Based on my Twitter feed last night, a lot of you went to bed pretty bummed. Sure, we were happy that Mindy and Danny got back together on The Mindy Project, and New Girl ended on a strong note, but it also means no new episodes until September or October. But I have good news for you because Max Greenfield (a.k.a. Schmidt on New Girl) is back on our TV tonight in an all-new episode of Hot in Cleveland. And it's actually his second visit to the show—he guest-starred once before he was even cast on New Girl! This time around, he's playing an entirely new character and has to determine if the ladies (played by Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, and Wendie Malick) are good candidates for puppy adoption. Of course, he goes about it in a very odd (but totally Schmidt-like) way. I went to visit Max on the set to talk about his return to the hilarious sitcom and the chance that Betty White could return the favor.
Glamour: Before New Girl came about, you played Steve in an episode of Hot in Cleveland called "I Love Lucci." What do you remember about that experience?
Max Greenfield: I didn't meet Susan Lucci then. Our paths didn't cross. We're not ready to meet yet. The world is saving that union for later on. I'm playing a different character this time around. I came on for a bit in 2011 when I was buying Valerie's character's house in Los Angeles. I talked to [executive producer] Todd Milliner who runs the show, and he always said they'd love to figure out a way for me to come back to the show.
Glamour: And here we are!
Max: We figured out my hiatus weeks [from New Girl], and then Suzanne Martin, the creator, wrote this great episode and this fun character. I play Doug Wyman. He comes into town and tries to take advantage of the three ladies. They're getting a new dog, and the dog steals the episode. He looks like Boo, the Pomeranian. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life. My character ends up seducing all of the ladies, which works out pretty well until they seek revenge.
Glamour: Do you have any scenes with Betty White?
Max: No because she's in another story line with Georgia Engel and John Mahoney. And, by the way, doing anything with John Mahoney—even though we don't have any scenes together—is just awesome. It's making me really happy.
Glamour: Did you and Betty have scenes last time?
Max: No, but I've done three shows with her now. I did an episode of Ugly Betty with her, but we have yet to work together.
Glamour: So basically Betty needs to come on New Girl and play your grandmother.
Max: She is so funny. I know it needs to happen. Can you talk to Betty and make it happen? Let's start a rumor.
Glamour: We totally should. Were you a big Golden Girls fan before this? I feel like you would be.
Max: I was into The Golden Girls for sure. I liked the real sexual one, Blanche. She was my favorite.
Glamour: You worked a lot before even getting cast on Hot in Cleveland the first time around. How does it feel coming back three years later being in the position you're now in with three Golden Globe nominations under your belt?
Max: Well multi-cam is a different beast. We improv a lot on New Girl, and it's two different styles. I have a live audience here, which I love. It's just an adjustment of the rhythm. With this show, you're working with the best, so they really pick you up and you don't have time to flag off because you have to get to their level. It's just fun to be here. I was not nervous when I was here last time. I was just happy. I think it's one of the best multis that are out there. It's very difficult to do, so when you get it right, it's rare.
__Glamour: Between this series, New Girl, Ugly Betty, Veronica Mars, and The OC, you've been in so many pop-culture shows that have really resonated with audiences. __
Max: I've been lucky. With The OC, the guy that directed it was also the editor on the show. What was also funny was that episode was written by J.J. Philbin, who I didn't know at the time, and she now writes on New Girl. She was like, "You know I wrote that episode of The OC?" and I was like, "What?! That's insane!"
Glamour: Your wife is a casting director for Fox, and it should be said she had no input in you getting the job there, but how often do you seek out her advice?
Max: She used to run lines with me, but she's too hard a coach. [Laughs] That, and we're now past that phase. She's working too hard, I'm working too hard, so when we're at home, we're not doing business. My home should not be an office.
Check out a clip from tonight's episode!
Get More: Hot in Cleveland Video,Photos on the set of Hot in Cleveland,Betty White,Hot in Cleveland Official TV Show Website
Max Greenfield's episode of Hot in Cleveland airs tonight on TV Land at 10 P.M./9 P.M. CT. Will you be watching?
