Collider: This show is probably my favorite cast of the new season.
JAKE JOHNSON: Its funny you said that about the cast because I feel the same way.
And then, seeing his performance in the pilot, I thought he did a great job.
Camryn Manheim is incredible, and Adrian Martinez and Tantoo Cardinal are just people I think are good.
I was really excited about the possibility of working with this cast.
I was personally really excited to play a secondary character.
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I didnt want to be a lead, at this point in my life.
I like being supporting, and I like having somebody else carrying the show.
So, everything lined up.
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I was joking around about it and I was like, I dont even know how to judge this.
Its a weird show.
I dont quite know the easy judgment of what the tone is, but I like that about it.
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I dont know where its gonna go.
Are you surprised about how much has been made of the running bartender theme going on in your work?
JOHNSON: Its really funny.
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There are certain things that myself, as Jake Johnson, just doesnt care about.
One of those things is where a character works.
Im really interested in storytelling, Im really interested in tone, and Im really interested in arcs.
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Yeah, Grey is a bartender, and Nick (onNew Girl) was a bartender.
If that gets you to watchStumptown, then god bless, and pretend its the same bar.
I love that your character has his own space with its own vibe.
How much fun is it to have such a cool space for your character?
Do you have any favorite aspects of the bar?
Have you hidden any personal trinkets around that set?
I like shooting in bars because you might fit a bunch of people in there.
you’re free to get a bunch of extras and have a bunch of looks.
But in terms of trinkets in there, I dont care.
Im just being honest.
I love the relationship between Grey and Ansel.
JOHNSON: Ive gotta say, in all honesty, I love working with Cole.
He is so different than anybody Ive ever worked with.
Hes a very warm, affectionate human being.
And Cole is not that guy.
Theres just a lot of affection and warmth from Cole to the cast and crew.
And then, as an actor, hes really honest and hes really in it.
Rather than do a lot of little pieces, weve asked to do longer takes together.
We dont get to see someone like him on TV very often.
JOHNSON: 100%.
Were not writing him a part and hes not treated on set any differently than anybody else.
When the emotions are expected to be sad, he delivers that.
And if its funny, he delivers that.
And if weve got a long walk-and-talk and weve gotta hit our marks, we do it.
I really respect that about him.
I know how hard acting can get, and hes good at it.
JOHNSON: After doingNew Girlfor seven years, Ive really learned that shows naturally change and they evolve.
As the writing staff changes and new directors come in and actors change, the show changes.
And so, as of right now, I dont see Grey and Dex making it work.
I feel like theyre more the three of them together with Cole.
They have a little family, and I think that family works.
Any idea of them being a couple would really mess a lot up.
But I do think they have a lot of love for each other.
I get that theres love and affection between the characters.
As you learn more about their backstory, that really helps.
Hes a guy with two very clear sides that not everybody sees.
He shows only what he wants to show, to certain people.
I think theyre both pretty damaged human beings.
What are you enjoying about this one-hour format of the show, as well as the blend of genres?
I wanted to shoot here because Ive got a family here.
I didnt want to live in Atlanta or Vancouver.
I wanted to live here.
I dont know how long Ill enjoy this.
JOHNSON: It was awesome.
Chris Miller and Phil Lord are two of the most talented people working in Hollywood.
They just did a perfect job of it.
Thats that best mix.Spider-Versewas just a dream job.
I dont think Ill ever have one as good as that one was.
Are you hoping that youll get to be involved with more films?
JOHNSON: I wouldn’t mind doing another one.
Im doing a 10-episode show on Netflix, calledHoops, and we just finished recording all of them.
So, yeah, I would love to do more.
I love the character.
I love what they did with it.
I liked that Peter was 40.
I liked being a depressed superhero.
It was just great.
Stumptownairs on Wednesday nights on ABC.