Shanola Hampton and Mark-Paul Gosselaar (‘Found’) red carpet interview at NBCU Emmys FYC showcase [WATCH]

On Sunday, May 19 NBCUniversal hosted its FYC Emmy showcase for “Foundation” at The Aster in Los Angeles. Gold Derby associate editor Latasha Ford was there to chat with stars Shanola Hampton and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Watch the exclusive red carpet interviews above or read the transcript below.

Latasha Ford:

Can I just say, I love this energy between the two of you and clearly the viewers, the fans, everyone around the world does as well, we get it on the big screen. Talk to me about the dynamic of your relationship Gabby, as well as you Sir, throughout season one of Found. What was it like working so closely together while executing different facets of your roles?

Shanola Hampton:

We’re talking about season one and two?

Latasha Ford:

Yes, season one.

Shanola Hampton:

Okay. Season one. Well, it’s interesting because it’s really like lightning in a bottle when you find someone that you have instant chemistry with, without even trying, there’s no effort, and Mark Paul just makes it easy. He really does. He comes ready to work. He comes open to whatever the scene is going to be without having this expectation or what he rehearsed in his mirror or in his car and I could be anywhere. I could be that pole. He looks at you and we just tap in. And once I look at him, it’s a safe. He is such a safe place for me both on and off the screen.

Latasha Ford:

That leads me to making a pivot to ask you, Mark Paul, what is it about your character role as Sir? Because you’ve been doing the television thing for quite some time? What do you feel resonated with you most about this role, and why do you think it has been so easy for Shanola to just flow into working so seamlessly close with you on this project?

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

I feel it’s easy for me because I only have to have a limited amount of time with Shanola.

Latasha Ford:

Let’s be clear.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

I mean, that’s the truth though. My story is your backstory and then what we’ve done in the first season is little pops of Sir. I always feel like Sir’s or the story of Sir is sort of the sprinkles on top of a rich story already with the procedural that we do week in and week out, which I’m not a part of.

So, for me, I always say to Shanola as well as the rest of the cast, I’m on a different show, right? I’m on a completely different show when I read the scripts. And when I read the scripts initially, I thought, this is an amazing procedural and oh yeah, you have this great story as well peppered through, which makes it unique. And I think that’s why we have found an audience that can relate to what they’ve seen already, but there’s something else that they haven’t. But yeah, it makes it easy for me because I only have to work with her once or twice a week, and that’s it.

Shanola Hampton:

And you’re welcome

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

And yeah, yeah.

Shanola Hampton:

You’re welcome. And I tell him that constantly. I just will send messages that say, you’re welcome.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

Yes.

Shanola Hampton:

He knows what it means.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

That is the truth.

Latasha Ford:

So, Shanola, your role as Gabi has been compared to that thereof, of course Kerry Washington, Olivia Pope in Scandal. When you hear this, what crosses your mind? How do you feel about the reference and correlation there?

Shanola Hampton:

Well, that’s big shoes to fill. I mean, Kerry Washington did something that I don’t think was done on television before with the story, what they were able to create and do it for many seasons and to have that workload with just dialogue alone and really driving the scenes and driving the episodes, those are big shoes to fill. So I would not compare myself because I feel like I have not earned that yet.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

I would not compare.

Shanola Hampton:

You’re welcome, sir. Sit down. But I would say that it is an honor to just be in the same sentence. It really is.

Latasha Ford:

Before I let you both go, congratulations on a season two. I am definitely looking forward to this fall. And if I’m not mistaken, season two is bringing forth 22 episodes. Right?

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

That’s right.

Latasha Ford:

Yes, and in comparison to season one which has 13 episodes… what more can we expect to come forth that you actually can share with me today?

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

Well, I’ll say this, we have the most amazing writers in the business. We have a wonderful showrunner, NK Carroll, who I don’t know where her mind goes and how she’s able to create not only stories for our show, but to other shows and to really do them all at the same time.

What I will say is we are up to episode seven and no one will be disappointed. It starts with a bang. I know that we’re going to be able to get really involved in some of the other characters this season. That’s with the allowance of 22 episodes. It allows you to really dive in deep with some of the other series regulars, which is so beautiful to watch. We have wonderful, a wonderful cast, so talented. So we’ll get to see more of that and then we’ll see what happens with this crazy person.

Latasha Ford:

Any special plot twists we should expect?

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

Yeah.

Shanola Hampton:

Should we tell them about when I kill you? I’m kidding. That doesn’t happen. I’m just kidding. I’m just kidding. NK.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

No, that doesn’t happen. That’s not going to happen. No, it’s bonkers. That’s all I can say is season one was pretty out there and then this. I’m talking about myself with Sir and Gabby, Gabrielle, is that it goes on to another level. It’s been challenging and fun.

I’m excited for the fans. I’m excited. I’m excited because we’ve filmed a good handful so far, and the level of which our writers, and like she said, NK, the level of work that they’ve given us is incredible and we feel so fortunate to be able to do this, and we’re looking forward to it because we’re here because we want to entertain the people that love the show and the fans, and I think they’re going to be pleased.

Shanola Hampton:

Satisfied.

Latasha Ford:

We love it!  Thank you so much for chatting with me, the two of you. I’m certainly looking forward to the fall. I’m about to go to sleep and I’m not waking up until then.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar:

I love it. Thank you so much.

Latasha Ford:

Thank you.

Shanola Hampton:

Thank you.

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