Ben Feldman Talks About His Global Education In Comedy
Feldman has studied with the greats from the Great White North to Down Under, from Superstore to Population 11.
Ben Feldman, perhaps best known for his run as Jonah in the NBC hit ‘Superstore’ has made a career playing characters who stumble through their life with a penchant for accidents and awkwardness. This writer complimented past performances by stating how comfortable he is “playing the uncomfortable”. Feldman is much more eloquent, bolstering in a faux-braggadocious voice that he “is able to project a lack of confidence” in these roles, but he pauses suddenly, and reveals since he’s now recognizing that commonality in a few of his more prominent characters, he might have to discuss that fact with his therapist.
His newest role as Andy Pruden in ‘Population 11’ sees Feldman in a familiar fish-out-of-water situation, as his character is in search of his long lost absentee-father. This lands him in rural Australia in a town of about a dozen eclectic characters, where Andy has to not only solve a mystery, but traverse the insane waters of this back-water town. The show is a great mix of mystery, comedy, drama and naturally, outback charm and oddball situations.
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“I don't know what it is.” Feldman admits. “I think maybe I'm just naturally confused and bumbling and, and stammering and nervous and, and that's where those parts, that's how those parts find me.” (This writer would like to address that those repeated ‘ands’ were not edited at all, which proves Feldman’s point about it simply comes naturally to him). Yet this has been a major part of the charm of Feldman, his characters, as much as they might seem like a braggart on the outside, or might think they’re better than people, have such a tender vulnerability to them as well. It is an amazing balance to see in many of Feldman’s more prominent roles, and it can make his comedy that much more endearing.
Don’t let the awkward energy fool you, however, as it’s also a testament to how well prepared Feldman is. When he was preparing for Population 11, Feldman immediately began dissecting Australian comedy, worried that the comedic sensibilities might be slightly different. Even if his character was a fish out of water, Feldman had a job to do as lead of an Australian-based comedy to carry the show and much of the humor.
Feldman in ‘Population 11’
“It was a major concern of mine, being the only American involved in any way whatsoever” Feldman admits, and while he might have been the only American BORN individual involved in the production, there were other strong links to American comedy. Trent O’Donnell, who directed several episodes of Population 11, has a filmography that includes A.P. Bio, The Good Place, New Girl and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
“Thankfully Trent was a part of it. He understands American humor and sitcoms, and I'm so lucky that I had him there because I was very concerned. Comedy doesn't always necessarily translate over borders and oceans and you never know what's going to land over there, what's going to be kind of cringy, what's going to seem boring or derivative or whatever, and so I started watching a lot of [Australian] comedy”. That concern quickly melted away when Feldman realized, there truly is a global sensibility when it comes to comedy. “There was no dividing line between the humors. It was great.”
Feldman is no stranger to the influence of other nations. While certainly not as different to America as Austrailians would be, Feldman reminisces fondly about the legends that often come from America’s neighbor, Canada. Feldman grew up watching Kids in the Hall, a Canadian sketch program, produced by legend Lorne Michaels. Years later, Feldman shared the Superstore screen with one of those ‘kids’ in Mark McKinney.
Feldman, who took on the Lion’s share as co-lead of Superstore showed no signs that he was outmatched by McKinney in terms of comedic chops during the show’s run. He will confess though, McKinney and fellow comedic Canuck Lauren Ash (who played Dina) taught him a lot.
Feldman (sitting, bottom) with ‘Superstore’ costars Mark McKinney (top, left), Lauren Ash (lying, middle) and Colton Dunn (right)
”They're brilliant improvers, and in very different ways. Lauren is kind of a bulldozer that will just just knock down anything standing in a room with her humor, and Mark is this sort of dorky book nerd humor. He can jump into any language or accent, or reference the most obscure facts and historical anecdotes. My brain just doesn't work like theirs”.
Feldman pauses once again. He undoubtedly realizes how fortunate he’s been in his career to not only star in these great comedic projects, but be able to work with top tier comedians from around the world. Yet, as mentioned earlier, Canada might have a slight edge in terms of who influenced more. “Is that all of Canada?” Feldman asks. “I hope so, because that makes it an incredible country. And if things go south here, I'd like to move there and just feel like a boring, unfunny idiot, which is how I thought whenever I was around Mark or Lauren”.