AE: You said that
every actor brings something of himself to a role, so which part of yourself
did you bring to Cliff?
DB: I like to
think that a lot of my best qualities. I won’t even try to pretend like he is
me, but I like that Cliff’s tried to make people smile. I’ve been known to do
the same thing. I love making people laugh and smile, which is why I love stand
up comedy and comedies myself. I love that about Cliff. Like Mr. Gutley I think
is the best thing ever. And that’s totally something that I would probably do
in real life. I’ve been in a restaurant and put food in my face just to make a
person laugh, so I bring that to it.
AE: Are you surprised
at the positive reaction our readers have had to your character?
DB: Surprised,
yeah. I mean I’m so incredibly happy about it. I’m so calmed by it. I was just
kind of worried at first. I just wanted to make sure that everyone not only
thought that the character was believable, but grew to like the character.
Because it’s so important, it really is so important that people like Cliff,
because otherwise he’s just this annoying guy who won’t leave Marc alone.
AE: I’d imagine
that’s sort of the reaction that an actor prays for, especially when joining an
established show and you want your character to stick around.
DB: When I was
first got cast in my role and I was like, wait, who else is cast this season?
James Van Der Beek, Victoria Beckham, John Cho, I’m like, are you kidding me?
I’m going to get lost in the shuffle! Then on top of that, all of my scenes are
with Michael Urie and Becki Newton, who are both incredibly brilliant comedic
actors, and then Vanessa Williams, who is both funny and huge. But the fact
that everyone was so nice about the role and the scenes and what happened so
far makes me so happy.
AE: In that fourth
episode, do we get to see a kiss between you guys?
DB: I almost
tempted to not say anything because I want people to tune in. No, not as of
yet.
AE: See, then they
have to bring you back for more episodes.
DB: Well, I’d
love for them [to do so]. I’m really not exaggerating. The chance to work with
Michael Urie is a blast, and then to work with anyone in that cast. I’ve had
great conversations with America [Ferrera];
Christopher Gorham has been absolutely amazing, too. It’s just great to be
around the set. This next episode is fun. I think this one is more fun than
anything else.
