Daniel Franzese – Recovery Road

By starrymag | February 1, 2016

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) Were you doing “Looking” and “Recovery Road” at the same time?

A) I shot the pilot for “Recovery Road” (the original) right before I did “Looking.” Then, they decided to reshoot the pilot.

Q) What are the recent projects you have been working on?

A) I have been doing little things here and there. I did a sketch comedy show for LOGO. So, I’m excited about that coming out as well. As far as music, I want to do more things with Peanut Butter And Jealous, but they have their own band. So, between their touring schedule and my filming we only get to meet up a few times a year. I recorded a Christmas album this year and I plan to record a comedy summer jam album. I’m sure that at some point I’ll make another parody!

Q) How did you originally get involved with the show “Recovery Road?”

A) They wrote the role for me. Bert V. Royal was my roommate in college. I’ve known him since I was seventeen years old. I did his play Dog Sees God and then I wrote a musical Jersey Shoresical: A Frickin’ Rock Opera, which was spoof on “Jersey Shore.” Karen [DiConcetto] was my Snooki and we did that show together for a year. We’ve all been friends for a really long time. So, when this project came to them and they read the books, they found this character Vern (who was about forty-five years old in the book). They said, “I bet we could age him down and Danny could play him!” I didn’t have to audition. I just screen tested and it went really well. I started out as a guest star and then when they did a reconfiguring for the pilot they made me a series regular.

Q) What kind of fan feedback have you been receiving from the show?

A) People loved it! I’m really excited! Everyone is saying it is their new addiction! It’s been really fun hearing from the fans. The fans are into it! It’s a very loyal strong fanbase. ABC Family has dominated the social media market since the launch of the network. That’s why they have changed it to Freeform and are going to cater to the audience.

Q) With the first three episodes out early, do you think the buzz is going to hinder or help the show?

A) Our network President said, “There is no better marketing for a good show than a good show.” I think we stand by our show and by giving it away early people will like it and come back for more.

Q) There are so many at such a young age that do get involved with drugs and alcohol.

A) There is no shortage of programming about teens getting messed up and going to party. It’s nice to see something that shows the consequences to that.

Q) Since the network has changed names, it is pushing boundaries with the shows they have added. How does the show being on Freeform give it room to explore these adult topics?

A) There are a lot of expectations for it to be family oriented and I do feel like some of the dynamics of our show do show a real family unit. An alternative family, but a family none the less. It’s exciting to be a part of something new with Freeform where they are playing towards up and comers and people who haven’t become who they are going to be yet. It’s an exciting audience who they are going to be reaching.

Q) What is in store for Vern’s development this season?

A) Vern is a choreographer who has quit cocaine and lost his mojo and I think he relies very heavily on the program to maintain his sobriety. He is the one who has been there the longest. He is sort of the papa bear in everyone’s business, but I think also secretly the most vulnerable. I think what is interesting about him is that he lets people lean on them for their sobriety, but he needs other people to have it together for his sobriety. I think that is an interesting dynamic because you can’t always rely on everyone. It’s worked for him and he really wants it to work for everyone else, too.

Q) How have you really identified with your character?

A) I think we are both extremely handsome and modest. [laughs] It would be misleading for me to say there weren’t parts of me in this character. But I don’t necessarily think that I am like Vern. Vern might be like me at some times. When it comes to my sense of humor and the stuff that people know me for as a performer will all be there, but I think this is something that is a little bit different than me.

Q) Are you looking forward to gaining a new demographic or fanbase because of younger viewers finding the show?

A) The good thing about this network is that they have the television rights to Mean Girls and they play it constantly. So, I think I am playing to my audience. [laughs] I think it will be interesting for fans of “Looking” to check out these stories and maybe from some of my more adult, darker projects. I think they won’t be disappointed because I think it’s a show that knows how to keep the levity in the situation while still honoring the seriousness of it.

Q) What have you found to be the most challenging aspect of being a part of “Recovery Road?”

A) That’s a really good question. It’s unique to me because it is my first time being a series regular so it’s definitely interesting working with a different director every episode and guest stars coming in and out. “Looking” was a pretty intimate set so we didn’t have many guest stars. This was interesting and new and fresh with me. I got to work with some amazing directors like Joanna Kerns and Jennifer Lynch. We have predominately female minority directors, which is unique and fun.

Q) What have you taken away from your experiences working on the show?

A) I’m definitely leerier about how much I drink in public. [laughs] I’m on a show about recovery so there is only so much I can really do out there now.

Q) What would you like to be sure to share with fans about “Recovery Road?”

A) At the TCA’s someone asked if the show is successful will Maddie (Jessica Sula) be in recovery for six years. They said “no,” but what I felt like I neglected to mention was that the journey to sobriety is long and I think that is something that many people who have been living sober for many years will attest to. I think that is going to be the interesting life of our show, not necessarily how long she stays in the house, but to follow her journey working towards a sober existence for good. It is something that I didn’t really take it into much consideration until I saw some of the journeys of the characters on our show.