Actor Tye White stars in NBC’s comedy series American Auto which recently premiered its new season. Bringing laughs to households across the country isn’t easy. Fortunately, he is great at what he does.
Tell us about the latest season of American Auto.
“American Auto” is short and funnier, therefore; if you liked the first season which are oftentimes comedies, like “The Office,” there is a lot of things that go on where they are trying to find the rhythm of the show. A lot of people come together writers, producers, network, actors, and directors. We are trying to find a rhythm that shows people a genuine comedy. Luckily, ours was funny out the gates, but we leveled up this year. Hopefully to where we will be mentioned like other great NBC comedies that have existed before us.
How does this series differ from any other roles that you have portrayed?
I have never been a series regular, in the comedy series it has allowed me to expand my expectations of what I can do in my own career. I have more fun doing this because the other roles I have done were dramatic roles. If you are coming in with some of my earlier work: I played a guy that was in the closet on “Greenleaf,” I played Jason Simpson on “People versus OJ,” I played heavy characters that had to have all these other nuances in them. My preparation I had to come in with some level of in that mindset of what I am about to do that day because you may have to cry you may have to yell. You may have to know be stressed out there is a lot of different emotions that come in while our goal is if we are making each other laugh then we know this show is funny. I have a different type of funding so much lighter field but lighter does not mean that it is not more challenging because like I said or and not as challenging because like I said I have not worked in this space before and finding comedic timing and jokes are also a enjoy themselves to discover but I just say it is different because it is something new it is fun and it is a lot lighter than the heavier dramatic work I have done in the past.
What can fans expect from the upcoming season?
Fans are going to find that our characters are going to be more defined. Before there was a rough outline of who the people are supposed to be, now they are a lot quirkier. The fans of the show will find that we have evolved them into these deeper characters and personalities. We put them in high-level stress situations because that is what the show is known for. Every episode is stressful, and something is going wrong; out the gate on the first episode was just pure chaos.
How does it feel returning to your character, Jack Fortin?
I am so happy, If NBC sees me fit to play this role for 7 or 10 years, I would do so. You can say the typical things about Jack; He is a good honest man, also a blue-collar boy, works hard in his career field. The funny thing about him is that he is a bad liar, which makes him funny. I go to work every day trying to make my castmates laugh and try to set positive energy. When I come home, I feel genuinely happy. It is not like the heavy emotions that I must display, for other roles I had to embrace myself to cry for eight hours.
How was it working with the cast, and can you share any insights on what fans can expect from your acting counterparts in this upcoming season?
Michael Benjamin Washington is hysterical. The choices he makes with Cyrus are funny. Humphrey Ker plays Elliot and is also funny, filming for the first season he always made me break character. If I am filming with either men, my focus is to not laugh or break character to get through their coverage. I mean, if I do laugh then it is on me, but I try not to so they can have a great comedic moment. Harriet is wonderful to play off. We had good chemistry from the beginning, but now I think it will be interesting to see how the relationship between Jack and Sadie evolves. Ana is a legend, and to be working with her is amazing and so is X Mayo. I am glad just to be working with all my castmates and to grow with them on this show.
Last season fans had shipped Jack and Sadie, what are your thoughts about their relationship?
They have a chance to be one of those stable relationships in comedies like Ross and Rachel from “Friends” that sort of dynamic. They have some similarities and differences and I think if they did not work together, then they would be dating. They are discovering that is a possibility for them.
Since you are from Detroit, did you feel a sensibility of comfort playing as Jack and did you have any routine or preparation for this series versus any of your earlier roles?
I think being from Detroit has made me the “note guy,” if something does not look like it can be in Detroit or how people act, I will give them pointers like “Hey, people don’t say soda in Detroit it is called pop.” The trivial things are important. Last season, it was sunny. I told them that Detroit gets all four seasons, and we need to capture that part of Detroit.
Seeing how Jack is the handyman of “American Auto,” Do you feel that most people who have the qualifications of their career are often overlooked?
I think being overlooked is something that needs to happen. I do not like to say overlook but more so pay your dues. I believe I you work hard enough and show your determination. Eventually someone would notice, some say, “luck is when preparation meets opportunity” If you are prepared, then you get your opportunity, but you must take advantage of it. I come from a place where there are many people who are overlooked as an actor on a daily, from not even being able to make it in the room to they do a god job and sign with a bigger name that has more experience. You must keep trying not just in this industry, but others as well. You will be overlooked, that’s just part of it. I remember my first job I got they would not hire because I did not have the experience. How can I gain the experience if I do not work?
Do you think Jack is overlooked in the series?
They turn to him for labor issues. He has the experience of those types of things that are hands on within those people. I do not think he is overlooked, but they do keep him in a box in terms of “that’s what he’s good at.” It is up to Jack to show them that he can work hard outside of that box because if you allow someone to keep you in that box that is exactly where they will keep you. From work to sports, if you show them that you are only a three-point shooter, then that is the position you will play. If you show otherwise and that you are capable of more, they will recognize that talent. You must take the responsibility of showing people your best ability to do those things you want to achieve.
How can our readers stay connected with you and American Auto?
The show airs on at 8:30 on NBC and Peacock. If you are like me, I enjoy letting the show build up so I can watch it fully. I am a fan of Abbot elementary so I always let it build up so I can binge the show. My social media is Tye White. I am not the greatest at social media, but I try.
Deanahi
