Seinfeld (1996) — "Jeannie"
JG: I'm the only comedian in the world who can't do a Seinfeld impression, and I was hired to do a Seinfeld impression. The Larry Sanders stage was right next to the Seinfeld stage, so I think Jerry was just being nice. Every once in a while, I'd be walking to lunch, and I'd see Jerry, and I think he was like, "Let's just get that girl who's next door anyway." The first episode I did was the last show of the season, so they broke the set down after. They had all this cereal in the fake supermarket—Jerry and I are both cereal fanatics, and we'd spoken of our mutual cereal love—and Jerry said I could take whatever I wanted.
NewsRadio (1995) — "Nancy"
JG: I think I failed miserably on NewsRadio. I was very nervous because of the caliber of the cast—especially Dave Foley—so I think I did a terrible job. I got it because of [creator] Paul Simms, who was one of the head writers on Larry Sanders. It's one of those things where once you're connected, you get to stay connected for a few years. Once you're not connected, you just don't get asked to do anything. I don't say that bitterly, because I'm truly grateful for the opportunities I did have, but it's strange how quick it comes and how quickly it can end sometimes.
Reality Bites (1994) — "Vickie Miner"
JG: That was my first experience with a studio film. I didn't understand what was going to happen, or why the hours were so long. I know Ben [Stiller] was not thrilled with me there. He also didn't like my attitude during rehearsal, because I hate to rehearse. He sort of fired me, but luckily I was rehired because Winona [Ryder] stepped in on my behalf. Let's put it this way: I don't have a good work ethic. I have a real casual relationship with hours. I don't understand why, in entertainment, the hours are as long as they are. It seems like everything takes forever, and no one can tell you why exactly. You don't know where the time goes, and I find that it's not the most productive use of my time. I tend to make that clear, and people don't like that too much.
AVC: How well do you think Reality Bites has aged?
JG: It's not really my cup of tea—it never was—but I live near NYU, and there are young people I meet every year who go nuts over that when they recognize me, and rave about Reality Bites. I think it means a lot more to people younger than me. I was not the target audience. I was 29 playing a 21-year-old, so I don't think I understand why younger people like it.
The Adventures Of Pete & Pete (1993) — "Ms. Brackett"
JG: Oh, that was awesome. Too bad I was so hungover.
The Ben Stiller Show (1992) — various roles
JG: I remember every single thing about that, and miss that year of my life terribly, because everything was so new and exciting. The only downside was that it was such a good experience in television, and I didn't understand that most experiences in television are not like that. That show and Larry Sanders completely spoiled me. It was the opposite of baptism by fire. It was baptism by sweet, creamy chocolate. Then I went on to do other TV that fucking sucked, and I didn't understand why the environment outside of Stiller and Sanders was so shitty. Again, I don't think I help myself by pointing out how not fun most of my TV gigs were.
AVC: How different do you think your life would have been had the show continued?
JG: I don't think my life would have been much different, although I do think the show would have morphed. I think that David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, and Dino Stamatopoulos' sensibilities would have moved to the forefront, so the show would have moved away from parody and toward more creative, esoteric comedy like Mr. Show. I would have loved to have seen that. But I think it would have been the same, except perhaps I would not have done Saturday Night Live. Which would have been a good thing, because that's one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made.
AVC: Which character do you identify with most?
JG: Another person would probably say they're all the same. I don't really get asked to do things that are very versatile. I will say that I'm not what people think I'm like. I'm not the person from Daria or Romy And Michele's High School Reunion, but I used to keep getting offered parts like that. I don't really identify with those at all, even though people think I'm like that. I don't know if you can tell, but I'm quite chatty. But I don't know… maybe Marcy in The Matchmaker? Which is odd, because it's really hard to see who that character is, but I think maybe just my interest in politics? [Laughs.] I don't know.
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