Conference Call with “30 Rock” Guest-Star Vanessa Minnillo is a Refreshing Change of Pace
You might know Vanessa Minnillo as 1998′s “Miss Teen USA”, or for her many co-hosting and hosting duties for MTV, including Total Request Live or MTV’s Prom Date. Or maybe you recognize her as the NY-based correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. However you know her, you may be surprised to hear that Minnillo will be seen as a guest-star on NBC’s 30 Rock, which will air this Thursday, February 3, at 10pm on NBC.
I had the opportunity to take part in a conference call interview session with Vanessa the other day about her upcoming work on the 14 Emmy Award-winning show, and let me tell you, this is a woman with a delightful and bright personality. Here are some of the questions that were asked, and her responses:
Question: How did this guest-starring role come about, and were you nervous auditioning for it?
Answer: Yes! I was very nervous. You are talking about
Tina Fey here, and this amazingly talented, funny group of people. I was so nervous that I actually made myself sick over it. When they called and asked me to fly out for an audition, I couldn’t make it, because we were in the middle of our engagement party. (Vanessa recently became engaged to musician
Nick Lachey.) So I ended up putting my audition on tape. To play this character, I had to put it all on the line and really make a fool of myself. I had Nick watch it and he thought it was great. I remember thinking ‘They are either going to find this really funny, or think I am insane.’ They called the next day and said I had the job.
Question: Can you tell us a bit about the character you play, and does it allow for future appearances on the show?
Answer: Well, without giving too much away, yes it does. That’s what’s so great about this show. The door is always open for characters to reappear because of the original way it’s written, so I’m just putting my faith in the TV Gods that they have me back. As for the character, her name is Carmen Chao and she is a co-worker of Avery’s (
Elizabeth Banks). Carmen is competitive, outspoken, driven and very honest; and she throws a big monkey-wrench into the lives of both Avery and Liz Lemon (Tina Fey). The storyline involves a fake pregnancy and a real pregnancy.
Question: Any stories or memorable moments on set?
Answer: Well, I just keep thinking of Tina (Fey), and how this is her show and it all revolves around her, and how she is such a powerhouse woman and a mother and all these things. But I love that despite all of that, she is still so real. She is still so her – and that no one was able to take that from her. During filming, she came in all excited and happy about these new snacks she had found, and how she wanted us all to try them. I just remember in between scenes, her getting up and running to her trailer like a little girl, all excited to get these snacks for us to try. She was so giddy about such a simple thing. Snacks. I know it sounds like a lame thing to remember, but it just made me so happy to see her with all these roles and pieces of her personality, getting thrilled over treats.
Question: Was it hard to develop an immediate chemistry with the cast, seeing as how you shot the episode in only one day?
Answer: No, it really wasn’t, because it’s like a whirlwind on the set, things happen so fast that you’re just in it. Tina Fey and everyone else immediately takes you under their wing, and makes you feel like one of the family. They are all such warm people, that it just happened organically. I can’t say enough good things about these people. I want to be their best friend. (laughs) To be a part of this experience is still so surreal to me. I still can’t believe I’m going to be on 30 Rock. I am so excited. Honestly, it was a dream come true.
Although I personally didn’t get to ask Vanessa a question of my own (there are several writers and reporters on a conference call interview, and they didn’t get to me because other writers either asked her the same question that was just asked 2 minutes ago, or asked her repeatedly about her upcoming wedding, which she explained more than once that they have not started planning yet), as a comedian myself, sitting in and listening to her speak with such class and gratitude for the role, was definitely a refreshing change of pace from most celebrities. And as a huge fan of this show, I cannot wait to see how this episode plays out.
Tune in to see Vanessa Minnillo and the rest of the gang at 30 Rock on Thursday, 2/3, at 10pm on NBC.
Images courtesy of www.vanessaminnillo.com.
Well, she seemed very genuine and sweet to me. And after watching the show last night, I thought she was also very funny in her role on it. Hilarious show, as always.
You know they shot a video clip of her and Nick. i dont like her behaviour really, and if this interview wasn’t in a transcript you would have seen how genuine she tries to be.anyways, it her business.
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conference call
Well, she was very classy in the interview, and seemed genuinely excited about the role, which is hardly a walk-on.
Her new word must be organic. I don’t find her classy when I see pics of her naked or drunk in a club or on TRL. She sounds desperate about one silly walk on role. Hard up, Vanessa?