Ted Danson interview: ‘A Man on the Inside’
For the first time in his career, Ted Danson grapples with getting older as “A Man on the Inside.” For the new Netflix comedy he admits, “I’m exploring aging at 76. Some of it hurts a little, there’s more aches and pains. There’s some sadness because you live long enough. But I’m beginning to learn, ‘so what? keep going!’ And I get the same thrill driving through a studio gate today that I did when I was in my late 20s. One of my goals in life is to keep acting and figure out how to be funny at every age.” Watch our video interview above.
Exploring new ground is familiar territory for Danson. Since his turn as the charming Sam Malone on “Cheers,” he’s played a cantankerous doctor on “Becker,” a repentant demon on “The Good Place,” an unscrupulous billionaire on “Damages,” and a frustratingly affable version of himself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” He reveals, “You always start from zero because you don’t want to try what you did last time. You have to start from not knowing, which is very scary. It’s a process of being humble and slowly discovering what this character is about rather than imposing what you’re good at on top of the character.”
“A Man on the Inside” is created by Michael Schur ("The Good Place," "Parks and Recreation"). In the series, Danson plays Charles, a retired professor struggling to move on after the passing of his wife. To find purpose and solve the mystery of a stolen necklace, he accepts an undercover job in a retirement home.
The series balances broad comedy against nuanced pathos. Charles snoops and bungles his way around the home while confronting the loneliness and loss that comes with aging. Danson reveals, “I hope comedy comes out of tragedy. Sam Malone was an alcoholic who could not have a relationship last. There was sadness there, but he was very funny. I need both. That’s life. The more you live, the more of a sense of humor you have about what you are going through. It serves you well.”
It was a challenge for Danson playing a widower. He explains, “I’m madly in love with my wife. As an actor, I can barely touch it. There were days when it was emotionally tiring. But actors are famous for thinking, ‘it’s going to be terrible, but it’s going to be great in acting class.” Because of this, Danson jokes, “Actors are terrible.”
As Charles becomes part of the retirement community, the series showcases the power of connection in overcoming life’s hardships. This beautifully mirrors the wonder Danson has found in television. He reflects, “I learned the joy of an ensemble. I’ve always loved to be in a show surrounded by good actors and characters. I loved coming back week after week. I’ve learnt that you don’t always have to carry the ball. You can be in the background of a good joke and still get credit for being part of something funny. It brings me so much happiness.”
Danson is also tremendously appreciative of the writing on the series. He reflects, “I always let the words play on me. You let that wash over you. When the writing is good, you allow the words to take you to places. Like notes of music on a page allows the violinist to soar. They are playing those notes that were laid out for them.”
