This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Brittany Curran outside the Saban Theatre during PaleyFest2010's "Men of a Certain Age" night [Photo provided by Brittany Curran]
Brittany Curran plays Lucy Tranelli, the daughter of Ray Romano's character, Joe Tranelli, in TNT's excellent "Men of a Certain Age" (aka #MOACA) which just finished its first season a few weeks ago. We met and interviewed Curran just after the SAG awards and were very happy to see that she was going to be part of PaleyFest2010's "Men of a Certain Age" panel on the 12th. We asked her a few questions to find out from a first-timer, what it's like to be a part of a panel being honored at PaleyFest.LAist: What did it feel like to be part of a show highlighted at PaleyFest? Was it a surprise for this to happen after concluding just the first season?
Brittany Curran: I must say, seeing [series creator] Mike Royce's face up on the big screen in all it's glory and perfection was quite a treat. But really, it was an honor. It's funny, I go to set everyday, enter my character's world, and forget to think to myself, "Hey, I'm on a hit TV show!" When I found out that MOACA was being highlighted at the PaleyFest it was an awesome reminder that people really do watch the show and other professionals in the industry respect it. It happened so quick, I still feel like it was just last month that I was jumping up and down in the "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" production office; when my manager Irene Dreayer told me I booked the role.
LAist: Had you been to any of the other PaleyFest nights? [If not, which one would you have liked to go to?]
Brittany Curran: MOACA night was the only one I went to. But I REALLY wish I had gone to the "Glee" night! I'm obsessed with that show, I'm a self-proclaimed "gleek." The "Glee" production office is right above ours on the Paramount lot. One night when I was done shooting MOACA I went for a walk down Paramount's New York Street and saw, through a window, the whole "Glee" cast rehearsing. After my excitement-induced heart attack subsided I just watched them rehearse for a few minutes, but feeling like a stalker, I continued on my way. I want to be on that show SO bad, someday I should stroll on up to their production office, act like I'm lost, and "accidently" give my picture and resume to Ryan Murphy. :-) However, I would much rather be attending Paley as a "Men Of A Certain Age" cast member because of the quality of the show, the amazing cast, and the fact that it is an intelligent show that appeals to an intelligent audience. It was really an honor to be standing on the Paley red carpet next to Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher (Ray was in N.Y.). I mean, please, is this real and am I about to wake up?!
LAist: What was the best question asked by fans?
Brittany Curran: One fan asked if Joe's (Ray Romano) family members would be highlighted in the second season and would more emphasis be placed on his family. I would love that because my character, Lucy, and her relationship with Joe/Dad, could be explored more. I also liked the answer that family relationships and dynamics would be a bigger part of the overall story line of season two! Robert Loggia played my grandfather, Ray's dad in season one, and that was pretty awesome. I'd also like to see how Lucy interacts with the rest of her family. I know Lucy gets along with Joe for the most part, but it would be fun to see her teenage angst come out more, and; to see how her and Joe/Dad navigate through the ups & downs of a daughter going through adolescence and a dad stumbling through male menopause! A potent combination. I did get to yell at Ray once in season one, which was a big highlight for me. OK, I've strayed from the best question to my wishful thinking.
LAist: What question do you wish the fans would have asked?
Brittany Curran: Well, if I'm going to be self-indulgent I'd say I wished someone asked if Lucy will have any great boyfriend/kissing scenes in season two. We've had enough middle-aged love scenes, let's youth it up! Haha I'm only half-joking. That's a lie. Of course the audience wants to see a Lucy love scene, with Joe dramatically breaking through the door to save his daughter. Wouldn't you like to see Ray in a fight scene?!
LAist: What perspectives on the evening did your cast-mates give you?
Brittany Curran: I know that everyone really enjoyed that evening. It was great being able to see the show up on the big screen. Each show really is like watching a 60 minute film. Seeing the guys interact on the red carpet and during the Q & A reminds me of how they are on the set and the mutual respect. My dad keeps telling me I'm lucky to be working with such talent & pros and such a "streamlined" production.
----
Check out Brittany's website for more info on what she is up to. We are looking forward to seeing more of her in the upcoming season of "Men of a Certain Age" - easily one of the best shows to appear last fall.
Brittany Curran and co-star Scott Bakula during PaleyFest's "Men of a Certain Age" night [Photo provided by Brittany Curran]
Brittany Curran at Hollywood Cares fundraiser the night after the 2010 SAG Awards [Photo by Thomas Attila Lewis]
