‘Great News’ Star Andrea Martin On Meeting Tracey Wigfield’s Mom On Set

Andrea Martin’s role as Carol Wendelson on NBC’s “Great News” is inspired by Tracey Wigfield’s mom, Kathy Wigfield. So Martin was pleased when she got the chance to personally met Kathy on the set of the comedy series.

“She does have qualities that I don’t have,” Martin told the Los Angeles Times of Kathy, whom she met while filming the pilot in New York City. “She doesn’t have any filter, and I’m constantly second-guessing and thinking like, ‘Wasn’t that the right thing to say?’ Well, Kathy is not like that. She says things [and] shoots from the hip. There’s something so refreshing about it and so innocently enthusiastic. And that’s not really a quality I have … so it was beautiful to meet her.”

When asked what she learned about Tracey and Kathy’s relationship just by merely observing them, the two-time Emmy winner said: “I found that both of them are very connected. Neither one annoyed one another. I don’t know what goes on in their individual home … but there certainly wasn’t any of that. There was really mutual respect and I just love the unconditional love that the mom has towards Tracy. … She really believes in her talent, wants the best for her. She’s the biggest, biggest fan. Honestly, it doesn’t seem like there’s any ulterior motives.”

READ: Tina Fey praises “Mean Girls” musical cast

Besides playing the recurring role of Beth Vierk, Tracey — who created the series — also serves as the showrunner. “You wouldn’t know that she’s a first-time showrunner,” Martin told Goldderby when asked how Tracey was as a showrunner. “And I think that’s because [executive producers] Tina [Fey] and Robert [Carlock] mentored her really [well] and she learned from the best.”

“It’s like the best kind of collaboration possible,” added Martin of her working relationship with Tracey. “With a great script you don’t need to do much with but if you have a question, she’ll think of another line. If you have suggestions for a line, she’ll consider it and let you do it. It’s just a great creative collaboration because it’s open, not defensive and welcoming. It’s really beautiful.”

“Great News” ended its 10-episode freshman run last month. Plot details about the already confirmed Season 2 are being kept under wraps, but Deadline reported that Fey will guest star on the show next season. “It’s safe to say that Tina Fey will be popping into that world next year,” NBC topper Bob Greenblatt said last May. “She is very important to this company. The more of Tina the better.”

“Great News” Season 2 will air on NBC every Thursday at 9:30 p.m. EDT in the fall.