Max Greenfield on Schmidt, a Golden Globe Nomination, and Why "Ultimate Honesty" Is the Best Valentine's Day Move

On January 4, 2013, New Girl star Max Greenfield joined a press call ahead of the show's mid-season return — new episodes beginning Tuesday, January 8th at 9/8c on Fox. Greenfield had just received his first Golden Globe nomination for Supporting Actor in a Series, with the ceremony set for January 13th. He spoke about the nomination, the Schmidt/Cece dynamic, the physical process of playing fat Schmidt, and his upcoming film with Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd.

"Ed Harris and Schmidt from New Girl"

Greenfield was asleep at five in the morning when the Golden Globe nomination came through. "It feels wonderful especially in such a kind of odd category, where they have people from movies and miniseries and dramas. And all of a sudden they're like — well, the nominees are Ed Harris and Schmidt from New Girl. To hear that was kind of — I don't know, it felt really nice." On the ceremony itself: "I like to dress up. I like to put on a spiffy outfit. I'm excited about when the show starts to end and you can kind of loosen up your bowtie and unbutton like the first two, and let the bowtie hang loose. That's always a cool look — like you're on the cover of the movie Diner. I plan on dancing quite a bit."

Schmidt and Cece — and why he personally wants them back together

On the Schmidt/Cece dynamic heading into the new episodes: "I think there's always a chance. And personally, yes, I'd like to see them back together. You try to play the character and make it as personal as possible and at this point, Schmidt is working so hard to get back with her that I think I personally kind of want to just win already." On the cycle: "Every time they kind of make up, they get back to like — it seems as though he'll go after her, he'll totally screw it up, and then they'll find a place in friendship, and once they get settled into a normal friend/relationship, he feels the need to then go after her again."

Two hours in a fat suit — and why he doesn't mind

On the process of becoming fat Schmidt for flashback sequences: "It's about two hours in total. But the makeup artists that do it — this guy, Matthew Mungle, and sometimes Clinton, his partner — they're just the best. It's kind of nice. I just enjoy hanging out with them. It's like going to dinner or having coffee with a friend every couple weeks. Like, Mungle shows up, and I'll be like, 'Hey, Matthew. How've you been, man?' And they're always working on some cool movie. They just did this Lee Daniels movie in Atlanta. I'm always asking, 'So tell me about it. How's Forest Whitaker?' It's just fun."

Playing Schmidt — and recognizing yourself in him

On why he relates to the character: "I think there are and there have been many moments in my life where I've tried just a bit too hard, and I think Schmidt is kind of settling into himself. He's having difficulty being comfortable in his own skin and as a result, puts a little too much effort into everything." On how he got the role: "I was so excited to get the audition and just hoping to give a good read for people like Liz Meriwether and Jake Kasdan. And then to get the job, I was like, 'You've got to be kidding me.' And then it certainly worked out wonderfully." On the improv process: "You come into a scene, you do it as scripted, and then certainly if it's working you want to open it up a bit. So many of our writers are always on set — and producers — and it's sort of like a collaborative improvisation sometimes. When it's working correctly, it's just unbelievable."

Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, and They Came Together

Greenfield was effusive about his upcoming film, written and directed by David Wain and Michael Showalter: "It stars Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd who were about the biggest dream I could ever ask for to go work with. I would find myself in scenes with them and I would be like, just watching. I realized — I was like, you probably should pay attention to where you're supposed to be in the scene and not just be going, 'How are they doing this?' They just were two of the funniest people I've ever worked with. I played Paul's brother, and it's just one of the funniest movies. I had such a good time on it." New Girl returns Tuesday, January 8th at 9/8c on Fox.

For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar.