Big Day debuts November 28th on ABC at 9 PM EST/PT. I had the chance to talk with actress Stephnie Weir who stars as the wedding planner on Big Day.  The comedy also stars Marlo Sokoloff, Josh Cooke, and Wendie Malick.

You grew up in Odessa, Texas which is a huge high school football town. What was that like? Were you a cheerleader in high school?
Pretty normal. I couldn’t live there now. Not as much culture to offer beyond football.  Yes, I was a Broncette, Odessa High Broncos. The Broncette’s are sort of a poor man’s cheerleader. You have to have money to get the uniform.  We baked cookies and stuff to put in the football player’s lockers.

In college you majored in Women’s studies. What exactly is that?
Minored in it. It opened your mind. Feminist literature. Female gothic literature. Lots of feminist classes.

What was the best part of working on MadTv?
People, the writers. A really fun group of people. Everybody is always ready to create the best scene.

And what was the worst part?
Recurring characters can be tough to write for and create fresh for the viewer.

How long have you been married?
5 1/2 years.

Was there a disaster story from your wedding day?
We had a 9am morning wedding. Then a pancake breakfast. We rented out a hall with a jazz band. We had some big drinkers in the family. No one can get that drunk before noon. So we did that purpose. My husband and I got married in Chicago at the Botanical Gardens in 2001.

Describe your character on Big Day?
Her name is Norma. She is a wedding planner.  She is very timid and shy. Not what you would envision a wedding planner to be. A lovable loser.

What movies are comparable to Big Day?
Wedding Crashers. For sure a comedy.

Will the entire season of Big Day be events happening on the same day?
Not as strict to the time code on 24. You are with the characters the entire day. We wear the same clothes for the entire day.

Why should everyone watch Big Day?
Its a very relatable show. It is very funny. Everyone loves a good show. As a cast we got along so well and had a good time. A lot of the characters are likable. 

10 Items or Less Q&A with John Lehr

I had the chance to interview John Lehr (above center with sweater vest) today about his upcoming TV sitcom on TBS called 10 Items or Less.  John is a co-creator, executive producer and actor on the show.  Chris Payne Gilbert, Robert Clindenin, and Roberta Valderrama co-star with Lehr.  10 Items or Less premieres November 27th at 11pm EST on TBS.

Did you research grocery stores for 10 Items or Less?
No, I wanted to do a work place comedy. We wanted a place that was wide open with lots of nooks and crannies and that would be evenly lit.

Is 10 Items or Less shot in a real grocery store? If so, what is that like?
Yes. Pretty great, it keeps everyone’s ego in check. You see people who are really working. So it is hard to be a prima donna in that atmosphere.

Any unusual experiences?
There was a holdup on the other side of the store. We were unaware. We were so caught up in our own trip. You know a TV show being its own world.  I asked the security guard later if he was ‘scared,’ and he said it happens all the time.  He said everybody steals. He had a totally negative take on humanity.  It’s not who you think would be stealing either. Older couples walking out with Ben Gay stuck in their pocket because they don’t want to pay the five bucks for it.

Is the Greens and Grains similar to a Trader Joes or Whole Foods?
It’s a straight up grocery store. More like an IGA. The show takes place in Dayton, Ohio. We really want to get into Midwestern element without making fun of it. It is a funny show because of the dialogue, not because it takes place in the Midwest. However, it does provide some great circumstances for humor to take place.

You created and star in 10 Items or Less. Do you prefer producing or acting?
I love them both. The reason I went into producing was because no one would do my show, so I just did it myself. I like both because they sort of feed on themselves. It takes me out of the insecure acting side. The acting side keeps me from trying to be too perfect and over managing.  Timewise it is exhausting doing both.

What is the most challenging part of producing?
Being a leader is the most challenging part. Being the boss, being in charge of such a large group of people. Our staff is 150 people. It is hard trying to put people In a position to do their best without being a dick. I try to create a friendly environment.

As an actor is it tougher for you improvising or with a script?
Script. Improv comes very natural to me. My default is to improvise.  I go into an improvising mode and that can be a headache for writers.

How much of 10 Items or Less is improvised?
All the show is improvised. We write it similar to Spinal Tap. We write a very detailed script that deals with story but we never show it to the actors. They show up on set and let it fly. If we do it right the script will naturally happen. Funny happens from spontaneity. We are looking for crazy, zany stuff that only comes out of improv.

Is the concept of working in a grocery store similar to being back in high school, where everyone knows everyone’s business and rumors abound?
Exactly! Everyone has dreams outside the job.  People are working but that is not their dream job or where they see themselves being happy.  All the stuff going on around the job is the interesting stuff. Who is sleeping with who, what is the latest gossip, who is mad at who this week….

Why should everyone watch 10 Items or Less?
Because it is funny and the improv is all well and good. We think the show can be funnier because of the improvising. It is funny in a way that is different. It follows the characters and has a good story to it. The characters have a good story. They feel like people you went to high school with or use to make fun of.

Check out the 10 Items or Less MySpace page
Check out the show’s webpage