PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST NY 2015: THE MINDY PROJECT {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's PaleyFest New York 2015. This evening celebrates "The Mindy Project," the comedy series about the life and loves of Dr. Mindy Lahiri, OB-GYN. Host Ron Simon (curator, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and brings Damian Holbrook (senior writer, TV Guide Magazine) to the stage. Holbrook introduces the episode "Mindy and Nanny," which is then screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 123970.)
After the screening, Holbook moderates the following panelists: creator, writer and star Mindy Kaling; executive producers/writers Charlie Grandy and Matt Warburton; co-executive producer/writer Tracey Wigfield; co-producer/writer David Stassen; writer Chris Schleicher; and cast members Xosha Roquemore (Tamra), Ed Weeks (Dr. Jeremy Reed), Ike Barinholtz (Nurse Morgan Tookers), and Beth Grant (Beverly).
The conversation touches on such topics as: the creative advantages of moving to Hulu after the show's cancellation by Fox, as described in Kaling's new book, "Why Not Me?"; frequent collaboration between the actors and the "theatrical" writers; the laidback writers' room and their frequent forays into amusing "tangents" while working; how they all landed their jobs on "Project," including Roquemore's surprisingly funny role in the tragic drama film "Precious" (2009) and Wigfield's work writing for "30 Rock"; Kaling's determination to "steal" Weeks from comedian Rebel Wilson, who had eyed him for her own show; Grant's relief at becoming a regular even after her character's violent encounter with Kaling's in the pilot; Wigfield's experience having to audition for a role, the supporting character of Lauren, that she herself wrote; Kaling's confidence about the decision to have her character settle down with Danny (Chris Messina) and have a child as part of her personal growth; the childish Morgan's "tumultuous" relationship with Mindy's son Leo; Roquemore's sense of humor and habit of coining funny phrases; details about the sets, including the questionable "prop food" and their personal decorations; the potential romance between Tamra and Morgan; Warburton's enjoyment of writing serious scenes for comedic actors; Kaling's pride in creating a fun-loving lead character who is not "traditionally beautiful"; a passionate on-set debate about a "Home Alone"-inspired slapstick scene involving Danny; their favorite moments from their co-stars; the network's concerns that love interest Danny would be a "pushover" next to the outspoken Mindy; and "serious actor" Messina's gradual evolution into a comedian.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: Kaling's lack of dance talent, compared to Messina's skills; their fondness for outrageous cold opens; Kaling's disappointment that her mother, who died in 2012, did not live to see the show; writer Lang Fisher's amusing audition for "American Idol"; important advice from Kaling's close friend and "The Office" co-star/co-writer B.J. Novak; their "dream guest stars," including Rowan Atkinson, a.k.a. "Mr. Bean," as Jeremy's father; inspiration from their personal lives for various plots and characters; their "weird hobbies"; and their favorite current television shows.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:27:56
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 123956
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: Asian American Pacific Islanders Collection
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ron Simon … Host
- Damian Holbrook … Moderator
- Xosha Roquemore … Panelist
- Tracey Wigfield … Panelist
- Ed Weeks … Panelist
- Charlie Grandy … Panelist
- Matt Warburton … Panelist
- Mindy Kaling … Panelist
- Ike Barinholtz … Panelist
- David Stassen … Panelist
- Beth Grant … Panelist
- Chris Schleicher … Panelist
- Rowan Atkinson
- Lang Fisher
- Chris Messina
- B.J. Novak
- Rebel Wilson