Ron Funches – Undateable

By starrymag | December 5, 2015

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m working on a cartoon that is ready to come out called “Home,” which is based off a Dreamworks movie. I want people to buy my album, which is out on iTunes now. The album just came out and I’m just going back on tour. I’ll be in Chicago for New Years Eve.

Q) What is new with Shelly this season on “Undateable?”

A) Mostly Shelly has just been dating very different starlets, which is fun. I got to get hit on by Meghan Trainor, which was pretty cool. She was a pretty cool person in real life so I liked that a lot. I’ve been doing a bit more, showing more acting. There are popup jokes, more stories about Shelly and I move into the bar. I have a new place to live!

Q) Who would you most like to see guest star on the show?

A) I want to get Missy Elliott on the show. I want her to hang out and teach us all new dances. I would like The Rock. That would be great. Also, Jennifer Lawrence! I met her recently and she was delightful and I want to hang out with her any time I can.

Q) Who would you want Jennifer Lawrence and The Rock to play?

A) Jennifer Lawrence would be my girlfriend and The Rock would be my best friend who has a lack of confidence. He would be like, “I’m tall and handsome with all of these muscles, but I’m just not as charismatic as you Shelly. I can’t get girls like you.” So, I help him and to him I’m like the coolest person in the world. Jennifer wouldn’t just be my girlfriend. She’s still a movie star and stuff, but also she’s Shelly’s girlfriend.

Q) You have great comedic timing. Is it just a natural ability you have?

A) I think so! That’s kind of what I have. I’m not really strong, fast or a good swimmer. All I really have is that I’m pretty funny and pretty charming so that’s what I work with. It’s a gift and I try to hone it.

Q) How does the cast continue to have such great chemistry together?

A) We’re good friends on and off stage. It’s the coolest part of the job, having other people that you respect their comedy and you just like them as people. We just basically stay in a group text at all times going back and forth making fun of each other. I now have a bunch of new friends. I like it!

Q) What were your first thoughts when they told you every episode would be live this season?

A) I thought it was going to be very hard and scary. Sometimes I make mistakes and that made me nervous. It’s really fun and I like being scared. It makes it more thrilling and more enjoyable for everybody. It just kind of captures the fun of the show, which is the fact that we’re just a bunch of really funny people hanging out together making fun of each other. I think that comes across well real live.

Q) Is there any room for improv with the live shows?

A) Your live performance skills kick in and you want to make sure you get the best laugh you can. If something doesn’t feel it is going to work for you then you just try to change it up on the fly, push it and make it bigger. Chris [D’Elia] is really good at that and really good at teaching me to trust my instincts and really just push it as far as I can.

Q) Are there “rules” to the live shows?

A) No, not really. We just kind of fly by the seat of our pants and change as we go. I think that’s one of the most fun parts that we don’t get to see. They’ll go in and change the script on the fly. We’ll improvise something and end up over time, but no matter what we have to get off at 8:30. So, we just have to cut something or change something up really quick. It’s really thrilling and a weird experience.

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from filming “Undateable?”

A) The best parts have been just the puppets. I liked the puppets and, again, Meghan Trainor. She was delightful. I like the different special guests that come in. Mostly, I have always wanted to be on a TV show and I get to do that with a bunch of people that I really enjoy. It never feels like work. It’s just hanging out with my friends. Sometimes it is boring and long, but it’s still fun.

Q) What were some of your favorite unscripted moments?

A) Probably when Candace (Bridgit Mendler) and Leslie (Bianca Kajlich) threw water in Danny’s face when he didn’t know it was coming. Also, Bill Lawrence’s wife Christa Miller played Chris’ ex-girlfriend. It was unscripted and she just came on and grabbed him in the crotch. He didn’t now it was coming and he screamed out, “Oh my God!” It was funny to me because that was his natural reaction. That was probably the time I laughed the most at something unscripted that happened.

Q) What do you think it is about the show that really continues to make it a fan favorite program?

A) People can really tell that we enjoy it and have a lot of fun doing it. We’re genuinely funny people. I don’t know if there is another show that has as many genuinely great comedians and we mix that with the fact we have great writers. It’s just a good show. We have great charisma and chemistry with each other. We really have fun and I think that’s why people are drawn to it.

Q) Is there anything you want to make sure fans know about Shelly?

A) He’s a super cool dude and he’s more than just adorable. He’s a man that has sex with lots starlets and he’s really awesome. He’s really funny.