The actor tells EW the role was one of the “more difficult jobs” he’s had.
In many ways, Joel Schwartz (Josh Duhamel) is the hero ofThe Thing About Pam.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How’d you get involved withTheThing About Pam?
Josh Duhamel and Ben Chase on ‘The Thing About Pam’.Skip Bolen/NBC
JOSH DUHAMEL:I was first made aware of it because my manager also represents Renee Zellweger.
So that was it.
I knew a little bit about the story.
I’d seen the actualDatelineepisode because I watchDatelinereligiously.
I go to bed at night and it’s like my binky.
So I knew a little bit about it.
Read the script, loved it.
And that was kind of it.
The first time I saw you in this, I did not realize it was you.
It’s the wig, right?
The wig does a lot of work.
I know, it really does.
I’m almost afraid to admit it, but I didn’t want to wear the wig at first.
I was like, “Why?
We don’t need this.
Nobody knows who Joel Schwartz is to know if I look like him or not.”
But it really did do something to me biologically when I got that thing on.
It’s like I became somebody different.
I felt like him.
Especially when I put that suit on, I really did feel like a different person.
It’s funny how much it changes your whole demeanor.
How long was the process of getting that wig on?
It was like 45 minutes.
I knowJudy Greer did not meet the person she was portraying.
Did you meet Joel?
Especially after that first case when they lost.
You had all these people, like this perfect storm of ineptitude, really.
How did he deal with that emotionally?
Because I would’ve lost my s—.
How did he keep his cool throughout that?
That was one of my big questions.
So what did he say?
What did you take away from that meeting?
Have you heard from him now that the show’s out?
Has he said anything about your portrayal of him?
We talk quite a bit.
He was very happy with the stuff in the courtroom and all that.
I really wanted to do right by him.
And different, especially for NBC.
What was that whole experience like for you?
you’re able to’t really go off book at all.
You have to be word perfect.
And if you jump off the rails a little bit, it’s hard to steer it back on.
And some of those cross examinations of Pam were tough, because she was such a slippery little thing.
And he did, but she was very, very good.
Well, you started this by saying obviously a big draw of the show was working with Renee.
Walking away from it, how was the experience?
Oh, she’s the best.
She is so prepared, she’s so sweet.
Even after all that she’s accomplished, she’s a small town Texas girl.
I love that about her.
I mean, it’s crazy to watch.
Even in a scene I found myself going, “Wow, that was good.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
The Thing About Pamairs Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
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