Billy Gardell was a staple of CBS’ Mike & Molly for six seasons on the popular network. After the series ended in 2016, the actor went on to guest star in several shows, including Young Sheldon and Angie Tribeca, before landing a starring role in Bob Hearts Abishola. Gardell recently discussed getting a second chance at having a hit sitcom after the success of Mike & Molly.
The Bob Hearts Abishola star really enjoys being a part of a new sitcom. He’s especially grateful because he didn’t think he’d get another chance to be on a successful show after Mike & Molly. Here’s what Billy Gardell told Chicago’s CBS Local about how lucky he feels to be a part of the cast of another major sitcom.
You know man, I’m blown away by what’s happened this year. It’s such a sweet, kind show and it’s received so wonderfully. We had a freshman hit and to have a freshman hit on sitcom now is crazy. When you’re on a hit sitcom, you think the second one won’t go this well but this show has been a great ensemble cast. I think Chuck Lorre found a beautiful temperature between a working-class family and a family of hardworking immigrants that want to make a better life for their family. They connected beautifully in a real way. I think there’s a real kindness to our show and the collaboration and again, the ensemble, every character is funny, every character is interesting and that’s a Chuck Lorre staple. So, I’m blown away and I’m so grateful for the success of this show this year. Really am.
Bob Hearts Abishola — which follows Bob’s attempts at romancing his nurse, Folake Olowofoyeku’s Abishola, after suffering from a mild heart attack — is another hit from Chuck Lorre. The mega producer behind The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men seems to have a way with creating characters that audiences remember. The same thing can be said of Lorre’s latest show, Bob Hearts Abishola, with a cast that gels so well on the screen. The actor also noted:
What Chuck does better than anybody is he finds people that you believe and people that you believe know each other. He always says character, character, character because if I don’t care about them, I’m not watching. I don’t care how good the jokes are. We really have this nice chemistry and I can’t believe I landed in it twice. I cannot believe that.
Billy Gardell sounds like he really enjoys being a part of Bob Hearts Abishola. He praised the cast, calling them “beautiful actors.” And, although he added in some habits to make Bob seem more real, Gardell attributes the characters’ believability to being about the cast trusting each other.
Whatever Bob Hearts Abishola did in Season 1 seems to have worked with audiences because CBS renewed the sitcom for Season 2. I’d say that’s a good sign that Billy Gardell’s second chance at sitcom success has a shot at a long run on primetime. Bob Hearts Abishola Season 1 is now streaming on CBS All Access. Season 2 does not yet have a premiere date, but stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates. In the meantime, be sure to check out our 2020 summer TV premiere schedule.
