The pandemic had its moments, but few were able to find much humor there. Not so for Ali Wentworth. The comedienne mined her at-home experiences for her most recent book, Ali’s Well That Ends Well, a collection of essays that reminds us, among other things, that those dreadful months weren’t all sourdough starter and Clorox wipes. Those who can’t get enough of Wentworth’s humor and verve are best served by her podcast, Go Ask Ali, in which she interviews friends, family, and newsmakers for a more nuanced understanding of what’s going on in the world. Herewith, she shares her key components to the good life. —Ashley Baker
Airline: American. I have so many miles that my grandchildren will be using them.
Airport: Any one that is tiny, remote, and near water.
App: Instacart. I get cravings.
Bag: Ziploc.
Bedtime: I’m always in bed by eight. My husband gets up at 2:30.
Bike: A two-seater. I can barely ride a bike.
Birthday: Alone with a cake.
Boyfriend/girlfriend: Mariska Hargitay.
Breakfast, weekday: A smoothie.
Breakfast, weekend: Cinnamon rolls.
Car: A 1976 red convertible Karmann Ghia. I had one when I was young and wild and didn’t need a bra.
Cocktail: I’ve never liked alcohol. I love a citrus mocktail.
Cocktail appetizer: A huge cheese board.
Date: Zombie-movie marathon.
Diet: Honey, there is no perfect diet.
Dinner, weekday: Pasta.
Dinner, weekend: More pasta.
Disguise: A Nixon mask.
Dress: Flowy.
Enemy: Someone you keep close.
Escape: Anything one flight away.
Excuse: “We go to bed at eight p.m.”
Friend: I’m surrounded by them. Take your pick.
Hideaway: Under my duvet.
Hotel: An Aman, anywhere.
Indulgence: Anything dipped in dark chocolate.
Jacket: Anything with fleece.
Last Meal: Lobster roll.
Match: George and I.
Movie: Jaws.
NameS: Harper and Elliott.
Neighbor: Ina Garten.
Pants: Atelier Soucy jeans.
Pet: Any rescue mutt.
Piece of advice: “Don’t listen to ‘You can’t.’”
President:
Any woman.
Restaurant: Raoul’s. Specifically, the steak au poivre and pommes frites.
Saying: “Well-behaved women seldom make history.”
Second spouse: Jeff Bezos.
SHOES: Tretorns.
Spouse: Well, George Stephanopoulos, naturally.
Storm: Snow, as long as I have tons of cheese fondue.
STREET: Any rue in Paris.
Television series: Nightcap. (And this has nothing to do with the fact that I created it.)
Theme song to your life: “She Works Hard for the Money,” by Donna Summer.
Time of day: Dusk.
Toast: Brioche bread with Three Dancing Bears apricot jam.
Vacation: An island with my hubby. It has to have seashells.
View: My daughters laughing. Throw in the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Wake-up time: Six a.m.
Weekend bag: An old New York Times tote.
Work of art: All landscapes by Donald Jurney.
WRITING IMPLEMENT: A plume and inkwell.
Ali’s Essentials
