Ocean’s 8 stars Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson derailed a Tuesday interview on US talk show Today by totally swerving off topic to the point that Blanchett sat on Paulson.

On the couch to promote their heist reboot, the pair had host Hoda Kotb in stitches with their jokes, so much so that one entertainment website noted, “The ladies of Ocean’s 8 are maybe having a little too much fun”.

Kotb, with her mascara running from laughing, ended up having to call in co-host Savannah Guthrie as emergency backup wrangler for the boisterous guests.

Blanchett and Paulson were enjoying themselves so much they didn’t get around to talking about their all-female heist comedy, which also stars Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina.

Starting the interview, Kotb noted, “You guys clearly have a thing going on”.

Cracks Blanchett, “No, it’s over”, which prompted Paulson to clap back: “It ended about an hour ago, just so you know. We’re having a hard time.”

Blanchett got in the next jibe. “Because you’re wearing that,” she said, pointing at Paulson’s dress and telling her, “Get a stylist.”

Paulson replied: “I borrowed it from your mother.”

Get the waterproof mascara because @hodakotb could not stop crying from laughing during her interview with @MsSarahPaulson & Cate Blanchett (and even had to call in @savannahguthrie for help)! #Oceans8 pic.twitter.com/eKyd28dzO8

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 5, 2018

It was just the opening salvo, with Blanchett and Paulson ignoring Kotb’s questions to jokingly poke fun at each other.

Of the cast, Blanchett, Hathaway and Bullock have won Oscars, and Bonham Carter has scored two nominations. Paulson’s lack of the coveted statue – she won an Emmy in 2016 for playing prosecutor Marcia Clark in The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story – was pounced on by Blanchett.

“Oscar winner!” Blanchett said of herself. “What did you get? You won an Emmy. One? That’s nice.”

With the two women laughing at their own wit, Paulson got her own back when Kotb asked if the two had worked together before Ocean’s 8.

The American star said they co-starred in 2015 drama Carol, which earned Blanchett an Oscar nomination in the title role.

“She was nominated for an Academy Award, which she did not win! She did not win that one, okay, you guys?” Paulson joked.

Blanchett pretended to be hurt: “I tried! I tried really hard! I campaigned, I wore outfits, and I didn’t win. What’s wrong with that, Academy?”

After more banter, Blanchett told Kotb she was having a makeup malfunction and the host asked if she was a total mess. “No, it’s fine,” Blanchett assured her. “Someone will come and touch you up before you speak to some ‘real actors’.”

When Kotb signalled Guthrie to help out, the Today co-hosts squashed together on one seat. It inspired Blanchett to launch a visual gag by sitting on Paulson’s lap and pretending the actress wasn’t there anymore.

Blanchett has previously joked around with Awkwafina and Bullock while promoting the movie:

Sandy: And then Cate will dress more like this
Cate: I would dress more like a banana. More banana outfits
Sandy and Awkwafina: Hello, banana
Cate: Peel me girls#cateblanchett #sandrabullock #awkwafina #oceans8 pic.twitter.com/gHiEZdqwaZ

— ℳári (@cakeblanchett_) May 31, 2018

Directed by Gary Ross, Ocean’s 8 is a spinoff of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

When they were promoting their own movies, Pitt and Clooney made a habit of ribbing each other in interviews and during shooting.

Shooting Ocean’s Twelve, Pitt reportedly sent out a memo to the Italian crew insisting no-one should make eye contact with Clooney and saying he would only answer to his character name, Danny Ocean.

For revenge, Clooney put “Small penis on board” bumper stickers on Pitt’s car.

Ocean’s 8 premieres in Australia on June 7