Pooch Hall – The Game

Q.  What are some of the recent projects that you’ve been working on?

A.  I have two films that are going to be coming out.  I have this film that I did with James Keach called Blind Dating, which he directing, that will be out in March.  It has Jane Seymour, Chris Pine, myself and Stephen Tobolowsky.  There is also a horror film that will be coming out this November called Hood of Horror.  It’s got Snoop Dogg, Jason Alexander, Lin Shaye, Billy Dee Williams, Anson Mount and then I have ” The Game.”  I am working on that right now and it’s going to be a great segway for the two.  I think with all of the positive promotion from “The Game” and the films coming out it’s going to be good for me and also be good for the show.  I’ll continue to tack on audience members to say “Hey, that’s that Pooch kid from ‘The Game'” and continue to watch “The Game.”  So, it’s really cool and I think working on “The Game,” I also worked on this series with Spike Lee called “Miracle’s Boys,” were I learned so much that it’s allowed me to take the knowledge and teaching from him to go into projects and do well.  I came to “The Game” a better actor and I owe a lot to Spike Lee.

Q.  You play Derwin on the show “The Game,” what can you tell us about your character?

A.  I play Derwin Davis, he’s a rookie wide receiver who just got drafted to the San Diego Sabers.  I’m a wide receiver but he went to the University of Pennsylvania and he’s just waiting to get his mark, get his time per say to shine on the field.  He’s a diamond in the rough and he’s just waiting to explode so he can help contribute to some wins for the San Diego Sabers.  Also, being a rookie on the football team you have to go through a process of what is called rookie hazing that is unavoidable.  There is no way around it, it’s something you have to do as a rookie.  They have me doing some crazy things on the show to show that this is a process that goes on in this world.  It kind of helps to define my character and lets everyone know my character is human and that I am not exempt from ridicule or good fun.  I love playing Derwin and he’s also a guy when people watch, he’s a guy people want to hang around with.  He’s a guy who fits into the team in that he’s going to be a great asset to the team and to his other costars.

Q.  So, the things that they have Derwin doing aren’t just for comedy’s sake, they are actually things that happen in the football industry?

A.  I mean I played football, I played football for two years at U Mass and in high school.  It’s something that you have to go through.  As far as the rookie hazing; I understand it.  I think just me going through real rookie hazing throughout high school and college it has allowed me to kind of let myself go.  I really feel like I’ve made it to the NFL, FAL in our case, where I’m a professional football player who has to go back to being a rookie again.  I think it’s helped a lot that I’ve actually played football and to go through as I went through as a rookie in a different case to bring it to the screen and really sell the fact that I’m really getting hazed and it really sucks.  But, it’s fun at the same time!

Q.  Sounds a lot like the whole fraternity/sorority hazing.

A.  Absolutely, absolutely!  I don’t care what you hear about people trying to do away with hazing and trying to stop it and put an end to it.  It’s something that goes on where you’re allowed into the brotherhood or sisterhood that makes you one of them.  We’re not taking it to the point where they are shaving my head or taking rocks and throwing them at me.  I’ve gone through some stuff but they actually haven’t really pushed the envelope with the show but I could give you some stories.

Q.  What made you want to be a part of the show?

A.  Well, I would have to say number one the material.  It was right up my alley, I just felt like I was Derwin Davis, I am Derwin Davis.  Seeing the material just jumped right out at me and then you have Mara Brock Akil and Kelsey Grammer involved.  Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that team?  For me, it was something that i was excited to go out for.  Then, to be a part of just goes beyond being excited and happy.  I really feel like I’m part of a great thing.  They have a great track record, I’m a big fan of Kelsey Grammer and a big fan of Tracee Ellis Ross and the “Girlfriends” series.  To be starting something new with the new show and for the new network is beyond me.  I’m so happy, it’s like a dream come true for me.  Growing up as a kid you’re not sure what you really want to do.  Growing up as an athlete I boxed and played football throughout my whole life.  To actually play football on a great show and a great network for some great people; who could ask for anything more?

Q.  Does comedic timing coming naturally to you or is it something that you’re constantly working at?

A.  The comedic timing is something I’m still learning.  It’s one thing when you’re funny, like, “Oh Pooch is really, really funny.”  Then there is like, “Pooch’s comedic timing is awesome.”  A lot of people used to tell me I was funny and I did standup comedy.  Learning the comedic timing on a TV show is different.  When you’re naturally a funny person then it allows you to learn and get the timing down and deliver your lines so you can get that punch for people to start laughing.  That’s something that I’m learning, I’m learning every day and I learn a lot from Tia Mowry.  A lot of my scenes are with her and her being a veteran to this world she’s been showing me some stuff.  We’ve been working well with each other and trusting each other first and foremost to allow us to move as one unit.  She’s someone that I hold in high regards because I trust her and she’s so easy to work with.  So, the comedic timing is definitely coming and I feel as a couple and as a cast we get better as the show gets on.  The writing gets better and once we really started trusting each other it allowed us to move rather freely and easily.  The writers saw the chemistry that we had amongst each other and allowed them to write each character.  It’s just like fitting in a pair of shoes that are yours and you know you’ve won.

Q.  Why should viewers be taking the time to tune in?

A.  I think what we have is something that’s real.  We have a lot of different shows on and I think with us, we have something a lot of people want to check out.  What goes on with athletes and entertainers behind the scenes.  What are their girlfriends thinking, what are their moms thinking.  What are their wives thinking, what goes on in a player’s locker room for real.  I think having those components, I think Mara said “Okay cool, we can touch on some things. But, we’ll make it funny, we’ll make it enjoyable and real so that people can be entertained without being afraid.”  There are also a lot of girlfriends and wives who are married to entertainers and they can imagine what goes on, but at the same time some people don’t want to know the truth and at the same time they do.  I think with “The Game” we can give them a lot of the truth with some humor.  So that some people who are really in it aren’t offended or could be put at ease.  They can be like okay, that is how it is.  I know the writers do a lot of research as far as getting the realness of certain issues that go on with their wives, girlfriends and moms.  I think that’s what is huge because if you have this world, everyone tunes in to the news when they find out something is going on with a football player.  Or a football player and his wife are splitting up or the football player got caught cheating or the mother of the star football player is negotiating a huge deal with a football team, basketball team or baseball team.  Every time that happens everyone tunes in to find out what’s the what in what goes on with that world.  I think with “The Game” people can get a taste of what goes on but on a level where it is enjoyable.

Q.  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A.  I hang out with friends and play basketball and work out.  I just try to catch up on rest, it’s one of those things where it’s such a grueling job.  People think, “Oh you’re on TV, you’re doing a sitcom, you look like you’re having tons of fun.”  I am, that’s what makes me do this stuff.  My father said to me, “If you find a job you love you’ll never work a day in your life.”  And I’m not working, I’m having so much fun.  It’s like going to the sandbox every day and playing with your best friends.  In my spare time I do have to catch up with rest, I do look to my family to give me that sense of peace and balance.  To unleash I play basketball and work out just to let go.

Q.  A lot of people don’t understand how grueling those schedules can be!

A.  Can you please let them know, it’s “The Game” but it’s not a game!  I bust my butt but I have fun doing it.  When you work with a great cast it makes it that much better.

Q.  What would you like to say to the shows fans and supporters?

A.  I would like to say to the fans thank you to the ones who are tuning in.  To the ones who haven’t caught on to “The Game,” check it out because you won’t be disappointed.  Everyone on the cast is very thankful and it’s a great bunch of people to support.  There are no egos, there are no jerks.  It’s a great bunch of people together trying to put out a great show.  The ones who are watching thank you for watching and I hope you continue to watch.  The ones who haven’t caught on, check out “The Game,” it’s definitely what’s up.