America Ferrera Talks About That Surprising Twist in Superstore, What’s to Come, and More

Most likely if you’re reading this, you tuned into NBC’s newest comedy, Superstore, which premiered last night after The Voice. Starring America Ferrera and from the producers of The Office, Superstore is about a unique (to say the least) family of employees at a super-sized megastore. It’s surprising, it’s funny, and it’s definitely not afraid to be politically incorrect. On a recent afternoon in Los Angeles, we sat down with Ferrera to chat surprise twists, co-stars, and that very startling gun scene in the pilot episode. Listen in (and spoilers ahead!)!

Glamour: You filmed the pilot at an actual Kmart. Was it open that day to the public?

America Ferrera: Yeah, they didn’t close that day! It was in Burbank, and it was fun and kind of crazy. It kind of reminded you, like, “Oh, yeah, this is the real world!”

Glamour: You’re a producer on Superstore. What does that mean as far as your daily tasks and goals?

America: I’m involved in the conversations that dictate where the story is going to go—and just being another protector of the vision of the show. As an actor, I’ve always thought of acting as a collaboration, and I’ve never been able to just take my lines and say them. When I’m acting, I can really only do my best work when I really believe in what I’m doing. Not that everything I’m doing has to be some big social message, but that I’m on the same page with the writers, creators, and directors about what we’re saying. Getting to be a part of those conversation is something that I’d be doing either way.

Glamour: What was your first impression of your co-star, Ben Feldman?

America: He has so much energy. We call him “Captain Fun” because he was the first one to be like, “Drinks! At this bar, at this time! Be there or be square!” He forced us to go on a Vegas trip after we wrapped. I mean, forced is not necessarily the right word. Yeah, Captain Fun Feldman. Glamour‘s gonna print that!

Glamour: After watching the pilot, I did not expect the twist in the second episode that reveals your character is married with a kid. I thought for sure we’d see a romance develop with Amy and Ben’s character.

America: So, Amy having a child and being married was something we knew going into the pilot. We wanted to make that a part of her story. [With that said], I do think there is this chemistry and connection between Amy and Jonah, and we didn’t want it to be a simple, easy rom-com. We wanted it to be able to find itself, and let it feel true to all the different kinds of relationships people have in life. Who knows, maybe Amy and Jonah are going to end up together, but maybe they’re not. But we didn’t want the romance to be the focus of the relationship…we wanted it to be a possibility with a lot of obstacles in between, and we’ll see where it goes.

Glamour: Will we meet Amy’s husband and child?

America: Yes, you will see meet both of them.

Glamour: Getting to more serious issues, there are two scenes in the pilot with guns. I was truthfully surprised that NBC decided to leave those scenes in given what’s going on in our country, as I found it particularly unnerving. What were you thoughts?

America: I [actually] had a very strong reaction to it. I am not a fan of guns. When I read it, I remember thinking, “No way. They’re going to cut this scene.” I mean, it’s funny and it’s bold, and you get the point of it, but I had a very strong reaction to it as well. I think the consensus was that a strong reaction was OK. It’s true to this character, [who] is kind of a wild card and does really stupid things. But, I think one of the special things about our show is that while it’s a fun environment and it’s a fun place to be, every now and then it reminds you that we’re in the real world. But it’s jarring, and you’re right to be jarred. It doesn’t mean you have to like it, and I agree with you. I had quite a strong reaction to it as well, but I think that is what the show is trying to do. What you’re saying is, we do live in a society that is increasingly polarized, and we don’t know how to even have the conversations about race, about guns…so it’s going to be uncomfortable to deal with it. Guns really scare me.

Glamour: I agree, 100 percent. Especially when they are in the wrong hands, absolutely.

America: There is actually a gun-shooting range scene later in the season, and I have to shoot the guns. I was sweating the whole time. I don’t like loud noises, I don’t like promos for horror movies, but I also feel a little bit like, “You know what? TV should be pushing the envelope.” The brilliance of comedy is to make people uncomfortable and make people talk about the things they don’t know how to talk about.

Glamour: I appreciate your thoughtful answers to a very serious topic. We’re running out of time, so let me make this last question a good one. If you were this character in real life, what parts of the job would you excel at and what parts of the job would you have a tough time learning?

America: I gotta tell you, Jessica, I’m pretty good at most things! [Laughs]

Glamour: I see that, I see that! I’m not surprised!

America: You know, I would have a problem with authority. I have a problem with the corporate aspects of things. I would have a problem with the nonsensical rules, like, “You can’t wear your hair like that? Why can’t I wear my hair like that?” Or “You gotta put this here before you put it in a bag. Why? When this is faster and easier a different way?” Amy’s like, “Look, I can do my job, I’m good at my job. I don’t need a bunch of rules to tell me, rules that don’t make any sense.” I feel that rules that don’t make any sense make people feel like children, and they’re so condescending. I think Amy has a problem with it, and I think America has a problem with it. This America. Me, America. [Laughs]

Superstore will return to NBC in January. To watch more clips, click here.