Monica Potter On Overcoming Her Fears of Parenthood and Bluetooth Technology

I don't think it is thick at all.

You don't? That makes me happy because my castmates make fun of me sometimes. They are like (adopts nasally tone), "Oh, what about thaaat?" It's more noticeable when my family comes out -- they have the really strong, kind of nasally Cleveland accent.

Anyway, I don't know where Kristina's from and what she has done. I hope that they write

a little bit of that in as well for Joel's character too. That would be cool, because nobody knows where we are from, you know?

It is pretty remarkable how well your cast jelled. There is just enough comfort and tension between characters, just like there would be in a real family. How long did it take for the cast to get to that point? Did the director make you do any kind of team building exercises beforehand?

We basically got together in Berkeley for a while, where we shot the pilot, and sort of went out to dinners and hung out and that was pretty neat. That was smart on [the producers'] behalf to do it like that. It was very smart, very cool. [pause] Oh sh*t, I just hit a dead end here. I am trying to get my kid -- he is over at my friend's house and I don't know where I am. I am yakking away, and I am like literally in the corner of a g
hetto. Awesome.

Do you want to call me back?

No, as long as I am on the phone with you, I feel safe.

If I hear any gun shots or the line goes dead, I'll call for help.

OK, good. Sorry. So where were we?

Let's talk about those scenes where the entire family is gathered at the dinner table. Do each of those take like 20 takes just to get that conversational rhythm down?

It actually doesn't take too long. It's sort of like -- I hate to call it this because it sounds so weird -- but like a little dance. We all just sort of do our thing and we improvise and it's a lot of fun. It doesn't feel like work. It's not like, "This is taking forever." It's sort of like we all laugh together and have fun. It's like we are a family -- like it's really happening

You have worked in ensemble casts before, in Boston Legal most recently. Do you prefer that kind of project?

Yeah, I do. I really, really do. I find it difficult otherwise. I was on a show last year called Trust Me and I was one of the only female characters and I found it incredibly, incredibly fun but a little more demanding because you are there every single day, all day. And it's sort of like you feel a little bit overwhelmed. But with Parenthood, there is such a big cast that you know you are going to have some days off.

I read that Sarah on Trust Me was actually your favorite character you had ever played. Is that still true, even with Kristina in contention?

They are just so different. Sarah was nuts. She was totally neurotic and crazy. Kristina is a little bit more level-headed and she is also a mom. So they are kind of different in that respect but I really loved that character. I loved that cast and I just loved the whole show. I loved Trust Me, I don't know what happened. We all really bonded and got along really well and it was sort of like, "Oh, this sucks. The show is canceled."

What is the biggest disadvantage of being part of an ensemble cast?

Probably not remembering everybody's birthdays.

That's such a midwesterner's answer.

It's true! I know when Lauren [Graham]'s birthday is. She just had it. You don't really get to work with some of the cast members a lot -- other than in the big family scenes. But the biggest disadvantage -- I don't know, because everybody gets along right now. Of course, it's just our first season, you know? I don't know when people start getting in fights. I'm sure there will be some once we get into season two.

Which of your co-stars do you think will reach their breaking points first?

You mean get into a real fight?

Right.

That's a good question. I don't know actually. I am trying to think because we are all pretty jovial and laid back. We all have different personalities and quirks but we are all pretty like

mellow. I have no idea -- hopefully nobody.

Hopefully. Well, thanks Monica -- it was great talking to you. Good luck with the Bluetooth.

Thanks. It's starting to pinch my ear, actually. I might have to take it off now.

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