Kimiko Glenn & Travis Coles – Liza on Demand

By starrymag | September 25, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are some of the new jobs Liza takes on this season?

Kimiko: Oh, I mean. I don’t want to giveaway too much.

Travis: Just know that each job kind of pertains to whatever the actual conflict is or the episode. It’s less about the job and more about the relationship that we have with each other and that we have with society and how our moral high ground is tested.

Kimiko: Yeah, how we all drag each other into our own personal drama or struggles and also how we all help lift each other up and learn something at the end of the day. It’s kind of more a thrupple, but not… [laughs]

Travis: A thrupple is a little bit more complicated. This one isn’t.

Kimiko: We’re just three friends kind of going through adulting, figuring out how to grow up and in what ways.

Q) Was there natural chemistry between the three of you when you began working together?

Kimiko: I think it was pretty natural from the start. Obviously, it takes time to develop strong, deep relationships. And I think that this past year, especially, we got really close because we were more involved in the show. We were there shooting from morning until night. Afterward we’d have to run lines. So, we were kind of with each other 24/7. The funny thing is that even on the weekends, when we had a break, we would still want to be around each other. I think that’s a pretty great sign. I never got sick of anyone and I think in such close quarters when you’re working and breathing the same air with someone for so long you kind of…I think it’s telling that we just enjoy each other so much.

Travis: We also all kind of went through something and we lifted each other up. During this time Liza [Koshy] was such a support for us. She let us live at her place in a time when it was necessary…

Kimiko: Transition. Trouble.

Ttravis: It was so great to be able to have that support and I think that after we did the first season together, we were like, “Okay, we’re actually friends.” We love each other and we need each other in a way.

Kimiko: And what’s cool about the first season was that I know these guys are awesome and it was amazing to get closer with them more recently.

Travis: My God, yes! I am just thinking back to the first time I did press and that was with you [Kimiko]. I felt so comfortable. You made me feel very comfortable. Liza lifts people up all the time. That’s her whole platform, which is incredible.

Q) I was going to ask what it’s like working with Liza, but it sounds like a dream come true.

K: Yeah! I want to say, “Oh, you know, sometimes we butt heads.’ But we all just kind of get along. I think we all complement each other well in certain ways. We all kind of add our own sense…how we view the world. And I think we are able to share that with each other and grow…

Travis: Grow! Yeah.

Kimiko: and evolve as people together. I can call Travis up at any time and Liza up at any time and I know for all of us we’d drop everything is something happened. We’d all be there for each other.

Travis: That has happened.

Q) My favorite line in Season 2 is when Harlow says Liza has been asleep for “two years…” What have been some of your favorite lines?

Kimiko: There have, honestly, been so many. I know one I have for you is when she was in the ambulance and kind of going insane. I forget what the exact line is…

Travis: I’m wondering if we can’t say.

Kimiko: Yeah, because it is such a punchline.

Travis: In Season 1 there is an episode where Harlow and Oliver basically…It’s called “High School” and Liza goes back to high school. Somehow, we end up just becoming her parents. There is this moment where Harlow is just like…Actually, it’s not a line.

Kimiko: [laughs] I don’t know. Season 2 is filled with so many zingers. Honestly, the writing was beyond this season. It’s so, so smart and every line is like a hilarious commentary or joke. We’d be going over our lines in the makeup trailer (not even full out, just kind of running them) and the hair and makeup people would be cackling because the lines were so funny.

Travis: Also, what you were saying earlier, the writers really found our voices this season in a way. The first season we were all just trying to do this together. We did this with Liza and we know what her platform is so now we know what to write, what is funny for each of us. What pops. And that’s the sign of a really good showrunner and producer.

Kimiko: They are so smart!

Q) Is there any room to improv while filming?

Kimiko: Occasionally.

Travis: Yes.

Kimiko: But it’s so fast paced and, honestly, it’s so well written that in a lot of ways you want to get the line kind of…Because the writing itself is just so funny.

Travis: Yeah, it reminds me of “30 Rock” in that there is a joke in a joke in a joke. They are all beats and there are transitions and each thing ties in at the very end.

Kimiko: Stylistically it’s a bit hard to insert your own improv, but it does happen. Especially towards the end of the scene where you get to play around.

Travis: Those are great! By that time, you’ve done it like seventeen times. So, you’re like, “Let’s just do something different.” And I will say that’s the beauty of working with Liza on a comedy. When you’re shooting a comedy, nobody is laughing because they can’t since you have to be quiet. Also, you’re doing it over and over again and you just have to trust that it’s funny. That’s what we did for each other because I would be like, “Oh my gosh! That was so great.” We just did that for each other.

Q) What do you think it is about “Liza on Demand” that has made it such a fan favorite series?

Kimiko: I think Liza’s brand and humor…everything that Liza is obviously working. People are loving it and want to see more and I think she really leads the way in creating this show.

Travis: Exactly! On set she is very, “I am a leader…”

Kimiko: She’s such a leader.

Travis: “We’re going to set the stone of what we’re going to do today and we’re going to have a good day.”

Kimiko: Honestly, I think you can tell sometimes when people are having fun with it and when they are not. I feel like Liza is one of those people…She has a million things on her plate. She comes in at the start of the day and the end of the day and she’s the hardest working person, but she still has the most amazing attitude. So, it makes everyone else like, “What am I griping about?” There is no reason to bring in that energy because our fearless leader who has like a million reasons to be grumpy or something just has the best attitude.

Travis: About everything!

Kimiko: She knows everyone’s name. It creates such a family and I think that’s honestly…You can kind of tell at the end of the day when you watch it.

Travis: And that’s why everyone came back to work for Season 2. That was such a great experience.

Kimiko: The first season was kind of a trial, but you probably didn’t get paid enough for them to come back. But they did because of the experience.

Travis: Seriously! We’re making something that is really, really great that is network worthy. It’s not a network, but we’re doing something that is so different. I don’t know. I think it’s really cool that our show is a part of maybe the change in pop culture and how we watch things. That’s pretty cool. Also, Liza would literally get off set and make videos and run lines. We would be sleeping and then be up at like four in the morning to get it all done.

Kimiko: The girl doesn’t sleep. She’s amazing! I’ve never seen anyone who works as hard as Liza.

Travis: I know! And then have breakfast for us.

Kimiko: She thinks about us like to have coffee. It’s insane! I don’t know how her brain does it all. Her brain is amazing and her spirit is awesome!

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure we share with our readers about Season 2 of “Liza on Demand?”

Travis: We have an amazing guest cast! People really showed up this season and they were like, “We wanted to be a part of this,” mainly because of Liza.

Kimiko: They either saw the first season and really loved what we were doing or they know…We had some industry legends and the most awesome writers so you know you’re going to be working with awesome people. We got awesome people this season.

Travis: Rachel Leigh Cooke is in it. Noah Schnapp.

K: Noah Schapp. Andy Daly. Kevin Nealon. Kevin Nealon who I’m obsessed with and love.

Travis: SO many amazing people!  It’s going to be amazing and so much fun.