Carl Tart, star of Grand Crew on NBC, discusses Season 2! more improv, funnier, and LA culture

Grand Crew on NBC star Carl Tart, who portrays Sherm, recently discussed season two with The Official Black Magazine. He explained to me the reasons why this season could appear funnier than the previous one, how it was getting better, and how much he loved incorporating LA culture into the program. 

Cox: Carl, Grand Crew is great and it appears much funnier this time around in season two. What, in your opinion, distinguishes seasons one from two? 
Tart: Mike, in all honesty, I believe that the fun simply increased. With it, we became a little sillier. The wonderful thing about a new season is that we might benefit from the criticism of the prior one. The aspects that viewers loved and didn’t necessarily appreciate were communicated to us. As a whole cast and production, I believe we all have a clearer idea of what the play should be like. 

While you only truly get to know the characters in season one, we get to know them better in season two. Since we are already familiar with the personalities this time around, we like them more.  

Cox: What did you mean when you said that we just recently met the characters in season one? 
Tart: People don’t seem to realize how difficult it is to truly get to know each character in the first season of a program with only 10 episodes. So you are aware of this individual and their preferences when you are chosen up for season two, like we were. We are familiar with these individuals’ characteristics as of late. 

Cox: Did you treat Sherm any differently this season? 
Tart: I made no adjustments to my treatment of Sherm from season one. I’m the kind of person that thinks you shouldn’t change anything if it isn’t broken. 

Cox: This season, we get to watch Sherm have some brief love, which occurs in the strangest circumstance. 
Tart: Indeed, you have him dating this woman who has a son who is his age.  Sherm is fine if they split up but still wants to hang out with the son. Even the split doesn’t bother him. 

Cox: Are you and Sherm more similar or more like polar opposites when it comes to him? 
Tart: I have to confess that we resemble one another quite a bit. Indeed, it’s because of the similarities that I can depict him so effectively. Like him, I’m still figuring out who I am and where I fit in this world. You are aware that I work in voiceovers and even DJ clubs in addition to acting, but many people are unaware of this. Like Sherm, I’m constantly looking for the next thing to do in order to maintain momentum. 

Cox: Sherm is one of those likable people who we can either identify with or have a buddy that is similar to. Why, in your opinion, is he so relatable? 
Tart: He has the ability to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously while still striving to continue to discover who he is, in my opinion. Everyone, I believe, can relate to the idea of always searching for oneself as we get older. We all have preconceived notions of where we should be after high school and before college, yet frequently, those goals remain unmet. That’s good, though, since Sherm demonstrates that if we maintain our forward motion and never let up, we will succeed. 

Cox: Los Angeles is the setting for Grand Crew. How does it feel to star in a program that is both set in Los Angeles and has a strong cultural focus? 
Tart: Did anyone see the Hamilton High allusion in the previous episode? 
Cox: I did, and I really enjoyed it. 
Tart: Well, that’s what I enjoy about the show, and I’m glad I was able to do it. We are all extremely proud of our roots since we are all Los Angelenos. So, it’s entertaining to make allusions to places like the Fox Hills Mall or the high schools we attended. One of my favorite aspects of the show is even the ability to scream out the doughnut shops and restaurants where I grew up eating. 

Cox: Do you all have a bit more creative freedom this time? 
Tart: I have done a bit more improv this season, and I enjoy seeing it in the episodes. I see as I watch that they have incorporated it. After the takes and cuts, you never know what will make the final cut. 

Cox: What would you like to see the group accomplish this season or the following season (I’m already claiming a third season for you all)? 
Tart: I want the group to go on a lengthy excursion. That need not be far; it may be to Atlanta or perhaps New Orleans. Moreover, I would want to see more stories between Sherm and Noah (played by Echo Kellium). The final individual and I were just discussing this since you never see them truly sharing any experiences in that way. As I think about it, Sherm and Fay (played by Grasie Mercedes) don’t have any shared tales either. I would certainly like for it to happen, so absolutely.