‘Shifting Gears’ airs on ABC every Wednesday.
Collider: When this came your way, what was the pitch?
What got you interested?
Had you been looking to do another sitcom?
It would be fun maybe to do another one.
So, thats how it happened.
Image via ABC
I wished for it, and it happened.
What is that energy like?
Do you enjoy having that to work and play off of, or does it ever get distracting?
Image via ABC
I was really unsure of how to navigate the crowd, and it just felt really crazy.
And then, I got used to it.
Now, I really love it.
They feel almost like another character.
We know something works if they laugh.
So, it can be a challenge, but in a very good and fun way.
I love it now.
I think its the most fun thing ever.
DENNINGS: Its very weird.
Image via Marvel Studios
The intro is my least favorite part, actually.
Its before we start shooting and I get so nervous.
And then, as soon as we roll and do a scene, Im not nervous at all.
This is the third series youve done with Michelle Nader.
What do you like about working and collaborating with her?
What makes her suited for this series?
DENNINGS: Michelle Nader is one of my favorite people in the world.
Every day, we were like, I cant believe were still together.
This is the best thing in the world.
But with this, shes got this freshness to her writing style.
Shes so funny and shes such a fantastic boss.
Shes so kind and generous, but also just knows everything.
Its a joy to work with her.
it’s possible for you to ask her anything about anything, and she knows the answer.
Im so used to working with her that everything almost feels like one continuous thing.
I wanna work with Michelle forever.
She is able to navigate every single thing and bring it together and make it very funny.
They dont really have the same viewpoints on anything, from parenting to politics.
Theyre bickering, but it never feels like it crosses a line that would turn people off.
Whats it like to find that balance?
DENNINGS: Thats the goal.
We want to convey this fun, natural, and relatable scenario without it being grating at all.
Its like, Lets not start this conversation.
We all have that.
Your character is coming back home as a single parent with two kids.
Whats it been like to work with your TV children and to find a comedy rhythm with them?
DENNINGS: I think this is the first time Im playing a parent.
I hope Im right about that.
I havent Googled myself in a while but Im pretty sure.
Shes supposed to have had children really, really young.
The kids are just so fantastic.
Theyre just amazing actors and people, and theyre so fun.
Theyre having a blast.
But these kids are the opposite.
They want to be there.
This is their dream.
Theyre having so much fun.
Its a joy to watch them.
And its just naturally developed.
I really respect them and just let them do their thing.
Im just gonna be me and see how it is.
Itll just naturally work out.
And I think it has.
They really have their own voices in that way.
Theyre just doing some amazing stuff, those two.
A premiere date has also been set for the sitcom starring Allen and Kat Dennings.
How often do jokes change on this show?
Do you do improv during the episodes?
By the time it gets to the live taping day, do you stay pretty close to the script?
And Daryl Chill Mitchell does a couple of his own takes on stuff sometimes.
But everybody sticks pretty close to the script.
Theyll be like, Okay, instead of this, say this.
And then, well say that.
But by the time show night rolls around, we are on script.
DENNINGS: Thats so true.
I pinch myself about that.
I told my husband (Andrew W.K.)
Theyre called LEGO Minimates, and theres a Darcy one.
I literally cant believe that Im a LEGO.
This is the best thing thats ever happened to me, besides meeting my husband.
It is the best thing, ever.
I cant believe that this character became this thing thats gone over so many different things.
And for whatever reason, they expanded it and expanded it and kept using me.
Every time, I was like, I cant believe they want me back.
This is the best!
So, every time they ask for me, I will always say yes, no matter what.
I just still cant believe it.
Check out the trailer:
Watch on Hulu
