'Whitney' Actor Chris D'Elia Slams The Haters To His Sitcom - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-27-2011, 04:15 PM

"Whitney," a multi-camera NBC comedy that follows the lives of a few happily unmarried oddball friends, isn't as funny as its network neighbors -- "Up All Night," "Parks and Rec" and "30 Rock" -- but it does have its own unique brand of slapstick humor to keep viewers entertained.

At the helm of the project is stand-up comedian and writer Whitney Cummings, who joins "adorkable" darling Zooey Deschanel, as one of fall television's "It" girls. After developing the sitcom, Cummings enlisted the help of her good friend and fellow comedian, Chris D'Elia, to play her title character's boyfriend, Alex.

D'Elia recently spoke to The Huffington Post to give us the scoop on what's to come for Whitney and Alex during in rest of the season. A little hint: it's not marriage.

Congratulations on the full season pickup! That must feel incredible.

Oh, man, it's been such a blast, and I'm so happy that it's being received well. I'm glad we're going to continue to have fun. I had a feeling that it was going to do well. I mean, I know Whitney really well, and she's just amazing. But it's still a little surreal. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to seeing my face on billboards and stuff.

Do you remember the first time you saw yourself on a billboard with Whitney?

You know, I don't remember the first time, but I'm sure my mom remembers it. She was insanely happy.

There seem to be some mixed reviews when it comes to the laugh track used on the show. What are your thoughts?

Well, it's not a laugh track -- it is filmed in front of a live studio audience. You know what, we get much more energy coming back to us from the live studio audience. That's stand-up, and I personally love it. Actors can feed off each other, but when we can feed off the audience, it's like a play -- there's just so much energy and enthusiasm. I mean, I like it. I had never done it before until "Whitney," and it's a lot of fun. I love it.

So for you, it adds to the show? I've read a few reviews where critics thought it was a little distracting.

I don't care what they think. I guess it throws some people off but whatever. I love it because I grew up on those shows. I love "The Cosby Show" and even more recent ones like "Friends" and "Seinfeld." Those were all shows that I love to watch, and it's really cool to be a part of something like that. I think that this generation, like the younger kids, look at single-camera shows as the standard, so maybe our show throws them off a little bit, but I know that all of the older people don't mind.

What's in store for Whitney and Alex this season?

Every episode is about Whitney and Alex either coming one step closer to marriage or one step further away. They're going to figure out that it is okay to not be married and still be happy. There's a lot of weird, silly situations that she puts us through, so Alex sort of has to deal with that.

Now, Whitney is having the best year ever. Her other show for CBS, "2 Broke Girls," also got picked up for a full season. Did you guys celebrate on set?

I know, it's so insane. We did celebrate, but with Whitney, it was just right back to work. Whitney Cummings is one of the hardest working people I know, and she's very motivated. She doesn't really take time to celebrate. It was great going in to work the next day knowing that we were picked up for a full season. It was a fun day to be at work.

It seems like this television season is all about funny women in comedy, with shows like "Whitney" and "The New Girl." What do you think?

It does seem like there are a lot of women in comedy right now, but I don't really look at it as an issue of men and women. If it's funny, it's funny, and that's great. I also don't think that Whitney writes specifically for women. My character is just a really fleshed out guy, and it doesn't feel like a woman is writing it. What's funny is funny.

You're still doing stand-up too, right?

I do stand-up all of the time. I never stopped. I do it at least five times a week. That's my life, man. I love it. Being on "Whitney" is a job, but stand-up is my life. I could never stop. There's an art to it. I love having strangers laugh with me, so as long as I can continue doing that, I'll be happy. Working on a show and collectively sharing ideas with a cast is great, but stand-up is my first love. I still remember the first time I made my dad laugh so hard, and nothing felt better than that.

Do you remember the joke that made your dad laugh?

I don't remember the joke exactly, but I think I was making fun of a commercial. It was a commercial for Life cereal, and we were in the car, and I made fun of it. My dad laughed so hard that when the light turned green, he couldn't go. He stayed there until the light was red again. I remember thinking, 'Man, I can't believe I made him laugh so hard that he couldn't even drive the car.'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1...n_1033535.html

TVFactFan · 10-27-2011, 05:32 PM

Hopefully they just stay CLOSE to marriage and not actually do it-lol

Brian Damage · 10-27-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Hopefully they just stay CLOSE to marriage and not actually do it-lol

Why Sol?

TVFactFan · 10-27-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Why Sol?

Because you know what comes after marriage................."kids"

Brian Damage · 10-27-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Because you know what comes after marriage................."kids"

LOL That is not necessarily true. Besides the Whitney character doesn't look like the "kids" type.

TVFactFan · 10-27-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

LOL That is not necessarily true. Besides the Whitney character doesn't look like the "kids" type.

Yeah she defintely is not the mom type-lol Maybe they can be like Martin and Gina, get married but no kids. And also wait 3 seasons before getting them married.

Brian Damage · 10-27-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yeah she defintely is not the mom type-lol Maybe they can be like Martin and Gina, get married but no kids. And also wait 3 seasons before getting them married.

I think that is an excellent comparison Sol lol

ryan423 · 10-28-2011, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yeah she defintely is not the mom type-lol Maybe they can be like Martin and Gina, get married but no kids. And also wait 3 seasons before getting them married.

3 seasons? Haha, that's cute!

HuntingtonM15 · 10-28-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan423

3 seasons? Haha, that's cute!

Yes, so "cute"...

Anyway, I agree that they are best to stay single for a while.

Brian Damage · 10-28-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan423

3 seasons? Haha, that's cute!

Ryan, I really don't get your hatred towards this show???

TVFactFan · 10-28-2011, 06:18 PM

Whitney is scheduled to be on Letterman on Tuesday, 11/1 and on the View on 11/4

Brian Damage · 10-28-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Whitney is scheduled to be on Letterman on Tuesday, 11/1 and on the View on 11/4

She definitely is an "It" girl right now.

TVFactFan · 10-28-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

She definitely is an "It" girl right now.

Yup, she is hot, and to be booked on those two shows is a sign of hotness. lol

Brian Damage · 10-28-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yup, she is hot, and to be booked on those two shows is a sign of hotness. lol

agreed

ryan423 · 10-28-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Ryan, I really don't get your hatred towards this show???

I hate it because it is unoriginal and uninspired. The acting is mediocre at best, and Whitney Cummings is so much better than this! Her comedy is suited for cable, not NBC. It's like watching Whitney Cummings Lite!

10-27-2011, 04:15 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	'Whitney' Actor Chris D'Elia Slams The Haters To His Sitcom "Whitney," a multi-camera NBC comedy that follows the lives of a few happily unmarried oddball friends, isn't as funny as its network neighbors -- "Up All Night," "Parks and Rec" and "30 Rock" -- but it does have its own unique brand of slapstick humor to keep viewers entertained. At the helm of the project is stand-up comedian and writer Whitney Cummings, who joins "adorkable" darling Zooey Deschanel, as one of fall television's "It" girls. After developing the sitcom, Cummings enlisted the help of her good friend and fellow comedian, Chris D'Elia, to play her title character's boyfriend, Alex. D'Elia recently spoke to The Huffington Post to give us the scoop on what's to come for Whitney and Alex during in rest of the season. A little hint: it's not marriage. Congratulations on the full season pickup! That must feel incredible. Oh, man, it's been such a blast, and I'm so happy that it's being received well. I'm glad we're going to continue to have fun. I had a feeling that it was going to do well. I mean, I know Whitney really well, and she's just amazing. But it's still a little surreal. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to seeing my face on billboards and stuff. Do you remember the first time you saw yourself on a billboard with Whitney? You know, I don't remember the first time, but I'm sure my mom remembers it. She was insanely happy. There seem to be some mixed reviews when it comes to the laugh track used on the show. What are your thoughts? Well, it's not a laugh track -- it is filmed in front of a live studio audience. You know what, we get much more energy coming back to us from the live studio audience. That's stand-up, and I personally love it. Actors can feed off each other, but when we can feed off the audience, it's like a play -- there's just so much energy and enthusiasm. I mean, I like it. I had never done it before until "Whitney," and it's a lot of fun. I love it. So for you, it adds to the show? I've read a few reviews where critics thought it was a little distracting. I don't care what they think. I guess it throws some people off but whatever. I love it because I grew up on those shows. I love "The Cosby Show" and even more recent ones like "Friends" and "Seinfeld." Those were all shows that I love to watch, and it's really cool to be a part of something like that. I think that this generation, like the younger kids, look at single-camera shows as the standard, so maybe our show throws them off a little bit, but I know that all of the older people don't mind. What's in store for Whitney and Alex this season? Every episode is about Whitney and Alex either coming one step closer to marriage or one step further away. They're going to figure out that it is okay to not be married and still be happy. There's a lot of weird, silly situations that she puts us through, so Alex sort of has to deal with that. Now, Whitney is having the best year ever. Her other show for CBS, "2 Broke Girls," also got picked up for a full season. Did you guys celebrate on set? I know, it's so insane. We did celebrate, but with Whitney, it was just right back to work. Whitney Cummings is one of the hardest working people I know, and she's very motivated. She doesn't really take time to celebrate. It was great going in to work the next day knowing that we were picked up for a full season. It was a fun day to be at work. It seems like this television season is all about funny women in comedy, with shows like "Whitney" and "The New Girl." What do you think? It does seem like there are a lot of women in comedy right now, but I don't really look at it as an issue of men and women. If it's funny, it's funny, and that's great. I also don't think that Whitney writes specifically for women. My character is just a really fleshed out guy, and it doesn't feel like a woman is writing it. What's funny is funny. You're still doing stand-up too, right? I do stand-up all of the time. I never stopped. I do it at least five times a week. That's my life, man. I love it. Being on "Whitney" is a job, but stand-up is my life. I could never stop. There's an art to it. I love having strangers laugh with me, so as long as I can continue doing that, I'll be happy. Working on a show and collectively sharing ideas with a cast is great, but stand-up is my first love. I still remember the first time I made my dad laugh so hard, and nothing felt better than that. Do you remember the joke that made your dad laugh? I don't remember the joke exactly, but I think I was making fun of a commercial. It was a commercial for Life cereal, and we were in the car, and I made fun of it. My dad laughed so hard that when the light turned green, he couldn't go. He stayed there until the light was red again. I remember thinking, 'Man, I can't believe I made him laugh so hard that he couldn't even drive the car.' http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1...n_1033535.html
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10-27-2011, 05:32 PM	#2
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Hopefully they just stay CLOSE to marriage and not actually do it-lol

10-28-2011, 06:18 PM	#11
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Whitney is scheduled to be on Letterman on Tuesday, 11/1 and on the View on 11/4