The season finale for ABC’s Happy Endings airs tonight at 8:30pm, which means it’ll be a few months before we see more antics from Max, the unconventional gay member of the gang. And unconventional in Hollywood terms means he has more than 3% body fat and doesn’t know who designs Rodarte is. In tonight’s finale, Max’s friend Derrick (Bear City‘s Stephen Guarino) is getting hitched to his boyfriend and convinces Max to perform at the wedding with his all-male Madonna cover band.
TV Guide chatted with Pally about his character, the show and possibly showing some (tattooed) skin:
TV Guide Magazine: In the season finale, we find out that Max was in an all-male Madonna cover band called Mandonna…What do we hear you sing?
“Like a Prayer.” And let me tell you something, I nail it. It sounds more like what a grunge-rock version would be, but nevertheless, I nail it. [Laughs]We love Max for so many reasons, but one is that he’s probably TV’s most normal gay character. How has the gay community’s response been?
It’s been amazing. It is so nice that they have responded to it and I think a lot of people that it’s an honest representation of who they are. I can’t thank them enough and I hopefully, going forward they’ll like him just as much.
But the fat jokes? Come on. You might be “Hollywood pudgy,” but in the real world, that’s nothing.
Look, I know that. And thank you for saying I’m “Hollywood pudgy.” [Laughs] But I am legit not a slender man. My wife and I just had a baby—here’s a spoiler for you: Max is putting on a few. I continue to put on the baby weight. I eat as if I am running the New York City Marathon the next day, every single day.Back to the Happy Endings finale, Brian Austin Green also shows up…
Pally: Yes, the “BAG Man” as well called him on set.
Is he as handsome in person?
He is a very handsome man. With very cool tattoos, I will say that.Speaking of, what are your tattoos?
I have one. I may get another during the off-season, I might get my son’s name but I’m not sure yet. The one I have is my Hebrew name, which I share with my grandfather, and it’s not the best tattoo. I got it when I was 19 and now it looks like I was in a Tel Aviv prison and that I am someone’s property. [Laughs]So you never got the “Tacos Mi Corazons” tattoo?
No, but they actually put it on me every day no matter if I am talking my short off or not, because there is always the case in a scene where I might improvise getting naked.
We certainly wouldn’t mind if Pally improvised getting naked, but we’re still on the fence about Max. He’s a nice change of pace from the mincing, OCD queens who so often populate network television, but he’s also got the biggest Peter Pan complex this side of, well, Peter Pan. Gee, a gay man who refuses to grow up? That’s not stereotypical. Nosiree!
Are you a fan of Max and Happy Endings? Are we missing something? Set us, er, straight in the comment section!
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Pally Fan
I love Max! If I could I would motorboat Adam Pally’s moobs all day.
jdgilmore
I LOVE Max (And Adam Pally!)….and sure his “Peter Pan Syndrome may be ‘stereotypical’ but he just so represents a very large (not pun intended!) segment/group of gay men who look and are just like him……..how can more exposure and true diversity be a bad thing) Once again jut my opinion!!! And thanks QUEERTY!!! Love ya guys!
Wha'ever
I more than LOVE Max, I was IN LOVE with him when the first season started !! (the same happened with Micky Maguire on Shameless UK – yeah, I only fall in love with fictional characters). Adam Pally is so funny !
AdamA
The Peter Pan complex thing is a weird sort of triangulation on that show: yeah, there’s the gay stereotype, but he plays it the way straight manchildren do. The result is a splendid neither/nor.
vic
Looove him! and the show is genius, never miss it.
Gauthier
One of the best shows on tv. I hope they get a third season, and that that season will comprise a decent 24 episodes. All the characters are lovable and well-written and the humor is excellent.
velocifero
Well, your question Queerty is so Perez Hilton, but, I will say that IMO Happy Endings has the best ensemble cast on television next to Big Bang. When ever a gay character is in a comedy the gay community gets so insecure. All the characters on Happy Endings have some kind of small quirks. Max was the only character to get a real Valentine’s Day date – when all the characters including Damon Wynan’s character were having sex dreams about Max’s straight roommate Dave, Max was the only character who wasn’t. All I can say is the show and cast and writers deserve Emmy’s.
tazz602
I love Max – the show is great – you have the straightest gay character on television (Max) and the gayest straight character (Brad – Damon Wayans Jr) – and an great ensemble cast. It was obvious the studio had no faith in this mid season replacement from last year, Damon Wayans Jr already had another series lined up – but I am SOOOOO glad this show is on.
Only thing that is beginning to get on my nerves in Adam’s interviews is that he always makes a point of bringing up his wife. Yes, Adam – we know you are straight – you don’t have to make a point of it. You still bring Max to life and we love you for it!!
Brien
@tazz602: I didn’t think his mention of his wife was out of place at all. He was commenting on his weight and making a joke about putting on baby weight. I think you’re reading too much into it.