The last time Judy Greer chatted with PopWrap, she revealed an unwavering love of romantic comedies that fueled her roles in “The Wedding Planner,” “13 Going on 30” and “27 Dresses.” Tonight Judy brings cinematic rom-com’s to the small screen with “Mad Love,” a new CBS comedy that focuses on four NYC-ers (two in love, two in hate).
Lovebirds Ben and Kate are played by Sarah Chalke and Jason Biggs while Connie and Larry, the Valentine’s Day vultures, are brilliantly brought to life by Tyler Labine and Judy. In fact, the pair shares so much malevolent magic, I believe when all is said and done, the show’s main lovestory will belong to Connie & Larry.
I floated this theory past Judy when we met up to talk about “Mad Love” — in addition, I learned why playing a nanny to real live twin babies is a very method experience and what phrase will instantly put you in her good graces.
PopWrap: From our previous chats, I know you live for romantic comedies — is that what attracted you to “Mad Love?”
Judy Greer: Yea, definitely. I really wanted to do a TV version of a romantic comedy. I find them so interesting and wanted to find a new way to explore that genre. There were a lot of fun TV scripts that I read last year, but I liked this one the best because to me, it never feels old.
PW: Shows like this live and die based on the actor’s chemistry and I feel like you guys really have that. In particular, you and Tyler Labine. Was that just there?
Judy: I know [laughs]. It’s kind of ridiculous. I’ve been close with Sarah Chalke for a while now, so us playing friends is pretty easy. But when Tyler and I met, the connection was instant. I kinda had a feeling we’d be best friends.
PW: And yet you play such amazing enemies — do you buy into the theory that hate is the first step on the road to love?
Judy: I think so. It doesn’t always have to be love at first sight. I think it’s an interesting dynamic investigating what it is about someone that drives you so crazy that you end up loving them so much. It’s that thing that just gets you.
PW: I know that both you and Tyler are deft improvisers — do you get to do much of that here?
Judy: Yea, we definitely do. It’s not encouraged, but as long as it’s funny they’re into it. Sometimes they’ll stop us after one scene has gone on for 22 minutes since there have to be commercials and an entire other storyline [laughs]. But since we’re all still learning who these people are, it’s fun to experiment and figure out who our characters are.
PW: Those fight scenes you and Tyler have are pretty epic — is keeping a straight face in those moments hardest for you?
Judy: Oh yea. I find myself laughing at Tyler during takes and it’s so unprofessional [laughs]. But I’ve made the choice as an actor that Connie might be laughing at Larry … although I don’t know if the directors would consider that much of “a choice” [laughs]. The truth is, Connie can’t be one note all the time – she can’t just hate him, she has to find something interesting about him or else she’d leave.
PW: They always say, “don’t work with babies or animals” and you play a nanny who actually cares for real live children on-screen. How has that been for you?
Judy: I know. We have a lot of babies coming in and out of there. And – we just couldn’t help ourselves, so there’s a couple animals as well in an upcoming episode. That was a fun week that the babies got off, which was awesomeballs – I don’t need babies and animals. But their kind of awesome. And I feel like babies are the ultimate improv machine because you really have to do whatever they want to do. If they’re looking really cute, it’s like, “Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!”
PW: Or if they’re hysterically crying in a cab with you.
Judy: They were really crying and it’s not fun when someone else babies are crying on your lap. It f***ing sucks. That was the easiest acting I’ve ever done because I didn’t have to act. And I could hear the creator laughing as he watched me holding two screaming babies on my lap, in a cab, on a set that was super hot.
PW: Do you have any real world nanny experience?
Judy: Oh god no [laughs]. I stuck to taking care of adults in restaurants. I actually hadn’t been around babies until the last few years when my friends started having them. That’s been the biggest challenge for me, trying to communicate to the audience that I’m a really good nanny because we all want her to seem competent. But I don’t know how to take care of kids.
PW: In tonight’s episode Ben falls in love with Kate when she name checks The Bat-Phone. What could a guy name-drop to make you fall for him?
Judy: Shark Week and … “The Big Lebowski.” Although everyone kind of loves “The Big Lebowski,” so I guess that means if you don’t love it then we really have nothing in common.
PW: You worked with Jeff Bridges in “The Amateurs” — given your Dude love, how was that for you?
Judy: I could hardly contain myself. I was so starstruck. He’s so awesome — he had a party at his house for everyone in the movie and he’s just so nice and cool and laidback. There’s a reason he’s so f***ing good in that movie – Jeff Bridges is The Dude. I mean, I only had one scene with him, but holy buckets, he is so Dude-like. Definitely a pivotal moment in my career.
PW: So here’s the thing — I think you and Tyler are so good on the show, that “Mad Love” is actually about you two falling in love, and Sarah & Jason’s characters are the sidekicks.
Judy: Hmm, well, I can’t comment on that, but I will tell you there’s a lot of fun stuff coming up with Connie & Larry hating on each other. Plus, things do unravel a little bit with Sarah & Jason’s characters, which is much more interesting. And, let me tell you, we just shot the season finale. It’s amazeballs and, are you ready? Dot, dot, dot, heartbreaking.
“Mad Love” premieres tonight at 8:30pm on CBS
Photo: CBS