“We’re hoping at some point in this 13 episodes to bring together Danny’s parents [Rhea Perlman and Dan Hedaya] and Mindy’s parents because they all are crazy characters who drive Mindy and Danny crazy in different ways,” Tracey told me. (Full disclosure: she’s one of my heroes, because she wrote for 30 Rock for ages and so is now practically related to both Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling.)
Anyone who’s seen TMP knows that Danny’s mom is a total gem, and Mindy’s parents, whom we met in the premiere, are the perfect mix of Mindy. Tracey agreed with me on that: “Mindy’s mom is so dramatic like Mindy is — they all say “how dare you”; they all say “ex-squeeze me”. The actress that plays her mom just did that so beautifully,” she added.
#PaleyFest NYC: ‘The Mindy Project’ Writers & Cast Took Us Behind The Scenes
The Paleyfest panel was just as fun as the carpet — Mindy, Tracey and other cast members and writers entertained the audience for over an hour with stories and set secrets. Tracey talked about writing the role of and starring as Lauren, the girlfriend-turned-wife of Dr. Peter Prentice (Adam Pally) on TMP: “Originally we were like, ‘Wow, maybe this could be Lady Mary from Downton Abbey or Reese Witherspoon.’ And then it was like, ‘Oh, it’s just going to be me,’ which is just as good,” she joked. I think you did just great, Tracey.
HollywoodLifers, would you love to see a Cheers reunion on The Mindy Project? Let me know!
— Gabriella Ginsberg