Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
Sean Hayes joins the hosts to discuss his recent health wake-up call, discovering his blood work was full of sugar and fat after decades of eating whatever he wants, including Haagen Dazs ice cream three times a week. He explains how he is finally learning balance by alternating heavy meals with clean eating, managing his health with medications like Metformin and statins, and incorporating trainer-led workouts that he keeps to a efficient thirty-five minutes. The conversation also explores the grueling reality of doing eight shows a week on Broadway, comparing the physical toll and recovery needs of theatrical runs to professional sports.
The hosts introduce themselves, tease the episode, and set the stage for Sean Hayes’ appearance.
Sean reveals his shocking blood work results and explains how his long‑time indulgent diet has finally caught up with him.
Sean and the hosts dive into Sean’s chronic sleep problems, the role of alcohol, and how sugar affects rest.
Sean outlines his current medication regimen, exercise routine, and dietary changes aimed at improving his health.
The conversation turns to the physical and mental demands of performing on Broadway, including long hours and the need for quick recovery.
Sean shares details about his upcoming Amazon series, past projects, and the creative process behind new shows.
A series of brief sponsor messages appear, interspersed with the ongoing conversation about health and wellness.
The hosts discuss Sean’s unique methods for memorizing lines and maintaining stage presence during demanding performances.
The episode wraps up with final thoughts on health, performance, and future plans for both the hosts and Sean Hayes.
The hosts discuss how lack of sleep affects vocal performance and overall energy on set.
A humorous segment about the importance of bathroom breaks during live shows and the fear of on‑stage accidents.
Sean talks about his struggle with exercise, the mental benefits, and the progress he's seeing.
Creme Brulee Blood Work Shockstory
Sean Hayes shares that his recent blood work came back extremely bad, describing it as having creme brulee for blood due to a lifetime of eating whatever he wanted.
The Clean Plate Gym Habitinsight
The guest compares the psychological conditioning of the clean plate club to working out, realizing he does not need to stay at the gym for a full hour if he is already exhausted.
Equating Broadway to Athleticsinsight
The guest argues that performing in a play on Broadway is essentially like being an athlete because your muscles repeat the same movements and need proper refueling afterwards.
The guest reflects on working with director James Burrows on Will and Grace, where they would arrive at ten and finish filming by two o'clock.
Stage Manager Fart Routinestory
The guest shares a funny backstage habit from his one-man show where he would deliberately release gas right before the stage manager checked in on him.
“I got my blood work done, I don't know, like, a month ago, and it was really bad. It was like I had creme brulee for blood.”
“All the time. For like my, for my 76, all 76 years, I've been eating what I want.”
“I started forming soft plaque and all this stuff. So that's what's keeping me alive is like completely, I didn't cut out sugar, but I've never, ever learned balance in my entire life.”
“ASAP. And I need to go to bed. Because it's all about sleep. Like everything is about sleep.”
“During a run of a show, my poops are fucking great because all the anxiety and all this stuff makes it go right through.”
“I do. I agree. And it's like, you know, just, I'm, and this is, you guys are catching me like, this is just in the past, like two months or months. I'm like, actually look forward a little bit.”
“I am feeling results for the first time in a long time.”
“You know what I mean? And you're like, oh, this is like, I'm looking, you know, when you take your shirt off, you're not so depressed anymore.”
Hey, Smarties! Please enjoy this hilarious, wide-ranging interview with Sean Hayes on SmartLess Media’s show Staying Alive! Hosts Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally sit down with Sean to ask him about his fitness, diet, sleep, hypochondria, memorization tricks, Broadway endurance, and the dangers of getting into a comedic flow state. Plus: the time Sean and Gabrus made a hair-based game show (let’s bring back Hair Jacked, Gabrus is tech avail). Go to the Staying Alive feed and hit subscribe! Full video episodes available HERE. Check out Staying Alive merch at siriusxmstore.com/stayingalive This episode was recorded September 9, 2026 on the information superhighway Staying Alive is produced by Devon Torrey Bryant and Anne Harris Engineered and edited by Devon Torrey Bryant, who also wrote the music Associate producer and video editor is Maddie McCann Executive produced by Jon Gabrus, Adam Pally, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Bernie Kaminski, and Rich Korson Keywords for this episode: Megan Mullally, Grammy, Netflix, Crocs, Promises Promises, Bitcoin wallet, pacifier, bloodwork, Häagen-Dazs, sleep, CBD, soft plaque, Ezekiel bread, Clean Plate Club, “I’m Out!”, mutton, Broadway, Rocky, multicam, James Burrows, Saturday Night Live, DINKs, Marta Kauffman, Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, craft services, Sandy Flowers, pierogi, teleplays, August: Osage County, Supersized episodes, Metformin, thyroid, cod, Hair Jacked, Hazy Mills, Indigo Girls, The Unknown, McGruff, Catholic guilt, Sunset Marquee, Momoa
11,107 words · 6 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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