In the new Netflix series, James plays the crew chief of a fictional racing team.
But is there a rolefor Leah Remini?
James answered that burning question… and more.
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ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You’re a NASCAR fan.
What interested you about setting a show in this universe?
I didn’t know enough.
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It’s about relationships.
It’s just a funny show, whether it is NASCAR or not, it’s funny.
You’ve only really done family comedies before on TV what do you like about the workplace setting?
ERIC LIEBOWITZ/NETFLIX
It opens up a lot more for me creatively.
There are so many aspects that are new to me that I love.
It doesn’t feel claustrophobic.
Some well-known NASCAR drivers make cameos in the show, includingRyan Blaney and Austin Dillon.
Ryan Blaney is kind of your character’s nemesis how did you come up with that dynamic?
I don’t think it was me.
Once I met Ryan and knew what his personality was, he’s fantastic for it.
But he was really funny.
How did you adapt your style of comedy for Netflix?
The goal was just be funny and have real relationship stuff.
That’s what’s so great about Netflix, is they let you do your thing.
You shot some footage at actual NASCAR races, right?
So that’s the benefit of having NASCAR helping you out, too.
Okay, so let’s talk about Fake Steak.
Believe me, it was good.
It wasn’tthatgreat, because they didn’t want me to enjoy it too much.
So it had to have a little bad taste to it.
If Netflix givesThe Crewa second season, have you thought about how you might incorporateLeah Reminiinto the show?
She’s gotso much going onright now.
She’s doing everything now.
She’s got thatgame show withPeoplemagazine.
I always love to work with her.
She’s always the best, so I’m always open to anything with her.
Do you plan to make more films in the future?
Yeah, we just made a couple more.
But I want to keep that going; I just enjoy doing them.
We have so much fun.
Do you have a favorite of the shorts you’ve made so far?
We were talking about it the other day.
I don’t know.
The"Sound Guy"ones make me laugh so hard.
[My character]Terry Flattsis just so ridiculously stupid, too.
He makes me laugh.
They’re my babies, you’re free to’t make me choose.
