PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST FALL PREVIEWS 2018: CBS: HAPPY TOGETHER {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of seminars presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's 2018 Fall Preview PALEYFEST events in Los Angeles. This evening celebrates "Happy Together," the comedy series about a happily boring married couple whose lives are turned upside-down by the arrival of their new roommate, a famous pop star.
Host Rene Reyes (executive in charge of production, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and introduces the pilot episode, which is then screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 134226.) After the screening, comedian Michael Yo moderates the following panelists: executive producers/creators/writers Tim McAuliffe and Austen Earl; executive producer Ben Winston; and cast members Chris Parnell (Wayne), Victor Williams (Gerald), Stephnie Weir (Bonnie), Felix Mallard (Cooper James), Damon Wayans Jr. (Jake Davis), and Amber Stevens West (Claire Davis).
The panelists touch on such topics as: inspiration from TV producer Winston's friendship and former cohabitation with Harry Styles, member of the popular boy band One Direction and an executive producer on "Together"; the show as a funny, exaggerated version of Winston's real-life relationship with his wife and their time with Styles; Wayans Jr.'s interest in joining a multi-camera sitcom, as the live audience resembles a stand-up comedy crowd; Mallard's mildly awkward phone conversation with Styles, arranged by the "slightly stalker-y" Winston; avoiding the broad comedy and wacky tone of a "kids' show"; the "gamble" of casting West, who was a regular on the now-cancelled series "Ghosted" at the time of her audition; the decision to hide her real-life pregnancy, rather than writing it into the story; Parnell's thoughts on Wayne's relationships with his employee Jake and his famous client Cooper; Williams' speedy acceptance of the role after the departure of the original Gerald actor, Tim Meadows; his immediate chemistry with onscreen wife Weir; Weir's friendship with Earl and assistance as a writer in the pre-production phase; Wayans Jr.'s enjoyment of the physical comedy in an upcoming episode featuring several characters' illnesses; whether the panelists genuinely enjoy having houseguests, and the careful art of kicking someone out; the actors' frequent use of funny improvisation; future appearances by other members of the famous Wayans family, including Damon Sr.; Winston's "incredibly bizarre" experience seeing a parody version of his life displayed onscreen and in advertisements; why the show is truly about Claire and Jake's strong, loving marriage; their hopes that viewers will appreciate the show's depths despite its seemingly "silly' premise; whether the actors consider themselves to be as young and cool – or not – as their characters; how Wayans Jr. balances the show with his active stand-up touring schedule, and how the two tasks compare as far as "instant gratification or judgment"; Mallard's positive and negative encounters with "very vocal" One Direction fans; Williams' hopes for some amorous episodes featuring Gerald and Bonnie; and what they hope viewers will take away from the series.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: N/A
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 134212
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rene Reyes … Host
- Michael Yo … Moderator
- Chris Parnell … Panelist
- Victor Williams … Panelist
- Stephnie Weir … Panelist
- Felix Mallard … Panelist
- Damon Wayans Jr. … Panelist
- Amber Stevens West … Panelist
- Tim McAuliffe … Panelist
- Austen Earl … Panelist
- Ben Winston … Panelist
- Tim Meadows
- One Direction
- Harry Styles
- Damon Wayans Sr.