New Jack City: Melissa McCarthy—What You See is What You Get

Melissa McCarthy can’t seem to do anything wrong these days…

Ever since hitting it big with BRIDESMAIDS two years ago McCarthy’s career has been skyrocketing. Earlier this year she surprised the industry when IDENTITY THIEF – which she co-starred in with Jason Bateman – grossed an impressive $ 137.5 million in North American ticket sales.

Her MIKE & MOLLY television sitcom gets consistently high ratings in the Nielsen’s. And beginning this weekend she’ll be at it again. This time as a crusty, foul-mouthed Boston cop taking on tightass F.B.I. agent Sandra Bullock in THE HEAT.

So what’s McCarthy REALLY like?
I found out when meeting her at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

First impression: She’s even tinier—height wise that is—than I’d imagined. I’m guessing maybe 5 feet 4 inches. But she’s as nice and down-to-earth as can be.

Not realizing that she actually came from a background of doing straight drama, I wanted to know whether she would ever consider returning to the genre?

“Yes, in a minute,” she said. “But I love both. I try to always get a little mix even in a comedy. I think if you can hit that within a role you’re in good shape.”

Does McCarthy feel typecast after BRIDESMAIDS, IDENTITY THIEF and now THE HEAT?

“Ah, I don’t,” she says. “I don’t know – I love everything I’ve done recently and I think I’m kinda bizarrely lucky to be able to say that and mean it. So if this is the worst….this is typecast, I’ll take it.”

McCarthy seems real. What you see is what you get. And apparently America can’t get enough of her these days.

Her latest comedy THE HEAT premieres this Thursday citywide with early 10:00 p.m. showings, then begins its regular run Friday.

Check out my review of the movie on KCC and Friday morning at 6:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. on KMBZ FM & AM.