Read our exclusive interview with Patrick Fabian, who stars as grocery store boss Rob Parker in CMT’s first original sitcom ‘Working Class,’ which debuts at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2011. The series follows the attraction between Rob and one of his workers, Carli Mitchell (who is portrayed by Melissa Peterman of ‘Reba’ fame), a twice-divorced single mother of three who is struggling to make ends meet in her upper-middle-class neighborhood. Fabian discusses with us, among things, why the series is different from other series he has appeared on, and what it’s like working with Peterman and their other co-star, television icon Ed Asner.
Shockya (SY): You play the role of Rob Diamond on the show, the boss of the grocery store, and you are primarily known for your guest-starring roles on various TV shows. What is it about ‘Working Class’ that makes it different from the other shows you’ve appeared on?
Patrick Fabian (PF): Well, first off, the character’s name is actually Rob Parker. Originally, he was called Rob Diamond, and I think they changed it for a number of reasons. For one, in my mind, Rob Diamond sounds like someone who’s going to steal your money, doesn’t it? He sounds like a skeevy guy (laughs). I play Melissa Peterman’s boss. What’s really fun about being in a sitcom with Melissa is that I’ve played a lot of corporate CEO’s, sort of a**wholes. I’ve played a lot of teachers in my work. But being able to be in a sitcom with her, I get the chance change it up and be funny, which is really great. We have a chemistry. We’re from the opposite sides of the track. I’m a rich guy, she’s sort of more working class, hence the title. But we both find each other really attractive. I think that’s where we’re going to explore our characters down the line.
SY: As you said, you’re working with Melissa, and Ed Asner on the show. What were your experiences like working with them on the set?
PF: Well, you know, Melissa is so funny. She’s the funniest girl on television. She’s also come from improv. She’s quick on her feet. She’s good to go no matter what’s thrown at her. We were shooting the show in a three-day cycle, having somebody who’s really good like that is imperative. She busted me up on set all the time. Ed Anser, by the way, a TV legend, he’s all about the work and all about the funny and making it happen. But he’s fantastic to work with as well. He’s kind of like that crotchety old grandfather that everyone has in their family. Except of course he’s an old softie, and he’d hate me for saying that, but it’s true. He’s a real softie underneath. Working with him was a real fun experience because he’s such a pro. With his experience, you can go ahead and learn from him. He was so funny, and he would steal scenes from me just by doing a look. I would say, “Wait a second, Ed. Get out of my background.” So it was a good lesson.
SY: Why should your fans watch ‘Working Class?’
PF: ‘Working Class’ is CMT’s first scripted TV show. It’s half-an-hour, and it’s just good, old-classic sitcom funny that the whole family can watch. What it reminds me of is ‘Cheers.’ What it reminds me of is ‘Roseanne’ and ‘Everybody Love Raymond,’ that kind of humor. That kind of humor is just not seen on network TV anymore.
SY: There have also been reports that your other comedy show, ‘Gigantic’ on TeenNick, is coming backin March. Is there any truth to those rumors?
PF: As far as I know, ‘Gigantic’ is done. We did about 22 episodes, and I’m not really sure how Nickelodeon, TeenNick, has decided to air them. Is it time for me to report to work again? I’d be glad to show up.
SY: There were rumors that TeenNick would be airing it again.
PF: They started initially airing them on Fridays. Then all of a sudden they stopped and started airing them on Sundays. I’m not sure how they’re deciding to dole them out. Unfortunately, I’m not in charge of the network and can make sure they show up on this time and on this date.
SY: One of your most critically acclaimed guest-starring roles was on the HBO series ‘Big Love’ (as Ted Price). What was it about that series, which is now in its final season, so appealing?
PF: ‘Big Love’ was really exciting, because I got to work with top-notch talent. Bill Paxton and Jeanne Tripplehorn are just fantastic to work with. But with ‘Big Love,’ it’s telling multiple stories really well. I mean, what I like about that hour of television is that by the time the hour ends, it leaves you wanting more. It gets moving really fast in that world, as it should, since Bill’s got three wives.
SY: Why do you think critics and your fans connected to your portrayal of Ted?
PF: Well, you know what, I have friends who are religious who question whether my character Ted was really religious. I like the answer that Ted is an good, old-fashioned Christian that he likes money first, and he likes Jesus second. I think there are people like that. I think that Ted has a world view, if you don’t see it his way, if you don’t interpret the world through the Bible the way he sees it, th then he feels sorry for you. I don’t think Ted is a bad guy. He tries to do the right thing, but it doesn’t always square off the way Bill’s character sees it.
SY: Besides ‘Working Class,’ one of your upcoming roles is in the upcoming sci-fi mystery movie ‘Pig.’ What is it about the film that makes it different from your other movie roles?
PF: Well, it’s with my good friend (writer and director) Henry Barrial. It’s a good, old-fashioned sci-fi movie. It’s sort of like ‘Momento,’ where the character doesn’t know where he is. He has to piece together what’s going on and who he is. It’s certainly a sci-fi thriller, and I play a doctor in it, trying to help this character figure out who he is. That should be out sometime this summer.
SY: Now that you’ve found success on television series and in different movies, do you prefer one medium over the other?
PF: Wow, my standard answer is I love to work. Anything I can add to my resume. If I can work all year in a wide variety of things, I’d be happy. TV is fun, stage is fun. I like the next thing that’s coming up.
Written by: Karen Benardello
