With musical comedy Dating in the Middle Ages in the middle of its super-fun first season, DCTV creator Daryn Strauss chatted with its creator and star Devin Mills about Cary Grant, pig-out foods, and bad dates. We’ve all had ‘em!
DARYN: OK, first things first. Favorite Cary Grant movie?
DEVIN: Although I loved some of his early stuff like Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story (both with Katherine Hepburn, by the way!) and of course the classic, Arsenic and Old Lace, I would have to say it was An Affair to Remember– like most women I’m sure!– that captured my heart.
DARYN: Favorite classic Hollywood musical?
DEVIN: There are so many I love! Singing In The Rain, An American In Paris, On The Town! I was in love with Gene Kelly’s sexy legs and derrière! But Holiday Inn and White Christmas were and are classics I never grow tired of.
DARYN: Do you see yourself as a Katharine Hepburn, a Doris Day, a Bette Davis, or a Judy Garland?
DEVIN: Doris Day all the way. She was a triple threat, kind of the girl next door and a great comedienne who never got the credit she deserved. And I see Samantha as the kind of gal that gets herself in wacky situations, then she has to be creative on how she gets herself out, but she’s passive aggressive as well, so she’ll put up with more than she should. Ms. Day played lots of those types of roles. Not that there’s anything wrong with Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, or Judy Garland, but they were darker in a way, even in their comedy. Doris was like a bright light. She lit up the screen. I hope someday I can be as wonderful.
DARYN: I love Doris Day, and she did get Cary Grant in That Touch of Mink! How about your character Sam? What can we expect from her?
DEVIN: We’ll learn more about Sam’s hopes and fears – about herself and where she is in her life. We’ll meet friends and family members and the ex as well. We’ll learn and go along with what Sam is going through -being single in her 40′s and what a pain it is to have to do little things like wear Spanx to cover flabby thighs and learn how to navigate putting on fake eye lashes because she has none since she’s not 24 anymore. She’ll deal with Botox and aging while still having a sense of humor about herself and her life. And of course, there will be plenty of dates. Old dates, young dates, good dates, bad dates. There’ll be some keepers, and it’ll be up to the audience to bring them back. That’s going to be the fun of future episodes and seasons. Audience participation.
DARYN: So, what’s your favorite pig-out food? And how many dates does it take before you eat it in front of him?
DEVIN: Well I’m a Midwest girl, so barbecue is my one true foody love. But watching a lady chow down on smoked pork ribs while getting tons of sauce all over her face early on in courtship is not for the faint of heart, and I don’t want to scare anyone away, so I’d have to say that, this is “relationship” food! ‘Cause by then, he’s in love! Sexy lip gloss, clear skin, barbecue sauce, hair removal lotion on the upper lip – he adores you whatever you’re wearing.
DARYN: What is the first thing you do after a bad date?
DEVIN: Shower. Then watch a Gene Kelly movie.
Devin Mills in Dating in the Middle Ages
DARYN: Love it! I really want to congratulate you on Dating in the Middle Ages and for creating a smart romantic comedy for women over 40. It took a long time but the entertainment industry finally gets that women are still sexy and silly in the 40s, and now they are creating shows and films for them which end up being big hits. When did you get the inspiration to musicalize Dating in the Middle Ages?
DEVIN: First of all, thank you! I’m glad you think it’s smart. I always wanted it to be a little Sex in the City meets Glee hybrid, and I think it’s on its way. Recently, it was compared to Ally McBeal, and I’ll take that too. And it was always a musical. Unfortunately in four to six minutes an episode, I will not be able to put a singing/dance number in each one, but the episodes might grow longer. And the musical numbers have to be organic and not just “thrown” in cause it’s a musical. And there are lots of other character/story stuff to show as well. It’s a delicate dance.
DARYN: Tying “middle age” to the Middle Ages is very clever. Dating is a little like medieval torture! When did you come up with that?
DEVIN: Again, it was all organic from the beginning. Samantha is a historical romance writer. She writes mostly medieval romances, which we’ll find out more about in future episodes, so it made sense to tie her fantasies into that.
DARYN: Your show really has the vibe of a contemporary version of an old Hollywood musical. Did you watch any old musicals when you were working on this?
DEVIN: Thank you! Such a compliment because I love old Hollywood musicals! Honestly, I have been performing in musicals most of my life, and have been watching them on TV since I was a child. Call me crazy but I love the idea of walking down the street and out of nowhere, breaking into a song and dance! I think everyone should try it. Maybe there’d be less fighting in the world if there was more singing and dancing on the streets!
DARYN: In the first two episodes, we get a clear idea of what Sam thinks of the proctologist she was set up with. So, what’s your opinion on men that cook and clean?
DEVIN: You’re kidding, right? If you find a man who can cook — and I mean more than putting something in the microwave — and clean — and I mean more than brushing crumbs off his bed — send him my way please cause he’s a keeper! Unless he snores, lives with his mother, or lives in his car.
DARYN: Who would be your dream bachelor for Sam? Dream guest star?
DEVIN: Well, you’ll see John Schneider (Smallville, Nip/Tuck and Bo Duke from Dukes of Hazzard) coming up in episode four. He plays Jake Hagerty, someone from Samantha’s writers group. And there just might be some sparks there. But I’d also love to see Tom Wopat (Taking Chance, Luke Duke from Dukes of Hazzard) as my ex husband in future episodes, and maybe a love triangle between the ole’ Duke brothers??? And they both sing!
DARYN: What are you plans for the future of the show?
DEVIN: Right now, it is being pitched to Networks, but I am very open to online distribution and getting sponsorship – keeping it all on the web. After all, I’ll remain in control of the show if it stays on the web, and since it is my vision and my writing, well… you just never know with TV. It could get bought and shelved or they’d cast someone wrong as Sam. Then the show gets cancelled after two episodes air, or I’d have to fight to stay on as a writer. And with the state of TV in the past few years and now, the future, well, let’s just say it’s not what it used to be. And I have stories about that too, but maybe that’ll be for another interview!
To watch Dating in the Middle Ages, click here.
