Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne laugh with 'Platonic'

Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne don't remember the exact date or location of their first performance more than a decade ago; It was through a chance meeting backstage at a talk show, according to Byrne, or through one of her many mutual friends. according to Rogen, but a real-life friendship and successful working relationship was forged when they played a married couple in the 2014 hit comedy “Neighbors.”

“I remember auditioning for 'Neighbors' very clearly,” Byrne says.

“I don't remember anything that clearly, if I'm honest, but I do remember that,” Rogen jokes. “We did an extensive round of searching for people to co-star. [Director] Nick Stoller had worked with Rose on 'Get Him to the Greek' and always said how funny she was. She came in and read and there was no contest. There was no one else [we wanted].”

Ten years and a “Neighbors” sequel later, they have brought their comedic chemistry to the small screen through the AppleTV+ half-hour show.Platonic.” The series, co-created by Stoller, revolves around estranged college friends who reunite at crucial moments in midlife. it premiered last may and received a Season 2 renewal in December.

“I never dreamed I'd have this great collaboration with someone in comedy,” Byrne says.

“We definitely understand each other's rhythms better,” Rogen adds. “I would say that the comfort [between us] “It’s only grown, which made it easier and hopefully more fun for the audience.”

During a recent video call, the two stars, who are also executive producers of “Platonic,” talked about the joys of doing physical comedy, coveting Rogen's colorful wardrobe and those pesky scooters.

Both should lean towards some physical comedy. Rose, I read that you found some unique videos in your research on ketamine trips..

byrne: Oh my god, yes. These [YouTube] videos, they are really crazy because there are a lot of images of convenience stores where they have recorded people, and it is really quite disturbing. That was one of those [scenes] It was very, very fun to do. And then Seth is the only game. It was everywhere. He kept having to hold me up and I was kicking him in the face, his wine is everywhere.

rogen: Yes, it was something where it was useful to know each other well. And YouTube is an incredible resource for comedy. I think that's the first place you should stop if you're going to make a physical joke.

set, You had some physical work with those electric scooters that are everywhere in Los Angeles. Do Do you, Nick, or anyone on the writing team have a personal vendetta against them?

rogen: No, I don't hate scooters. I don't love them either. I lived in West Hollywood for a long time and I would go out and there would be a bunch of them outside my door. It's impossible not to feel some kind of resentment towards them. The funny thing is that my father-in-law hates them. He tried to throw one and, most of all, screw up his shoulder for a year and a half. I also hurt my shoulder throwing them at the beginning of filming. He hurt me for quite a long time. Those things are a lot heavier than they look.

“I never gave up the fisherman hat. I don’t know if he’s back or not, but he’s back with me,” says Seth Rogen. “I've been a constant believer in the bucket hat.” So is the “platonic” nature of it.

(Paul Sarkis/Apple TV+)

A hopefully less painful topic: You You have to keep your character's clothes. How do you wear them?

rogen: I use them. The clothes were a strong choice; It was an idea I had. The character wasn't written to dress in any specific way, but to me this guy is desperately trying to be cool and hold on to his youth and also trying to assert himself as a unique individual in this world of the downtown Arts District. He's also someone who's probably just friends with a lot of people from clothing companies, and I know people who work in this type of field, so it was representative of the things I've seen, but mostly it was just a way of looking sad. old man trying to be young.

byrne: I loved. And she also gave me the opportunity to make fun of you. It was always like a good warm-up joke. [for Sylvia], saying, “What are you wearing?” It's a specific type of needle you were threading. It was really fun.

You are also one of the few who rocks the bucket hat very well. It's not a good look for everyone.

rogen: I actually wear bucket hats. Yesterday we went out to dinner and my sister said to me, “Are you really keeping the bucket hat?” I have never left them. I followed him in the '90s when he started and never gave up the bucket hat. I don't know if he's back or not, but he's back with me. I have been a constant believer in the bucket hat.

byrne: It is difficult to achieve. I look ridiculous in a bucket hat.

rogen: You could argue that I also look ridiculous, but I accept it.

Is there a specific line that fans quote you or anything that people want to talk to you about about this show?

rogen: I hear a lot about people who hate scooters.

byrne: People have strong feelings towards scooters.

rogen: Very strong. And boys who bleached their hair. I have a lot of middle-aged men. [coming up to me] like, “I saw you, I thought you looked pretty good.”

byrne: I have had many [positive feedback] of mothers trying to return to the workforce. It's a step in life for a lot of women, and that was definitely part of this character. And then also people who have had similar friendships with a boy or a girl and have this story of a great friendship that is no longer the same and what it is like. I've never really seen a show like this before where it's really about a friendship, and that was nice.

Looking ahead, what can you share about your hopes for season 2?

rogen: I don't know what I can say. I'm looking forward to it.

byrne: I'm more or less in the same camp. It's great to be able to try it a second time. You can really focus on more of what worked and let go of what didn't work.

rogen: Yes. I think, especially with television, there is a sense that it gets better the more you watch it. There's probably the wave, there's probably the crests, but I know that while you're filming the sixth episode, I always think, oh, we're all so much funnier than we were in the second episode. That's what I hope, according to Rose, is getting to know each other, knowing what works a little better, and having a little less worry that people will just massively reject what we're doing.