An Interview with TV Celebrity Kylie Sparks of ABC’s Complete Savages
What is it like working with Mel Gibson?
KYLIE: Honestly, Mel Gibson is just your average guy. He’s incredibly laid back and cool. He talks to everyone, and he’s just a friendly guy. As a director, he’s fantastic. Since he’s an actor, he has the exact vision of what he wants you to do, and he’ll get right in the middle of it to show you what he’s thinking.
Erik is known for playing pranks. Do the guys ever play pranks on you while on the set?
KYLIE: One of my favorite pranks on the show was on the night of taping the episode Save a Dance for Me, and Erik (along with Hilary Duff’s sister Haylie Duff and I) got Evan Ellingson with silly string! Evan got back at Erik later on that night in the middle of the post-show party.
Would you say you can relate to Brenda or are you the opposite of her?
KYLIE: Brenda is my crazy and brash side. I can channel Brenda if I have any frustration in me at times.
What do you like most about being on the Savages set?
KYLIE: It’s such a family feeling! Everyone cares about each other, jokes with you, and encourages you to do your best. It’s such a warm set.
How did you get the role of Brenda?
KYLIE: I went in and auditioned for Barbie Block and Sally Stiner (the casting directors) and later on that day I auditioned for the Scullys. A few days later, I went back in front of the Scullys, and that afternoon I found out I got the role. A funny part about the whole process was that in between the initial audition and the first callback, I fell in an oil slick and had to run home and change my jeans!
What episode has been your favorite to tape so far?
KYLIE: The dancing part of Save a Dance for Me and Saving Old Lady Riley. All of the episodes I’ve done have been fun, though. We have a lot of fun during the shows.
If Sam and Angela were ever to break up, would you like to explore the Sam and Brenda romance that never took place in the pilot episode?
KYLIE: It’d be hysterical to explore that in an episode, but I doubt Sam and Brenda would last more than maybe a week. Brenda’s a total polar opposite of Sam, but it would be funny to explore it.
Did you always want to do comedy or was it just something that happened?
KYLIE: Comedy is something that I’ve always loved to do. I love doing dramatic stuff as well, but with comedy you have to get the timing down, and feed off of the audience reaction. It’s like live theatre doing a sitcom, and I’ve always loved doing that.
What actresses or actors have influenced you over the years?
KYLIE: Gene Hackman has had such an incredible career as a character actor. If I had one tenth of his career, I’ll be utterly happy. I’ve always loved Eddie Izzard as well. He’s an incredible standup comedian, but his acting is also incredibly flawless. I love Molly Shannon and Amy Poehler’s comedy work, and Natalie Portman is just a wonderful all around actress. I think one of my main influences has been Ethan Embry. He’s such an incredibly focused actor and he has his characterizations down to a T. He’ll know exactly what his character doesn’t like to eat, or what color of clothes his character wears. He’s incredible to watch on and off camera.
Was acting something that always interested you?
KYLIE: Acting was something that I liked doing, but up until maybe 6 years ago, I never really saw myself being a professional actor. I figured I’d have fun doing school plays and other community shows and taking dance and voice lessons, and then I’d go off to college and be a doctor or something. But when I got really serious about having a career, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else other than performing.
What would you like to see happen to Brenda?
KYLIE: Brenda should at least have a couple of friends! You always see her fighting with the Savage boys or yelling at some poor kid, but it would be nice to have a few friends for Brenda. I think Brenda should still be wild and crazy and brash, because that’s who Brenda is, but if the show does continue, I’d love to see Brenda develop some type of weird friendship with one of the Savage boys. Deep down, she really does like the Savages, but Brenda is always on her toes because she knows she’ll be battling it out with the boys in one form or another.
What is it like for you and Autumn Reeser to be the only main girls on the show?
KYLIE: We’re pretty much treated as one of the guys, but I must tell you, I really enjoy being around a bunch of guys and then having Autumn as another girl to relate with on the show. The episodes where I was the only girl on the show were really fun, but it’s nice having another girl on the show to hang out with when the guys go do their stuff.
The Savages episodes show an upstairs, but are there really rooms up there, or is it a new set all together?
KYLIE: The rooms upstairs are a totally different set. The stairs actually lead to the quick-change area for the guys.
Who do you think is Brenda’s favorite Savage brother? And which one is yours?
KYLIE: Brenda’s favorite is Sam. She’s always had such a crush on Sam, even though she’s incredibly obnoxious and sarcastic with him. I think she also likes Jack and Chris to a certain extent because they put up a fight and they don’t take her crap. She may be overpowering, but Brenda likes people who are pretty headstrong themselves. My personal favorites would have to be Jack, Kyle, and Sam. Those three always remind me of people I know.
When anyone from the cast decides to get together, where do they usually go to hang out?
KYLIE: It all kind of depends on what people feel like doing. Sometimes people will just go out for coffee or food, but sometimes people will go hiking, or go to the beach and play volleyball. It really just depends on what people want to do.
What do all of you do together on and off the set for fun?
KYLIE: We all hang out and joke around, get food, play hangman or darts, or go online and look at funny videos on set. We’ll try and make plans to go get coffee or hang out off the set as well.
Are the Scullys are as funny as the shows they write?
KYLIE: They are some of the most clever people I’ve ever met. If they don’t like a line or how a scene is working, they’ll walk up to you and say, “Here, say this,” or, “Here, try this out,” and it’ll be some incredibly funny idea or line. They work so hard for this show, and they’re some of the sweetest people I’ve ever known.
Is there anything you’d like to say to any fans that might be reading this?
KYLIE: Thank you! All of your support is overwhelming. Thank you all so much.
