Andrew Rannells & Josh Gad look back on 15 years of ‘Book of Mormon’
Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad reflect on the 15th anniversary of *The Book of Mormon* with candid, emotionally charged stories that go far beyond the show's satirical surface. Rannells reveals a deeply personal trauma from his Catholic youth—being sexually assaulted by a priest he confided in during confession—linking it directly to his ability to embrace the show's religious satire. Gad shares his own complex relationship with faith, shaped by his father’s hidden secret family and religious hypocrisy, which mirrors the show’s themes of spiritual contradiction. Together, they unpack how their real-life experiences with institutional betrayal informed their performances, especially in songs like 'I Believe' and 'Man Up.' The conversation reveals that the show’s enduring power lies not just in its humor, but in its raw exploration of faith, identity, and the human need for meaning—even when institutions fail. Their journey from Broadway icons to TV stars, both canceled in the same week, underscores the fleeting nature of fame and the bittersweet regret of leaving a once-in-a-lifetime role too soon.
Andrew Rannells was sexually assaulted by a priest he confided in during confession, a trauma that shaped his complex relationship with religion and his ability to satirize it in *The Book of Mormon*.
Josh Gad’s father was a devout Jew who hid a secret family, exposing the hypocrisy of religious devotion and influencing Gad’s view of faith as a personal, not institutional, journey.
Both actors regret leaving *The Book of Mormon* after just a few years, despite the success of their TV roles, because they didn’t fully appreciate the historic moment while it was happening.
The song 'Man Up' evolved from a solo to a full ensemble number, reflecting the show’s deep roots in musical theater tradition and its ability to blend parody with genuine emotional power.
The show’s controversial song 'Hasadiga Ibawe'—a Ugandan expletive to God—was intentionally shocking, but its real power lies in capturing the despair of people facing unimaginable suffering without divine comfort.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The World Cup and the Rise of *The Book of Mormon*
Terry Gross introduces the episode by setting the stage with the upcoming FIFA World Cup and transitions into the 15th anniversary of *The Book of Mormon*, highlighting its cultural impact and accolades.
The Origins and Satire of *The Book of Mormon*
The hosts and guests discuss the show’s premise—two young Mormon missionaries sent to war-torn Uganda—and its creators, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, whose blend of satire and musical theater became a phenomenon.
Personal Encounters with Religion: Rannells’ Priest Abuse
“I went to an all-boys Catholic school, and I... decided in confession one day to tell this priest, who is also a teacher of mine that I really trusted and really liked about this relationship in the hopes that he could maybe give me some guidance to get out of it. And at the end of the confession, he gave me a hug and then he kissed me. But not like a simple kiss, like a full, like open mouth kiss.”
Josh Gad’s Father and the Hypocrisy of Faith
“I was being forced to go to temple every week and walk to synagogue and keep kosher and do all of these things. And this guy's like not even getting to the second commandment without breaking that.”
The Power of 'I Believe' and 'Man Up'
Rannells and Gad discuss the emotional weight behind their signature songs, with Rannells explaining how 'I Believe' reflects his character’s desperate need to reaffirm faith after failure, and Gad describing 'Man Up' as a moment of self-empowerment.
“And I went to an all -boys Catholic school, and I... decided in confession one day to tell this priest, who is also a teacher of mine that I really trusted and really liked about this relationship in the hopes that he could maybe give me some guidance to get out of it. And at the end of the confession, he gave me a hug and then he kissed me. But not like a simple kiss, like a full, like open mouth kiss.”
“I wish that I had stayed longer. These opportunities come up and you're like, well, I don't want to lose it. Yeah. And will Ryan Murphy ever call me again? I don't know.”
“And I was very confused because I was being forced to go to temple every week and walk to synagogue and keep kosher and do all of these things. And this guy's like not even getting to the second commandment without breaking that.”
Host
Guests
the book of mormon
media
andrew rannells
person
josh gad
person
terry gross
person
robert lopez
person
fresh air
media
npr
organization
trey parker
person
matt stone
person
south park
media
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