Deep Dive
Why did Paul Reiser feel well-balanced as a comedian and actor?
Paul Reiser felt well-balanced because he pursued multiple interests, including stand-up comedy, serious acting, music, and writing. He majored in music in college and played piano, but stand-up was his true passion, and he always aimed to be a comedian.
Why did Paul Reiser start his career in stand-up comedy?
Paul Reiser was drawn to stand-up comedy from a young age. He watched comedians on The Ed Sullivan Show and was influenced by Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner's records, as well as live performances by George Carlin and Robert Klein in New York clubs.
Why did Paul Reiser get cast in Diner?
Paul Reiser got cast in Diner when a casting director, Ellen Chenoweth, noticed him while he was waiting for a friend in the lobby of a comedy club. This led to an impromptu audition and eventually landing a role in the film.
Why did Paul Reiser write the theme song for Mad About You?
Paul Reiser wrote the theme song for Mad About You when he and Helen Hunt were flying to New York for publicity. Don Was, a musician and producer, suggested they write a new theme song, and they did it in a week. Paul played the piano and helped with the lyrics.
Why did Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt agree to do the Mad About You reboot?
Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt agreed to the Mad About You reboot because they saw potential in exploring their characters 20 years later. They wanted to play the older, tired versions of themselves and mine the comedy from their long-term relationship and life experiences.
Why did the Mad About You reboot feel different from the original show?
The Mad About You reboot felt different because the characters were now 20 years older, and the scripts were shorter, with more repetition to accommodate the longer walk times and slower pace of the actors. However, the core of the show remained about the realism and believability of the characters' interactions.
Why did Paul Reiser get nervous when Yoko Ono appeared on Mad About You?
Paul Reiser was nervous when Yoko Ono appeared on Mad About You because he was a huge fan of John Lennon. Despite the pressure, Yoko suggested a simple yet meaningful tagline, 'Give peace a chance,' which they incorporated into the show.
Why did Paul Reiser and his wife, Paula, decide to move to California?
Paul Reiser and Paula decided to move to California when Paula finished her undergraduate studies and planned to pursue her master's and Ph.D. Paul was offered a role in Aliens, which required him to shoot in London, and Paula agreed to move with him, getting a dog as part of the deal.
Why did Paul Reiser start writing books?
Paul Reiser started writing books after an editor approached him during the second season of Mad About You. The first book was based on his stand-up material and the show's themes, and it was a big hit. He found the process of translating stand-up to the page both challenging and rewarding.
Shownotes Transcript