Jon Barinholtz – Superstore

By starrymag | November 12, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) What is new this season on “Superstore?” 

A) So much! A Pandemic, a heartbroken Jonah (Ben Feldman) and a COVID positive Marcus which I’m pretty sure is the only test he’s ever passed.

Q) We love how the writers cover such great topical issues. Outside of the pandemic, what can we expect to see tackled this season? 

A) Yeah, they did such a good job of using that first episode back to really tackle the different stages we’ve all gone through in real life since we last left off. The pandemic is definitely still a through line during the season, just like it is in our lives outside the show. I won’t get into specifics because I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that we also tackle so many other things that we’ve all been feeling and dealing with the past seven months.

Q) With Marcus newly returned from his Spring Break vacation and COVID positive, will that play a role in his storyline? 

A) We touch on it, but briefly. But it’s nice to know that nothing in the world will ever stop Marcus from getting his Spring Break on. We never find out for sure, but if I had to guess, I’d say Marcus contracted it in a buffet line on a party cruise in late March.

Q) Going into this season, were you hoping to share more scenes with someone(s) in particular? 

A) Whoa, that’s an impossible question! Every character is so funny and because Marcus is such a goofball, his dynamic with anyone is always fun for me to play. So, I always look forward to the break room scenes that involve everyone. In terms of a one-on-one scene, I always love to see what Marcus and Isaac (Steve Agee) get into because it’s never good.

Q) We’re sad to see America Ferrera depart. What was her last day on set like? 

A) Oh man…It was pretty emotional that whole week. She’s such a big part of this world that everyone’s built and the fact that we’re all friends’ outside of the show made it even harder to film this episode knowing that we were losing her from the show afterwards.  The last scene we shot as a cast was the video montage in the store and I don’t think there were many dry eyes on set by the time we finished that day.

Q) Fans of the show loved the epic back tattoo that Marcus received from Cheyenne. Talk about filming that scene. 

A) So much fun to film! Cheyenne (Nichole Bloom) and Mateo’s (Nico Santos) nervous banter about how bad the tattoo looked had me cracking up so much. I know I ruined a few takes because I was shaking so hard laughing. Also, Mark McKinney directed that episode and told me to let loose with the screaming in pain while getting the tattoo which was really fun to do. I think I blew out a vocal chord or two by the day’s end.

Q) With such hilarious material, who tends to break the most during filming? 

A) Hmm…Tough one. Those group scenes take long to film so usually by the end of them everyone is pretty loopy and there’s a lot of breaking.  I will say that, personally, I love to make Lauren [Ash] break. I’ve known her for fifteen years and she is such a pro and she doesn’t do it often, so when I can get her it’s always a treat!

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

A) (waits for five seconds before responding) …Timing! Wait, is that how that joke goes? I grew up in a house where comedy was paramount. My parents and brother [Ike] are so funny, so I had to learn quickly in order to fit in! So, I think the base was there, but I spent eight years back home in Chicago performing live comedy and taking classes to really hone my skills the best I could before I moved out to Los Angeles.

Q) What are some episodes that fans should look out for this season? 

A) If I had to pick, I’d say keep an eye out for the first 15 episodes…which is the whole season. [smiles]

Q) What have you personally taken away from your time working on “Superstore?” 

A) The one thing I always say when people ask about the show is how lucky I feel to be a part of it. It’s very rare to have a cast where every single series regular is so comedically talented. I just don’t think it happens very much. On top of that, everyone is so nice. From cast, to crew, to writers…it really feels like a big group of friends working on a project together. And that is pretty special.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes? 

A) I’d say I’m part of social media the same way a city tree is part of the sidewalk around it. I definitely don’t really fit in, but happy to occasionally look at the people passing by! I think I’ve posted less than ten times on Instagram? Love the instant feedback, but please excuse me if I don’t respond quickly because I am BAD at social media.

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

A) I would say we live in a very crazy world and if I am able to be part of a project that brings you joy, that brings me joy, so thank you very much!