Paleyfest: 'New Girl'

By TODD KUSHIGEMACHI
Chances are nobody was asking “Who’s that girl?” at Monday’s night’s “New Girl” panel at Paleyfest.

Star Zooey Deschanel was joined onstage at the Saban Theatre by fellow thesps Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone. Exec producers Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, Jake Kasdan, Katherine Pope and creator Elizabeth Meriwether were also engaged in the discussion.

Moderator Rob Moynihan of TV Guide started the festivities by presenting a “douchebag jar,” as often seen in the skein. When Greenfield talked up his character Schmidt’s luck with the ladies, an audience member yelled, “Douchebag!” Thesp honored the shout-out and emptied his cash in the jar.

In describing her character, Deschanel said Jess is “13-year-old version of myself plus a 13-year-old version of Liz.” Throughout the night, the actress pawed in fascination at her image on the large screen behind her.

Greenfield laughed when talking about Johnson’s awful dancing for the interactive music video “Hey Girl.” Johnson, who plays Nick, demonstrated the moves that had brought his co-star to tears of laughter at rehearsal.

Other talking points included Greenfield’s “tiny nipples,” romantic tension among the characters and the organic creative process. Although Meriwether and the cast teased scenes of upcoming episodes, including a guest spot by Dermot Mulroney, Johnson mocked the vague and unenticing hints.

And as for Morris, who plays Winston, he had only one request.

“I just don’t want them to kill my character,” he joked.