Romantically Challenged Interview:
The baseball fanatic was also prime to talk about how when the calendar reads April, hers and millions of minds turn to the fields of dreams where each new season brings the prospect of a World Series title.
For Milano, Romantically Challenged could be her comedic home run, joining a network that’s discovered comedy gold with rookie comedies The Middle and our personal favorite, Modern Family.
SheKnows: We chatted a few weeks ago now about Castle and you hinted at the joy that is this new show. Now that it's right up upon you, how are you doing?
Alyssa Milano: I'm nervous! I'm excited, you know. This is that time that makes it all worth it. We're about to air, so it's nerve-racking and exciting. I'm looking forward to people actually just seeing the show.
SheKnows: Is it any different with you as the show's headliner?
Alyssa Milano: It's actually more of an ensemble than I've ever done before. It's really about a group of four friends that are really bad at dating and are totally dysfunctional outside of this close knit circle that they have with each other.
SheKnows: What struck me, additionally, was the title. I'm really surprised it had not been used before in a sitcom.
Alyssa Milano: I know, it's such a good title, isn't it?
SheKnows: What first appealed to you one, about the show and two, about your character when you saw that script with that amazing title?
Alyssa Milano: Well the title actually came later (laughs). It was called The Untitled Ricky Blitt project for a very long time! Actually, until we got picked up. Then, they got serious about looking for a name. But initially, when I read the script, I was really taken with Ricky Blitt's comedic sensibility. He's a very smart writer. His rhythm, you know comedy is all about rhythm, his comedic rhythms are very upbeat and I loved, loved, loved the fact that the women were written as funny as the men. I also liked that the women weren't put in a position to simply play the straight guy.
SheKnows: Romantically Challenged isalso not your usual sitcom airing currently.
Alyssa Milano: We are sort of taking this traditional format and making it edgier and it feels really unique. You'll see when you watch it. The episodes feel very fresh. I think there's a freshness to Romantically Challenged that really is modern and fun.
SheKnows: We've all been "romantically challenged" in one way or another. You, obviously, are quite happy right now but is that kind of nice to play the romantically challenged when you know you're safe at home?
Alyssa Milano: Ah, yes. Yes. I think that as much as any single person is capable of growing and learning from mistakes, learning what you want out of a relationship through what doesn't work -- to have that behind me is really nice. Because dating sucks! There's nothing easy about it. It's really hard and that's what the show is about.
SheKnows: I was just going to say it makes for a great comedy!
Alyssa Milano: And each of the characters come at romance from a different place. And not only a different place character-wise, because they're all such unique character voices, but also in different places in their lives.
SheKnows: You mentioned the ensemble, what is the average day like working with this cast?
Alyssa Milano: It's more fun than I could ever put into words. One of the beautiful things about doing a multi-cam is the rehearsal process. I enjoy how we're given four days to really, really work on the show and the characters and to fix what doesn't work and to make what works better. In comedy, it's so, so, so important to trust who you're working with and trust that they're going to be gracious to set you up for your joke. You will trust that they will be there if you're falling, and all those things. I think that the process alone makes for such strong chemistry.
On top of that, I just love these people. We're so blessed to have smart, funny and sweet actors. It's a great way to wake up in the morning and know that you're going to go to work and have a good time. The icing on the cake is that we're being directed by James Burrows which is, you know, a dream come true. He is such a dream director. This man has such a bag of tricks of funny. He's never going to let you fall.
SheKnows: You know, I was just flipping around this weekend and I swear I saw his name about four or five times.
On top of that, I just love these people. We're so blessed to have smart, funny and sweet actors. It's a great way to wake up in the morning and know that you're going to go to work and have a good time. The icing on the cake is that we're being directed by James Burrows which is, you know, a dream come true. He is such a dream director. This man has such a bag of tricks of funny. He's never going to let you fall.
SheKnows: You know, I was just flipping around this weekend and I swear I saw his name about four or five times.
Alyssa Milano: Right! I feel like I grew up with his name in my house, and I think that pretty much everyone did. It's funny because a lot of people outside of this business don't really know a lot of television directors by name, even the big ones, but everyone seems to know the name James Burrows and I think that says something.
SheKnows: Lastly, it's April and that means baseball! How are you feeling about your Los Angeles Dodgers?
Alyssa Milano: I'm feeling the way I've been feeling the last few years. I would go into the season slightly pessimistic, but excited that baseball season is here. I think we'll be in pretty good shape. I wish we had an ace and I hope our pitching staff keeps it together. I think that’s where my pessimism comes from over the last few years -- just not feeling like we had that one pitcher to, kind of, hand the ball to in high pressure games. But I'm so excited that baseball season is here!
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