Shola Adewusi – Bob Hearts Abishola

By starrymag | May 10, 2021

By: Sammi Turano

 

 

Q) How was the character of Olu initially described to you?

A) Amongst other things “aggressive, paranoid and meddlesome!”

 

Q) You have played Olu for the past two seasons. How has the character changed since the show’s debut?

A) Initially she is quite skeptical of Bob (Billy Gardell) – sure that “…nothing good can come of a white man coming to their door…” She goes from that to becoming quite fond of Bob, believing he is the best thing for her niece. Determined that she will not end up alone.

 

Q) In what ways do you relate to Olu?

A) I love feeding people – that is to say I love having friends around and supporting together – chatting and debating – something I have really missed this past year due to COVID restrictions. I also think I understand where she is coming from – there is always a need to find practical solutions to problems which she does to a greater sometimes lesser success!

 

Q) You and Barry [Shabaka Henley] have great chemistry on the show. How do you work on it to make it work on camera?

A) We are quite instinctual I think, we seem to understand one other’s typical responses and it was pretty much there from day one.  We also respect one another greatly which helps a lot.  We occasionally rehearse outside of scheduled times, but I think we understand and respect one another greatly – these partnerships are almost ethereal in nature and can be hard to define, not easily to contrived but can be amazing when it all works out.

 

Q) Olu and Bob are so funny together! Do you two ever improv your work together or is it strictly on script?

A) The writing generally provides us with what we need, and we rehearse closely under the auspices of our great director Beth McCarthy-Miller.  We are, of course, comedy-enabled by quite terrific scripts written chiefly by creators Chuck Lorre, Al J Higgins and Gina Yashere (Gina incidentally put my name forward for the audition never having met me but by being familiar with other work I had done).  Any improv is generally restricted to our physical/non-verbal responses to what has been written for us.  Very occasionally an improv is written into the script itself.

 

Q) The show has three generations living together and in different parts of life. Do you think this is something America can relate to, especially on this day and age?

A) I believe so. There are many communities here who do not or would not dream of discarding or marginalizing the older generation and older and extended family members do tend to help with the younger…

 

Q) Who are some people you would like to see guest star on the show?

A) I’ve said it before and will say it again WHOOPI GOLDBERG – WHOOPI GOLDBERG – WHOOPI GOLDBERG!

 

Q) What are some other projects you are working on?

A) I have an exciting theatre project that I will be doing in New York this summer which should be announced soon!!

 

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

A) Thank you so, so much for watching – we love you all and are going to keep bringing the funnies so keep a good eye on the coming season – it is going to be epic!