David Fynn – Undateable

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

A) Since I got back to England, I did a guest lead on a sitcom called “The Job Lot.” But my writing partner and I have just had a script optioned by one of the nice production companies in London. We’ve been working on that and they are just about to go and pitch it to networks. Hopefully, something will come of that. I also just got offered a movie in the US. I might be coming back to work on that.

Q) We currently see you starring on “Undateable.” How was your character Brett originally described to you?

A) I think he kind of started off as he was kind of rather picky and a bit neurotic. But I think they wanted to change that and I think that’s one of the reasons I came on board. Perhaps, it was just a different energy to bring to it. He’s a bit more dry. He’s just one of the guys and he gets involved in the banter. He kind of gets involved in them making fun of each other. I think it’s nice when it doesn’t matter that he’s the gay guy. He’s just one of the guys and he just happens to be gay. I think that’s a nice way of playing it and a nice way to think about it. He just gives it a nicer dynamic.

Q) What is it about Brett that you think makes him relatable?

A) Being shy and insecure is a universal problem. It’s not exclusive to gay guys, by any means. I think in a way it makes it more relatable to the audience that people can identify with that, whether you are gay or straight. People have the same problem. You just like a different gender. He’s known Justin since they were in college together. So, he’s just one of Justin’s (Brent Morin) friends really.

Q) Was there anything that you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted?

A) We had a kind of day where we discussed the ins and outs of their friendship. There are a couple of lines where Justin and I talk about when we used to go dating and the women we’d get involved with at college. I think as an actor it’s nice to elaborate a little bit more just so it’s a little more solid in your head what your relationship is with someone, even if the other person hasn’t developed the same story in their head as you. I think it’s just nice for you to have an idea so you are playing it specifically as opposed to generally. I think what we added was we decided my dad was American and my mom was English. So, I got dual nationality and so I grew up in England and decided to go to college in the states.

Q) Was there anything you found challenging about the role? Did you have any trepidation taking on the role based on his sexuality?

A) No, I had absolutely no trepidation. It was quite exciting because I have never played a gay guy before. There was a lot to think about in where to gage it. I didn’t want to add any affectations because that’s been done and it’s too obvious. Again, it kind of detracts from that he is one of the guys and always has been. It’s a nice change. It’s a departure from what I usually play. It’s exciting and the material for the audition was really great. It was from episode five or six where he talks about he is worried about hooking up with another guy. They used that in the audition and it was really good.

Q) What makes someone undateable?

A) I don’t think anyone is undateable. Generally, I don’t think anyone is undateable. I think there is someone out there for everyone, but I think you are less dateable if you don’t try. I think you have to just hang your balls out there and try. In the words of the mighty Coldplay, “If you never try then you will never know.” You have just got to go for it. You just have to take the risk.

Q) You have great comedic timing. Is it something that has come natural to you or have you had to work at it?

A) I have absolutely worked at it! I’ve always lent more towards comedy. I went to drama school in London and when you are there everyone has aspirations, they want to play Hamlet and they want to do Macbeth. Everyone wants to do this glorious stage work. I’ve done some stage work, but I’ve always felt like I’d end up doing comedy more than anything else. When I write now, even if I’m writing a serious scene, I always pepper some comedy in there somewhere. I did a thing in London called “The Sitcom Mission” about three or four years ago where you go in and it is a competition. Scripts get submitted and they hire in a repertory company of actors. So, all these actors come in and work on these great comedy scripts. I spent three or four months doing that and I just got really into the rhythms of it. By the end of it (because I had done so much work on so many different scripts) you can almost see the different colors of the comedy coming out. Since then, I’ve been more comfortable with it. It has taken away my nerves in auditions because I was more comfortable with comedy. Before, I’d get so nervous I’d go in there and forget lines – lines that I had for a week. I’d forget them and I’d mess up. I’d get a twitchy lip. Since then, that kind of changed things a little bit for me and I became a little more comfy with it. And it’s more fun! If you’re going into work every day and you’re laughing, there is nothing better than that. It’s an absolute pleasure.

Q) You work with professional comedians on the show. So, that’s got to make room for some memorable moments. What have been some of your favorite moments from filming?

A) Anything that Ron Funches says ends up being funny! The dynamic between the guys is incredible to watch. I’ve worked in comedy for a few years and I’ve gotten to work with a lot of talented people. I’ve gotten to work with people like Ricky Gervais and people like that. But these guys, their minds are so quick and they are so witty. The repartee is amazing to watch because they all know each other. Chris, Brent and Rick [Glassman] knew each other quite a lot and they knew Ron from the circuit. Brent and Rick live in the same building. Them making fun of each other, I’d buy a ticket to just sit and watch it for an hour or two. My favorite moments are just moments of improv on a tape night because you can feel the buzz in the room and the audience really feeds into it. Also, it’s moments when I have been able to get in on the improv as well. I’m in it with these guys who are all so quick and so funny and it feels great because they suck you in. You have no choice, but to go with it. It just flies! We are so lucky on this show that Bill [Lawrence] and Adam [Sztykiel] create that environment. We do a take where we do as it is written on the page and then if it is good enough they ask us what we have got. We tell them jokes we have come up with and they tell us jokes they have come up with. Then, Bill or Adam will decide on one. It just keeps it so fresh and so exciting. I think it translates to the screen. There is definitely chemistry and people who are smiling with their eyes when they shouldn’t be smiling. I think it lifts it as well.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying the instant fan feedback you’ve been receiving?

A) I am not as adept at social networking as the boys. It’s part of their jobs as standups. It’s great to be part of it. Getting immediate feedback is wonderful. It’s nice to know what people think. It’s nice to get compliments on what you have worked on for months. I moved countries! I moved to America for seven months. To know that to some people it was worth it and the show has made some people happy is great. I’ve had so much support from the gay community as well. That’s been very humbling and very nice. I was quite worried that I would get it wrong, but they have been very nice.

Q) What do you think it is about “Undateable” that has made it a quick fan favorite program?

A) I think it is the chemistry. And I think it is the environment that Bill sets up. It just feels like an absolute collaboration. Ther eis no such thing as a stupid idea. I feel 100% comfortable suggesting things, as do the guys and Bianca [Kajlich]. I’m not sure that other shows have that as much as we do. Bill knows we all like to write lines and pitch jokes. I think that’s quite a special environment. I also think that we have some of the most genuinely funny people I’ve ever met. Chris D’Elia is by every right a romantic lead. He just looks like a romantic lead. The physical comedy that comes out of the guy is unbelievable. They are all unbelievably talented. I think Chris and Brent as leads and the chemistry between them is especially strong and amazing to watch. I forget lines sometimes because I get so roped into watching those two riff. It’s brilliant!