fey exuded warmth and humor, even when approached by Detroit's mayor for a photo, showcasing her self-deprecating nature.
Despite her fame, Fey is not immune to the challenges of parenthood and personal loss. She shared her experiences with the passing of her father in 2015 and her mother shortly thereafter, highlighting the emotional toll of balancing family responsibilities with her career. “This sandwich generation stuff... is wonderful … but it also really takes a lot out of you,” she expressed, illustrating the complexities of navigating aging parents and growing children.
Fey's passion for creating content remains strong, as she continues to pitch new ideas and projects while expressing a desire to help elevate new voices in the industry. She candidly addressed the current state of sitcoms, noting the industry's struggle to maintain a consistent comedic presence throughout the year.
As the Restless Leg Tour concluded, Fey playfully pondered why she had never turned her YMCA experiences into a multicam show, quipping, “Because I hate money.” She remains committed to her craft and to finding joy in the creative process. Despite the challenges she faces, Fey's humor, resilience, and dedication to her work continue to inspire fans around the globe.
