Eden Sher is a woman of many talents. Make that many many talents. Which is our not so subtle way of saying that when she’s not making millions of people smile with her positively winning portrayal of Sue Heck on the hit ABC series THE MIDDLE, or busy putting her unique — not to mention refreshing — stamp on Hollywood’s tired red carpet coverage at this past fall’s AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS, she delivers the kind of interview all too rare in this industry. But hey, don’t take our word for it, see what Eden Sher had to say during our recent one-on-one in which she talked up tonight’s episode of her hit ABC series, revealed whether we’ll see her on the red carpet again and — most importantly of all — weighed in on the recent Taylor Swift/ Tina Fey/ Amy Poehler controversy. See for yourself, after the jump.
Your work on the red carpet of the recent AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS was an unbelievable breath of fresh air! So I have to ask, have the offers been pouring in, have you been asked back for next year, is there any plans to use this as a launching pad to turn yourself into the next Ryan Seacrest?
Yes, all of those things! Let me tell you, I was so excited to be there and to take part in the event, but I cannot watch myself on it. I was simply humiliated! [Laughs] My absolute excitement, my genuine excitement, my freakish excitement over every person I met is a large source of mortification. But, I guess the fact that it brought some people some happiness is great, that’s awesome. But it’s funny because I was so confident they would never hire me again, that I shamed the AMA red carpet, but I was asked back for next year. The people who produced that show produce other award shows and were like, “We will hire you for any position at any show we ever put on from this point forward in our careers!” I just couldn’t believe I capitalized on my ridiculousness.
It wasn’t so much ridiculous as amazing. But it also raises a somewhat awkward question: Where do you stand when it comes to the recent Taylor Swift/ Tina Fey/ Amy Poehler controversy? Can you possibly pick sides when it comes to your favorite artist and your favorite comedians?
Honestly, I refuse to believe that my professional role models and my emotional valence can’t seem eye to eye. I’ve read the quotes and I know that it seems bad… but I’m just not trying to think about it right now. I can’t, I can’t… look at what you’ve done. Now I’m emotional. Of course I should clarify that as upset as I am about what went down, I still love Taylor Swift, unconditionally. So much so that I am flying to New York this Thursday for twenty-four hours just to hear her in concert!
Speaking of flying to New York, it was recently announced that THE VIEW will have a seat or two to fill in the not-to-distant future! Any plans to throw your hat in the ring?
Oh my God, I don’t know, I just don’ t know. You know how Joan Rivers used to be Johnny Carson’s permanent guest host on THE TONIGHT SHOW? I would like a position like that. Hosting THE VIEW is time consuming, but I would love a partnership with whomever the new host is. If they’re tired, they can take some time off and I can just hop on in there!
Moving onto THE MIDDLE for a moment, tonight’s episode sees Sue attempt to give herself a new middle name. Any clues as to what said middle name might be?
Let’s just say that the name Sue chooses probably won’t be much of a surprise to anyone who is reading this interview!
How surprised were you by Sue’s new relationship with brother Axl’s best friend Darren?
It’s not something that I actually had at the forefront of my mind, but when it happened I was pleasantly surprised because the writers took a throwback from a line in season two. I love when fans feel included and respected, so for those who have been watching from season two, they might remember that Darren actually did like Sue, so it’s a natural progression of what might happen.
And finally, the biggest mystery surrounding THE MIDDLE: Will we ever get Brad’s “Very Special Coming Out episode?”
I would love it but I don’t think so. I mean it’s a wish of mine, but if it doesn’t happen I have an entire fan fiction written in my head where Brad and Sue go to College together. [Editor’s Note: She isn’t kidding!]
INT. COLLEGE DORM -NIGHT
Eden Sher: Brad and Sue are attending the same college together and end up as roommates in a co-ed dorm. One night, Sue comes home really late and sees Brad eating an entire carton of ice cream.
Sue: Brad, are you okay?
Brad: Yes… I’m the best I’ve ever been, but I need to tell you something… [Pause, for dramatic effect] I’M GAY!
Sue: Really?! That’s amazing
Eden Sher: Tears are shed and Brad and Sue hug. It’s a warm embrace that lasts for the next for minutes. More tears… because in my own experience I will just cry whenever anything happy happens.
THE MIDDLE airs Wednesdays at 8PM on ABC (City in Canada)