Interview: THE RESIDUALS Guest Star Michael Torpey Chats Commercial Acting

Last week, BroadwayWorld debuted the second season of hit web comedy THE RESIDUALS. The show, from Michael Paul Smith and Gillian Pensavalle, examines the ridiculous ins and outs of auditioning for commercials. Check out the second season premiere and the outtakes exclusively on BroadwayWorld!

The second Season 2 episode will premiere on Tuesday, June 23rd on BroadwayWorld, and will feature actor and commercial legend Michael Torpey, as a few different versions of his real-life self. Torpey is a regular on INSIDE AMY SCHUMER and has had memorable appearances on 30 ROCK (as Gaylord Felcher), VEEP (as Jason), and on LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON.

However, perhaps most importantly for a show about commercial auditions, Torpey has been featured in countless high-profile campaigns for Chase, Hanes (with Michael Jordan), NAPA Auto Parts (with Dale Earnhardt Jr.), and many more. Don't believe me? Check out this YouTube playlist of some of his most memorable spots.

Recently, I had a chance to chat with Torpey about THE RESIDUALS and the oddities of commercial acting:

BWW: How did Mike and Gillian get you on board for your appearance on THE RESIDUALS; as two very different versions of yourself, no less?

MT: I've known Mike and Gillian for a number of years and was a big fan of the first season. When they reached out with the opportunity to join the cast for season two, I immediately said yes. I didn't care what the role was, I just wanted the chance to work with them.

Is it flattering to know that someone wrote a part specifically for you to play yourself, or is it kind of creepy?

It's insanely flattering. Any creepy aspects of the experience were unrelated to the character they wrote for me and directly related to Nick Costa being partially nude on set.

On THE RESIDUALS, you play a hard-boiled, guardian angel version of yourself. First, can you actually control the weather around you? And second, if you were the guardian angel for a commercial actor, what is the first bit of advice that you would give him/her?

First, Lee Goldberg controls the weather. Everyone knows that. Second, I would remind all actors that you can only book the jobs that you're right for, so you might as well be yourself. Bring what makes you unique into the room, and that's what will get you the jobs that you deserve.

In the episode, you do a hysterical set of warm-ups to prepare for an audition. Are those things that you actually do, or have seen other actors do? How do you prepare for an audition and/or a shoot?

Thankfully I have never seen anyone do the warmups I do in the show. They are absurd and in no way would help. I prepare for auditions by trying to find moments where I can add to the script. I want those casting to know that I will be able to find moments on set to help make the end product better.

THE RESIDUALS chronicles just how weird the world of commercial acting can be; do you have an experience that stands out as being the most bizarre?

Commercial auditions can be real cattle calls, especially when they're looking for a look rather than a performance. In my first year auditioning I went out for a sporting goods company, let's call them "Borts Mathority," where I would be playing baseball. The audition took place outdoors on a baseball field and they had us all sprinting around and sliding into second base headfirst. They asked me to do it three times and on the third one I tore open both my knees and elbows and walked out a bloody mess.

I washed my wounds in the public parks bathroom next to a man who was washing his entire body. It was not a high point in my career.

Beyond THE RESIDUALS, are there any projects that you have coming up that people should keep an eye out for?

I'll be on two of the final three episodes of INSIDE AMY SCHUMER this season. Check them out!

To get caught up on Season One, visit www.theresiduals.tv. You can also follow the show on Twitter @TheResiduals, "Like" it on Facebook, or follow them on Instagram.