Lizzy Caplan – The Class

Q) What are the current projects that you’re working on?

A) Right now I am just working “The Class.”

Q) Please tell us about your character Kat Warbler on the show “The Class.”

A) Kat is pretty dark and sarcastic. She’s the one who tells it like it is at the expense of other people. She kind of gets a lot of happiness from making fun of other people.

Q) What made you originally want to a part of the show?

A) The people that are involved in making it, David Crane and Jeffery Klarik. Also, Jimmy Burrows was the producer and directed some of the episodes. Amongst the three of them they’ve worked on shows like “Friends,” “Will & Grace and “Cheers.” I figured if you’re going to do a sitcom than these are the people to do it with. I was the last one cast so I also saw who else was cast in the show. They were all impressive theater actors and not a bunch of crummy LA model-types, which was exciting considering it was a cast of young people. They really went for real actors, which was very exciting for me.

Q) The show is produced by David Crane and Jeffery Klarik of “Friends” and “Mad About You” fame. What is it like working with them?

A) It’s fantastic! You really trust them. I think there’s something to be said for working with people who it is their first show and everyone is sort of in it together. It’s a lot more comfortable when you know that if you have a question about the comedy or the writing, then the answers will come from people with years and years of experience and success. It’s a very safe place to be.

Q) You’ve gotten a lot of acclaim for your role on the show. You’ve been named “Fresh Face of Fall” by The Insider and EW‘s “So Five Minutes From Now.” How does that make you feel?

A) It makes me very uncomfortable. I’ve never been good at the publicity aspect of work. I’m very flattered, but I am also very confused why they’d pick me out of the cast of people that I am constantly impressed by. I feel like I am definitely not the best out of this group.

Q) What is it about the role that challenges you?

A) Every day is a challenge because comedy really bruises your ego. You come up with a certain way to deliver a line and if nobody laughs then it’s physically painful. Then, you go home and you’re upset about it the whole day. I’m starting to get better at realizing that. In sitcoms, the script is rewritten every single night so a lot of times your joke doesn’t work then it’s gone the next day. It’s hard not to take that personally, but realizing that the writers take it upon themselves to help and it’s not always the actor. You are sort of trying to care for your ego while still being confident enough to try new things.

Q) Do you have anything in common with your character?

A) I’d say we’re both pretty sarcastic. We kind of make fun of people a lot.

Q) What is your most memorable moment from filming the show?

A) Every day we all sit out on Jon Bernthal’s (who plays Duncan) horrible pick up truck. We play music and play football. It’s very strange because it feels like summer camp. It doesn’t feel like work at all. We all get along and miss each other. When we’re not around each other, we want to be around each other.

Q) You have such great comedic timing. Does it come natural or is it something that you work at?

A) Comedy is very difficult, especially this type of comedy (sitcom comedy). It’s more like a song, I would say, then an actual play. You have to hit very specific scenes and wait for laughs. It’s very technical. It’s taken all of us a while to get used to it, but the more I do it the better I feel about it.

Q) Why should viewers take the time to tune into the show?

A) A lot of people really loved “Friends,” but it’s a lot different. I think it’s a lot more appealing because it’s a lot darker and a lot more twisted stuff happens. It’s less like a sitcom and more like a soap opera. There are multiple storylines that sometimes intersect, but certain characters won’t be in the same room as others for the whole first season, probably. It’s sort of like an interesting take on old format. The people on it are really good and the writing is really funny. It’s a solid show and if people give us a chance and watch the show, they’ll like it a lot.

Q) What do you do in your spare time?

A) I read books and watch movies. I watch TV, too. I’m pretty boring.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) Watch “The Class!” I swear it’s really awesome and if you stick with it you’re going to love it, hands down guaranteed! You have my word!