__This is a movie about an affair, and it's literally all the affair--we're not seeing anything but these two behind closed doors. What is it about that theme that's so addictively watchable? __
Chris: We were very interested in a secret world--a couple that can only be a couple for so many hours on one weekend, that's always trapped in these hotel rooms and secluded.
By the same token, it looked like a physically and emotionally exhausting job--you're either, um, enjoying each other, or figuring out the stressful logistics and implications of these trysts.
Chris: There's a certain exhaustion, but it feels good. It's cathartic in a way, to go to those places--as painful as they are, they're invigorating.
How well did you know Marin before spending a lot of long, mostly-naked hours on set with her?
Chris: We did a play years ago in New York called Far Away. For 28 Hotel Rooms, we needed somebody who was fearless, which Marin is--we didn't want to see the couple with the blankets pulled over them. We wanted to show the inside of the hotel room, what goes on. We would be in the bed faking that we're making love for 25, 30 minutes--so it was helpful that I already felt a trust with her.
THE MINDY PROJECT: Danny (Chris Messina, L) gives Mindy (Mindy Kaling, R) an exam on an all-new "Danny Castellano is my Gynecologist" episode of THE MINDY PROJECT airing Tuesday, Nov. 13 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2012 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Beth Dubber/FOX
Meanwhile, on the more standards-friendly side of your world, you're in the middle of The Mindy Project's first season. The show seems like it's really starting to settle in.
Chris: That's the key word, I've been learning, because I've never done network television before this. [A new show] needs time, it's forever changing. We have a great writing staff and I think we've been getting stronger, narrowing down what the show should be. And it's all led by Mindy, who's so f---ing funny.
