While working on the series, Indebted, actors Fran Drescher and Steven Weber realised how comedy as a genre is difficult to pull off because it cannot be taught and has a lot to explore. By Team Viva
Describe the character of Stew Klein and Debbie Klein and what it was about him/her that drew you to the script?
Steven Weber: My character is the patriarch of this family. He’s a very relaxed, well-meaning, sweet loving guy who enjoys taking occasional cannabis edibles. He’s in love with his wife, children and grandchildren. He’s got a curious nature but is not a complex guy. So that is how my character is. It’s not that I chose to play him, the producers chose me I guess. It was a relief because it is such a likable character to play and a good fit.
Fran Drescher: I liked that Debbie is violaceous and very lively. Generally, in sitcoms, a woman’s portrayal happens to be of a grandma with adult children. I think that is not a very fresh version of the typical sitcom grandmother. I’d rather portray a 60-year-old woman as hot and alive who’s madly in love with her husband.
How did you get into the skin of this character since parenting is not too easy to understand?
Steven: It was easy for me to be pleasant, loving, tactile, amused and curious, especially in the environment of the sitcom and this particular show. Fran is beautiful, we’re friends and we come from the same neighbourhood and have a lot of shared experiences. We have a similar sense of humour. So it was easy to become a guy who is in love with his wife and has fun with her. One aspect that we don’t really talk about is that we (Fran and I) weren’t extensively the stars of the show. I would say that there were no stars per se but we had a sort of supporting roles. So it allowed me to not work too hard. In certain scenes, I gave myself the crossword puzzle task. So I didn’t have to show up much and listen all the time. Basically, Fran and the kids did a lot of the heavy lifting while I could be seen sitting on a very comfortable couch with my legs crossed, doing a crossword puzzle.
Fran: I found it easy to play this character because she was so joyful, light-hearted and fun. She is that character which is far less complicated than I am in real life. I think the hardest part about it was that she was always into looking fantastic. So for me physically that meant wearing heels, bras, a Spanx, dresses, jewelry and makeup. However, in my personal life, I am generally more comfortable and casual.
What have been your memorable moments from the shoot?
Steven: There were quite a few. There were many long periods where during a scene, things would kind of meltdown, at least for me, because I found what other actors were doing to be incredibly funny. There were several times where I just had to basically wave the camera away from me because I was not giving them any serviceable footage to use. I was just laughing at whatever Adam was doing, or Jesse or Abby or Fran. So basically, the whole experience has been really a memory. I’m sorry, I couldn’t be more specific.
But I have to say that the idea that Indebted is going to be shown in India is fantastic. I’m so thrilled. And I hope it will become a huge hit and staple in the country because I want to be flown out there and, well, also, I want to be hailed as a great hero in India (laughs).
Fran: Oh, well, you know, for me, it was more behind the scenes because we all had our own dressing rooms, but they were all on the stage. We would run lines in my dressing room. We would often bring food in for each other. And whether it was pizzas or meatballs or shrimp, or chips or you name it, we shared everything. That is by the way actually quite Jewish! But it definitely brought us all closer and made us feel like a family. And quite honestly, those are some of my fondest memories.
Most actors are of the opinion that comedy is the toughest genre to pull off. What is your take?
Fran: I absolutely think that comedy cannot be taught. And even now, fine-tuning your craft can be a skill that can be honed, but you got to have a comedic or a funny bone. And I think Steven and I both have that ability to see what’s humorous and to be funny as well. And, recreating that repeatedly.
Steven: I agree with everything Fran said.
Well, you have proof that comedy is extremely difficult because it does not always hit the mar. I mean, it’s not something that can be taught and I agree. So, it does require nascent ability, but you can’t fault people for trying.
What’s next for both of you?
Fran: I am currently writing the nanny musical for Broadway. I am also beginning to write a teen novel.
Steven: I am actually into a lot of cooking these days. I’m just trying to stay kind of activated day to day. On the work note, I do have some short creative projects that I am involved in. In the nascent stages, are couple of writing things but true to my nature as a working actor. I am also kind of waiting for the phone to ring for new works. I am trying to stay healthy and fit and really using the time to teach myself endurance, how not to panic, to become a little more introspective and to see that there’s more to life than making a quick buck. Lately, I’ve actually experienced a little panic, political feelings aside, about what’s happening across the world. It has been kind of an interesting and positive time that I know we will all get past and hopefully, by then, we would all have grown!
(The series streams on SonyLIV.)