Casual's Tommy Dewey on why he's excited his new show, 'Now We're Talking,' is on go90
Tommy Dewey, the star of Hulu's hit show Casual has decided to continue his acting career on the web. His new show "Now We're Talking," will premiere on Verizon's go90 tomorrow.
Now We're Talking on go90
In the new, "hysterical series from Uninterrupted Studio, Tommy and Tug write, produce and star as two washed-up football players trying to make it as broadcasters amidst a cast of real NFLers and broadcasters." Found Remote interviewed Dewey about Hulu, go90 and LeBron James' production company who created the show.
Found Remote: What's it been like to be a star of a show that's on Hulu versus a traditional TV network? Does it feel any different?
Tommy Dewey: The energy does feel different - the folks at Hulu are really fired up to be in the original content game, and they are truly honoring the specific vision of "Casual" creator Zander Lehmann. I've had a blast working with them.
FR: How did you get involved with Now We're Talking? Why are you doing it?
TD: Tug Coker and I are old friends and have been scheming to do something together for a long time. When we sat down to talk ideas, it turned out that both of us had done some reading and research around these sports broadcasting schools. As we dug into it, we discovered a great vehicle for a story about major life changes...how do you move forward when your best days might be behind you? Being creators, writers and executive producers has allowed Tug and me to be deeply involved in every phase of this project, from concept to marketing. It's a lot of work, but was ultimately very fulfilling.
FR: Why is LeBron backing the show?
TD: "Now We're Talking" really got off the ground when we partnered with Uninterrupted, LeBron’s media platform run by CEO Maverick Carter. Maverick and Jamal Henderson produced the show with me and Tug. Uninterrupted was instrumental in helping us land real athletes and broadcasters for the show, resulting in a unique blend of reality and fiction.
FR: Why go90?
TD: The size of our show - seven 8 - 10 minute episodes - fit their mobile-first model perfectly, and they were open to letting us make the show we wanted to make, a quirky buddy comedy grounded in the difficulties that come with big life transitions. We had full creative freedom, and were supported in our mission to put our sense of humor on screen. Additionally, go90 provides both sports and comedy content, so "Now We're Talking" provides an opportunity for them to bridge the gap between the two.
FR: What's your favorite football team? Why do you think a washed up football star was the right role for you?
TD: I'm a huge fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide. A washed up football star is a wonderfully complicated character - he's left the mountaintop of professional football, but the ego that kept him in the game hasn't gone anywhere...and is now bound to cause problems. Also, he's not used to living in the real world, as he's had everything done for him until very recently. Figuring out how to take this troubled guy through new and less glamorous terrain was a lot of fun.
FR: Anything else?
TD: "Now We're Talking" premieres September 14th on the go90 mobile app (free to EVERYONE), and on the go90 website. Several real-life pro athletes and sportscasters make appearances on the show, and although each episode is satisfying on its own, we're also telling a serialized story, with increasing stakes, that culminates in what we believe is a funny and heartfelt finale. We can't wait to engage with the audience about all things sports and comedy. Reach out to us on Twitter and Instagram: @tommydeweysays and @tugcoker, #nowweretalking.
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