I recently had the chance to catch up with the contestants from the first episode of USA Network's original unscripted series 'First Impressions'. The show is a weekly half-hour competition that features Emmy Award-Winner and "SNL" Alum Dana Carvey and is hosted by Freddie Prinze Jr. ("Star Wars Rebels"). Carvey is the "expert-in-residence" in the comedic series that pits America's best amateur impressionists against each other in a battle of celebrity impression. Each week a winner will be crowned.
In the first episode, Steve Carell features as a celebrity mentor, who the contestants try and impress alongside Dana.
1/ When did you realize that you can do impersonations and do them well?
Rusty Sarhan: In high school I started having requests for impressions of certain teachers or coaches. Then my friends would call me just to hear an impression of a celebrity. I eventually made my way into my local radio station and performed little skits as characters. I figured if people in the media were liking what I was doing, and telling people about it, I must be decent.
Angela Hoover: I don't know that I knew I was doing impressions, but by the age of 9 I was coming home talking exactly like my friends. I was always observing other people's mannerisms, speech patterns and even the way people walked from a very early age. One time I came home with a Canadian accent. I had spent 5 hours with the girl.
2/ Who was the first celebrity that you could do an impersonation of?
Rusty: Probably Jim Carey. I was always quoting Ace Ventura and loved his quirkiness. Sometimes I would (and maybe still do) style my hair like his and run around pretending to be a pet detective. Others I picked up early on were Adam Sandler and Sean Connery.
Angela: When I was in grade school, I went and saw the movie ‘On Golden Pond’ by myself because I was weird. Anyway, I was so enthralled with her [Katharine Hepburn’s] voice that I started practicing it on the way home from the theater. Later as an adult I think my first celebrity impression was Drew Barrymore. I was watching her on E! and all the sudden I thought, "Oh wait, I think I can do her." I do love her.
3/ How does the show 'First Impressions' work?
Rusty: Hosted by Freddie Prinze Jr. and Dana Carvery, each episode features 3 contestants with a celebrity guest. 5 rounds of different games. Contestants either choose the impression they want to perform or are performing different ones at random, depending on the game. At the end of the show, the audience will vote on who they think deserves the grand prize of $10,000.
Angela: There are 3 contestants with Dana and a special guest moderating on the side. We are all asked to prepare a number of impressions then the rest is improv where we are picking out names from a hat, etc. and putting celebrities in different situations. You do all this with your comedic idols (Dana Carvey and Steve Carrell, who was the celebrity guest of my episode) watching you while you try not to sh*t your pants. The audience votes at the end and a winner is crowned and given $10,000.00. Dana does not vote.
4/ Did you have much interaction with Dana? What was he like to work with?
Rusty: It was a surreal experience. At one point Dana got up and pretty much performed an improv skit with me and another contestant. I've watched this guy on TV for years, typically interacting with other celebrities, but this time he was reacting to me- very surreal.
During one of the commercial breaks he was chatting with us to kill time, and he started talking about how he used to work with Anthony Hopkins and that Anthony did impressions. We were baffled - "I had no idea Anthony did impressions!", "you worked with Anthony Hopkins?!". Dana said "oh yeah. I would dress up as a woman and he would call me Clarice and chase after me in a straitjacket." Then he walked away.
Angela: Yes. We all know Dana Carvey is a comedic legend, but he is also the warmest, silliest, ego-free celebrity on the planet. Steve Carrell is wonderful too. I was able to ask both of them about improv and their journey in comedy. Dana tried out for SNL 3 times if I'm not mistaken. Hard to believe. It was a dream to get to work with them and spend time with them afterwards.
5/ And Freddie?
Rusty: One of the nicest guys I've met. He spoke with everyone backstage, got to know us and made everyone feel comfortable. I liked how interactive he was during the show. He wasn't there to be a celebrity, he was there to have fun and be a part of something great.
Angela: Extremely friendly and approachable. He made us feel very welcome and provided a warm atmosphere in which to compete.
6/ Is there anyone that you'd like to impersonate that you can't quite manage?
Rusty: I wish I could impersonate Ellen DeGeneres. I don't think many people have tried her, but I feel like she would get a kick out of someone attempting it. She seems like she would like impressions.
Angela: I am working on Sarah Palin and I really want to get Melania Trump down. Sarah has a lot of highs and lows going on in her speech. And I just haven't studied Melania enough to know ALL of her catch phrases. Although I do know she got here legally and "she follow the law."
7/ Do you have any other skills as well as making people laugh?
Rusty: I run a lot and compete in triathlons. Not sure if I would call it a skill. I mostly do it to get rid of any stress and keep a competitive edge I can carry over in the entertainment industry.
Angela: I am a phenomenal hoola hooper, I make great cakes, I used to sing Gospel, and was a lead singer in a Big Band when I was 19.
8/ Did you learn much from the other contestants on the show?
Rusty: I'm always learning something new. Different techniques/methods. Some impressionists rely on their movement or even becoming the character- almost like acting. Which is especially fun to watch because it's like watching the character on stage but they're dressed as someone else.
Angela: One thing about impressionists is we are observers. We notice things about people very quickly and are fascinated by other people. We appreciate seeing those nuanced details in impression. Craig Gass blows be away. I could listen to his Alec Baldwin for days.
These impressionists inspire me to get better and to get stronger, not only at impressions but at improv too, which this show requires.
9/ Is there a fierce rivalry in the comedy circles that you run in?
Rusty: There's a fierce group of people no matter what profession you choose. If it were a competition show about making cupcakes, there would probably be fierce competition. What I've gathered through impressions is that everyone has a story of how they got started and why they continue to do it. And that ultimately is what brings us together instead of separates us.
Angela: Not that I have experienced. I know a number of impressionists and the thing is sometimes we don't think the impressions we do are that big of a deal because we forget how much work we put in to them long ago, or
maybe one comes easily to us, but when we hear another impressionist do a dead on impression of someone, it is absolutely thrilling and inspiring. Or wh
en an impressionist you respect tells you your impression of someone is fantastic, it's a high compliment.
10/ What would be your dream job?
Rusty: Saturday Night Live. Hands down.
Angela: Having my own sketch show where I can play different characters with bad hair.
First Impressions premieres tonight, Tuesday, May 10th at 10:30/9:30c on USA Network.
Written by TomSouthwell on May 10, 2016
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