For the first time since he was the epitome of 1990s cool in Saved by the Bell, Mark-Paul Gosselaar is starring in a sitcom — NBC’s Truth Be Told, premiering Oct. 16. It’s not like he hasn’t been busy, though, as Gosselaar previously starred in Steven Bochco’s legal drama Raising the Bar; was a member of NYPD Blue during the series’ last four seasons; starred in the TNT dramedy Franklin & Bash with pal Breckin Meyer; and had a memorable story arc on CSI. “Comedy uses mental muscles that I’m looking forward to using again,” the actor admits. The series follows two couples (Gosselaar and Vanessa Lachey, Tone Bell and Bresha Webb), who are best friends as well as neighbors, as they navigate life.
The quartet questions the world with their frank and unfiltered points of view and dissects everyday topics with the intensity that only friends can. We chatted with Gosselaar about his role on the series and he revealed some tasty tidbits.
Truth Be Told is loosely based on creator/ writer DJ Nash’s life and his relationship with his friends. What is it like having the basis for your character on set?
At times it can be easy because if I don’t understand where a line is coming from, I can always turn to DJ and I can ask him. DJ has in his head a very rhythmic cadence to the way these characters speak and how these lines should be delivered to make it the most funny.
But it is a challenge because I want to please DJ but I also need to be able do this on my own and make [the character] mine.
Describe your character, Mitch …
There’s a sort of righteousness to Mitch that I am not overtly expressive with, but I do have those tendencies in me. He has this sort of self-destructive need for justice and I understood it. I’m not going to walk up to somebody and try to demand justice, but I just love the character. He’s just sort of that guy that has that scratch that he needs to itch.
Tell us about your costars.
When we’re working, I’m around Tone and Bresha and Vanessa more than I’m around my family!
They’re all good people — we get along and we have great chemistry that translates well onto the screen.
This is the first time you’re starring in a sitcom since Saved by the Bell. How does it feel to do multi-camera comedy again?
It is a challenge, but once you get used to it, [shooting a comedy] is very efficient and the days are very short and it should technically be easier than what we do — you know, the 14-, 15-hour days on dramas.