The success has been so great that in little over a week since the show’s entire first season became available on DVD, it’s ranked within Amazon’s top 30 sales list in two categories.
The Chicago-based sitcom follows the antics of a close group of friends who are tied together by their love of sports and association with P.J., played by Jordana Spiro, a female sportswriter who balances her tomboy side with her ability to maintain her femininity.
One of those close friends is Kenny, a sports-memorabilia store owner played by Michael Bunin.
In a recent telephone interview from Los Angeles, Bunin talked with The Herald about his character, the success of “My Boys” and the show’s new season, which started June 12.
Q: As the actor who plays Kenny, could you describe him?
A: Kenny is the quintessential loyal friend who doesn’t want to miss out on anything. He’s the guy who always keeps track of what day it is and what the group should be doing that day. And he likes to relax and have fun, but he needs for things to be a certain way.
And maybe he tries to act a little tougher than he really is.
Q: Since each of the characters have a label, is being the guy who keeps track of everything Kenny’s definitive role in the group?
A: Yeah, he’s the guy who knows Friday is poker night. If it’s Saturday, he knows that he and his friends go for pizza and beer and shoot darts.
Q: Since P.J. is the central character of “My Boys,” what exactly is Kenny’s relationship with her?
A: I think of all the friends in the group, P.J. would be his confidante, the one he would tell anything. She’s also the ring leader of the group, and the one whose opinion he values.
Q: Since there have already been sparks between P.J. and a couple of the other characters, would there ever be a possibility for romance between P.J. and Kenny?
A: I don’t think so. But in my experience, I’ve learned to say you never know.
Q: Are there any similarities between Kenny and yourself?
A: Certainly. I do like to play a lot of poker. I grew up in Las Vegas, so that’s always been something I enjoy.
Kenny is also a big baseball fan. So am I.
When I’m home in Las Vegas, I’m always with my group of friends. There are five of us. And like Kenny, when I’m home I know what I’ll be doing.
Q: So you’re also that guy who keeps track of the schedule, like Kenny?
A: That’s right, I am. I know where everybody’s supposed to be and when they’re supposed to be there.
Q: Are those similarities what you like best about playing Kenny, especially in an ensemble cast?
A: Yeah, it’s those kinds of things I really like. That and the world this show takes place in is the poker game that the show’s creator, Betsy Thomas, has. She’s had the same weekly poker game for about nine years, which I’ve been a part of for that long. So, I do know the world around which the show is created.
Q: So, do the lines between reality and fantasy ever blur?
A: Yeah, sometimes when I’m playing on the show, I’ll tell Betsy, ‘I remember this episode.’
But other times I’ll say, ‘Kenny would never do this.’ And Betsy will say, ‘Kenny is a character. You mean YOU would never do this. Kenny would.’
Q: What do you find most challenging?
A: The most challenging is definitely things that are difficult or uncomfortable for any actor, like kissing scenes.
Not that it’s difficult to kiss a girl. But they use nine cameras and do a 100 takes from all different angles for one kissing scene.
Q: So you keep lots of ChapStick on you in those situations?
A: Oh yeah, you keep a lot of ChapStick and a lot of breath mints, all of that.
Q: There seems to be a shift between Kenny and Mike that seems to be going on this season. Could you talk about that?
A: In this season’s second episode, one is starting to enjoy some success and is starting to get his mojo.
For the character of Mike, he’s the goofy friend and he’s always been a little bit of a ladies man. But at the dinner party, there’s a shift in mojo.
That episode was very fun to do because every guy’s got a buddy they poke fun at and compete with. But it’s all in good fun.
Q: Can we expect more surprises this season?
A: I think you can expect a lot more surprises. Without giving too much away, there’s a lot of nice surprises coming up.
Every character is going to undergo some growth, some regression and then some more growth.
Q: Will we see more guest stars, too?
A: Yes. In the first season, we were fortunate to get some really good guest stars on the show. And this season we’ll continue to do that. I think it’s safe to say we’ll have Chris McDonald, Mimi Rogers and Nia Vardalos on this season.
Q: Your first season was a success and the DVD is doing well. Why do you think “My Boys” is such a hit with audiences?
A: We’re a cable comedy, so we don’t necessarily draw the big ratings that the networks do. But what I have found is that we have a great fan base, a very active and vocal one. They’re always on the message boards, so we always know what they’re thinking.
As for the show, it’s about a group of characters people can relate to. It’s really sort of funny that I’ll run into people who say, ‘I have a friend, and she’s just like P.J.’ Then I’ll hear from somebody else who’s says, ‘I’m not much of a tomboy, I’m more like Stephanie.’ And guys always have that group of friends they get together with.
Q: Do you have a wish list of things you’d like to see happen for Kenny?
A: One of the things I like to see is when he knows a guy, which creates these weird situations. Like the episode where Kenny knew a guy named Mexican Freddie. I love it when a goofy guy from Kenny’s past comes up.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to add?
A: We’re a lucky show. We have a really good fan base and an active one.
We’re also really lucky because when you go onto a network, they’re one of 50 shows. Everybody hopes they do well, but if they don’t they get canceled and the networks move on. It’s not like that at TBS. The executives visit the set and let you know you’re part of a family that’s dedicated to making good television.
CHECK IT OUT
• WHAT: “My Boys”
• WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Thursdays
• WHERE: TBS
Special photo/TBS
During the first season of “My Boys,” the gang attends Andy’s, played by Jim Gaffigan, housewarming. While there, Mike, left, played by Jamie Kaler, Kenny, second from right, played by Michael Bunin, and Brendan, played by Reid Scott, decide to pursue a single mom they all meet, played by Ali Hillis.