Try to stare into Zooey Deschanel’s eyes. They’re, big blue and piercing. Those eyes are just one entry on a long list of Zooeyisms: adorably raspy voice, unapologetically girly style, no shame, etc. Deschanel has a lot going for her, which allowed her to ascend the throne and officially be hailed as the queen of quirky.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting the days until the return of New Girl, Deschanel’s FOX sitcom about the life of a quirky girl and her three equally offbeat male roommates. Your wait is almost over: New Girl returns with two new episodes tomorrow night. To get you through one more Zooey-less day, CM is proud to present a Q&A with the queen:
On flourishing in comedy…
I think comedy’s just about being interested in comedy and what makes people laugh and experimenting. I’ve always loved making people laugh…but I did drama too. I sort of consider myself a comedic actress, not a comedienne. Playing into comedic situations is sort of where, I think, my strength lies.
On her fashion sense…
I would describe my personal style as [pause] feminine. I’ve actually worn my own stuff on the show a couple of times. Last week I wore a dress that was mine.
On living with guys…
I never had funny roommates really. I’ve always had a lot of guy friends, so I love the camaraderie between Jess [Deschanel’s character] and the guys. I think it’s important to have guy friends because it provides a different perspective. I really like the relationship.
On New Girl’s different look at guy-girl relationships…
You see this happening more and more on TV. I think it speaks to you more like a modern sensibility because that’s the way people are now.
On mellowing out Jess’s quirkiness by the end of the first season…
She gets more confident and changes and grows up and a lot of things over the season. I’m also watching every week and seeing what’s working. I’m using my own sensibilities to inform how I play the character.
On Jess losing her teaching job…
It definitely affects her life pretty deeply because this is something she’s wanted to do her entire life and she considered teaching to be her calling. But I like how Jess is open to new things and although she’s upset about it, she throws herself into trying to find a new job and is pretty positive about things.
On Jess and Nick’s [Jake Johnson] dating potential…
There’s no danger of that happening. They’re not getting together anytime soon. I don’t think they’re ready for each other and nobody is going to push them together. I think it’s sort of a love-hate-love relationship. They might tease it out.
On Jess dating any of the other roommates…
I’m going to say no.
On the possibility of Joseph Gordon-Levitt ever guest starring on New Girl…
I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about that. I don’t know that he would. He’s kind of like a movie star. I don’t know if he has time.
On finding success with movies, television and music [she’s half of indie band She & Him]…
I think it’s important to do a lot of different things. These are really exciting, fun jobs. You don’t want to stop appreciating them because of the grind. They all play different roles in making me feel creatively satisfied. It’s all really great.
