Actor/comedian Ron Funches had a unique opportunity when NBC reshot the pilot for “Powerless,” premiering Thursday night.
“They felt like they had a strong story and wanted to add a little more ‘funny,’” says Funches, 33, a familiar TV face (“Undateable,” “@midnight,” “New Girl”) who plays chief engineer Ron on the sitcom. “I didn’t really audition; they had me watch the pilot and asked me what type of character I could bring [to the series]. I’m the best at being me.”
‘It’s not really about superheroes, but how people are affected by superheroes in everyday life.’
“Powerless” is a different take on the superhero genre, positing a universe in which DC Comics superheroes (Batman, Superman, Crimson Fox, the Green Lantern, et al.) and their arch-villain foes (including the Joker) exist side by side with everyday people. (The series is produced by Warner Bros. and DC Comics.)
The premiere opens with Emily Locke (Vanessa Hudgens) on her way to a new job in Charm City as director of research for Wayne Security, owned by Bruce Wayne (yeah, that Bruce Wayne). The firm — which makes products to help people impacted by collateral damage from superheroes and villains — is run by Wayne’s hapless cousin, Van Wayne (Alan Tudyk), who’s gunning for a promotion to the Gotham City corporate office. Emily’s co-workers include Ron — “our chief of childlike wonder” — and cynical colleagues Teddy (Danny Pudi) and Jackie (Christina Kirk).
“I’m a fan [of DC Comics] in general, but I’m not like a hardcore nerd,” says Funches. “I don’t know any detail about anything, but I love comic books and video games. The Green Lantern is my favorite hero, and of course Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
“What I really like about [‘Powerless’] is that it’s not really about superheroes, but how people are affected by superheroes in everyday life,” he says. “When I’m watching a movie and I see a giant building topple over, I’m always like, ‘What happened to those people?’ No one ever really deals with that. This is a fun show where you see regular people living in that world.”
And Funches says that, like his on-screen character, he likes to tinker. “I’m always into new toys,” he says. “I just built my own computer for the first time. The secret is to have a friend who knows more than you and have him pick out the parts.
“Basically I did a couple of screwdriver things — he pointed out where to put the screwdriver and I did it.”
“Powerless” Series premiere 8:30 p.m. Thursday on NBC
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