Coby Bell – The Game

Q) What are the current projects that you are working on?

A) Right now I am working on a comedy television show called ” The Game.” It’s extremely funny! I am really proud to be a part of it. It’s a spin off of the show “Girlfriends.” The producers are Mara Brock Akil and Kelsey Grammer. It’s just a good time! It’s about players of a professional football team.

Q) Please tell us about your character Jason Pitts on the new show “The Game.”

A) My character is a superstar future Hall of Famer, so he’s filthy rich, but he’s super cheap! He’s proud of his frugal behavior so it’s fun to play since he’s really irreverent about it.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) My wife is actually a huge fan of the show “Girlfriends.” She’d Tivo it and I’d watch it with her. I’d dig the show and I was always thinking that since I was doing drama for so many years I’d like to do a comedy. I’m a goofy individual when it comes down to it. When an opportunity came to be a part of something that Mara Brock Akil was doing, I just tried my ass off to get involved. Luckily, she got what I was doing and here I am.

Q) You play a football player. Did you have to do any physical preparation for your character?

A) I have been getting my ass in the gym! I am trying to at least look like a football player. I never played football when I was growing up, but I did play basketball. I’ve definitely been watching a lot more football now and I have some friends who that are professional football players. I’ve been trying to draw on them as far as their attitude towards things, how they look at life and the way they carry themselves. It’s been a lot of fun playing this character that’s supposed to be this huge superstar. It’s fun looking at life from that point of view.

Q) You get to play the husband of Brittany Daniels. What was it like working with her?

A) She’s so cool! We have so much fun working together. The six cast members gel so quickly, just hanging out with each other. We just love each other’s company and we’ve already become really good friends. I know that’s really rare to have all of the cast having so much fun together and we do! It’s just a blast! Coming to work doesn’t even feel like going to work. I think we’re all aware of how rare our situation is and how cool a situation it is. I think we’re all going to try our best to keep it that way.

Q) You play an interracial couple. Do you feel like you are a social role model?

A) In a way, I think so, but at the same time I think that “The Jefferson’s” sort of handled all of the social issues (as far as interracial couples). It’s cool the way Mara is doing it. They make little jokes about it, but it’s all fun. I think, basically, the deal with them is just showing two people in love. With our scenes at home, it’s not like it’s “I’m black and you’re white. Let’s see if we can work it out.” That’s not how it is. In real life, my mom is white and my dad is black. So, I’ve done plenty of research on the interracial scene. My relationship with myself is an interracial relationship. I think it’s good, though, for people to see it on television and see that it is no big deal.

Q) What has been your most memorable moment from filming?

A) I think my favorite moment so far is when the quarterback is trying to do his visualization before the game. He has a towel over his head and he’s trying to meditate. He needs it really quiet in the room and then I come in, turn my boom box on and put it as loud as it can go. I put on the White Stripes song “My Doorbell” as loud as it can go and I start singing it in a real high pitched tone (like Jack White). That was some fun stuff!

Q) Why should viewers take the time to tune in to the show?

A) My character shops for cars by using the obituaries! It’s the truth! Dead people don’t drive so they sell cheap. It’s just a funny show. The writers are out of their mind and come out of left field with funny. I can’t wait for the next script so I can read it and laugh. They come up with some crazy stuff! We’ve got Tia Mowry all grown up, one of the “Sister, Sister” twins. We’ve got Wendy Raquel Robinson from “The Steve Harvey Show.” She is ridiculously funny! She cracks us up all day long. There is Brittany Daniels, who is just fire, fire, fire! You’ve got my sexy self and it’s got Pooch Hall who plays the rookie. It’s also got Hosea Chanchez who plays the bling bling sort of Deon Sanders quarterback. It’s extremely funny! I feel like we’re firing on all cylinders. We’re having so much fun doing it. I think if the audience thinks we’re as funny as we think we are, then we’re in really good shape!

Q) What do you do in your spare time?

A) I am just a dad in my spare time. My wife and I are also starting a business, mostly my wife is. She’s opening an arts and crafts play space for little kids. We’re just painting and putting together Ikea furniture.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I want to thank you so much for having my back all through the years on “Third Watch” and I hope I can make you guys laugh now that I am doing comedy. I am really excited to show that side of things and switch it up to try and bring the funny a little bit!