The New Girl PaleyFest panel last night was full of information about where the characters are going and what got them there. While the talk went on for a little over an hour, and much about this past season was discussed, a few tidbits of previously unknown information were released.
Here’s what we didn’t know:
In the episode they go back to Chicago for Nick’s father’s funeral, airing in a few weeks, Zooey will portray Elvis, something, she says, “is a dream come true.” When asked about Nick’s relationship to his family, Jake says, “believe or not he’s the leader of the pack.” Zooey also adds that his family does not take kindly to Jess, but they do not have a problem with Winston or Schmidt.
The episode they began shooting today is a full flashback episode about how they all lost their virginities. Jake Johnson said Schmidt’s happened when he was a “big guy,” meaning he’ll be back in the dorm room. Creator/producer/writer Liz Meriweather added, “he get’s very overzealous with some lube.” They shoot it this upcoming Thursday and Max Greenfield commented he was very excited, to which the audience responded with huge cheers.
Jess’ father, portrayed by Rob Reiner, whom we first met in the Thanksgiving episode, is making a reappearance in episode 24, something Zooey herself didn’t even know until the producers revealed it onstage last night.
Tran, the old Asian man that once comforted Nick via a hot tub massage will make a reappearance in an upcoming episode (that storyline was spawned from a real-life experience producer Dave encountered. He said he had a very similar reaction to Nick in the episode).
On to the details about the previously aired episodes and deeper information about the characters and the show’s production.
Nick and Jess
While the kiss from “Cooler” was not originally in the script, they added it when they realized if they “waited longer it’d start to feel not true.” Zooey likes that it was “choreographed for maximum surprise” and Jake says it was “something [he] wanted for Nick.” The producers fought against the relationship for a long time, but Brett Baer noted “it’s a hard balance” and it’s difficult to find how much and how little to give to the relationship throughout the episodes.
Cece and Schmidt
The moderator noted that the two are going through a rocky patch and asked what will happen to them in the future, to which Hannah Simone had this reply: “shes engaged to another man and you see that as a bit of rocky patch?!” Liz, after rambling about how it’s fun to write for the pair confesses that she’s “basically saying I have no fucking idea” what is going to happen to them.
Max, who was simply on a roll with answering questions in a thoughtful, very un-Schmidt-ish way, thinks his character “had a taste of what love is [that can help him moving forward in relationships].” After pausing, he adds “woah I’m killin it. [Wild applause] hashtag: articulate.” Ok, maybe he’s not completely unlike Schmidt.
The producers did a great job of deflecting questions about Cece’s upcoming wedding – and whether or not it would actually happen. While it sounded like she will be engaged for a while, I think we can all hope Schmidt finds a way to convince her to dump Shivrang (Satya Bhabha).
The recurring characters
As we know, Dermont Mulroney will make a return, but it’s “happenstance that they run into each other,” and it’s during the “worst possible time.” If these pictures taken during filming are any indication, we’re in for a good episode.
Robbie, Cece’s ex-boyfriend and Schmidt’s partner-in-crime is “sort of like [their] Fraiser” as Liz says (if you don’t get it, go watch Cheers on Netflix). They’d like him to come back, but he’s a very busy actor, apparently.
Schmidt’s first name
Will we ever discover his first name? Liz jokes the big twist is that “he’s also named Jess.” Bret actually reveals the audience was so close to find out, they “wrote it into an episode and cut it out because the timing wasn’t right.” Max doesn’t even know what he’d like his first name to be, he likes “just Schmidt.” Jake Johnson adds “like Cher!”
True American
America’s favorite fake drinking game! When moderator Rob asks, “Are there any rules to this damn game?!” the panelists give a wide variety of answers, but all conclude that no, there really aren’t. Lamorne Morris’ rule is to simply “get drunk.” But Zooey says that during the first episode they were making up ridiculous rules, and there is a secret True American song that did not make it into the episode that she knows and we don’t.
Liz’s basic premise of the game: “drink a lot and then don’t walk on the floor. It’s the least dangerous game.”
Well, here’s to hoping there’s a True American episode in season 3 – as Zooey notes at one point, they do have 25 episodes to make and previous plot points will return (other possible reappearances are Future!Nick, Nick’s ongoing novel saga, Z is for Zombie, and his dramatic crime-solving alter-ego, Julius Pepperwood).
It is interesting to note how loose the show seems to be put together; they film much more than what they actually use, and sometimes can change the direction of a story all the way through editing. Zooey apologizes to journalists because she “may have shot it! [But it] does not mean it is airing.” Overall, the show is very much a collaborative effort, with everyone – from producers to writers to actors giving their input on the script and ‘alternative’ lines – pitch in. We can expect a great end to season 2 and hopefully an even better season 3!
Image credit: Paley Center for Media
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