“my favorite thing is how the characters are literally just the actors on new girl” TikTok · The Paley Center for Media “I swear they are just their characters” TikTok · The Paley Center for Media Key Episode Highlights
Enjoy this clip from our #SharkTank panel at #PFNY2023! - TikTok
Jess (Zooey Deschanel) attempts to find a new job while navigating intense mood swings, leading to a series of comedic breakdowns during interviews. [S2E7] Menzies
Fans often note that the chemistry in this episode highlights how much the actors' real personalities mirrored their characters:
While the episode title refers to Jess’s struggle with PMS, the "Menzies" character (played by Jeff Kober) is a tranquil, pool-dwelling man who helps Nick find inner peace. In a retrospective discussion, Jake Johnson shared that the specific choreography of the water massage—where Menzies holds Nick in a pool—stemmed from writer own experiences. “my favorite thing is how the characters are
Schmidt attempts to manage his physical relationship with Emma (Carla Gugino) using a legalistic corporate approach, which backfires in classic Schmidt fashion.
The New Girl episode is widely remembered for its "water massage" scene, which actor Jake Johnson (Nick Miller) revealed was inspired by a real-life traumatic experience from one of the show's writers. Cast Reflections on "Menzies" In a retrospective discussion, Jake Johnson shared that
Nick's transformation from his usual "angry" self to a state of total zen after his water massage.
