NBC’s Undateable is returning for a second season and adding Bridgit Mendler to the cast, as new bartender Candace. OHSOGRAY visited the set and chatted with Bridgit about her new gig and what it’s like to work with a group of stand up comics.
Undateable season 2 premieres March 17th at 9/8c on NBC.
Since your character Candace is new to Undateable this season, can you describe your character and how she fits into the group?
Candace is a new bartender. She just comes around. She’s kind of detached from any connections, family or friends. She had a rough upbringing so she really wants to find a place where she’ll fit in. So she fits in with this odd group of people and she is this sort of youthful, optimistic, awkward…doesn’t really have a grasp on reality at times; she doesn’t have things figured out. But she is pure and well meaning.
Did you have to learn any bartending skills?
I was wondering about that, but it’s funny. I just clean tables. I work the register. I haven’t had to pour a drink yet. I deliver them. So it makes me feel like I know what I’m doing, even though I probably don’t.
Are there any pressures or expectations coming into the second season?
Personally, for me, there is a bit because it’s my first season and they’ve already had their experience with the show. I guess what expectations I had, personally, they’ve been exceeded just because everybody’s been really cool, talented and I think the writers are really good, as well. In terms of viewers, I’d say their expectations should go up because from what I’ve heard from the cast members, they are liking the new season even better than before.
Is there a pressure on the set to make things bigger and better than season one?
I’m walking into this without the first season perspective, but based on what people were saying, from the beginning of the second season, they’ve really been trying to make it even better in terms of character development and just the level of script writing and all of that. I think everybody wants to make it as good as it can be. I think people are excited that there seems to be some enthusiasm about the show.
Did you watch the first season?
I did and I really enjoyed it. It’s weird to imagine what a show would be like with yourself in it. So I can’t really compare those…
So you knew when you were watching it that you’d be joining the cast?
I did, I had an inkling. I had been talking to the creators and they had me watch the show and so once I finished watching it, then I found out I got it.
What was the casting process like?
I met with the creators and we really hit it off and that was that.
What did they envision for your character?
I think we kind of figured it out together. They asked me what I was like, what sorts of comedy I have myself, and so they kind of made jokes about my naïveté, saying things at the wrong time—which I do all the time, clumsiness. Candace has had a much more difficult past than I have, but that was just kind of an interesting character trait that they came up with. But, it’s cool because I feel like it was like a joint process. I think they definitely had their idea beforehand and I kind of fit what they were looking for, but it was nice that they involved me in that conversation.
The title of the show is Undateable, how does Candace’s dating life go?
Candace’s dating life…she doesn’t know her worth. I think that’s part of her thing. She is humble and I think she kind of lets people walk all over her and that’s a bit of her struggle in dating, as well. She doesn’t know what it’s like to be treated well.
Is she going to have a romance with any of the guys?
Maybe…Maybe she will.
What has been the most challenging part of this role?
I think walking into an environment with all these comedians. They’re just really good at what they do and it’s an unfamiliar world for me. I know some sitcom, which is nice, but just the way that they come up with jokes, I actually really like that because they’re creative and inclusive with ideas. They’ll bounce between each other, “What if you did this?” [or] “What if I said that?” It feels like everyone is involved in it together, but it is a different rhythm to become acquainted with. But I just give props to the guy and girl for being supportive of anybody’s idea. They’re not protective with it being their good idea.
Is there a lot of improvisation?
There is. And it’s fun because it makes it feel like you can have your freedom with your character. Everyone just wants the biggest laugh. We’re a comedy show, so whatever people laugh at is good.
Do they try to out do each other?
I don’t think so. Sometimes when they go on improvs, they’ll just keep building on what the other person says but if there were to be any competition, I feel like it’s an encouraging competition because it’s just making the scene better.
Have you had any surprises or learned anything coming into this kind of show?
Surprising to me…Learned…I guess just more about the comedy world. I’d never been to a stand up show before in my life. I’ve now gone to two. So I’m starting to get it. I think that approach to comedy is just different than what I’ve known before. But also, it is the first time I’ve done a character that I didn’t audition for before I was hired. So that was pretty stressful as well. As much as that feels like an honor, and it is, it was really stressful because I didn’t know if I was giving them what they wanted. Whereas, if you get it from an audition, you know that you’re hired because they like what you’re doing. So I think that was a new challenge for me…to ask, “Is this the character? Is this what you’re wanting?” We had a couple conversations about that and it was just a good process.