When NBC announced its 2015 fall schedule back in May, TV enthusiasts were disappointed to learn the network would only be airing two sitcoms: the hilarious “Undateable” (returning for a third, all live season) and new series “Truth be Told” (which was originally titled “People Are Talking”). Tonight, comedy fans will finally get to experience the new show the network is putting all of its faith into.
“Truth be Told,” premiering tonight at 8:30 p.m. EDT, is about two sets of diverse friends — who also happen to be next-door neighbors — going through life and thoroughly discussing every single topic that comes up with a no-holds-barred approach. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Vanessa Lachey star as “the white couple,” Mitch and Tracy. The “black couple” is comprised of Tone Bell and Bresha Webb, as Russell and Angie.
You auditioned for “Saturday Night Live” in 2013 when they were looking to add a black woman to the cast. What was that like?
It was great! It was nerve-racking, but it was just such an awesome experience to be in front of Lorne Michaels and everybody that I admired. It was an amazing experience!
Do you know the woman that actually won the spot, Sasheer Zamata?
I was actually right next to her. There were nine or 10 of us that went to New York. She was always really sweet. We prayed together before we went in. We were both playing Beyoncé. I was so happy that she got it. It worked out because I was able to get on another NBC show and, two, Lorne Michaels is one of the producers for “Brothers in Atlanta,” so he remembered me from the “SNL” audition. I think it’s a beautiful full circle.
What’s HBO’s “Brothers in Atlanta” all about?
Very funny show. It’s about two guys: Diallo [Riddle], his character is already there [in Atlanta], and his friend Bashir [Salahuddin] is a background singer with Maya Rudolph. He gets fired when they’re in Atlanta, and decides to stay with his friend — and they take Atlanta by storm! The show really comments on how the persona of Black Atlanta has really taken over.
People think they already know a lot about that area from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Yeah. It’s a satire that comments on the black culture in Atlanta. When I go to Atlanta, it’s always such a mind-blowing experience. You see all these black-owned businesses, ballet in the country…. It’s still weird to me. [My character] works at the rec center. She’s ghetto fabulous! She has a lot of sass to her and is so much fun to play. Bashir and Diallo are such improv geniuses, and working with Tim Story was a dream. They’re good at what they do, and I think HBO is really lucky to have them.
Do you currently have a boyfriend?
I do have a boyfriend. He’s in the business, a writer. Tone and my boyfriend are best friends, and hang out a lot. It’s like we’re in a weird relationship, all three of us. It keeps us honest, and it works for us.
And you have a dog, Little Foot.
Little Foot is my child! She is 8 years old. I’ve had her since she was a puppy. My friends found her in Echo Park in Los Angeles. She was abandoned. They found her in the dumpster, actually. They said the dog looked like me, which I was a little offended by because she looks like a rat. She’s gorgeous! She’s part of the hairless breed, and has big eyes and cute ears. She’s a Chihuahua apple head mixed with Mini Pinscher. She’s a model. She knows how to sing. She dances. She’s beautiful!
What’s your biggest fear?
I don’t like clowns. I’m really terrified of clowns. The whole cast of “Truth be Told” is going to Universal Studios’ [Halloween Horror Nights], and I’ve never been because I’m terrified of clowns and those horror things just have clowns walking around. I’m trying to let them know that I’m dead serious about it, but I’m going to have to be a real champion and just do it because I’m grown. I shouldn’t have this phobia anymore!
For more on Bresha Webb, visit her official website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
