Wendi McLendon-Covey’s side job kept her grounded and fed into her role on ‘St. Denis Medical’

As a writer, I find Caitlin’s character to be a fascinating exploration of resilience and survival in the face of adversity. Her life experiences have shaped her into a complex individual who embodies both strength and vulnerability. The depth she brings to her characters is truly commendable, and it’s no wonder that viewers find themselves drawn to her troubled yet relatable characters.

Prior to landing the role as the overbearing mom Beverly Goldberg on “The Goldbergs”, Wendi McLendon-Covey had another job alongside her acting gigs in movies like “Bridesmaids” and shows like “Reno 911!”. This additional job was working part-time as an editor for a social work journal at Cal State Long Beach. This experience has now been used to develop her latest character: Joyce, the hospital executive director in the NBC mockumentary sitcom “St. Denis Medical“, which premieres on Tuesday with two episodes.

McLendon-Covey states during a Zoom call prior to a photo shoot for this article: “These individuals aren’t driven by money; rather, they have an overwhelming desire in their hearts to help others. They are willing to work beyond their scheduled hours and do things that many of us wouldn’t dare or can’t stomach.

In the show produced by Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin, Joyce isn’t the one performing surgeries, instead, she’s tirelessly working to keep Oregon Hospital afloat. Despite her ambitious plans, they often seem impractical for the hospital. The character isn’t a duplicate of the energetic Goldbergs matriarch, but she showcases the actor’s talent for portraying weariness humorously with her buttoned-up demeanor and pantsuit style.

In a chat with the Los Angeles Times, McLendon-Covey discussed the traits she seeks in a fresh role, her fascination with portraying characters inhabiting haunted hospitals, and her affection towards bringing to life a character with a pitiable personal background. The dialogue has been tidied up for improved understanding and brevity.

After completing numerous seasons of “The Goldbergs,” what thoughts did you have regarding your next project or venture?

After wrapping up the role of a mother, I felt it was time to explore something drastically different. Rather than repeating the same warm and fuzzy characters, I wanted to dive into something darker, like the American adaptation of “Happy Valley.” However, soon after we received news that our show wouldn’t be renewed, I stumbled upon a script for “[St. Denis Medical]”. Initially hesitant, I decided to give it a read. Upon discovering the character of Joyce, I felt drawn to her. She’s mad yet not affectionate – a departure from my previous roles. I thought, “Why not try something new? Let’s see if it gets picked up.” Turns out, I really enjoy delving into Joyce. She’s an odd character, but she’s incredibly skilled at her job despite her questionable people skills.

What does being exhausted by playing the mom feel like?

Bev’s intense nature was overwhelming at times, and her character left me feeling drained after a while. However, any latent maternal instincts within me were fully fulfilled by this character. I have experienced those emotions now, so I don’t feel the need to act on them in real life.

What spoke to you about Joyce?

As I watched Joyce navigate her way through yet another day in the medical profession, I couldn’t help but recall some women I’ve known from different walks of life. Women who had entered their respective fields with genuine passion, only to find themselves disillusioned and running on autopilot as they approached retirement. It got me thinking – what next for Joyce? Would she abandon ship and seek a new career? Not likely. This profession has been her life’s work, her baby, and she intends to see it through until the very end.

On the surface, she seems to embody red tape, but there’s a depth to her character that becomes apparent in the second episode. What were your thoughts when portraying this aspect of the character?

That whole episode talks about work-life balance and how there’s our work face and our home face, and you don’t mix the two. Personal problems do not come to work, but how can they not? That’s so unrealistic. That’s a very old-school, like 1980s way of being at work. Of course your personal life is going to come into your professional life when you’re working more than 60 hours a week. I remember when I worked regular jobs, which I did for a long time up until I got “The Goldbergs,” I had a side job.

Even through “Reno 911!” and “Bridesmaids”?

Absolutely, one hundred percent. It’s that sense of, “I must complete this task. Despite the chaos swirling around me, it seems I’m alone in my struggle. I need to press on, hide my vulnerabilities, lest I appear weak.” How strange it is that we resort to such thoughts just to make it through each day.

What did you do for your side job?

For approximately two decades, from around 2000 until just before “The Goldbergs” premiered, I held a part-time position editing a social work journal at California State Long Beach. This role occupied about 20 hours of my week and provided me with much-needed structure in my life. I felt it was crucial to disseminate stories from the field of social work. I have a deep affection for these professionals, as they are not driven by financial gain but rather their passion for helping others. It was amusing to transition from this role into academia and overhear the routine struggles of campus life, such as the advice “Don’t microwave broccoli; it stinks up the entire office.” Occasionally, I would peek into that world and be reminded of the authentic, everyday challenges faced in an average workplace.

What was it like stepping into the mockumentary style?

In “St. Denis Medical,” I found myself facing an unusual challenge – talking directly into the camera during a conversation. It’s not something I’m accustomed to, and initially, it felt quite strange. However, as I continued watching, I realized that this unique approach adds a layer of intrigue to the production.

What was it like getting to know the cast on “St. Denis”?

Previously, they often prepared for the production by conducting chemistry tests and getting to know cast members beforehand. However, this time, it was more spontaneous: “Alright, we’ve picked everyone. Let’s get started!” It felt like our first table read was when we really met each other. The energy was intense, with everyone eager and ready to collaborate. Fortunately, everyone turned out to be incredibly cool. Notably, David Alan Grier, a longtime favorite since “In Living Color,” and Allison Tolman, who is simply divine. Each cast member brings their own unique flavor, like individual spices in a spice rack.

What was the hospital set like?

The hospital set appears so authentic that it makes me hesitant to even touch anything. Fortunately, we have top-notch medical advisors who guide us in making our performances seem believable when dealing with procedures like drawing blood or learning medical terminology. As an administrator, I’m fortunate not to have to perform these tasks myself; instead, my focus is on insurance matters, payments, fundraising – areas that are crucial to get right. Still, I can’t help but wrinkle my nose and wonder, “What’s in that jar?” Yes, we filmed the pilot in a real, albeit abandoned and rumored to be haunted, hospital.

And haunted, you said?

Indeed, I made that statement. The hospital in downtown L.A., known as St. Vincent (which is owned by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong), has been shut down. However, everything inside – the equipment, beds, and various items – were left untouched. They’ve recreated an exact replica of this on a soundstage.

When you were shooting at St. Vincent, did you feel like it was haunted?

As someone who spends a lot of time watching TikToks featuring abandoned hospitals, I found myself compelled to explore such a location. However, the site representative cautioned against straying too far, sharing an eerie experience, “I used to be skeptical about spirits, but since taking care of this place as a babysitter, I’ve come to hear strange voices when I’m here alone.

Joyce could be framed as the villain of the show, but she’s not. What’s your take on that?

She is the penny pincher, and she’s the motivator for keeping everybody’s spirits up, sort of. And she is annoying. So yeah, she could absolutely be a villain. I’m not saying that she isn’t. She ends up being the scapegoat sometimes because people who are in charge are just going to be the scapegoat. She has to deliver unpleasant news a lot of the time to the staff. So that does feel weird sometimes, that Joyce is moving through the world knowing that a lot of people don’t like her. But I think the way they don’t like her is maybe an annoying family member that you’re like, “OK, you bug me, but you’re ours.”

Why do you love playing people whose personal lives are sad?

I love watching those people. I think we all do. That’s why reality television is so popular. For some reason, there’s something in me that loves playing characters who make you scream at the television saying, “Why did you do that?” I don’t know. I guess it’s a character flaw on my part. There’s something wrong with me.

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2024-11-12 14:32