Jamie Lee Curtis has plenty of praise for “New Girl,” but she did not enjoy the process of filming her guest appearances.
The actress explained why working on the popular comedy was not a good fit for her while discussing “Newlyweds,” the new NBC sitcom she stars in and executive produces.
Jamie discussed her television career during NBCUniversal’s Summer Backlot Experience on August 10.
When asked what she learned from starring in “Anything but Love,” Jamie revealed that she prefers working on multi-camera sitcoms.
She then compared that experience to filming “New Girl,” which used a single-camera format.
“I did a single camera, which I hated,” Jamie said during the panel. The actress quickly clarified that her criticism was directed at the filming process, not the show itself.
“It’s a great show, ‘New Girl,’ very funny, but doing it is just like doing a movie,” she explained.
Why the Experience Was Not Fun for Her
Jamie said filming a single-camera comedy requires actors to perform without receiving an immediate response from an audience.
“You’ve got a camera crew, and nobody laughs,” she said. “It’s silent, and it’s awful. For me, awful.”
“New Girl” starred Zooey Deschanel as Jess, a teacher who moves into a loft with three single men following a breakup. Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone also starred in the seven-season series.
Jamie made several guest appearances as Jess’ mother, Joan. The late Rob Reiner played her former husband and Jess’ father, Bob.
Despite enjoying the finished series, Jamie concluded that single-camera comedies are “not fun” for her to make.
Jamie Lee Curtis Returns to Her Favorite Format
Jamie previously starred opposite late comedian Richard Lewis in the multi-camera comedy “Anything but Love,” which aired from 1989 until 1992.
She said she spent years asking her agents to find another sitcom that would allow her to work in that format.
“I’ve just simply been begging, begging people to do it,” she said.
Jamie eventually decided to help create the opportunity herself. She now serves as an executive producer of “Newlyweds” and has a recurring role in the NBC comedy.
The series stars real-life couple Téa Leoni and Tim Daly as a free-spirited woman and reserved professor who impulsively marry following a whirlwind romance.
Her Marriage Helped Inspire ‘Newlyweds’
Jamie and fellow executive producer Gail Lerner wanted the series to explore relationships, personal change and finding new love at any age.
The concept was partly inspired by Jamie’s marriage to Christopher Guest. The couple married in 1984 after a brief courtship and have two children together.
“There’s something really delicious about watching people figure out life when they’re filled in a life with other people,” Jamie said.
The Oscar winner is also enjoying the authority that comes with her new position behind the scenes.
“I’ve wanted to be a boss my whole life,” she said. “And now I’m a boss, and I love it.”
Jamie said multi-camera comedy gives performers time to rehearse, refine jokes and work directly with the cameras. It also offers the audience response she missed while filming “New Girl.”
“Newlyweds” premieres October 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
