Greg Contaldi Talks Working with ‘Blue Bloods’ Star Abigail Hawk and the Future of Hollywood
Greg Contaldi, creator of the web series Bromance, chatted with Showbiz Cheat Sheet about the show, working with Blue Bloods star Abigail Hawk, and the future of entertainment. Here’s what Contaldi had to say.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: What was it like working with ‘Blue Bloods’ star Abigail Hawk?
Greg Contaldi: Working with Abigail Hawk [on Bromance] was an absolute blast. Here’s someone I’ve watched on TV every week, since my freshman year of high school, and now she’s showing up to work on my set. I almost couldn’t believe it. The nerves, however, started pumping when I realized that every scene she was in was alongside me. [I was thinking], ‘How was I going to hold my ground? She’s used to acting with Tom Selleck. Am I about to make a fool out of myself?’ These ideas raced through my mind as I struggled to keep my composure. Luckily, that all went away once we went in for our first take.
Her character, Melissa, a television producer, is new to Bromance this season, and yet, when she showed up to set for the first time, she knew her character so well. Abigail brings so much to every character she plays and made our scripts better because of it.
CS: What advice would you give to men who feel awkward or ashamed about having a close friendship?
GC: I would tell them to get over it. There is nothing to feel awkward or ashamed about. The people you surround yourself with are critical. They strengthen you with a collective identity to help achieve your goals and to help you learn from your failures and disappointments. This series is a result of having close friendships.
I just finished a book called Never Eat Alone by entrepreneur Keith Ferrazzi, which speaks heavily on the importance of close friendships and relationships. “It is close relationships that keep us adjusted, happy and successful,” he says. In a world that is so focused on individualism, we need to make it a point to focus on the people we keep around us. Nothing in this world happens on your own.
CS: How do you think TV shows will change in light of the coronavirus and racial tensions?
GC: It is definitely a changing time for the entertainment industry and for the world as a whole. We are already starting to see how production is shifting in the age of coronavirus. Scripts are going digital, writers’ rooms are happening over Zoom, and crews are being divided into teams with staggered work schedules.
Cops and Live PD were canceled. This came as a bit of a surprise as A&E’s Live PD is one of the most-watched shows on cable. I predicted it to be pulled from the air for a few weeks, in light of recent events, but I did not expect an outright cancellation. I think we are going to continue to see a shift in the types of programming we see on television as the growing movement against racial injustice continues.
However, in light of these recent tragedies, I’ve begun to see many people use this as a teaching moment. Books on race are topping best-seller lists. Even Netflix added a new “Black Lives Matter” genre focusing on racial injustice and discrimination. The types of stories depicted in these programs will no longer go unheard. Networks and streaming services are making sure of it.
Read more: ‘Bromance’ Creator Greg Contaldi Tells Us About the Series and Plans for the Future
Follow Sheiresa @SheiresaNgo
