SUPER WITH SITCOMS

Today’s Original Retro Brand “5 Questions with…” interview features Television Executive Producer, and Writer, Greg Malins.  Greg is one of the most sought after talents in his field, having produced comedy gold such as FRIENDS and WILL AND GRACE to name a few.  Greg just finished a 4 year stint on the popular HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER sitcom, now into year 6 of production.  We were lucky enough to catch up with Greg, and ask how the heck he manages to keep us laughng all the time....

Andy:  Having written countless episodes for some of the most popular sitcoms in history, I wonder how difficult it is to continually come up with such good material year after year.  I'm guessing you've been a funny guy since birth, performing in the living room to the family, etc., and it all comes naturally.  Would I be guessing wrong?  I don't expect you to give out the secret recipe, but maybe you could tell us a little bit about the process?

Greg: It is getting harder.  By the time Friends was over, I had used up pretty much every story from my life, so I had to start taking stories from my friend's lives.  But many of them are also writers who don't like it when you take their life stories for your show, so now I have no more stories and no more friends.  My kids still like me though, so that's something.

Andy: Producing versus writing;  Which is your preference & why?

Greg: Producing for me is basically casting, approving sets, wardrobe, make-up, and keeping an eye on the budget.  But what my job mostly consists of is writing, and that's where my passion is for sure.  Sitting in a room around a table all day with some of the funniest people in the world?  Most days it doesn't even feel like a job.  Producing is what I have to do.  Writing is what I love to do. And napping.  And snacking.

Andy:  I did a little digging, and noticed you've done some work in front of the camera. The credits I see were for "man on plane", in a few episodes of FRIENDS in the late 1990's.  Before you found your niche (in a big way!) as a successful producer and writer, were there thoughts of being an actor?

Greg: I never really did any acting.  I was just a glorified extra.  I never had any lines or anything;  I just did it for fun.  But my "Man on Plane" scene was with Jennifer Anniston, and a then barely known British actor named Hugh Laurie. So, yes, I can say I was in a scene with TV's HOUSE.

Andy: Like all of the very best sitcoms, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER will eventually have their last episode.  I don't doubt you'll have many offers for your services, but might you have any projects already in the works you could wet our comedic appetites with?

Greg: I actually left HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER last season.  I am on a new show now called BETTER WITH YOU, and it will be on ABC this fall right before MODERN FAMILY.  Getting a new show off the ground is both fun and hard work.  Not enough time for naps.  But I make up up for it by doubling up on the snacks.

Andy: Original Retro Brand shirts have appeared on some of the actors on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER over the years.  I understand you're a big fan of the brand.  Did you have anything to do with getting the shirts on the show, and what is it about the Original Retro Brand you love so much?

Greg: I discovered the shirts long ago.  They really are the most comfortable thing to wear in the world. Everyone I tell about the shirts ends up wearing them.  I always say, "Only through me."  Then I buy them from you, and charge a huge mark-up.  I've made alot of money that way!  Thanks Original Retro Brand!

No, thank you Greg!  We sincerely appreciate your taking the time out of what I'm sure is an insane schedule (mostly snacking & napping) to answer a few questions for us today.  I encourage you all to tune in this fall, for BETTER WITH YOU, which premier's Wednesday, September 22, on ABC.  Check out the Facebook Fanpage too!

If you are a big fan of the Original Retro Brand, and want to be featured on “5 Questions with…” please forward a picture of yourself wearing Original Retro Brand gear, and a brief description of what you do for a living to andyphyman@gmail.com If we like what we see, you may be contacted for an interview. You don’t need to be as ridiculously funny & talented as Greg to be featured , and we’ll even send you an Original Retro Brand T-Shirt if we decide to post your story!

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