As they navigate what their relationship is now, Desiree just wants to live her life fully and authentically.
Collider: How did this project come about?
What brought the two of you together on this?
I said, Let me go to Norman Lear, my friend for over 30 years.
Finally, well get to work together again.
And I said, I wanna rebootSanford and Son.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
And he said, Youre crazy as hell.
Thats an iconic show.
You cant do that.
But you might come back with a twist.
I didnt know who she was, but Id heard so much about it.
It was Emmy nominated.
Image via Prime Video
And then, I get an email that says, Dad, Im coming home tomorrow.
She accepted it, and the three of us came together and we made it come to fruition.
That was seven years ago.
This is a sign of the times, where we are today.
Its been a pleasure working with this young lady.
Shes taught me a lot and is teaching me a lot, and were still learning.
LAVERNE COX: I appreciate that.
I learned a lot from you, too, about comic timing and listening.
you could be a perpetual student at any age.
‘Clean Slate’ premieres February 6 on Prime Video.
Laverne, just since youve made the show, things in the world have changed yet again.
I immediately realized that it was bigger than me.
Weve gone through it and we will get through it because of our ancestors and transcestors.
We will be stronger and the world is stronger for our presence.
WALLACE: Thats what I was gonna say.
COX: Sorry I usurped you, George.
This is obviously a comedy series, but you do cover bigger issues.
You cover various trans issues, dating, age, health, and more.
WALLACE: This is all about love.
The greatest asset in my life is people.
I perform for people every night.
Ive wanted to be a comedian since six years old.
I love people loving people.
When I see happy people, it makes me happier.
COX: There are a lot of things Im proud of about this show.
Weve had a few interviews now and everybody has been reciting back lines to us from the show.
Our writers room was so funny and hilarious and diverse.
And the diversity is not just about race and gender.
And then, when the audience hears something that they know, the laughter comes from knowing.
Im proud of that.
Im proud of the election episode.
Its so insanely fun and so funny.
Why is there a line around the corner?
You laugh, and then afterwards, youre like, Wait a minute.
WALLACE: I knew everybody [in the show] would be better than me.
COX: Youre wonderful in the show, George.
We can feel your heart.
My experience, with the comedians you love, is that you might feel their hearts.
COX: I am so good at telling men things theyve been waiting to hear.
If I ever choose to be with a man again, I know exactly what to do.
I just dont feel like doing.
Anyway, thats off topic.
Desiree and Mack are so cute together.
Even Harry and Mack are also pretty cute together.
Why is Mack someone who wins them both over?
He just has this quality.
WALLACE: Hes fantastic.
Them together are fantastic.
We learn something every time we do a scene, which I think is great.
And my next door neighbor, Miguel, is awful.
Thats how good he is.
COX: You mean the character, or do you hate him in real life?
WALLACE: Yeah, that too.
We are a real family.
We all love each other, and thats whats great about working together.
Laverne, I was cheering on Desiree for finally getting to have that moment with Mack.
How was it to figure out how you wanted that kiss to be?
I wonder, is she settling?
Its still complicated for me, as Laverne, and its still complicated for Desiree.
She needs to feel something, and she knows hes a good guy.
She has treated him so terribly, and she knows he doesnt deserve it.
Thats such a beautiful moment and one that we really dont see between adults very often.
What was it like to share that moment?
That was an intense moment.
That was an intense day, just prepping to do that.
I was like, May I have a knife hey?
And she was like, Girl.
And I was like, No, its okay.
I was very calm.
I did what I had to do.
In that moment, he was my daddy.
WALLACE: That moment, she was so good.
It was really touching.
It was so touching that I was crying and she was crying.
You cant make me cry.
COX: Acting is reacting, so thank you for that moment.
We had a lot of that.
WALLACE: We did.
Check out the trailer:
