Skip to main content

Superstore • NBC • America Ferrera • Ben Feldman

Superstore's Nico Santos On Keeping the Humor Amid the Pandemic Reality

Nico Santos talked to E! News all about Superstore's return for season six and what it was like to return to work during the pandemic.

SuperstoreNBC

Superstore is back and facing the pandemic head on. 

Production on the NBC comedy got shut down in the spring with just one episode left to shoot, and it was a big one. The season five finale was supposed to America Ferrera's swan song as Amy headed off to California with a big promotion, and season six was going to start without her. Plans changed thanks to the pandemic, and Ferrera got a whole extra episode in which Amy had to deal with leading Cloud Nine through the ups and downs of the past few months while the actors themselves also got used to filming their show under very new and very strange circumstances. 

E! News chatted with Nico Santos, who plays Mateo, about just how much getting used to it all took. 

"It's definitely weird. That is the only way to describe it," he said. "I'm counting my lucky stars that I'm able to work, but it's definitely strange and weird to have to do it with all the new COVID protocols surrounding us. I'm happy, but I'm not gonna lie, it's a little strange." 

Like some of the medical shows, Superstore is in a sort of unique position where it makes complete sense for its characters to be directly dealing with the pandemic and to be wearing masks and social distancing on screen—not just because it's a show about people working in a retail store, but because it's a show that embraces the reality of what it's actually like to work in a retail store. The premiere showed Amy fighting to get PPE for her employees while her employees struggled to keep up with the ever-changing messaging about how to keep themselves safe. 

"I think that's actually one of the reasons why we were all so excited to really get to work," Santos said. "We're one of the few shows that could really lean into something like this."

 

Related: Ben Feldman Takes the E!Q in 42

Santos said there were discussions with the cast and showrunners about how real they wanted the show to get, and the decision was unanimous.  

"We were all just like, we definitely need to address what's going on in the world right now," he said. "Our fans sort of expect us to. I've heard nothing but that on social media, fans saying, 'Can't wait to see how you guys tackle the pandemic.' I'm really proud to be part of a show that can handle things like this." 

Santos explained that they wanted to honor the people they're portraying, as well as the other frontline workers in hospitals and other industries. 

"These people are out there risking their lives," he said. "It would be in such bad taste if we didn't [address it]." 

What we won't get to see onscreen is what the actors had to deal with between scenes. Santos said he felt very safe at work and was surprised by how adaptable everyone was to the new rules about social distancing and the delays caused by keeping everyone as safe as possible. He said it feels "normal" now to wear masks and keep his distance, but there are still those surreal moments. 

"We have these crazy like clear essentially dog cones that actors have to wear between sets," he explained. "They don't want to ruin hair and makeup but they also want to protect the actors, so we have a little quarantine area where only the hair and makeup people can [be], and we literally have this thing that attaches to our neck and it's like a little dog cone. We all look like humiliated dogs in a corner waiting for the vet."

Safe, but also hilarious.

NBC

"You have to find some humor in every situation," Santos said. "When you look at the reality of things it is pretty grim, but we have to move on somehow and continue operating our lives, so there has to be moments of levity and moments of lightness and moments of humor, so I try to focus on that. If you focus on the other things, it'll eat you up and you'll just drown in it." 

Mateo, for example, has one of the more realistic stories on the show. At the beginning of last season, he was taken by ICE and nearly deported for being undocumented and while he's still learning to deal with being known by the government as being undocumented, he hasn't lost his edge. 

"Undocumented people don't have the luxury of just opting out of their status. It stays with them 24/7 and I love the fact that on the show there are days where we really lean into it and discuss the challenges of Mateo's status and his life, and there are days where Mateo just gets to be the bitchy mean guy that is sometimes. Even though he went through this crazy thing, he still has a little bit of venom in him." 

Santos said that he, like many fans, was "truly sort of worried" about what the show would be like without its fearless leader Amy, but he's not worried anymore. 

"It's working pretty well," he said. "We have a wealth of material and a wealth of characters to play with, so all in all, it hasn't been as awkward a transition as we all thought it would be." 

Ferrera's final episode will air next Thursday at 8 p.m. on NBC, and then we'll all find out just how awkward or not awkward it will be. 

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) 

read://https_www.eonline.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eonline.com%2Fnews%2F1203599%2Fsuperstores-nico-santos-on-keeping-the-humor-amid-the-pandemic-reality

Comments

Latest Post

Recent Posts Widget

Popular posts from this blog

ADISQ • Félix • Louis-José Houde

Quoi surveiller au 42e Gala de l’ADISQ? Louis-José Houde animera le Gala de l'ADISQ pour une 15e année consécutive. Comme quoi, on ne change pas une formule gagnante. Photo : Radio-Canada Dimanche à 20 h se tiendra, sur les ondes d’ICI Télé, le 42e Gala de l’ADISQ, l'événement phare de la musique au Québec, animé pour une 15e année consécutive par Louis-José Houde. Malgré la pandémie, la soirée s'annonce festive, avec les prestations d’une quinzaine d’artistes d’ici et 12 remises de prix. Les Cowboys Fringants, en route vers un quintuplé? Après 23 ans de carrière, le quatuor de folk continue de faire vibrer le Québec,  comme il l’a prouvé mercredi au Premier Gala de l’ADISQ, où il a remporté trois Félix  (album de l’année – meilleur vendeur, album rock de l’année et vidéoclip de l’année). Grâce au succès de leur dixième opus,  Les antipodes , les Cowboys sont toujours dans la course pour deux prix, soit celui de la chanson de l’année et celui...

The Undoing

'The Undoing' features Nicole Kidman in a mystery that feels like 'Big Little Lies Lite' Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in 'The Undoing' (Courtesy of HBO). (CNN) "The Undoing" owes debts to earlier high-class HBO miniseries, but the net effect feels like "Big Little Lies Lite." Reuniting Nicole Kidman and writer-producer David E. Kelley, the six-part production hinges on a murder mystery and trial, but even with its twists and feints, doesn't possess the requisite qualities to become another viewing obsession. Like " Big Little Lies, " it's adapted from a novel, and the entire limited series was directed by Oscar-winning Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier, which in theory provides a continuity of vision similar to "Lies" director Jean-Marc Vallee. Another obvious comparison would be HBO's  "The Night Of,"  also built around a murder, although in a way that proved considerably more compelling. The "undoi...

See What Parents Are Saying About ISHCMC

  ISHCMC International School 4-5 minutes Ensure your child's future with the ISHCMC Blueprint for Learning. Limited places available across grade levels. Connect with our Admissions team and secure your child's place today! Complete this short  2-step form. ISHCMC provides continuous learning for children who are unable to be on-campus so Every Child, Everyday is energized, engaged, and empowered -  now at anytime, anyplace, or anywhere. Learn more about the principles that guide our Blueprint for Learning at ISHCMC Communication Our guidance is research-based, clearly communicated, effectively implemented & diligently enforced. Community We value the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of all our community members including students, parents, educators and support staff. Agility Policies & practices provide strategic guidance so that we can be both responsive and agile and when facing disruptions and crisis. Our commitment to your child The wellbe...

This Woman Is Calling Out Those Who Think She And Her Husband's Relationship "Doesn't Make Sense" Just Because Their Bodies Are Different

  Alicia McCarvell , a self-love advocate with a massive following of 5.4 million on TikTok, has been with her husband Scott for 16 years. Instagram: @aliciamccarvell / Via  Instagram: @aliciamccarvell Recently, the high school sweethearts shared an endearing  video  where they showed off their wedding guest attire by transitioning from towels... TikTok: @aliciamccarvell / Via  tiktok.com ADVERTISEMENT ...to their evening glam: TikTok: @aliciamccarvell / Via  tiktok.com You can watch the full video  here .  It's a common video style found throughout TikTok, but Alicia's clip — which garnered over 40.3 million views — was met with an onslaught of hateful comments centering around her and her husband's bodies. TikTok: @aliciamccarvell / Via  tiktok.com Nearly 70,000 people have weighed in on the couple's clip. In the comments, there's a range of people who are far too concerned about another person's relationship and/or body, and others who off...

Step-By-Step Guide To Planning An Awesome Trip To Vietnam | How to Plan a Vietnam Travel

  A  comprehensive guide to everything you need to know when  planning a trip  to  Vietnam Where should travel in Vietnam in August? Suggested destinations for the exciting end of summer August 4, 2021   vinlove   0 August is the time when it is a bit floating, late summer and early autumn it is not too hot nor cold, is the most  […] 17 most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam you cannot ignore August 3, 2021   vinlove   0 Explore all parts of the country from the North to the South, from the majestic unspoiled Northwest mountains to the thousands of Central Highlands to  […] 8 most beautiful forests in Vietnam August 3, 2021   vinlove   0 The golden forest, the silver sea, the beauty of the forests always makes us feel cool and comfortable. On this dear S-shaped strip of land, there  […] Top 13 most dangerous and conquering passes in Vietnam August 2, 2021   vinlove   0 Although considered as dangerous roa...

The Real Housewives of Orange County • Gina Kirschenheiter • Kelly Dodd • Bravo • Shannon Beador

RHOC: Braunwyn Windham-Burke Throws Glass After Gina Kirschenheiter Calls Her a 'Sloppy Chihuahua' "I'm 30 days sober, bitch!" Braunwyn Windham-Burke yelled at Gina Kirschenheiter on Wednesday's episode Shannon Beador 's housewarming party ended with  Braunwyn Windham-Burke  throwing a glass and storming off in tears after a heated confrontation with  Gina Kirschenheiter . On Wednesday's episode of  The Real Housewives of Orange County , Braunwyn and Gina finally discussed the drama surrounding Gina's condo after previously putting the conversation off for a later date. As viewers recall, on last week's episode,  Emily Simpson  told Gina, 36, that Braunwyn, 42, had been gossiping about the size of her new place. Braunwyn later told Emily, 44, that she had only found out about the condo through Shannon, who she claimed called it "sad and depressing." Braunwyn admitted to throwing Shannon "under the bus" and came clean about w...

Prepare for your trip to Vietnam with practical information from Vietnam's tourism board on visas, transportation, weather, health and safety, and more.

  Plan your trip A  comprehensive guide to everything you need to know when  planning a trip  to  Vietnam 10 “rooftops” become the best cloud-hunting spots in Vietnam October 17, 2022   vinlove   0 The appearance and existence of clouds like sunrise or sunset, we can only enjoy when there is a suitable time and space. Therefore, hunting clouds  […] Traveling Vietnam by motorbike from a Western perspective: An experience worth trying! October 16, 2022   vinlove   0 Motorcycles are really the optimal means of travel in Vietnam, where there are many beautiful sights and delicious food, according to the writer of thetravel.com.  […] Items that should not be taken for travel October 15, 2022   vinlove   0 Reader Trinh Hang shares her travel experiences on what not to bring in your luggage. You should consider the following items to make your travel  […] Laos – Thailand backpacking schedule 8 days with 250$ October 15, 2022...
The nearly 200-year-old persimmon tree in Hoa Lu suddenly became famous, which many people likened to a scene in a Korean historical movie. Ninh Binh is a land with many famous tourist attractions such as Bai Dinh pagoda, Trang An, Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Mua cave... Recently, the travel-loving community on social networks has been buzzing with check coordinates. new print. It is an ancient persimmon tree in the campus of a household in Khe Ha hamlet, Ninh Xuan commune, Hoa Lu district. This brand new place on the tourist map is only about 700 meters from Mua Cave, attracting many tourists to Ninh Binh in the past 2 weeks. According to the share of the head of the household, Mrs. Xiem, 73 years old, the persimmon tree is about 180-190 years old. It is estimated that the tree has been there for 4 generations. Persimmon trees begin to bear green fruit from March to March. By about September, the fruit begins to turn yellow and when ripe it is as red as a tomato. Mrs. Siam said that the o...
Located on a heart-shaped piece of land with a romantic space, filled with flowers and plants, the Long Van Garden tourist area is one of the most popular check-in places recently. It is like a "miniature Da Lat in Phu Yen" full of charming and enchanting flavors.  Phu Yen not only has yellow flowers, green grass, or romantic beaches, this wonderful country also has wonderful destinations with typical landscapes of the highlands and mountains, one of which is the tourist area. According to Long Van Garden, the new check-in point is becoming more and more familiar to tourists near and far. Traveling to Phu Yen, if you suddenly need to breathe in the fresh air in the cold weather and immerse yourself in the green of the trees or check-in to live a virtual life among the colorful flower gardens, then come to Long Beach resort. Van Garden, a place that will make you nostalgic with its breathtaking beauty. Long Van Garden is likened to Da Lat of the land of Nau. Photo: FB/ Lon...

Mekong Delta | Compass Travel Vietnam

Western Travel : The southwestern region, the country’s large rice granary, fruit trees, fruit trees, the field straight. The people are bold in the South, live bustlingly on the floating markets of Cai Be, Cai Rang, Phung Hiep … In the West, a space of loving people and poetic amateurs. Top 10 most attractive destinations in the West of Vietnam August 2, 2021   vinlove   0 Referring to the West, people often think of charming and dreamy scenes associated with the image of calm rivers. If you have the opportunity to visit  […] Get lost in the kingdom of wild nature at Lung Ngoc Hoang Hau Giang conservation area July 29, 2021   vinlove   0 Along with the Tu Sang bamboo path and Vi Thuy melaleuca forest, the Lung Ngoc Hoang conservation area impresses any visitor with its wild and  […] Check-in the beautiful islands in Phu Quoc to see the scenery like paradise July 29, 2021   vinlove   0 Phu Quoc is famous for its beautiful islands, ideal ...