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Ms. Showbiz – Leslie Taylor

Interview by Amy Wolfe

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Courtesy Photo.

If you’ve seen a woman toting around a camera crew on the streets of New Hampshire lately, chances are you saw Leslie Taylor and her crew working on an episode of her new, self-titled show. “The Leslie Taylor Show” is part of new programming on MyTV New England (old WNDS) that airs Sundays at 2 p.m. Taylor, a recent import from L.A., calls the show a cross between “Entertainment Tonight” and “Chelsea Lately.” “It’s about an L.A. girl who comes to the East Coast, doesn’t know anyone and is trying to get ‘plugged in’ to the area so she doesn’t stand out,” Taylor says. After filming her guest appearance on NBC’s hit show, “Parks and Recreation” (airing next season), Taylor hopped in a car and drove cross-country to start filming for “The Leslie Taylor Show.” Footage from her four-day trek will air during the show.

Tell me about “The Leslie Taylor Show,” what’s it all about? I didn’t want to do a typical news entertainment show. If Conan O’Brien and Oprah had a love child, it would be me. That’s what I want my show to be like. We’re going to bring in other actors, do skits. Eventually have a segment that will focus mainly on “Proper Manners,” a soap opera that is debuting this fall on MyTV. Our show is going to have our own version of Ross from the “Tonight Show.”

What was it like working on “Parks and Recreation”? The set is funnier than the show. My scene was opposite Chris Pratt, who plays Andy. I can’t really tell you anything, if I did, I’d totally have to kill you. What was really fun was that I had my lines, but I was also able to improv and just let the scene go. When I left Chris Pratt said, “You know you’re a really funny chick,” and I just melted. It was wonderful. I just wanted to dance and go running through the streets, but people in L.A. just aren’t fazed by that kind of behavior.

Name the one thing you’ll miss most about the West Coast. My cat, Otto. Leaving my cat has been very emotional for me. And my husband. I know it sounds corny, but he won’t be out here for at least three months. When I’m with my husband and my cat, it’s OK to just be myself, relax and be vulnerable.

What are you most looking forward to doing while you’re in New England? The one thing I’m really looking forward to is going to a Red Sox game. I’ve never seen anyone like Red Sox fans. I think I am just going to be in love. Watching them watching this game they are so passionate about. I’m going to be like “Whoa, Nelly!”

What surprised you the most about the East Coast? People drive fast out here. We were on the highway doing like 65 and people were flying by us at 85. It’s crazier than driving in LA. I will say, I was warned that Boston drivers are the worst. But the people in New Hampshire have been great so far, especially since I’m still trying to find my way around. I’m cutting people off all the time, and forgetting to turn my blinkers on. For now, I’m hiding behind my California plates.

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