Hypable got the chance to visit the set of ABC’s fresh new comedy, Mixology, and after watching the show, we’ve got the scoop on what you can expect tonight. Our conclusion: start getting excited.
Created by the writers of The Hangover and starring some fan favorites from Glee and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Mixology premieres tonight at 9:30pm EST on ABC. We’ve talked to Mixology‘s writers, and chatted up its stars. Here’s what you need to know about network TV’s coolest new show this spring:
It was created by the writers of ‘The Hangover.’ And it shows.
A little bit naughty with a whole lot of heart, the show manages to organically balance both it’s intellectual irony and lowbrow bathroom humor by really focusing and caring about its characters. Relatable, flawed, and most importantly, funny, each of the ten characters on the show are looking for love in this New York bar, but most importantly, they’re looking for self-validation. And yes: the show is actually laugh-out-loud hilarious.
It’s VERY different from any network comedy you’ve ever seen before. And that’s a good thing.
Everyone working on Mixology from the producers, to the writers, to the actors are very aware that they are venturing into new territory with this show, but they’re excited to shakeup primetime, and try something that’s never been done before. Set in a New York City bar, the entire first season takes place during one night. Each of our ten unlucky-in-love heroes and heroines are on a mission to make the magic happen, and their deadline is closing time.
How much drama can really go down in one night — and is it enough to sustain a whole television season? We’ve seen the first three episodes and can assure that the rollercoaster of emotions is already beginning, but the executive producers have told us that as the season (and night) goes on, the stakes will only be raised. As the night wares on, and people drink their feelings away, secrets will be revealed, and people will become more open and honest.
The heavy use of flashbacks also provides a fascinating way to become invested in the characters in the bar. Though they’re all dolled up and putting on their best face this Friday night, we get to see them at their most vulnerable (literally…) and by learning their back story can spot the relationships they’re building and working through that night, and how the choices they make tonight will fit back into their lives.
The writing is spot on. The actors are gold.
Witty and refreshing, the writing on Mixology feels contemporary, unpretentious and a little bit different, in a good way. Additionally, the writers on Mixology have chosen to write to the actors’ strengths — and it shows. Once the casting was completed, they used pieces of the actors’ true selves in the characters, and wrote the character to fit the actors’ voices — even if it meant adjusting their original vision for the character. For example, the character of Ron — now a swoon-worthy Brit — was originally imagined as a geeky tech guy.
Part of the writers’ philosophy is to let the show develop organically, and so besides working with the actors to refine the characters’ personalities, they also encouraged improvisation amongst the cast. Although the actors do read the script as it is written, they are also given a little leeway to play around with the material to make the setting feel more organic. And speaking of organic chemistry: the actors’ chemistry with their characters ultimately decided who ended up together, and because the chemistry is continuously evolving, the people we’re rooting for at the start of the season, may not be the couple that end up together in the end.
With that being said, let’s meet the cast of colorful characters:
The Characters
Maya—“The ballbuster”
Maya’s looking for a real man tonight — though she doubts there’s any left in New York these days. A tough sports attorney with more cojones than the basketball stars she both dates and represents, she worked her way up and out of her rough neighborhood by “manning up.” And with the exception of her sweet friend Liv, Maya’s disdain for the wimpy weaknesses of human nature has pretty much left her an isolated loner.
Bruce—“The animal”
Bruce is kind of disgusting. He’d tell you so himself. Best friends with Tom and Cal since college, he’s grown up being the runt of the litter, and learned to make up for his lack of obvious attractions by using honesty as a weapon of humor.
Kacey—“The party girl”
The peppy cocktail waitress who knows just the right thing to say to brighten a customer’s day, Kacey has spent her life looking on the bright side. After getting dumped by the love of her young life, she decided she was done with commitment, and decided to stick to casual flings. The problem is, she kind of can’t stop hooking up with the sexy bartender…
Tom—“The nice guy”
Tom is at the bar because he got dumped by his college sweetheart and girlfriend of eight years. Needless to say, he’s a little heartbroken and unprepared to enter the world of Manhattan singles. A sweet guy who has a way with moms, Tom is the perfect boy-next-door that All-American girls doodle in their binders over, but unfortunately, that also makes him the absolute least hip person in this New York City bar.
Cal—“The romantic”
Married and divorced three times by the age of twenty-seven, Cal falls in love too quickly for his own good. Tonight his wingmen are his two college buddies, Tom and Bruce. The best of buds, these three bond over Downton Abbey and the jungle that is New York’s singles scene.
Jessica—“The single mom”
Jessica had big dreams of being a fashion designer with her best friend Fab, but ended up a single mom living in New Jersey with her two kids. She’s pulling out all the stops tonight to give herself the special night she deserves, but unfortunately the world keeps barfing in her bag.
Ron—“The cad”
Ron was rich this morning, but then he lost 17 million dollars and things haven’t been looking so on the up and up. A charming little British hustler, Ron lived the American dream as a self-made millionaire… until his Internet start-up crashed this morning. Tonight, he’s just trying to drink his problems away and find someone who can spare him a piece of gum.
Liv—“The bride to be”
Liv has been playing it safe all her life, always careful to never cause trouble, and now that she’s engaged to a bore, she’s finally starting to regret it. The dash of sugar to her friend Maya’s spice, she’s tempted to start making some mistakes and live a little. At the very least, tonight will be a test in choosing between what is exciting, and what is easy.
Fab—“The fashionista”
Fab is living the life she and Jessica always dreamed of: glamorous fashion shows and fabulous friends. But behind her pretentious façade lies another Jersey girl just trying to prove herself in the world. She doesn’t have time for lasting connections. Will she make one tonight?
Dominic—“The hot bartender”
Dominic has been beautiful since birth. The 34 year-old head bartender at Mix, he once had aspirations for music, but now settles for swooning the young cocktail waitresses. His life is starting to feel a little empty though. Can being the most beautiful person in the room ever just be enough?
So who will find love and who’ll go home lonely? Start building your favorite ships already; we’ve got till the end of the night to find out.
Mixology premieres tonight, Wednesday, February 26th at 9:30pm EST on ABC.