Niecy Nash

Niecy Nash star of the new FOX television series, “Do Not Disturb.”

Nash also costars as “Deputy Raineesha Williams” in Comedy Central’s Reno 911.

Niecy Nash Talks to SV
about new television series
DO NOT DISTURB!

Nash among few black women with leading roles in television; also has advice for Michelle Obama

Niecy Nash (Reno 911, Clean House, The Bernie Mac Show, That’s So Raven) is equally as funny as she is serious --serious about business, that is-- the business of Hollywood.  Nash heads the cast of the new FOX television series, Do Not Disturb, premiering Wed., September 10th (9:30-10:00 ET/PT).  The show’s creator, Abraham Higginbotham has been responsible for several hit series among them, (Back To You, Will & Grace, Arrested Development).

According to Nash, Higginbotham based Do Not Disturb on a boutique hotel he once worked for and the behind the scenes hilarity in the hotel industry.  The setting is a swank New York hotel.  Disturb has been picked up for 13 episodes.

I spoke to the funny lady about her role as “Rhonda,” the hotel’s spirited Human Resources Director. 

Sandra Varner (SV):  You have been chosen for the lead role in a new television series, a coveted opportunity in Hollywood by any measure.  Tell me about the selection process and how much of your character’s persona was scripted versus the nuance you brought to the role?

Niecy Nash (NN):  In terms of selection process, there was no audition--this was a project that was created for me.  I met with the creator and we grabbed a bite to eat; when we were done, he left the restaurant excited and said he wanted to create something for me to do.  So he married my personality with his past work experience (in the hotel business) and came up with Do Not Disturb.  I describe my character as an educated, ghetto-fabulous, truth-telling Mary Poppins (laughter).  She’s many things.

SV:  I reviewed the season opener titled, “Work Sex” and found it to be a combination of edgy humor mixed with the natural flair you’ve brought to other roles namely, “Deputy Raineesha Williams” of cable TV’s Reno 911.  That nuance could be described as a confident and powerful sex appeal.  What are your thoughts about my assessment?

NN: (Loud laughter) I never thought about that!

SV:  In saying that, how have you decided to portray “Rhonda” given your other roles (host of Comedy Central’s Clean House, FOX-TV’s The Bernie Mac Show)? With “Rhonda” you can take her in many directions with the high heels, the form-fitting dresses, your make-up and so forth.

NN:  I was actually able to bring my whole styling team over to “Do Not Disturb” including my make-up artist, my hair stylist and my wardrobe consultant.  They are all there with me.  So, “Rhonda” is a little different, visually, from all of the other characters I’ve played.  In trying to get “the look” for the character, what you see is what we came up with in terms of her style, how she looks and all of that.  I’m happy with the way “Rhonda” looks.

SV:  In the opener, we discover that Rhonda and her boss (played by Jerry O’Connell of “Jerry Maguire” fame) are each having a fling with a co-worker.  There is an arc of naughtiness in the tone of the show.  Can we expect to see a naughty theme throughout?

NN:  If you’re referring to the affair that “Rhonda” has with the guy from security, I think that will be just a one-time thing (laughter).  Whether you’ll see “naughtiness” throughout the season, probably so but, not with the same character; everybody will get a turn at being naughty.

SV:  Given the success of some of the TV series that have captured our imaginations including, The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Fraiser, Will & Grace among others, how do you prepare for what could potentially become the role that you are most known for?

NN:  I can’t even begin to tell you how I feel.  One, it’s amazing in this climate to get a television series picked up with the reality format taking up so much of TV because sitcoms have dwindled down so significantly.  And, when you add to that, being the only black woman to have a series picked up and to be the lead of that series makes me extremely grateful.

SV:  That actually punctuates a significant historical fact: of the black women who have had their own successful TV shows (notwithstanding ensemble casts), given your role on Do Not Disturb, you join a celebrated list of actors including: Ethel Waters, Diahann Carroll, Denise Nicholas, Marla Gibbs, Nell Carter, Brandy Norwood, Raven Simone and a few more.  Several others have been launched featuring black actresses in the lead including: Whoopi Goldberg, Melba Moore and Thea Vidal; however, this is still coveted territory.

NN:  Yeah, and I’m grateful for it; in this particular pilot season, there were no other new pilots that had black women as leads.  I don’t take it lightly, at all.

SV:  Continuing in the history-making vein, you and First Lady hopeful Michelle Obama share a physical attribute, curves.  Given an opportunity, what advice would you give her?

NN:  Celebrate the truth of who you are.  I think that’s the long and the short of it.  In any high visibility role, along with it comes so much stress and so much anxiety.  You take on trying to fit into what you think other people think you should be or how they think you should look, that’s too much stress, you know?  Baby, you’re trying to get your husband in the White House.  You don’t have time to be on no diet.  Put on a Spanx (a very popular Lycra undergarment for women) and hit it!  You don’t have time for no foolishness.  You have to walk in the truth of ‘who you are’ and celebrate that thing.  There are so many other things that take precedence over that, you know what I mean?  If you need to have a couple of sizes of dresses in the closet at the White House, then that’s what you do.  If today that size eight slips on real good and the next week you need to put on a size 10, then that’s what you do (laughter). 

SV:  Indeed it is an historical time. Realizing you were also a part of The Bernie Mac Show, too a successful breakout series featuring a black family, what will you take from that sitcom that will help you in Do Not Disturb?

NN:  I think it was more of who Bernie Mac was behind the scenes that I will draw from most and transfer onto the set of Do Not Disturb.  His generosity and the gift of his spirit was something that I had never really experienced from a person who had that much fame.  For the star of his own show to say to me, ‘Do you.  Whatever it is you wanna do, I’ll follow your lead.  I got mine and I want you to get yours.  I’ll follow you because I’m comfortable in my skin.’  That was a special gift Bernie had.  I was so grieved at his passing because I knew how much he meant to us as a community, as a black community and he will be missed tremendously.  Then it dawned on me, ‘Hey Niecy, you have your own show.  You can pay forward those things that Bernie showed you so that his spirit lives on.’

And live on it shall. Nash has already amassed a loyal following of TV viewers who may not know her name but surely know her characters.  Often called “The Clean House Lady,” the potential success of “Do Not Disturb” could make “Niecy” a household name, and that’s something we hope her fans will shout out loud.

Nash’s film roles to date include:

• Boys on the Side (1995)
• Cookie's Fortune (1999)
  
• The Bachelor (1999)
  
• Popular (2000)
  
• Malibu's Most Wanted (2003)
  
• Hair Show (2004)
  
• Jepardee! (2005) (short subject)
  
• Guess Who (2005)
  
• Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie (2005) (voice) (direct-to-video)
  
• Code Name: The Cleaner (2007)
  
• Reno 911!: Miami (2007)
  
• Cook-Off! (2007)
• Horton Hears A Who (2008)

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