COLLIDER: Congrats on the show Im so excited for you and everyone involved!
What does it feel like to be on one of this seasons funniest new shows?
MICHAEL ROWLAND: I dont know.
Image via Federico Napoli, Fox
For me, its the first thing Ive ever been on, so its just exciting in general.
All my friends seem to like it, and theyre all very judgmental comedians, so thats really gratifying.
ROWLAND: [laughs] Well, it was the first audition that I was able to do.
Image via Fox
So, Im insanely happy.
And its a workplace comedy with a mix of some very cute, furry co-stars!
What has been the craziest thing to happen to you on set with these charming co-stars?
Image via Fox
ROWLAND: Oh man, theres two things.
The first one was the first day of shooting, being chased by ostriches.
So it ended up being okay, but it was a wild first day of shooting.
Image via Fox
And then I think the other one I mean, youve seen the snake episode.
I dont know what I can give away because, but I mean, the snake was big.
That was, I think after we met the ostriches and we shot all that stuff that day.
So that was, I think, both big things rolled into one day.
It was pretty crazy.
I feel like hes so pure, like Baby Yoda pure, hes so wide-eyed.
ROWLAND: Yeah, yeah!
Hes got this naivete about him.
What is it about him that you think makes him such an endearing character that people love?
Because he complements Joel McHales Frank so well.
Its a nice balance.
ROWLAND: Hes just a classic eternal optimist to Joels curmudgeonly pessimist.
And so naturally hes more likable, and hes new, a completely inoffensive dude.
He wants good things for people.
Its like all qualities you want in a person you remember the Good Guy Greg memes?
I feel like he sort of falls into that camp where he doesnt move in a selfish way.
Hes just a nice person.
Do you think maybe were going to see something that ever breaks him to be outside himself?
ROWLAND: Yeah, for sure.
Oh, thats interesting.
Well, you and Joel do share a lot of scenes together, and you guys have great chemistry.
Whats it like sharing scenes with him?
Are you guys cracking up?
Are you doing improv?
ROWLAND: Sometimes, yeah sometimes we’re improving.
Sometimes were really making each other laugh.
And he was good hes very attuned to people and he wants them to feel good.
Yeah, hes a great number one, as they say.
Hes a lovely person; hes very generous too.
That is lovely to hear, I can believe it about him.
But its just a lot more layered and they sort of inform each other.
ROWLAND: I think Im still working that out for myself.
I started playing the character.
Oh yeah, okay.
Because I’m more of this archetype.
And the funny moments make it all the more fun, especially with everyones backgrounds.
Im curious, do you guys play off each other a lot?
Is there a lot of improv happening behind the scenes?
ROWLAND: Yeah, well riff and theres plenty of it.
At least everybody made me laugh a lot.
I was a problem.
And yeah, everybody has a great comedy pedigree.
Do you consider yourself a Shred key in of person?
[laughs] That I still havent updated.
So that means youdowear a helmet now in New York City?
Are you hardcore like Shred with snowboarding or are you anything like him?
ROWLAND: I do like athletic stuff.
I like, sort of extreme stuff.
I snowboarded when I was a kid, but I dont think I was ever good at it.
I wasnt that athletic because I was undersized.
But Im not as actually positive or optimistic.
Lets talk about the new episode because I was LOLing with this one, its hilarious.
I ask this respectfully, but how many takes was that?
ROWLAND: It was super fun.
So there was a lot of busting up, I think, in between takes definitely.
Kev just kept trying to find ways to flip the ear off and be like, Oh geez.
Ah, geez Louise, sorry.
Are we going to see more of that jot down of humor?
Its the pop in that pushes the envelope that we dont see on regular primetime.
I feel like its very irreverent, it just sort of makes fun of itself also in the process.
Yeah, and Im excited!
In this past episode, Shred gives major advice to Frank after his night with Dolores.
Can you tease us about anything regarding that?
ROWLAND: Its a big emotional rollercoaster for our guy Shred.
He tries to behave honorably… and its definitely exciting.
Yeah, you got to tune in and see what happens.
But we do get to meet her and shes lovely.
Miss Maria Gabriela de Faria plays my girlfriend, which is nuts.
And shes awesome; shes hilarious.
With that, can you tease us about his direction this season without giving spoilers, if thats possible?
ROWLAND: I think he starts to get a little more confident.
ROWLAND: A big part of its taking care of yourself.
I dont think you realize how much goes into making this kind of stuff.
So when you show up, you better be rested.
you better know your lines.
So thats a big thing, is just taking care of yourself and making sure youre doing your job.
Animal Controlairs Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST on Fox andstreams on Hulu.
