“Happy Endings” has some ahmahzing, passionate fans, which is something Casey Wilson, who plays the “ahmahzing” Penny, knows very well.
Entering its third season, ABC’s “Happy Endings” has picked up a vocal and dedicated group of fans that have championed the show as it struggled to find an audience. It aired after “Modern Family” this past season, but the show moves to Tuesdays, as does “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.” But its new timeslot doesn’t come without some competition. The show is going up against Fox’s adorkable hit “New Girl.”
At the EW/ABC upfront party red carpet, Wilson shared her “Happy Endings” Season 3 hopes — the return of Brian Austin Green? — thoughts on the new timeslot and her awkward Starbucks situation.
I’m a little embarassed — no, I’m not embarrassed, I say “ahmahzing” in real life.
Don’t be embarrassed, be proud. Be loud and proud.
Have you worked on any other catchphrases for Season 3?
I haven’t worked on some, but I’m going to try and come up with something. I can’t let it lay there.
Adam [Pally] said you’re trying to abbreviate everything.
Yeah, the abbrevs. The abbrevs have taken over.
What do you want to see happen with Penny?
I think it would be fun for her to date someone just because I think it would be relatable how she drives it into the ground with her paranoias and insecurities and low self-esteem.
We last saw Penny with Brian Austin Green — is he coming back?
He may come back. B.A.G., we call him.
We can put it out there.
I’m going to put it out there like a vision board to the universe, like “The Secret.”
You have such passionate fans. Do they come up and quote you and stuff?
You know what? They’re so sweet — everyone is so genuine and sweet, but this weird thing just happened and actually, I’ve never told anyone this. OK, I went to Starbucks and the baristo — I’m going to put an “o” on the end of that, it’s a man — was so sweet, a really nice guy. He was like, “I love the show!” I said, “Oh, that’s so sweet. That’s wonderful.” Then he started tweeting at me, but I don’t always respond to every fan, and then it turned so dark on Twitter. He was like, “I used to love you, but now I realize you don’t respond to your fucking fans.” I was like, “Buddy, what? We had such a nice relationship back in the ‘Bucks, face-to-face!”
Now you can never go back there again.
I haven’t gone back! But it’s a block away from my house. What do I do?
You’re going to have to learn his schedule.
His schedule! How did it turn sour? We had such a nice interaction, I was like, “This is getting so strange.” But every single other fan has been so wonderful and they love the show.
How do you feel about your new timeslot?
I feel good! I’m excited we get to open the night. I love “The Bitch In Apartment 23.” I think it’s so funny, so I’m excited about that.
And you’re going up against “New Girl” on Fox.
It’s weird. Jake Johnson is one of my oldest friends. He’s on that show, so we’re just like, texting about it and joking. I just hope that they both do well. I truly do. All of our friends are on that show too. It’s almost a shame because they’re both such great shows. My dad had a fix for it. He texted me and goes, “I think what everyone should do is DVR them both.” That doesn’t make sense. That’s not how you get ratings.
I mean if they have a Nielsen box and then play it back within seven days …
It’s all so convoluted. He was basically like, “That’ll make it all OK.” I was like, “Great advice, Dad. Thank you.”
“Happy Endings” returns for Season 3, Tuesdays, 9 p.m. ET on ABC in the fall. Get your DVRs ready.