Jamie Lee Curtis, the legendary actress and Oscar winner, has always had a soft spot for sitcoms, and her passion for the genre is evident in her latest endeavor, 'Newlyweds'. In this insightful interview, she opens up about her journey to creating a sitcom, her love for the format, and her thoughts on the genre's potential comeback. With a unique perspective, she shares her experiences and offers a compelling argument for the enduring appeal of multi-camera comedies.
A Passion for Sitcoms
Jamie Lee Curtis has always had a deep-rooted love for sitcoms. She reveals that her agents have been hearing her plea for a sitcom role for years, and her enthusiasm for the format is infectious. "I’ve always said to my agents, ‘I want to do a sitcom. All I want to do is a sitcom.’ It’s my favorite job, I love the whole part of it, every aspect of it, the dance with the cameras, the idea that you actually get to rehearse something and work it and learn a joke and play it. I just never got to do it." Her passion for the format is clear, and it's no wonder she's now executive producing and starring in 'Newlyweds'.
The Appeal of Multi-Camera Comedy
Curtis is not a fan of single-camera comedy, finding it to be a less enjoyable experience. "I’m telling you, I have begged my agents, and by the way, I did a single-camera, which I hate. Great show, New Girl, very funny. It’s a good show, but doing it is just like doing a movie. You’ve got a camera crew, and nobody laughs. They are silent, and it’s awful, for me, awful. Single-camera comedy is not fun." This highlights the unique appeal of multi-camera comedy, where the energy and laughter of a live studio audience are integral to the experience.
The Genesis of 'Newlyweds'
The idea for 'Newlyweds' came to life during the pandemic when Curtis and writer Gail Lerner collaborated on the project. "Jamie brought me this idea during the pandemic, so we’ve been really generating it for a very long time. And for a million various reasons, it was hibernating for a while, and a