Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet on the antihero and ‘sex board’ that maps a mystery in ‘Laid’
As a seasoned entertainment journalist with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the dynamic duo of Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet has left me utterly charmed by their captivating rom-com, “Mystery Girl.” Their ability to weave together a tale that is not only fresh but also deeply rooted in female friendship is truly commendable.
In the fresh comedy “Laid” by Peacock, the phrase “body count” takes on a chilling new meaning. When Ruby (Stephanie Hsu) learns that her past lovers and casual flings are mysteriously dropping dead one after another, she’s given the challenging mission of discovering what could be behind this string of tragic events. To unravel the mystery, she enlists the help of her roommate and best friend AJ (Zosia Mamet), whose fascination with true crime and knack for using office supplies proves useful. AJ creates “Ruby’s Sex History,” a whiteboard adorned with photos, notes, and yarn, which charts every man Ruby has ever been intimate with. The two friends must crack the case quickly to prevent more deaths from occurring.
From the perspective of a passionate movie enthusiast: “In a league of its own as a contemporary comedy, ‘Laid’ cleverly twists classic romantic comedy arcs while maintaining a refreshingly modern and sex-positive outlook. This unique narrative intertwines grim events like fatalities from sepsis to car accidents with comedic elements such as jokes about Amanda Knox, wedding kimonos, and a Saint Bernard named Ruby Hot Sauce. The series primarily revolves around the romantic escapades and sexual adventures of the central character, Ruby. However, it’s her relationship with AJ that provides a solid foundation for this rollercoaster ride of laughter and at times, perilous memories.
Television
In a nutshell, the TV show “The Peacock,” created by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna, revolves around the character of Ruby, who finds herself in an unusual predicament as her former lovers unexpectedly start meeting untimely deaths, one after another.
Prior to the launch of the show (the entire series is now accessible on Peacock), Hsu and Mamet recently chatted with The Times over a sunny afternoon at Suá Superette on Larchmont. In this friendly conversation, they opened up about everything Ruby and AJ, giggling frequently as they recalled the fast-paced eight-week filming process. They explained what makes this intricate concept feel so genuine, revealed which guest stars almost caused them to crack up on set, and hinted that viewers might be ready for a “distorted, messed-up, dark romantic comedy.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
I wanted to hear about your first impression when you heard the premise of the show.
Stephanie Hsu: I always answer this one first. I want to hear you talk about it.
Zosia Mamet: When I recognized your writing, I immediately knew it would be unique and exceptional, given my familiarity with Stephanie’s work. If I hadn’t known that beforehand, I might have approached it differently due to its complex nature. This series is a challenging one to bring to a satisfying conclusion, being so innovative and thought-provoking. Yet, the fact that it was an original creation, rather than a remake or sequel, made it all the more intriguing and exciting for me.
It’s really thoughtful of you to say that. When you became officially involved, it felt like we were on a mission to safely land the plane together.
Awards
Speaking about himself, ‘Everything Everywhere’ actor shares that he’s been drawn towards the unusual and the twisted over time. He further explains that the script struck him as logical.
It seems you’re both acknowledging how outrageous this concept is and the challenging tone of the show. Given its complexity, Stephanie, how did you manage to strike that delicate balance in portraying a character like Ruby who appears to be a living embodiment of the question “Am I the Antagonist?
Hsu acknowledges that playing Ruby, an antihero protagonist, presents a vulnerability. However, he finds it amusing when people wonder about portraying such an imperfect character. He counters with the question of who is actually perfect, expressing excitement for complex characters. He enjoys the chaos but notes that at her core, Ruby yearns for love. The question she poses – how to find love in today’s world – is an innocent and earnest one that many people ask, he suggests.
[A server arrives with Hsu’s drink, “Ruby’s Love Buzz Matcha.”]
Wow, they’ve concocted a unique beverage for the premiere event. Let me tell you about it. It has hot sauce, matcha, and a comical maraschino cherry stick that resembles a certain shape. Quite amusing, isn’t it? The acting in Episode 2 of this series is something I’ve never experienced before. It was the first day of shooting. One of our prop team members asked, “What do you think Ruby would be drinking?” I replied, “But isn’t this scene set at 10 in the morning?” So it was supposed to be a morning scene, but we were in a bar because, I suppose, AJ is a bartender?
On that particular day, I discovered that I indeed had to serve drinks personally for the first time in my life – a task I’d never before undertaken. Needless to say, it was the most challenging acting experience I’ve ever encountered.
In the script, it didn’t seem fitting for her character to be having a vodka soda with maraschino cherries for breakfast, as it didn’t align with the show’s tone.
Mamet: Didn’t you make yourself sick because you ate so many maraschino cherries?
Absolutely,
“One delightful aspect of enjoying Ruby is witnessing her bond with AJ. Their interactions hint at genuine chemistry between them. Did this connection develop right from the start?
Mamet: Things just fell into place naturally. Our initial Zoom meeting with Nahnatchka [Khan] and Sally [Bradford McKenna], who acted as our guides, was quite amusing, reminiscent of mothers ensuring everything went smoothly. Stephanie, dressed in overalls and a bandanna, appeared on screen, and I felt an instant connection. I believe we share similar creative approaches, being open-hearted individuals. This made the process effortless.
John: I arrived a bit later on the Zoom call. It’s just something I tend to do occasionally. After all, time is an artificial concept. Anyway, sometimes conversations take unexpected turns, and in this case, it was clear that Zosia was discussing her horse. And I thought, “Ah, she understands. That’s neat.
Mamet: We talked a lot about animals in that Zoom.
Hsu: Z is the ideal scene partner I’ve always hoped for in acting school. She delves deep, pouring soul into her performances. AJ could have easily become a stereotypical best friend character, but she made her so multi-dimensional, so brimming with heart and imperfections. We were compelled to dive wholeheartedly into this project alongside her.
In your presence, I’ve always had the sense that there were no incorrect solutions. Regardless of what happened, we would find a way to solve it together.
Ruby seems to be quite disorganized and chaotic, while AJ appears more disciplined and structured. As for Zosia, what was your experience with portraying these contrasting characters?
Mamet: I’d love to express my response in a captivating, theatrical manner, but I’m inherently quite a bodily person. Frequently, I don’t consciously realize when I’m doing it. That might just be a reflection of my acting work, as characters seem to manifest themselves through my body. In hindsight, it does sound quite dramatic, doesn’t it? Yet, upon reflection, it’s more about the rhythm and speed at which they speak. This production was dialogue-heavy, with a fast pace. I suspect that contributed significantly to how it unfolded.
Hsu: It could also be the short skirts.
Those skirts! [Laughter] I thought they were gradually getting shorter and shorter. Absolutely, costumes are crucial. They influence your movements when you can’t sit properly. It was enjoyable, though. A very short skirt. Large boots.
That and an iPad with a stylus, and there’s AJ.
Hsu: Oh, and the sex board!
Right! Can we talk about the sex board? What was it like seeing it on set for the first time?
In the initial discussions about the series, I walked into the writers’ room to find the season’s timeline already displayed. At that stage, we hadn’t set aside funds for props like yarn, but the schedule, including John Early appearing as himself, was already planned out. Witnessing the real-life portrayal of the sex timeline was mind-blowing. The script was hilarious on its own, but filming added an extra layer of absurdity. Scenes such as Josh Segarra being hurled into the air and then landing on a windshield, or observing the actual sex timeline board during production, made it clear that this show had a unique, slightly eccentric tone.
Entertainment & Arts
John Early’s character could be succinctly captured through a single facial gesture: a clenched, yet restrained smile, paired with eyes that burn with suppressed fury.
I’m so glad you brought up John Early because that’s one of my favorite scenes in the show.
When I learned that John Early would be filming, I knew I wouldn’t handle it well. I couldn’t keep my composure. You see, I’ve known John since college. When they presented the schedule in the writers’ room, I inquired if they were familiar with John Early. They responded, “No, we’re just big fans.” However, being acquainted with him, I went home that night and texted him. At that point, the episode hadn’t been written yet. But essentially, we said, “If you want to be a part of it, we’ll write an episode for you.” And he agreed. I’m just relieved I didn’t botch every take because he’s simply one of the funniest people around.
Mamet: And we had Kate [Berlant].
Hsu: That was a hard day, too. She’s just too funny.
Mamet: In that pantsuit, with her hair in a bun.
Hsu’s comment: “There are so many remarkable appearances, from Brandon Perea to Simu Liu. Every actor seemed eager and willing to shine.
Mamet: To come play.
I truly hope the audience experiences a lively and invigorating vibe from the show, as if they have the wind in their hair while watching. It’s been quite thrilling to learn that people are reflecting on past relationships, which is a classic trait of romantic comedies. They prompt us to recall all our previous romances or potential ones. If this thought process begins, then we can say we’ve done our job effectively because, at its core, the story revolves around female friendship. Additionally, it holds an element of mystery. However, we’ve been marketing it as a unique blend of romance, with a dark and twisted twist.
In simpler terms, Mamet suggests that our series aims to portray love realistically, neither as a fantasy nor a harsh reality. Instead, it’s likely to depict a middle ground where no one is flawless and no relationship is perfect. He emphasizes that every individual has their own issues, past experiences, and baggage. So, it won’t always be a day where you wake up with sunshine, perfect hair, and a husband who doesn’t emit any unpleasant gases. Life is just life, and these complexities were something he often pondered over during filming.
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2024-12-19 14:33