TF: Well, going into that sequence, shooting that sequence, we agreed that we should not plan it. Because then we would just…try to learn too much!
SC: It would have been too good.
TF: It would have been too good. He would have gotten aroused, and it would have been like embarrassing in the theaters! And the first take, Steve picked me up and I just neglected to hold the pole. And I was supposed to be going around the pole. And I remember Shawn going, “Hold the pole!” But it was a sequence that I was kind of nervous going into. Like, “Oh boy. What is this going to be?”
And then I kind of knew that I could count on Steve to deliver throughout it, which he did: The robot. One of my favorite things in the movie, is Steve licking the pole! I mean, it made me nauseous. So, we just…I would like to say that we went to a bunch of strip clubs, and like really studied and stuff. But we didn’t!
Q: What direction were you looking for, to steer this story?
TF: We really wanted this couple to feel truthful and realistic to us. And that they weren’t a couple who hate each other, and who were fighting all the time. You know, they were just a real couple who were kind of worn down by their everyday lives, and were in a way struggling to try to come together. And that this night sparks that for them.
Q: Steve, what do you do in real life to avoid boredom in your own marriage?
SC: What do we do in real life? Boy, it’s like I knew we would get questions like this from the press, and I thought that I’d be prepared. But I’m clearly not! Because then you feel like you’re giving relationship advice.
But I think every relationship is so different and unique, so I don’t think there is any sort of blanket advice. For us, for Nancy and myself, there is a lot of laughter. There is an open line of communication, and we just have fun with one another. And we never forget to make fun of ourselves, and to not take it all too seriously. That I think, at least for us, that’s what helps. And amazing lovemaking!
Q: What were you going for, in the look of New York City?
TF: It’s portrayed pretty good. But we took out all the shots that had real rats in them! But I thought all the sort of action stuff was really fun to do, yeah.
SC: It was really cute how into the bad-ass Tina got. Because she had wind blown in her face. And we would blast music on the set, and Tina really channeled her inner…
TF: Mommy dare! The last few days of the shoot were on the roof in New York City, and that was good times. You know, pretending a helicopter is coming, and screaming.
Q: Speaking of motherhood, how do you manage to juggle family life and all your work?
TF: My husband is very understanding about it. Yeah, he’s the house daddy in the morning if I have an early call, and so far so good. But he’s very good and helpful about it.
Q: Tina, do you want to do 30 Rock for like 10 more years, or what?
TF: Well, I feel constant fatigue. But I think we will see. I think we’ll keep going until we can’t anymore. But I won’t know till I am there!
Q: In 30 Rock, is Floyd’s wedding going to take us to the season finale, and how crazy is that wedding going to get?
TF: Yes. Floyd’s wedding! We’re building to a multi-wedding season finale. It’s good, because apparently people like weddings. So, we’re just trying to do a bunch of weddings. I think Liz ends up actually having to function three weddings on the same day.
Q: Since NBC is having a little bit of trouble these days, did they get any bulk rate for loaning you out to do Date Night at Fox?
TF: I first will say, thank god NBC is having trouble. Or my show would not be on the air!
SC: Neither of our shows—The Office either—would be on the air if NBC wasn’t in trouble. At least they’re making something off the movie ad campaign. Yeah, Date Night was certainly a smart idea for NBC!
Q: What’s up next?
SC: I’m going to move towards voicing video games. That is where it’s at. But I’m always just happy to be employed. So that’s sort of what I’m looking for.
