Nick Kroll opened up about a challenging time in his friendship with John Mulaney during a recent episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast with Dax Shepard. Kroll revealed that he orchestrated a drug intervention for Mulaney in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The intervention was a stressful and emotional experience for Kroll, who was in Los Angeles while Mulaney was in New York.
The comedian described the process of organizing the intervention as a test of friendships, with boundaries being blurred and hard truths coming to light. Kroll recalled a raw moment when he expressed his fears to Mulaney over the phone, only to feel brushed off by his friend. Despite the challenges, Kroll, along with other friends like Seth Meyers, managed to convince Mulaney to attend the intervention under the guise of a dinner with college friends.
Mulaney later admitted to abusing a number of substances, including Adderall, Xanax, Klonopin, Percocet, and cocaine. After the intervention, he went directly to rehab and stayed for two months. Kroll confessed that even after Mulaney completed rehab, there were lingering feelings of discomfort and anger, especially when Mulaney began incorporating the experience into his stand-up routines.
However, Kroll recognizes the importance of allowing artists to process their pain in their own way. He acknowledges that everyone’s process and art are different, and that Mulaney’s honesty and vulnerability in his comedy are what make him such a captivating performer. The 2023 Netflix comedy special, “John Mulaney: Baby J,” detailed Mulaney’s struggles with addiction and road to recovery, earning him critical acclaim and an Emmy for outstanding writing.
In the special, Mulaney expresses his gratitude towards those who intervened in his life, acknowledging that they saved him. Kroll, who is currently promoting the final season of Netflix’s “Big Mouth,” has only recently started speaking publicly about the intervention. Despite the challenges they faced, Kroll’s love for Mulaney is evident, and their bond, forged through comedy, ultimately survived the crisis.
The duo has collaborated on various projects for over a decade, including the Broadway run of “Oh, Hello.” Their friendship was tested by crisis but ultimately prevailed. Kroll emphasized that his primary goal was to ensure that he didn’t lose his friend, highlighting the deep bond they share.
The story of Kroll and Mulaney’s intervention is a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting loved ones through difficult times and the strength that can be found in true friendship.
