Q&A - Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell)
Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell) shares her thoughts on Episode 12's shocking historical events, Trudy and Pete's nimble dance moves, and why the Campbells might actually be one of Mad Men's most functional couples.
Q: Trudy's marriage with Pete has weathered a few storms. Have you learned anything about real-life relationships from your on-air one?
A: Trudy has taught me that one of the most important things is compromise. What keeps her and Pete going strong is that she can go with the flow. It would be better if both parties were doing this, though [Laughs]. I think Trudy is one of the best wives on the show. I loved how they've come together in their marriage this season. Matt [Weiner] said, "You know, last season you were both working out the kinks." It wasn't common for couples to live together before marriage. So all the things you figure out today over the first two years of dating, back then you were figuring it out over the first two years of marriage.
Q: Pete's reasons for not attending the Sterling wedding are obvious. What's the best excuse you've used to get out of a wedding?
A: I can't think of a good answer, because I've never gotten out of one! I kind of love going to weddings -- it's a guilty pleasure. I've never been the wedding-y type girl dreaming about the big day, the dress, but I always cry. Always. Even if I don't know the bride that well, I'm verklempt!
Q: One of more pleasant surprises this season was the Pete and Trudy dance. How much rehearsal did that take?
A: We rehearsed twice a week for a month. I believe Vincent [Kartheiser] was taking lessons a few weeks before me -- I think he needed a little more time. I had movement training and ballroom dancing experience but had never done the Charleston. It's so vibrant and so vigorous. We didn't shoot the dance scene until 2 AM. We rehearsed for camera, then they decided to put the moves in a different order. Here we had a choreographed dance but we had to rearrange on-set.
Q: Pete and Trudy ruled the dance floor.
A: Some people think that Pete uses Trudy to get ahead but I think that Trudy is right there with him. She wants him to look good. And there's a great moment with Jennifer Crane, a competitive moment, where Jennifer is edged off the dance floor, and I think Trudy is saying, "Maybe you can have babies -- but I can dance!"
Q: The design of the Campbell apartment is so distinct. Are there any set pieces you'd like for yourself?
A: I love the signature wall in the dining room that's teal and the far wall that's orange. I love the mod style. It's very Trudy. She likes to be at the forefront of style, dressing herself, her hair. There's always a new vase or piece of art. I also love the three animals on the wall, I'm always trying to figure out if it's cat? giraffe? cat?
Q: Do you answer if someone shouts "Trudy" at you in the streets?
A: It has never happened, but if they did, I would absolutely answer!
Click here to read Alison Brie's interview from Season 2 »
Click here to read Alison Brie's interview from Season 1 »
I hope we get to see a lot more Trudy in Season 4. She's becoming one of my favorite characters--and not just because she has one of the best wardrobes on the series. Though speaking of, that dress she wore to the 40th anniversary Sterling-Coo party was maybe the greatest thing I've ever seen.
Also, I've had a lot of fun watching Alison Brie on Community. Love to see our Mad cast doing some great other projects!
Echo. Alison's Trudy is a big favorite on the series, and I (also) hope that we'll see more.
That indescribable (for me) "blue" dress that she didn't get to wear to Margaret's wedding....Trudy's definitely "got the look".
Ditto the above!
Alison has few close-ups and we viewers can't really see how lovely she is. Thanks for posting the photo above. Pete made a wise decision to marry Trudy. She brings a sense of calm to his boyish tantrums.
I have to agree that Trudy is one of the "best" wives on the show. In some ways she seems very ditzy and oblivious, but she puts in a lot of effort for Pete's sake -- even when he's being sleazy or selfish.
My girlfriend and I have also been arguing about the animals on the walls -- giraffe or cat?
She is the most stylish and beautiful woman on the show, and very classy. I hope we get to see more of her character. Trudy is very young and still a little immature, but not nearly as much as Pete! But they both seem to have matured this year. That Charleston scene was awesome! They were so cute together!
I thought that was her on "Community!" But she was kind of dowdy on the episode I saw.
I agree that the Charleston scene is one of my favorite Trudy scenes, but there have been of others. Allison is great in the role; she reminds me of a "That Girl" type the way they are dressing her, always fashion forward. She is kind the opposite of Betty Draper in that they come from the same type of upbringing, but Trudy's parents were not disfunctional like the Hofstadts so they did not raise a neurotic child who refuses to grow up like Betty.
Jennifer's being nudged off the dance floor made me think of her being representative of Don and even Conrad Hilton not really being comfortable in the Country Club environment no matter how much money they made or the success they had acheived.
I agree about the peacock blue (?) dress, guys (close enough, even though that beautiful dress's color was kind of indescribable) that was a killer outfit.
And Trudy always does wear her wardrobe so well. I also loved the dress she wore to Paul's party way back there. She's gorgeous, and a great actress, too.
Hang in there, Trudy, Ol' Whinin' Pete just may grow up yet! (yeah right...)
Thank you, MAD MEN, for covering infertility. As a couple who has struggled with infertility for four years now (doing seven IUIs and 2 IVFs which resulted in negative results except for one positive that miscarried only days later) it has meant so much to us to be able to identify with Trudy and Pete, played marvelously by Alison and Vincent. Thank you, too, for not resolving their infertility problem quickly - as in real life it is not resolved quickly or easily. It impacts a couple financially, socially, and emotionally. We loved the dance scene - infertility has brought us even closer as a couple (while sadly wanting to isolate ourselves from others), and we try to remember that we are fortunate to enjoy each other's company in a similar way to how Trudy and Pete did that night. Alison is right on about Trudy's feelings "you may be able to have a baby but I can dance!" It seems like everyone around you is either pregant or with children and you are the only one forced with being childless as the decision is out of your hands. Sometimes you need that stiff upper lip / holding your head high. Good for Trudy! Thanks Alison!