Many (including your very own TV Addict) have called MODERN FAMILY the funniest new show of the season, but so to was THE CLASS (Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s short-lived CBS comedy). Which is why we have to start off this interview by asking the obvious, albeit slightly awkward question. Just how nervous are you to be kicking off the Fall starring in the ‘it’ show of the season, again!
Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Oh God I’m thrilled about the buzz, but I’m trying not to think about it too much because of course it’s terrifying. Not as terrifying as being on a badly buzzed about show mind you (See: Ferguson’s mercifully short-lived FOX ‘comedy’ DO NOT DISTURB), but there is a lot of pressure. Especially among the cast, who were kind of nervous that subsequent episode wouldn’t live up to the quality of the pilot. Thankfully, I can assure you that the episodes we’ve been shooting thus far have been equally as good and the quality we’re maintaining is pretty fantastic.
Were you at all apprehensive about jumping back into series television after your last experience on the aforementioned DO NOT DISTURB?
The short answer is extremely apprehensive. So much so that I was anticipating going back to New York and doing theater and I actually had stuff lined up which I was very excited about keeping my schedule free to do (Fun Fact: That ‘stuff lined up’ was the lead in the musical adaptation of Will Ferrell’s Elf in which Ferguson was slated to play the titular role.) But then my manager called and said, “I’ve got a really great script, just read it.” But he completely downplayed it which was hilarious because we both freaked out after I read it as I wanted to a part of MODERN FAMILY so badly. And everything sort of fell into place. I went out for the role, I got it and I’m so excited. Really this script was the only thing that could have made me go back to television.