Tracee Ellis Ross Talks “Girlfriends” Movie & Chemistry With Malcolm Jamal Warner

In celebration of their new BET TV series, “Reed Between the Lines,” Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm Jamal Warner chopped it up about their new show and the status of Ross’ involvement in former sitcom, “Girlfriends.” Peep a few excerpts:

On what she did after “Girlfriends” was finished:

“I keep saying it was free time. I don’t know how free it was, but I guess when I first finished I went out and finished campaigning for Obama because I had already been doing that when we were shooting. Then, I spun from there into a bit of a college tour. Then, I went and did the Nora Ephron play both in New York and Los Angeles. And then I did an arc on Private Practice and then I did an arc on CSI and during all of that I created a self-esteem workshop that I did across the country for teen girls. I was able to travel and enjoy my family, because I wasn’t on a regular schedule, but no, I’m not one to sit still and do nothing.”

On where her character, Joan, would be today, if “Girlfriends” was still playing:

“I hope that Joan would be in a relationship with a man played by Malcolm Jamal Warner on television. Look at that, I’m already into [my new character] Carla! I would hope that Joan would be married and friends with Toni [Childs] again.”

On if there will be a “Girlfriends” movie:

“I would love a ‘Girlfriends’ movie! And I’m going to put the onus on BET watchers and our audience and tell you that it is your responsibility because if the fans can get ‘The Game’ back on the air then they can get a ‘Girlfriends’ movie. And they’re the ones who would buy the tickets, and they’re the ones that whoever would fund the movie would have to know would show up.”

On where she gets the chemistry she has with Malcolm Jamal Warner:

“You can find that inspiration anywhere! I can find it with Malcolm. I get to work with this delicious human being. I get to be in the reality of that. I think that our on-camera relationship is based in the reality of our personal relationship and the respect, love and joy that we have for each other and appreciation for who we are. It’s just sort of one of those magical chemistry things that he and I had in the first moment and that was how I understand and feel who Carla is and who she could be, and what the show could be.”

On the recent criticism of Obama:

“I will tell you since June I have not paid attention to anything because I’ve been in the cave shooting for 15 hours of day, so I’m completely out of the loop of life. But I will say that in general, I think it’s normal. I think this comes up. He came into office with quite a mess and there’s only so much he can do. Everybody always has an opinion on wanting to do more and do it differently. I still think and I’m still grateful that he’s in the White House.”

Peep the whole interview at Loop 21.

-@Kami2Kute