Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Seven Questions with Amy Davidson of 8 Simple Rules; ABC Family Summer 2013 Schedule, New Seasons of Melissa & Joey, Baby Daddy, and More!

Care Bear! Today we have a very special "Seven Questions" interview with actress Amy Davidson! She is of course is best known to sitcom fans as Kerry Hennessy on the popular ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules. Amy is a gifted comedic actor as we saw on the series and gelled well with the late John Ritter, along with the rest of the cast which include Katey Sagal and Kaley Cuoco. We talked to her about 8 Simple Rules of course but we also delved deeper in her career and life and we got some insight of how she started her career, what she is doing now, and other very interesting tidbits! So let's get right to another installment of "Seven Questions!"

"Seven Questions with Amy Davidson From 8 Simple Rules"

Amy Davidson

SitcomsOnline: Thanks Amy for doing this interview! We have been a fan of your work since 8 Simple Rules and you are such an accomplished actress, so it is an honor to interview you. We usually start our questions with actors/actresses by asking them how they got into acting, so let's start there. At what point did you realize you wanted to get into this business and can you share some memories from your first experiences? Was it as you thought it would be?
Amy Davidson: I think I was around five years old when I realized I wanted to be an actress. I remember sitting in front of the TV watching Kids Incorporated and thinking, 'I want to do that!' I was always on stage dancing and performing, but it wasn't until I was about twelve years old that I actually took my first acting class. At age 19, I moved to Los Angeles and really started pursuing my dream. This business is the ultimate roller coaster. There are many ups and downs, but the ones who stay on the ride will have a fruitful experience. For me, I have to remember to go with the flow...the cream rises to the top!

Amy Davidson with Kaley Cuoco - 8 Simple Rules

SitcomsOnline: Some of your first TV appearances were on a handful of episodes of the short-lived Olsen twins sitcom So Little Time from 2001-2002. What was it like working with them when they were teenagers and post-Full House? And was this role that got the attention of ABC and the producers of 8 Simple Rules in 2002?
Amy Davidson: Working with the Olsen twins was so fun! It was my first recurring role and solid experience being on set. I got a hug every morning from the girls and they quickly accepted me into their television world. Luckily my role grew as they chose to focus on high school. So it was a win-win. At first it was a trip because I watched Full House growing up - remember I was not a child star. So working with these girls took a minute to adjust to! If it wasn't for So Little Time I may have not gone back to my roots and remained a redhead! I then decided to stay red and 8 Simple Rules came a few months later. So many reasons to say thank you :)

Amy Davidson - 8 Simple Rules Season 2

SitcomsOnline: Can you share some of your experiences on getting that call to go in for that 8 Simple Rules reading and did you think this was going to be something special? I believe they cast the roles of the three children before they signed on John Ritter and Katey Sagal right? How many pilots had you done prior to this?
Amy Davidson: 8 Simple Rules was my first pilot. It was my first test! The audition process was just like any other, except there was something a little magical about it. The casting director read me, paused and said you would be perfect for this. She wrote my callback time to read for the producers on a post-it note and I was on my way. The next day I auditioned for the producers, no one said a word and I left. You never know, sometimes they have you do it 12 different ways, sometimes they say nothing. I got a call from my manager and she said they wanted to test me in two weeks. I continued to have a few more pilot auditions, knowing 8 Simple Rules was in my back pocket, but none of them seem as special. The tests were amazing, I got the call, the call that changes your world, "you are employed" and the rest is history! Later the creator of 8 Simple Rules told me that I was the first Kerry they saw and after I left the room they (producers) looked at each other and said 'no way...could the first girl we saw be her?' They knew :) And yes, all three of us kids were cast first, then later John signed on and then Katey.

Amy Davidson - 8 Simple Rules Season 3

SitcomsOnline: John Ritter has called you "so talented" and he was so right! His judgment was always spot on, just like how his work was always perfection. We all know John was the "nicest guy in Hollywood" (and yes, along with his pal Henry Winkler) and he was always the life of the party (or in this case, of the set), but what did you learn from him? And what will you remember the most from the period that you knew him?
Amy Davidson: John Ritter has forever changed my life. It's been almost 10 years (since he passed) and I swear I think about this man every day. When I was blessed to work with John I grew...I grew and grew as an actor and as a person. John ALWAYS told you how well you were doing. When he wasn't giving a compliment or doing one of his "bits" he was educating us. I remember when we were shooting the pilot, he and I were on the couch chatting and he said how lucky we were to be working. I was blown away that such a huge talent, a huge star was saying this. I understand now. Jobs come and go. Tragedies happen...but jobs and new experiences are always around the corner. John taught me gratitude. He taught me humility. And most of all, John gave me something to believe in.

SitcomsOnline: After 8 Simple Rules ended (which I was sort of surprised since the show was doing decently on Friday nights in season three and syndication was looming), you showcased more into drama and were certainly showing off your "so talented" skills that John mentioned. You had some great guest spots on shows like House, CSI, CSI NY, Criminal Minds and most recently on TNT's Major Crimes and the CBS freshman drama Vegas, along with great TV movie turns on The Capture of the Green River Killer and Annie's Point, opposite Betty White! Do you like drama as equally as comedy, since you're good in both?
Amy Davidson: I LOVE drama! Yet comedy is just as close to my heart. I want to always do both. Be that multifaceted actor that you never expect what I will do next. After 8 Simple Rules ended I chose to focus on drama. I thought that was where I wanted to be. Now I realize I can and want to do both!! At the moment I am creating a show that is a comedy. I'm choosing to go back to my roots. I realized how much I missed making people laughs vs. making them cry! (LOL!) Either way, my goal is to always give the audience something to feel. Sometimes you need to laugh and other times you need that emotional release.

Amy Davidson with John Ritter - 8 Simple Rules

SitcomsOnline: We're still trying to get you on the ABC comedy Suburgatory (see our campaign)! Our campaign is still alive and we'll continue to ask/suggest series creator Emily Kapnek! It only makes sense for you to be on that show opposite Jane Levy, who reminds us so much of you. Maybe it's a red-head thing, but you both would be perfect together on the same screen. It's such a fun show and I thought of you right away after seeing the pilot. So for the record, you would love to be on the show, right??
Amy Davidson: You are so very kind! Yes, I would love to be on Suburgatory! It is such a great show with so many talented actors! I would love to play with them. I met Jane last year, we were chatting and had a laugh about how we would play perfect sisters. The ideas are endless!

Amy Davidson - Capture of the Green River Killer

SitcomsOnline: We really miss you on a regular series. What are some of your favorite current TV sitcoms (or any other TV series)? And what can fans expect to see you in next? I think everyone is hoping to see you put on those dancing shoes and dance on Dancing with the Stars in the future! We're sure you have the dance moves like Kerry Hennessy did on the 8 Simple Rules episode "Son-in-Law!"
Amy Davidson: Like I said, the ideas are endless! And so are the opportunities!!! What is directly in front of me right now is this comedy pilot I am creating. Unfortunately I cannot say anymore than that at this point. But, I am EXTREMELY excited about it! This is an idea/story that is very close to my heart and truly has never been told this particular way. So, god speed!



We definitely appreciate Amy for taking the time to give us an interview! She is a very nice young woman and we hope nothing but success for her future projects! That'll do it for this installment of "Seven Questions," stay tuned next time for another brand new interview! But first, don't forget to check out Amy Davidson all over the web and social media. Follow her everywhere!
And check out Amy's credits on IMDb and TV.com!




ABC Family has announced its red-hot summer line-up with the premiere of four new original series including reality competition series Dancing Fools, family drama The Fosters, mystery drama Twisted and docu-soap The Vineyard. Summer premiere dates are also set for returning original series Melissa & Joey, Baby Daddy, Switched at Birth and Pretty Little Liars. ABC Family's summer season kicks off on Wednesday, May 29 with two hit sitcoms. Melissa & Joey, the hit comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, returns for the third season airing Wednesdays at 8:00pm ET/PT once again. Baby Daddy, the #1 new cable comedy of Summer 2012 in key female demos, returns with new episodes for its second season airing Wednesdays at 8:30pm ET/PT once again. Then new comedic reality series Dancing Fools premieres on the same night at 9:00pm ET/PT. The half-hour comedy clip show features the funniest, most outrageous and memorable dances caught on camera. The dancers from the top two clips of the week compete on stage for a chance to win $10,000. The series will air for eight weeks and is hosted by Melissa Peterman, who also stars in ABC Family's Baby Daddy (which is the lead-in) and in the upcoming ABC spring reality series Bet on Your Baby. Catch her in THREE series! After 8 weeks, new drama The Vineyard premieres on Wednesday, July 24, at 9:00pm ET/PT. It is a dramatic coming-of-age docu-soap that follows a handful of 20-somethings on Martha's Vineyard for the summer. Tight quarters, new friends and new rivals, all living, working and playing together, make this picturesque playground ripe for mischief and romance.



Moving on to Mondays, from executive producer Jennifer Lopez (American Idol, The Back-Up Plan), ABC Family's new original series The Fosters will premiere on Monday, June 3, at 9:00pm ET/PT, following the series finale of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. The one-hour drama centers on two moms (Teri Polo and Sherri Saum) raising a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids. The series also stars Jake T. Austin, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert, Maia Mitchell, Danny Nucci and Cierra Ramirez. Then Switched at Birth returns with all new episodes on Monday, June 10, 8:00pm. ET/PT to finish up its second season. The first half of the season finishes up on March 11. On Tuesdays, Pretty Little Liars returns for its fourth season on Tuesday, June 11, at 8:00pm ET/PT. The hit series is currently in its third season and the season finale is on March 19. And finally, new drama Twisted premieres on Tuesday, June 11 at 9:00pm ET/PT, following Pretty Little Liars' season premiere. The series is a one-hour mystery full of twists and turns that is centered on a charismatic 16-year-old with a troubled past (Avan Jogia) who has recently reconnected with his two female best friends from childhood (Maddie Hasson and Kylie Bunbury). He becomes the prime suspect when a fellow student is found dead in her home. The series also stars Kimberly Quinn, Sam Robards, Ashton Moio and Denise Richards. Stay with us for continued updates and if any other series is scheduled or picked-up, as ABC Family has a few series still in development like the sitcom pilots Phys Ed and Continuing Fred (which both taped in late 2012).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, October 13

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 7)

Friday, October 11

  • Jennifer Aniston (Friends/Muddling Through/Ferris Bueller/Molloy) - Watch Jennifer on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Gael García Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle) - Gael appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. abriel and Digeo Luna chat with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - Andy is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Lily Collins (Emily in Paris) - Lily appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Caitlin Reilly (Hacks) and Rickey Thompson (Foursome) - Caitlin and Rickey are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Maura Tierney (NewsRadio/The Van Dyke Show) - NBC's Today catches up with Maura in the 9am hour.
  • Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary/Go On/Everybody Hates Chris) - Tyler talks about Abbott Elementary on NBC's Today in the 10am hour and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Designer Christian Siriano is joining Valerie for a special surprise for Drew on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Holly Robinson Peete (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/For Your Love/Like Family/Love, Inc.) - Holly discusses her reality series Queen’s Court on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Ropers - The Complete Series Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

10/12 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Spinoff of The Big Bang Theory in the Works; Velma Canceled by Max
10/11 - Netflix Renews Nobody Wants This; Alicia Silverstone to Lead Acorn TV Series
10/10 - Max's The Sex Lives of College Girls Returns November 21; FETV Acquires Laramie
10/09 - HBO's Seth Meyers Special Debuts October 26; New Late Night Comedy Series Focuses on Crazy Florida
10/08 - Somebody Somewhere Returns for Final Season; Virgin River Season 6 Drops for Holiday Season
10/07 - Vice TV Announces Black Comedy in America Series; Netflix Stars Team Up for Netflix Movie
10/06 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 7, 2024)
10/05 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Cancels That '90s Show; Who's the Boss? Reboot Not Moving Forward at Freevee
10/04 - Family Guy Halloween Special: Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater; What We Do in the Shadows Returns for Final Season
10/03 - Jack Whitehall Holiday Comedy Special; Leighton Meester Joins Apple TV+ Series
10/02 - The Franchise Launches Sunday on HBO; Remembering John Amos of Good Times
10/01 - No Good Deed Premieres in December on Netflix; SNL Season 50 Opens Strong
09/30 - TV One Acquires black-ish; Whitney Cummings to Host Friends Game Show Event
09/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 30, 2024)
09/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kathy Bates Matlock Premiere Brings Solid Ratings; Whitney Cummings to Host Friends-themed Game Show
09/27 - Apple TV+ Shrinking Season 2; FETV Highway Patrol 10-4 Day Marathon
09/26 - Max's Velma Halloween Special; Apple TV+ Peanuts Holiday Specials This Holiday Season
09/25 - AXS TV Acquires Nashville; MGM+ Rebooting Robin Hood
09/24 - Trailer and Guest Voices for Everybody Still Hates Chris; The Lincoln Lawyer Returns October 17 on Netflix
09/23 - Laff Fall 2024 Schedule with The Conners and Bob ♥ Abishola; CBS' Comfy Blue Sofa Tour
09/22 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 23, 2024)
09/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Abbott Elementary Cast Gets Major Pay Raise; Saturday Night Live Season 50 Hosts Announced
09/20 - Sabrina Carpenter Gets Netflix Holiday Special; Starz Announces Dark Comedy Series
09/19 - The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh Drops October 17 on Prime Video; Ellen's Final Comedy Special
09/18 - Australian The Office Coming to Prime Video; You're Laughing at CBS
09/17 - 76th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Emmys Draw Largest Audience in 3 Years
09/16 - George Lopez Gets Prime Video Special; Netflix Orders His & Hers
09/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 16, 2024)
09/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tim Meadows to Star in New Sitcom DMV; Casting for The Office Followup Series
09/13 - ALF Anniversary Marathon on Shout! TV; HBO Orders Tim Robinson Comedy
09/12 - MeTV Halloween 2024 Events; CBS' Nate Bargatze Holiday Special