(Back left to right) Jon Cryer, Abigail Spencer and Donald Faison comedically co-parent in … [+] ‘Extended Family.’
“This is different in quite a few ways,” explained Donald Faison from the set of his latest show, the sitcom Extended Family. “For one, it’s never taken two years for a show to premiere.”
As the words left his mouth, his co-leads Jon Cryer and Abigail Spencer broke into hysterical laughter. It’s funny because it’s true.
“We shot the pilot, got picked up, and then NBC said, ‘It’s not for this season. We’re picking you up for next season.’ I don’t know if you remember the trades, but I remember that was all over them at one point,” Faison continued. “We came to work, shot six episodes, and then the strike happened, so we went down again, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s it, I guess. We get the six and will premiere on NBC at some point.’ Never has there been so much uncertainty as there was surrounding when we would be coming on television, and now it’s really exciting.”
Extended Family, created and executive produced by showrunner Mike O’Malley, is the story of Jim, played by Cryer, and Julia, played by Spencer, who get divorced amicably and opt to raise their children in a home and alternate who takes care of them. Faison plays Trey, Julia’s fiancé, who owns Jim’s favorite sports team. Extended Family, loosely based on the real lives of co-executive producers George Geyer, Emilia Fazzalari and Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, premiered on NBC on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
“That experience with the show was something new, but other than that, I’m working with two really extraordinary actors,” Faison enthused.
“Way better than Zach Braff,” Cryer joked. “That’s another thing.”
“But he’s a much better director,” Faison shot back. Cryer has helmed several TV episodes for shows, including Mom and Two and a Half Men, in which he also starred.
“I went to the same summer camp as Zach, so there’s a lot of bad blood,” Cryer joked.
“I had never heard of this until I met Zach,” Faison continued. “There’s a camp in upstate New York called Stagedoor Manor. I didn’t know kids went to theater camp until I met Zach, and when I asked Jon if he went, he was like, ‘Oh, yeah. I went to theater camp.’ I went to a regular camp with canoes, cabins, and rowboats.”
It wasn’t the only thing hidden from the cast and the show’s audience. Spencer, known for roles in shows such as Suits, Timeless, and Grey’s Anatomy, has relished the opportunity to play and embrace her comedic side.
“You’re right. It’s not something I’m known for, but I have done a lot of comedy, but it’s just not known,” Spencer explained. “This is so exciting for me because now I get to be known for it and not keep it as my dirty little secret.”
“She’s a dork, and she’s been a dork for many years,” Cryer interjected.
“Thus, I’m hilarious and letting my inner dork out,” Spencer laughed.
(Left to right) Donald Faison as Trey, Abigail Spencer as Julia, Jon Cryer as Jim in the pilot for … [+] ‘Extended Family.’
Something Cryer, also known for performances in films such as Pretty In Pink, Dudes, Superman IV, and Hiding Out, embraces is the label of being an 80s icon.
“Jon shaped culture,” Spencer explained.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have done movies during that time,” he responded. “It was an amazing time for young actors, and the filmmakers gave us enormous leeway. It was incredible, and I’m proud of it. I had a great time, and I met a lot of wonderful people. When it comes to Ducky, my character in Pretty In Pink, I’m glad to have done a character that resonated with people and they still refer to.”
“It’s the same kind of situation on this set because there’s just a wonderful camaraderie because we all came to this with different areas of fun. The chemistry has kept it together; we’ve just had a great time making this Extended Family. We’ve been finding the characters, and that’s been an amazing process to watch happen. Mike, our showrunner, is also an actor who takes stuff from our lives and how we feel about things and incorporates it into who we are on screen.
Spencer has found it “beautiful to be led by an actor” like O’Malley because he “understands the process and what we go through.”
“It makes me bring all my best and my messy to the scenes. As you so lovingly pointed out, I’ve never done comedy before; I really wanted to do the show. I wanted to be in this format,” she said. “I grew up watching Mary Tyler Moore, Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers, and Two and a Half Men. I did wanted to work with the best and I got it. Jon and Donald are the best scene partners, so we get to play; they welcomed me into the format and have been so patient.”
“She’s so full of s**t, dude,” Faison laughed. “I remember watching her when we were doing the pilot and being like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to get my stuff together. This new girl is kicking my ass.'”
(Left to right) Finn Sweeney as Jimmy Jr., Sofia Capanna as Grace, Jon Cryer as Jim, Abigail Spencer … [+] as Julia, Donald Faison as Trey in ‘Entended Family.’
Another rare treat that Extended Family offers audiences is two bald leading men. Not only that, but a woman who finds, or found, them desirable and sexy.
“It’s true,” Cryer agreed.
“I appreciate you saying that. First of all, thank you very much,” Faison added. “I think if it weren’t for Michael Jordan, none of this would be possible. If Michael Jordan hadn’t dominated with a bald head, none of us would be able to. We’d be shunned. We would have to hide with toupées, wigs, or whatever, but Michael Jordan, the man that he is playing basketball, made it so that the bald head is sexy, so now you have the lovely Jon Cryer, the lovely Donald Faison, and you.”
“And what’s really great,” Spencer concluded, “is that I get a team of five doing my hair because they don’t need it.”
