Elizabeth Alderfer – United States of Al

By starrymag | April 8, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for “United States of Al.”

 

A) The show is about the friendship between Riley (Parker Young), a combat veteran adjusting to life at home, and his Afghan interpreter, Awalmir (Al for short), who has just arrived in the US after years of waiting for his Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).

 

 

 

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

 

A) I’ve read a lot of sitcom scripts and this one immediately popped. So much of the comedy, especially in the pilot episode, is rooted in how absolutely bonkers American culture can look when you consider it from an immigrant’s perspective. Half of my husband’s family is from Iran and when he read the script and found a lot of those moments funny and familiar, I knew this show had potential.

But the real clincher was when I learned about the plight of Afghan interpreters like our lead character: Seventeen thousand of them are still waiting in life-threatening situations for Special Immigrant Visas the United States promised them for aiding American troops in the war. My hope is that United States of Al can raise public awareness of this issue and get more of our Afghan friends to safety. I’m proud to be even a very small part of that.

 

 

 

Q) What was your audition like for the show?

 

A) My audition for the show felt partially like a homecoming. I had worked with the casting directors (Ken Miller and Nikki Valko) and Chuck Lorre on another show, so a lot of it was, “How have you been?!” “Crazy weather, right?!” Having that shorthand with Chuck as we worked through the scenes made the whole experience genuinely fun.

 

 

 

Q) How was your character Lizzie originally described to you?

 

A) Lizzie was described in the breakdown for the role as “edgy,” someone grappling with the loss of her fiancé in the war with too much alcohol and “fast living.” So, I think I initially imagined her as a rough-around-the-edges badass.

 

 

 

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t in the initial breakdown?

 

A) At some point before we shot the pilot, we had talked about Lizzie being an artist of some kind, but I knew she wasn’t making art professionally. So, there’s a kind of unearned haughtiness to her. The death of her fiancé has put a bit of a pause on her life, too, so there’s a whimsical quality to her that feels like stifled creativity seeping out wherever it can.

 

 

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them?

 

A) I did a pilot with Parker Young in 2019, so I knew he was super talented and a ton of fun to work with.

And Dean Norris…Well, to say I was a fan is an understatement. When I met him on the pilot I *think* I kept my cool.

 

 

 

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

 

A) Wow, thank you! I think I’ve always been a goofy person, but it took some time for me to realize that I could harness that goofiness. Comedic timing, to me, has a lot in common with music. There are rhythms and dynamics to comedy that, when combined the right way, FEEL funny. So, I like to play around with those elements and observe them in artists I admire.

 

 

 

Q) What are some of your favorite moments or episodes from filming?

 

A) The second episode of “United States of Al” is super special. It explores some of the heavier issues our characters are contending with. I think everyone in the cast realized after the table read that the creators weren’t afraid of delving into moments of drama –because the subject matter of the show is serious and deserves those moments. But it’s also super funny! I promise.

 

 

 

Q) What do you think it is about “United States of Al” that will make it a fast fan favorite comedy?

 

A) I hope people will appreciate the mix of serious conversations within the comedy. I think those moments will endear the characters to viewers on a deeper level and make the laughs all the more earned.

 

 

 

Q) We also love your work on “A.P. Bio,” which just earned a Season 4! What have you personally taken away from your time working on this show?

 

A) I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten to work with those comedy TITANS. All of the actors on that show are absolute geniuses who aren’t afraid to play around and potentially fail. That’s the scariest thing about comedy: not everything works. But unless you get comfortable throwing options at the wall, you won’t necessarily find what sticks.

 

 

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media can be a lot of things, good and bad, but I like that it can be used both to amplify what matters (sharing resources related to social justice) and to share life’s lighter moments (posting dumb selfies with a mango). I’ve met some awesome people on social media by sharing those different facets of myself.

 

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) Thank you, first and foremost! And, also, I hope you’re taking care of yourself right now because the world is a stressful place! If I can help your day include a little bit of laughter? That’s all I hope to do!