Pauley Perrette on Why She Chose ‘Broke’ Over Retirement After ‘NCIS’
Q&A
After 15 years in the NCIS lab, Pauley Perrette was ready to laugh. “I wanted to do a comedy. Either that or retire,” says the actress, who played the CBS procedural’s Abby Sciuto until 2018. Thankfully, she chose the former.
As Broke‘s Jackie, she’s a struggling single mom whose idea of a morning time-saver is blowtorching oatmeal for son Sammy (Antonio Corbo). When her estranged sister, Elizabeth (Natasha Leggero), and brother-in-law, Javier (Jaime Camil), go from riches to rags, Jackie reluctantly lets them crash, along with Javier’s assistant (Izzy Diaz) and a dog.
Perrette invites us in.
What caused the rift between Jackie and her sister?
Pauley Perrette: Their dad’s in prison, and mom died. Elizabeth married a rich guy and disappeared. So Jackie’s pissed — she could have used their help raising a child. When they show up, there’s a lot of history. Not all of it’s good.
What’s the major conflict?
Mostly it’s cultural. Jackie wouldn’t know a Louis Vuitton suitcase. Elizabeth and Javier are cocktails and caviar. But Javier’s not the arrogant-jerk rich guy. He’s lived in a bubble and is naive. His father’s cut him off. Every character is played a little differently than [you’d expect].
(Cliff Lipson/CBS)
Jackie’s a bartender, and so were you. How else are you alike?
She’s also a mechanic and a tool freak. I’m kind of a tool freak. I’m from Alabama, so they raised us like that — and my dad didn’t have any boys, so me and my sister are like dudes.
Did you really consider retiring?
I was going to drink beer with my three dogs and watch television. [Laughs] My family, friends and pastor didn’t think it was the best idea. I didn’t even want to play a mom, but now Antonio is the center of my universe. He brightens my life!
Broke, Series Premiere, April 2, 9:30/8:30c, CBS
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R
sorry, but after seeing the previews / commercials, this looks terrible, a way to often rehashed "plot" and if the "jokes" heard in the previews are some of the "best" ,this wont last long at all....terrible and forgettable
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R
What’s wrong with Pauley eyes?
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T
Looks like a great show! I'm glad she's happy
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B
Why have they made Pauly Purrette look so bad? Her eyes are barely visible (which is EXTREMELY IRRITATING!) so her personality on the show makes her look like a slob and not funny next to her co-stars. Her character comes across like SHE is the one with no brain😡. What is the matter with the producers? Are they purposely trying to have the show cancelled?😡
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O
Show kinda sucks...gave it a shot & not beyond that.
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R
No know the show she in but I miss her on ncis.
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C
Considering the star is that loser from NCIS, I will never watch it.
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