SDCC 2015: Another Period Press Room and Panel
One of the most talked about shows to premier this summer has been Another Period, the faux-reality show about a wealthy but horrible turn of the century family. At San Diego Comic Con, Emertainment sat down with the creators of the show, Rikki Lindhome & Natasha Leggero, as well as director Jeremy Konner and cast members Michael Ian Black, Paget Brewster, and Armen Weitz.
“Well, it was over wine,” Legerro said about the creation of the show. “I had these two ideas, one of them was a turn of the century thing, and the other was this reality show about these two idiots. And she said ‘well, what if we combine these two ideas? So it’s a reality show about turn of the century idiots.” It takes place in Newport, RI, which, according to Paget Brewster, once accounted for 90% of America’s economy. “Basically everyone in America is poor, except for these obscenely wealthy families, and they’re not paying taxes. So they were trying to figure out what to do with their money, and it’s crazy stuff that’s in the show that people think is comedy!”
The show took off in production when Jeremy Konner, the director, boarded the group, and the cast was assembled, consisting of an all-star roster of comedians and performers. “We went to them individually,” said Lindhome. Leggero added “We thought we’d never get someone like Michael [Ian Black]. But we wrote his part for him anyway, in what we think Michael’s voice is, and then he (and everyone) just said yes!”
When talking about his character, head butler Peepers, Michael Ian Black had said he was totally influenced by Leggero and Lindhome. His costar Armen Weitzman, who felt constantly in character for the whole interview, talked about what it was like to be surrounded by these great actors. “I was surrounded by all these great cool people, who are…cool and great. I didn’t know how to relax.” Weitz plays Ian Blacks subordinate, Garfield, who is constantly berated by Peepers and the house staff but is completely fine with it. He mentioned that he was “a little bit method,” and it showed in hilarious spades in his rapport with Black.
The series itself feels like a distinct crossover between Downton Abbey and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Director Konner mentioned it used to be way more Kardashian like. “We went full reality show, crazy in that direction. Comedy Central asked us to dial it back some more. But we still aren’t acknowledging the camera we cut away to for interviews.” It still works.
Over at the Another Period panel the moderator was none other than Joss Whedon, an enormous fan of the show. “This is my favorite thing, maybe, ever,” he said, before bringing the cast on (including Weitzman in costume) to discuss the show. A clip of next weeks episode was showed, which features a beauty pageant for women, babies, and most importantly, cabbages, which Lindhome confirmed actually did happen in 1902.
A major criticism of the show has been it’s reliance on time-period related jokes, but Lindhome had a message to the haters out there. “I feel like people didn’t like one joke related to the period and ran with it.” Plus, 1902 might be closer to 2015 than we think: “People didn’t pay income taxes then, and they’re figuring out ways to not pay them now.” Another Period may be closer to the truth than we think, no matter how ridiculous the show is. And believe us, it gets ridiculous. “At one point, I get in a fight with a baby,” Leggero said in the panel, which co-star Paget Brewster would later say was her favorite part of the show. Another Period airs on Tuesday nights on Comedy Central, and if the most recent clip is anything to show, the it has no where to go but crazier.
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