Life in a Big Box 'Superstore's Nico Santos

With all the crazy tales you hear about working retail, especially during the holiday season, we thought it might be the perfect time for a behind-the-scenes-look at what it's really like. What better place to begin, then with NBC's new smash-hit series "Superstore," starring America Ferrera (Amy), Ben Feldman (Jonah) Lauren Ash (Dina), Colton Dunn (Garrett) Nichole Bloom (Cheyenne), Mark McKinney (Glenn) and sardonic funnyman Nico Santos, who plays the ever-ambitious, scheming Mateo?

Santos has taken quickly to his role as "Mateo," creating him from scratch and making the character his own from the very first audition. The original script called for the character to have a "Latino gangster/ghetto vibe," but Santos knew that wasn't in the cards for him. He is quoted as saying, "There's no way... I'm not that much of an actor that I could pull that off. I can play butch but not that butch, okay?"

Lucky for us, Santos is a master at "selling it," and made producers see there was an even greater opportunity, with a storyline that included such a diverse character as Mateo, an ambitious, gay, first-generation, Filipino immigrant. And, because of that diversity, Superstore has become one of those remarkable shows that manages to take on serious subjects and handle them deftly. Poking fun with humor and insight and showering levity into sometimes humorless places. Something we are all in need of right about now.

Thankfully, the outspoken Nico Santos has the wisdom and insight to face adversity and find his way out of any big box, ffering laughter for all as he does.

Tell me a little about your career so far. I understand that you began in stand-up?

I did! I was working as a dresser/wardrobe assistant at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the late '90s and one of the actors there kind of casually asks me if I've thought about doing stand-up. It didn't really dawn on me to consider that's something I should be pursuing and it was like a light bulb went off. Later that year, I packed my bags and moved to San Francisco and eventually started exploring the thriving comedy scene there.

I was doing stand-up in San Francisco while working in retail simultaneously, then about six years ago, I decided to take the plunge and moved to Los Angeles. It was a little harder to break through in L.A., since everyone here wants to be in entertainment, but I got lucky. After a couple of years, I started doing the round table for "Chelsea Lately" every few weeks or so, while working my day job at a restaurant. (Laughs) Then a couple years ago, I auditioned for the "CBS Diversity Showcase" and that kind of pivoted my career from stand-up to acting. I started booking small parts here and there, then eventually landed the role of Mateo on "Superstore."

I'm curious, were you funny as a kid?

Not really. I don't think I started realizing that people thought I was funny until high school, but I was never consciously a class clown or anything like that. I was a dorky kid, and still am. (Laughs) I grew up in the Philippines and I played Dungeon and Dragons, video games and collected comic books. When I moved to the U.S. as a teenager, I got involved in theatre and choir in high school. I got super into it and was in every production and concert. That's when I discovered that I was comfortable in front of people and on a stage.

Where did you get your sense of humor from?

I think it just developed as a defense/coping mechanism. I was a fat, closeted kid in high school and I moved to a completely new country as a 16 year old, so it was a rough transition. I took comfort in comedy, because if I didn't laugh, I would have cried. (Laughs) Seeing how people reacted when I made them laugh, made it easier for me to break the ice and distract them from the fact that I was a scared, gay kid in a new territory.

What were your biggest influences growing up?

I looked up to Lea Salonga, because she was one of the first Filipino artists who gained international recognition... Plus, her voice is like buttah! Definitely Ellen DeGeneres; I was a huge fan of hers even before she came out. She made it a lot easier for the next generation of artists to be out of the closet. Also, Margaret Cho and Harvey Fierstein, for the same reasons. I really love people who sort of "break the mold" and kick doors down. I hope to do the same.

Who was the funniest person in your family?

My mom. She's cray-cray (laughs) and she has no filter! I'm constantly talking about her in my act and I don't even have to write material about her. I just repeat our conversations and people love it. (Laughs)

I read that you wrote for Fashion Police under Joan Rivers. What was that like?

I only wrote for a few episodes. Joan had a lot of writers come and go. She was a lovely woman, and I still remember freaking out, when I heard her say my jokes on air for the first time. I mean, she's a legend, so it was definitely special even though it was a short-lived experience.

I just interviewed Sandra Bernhard, and we talked about comedy's ability to create change. Any opinions/soap box moments you'd like to share?

I love Sandra! I opened for her at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco once and it was one of the most magical stage experiences I've had. It's true though, I think that's why "Superstore" has struck a chord with so many viewers. Our show approaches different issues in funny, relatable ways without hitting the audience over the head with it. Comedy has always been about being inclusive, not exclusive and the best comedy comes from the truth and how relatable it is.

Amen. What's your favorite thing about playing Mateo?

I love that I basically get to play a version of myself. (Laughs) My favorite, though, is getting to play with all the other characters on our show. I love everyone that I work with so much, it truly is such an ensemble effort from the cast to the crew. We're all here to make each other shine.

If you had to describe him to someone who didn't know him, what would you say?

He's that guy who you hate to work with, but you can't hate on him too much because he's got the goods to back it up!

You are part of a trend with LGBT characters. Mateo is many things, and being gay is just a part of his sum total.

Exactly. If our show existed ten, even five years ago, him being gay would have been the only focus of his character. I'm glad times have changed to where Mateo being gay isn't a novelty anymore, it's just part of who he is. Now the stories about him are about his whole being. Gay, Filipino, undocumented, his yearning for a better life, the kind of stuff everyone worries about.

Mateo seems kind of shady at times, though his objective always seems to be about moving forward. Would you say that is accurate?

Absolutely. As an immigrant, myself, there's always an underlying sense of urgency about "making it" here in America. We were all told that if you just work hard enough, you can achieve anything. That urgency and yearning is a big part of Mateo's personality.

Do you feel any pressure to portray a gay character in a specific way?

No, but I knew that I wasn't going to butch him up. I've said this many times, but I really hate it when gay men are chastised for being "femme." Being feminine is not a stereotype. It's important that femme, butch and everything in between is put out there, because representation matters!

How is the romance going between Mateo and Jeff?

It's still going! I can't wait for you all to see the upcoming episodes. We get into some pretty funny situations, because we have to be secretive about
us dating.

How has your life changed since doing "Superstore?"

Other than being recognized every time I go to a Target or something? Not much has changed. (Laughs) I did move into my own place though! No more roommates... Woohoo!

Any favorite stories about the show and/or cast you'd like to share?

When we were waiting to film the rest of the first season, Nichole Bloom (Cheyenne) and I decided to apply to Target, so we could do research about what it's like work in a big box store. We both filled out the lengthy applications at the store and I was feeling cocky, since I have retail experience. We got emails two weeks later saying, "Thanks, but
no thanks!" (Laughs) Apparently, we're not Target material.

What do you think Mateo would say about the election results?

He has a lot to say, but I don't think you'd be able to print it.

"Superstore" is on NBC Thursday nights, returning on January 5. For more information, or to catch up on missed episodes, go to nbc.com/superstore