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The actress reveals how Kimmy gets into college and her favorite new guest-stars
Kimmy Schmidtis moving on up!
What is season 3 about, then, thematically?
Credit: Eric Liebowitz/Netflix
ELLIE KEMPER:I would say it’s a continuation of that.
And, just like any person, how do you deal with that?
I think every character is doing that.
Netflix
There isn’t always a right thing to do and a wrong thing to do.
She’s basically debating whether to share her story of the bunker with a very large audience.
She finally decides that’s not something she has to do.
She can help people in other ways.
That approach isn’t going to help throughout.
How does that journey with Kimmy play out with the reverend coming back into her life?
That’s, of course, an un-welcomed guest who shows up in her life again.
“Oh, I thought he was gone and now he’s back.”
On a personal level, we were all happy because who doesn’t love Jon Hamm?
At first, she basically tries to torture him that’s a horrible, light use of the word.
Yeah, you could never completely shut the door on things.
She needs to learn how to manage that in her current life.
I have the feeling that he’ll keep popping up, just because that’s Jon Hamm’s contract.
No, I’m kidding!
I have a feeling that you never really do say goodbye to things.
They continue to be with you throughout your life.
Kimmy also applies to college this season.
Do we eventually see her get there this season?
Honestly, she’s in a college because she wins a rowing scholarship.
Ivy League colleges don’t give athletic scholarships, but she somehow earns one.
I love that scene!
That’s one of the running themes with her from her time in the bunker.
How does she adjust to being in college?
I’m not sure that she’s acing her classes.
We talked about this, because how smart is Kimmy?
There are different kinds of intelligence, so she might not be academically so strong.
I think the whole thing is teamwork and pulling your own weight and making it better for everyone.
How does she end up in a philosophy class?
Which guest star did you have themost fun playing off of this season?
I loved meeting and acting with Ray Liotta.
He was so wonderful.
He was there three days.
First day, I was like, “Do not talk to him.
Don’t go up to him.
So, I didn’t say anything the first day and was very polite.
Second day, it was like, “Okay, small talk, chit-chat.”
By the third day, he’s like a little kitten.
He’s a very kind person.
It was so much fun to be in a scene with him.
He’s playing like a tough guy and he’s interrogating Kimmy in one scene.
So, that was really fun for me.
Also being in a scene with Laura Dern was insane, cause she’s Laura Dern.
Who is Laura Dern playing?
How does Kimmy react to meeting the woman who wants to marry the reverend?
Not well, because Kimmy wants to keep another woman from getting hurt.
So, she really isn’t sure exactly what to do in this situation.
Basically, she wants to help this lady.
So, what’s the best way to help her?
Can she protect her from this evil man, or does this woman need to make her own choice?
That’s sort of what the episode is about: What is Kimmy’s role in that?
That’s what it is.
I think that is her life.
She has this second chance.
I think that’s going to be a recurring frustration for her.
I know Tina Fey is returning to guest-star this season, too.
Is she playing a new character or is she returning as Andrea?
She plays two characters, but one of them is Andrea.
So Kimmy is still in therapy?
She has sort of paused her sessions, but we do see Andrea again.
She goes to Andrea for some advice.
The entire third season hits Netflix Friday, May 19.
