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The O.P. » Articles » Inside the Aztec Tomb

A Tale of Two Sitcoms: Part 2

Will Arnett is a suave, smooth talker, just like the character he portrays. Will’s voice is as hypnotic as it sounds on television; if Will were a car salesman, I’d be itching to buy protective wainscoating. When Will is introduced, he delivers an “oh hey! hey!” in that voice, then promptly explains how he has good news and bad news. The bad news being that they’re going to shut down The O.P. Will flops into a chair, crossing his legs and exposing an awful lot of foot and leg, and prattles off answers to questions not asked. Then, performing a stagey double-take, he stops mid-sentence, and asks, “This is an interview, right? That’s Arnett with one e and two t’s.”

In a moment of seriousness, Will starts to tell a story. Jason interjects, “He knows. He knows everything!” which elicits a laugh out of Will. Will’s story is that he was unable to be in New York for his wife Amy Poehler’s birthday. So her friends came to the site and took a picture of shirt-less Will from Missing Kitty, and blew it up to lifesize, so he could be there with her. The photo is now hanging at Amy’s Upright Citizens [sic] Brigade Theatre.

After Will finishes his scenes for the day, I catch him before he leaves, but, unprepared, I cannot locate the call sheet that I’ve had the other actors sign. As I search through my messenger bag’s eleven pockets, I just can’t seem to find it. Will, understandably perturbed, but still nice, asks, “Having a little trouble there, guy?” I later discover—true story—that I’d accidentally left it inside The Cornballer.

In perhaps the cutest (unfilmed) scene of the day, Michael Cera comes up to me and introduces himself as “Michael Cera.” As if I could somehow not recognize the guy who plays Annyong. Michael is as sweet and adorable as a six-foot-giant not named Shrek can be. He tells me a story about how everyone had forgotten his birthday. Then he visited our site and saw “Happy birthday, Michael Cera.” Awww. How sweet! I just wanted to pinch his dimples, except for the fact that he’s about three feet taller than me and could squash me like a bug. But the moral of the stories is: The O.P. makes birthday wishes come true. Also, please mark your Ladies of Literacy calendar immediately: Michael’s birthday is June 7.

Jason Bateman has been on the set the longest, having had a 6:45 AM call, but is still genuinely entertaining. He makes the crew laugh with a young-Richard Dawson Family Feud impression (alas, for you Bateman lovers, no kissing is involved). He also generally keeps me involved in his antics, such as asking me for my notes on a scene or whether I’m bored after yet another mis-take, but sadly—as my role model John Beard says—a reporter cannot be part of the news.

As Jason finishes his filming, he invites me up to his one-third of a trailer as he changes out of Michael’s suit. In the past, I’ve said that on Jason’s talk-show appearances, he seems aloof and almost condescending. But, I’m happy to be proven wrong, here: in person, Jason’s eyes positively sparkle, his wry smiles revealing his gracefully-aging lines. He speaks warmly, grateful for all of the fan support, hopeful for the upcoming seasons, and most of all, genuinely interested in chatting. Either that, or it’s his best acting job since Spin City.

Sadly, I don’t have a chance to speak with any of the show’s women: Portia de Rossi makes a quick exit after her scene, and Alia Shawkat and David Cross are not on the lot.

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Talk Room

Previous comments:

#1 Lane wrote on October 25, 2004:

AWESOME. :)

#2 Julie Self wrote on October 26, 2004:

You, my friend, are awesome. When you brought up Strangers with Candy I was reminded
of all the cameos (well, I consider them ’cameos’) of all my favorite (good) comedy related
people (Jay Johnston, John Ennis, Jerry Minor of Mr. Show, Amy Poehler from UCB)
and I thought to myself: HOW FANTASTIC WOULD IT BE TO SEE AMY SEDARIS
ON ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT?

You hear that Mitch?! Make it happen!

#3 prufrock2 wrote on October 26, 2004:

Simply amazing.

#4 sunday wrote on October 26, 2004:

Ah,you went !!!That’s so cool I so envy you right now!BUT no Portia de rossi??Ahhh,that sux:(

#5 Rebecca wrote on October 26, 2004:

How jealous am I?? You are so lucky! Great article. I’m glad the experience was so positive...i second the sadness over no Portia. How were you so lucky to get a visit?

#6 Jenai wrote on October 26, 2004:

Wow!! Lucky! Lucky! I’m soooooooo glad you met the cast! Jason seems like a nice guy. I thought he wasn’t the nicest person, but after your trip, he seems very nice and grateful!! God bless

#7 Shelby wrote on October 27, 2004:

Wow, you are soooooooo lucky! Great article............ how’d you get so lucky?

#8 Kate wrote on October 27, 2004:

U are so lucky man!I also thought was too self absorb and smart-ass glad to be proven wrong!

#9 Kate wrote on October 27, 2004:

U are so lucky man!I also thought Jason is too self absorb and smart-ass glad to be proven wrong!

#10 aNGELINA wrote on October 27, 2004:

WOOW!!!You are awsome!I wish I was you right now!I ADORE A.D but don’t like Jason.He is GREAT as Michael but as a person he is not likeable ,to me he comes across as arrogant ,self-centered guy.

You got to talk to Will.NOW he is too cool for school.LOVE HIM,he is funny and kind!

#11 Weird Brother of Prime-rib wrote on October 28, 2004:

wow - great piece... i’m entirely jealous of your opportunity to do this... congrats on a great site... now, i’ve got to get back on educating the world on the greatness that is A.D.

#12 Jessica wrote on October 29, 2004:

Omg!You must be born under a lucky star!!I don’t like Jason too but it doesn’t bother me much beacuse I adore the rest of A.D .You rock!!!

#13 Rosebud wrote on November 03, 2004:

Oh, I totally knew Jason was an awesome guy. He’s even nice to people who go to watch tapings. I’m not one of those lucky ones, but a few people who live in the banana stand area have told me.

Editor, I am more jealous than you’ll never know!

#14 kim wrote on January 24, 2005:

you are the luckiest person that i wished i knew so i could tell you how awesome and lucky you are EVERYDAY.

mitch is a genius. the cast is phenomenal. actually if there is anything above phenomenal...i would say thats them. I’m beyond jealous that you got to meet some of them. I wish the best for both the cast and crew of this tremendous show.

#15 Mander wrote on April 03, 2005:

You are doing the lord’s work I tells ya.

And more jealous than the Green Eyed Monster at a urinal peering at other one-eyed monsters...

#16 Hollus wrote on July 11, 2005:

Great article! Also, I must second Julie Self - Amy Sedaris would ROCK on AD!!

#17 magicalGOB wrote on November 09, 2005:

I’ll third that motion. Amy Sedaris on AD would be freakin awesome.

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