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If you don’t immediately recognize Elizabeth Banks’ name, you probably recognize her face if you watch movies on a regular basis. That is, you’ll recognize Banks if you don’t confuse her with comedienne/talk-show host/author Chelsea Handler. (It’s an identity mix-up that happens to Banks often, she says.) Although Banks has been acting in movies and TV for several years, she had her big breakthrough year in 2008 by co-starring in the films “Definitely, Maybe,” “Role Models,” “W.” (as former first lady Laura Bush) “Meet Dave,” “Lovely, Still” and “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.”
On TV, Banks has had a guest-starring role on the sitcom “30 Rock,” as CNBC reporter Avery Jessup, who is in a love triangle with arrogant TV executive Jack Donaghy (played by Alec Baldwin) and his former high-school girlfriend Nancy Donovan (played by Julianne Moore). Banks says that the love triangle will be resolved in the “30 Rock’s” fourth-season finale, airing May 20 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific Time on NBC. In addition to Banks having a busy career as an actress, she is a producer and has made her directorial debut in a still-untitled anthology feature film. During a telephone conference call with journalists, Banks shared her thoughts on her recent projects and how she is juggling them all.
Since you spend so much time with Alec Baldwin on the show what it is like working with him?
Everyone like wants to know that. I think he’s fantastic. First of all, he’s so charming it’s sort of ridiculous. And I think he’s working in a zone right now that I think for his career is really amazing. I mean, he’s so funny and they’ve really done such a great job with the Jack Donaghy character for him. And he seems very delighted by Tina and by the scripts. So I think he’s pretty happy there. It’s certainly – they certainly make a big effort to keep him happy there. And I hope I make – I hope he’s happy with me too.
You’ve done recurring roles on “30 Rock” and “Scrubs.” Do you ever see yourself settling down into a series or do you kind of like this dynamic of going back and forth between film and TV?
I’m very happy going back and forth right now. I really love playing multiple characters. , I’m not quite ready to commit to a single character for multiple years just yet. But that said, I never rule it out; life is long and you just never know. But it won’t be anytime soon.
In the season finale are we going to get to see a hint of Avery’s annual PMS retreat?
There is no scene that takes place in the fenced in area in the Adirondacks, unfortunately no. But I’m assuming it sort of comes from “The Red Tent,” the Anita Diamant book which is about how all the women whenever they get their period all have to go sit in the red tent and hang out with each other. I think that was the inspiration for the idea of the fenced-in area. I’d love to see what other ladies are there.
Are you going to have a face-off with Julianne Moore?
I will tell you that Julianne Moore and I do have a scene together. I don’t know if it’s quite the face-off that you’re expecting but we do have a scene together, so we meet in the finale.
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Entry posted on May 25th, 2010 by Jennifer in Interviews + No Comments »
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