MARRY ME: “Annicurser Me” Sneak Peek & Chat with series stars Ken Marino & Casey Wilson

By Leah | November 4, 2014

Marry Me is all new tonight and we had a chance to talk to series stars Ken Marino and Casey Wilson.

Tonight’s episode, “Annicurser Me” finds Jake and Annie’s “First Date” anniversary celebration interrupted when a massive storm hits Chicago. Everyone is forced to seek shelter in a basement storage unit.

Below you will find a sneak peek and the transcript from the chat.

Annicurser Me – Sneak Peek

Now usually I would edit the transcript from a call but honestly Casey Wilson and Ken Marino are just too funny to censor.

Neal Justin (Minneapolis Star Tribune): In describing this show to people, I’ve used the word cute. And I wonder what you guys think about that. Is that an appropriate term or does that sound kind of juvenile?

Casey Wilson: I mean I think it is cute. I think it’s – I hope – I think it’s also kind of subversive and has some heart. But I guess maybe if you combine those, we get cute. I’ll take it.

Ken Marino: That’s right. If subversive and heart ran into each other, they would make a cute baby.

Neal Justin: I mean is cute something – is cute something you can just if you have the right two people or is it just takes some kind of magic? I mean there’s a difference I think between cute and sexy, right?

Casey Wilson: Now you’re just hurting our feelings.

Ken Marino: Yes. I just – I assumed our show was sexy.

Casey Wilson: I did too. I thought we were making a very kind of erotic comedy but I guess now we’re hearing from America differently. I think – and I think…you know, at the end of the day we’re hoping it’s funny. But I do think – I think Ken and I and the rest of the cast – I think everyone really does have really great chemistry, which I think is probably why you’re feeling that way. So I think it’s good, yes. And I think it has to be the right chemistry and I think we did get lucky on the show.

Ken Marino: But the next episode we’re all wearing fishnet stockings. So it should be a little bit more sexy for you.

David Martindale (Hearst Newspaper): Casey, how much of Casey is in Annie and how much of Annie’s in Casey? So when you go to work is it like you’re slipping into a costume or are you already that character when you go to work?

Casey Wilson: I think Annie is a little more upbeat and probably friendlier than I am. I think – no, I think there are definite similarities and I think I’m pretty emotional and I get big ideas and I want to see things through and kind of – they’re often wrong headed ideas. But I feel as though I’m playing a character but you never know. Maybe I’m not. You’ll never know.

Casey Wilson: Ken, do you want to tell them about your character process?

Ken Marino: Sure. I mean I have a whole process. You know, there’s a big difference between me and Jake. I am actually six foot one. I’m 6’ 1”. Jake is six foot. So every day I have to act an inch shorter on set.

Casey Wilson: Right. It’s very expensive to dig those trenches.

Ken Marino: Yes. Well sometimes if I act too hard, I’m like – I’ll – they’ll get the (daily’s) back and I’ll be 5’ 8”. And then we have to do a whole re-shoot where I have to act less. But, you know, the key to acting is less acting and just reacting. So when I get to the reacting part, I’m usually landing – I’m usually coming in at six foot.

Casey Wilson: And I’ll tell you, these are the kind of pearls that I get showed with all day on set. And it’s really scintillating as everyone on the line can hear.

Gabriel Genovery (US Weekly): So for both of you; what stories from your real life relationships are making it on screen or what can we expect to see?

Casey Wilson: Well, I’ll tell one on you Ken.

Ken Marino: Go head.

Casey Wilson: Which is that I think it’s more of a runner right now but I’ve heard news that it might turn into more of a full fledged intervention between Annie and Jacob about Jake’s karaoke problem. And that is a problem Ken struggles with.

Ken Marino: It’s not a problem. I have a…

Casey Wilson: You can see that’s the thing. He’s in denial right now.

Ken Marino: There’s no problem whatsoever. I enjoy karaoke. I can do it when I want. And…

Casey Wilson: Who does it hurt? Who does it hurt?

Ken Marino: …it doesn’t (affect the rest of) my life.

Casey Wilson: That’s what he thinks. He thinks it doesn’t hurt anyone. But I know a lot of artists who have been hurt be hearing his renditions.

Ken Marino: As a mater of fact I just went last night. I’m a little hoarse.

Casey Wilson: See he can’t get up in the morning. He can barely talk the next day. He can’t go to work. It’s a problem.

Ken Marino: I’m not – look. I’m not going to deny I don’t enjoy a good karaoke like a good four or five hour karaoke session. But who doesn’t?

Casey Wilson: I’m trying to think. Well we did have a – so a few episodes ago where my character or actually Ken’s character tried to get me to do this thing called then open eye cuddle, which is an intimacy exercise that I learned in acting school that I tried to get my husband to do where you stare about two inches from each other’s face and just stare into each other’s eyes. And my husband thought I was insane and refused to do it. It did not go well.

Ken Marino: …How long did – how long did that go on before he was like…

Casey Wilson: …it went on about eight seconds. I don’t even think that much. And if anything, we are less close from that experience.

Gabriel Genovery: Oh, I guess on that kind of train of thought, Ken, does your wife kind of – does she feel the need to remind you of things you’ve done that might work on the show? Good things. Bad things.

Ken Marino: She hasn’t yet. I mean, you know, we – she hasn’t said anything that we should put on the show. But she’s constantly reminding me of all my flaws and things that I need to be better at in the house.
Like putting my socks in the hamper as opposed to just kind of leaving them close to the hamper. She’s like, “You’d be right next to it. Just get them in there. Why just put them near it? Just get – just – go the extra distance.”

Gabriel Genovery: That’s almost more insulting to her.

Ken Marino: Yes. And just like I go close to it and then I drop them there as if like I’ve done enough. The socks will make it the rest of the way. I’m trying to get the – in fact, encourage the socks to make it the rest of the way without me. It hasn’t helped. It hasn’t worked.

Gabriel Genovery: You have to – you have to want it harder.

Ken Marino: That’s right. I – that’s what I keep yelling at the socks but they don’t listen.

Rebecca Murray (Showbiz Junkies): I was wondering given that both you guys are writers and both you guys are super funny, how much of this is actually scripted and how much is stuff that you come with?

Ken Marino: Well I mean David and the room full of writers are amazing and they write great scripts. So, you know, we – David will encourage us to improvise off of that a little bit but I mean a lot of it – probably 95% of it is scripted I would say. Right Casey?

Casey Wilson: Yes. Yes. It’s definitely, you know, collaborative in a sense of if there’s something we want to do; we definitely do it and have fun with it. But the scripts are pretty tight, but we – Ken and I have initiated our own writer’s room with just the two of us that…I wouldn’t say it’s gone over well.

Ken Marino: No, no. They’re not – they’re not a – they’re not big fans of it. But we use – mostly use stuff from line Bazooka Joe bubblegum wrappers…

Casey Wilson: Yes.

Ken Marino: …and just kind of try to reinvent those jokes because those are classics and, you know, I think America wants to kind of enjoy the classics. You can’t get enough of it.

Casey Wilson: It’s caused I guess a rift is the word but it’s okay. We think that the writers (move) our way by the end.

Ken Marino: I mean who wants – who wants to talk to the writers of the show anyway?

Rebecca Murray: Exactly.

Casey Wilson: That’s why they’re not on this call. They’ll never be on this call.

 

Ken Marino: NiceGirlsTV.

Leah Baker: Yes. You know, we’re nice to your face and talk about you behind your back.

Ken Marino: Oh. (laughs)

Leah Baker: Will (you be having as long of an engagement as you did a courtship? People still stay courtship. Right?

Casey Wilson: Yes, they say that.

Ken Marino: I don’t know what people are saying anymore. I don’t think so. I think the idea is that we’re going to – we’re going to marry, you know, sooner than later. Right Casey? No?

Casey Wilson: Yes. I think we’re probably going to get married at the end of the season because I don’t think the show’s going to be about, you know, will they, won’t they really. That’s kind of a spoiler alert. I think we will get married. And the show’s more following this couple and their friendships and kind of – I think it’s more about what happens when you are committed to someone than when you are on the fence.

Leah Baker: Good. I’m glad we’ll see a wedding. I can’t even imagine.

Ken Marino: Yes. But then we’ll probably get divorced a number of times and get back together…

Casey Wilson: Yes.

Ken Marino: …throughout the seasons.

Casey Wilson: It’ll be funny though.

Leah Baker: Like divorce usually is.

Casey Wilson: Yes. It’ll be handled in a really…

Ken Marino: Yes. Very funny.

Casey Wilson: …loving way.

Ken Marino: Really funny situational comedy way.

Casey Wilson: Yes. Because divorce is very funny.

Leah Baker: Oh yes. I also have a question about curses since this week deals with curses, Do you guys believe in curses? Do you think that some situations are just cursed or do you think that you just after a while things just go wrong because some situations are just like that?

Ken Marino: I personally don’t believe in curses.

Casey Wilson: Some people are cursed.

Ken Marino: Yes. I’m going to have to agree with Casey on that. I think some people are really cursed.

Casey Wilson: And a lot of animals are cursed too.

Kara Howland (TV Goodness): So I was just wondering if you guys ever get a script and there’s some humor in there that I wouldn’t say is inappropriate but maybe we haven’t seen on network TV before and you think how are we going to get away with this and maybe if you could talk about that.

Ken Marino: You know, I think that it’s always nice to read a script and see something that you haven’t seen before or something that’s pushing the envelope a little bit. And, you know, that’s always exciting for me to kind of go in and do that. And then, you know, whether or not it’s going to work on TV is kind of out of hands. I mean I – it’s just an exciting thing to, you know, approach and do and then, you know, you hope especially if it’s funny, you know, you hope that it gets on the air. And, you know, I think we’ve been kind of – I don’t know if we’ve been pushing the envelope or anything but, you know, we’re doing what we want to do on the show and then, you know, that stuff is getting out there and I think that’s what makes the show special.

Casey Wilson: Yes. And I think what’s so much – there’s obviously so much programming and so many great cable shows that people love and gravitate to, to some degree that I think in some way we’re trying to do a show that exists on the line as much as we can just because I think there’s a reason, you know, people love something a little bit edgier. And I think in one episode – Ken, I’m thinking of the fertility episode. There was a scene that came – I think the network had the show was going to air like halfway through the season instead of earlier because it was a little too much. But I think ultimately it’s better to try that and see where we land.

Ken Marino: That episode’s about sperm testing. I want to give you…

Casey Wilson: Very edgy.

Kara Howland: I can’t wait to see it. I love you guys and I love the show.

Casey Wilson: Thank you so much.

Ken Marino: I love you. Is it too early to say that?

Casey Wilson: It’s very weird.

Rachel Monaco (Voice of TV): Hi guys. Hi. Do you guys watch the Housewives and if so, which one is you favorite? And how do you like Skinny Girl?

Casey Wilson: I am an obsessive Housewives watcher and really love the show and was part of like a Housewives spoof show and just really – I’m both ashamed and unashamed of my love for them. And I watch all the franchises. I love – I do love Orange County and (Newark) the best followed by Beverly Hills.

Ken Marino: Do you drink Skinny Girl?

Casey Wilson: Yes I do. Oh yes of course. And Dan Bucatinsky plays my dad also on the Housewives so we did a little improv in a couple episodes ago. And in terms of Skinny Girl Margarita, we’ve put it in a couple times because I love it. And I finally did – I’ve never done this before but I did tweet Bethenny Frankel and say, “Not for nothing. We’ve mentioned you twice. Can we get some?” We did on Friday we got – it was so good.

Rachel Monaco: That’s awesome.

Casey Wilson: I’m horrified that I did that. I don’t know what happened to me that day. And we got a huge box…

Rachel Monaco: No, that’s awesome.

Casey Wilson: …we got some for the office. This poor woman. I basically bullied her into like donating her product to us.

Ken Marino: I don’t watch the show but I did get very drunk on the Skinny Girl.

Casey Wilson: Exactly. He reaps the benefits of my being so disgusting.

Ken Marino: That’s right.

Rachel Monaco: Well now that you’ve heard so much about the Housewives Ken, will you start watching them?

Ken Marino: Actually the truth is I started watching Housewives and I just – it’s just a very hard show. When the fights break out, I get very uncomfortable and I can’t – I have to walk away. It’s just too much for me.

Casey Wilson: Well see Ken is a Bachelor fan and I can’t watch that show because I feel so uncomfortable. But it’s funny that we’ll both – we’ll not watch the other one.

Ken Marino: I just – I like the (saccharin) and the gooeyness of Bachelor and how just gross and like falsely romantic it is. Whereas like the Real Housewives is just like raw and like – it’s just – it’s the fights that get me. It’s just I can’t – very uncomfortable for me.

Casey Wilson: Whereas yes, I can’t watch people like stumble over matters of the heart. I can’t watch it.

Rachel Monaco: Oh, the fights are the best thing in the Real Housewives and I can’t get enough of those.

Ken Marino: I know. It’s like watching a car wreck. I don’t want to do it.

Casey Wilson: I know. Ken’s a good person.

Courtney Vaudreuil (Oh So Grey): So last week there were two cancellations of new comedies. Do you feel like comedies have a harder road to success than dramas? And how have you felt about the reception that Marry Me has gotten so far?

Casey Marino: I think it’s very hard these days to make any television show. And anyone who’s trying to do anything should be applauded. It’s really hard. And I don’t think shows are given enough of a chance. And it’s a bummer because whenever I see anything on TV, and not to be too dramatic, but I think those people worked really hard on that show no matter how you feel about it. So I was bummed.

Ken Marino: And I think it’s been nice the reception that Marry Me’s been getting. I think, you know, I feel like it’s – people have been responding mostly positive to it and both critically and they’re just, you know, fans and, you know, people I run up to on the street and certainly my mom.

Casey Wilson: Ken’s mom loves it.

Ken Marino: (You know), my mom really loves it. And so that’s good. You know, so does my dad. And so, you know, you know, it’s nice to see that people are enjoying the show as much as, you know, we are enjoying making it, so.

Courtney Vaudreuil: Well I’m enjoying watching it. I’m looking forward to the full season.

Ken Marino: From your lips to God’s ears.

Lisa Steinberg (Starry Constellation Magazine): I’m enjoying seeing you guys both also on Drunk History.

Casey Wilson: Yes.

Ken Marino: Oh thank you. Yes, that show is ridiculous and so much fun. I’m just glad I didn’t have to…I’m just glad I didn’t have to get to the drunk part.

Lisa Steinberg: Yes. And Casey plays the best Dolly Parton I’ve seen.

Casey Wilson: Thank you.

Ken Marino: Amen.

Lisa Steinberg: You guys have such great comedic timing. Is it something that’s always been natural to each of you?

Ken Marino: I don’t know. I mean I just – it’s always been fun to kind of joke around and I’ve always enjoyed comedy. So I don’t know if it’s natural. It just – I’ve kind of been around – I think we’ve both been running around in circles, you know, with friends who are comedians and actors who are, you know, comics and it just maybe kind of rubbed off on us. I don’t know. Casey.

Casey Wilson: Yes. I agree. I don’t know. I think that’s a hard question only just because – I don’t know. I think it’s just – I don’t know. Maybe just sort of habit from growing up. I’m not sure. I appreciate you saying that.

Ken Marino: Yes. I – we’re huge fans of comedy and have studied comedy growing up and through our, you know, throughout our lives. And so it’s just I think that we try to, you know, we want to – we want to do it because we enjoy it.

Casey Wilson: Yes. I always think like I wish growing up I’d been more into more subtle like actresses. I only watch like the (broadest things) and so my timing is so broad and it’s probably just, you know, mimicry.

Lisa Steinberg: Well Casey, what do you think it is about the show that’s made it such a quick fan favorite program?

Casey Wilson: Well, I’m happy to hear that. I mean I think – I don’t know. I think there is something nice. I like shows about a relationship because right away there’s some stakes to that and I think most people are in a relationship of some sort and especially a long-term one. There’s so much that goes on in it that’s funny. And I think it’s kind of nice to see that. And obviously it’s a sitcom and it’s a comedy. But I don’t know. I think there’s something very relatable and kind of it gives you a bit of a warm feeling but also you’re getting jokes out of it. So I hope that’s why people like it.

Ken Marino: Yes. And I think that people – I know I do like when I watch TV. It’s nice to have a couple that you can root for, you know, as opposed to, you know, something where it’s like will they, won’t they; are they going to get together, are they not going to get together. I like shows where like there’s a team that are, you know, they’re against the world. And I feel like, you know, with Jake and Annie are a team that you get to watch every week and enjoy kind of the, you know, the situations that they get into. And that’s the exciting thing.

Marry Me airs 9/8c on NBC