My Interview with the Cast of Chasing Life, My New Favorite TV Show #ChasingLife

Disclaimer:  Disney, Marvel, Dreamworks & ABC Family sent me to Los Angeles on an all-expenses paid press trip, in exchange for my coverage of these events, including breakfast and interview with the cast of the new television hit “Chasing Life”. All opinions are my own.

I almost didn’t get hooked on “Chasing Life”, ABC Family’s new hit television show which airs Tuesday nights.

I’m hooked now and there’s no going back.

It wouldn’t have happened but for my press trip invitation to Los Angeles. As part of my “research”, I figured it would be good to get caught up on the show, after all, it had only just premiered a few weeks earlier. I would be interviewing the cast in LA and wanted to know what I was talking about.

So one night I sat in bed with my laptop and watched the very first episode. And immediately went into the second episode. And then the third…..and so on. I didn’t go to sleep that night until I had completely caught up.

Yes, I was hooked.

I wasn’t expecting it. You mention the word “Cancer” around me and I immediately catch my breath. Cancer has devastated my family in a way I never thought possible. My mom……gone so unexpectedly and our lives forever changed. The last thing in the world I want to watch is a show about cancer.

 

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Craig Sjodin”

Despite all the odds, I think you’ll find out just what I love about “Chasing Life”. Yes, cancer is a big issue in the show, but it’s merely the backdrop to things we all deal with like family dynamics, climbing the ladder at work, love relationships and yes, even politics.

Chasing Life follows twenty-something April (Italia Ricci), a smart and quick-witted aspiring journalist, who is trying to work her way up the ladder at a Boston newspaper by trying to impress her hard-nosed editor. When not pursuing the latest scoop, April tries to balance her ambitious career with her family – her widowed mom Sara, rebellious little sister Brenna and her grandmother.

Just as things start to look up at work, home and on the romance front with co-worker Dominic, April gets the devastating news from an estranged uncle that she has cancer.

 

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Ron Tom”

That estranged uncle is none other than Steven Weber, playing the role of Dr. George Carver (who happens to also be a pediatric oncologist). I was a HUGE fan of “Wings” growing up and I was delighted to see two of its’ co-stars reunite here in “Chasing Life”, Steven Weber and Rebecca Schull (playing the role of April’s grandmother).

FACT: Mary Page Keller describes how the two former “Wings” stars would  go off in the corner and talk, talk, talk that first week. She also had to add that Steven Weber is such a “professional goofball”. Ha!

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Craig Sjodin”

Like I said, cancer is just the backdrop, so as with any 20-something career girl, April has some love interests! Meet the guys of “Chasing Life” – Scott Michael Foster who plays Leo, the son of a politician (right), and Richard Brancatisano who plays Dominic, reporter (left). Not too hard on the eyes………and am sad to say they didn’t join us for our breakfast interviews. 🙁

But there were plenty who did, including stars Italia Ricci, Mary Page Keller, Haley Ramm and Executive Producers Sean Smith, Joni Lefkowitz and Susanna Fogel.

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Eric McCandless”

I really enjoyed sitting down with Executive Producer Sean Smith, who is new dad to adopted 14 month old son (adorable) – yes, he showed us a photo!

Sean, who also created the television show “Greek”, originally didn’t want to do a show about cancer – “so depressing”…..”BUT, I was presumptuous it would be like that”.

Seems like I wasn’t the only one with reservations. But I think it really motivated Sean and the other producers to make sure there is a story here underneath the cancer.  As Sean said (and I totally agree), “Cancer is the sub-plot”. You don’t normally see too many shows dealing with young people and cancer…..”there’s a voice now for kids going through something like this”.

In the first few episodes, April really struggles with telling her family about her cancer diagnosis and didn’t for a long time. After all, her father was killed in a car accident just a couple years before. Sean really related……”I’m gay and could identify with April not wanting to tell her family”.

I guess that’s the thing about this show. Even if you aren’t going through a cancer diagnosis, you can find something to relate to – the family dysfunction, the family secrets, struggles in climbing the corporate ladder, etc. There’s something for everyone, and yes, even those of us who have had our own battles with the dreaded “C” word.

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Craig Sjodin”

The character I find myself most relating to would be Sara Carver, aka mom, played by the talented and beautiful Mary Page Keller. I’ve watched her for years on television, so it was a privilege to get to sit down with her and chat.

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Eric McCandless”

She talks about her new role as Sara Carver, mom to April and Brenna -“It was a no-brainer once I got the script. It wasn’t for the typical Mom on an ABC Family show”.

She talked about how they shot the pilot all the way back in 2012 and it has seemed like the longest “pregnancy” ever, but so worth it. She talks of her tv daughters as the daughters she wished she’d had. Love her!

We talked about a couple of scenes which have already aired (I told you – you need to catch up online!!) –

An emotional scene was when she found some unidentified pills in April’s room (note – these were her cancer drugs, but she hadn’t yet told her family about the diagnosis). Mary Page Keller talks about how hard it was to play a mom who was giving a 20-something old child some freedom. She recalls, “I would have gone through her drawers”. Oh, me too!

I guess that’s why I relate to the character of Sara Carver so well. I’m a mom now. I’d get into those fights she’s getting into with April…..not wanting to delay treatment, etc. That’s her BABY!

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Eric McCandless”

I immediately had a connection with Haley Ramm, who plays younger sister Brenna. She’s originally from Dallas and was the 2nd baby born at Plano Presbyterian Hospital. We talked about how much she misses Tex-Mex…..ah yes, food you just can’t find in California.

What’s so interesting is that Haley is 22 years old, yet playing a 16 year old school girl. She says, “It’s kind of like I can’t get rid of school”. Haley was homeschooled and can’t really relate to the mom-daughter on-screen relationship since she is best friends with her mom. The angst online is fun for her however.

What’s also fun is that Haley was shocked just like the rest of us with the graveside cliffhanger in an early episode.

Haley gave me a bit of insight into future episodes including scenes that will be shot at the hospital right across from Disney Studios on Buena Vista Street. Ed Asner plays her grandpa! Hello – Ed Asner! I told you this cast is amazing!

***Photo courtesy of Italia Ricci – She took a selfie with my phone!

Italia Ricci impressed me. She is a new actress to me though such a rising star in Hollywood. But she was perhaps the most down to earth person I met while in LA, and I’ve been telling you how impressed with these celebrities I have been, so this is saying a lot.

In fact, at one point during the interview, I just simply said “I like you”. I couldn’t help myself….I like her character, but Italia Ricci as a human being is plain wonderful.

Unlike me, Italia has never had experience with a loved one having cancer, yet realizes “this story could happen to anyone”.

“Right now I feel guilty that I go home and can “turn off” cancer. Others can’t. That’s why I answer all my fan mail and do hospital tours.”

Do you see why I like her now?

She’s not just a talented and beautiful actress, she’s smart too! In fact, she deferred law school acceptance for 2 years to see if she could make it in Hollywood. She’s Type A and doesn’t handle failure well…….well good news, because she’s succeeding!

There’s a scene that we haven’t seen yet where Italia had to wear a “bald cap”. Italia says, “I lost it when I opened my eyes. I saw the bald cap. It wasn’t supposed to be emotional.”

She has a “cry” play list to help with the emotional scenes but it’s been tough. “They’d say “Cut” and we’d have to go to a happy scene. Huh?”.

Photo courtesy of “ABC FAMILY/ Ron Tom”

I’m someone who has been affected by cancer in a way I never expected. Yet I LOVE “Chasing Life”. I’ve cried only once….so far….. and that was the scene at the graveside of April’s father as she talked to him. I could relate to that….I’ve stood at the graveside and talked to my mom.” But it’s true….cancer is just the backstory. It’s the relationships, however dysfunctional, that I love and want to keep watching week after week!

TONIGHT:

April and her family prepare for her chemo and hospital stay in “What to Expect When You’re Expecting Chemo,” An all new episode of “Chasing Life” airing Tuesday, August 5th 9:00pm ET/PT on ABC Family.

With only a few days left before April has to check herself into the hospital for aggressive chemotherapy, April is determined to live as normal a life as ever. But as she has to deal with Leo drama, Beth falling apart, and trying to live under the hovering eye of Sarah, April quickly learns that nothing will ever be “normal” for her.

Meanwhile, Brenna tries to juggle time with Kieran and Greer.

Follow “Chasing Life” on Facebook: Facebook.com/ChasingLifeonABCFamily and Twitter: Twitter.com/ChasingLifeABCF

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