Indiana native, Kyle Bornheimer moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. He gained attention through his comedic performances on TV commercials like T-Mobile, Geico, Coors Light, Staples and Sprint, among others. After his television debut in 2008 starring as the hapless Sam Briggs in the critically-acclaimed series “Worst Week,” Bornheimer made several appearances in some of television’s familiar sitcoms: “Better Off Ted,” “Chuck,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Party Down,” “The Office,” “Monk,” “Weeds” and “Breaking Bad.”
Bornheimer can now be seen every Thursdays starring as Dave in NBC’s new romantic comedy that follows three flawed pairs trying to get it right in their relationships.
In our interview with Kyle, the conversation went from discussing perfect couples to his Valentine’s date with his Shih Tzu.
PERFECT COUPLES Thursdays (8:30-9 p.m. ET) on NBC
Tell me a little bit what to expect from Perfect Couples and what is your idea of a perfect couple?
Kyle Bornheimer: What we discovered it wasn’t just the dynamic that two people have within the relationship, it’s actually how couples end up relating to each other too. Because once you get into a couple, you find that you’re hanging out with other couples and there’s a whole new geometry that you have to learn and like what matches with what. Maybe you like your best friend’s girlfriend, maybe you don’t. Maybe you got to spend a weekend that you didn’t plan on spending with four other people. And so what we found is that three’s – all these other dynamics that play with these couples. And we do kind of singular episodes that, you know, are kind of standalone but there’s a nice fun thread playing throughout the episodes with one of the couples that I won’t give you too much away about that continues throughout the season as well as these – how these relationship evolve with each other. The writers are excellent at zigging when most shows would zag. They keep throwing stereotypes about couples and men and women and men in their 30s and women in their 30s (unattached). I love the way they would kind of play with the stereotypes of what you usually get. Our mantra often was, we’re not a beer commercial the way that those kind of cliche stereotypes are often portrayed in beer commercials. It’s a very positive show. What I love about it, it’s not cynical or bitter. I mean it’s not – it’s dark edges and it’s certainly has an edge to it. But it’s – it comes from a much more positive place than I think people are, you know, often get. And it’s sometimes harder with friends because family you can kind of take for granted and tell them to screw off or, you know, and you know that they’re going to come back. There’s a little higher stakes with friends.
Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we’re on the topic of couples and relationships, what is the perfect Valentine’s Day?
Kyle Bornheimer: I have a new-born at home. That’s a good excuse. Yeah, we’re going to – that’s a good question and I think you do get a pass when you have a newborn at home. I’m writing it down right now. When is Valentine’s Day? Monday. You know, some years I lean into it. Some years, I mean I think, you know, at least we think we’re a progressive enough couple that we can either celebrate it and not feel cheesy and not celebrate and not feel like we missed it. This year I have to say that I have haven’t thought about it much.
You said something about trying not to play it cheesy. So have you ever done anything that’s off or odd on Valentine’s Day?
Kyle Bornheimer: I mean on Valentine’s Day specifically, I’m trying to think if – you know what’s funny is like my wife has – well, we have a little Shih Tzu that I’ve adopted. But it was my wife’s when we first started dating. And I would always do something with the dog because she told me that the dog was born on Valentine’s Day. Every Shih Tzu I’ve ever met has been born on Valentine’s Day. Every time anyone introduces me to their Shih Tzu, they’re like oh my God, you know, I was anxious to get him. He was born on Valentine’s Day or I got him here and he was born on Valentine’s Day. So I don’t really believe that our Shih Tzu was actually born on Valentine’s Day. I think that they say that about all little cute dogs. So now I feel a little bit taken by that lie. So I don’t do anything with the dog anymore on Valentine’s Day. I do a different day for him. I was just using the poor thing. I felt bad.