5 Questions With Nicole Sullivan

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Certain actors have locked in lifetime loyalty with me based on previous projects or their general fabulousness. In the case of Nicole Sullivan, both apply, and my enduring love for the comedian is leading my TV to new pastures. Namely, Nickelodeon!

Starting this Saturday, Sullivan stars alongside iCarly's Jerry Trainor on Nickelodeon's newest series, Wendell & Vinnie. The two play siblings whose brother dies, orphaning his 13-year-old son, Wendell. That is until the court makes the immature Vinnie Wendell's legal guardian, much to the shock of all involved. I caught up with Sullivan to find out why comedy is where her heart lies and why people should be excited about her latest series!


ETonline: What appealed to you about this show?

Nicole Sullivan: Working with Jerry Trainor was the first thing. He is such a ridiculously talented guy; so funny and can mine comedy from anything. And I've been around long enough that I don't want to work with jerks anymore. I really like the people at Nickelodeon. They're kind and that's a big deal to me at this point.


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ETonline: Must also be nice to be on a show your kids can watch.

Sullivan: Yeah. Although, I've just started showing them the cartoons I do voices in and they're startlingly unimpressed [laughs]. They're very "meh" about it. I think a kids instinct is not to enjoy their parents in any capacity.


ETonline: How do you describe your character, Wilma?

Sullivan: She's a hard-nosed, successful lawyer. At one point she decided she would be successful no matter what, and that no matter what is coming back to haunt her: she's single, has no family and I think she longs for that, but it's not quite in her DNA yet. She's ticked off they left Wendell to her brother because, growing up, she always felt like their parents loved her brother more. Like she got the raw end of the deal -- but at the end of the day, she understands that their match is meant to be.


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ETonline: Wendell films in front of a live audience while Cougar Town (on which she has a recurring role) does not. From an acting perspective, is one superior?

Sullivan: They both have their advantages. With single camera, you can do one line 12 different ways -- just wildly different takes. But with a live audience, you want to make sure they have the coverage they need and the performance you want. But I must say, the joy of hearing an audience laugh is unequaled


ETonline: What are you excited for people to see with Wendell & Vinnie?

Sullivan: To be super simple, but super honest about it, this show is really, really funny. It's just four actors who are really good at telling jokes, so if you want a good laugh, tune in -- you won't be disappointed!

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Wendell & Vinnie
premieres February 16 at 8 p.m. on Nickelodeon.