So Many Questions: 'Clever Girl' shows actress Andrea Gabriel has a comedic bent
I t's one thing to step out of your comfort zone. It's another when you do it in front of millions of people.
For actress Andrea Gabriel, it was a momentary loss of reason in a brief relationship that inspired her to direct and star in “Clever Girl.” The comedic stab, which has garnered more than 1.5 million views on YouTube, became a showcase of her previously unexplored talents. Having made her mark in a number of dramatic roles on “Lost,” “Gossip Girl” and “Twilight: Breaking Dawn,” the video showed the Hollywood machine her ability to bask in some self-deprecating humor, while calling others out on their own “What was I thinking?” moments.
Chalk it up to fate, but shortly after the video went viral, she scored a comedic role in “2 Broke Girls.” If nothing else, it proved that everything happens for a reason.
Question: How did the industry respond when you expressed a desire to transition into comedy?
Answer: Well, I don't know if they found out about it yet! I'm still waiting. It's really funny — it's one of those things like, “A butterfly flaps its wings.” Because as soon as I put out that video, I don't think a lot of the industry had seen it, but I got cast in “2 Broke Girls” in a comedic role. And I think I did one multicamera show — multicamera is usually comedy, and single camera is more drama — and I was just never up for them because they want to make sure you can do them. So, it was really random. It was like all of a sudden, I got a comedy. So, maybe I don't have to broadcast it, and, maybe, I'll just get the butterfly effect.
Q: What was the inspiration for “Clever Girl?”
A: I think that's obvious! I don't do that habitually, but there was a moment where I was dating very briefly — so briefly — I was dating a model. And on the one hand, I was like, “Oh my God, I can't believe I'm dating a model! Oh my God, his portfolio!” And, then, it was like, “And?”
So, it was just like nothing there. He was a very sweet guy, but just not bright, and we could not have a conversation. I couldn't just look at him all the time, you know? So, I knew immediately it wasn't going to work, but, in a way I was like, “Well, then why are you going out with him again?” And it was like, “Because he's so cute!” So, that was kind of the inspiration for it. Those moments where they say something, and you're just so disappointed, you're like, “Did you really just say that? Did you mean it? You weren't kidding? Oh man!”
Q: Why is it so easy for smart women to make stupid choices when it comes to love?
A: I have no idea! Maybe it's like the neurosis or something. Intelligence comes with neurosis. Maybe we think, “Maybe it's me,” or “He can be better, I see his potential.” I think if you're not that smart, you're kind of just happy with whoever. I know men and women who just date whoever shows up because they're single. And they're like, “Oh, he'll do.” And I don't understand how someone could spend that much time with someone and just feel like, “Yeah, you're filling a space.”
Q: Is it a desire of having something rather than nothing?
A: Yeah, I think a lot of people are co-dependent. I feel like they might feel like they don't really exist unless they're with somebody. Lucky for me, or not so much — it depends how you look at it — I never had boyfriends growing up. I had obsessions with one particular guy at a time, but we never dated. I didn't start dating until my 20s. I was a really late bloomer. So, I just became accustomed to being on my own and figuring out a way to do it. It's almost second nature for me. It's almost unnatural for me to be with somebody — and that poses its own set of problems. But, at least, I'm not afraid of getting rid of somebody. That sounds so dark … but I'm not afraid of letting them go. But even still, I get all sad. It's like giving up a stuffed animal — “Oh, I'm going to miss the fur!”
Q: Comedy can be such a tricky genre in that your sense of humor might not necessarily resonate with an audience. How do you manage expectations?
A: You just have to really just put it out there and trust there will be enough people who do get it. Because if you're focused on playing to the weakest link, nothing's going to be funny. So, you just have to do what you find funny that's not offensive. I can have a warped sense of humor, sometimes, and have to temper it a little bit, to pasteurize it for the masses. But at the same time, it's still my sense of humor. I can't be funny in another person's way. And I've tried. I've auditioned for some of these shows where it's like, “I just don't get it. That's just not funny.”
Q: Given an audience's ability to post both positive and negative feedback for the world to see, was there any hesitation about posting your video on YouTube?
A: No. I eliminated comments — and I'm kind of wishing I hadn't because I might like some feedback. But, the truth is that, sometimes, those areas where people can comment almost becomes a kind of back and forth between people as they get into arguments. Which is fine — I don't mind dialogue. But I really wanted this to be seen as more of a tool for the industry. I wanted it to be geared towards everyone, but I wanted everyone to come up with their opinion of it. And I wanted to let the numbers to speak for themselves.
