Fans of Justin Spitzer-created sitcoms are once again in for a treat on this week's all-new installment of American Auto. After Ben Feldman appeared earlier in the season, there was no telling which Superstore alumni could pop up next. Season 2, Episode 12 provides an answer to this question, however, and showcases another familiar face. "Dealer Event" airs Tuesday, April 11th on NBC and features Kaliko Kauahi as Tammy the Animal Wrangler.
✕ Remove Ads
Kauahi, who previously played Cloud 9 employee Sandra, has worked on several projects in the genre. Although the future of the show remains unknown, Kauahi was recently cast in the pilot of Spitzer's latest workplace comedy, St. Denis Medical. Meanwhile, the main cast of American Auto includes Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White, and X Mayo.
RELATED: 10 Funniest American Auto Quotes
Kaliko Kauahi chats exclusively with Screen Rant about her guest role in the series, reuniting with former castmate Jon Barinholtz, and shares her hopes for a Superstore reunion. Check out an exclusive clip from American Auto's new episode and read Kauahi's thoughts below:
✕ Remove Ads
Kaliko Kauahi Talks American Auto
Screen Rant: How was reuniting with Jon Barinholtz onscreen again?
Kaliko Kauahi: Jon is honestly one of my favorite people, and one of the people who would make me break on the Superstore set, so I had to be careful because he's so funny.
What about collaborating with Justin Spitzer? Did he reach out to you about making an appearance?
Kaliko Kauahi: Actually, I think most of it was handled by Collin Daniel, who was the casting director of American Auto and Superstore. But I will happily work with Justin Spitzer any chance I get, as well as Eric Ledgin, who's a writer on this and an executive producer, who was also on Superstore. It's just a fun time with those guys.
✕ Remove Ads
Was Justin on set when you were filming the episode?
Kaliko Kauahi: He may have been, but they're at The Village, and I'm on set. If he's not physically there, he's there via video, or he's checking in, but Eric Ledgin was there supervising, so hopefully it turned out great.
What is it about his comedies like The Office, Superstore, and American Auto that you think really work? They’re all beloved sitcoms.
Kaliko Kauahi: He just is able to write characters and stories that are so relatable. And he's so smart. The scripts come to you and make my job so easy because all I do is fulfill what's on the page, and it's already so wonderful. And then they always give you that space to sort of improv and create, and they also have great ideas on the fly too.
Your character, Tammy, is an animal wrangler, so how was having bunnies as co-stars?
✕ Remove Ads
Kaliko Kauahi: It was literally my dream to just be surrounded by bunnies, so this job was, for so many reasons, an easy "yes." I know sometimes people say, "Oh, don't work with animals," but they were adorable and lovely, and I would do it ten times over again.
When Ben Feldman appeared on American Auto, his PowerPoint felt like a very Jonah Simms move. Did you notice any similarities between Tammy and Sandra?
Kaliko Kauahi: Well, Sandra, over the course of Superstore's seasons, changed a bit, so she might not have been like early Sandra. But as Sandra got more confident and understood her power, I think that's more like Tammy. Tammy knows what she's doing. She's a professional. She's all about the bunnies and will do what she needs to do to take care of them.
✕ Remove Ads
If the Cloud 9 workers ever ended up at the dealership, how do you think that interaction would go? What do you think a crossover would look like?
Kaliko Kauahi: First of all, let's pitch it. I want that to happen. It would be mayhem, for sure. With the American Auto team, and with the Superstore team, there would be high jinks. And with some live animals? Madness.
Yes, let's start the petition! I know you're having these mini-reunions on American Auto, but could you see an official Superstore reunion happening one day in the future?
Kaliko Kauahi: I dream of that happening all the time. When I talk to the Superstore gang, we talk about it too—how great it would be to all get to work together again. Let's put it out in the universe—that it'll happen.
✕ Remove Ads
Now that Cloud 9 is closed, do you have any ideas of what it could be about?
Kaliko Kauahi: The way that we left it left it so open to the future of all these characters in their new chapter. I think there's a rich storyline for each of them.
That's true. It would definitely be fun to explore their lives outside of Cloud 9.
Kaliko Kauahi: I mean, Sandra as a manager-type? Yes.
What about the pilot of St. Denis Medical? Do you have any updates?
Kaliko Kauahi: I don't know the future of that show. We all just hope for the best. But again, any chance to work with Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin, I am here for it.
You've played so many great comedy roles, but are there any other genres you'd like to get involved with?
✕ Remove Ads
Kaliko Kauahi: Sure. I'm open to all the genres. I love an action movie. I don't know that I'm as physically ready to be in an action movie, but I could certainly be someone behind the desk controlling the tech in a van somewhere [and] telling them where to go. That's more my speed.
Would you like to return to American Auto as Tammy in the future?
Kaliko Kauahi: Absolutely. If there was an opportunity to go back to American Auto, I would do it in a heartbeat because it's not just the people you see on screen, but I'm friends with all the people behind the scenes. It's a lot of the same crew from Superstore, so going to work isn't really work. It's just hanging out with friends.
Lastly, how was working with the entire cast? You reunited with co-stars and met others for the first time.
Kaliko Kauahi: Most of them were new to me, and they were all so lovely and welcoming. Ana Gasteyer is one of those people that exceeds expectations when you meet her. She is such a professional, but also just so warm and lovely.
✕ Remove Ads
About American Auto Season 2, Episode 12
“DEALER EVENT” – Katherine is deathly afraid of rodents but is forced to drive a Pika filled with rabbits for Payne’s annual dealer event. Wesley takes Jack under his wing and teaches him how to schmooze the dealers. Sadie, Cyrus and Elliot struggle to make a presentation that will appeal to all of America.
Check out our other American Auto interviews here:
American Auto airs Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and is available to stream on Peacock the following day.
