Technique Man Says ‘Poker Face’ Function Is ‘Completely different From Anyone I’ve Ever Performed Earlier than’

Simply once we thought Charlie Cale and her 1969 Barracuda had been lastly parked and having fun with some peace in New York Metropolis, the reluctant BS detector will get pulled into one other thriller. The Massive Pump, the tenth episode of season 2 of Poker Face, streaming on Peacock, finds Natasha Lyonne’s character twisted up with Frank “Brick” Bricatino, a fitness center proprietor who’s working an unsavory facet hustle. Performed by Cliff “Technique Man” Smith, Brick has secrets and techniques that preserve piling up till they go horribly unsuitable.

The earlier episode dropped Charlie into an apartment-sitting gig within the metropolis and a homicide within the constructing. Episode 10 picks up together with her attempting to settle in, and although she’s normally a lone wolf, she makes a buddy within the variety girl who provided her a free espresso, and the pair join a membership at Brick’s fitness center — after which issues get sketchy. 

Technique Man, Jason Ritter, Natasha Leggero and Patti Harrison star within the newest installment that facilities on the homicide of Rodney, a well being inspector and member at The Brick Home fitness center. When Rodney (Ritter) uncovers Brick’s illicit scheme of slinging breast milk to meatheads, he confronts him and that results in a battle and Rodney’s unlucky, regrettable homicide. I say regrettable, as a result of Brick is upset about the way it occurs, panics after which covers it up. He is additionally a little bit of a crybaby. 

CNET had an opportunity to talk with Technique Man in regards to the episode forward of its premiere, and we mentioned this distinctive darkish comedy position, his respect for Lyonne and Brick being a beta. As an added bonus, we’re additionally sharing an unique clip from the episode. 

Poker Face position was an journey

Exterior of his music profession as a solo artist and member of Wu-Tang Clan, Technique Man has gathered loads of credit as a TV and movie actor, together with elements in exhibits resembling Energy Guide II: Ghost, The Wire and The Deuce. He is completed comedy, drama, thrillers and voice-overs for animation, but his Poker Face expertise was in contrast to his previous roles.

Was there something that struck him about Brick’s character? “Simply that he thinks he is an alpha when he is really a beta,” mentioned Technique Man. “Ego is a robust drug. However all in all, I believed this was totally different from anybody I’ve ever performed earlier than.” 

He praised his co-stars, describing Leggero as “magnificent,” Ritter as “dope to work with,” and the expertise as entire: “It was an journey.”

His method to taking part in Brick concerned viewing the character as somebody who’s keen about working his enterprise, though he is not an awesome entrepreneur. “The very last thing on his thoughts is the health half, though that is his life. He is superb at that, however he is not so good at life, interval,” the actor defined.

Technique Man’s favourite scene might be yours, too

Towards the tip of The Massive Pump, Charlie questions Brick about Rodney after which sneaks off to the sauna to piece proof collectively. Brick figures that out and, scrambling, he locks her within the sauna to bake to demise. He apologizes as she begs for her life, after which places headphones on to dam out her pleas — and his regret. It is the second time we see Brick really feel unhealthy about killing someone, and as soon as Alex frees Charlie, he will get much more determined. 

As he will get able to beat them with a dumbbell bar, Brick’s spouse Lily (Leggero) calls his identify with a scolding tone, “Francis John Bricatino! What’s the which means of this?” It is one other instance of the odd dynamic the couple has, the place Lily is parentified of their relationship. Brick is in huge hassle, and he begins crying at his spouse’s toes when his murderous actions are uncovered. Him getting caught and crying was Technique Man’s favourite scene to shoot. 

“It is so in contrast to me,” he mentioned. “It was the ultimate day of capturing. It took quite a bit to get to that second — I believed that it will be more durable than what it was, but it surely wasn’t as laborious as a result of by this time, I am so invested on this character, it felt proper.”

On working with Natasha Lyonne  

Although he hadn’t watched Poker Face earlier than signing on for the position, Technique Man already thought of himself a Natasha Lyonne fan and deliberate to binge the present (similar to Sport of Thrones, he added). However she herself has spoken extremely of him, sharing that they laughed quite a bit on set and are powerful New Yorkers who’re actually softies. She joked that possibly they “had been the identical particular person.” The compliments are mutual. 

Heaping accolades on Lyonne, Technique shared that what you see is what you get, on and off display. “She is tremendous duper clever, tremendous duper diligent about her work and everyone appears to fall in line when she exhibits as much as set,” he mentioned. “And he or she does know methods to command a set — the entire set. Love her.”

He added that the present actually would not work with out her, and described her as “uber proficient and real,” which, as Technique Man mentioned, may be uncommon in present enterprise.

Poker Face, season 2, is at present streaming on Peacock, and solely two extra episodes stay. Try the finale in July and a few of our different suggestions for the greatest exhibits on Peacock.