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By Suzanne

Liz Meriwether

Interview with Liz Meriwether, creator of "New Girl" on FOX 11/14/11

FBC PUBLICITY: The New Girl Conference with Liz Meriwether
November 14, 2011/2:00 p.m. EST

SPEAKERS
Todd Adair – FBC Publicity
Liz Meriwether – Creator, New Girl

PRESENTATION

Moderator: Welcome to the New Girl Conference call with Liz Meriwether. At this time all lines are in a listen-only mode. Shortly we will have a Q&A session, and instructions will be given at that time.

I would now like to turn the conference over to Todd Adair.

T. Adair: Thank you very much for joining us today. Liz, thank you for taking time out of production to do this. A reminder, New Girl has a new episode tomorrow night on Fox, 9:00/8:00 Central. Tomorrow night’s episode is called “Thanksgiving” and it’s about Easter. No, I’m just kidding; it’s about Thanksgiving, and it begins a three-episode guest star by Justin Long.

Thanks again for taking the time to ask some questions for Liz today, and we’ll start the Q&A.

Moderator: Our first question comes from the line of Megan Masters with TV Line.

M. Masters: I think everyone is loving Nick and Jess on the show, and anyone just wants to see them together. You guys kind of hinted at a little something in the last new episode and it kind of ended on a really sweet note with them. So what can you say about what’s coming up between those two in episodes moving towards the middle of the season?

L. Meriwether: Probably marriage by the end of season one—no.

M. Masters: Yeah.

L. Meriwether: It’s going to go fast and furious. No. I think this show is about male/female friendship more than it’s about— I mean it’s about Jess learning how to be friends with those guys and those guys accepting Jess into their world and becoming friends with her as well, and I think that’s the most important thing. I think both of those characters they’re both coming out of these relationships that didn’t go that well, and I feel like they’re not at the perfect time in their lives to sort of be together. But I think it’s actually more important I think that their friendship kind of blossoms. I just used the word blossom. I don’t think it’s going to be like— I think that that was sort of why we did the episode last week was to kind of address it, but also say it’s not really happening right now.

M. Masters: And the chemistry between the two actors was that just organic and you’re kind of playing on that or did you always think that those two would have a particular connection?

L. Meriwether: They absolutely hate each other. They cannot stand—no. I think they have great chemistry. Everyone on the cast has great chemistry; I think that’s why the show is working. I think of all the characters they’re the two that kind of I think fit together the best, but I think they have a while to go emotionally before they’re going to be at that place. I think, I don’t know, but who knows.

Moderator: Next question comes from the line of Rachel Stein with Television Without Pity.

R. Stein: I wanted to know was it hard to pitch a series revolving around a woman to a network? Was there any resistance on that, because we don’t see as many female centric wonderful shows like New Girl?

L. Meriwether: It wasn’t hard; I felt really actually encouraged by the way the network received the show the whole way through, actually which sounds like I’m sucking up but I’m not. I think the first time I met Kevin Riley, who is the Head of Fox, he said to me I want to keep this female character really unique and I want you to protect here throughout this whole process, which it was really rare and the first time I had really heard that from a network exec before. I actually found there wasn’t resistance to a kind of odd female character at the center of the show, which I found really gratifying, and I really don’t think this show could work if the network hadn’t understood it and really supported it. But yes, I guess that’s my answer.

Moderator: Next question comes from the line of Jean Bentley, Zap2It.

J. Bentley: I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about Justin Long’s character. I guess he’s supposed to be sort of a romantic interest for Jess, and so I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about him.

L. Meriwether: Yes. He’s a music teacher at her school, and whatever the male form of a dork … is. I don’t know. No, as soon as he walks in the door Jake Johnson’s character, Nick, says, “Oh my God there’s two of them,” which I think sort of describes his character. He’s sort of the male version of Jess, and they just immediately sort of hit it off, Jess and Justin Long’s character. But the struggle kind of then becomes Justin Long’s character with the guys and then just Jess kind of dealing with her coming out of a really long six-year relationship and walking into a new relationship.

He carries around a kazoo; that’s one detail that I am particularly proud of. I had to fight for the kazoo is all I’m saying. They tell you to pick your battles, and I decided to … battle—

J. Bentley: You fought for the kazoo. How does his presence affect Jess’ relationship with the guys?

L. Meriwether: I think they’re excited for her to be in a relationship, but I think a little worried that he’s going to be around all the time. But I think ultimately they’re pretty supportive of it. I think one line we cut out was like, “Maybe he’ll tire her out,” or something …. I don’t know if that’s in there anymore.

Moderator: Next question comes from the line of Lisa Paul with Sexyfeminist.com.

L. Paul: You talked about the network wanting to protect Jess. I know that Zooey’s kind of a polarizing figure among women, I was wondering were you worried about alienating women with casting her or have you been happy with how people have embraced her as Jess?

L. Meriwether: I never really realized; I guess before the show came out I just loved her acting and I loved her, I like her music. I sort of just love Zooey, and I never really saw her as a polarizing figure and I still sort of don’t. I think she’s just kind of an amazing actress, and I feel like the character is like a complicated character that has a lot of different layers, and I don’t really, you know what I mean, I don’t— I’ve definitely seen some of the, I guess, criticism, but I haven’t really understood where it’s coming from totally.

I think I was really just writing about myself, and so my main goal is just to give her, give Zooey, really fun, interesting things to do every week, and then just be really honest with myself about the character and really just present an interesting, funny female character on television. Yes. I don’t know.

Moderator: Next question comes from the line of Henry Hanks with CNN.com.

H. Hanks: So New Girl has definitely started to resonate with viewers and there’s been hard to miss that there have been other shows with female protagonists with comedies that have done really well this season. Do you have any thoughts or insight as to why that is?

L. Meriwether: Yes, I’ve been asked this a lot, and I don’t know. I feel so lucky to be a part of it and it really surprised me. It surprised me, and I think it’s great. And I really love how all the different characters in the new comedies with female protagonists they’re all really different, and I think that’s great. I feel like people have a tendency to lump sort of female comedy into one box, and I really love that there are different shows that are doing well right now have just really different styles and really different characters at the front of them. And I personally think that they are all really funny, so I’m just really happy to be sort of a part of this whatever it is new moment I guess.

H. Hanks: Yes. I don’t know if you noticed in recent years some more female show writers and more opportunities for female comedy writers?

L. Meriwether: Yes, I think probably with Bridesmaids and there’s just sort of a feeling, I think, of more trust from the people in charge that women actually want to see shows and movies that are written and created by women as opposed to sort of shows created by men that women are just supposed to like. I feel like that trust just from a business sense is really important for empowering more women creators of shows.

Moderator: Next question comes from the line of Emily Gagne with TV Guide Canada.

E. Gagne: I just wanted to ask specifically about the “Thanksgiving” episode. I was talking to Hannah Simone a while back and she told me—

L. Meriwether: I love Hannah.

E. Gagne: She is great.

L. Meriwether: She’s from Canada.

E. Gagne: Yes, exactly, that’s why I talk to her. But yes, she was saying that you guys have a scene or a gag in the episode that has been never before seen on a holiday episode. Is that true?

L. Meriwether: She’s a good saleswoman. That’s exciting. Yes, I think we have a couple. Yes, there are definitely some surprises in store. Yes, I think the episode is available for you guys to watch, but yes, we have some kind of crazy things that happen in the episode that I’m personally excited to show America and Canada.

E. Gagne: Okay, but nothing—and can’t tell me anything. All right.

L. Meriwether: No. Yes, I don’t know.

E. Gagne: … spoil it.

L. Meriwether: Yes. I mean there is a turkey in the clothes dryer if that entices you—if you’ve always wanted to see what would happen if a turkey were in a dryer then you should tune in.

E. Gagne: I have. But also since Justin Long’s character is a teacher at Jess’ school will we get to see any scenes of her teaching or anything, because I’m kind of interested in that?

L. Meriwether: Not in this episode, but definitely kind of coming up in the rest of the season we’re going to get into her work life definitely. I think in this episode they’re just at school in the beginning really quickly.

Moderator: Next question comes from the line of Kelly Bedard with My TV.

K. Bedard: One of the things I love so much about the show is how real and somehow recognizable a lot of the characters feel, especially Jess. So I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about your character inspiration, maybe how much of you is in your leads?

L. Meriwether: I feel like there’s a part of me in all of them. Maybe not the model of character, but yes, I think originally Jess was based on me, and it was sort of me writing about my male friends that I could have looked around and saw that I had a lot of guy friends and was wondering why that was and what I went to them for that I didn’t go to my girl friends for. And yes, I think I also am super awkward sometimes and occasionally sing to myself and I’m occasionally a douche bag and I do like to hide in hooded zip up sweatshirts and I’ve never played professional basketball in Lafayette, but I’m considering it.

But yes, I think on a more serious note, I think what was really important for us was really making sure that all of the characters felt real and that the show felt real, and we’ve really made that our focus, I think, with all the episodes and sort of the stories and what’s actually going on in the character’s lives. It was really important to us that the audiences could emotionally connect with the characters and really believe that these are real people that are going through these real events in their lives. So I think that really came from my experiences and the experiences of our writing staff, although I don’t think anyone has put a turkey in a dryer.

K. Bedard: I bet somebody has.

L. Meriwether: I’m not sure. I’m not sure.

Moderator: Next question comes from the line Alan James, Fox.com.

A. James: You’ve talked about the “Thanksgiving” episode and I know you have a Christmas episode coming up, and I was just wondering what sort of the challenges are in writing holiday themed episodes. Does it become easier when you have sort of a hook to hang your jokes on; does it become easier or is it harder, what’s your thought on this?

L. Meriwether: Anyone who has watched TV throughout their lives it’s exciting to be kind of like okay I’m writing a Thanksgiving episode. It feels like a sort of tradition to step into. But it’s definitely challenging, because I think there have been so many Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes, so it’s like you don’t want to just go into the same territory. And I think, on the other hand, I feel like they’re such universal holidays that are oftentimes so funny because they are moments when people kind of have to come together, and I feel like all of my best family stories are from Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It’s both; it’s like a fun challenge that’s a little bit scary because you want to do it right, but also it does inspire a lot of stories and a lot of great moments. I think like when we did the wedding episode I think we spent the entire day in our writing staff just going around telling horrible wedding stories. I think it’s like that similar sort of universal moment of comedy the holidays.

Moderator: Our next question comes from the line of Claudia Bax, Voice of TV.

C. Bax: I was wondering in the pilot you mentioned that Jess’ mother lives out-of-town. My dogs are trying to hurt me. So that came up. Is there any idea to develop a family story line for either Jess or the boys, and if you do do you have a preference for a guest actor for that?

L. Meriwether: We definitely might go into their family stories. I feel like there is so much comedy in who Jess’ parents are and who Schmidt’s parents are and who Nick’s. We’re definitely going to do that. We don’t have anything lined up right now, but it’s sort of constantly discussing it in the writer’s room so I’m hoping that that will happen soon. I’m really interested in Schmidt’s bunny costumes and his mother’s experiences.

C. Bax: Any guest actors you would like to bring in?

L. Meriwether: I feel like it’s too soon to say that, because we haven’t figured out exactly who those characters would be yet. There are a lot of guest actors I would love to bring in, but I don’t know yet who would be sort of the perfect people to play Nick or Jess’ parents.

C. Bax: But not necessarily for his parents, just any guest actor for whatever purpose. A preference for say, I don’t know, someone crazy that you would be dying to have in the show at some point?

L. Meriwether: I would really love Sarah Silverman on the show, but I haven’t run that by anybody.

Moderator: We have no further questions.

T. Adair: Okay, great, then we are all set. Thank you so much, Liz, for taking the time out to do this today.

L. Meriwether: Oh, yes, thank you. Thanks, guys. Okay.

T. Adair: As a reminder, New Girl airs tomorrow night at 9:00/8:00 Central on Fox. The episode entitled “Thanksgiving” is currently available at our online media screening room. .

Thanks again, everyone.

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