Two Cents and Five Questions with Elizabeth Banks

banks

…Elizabeth Banks, Actor

In the season finale of 30 Rock (airing tonight on NBC), Jack (Alec Baldwin) will be forced to choose between the two women in his life: high school sweetheart Nancy (Julianne Moore) and cable news personality Avery (Elizabeth Banks).

Even if he doesn’t choose Avery, there is no denying her portrayer Elizabeth Banks is still a winner.

With a slew of movie and guest star credits under her belt, as well as many more on the way, there is no stopping her. The Two Cents had the pleasure of participating in a conference call with Elizabeth about the upcoming episode. Here are some of the highlights:

TheTwoCents: Putting aside the fact that you play one of these ladies, who do you think Jack should choose?

Elizabeth Banks: Avery’s ego will definitely say you should choose Avery , but probably only so that then Avery can then dump him, you know what I mean. She’d really want to be chosen just so that she can have this – the glory of then dumping him.

I think he’s probably paying with fire with Julianne’s character. I think he’s right in saying she’s a fiery red-headed Irish lady from Boston. I know those ladies and they are tough – tough cookies. So we’ll see. We’re both tough cookies, I will say that. And I think he should do whatever’s best for him.

Let’s put it this way: No matter who he chooses I don’t know if this is going to be the end-all for his love life.

TTC: Are you going to have a face-off with Julianne Moore?
EB: I will tell you that Julianne Moore and I do have a scene together. I don’t know if it’s quite the face-off that you’re expecting but we do have a scene together so we meet in the finale.

TTC: Besides Alec Baldwin, was there anyone else on the show you enjoyed working with?
EB: It’s the nicest group of people working in TV. I really couldn’t have been made more welcome there. The cast and crew are incredible. I felt very lucky because I’ve actually made movies with a lot of people on the crew. So when I got there the first day it was a lot of hugs all around because I knew the DP and I knew the sound guys and I knew some of the PAs and it was just – it was great; it was a very welcoming set.

TTC: You’ve also done different genres like horror, comedy, even animation. Which one do you feel or consider to be the hardest one to do?
EB: Every genre presents different challenges. And, you know, we actors all have our little toolbox that we open up and we pull out whatever tools we need on any given day. They get us through and hopefully entertain people and be honest and truthful in the scene that we’re performing in.

TTC: What else are you watching right now?
EB: I’m watching Justified. My buddy Timothy Olyphant is in Justified, who I think is great. I’m a huge Lost fan, but I have not seen this week’s so I don’t want to hear anything about it. I don’t want to read anything about it; I don’t want to know anything. I am actually two behind, I’m saving them up for myself. I’m devastated that the series is ending.

I also watch The Office and, I’m excited for True Blood and Mad Men to come back

Be sure to catch the Elizabeth on the season finale of 30 Rock tonight on NBC, then come back here for our recap!

Jake G., Jr. Reporter
jake@thetwocentscorp.com