Fancy that
Alyson Hannigan plays TV mom to glitter-loving kids’ character
LOS ANGELES Alyson Hannigan is clear about why she pursued a role on the Fancy Nancy TV series: Her daughters, ages six and nine.
Hannigan said there’s a “love affair” between her family and the books by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser about a girl who doesn’t believe in plainwrap anything, especially words.
Hannigan was so intent on joining the Disney Junior animated series that she told her agent she’d take any role, including that of Frenchy the dog.
She was picked instead to play mom Claire (opposite Rob Riggle as dad Doug), adding another animated project to her varied list that includes Robot Chicken, American Dad! and Kim Possible.
What’s the appeal of the Fancy Nancy books?
I like the fact that it’s a vocabulary lesson disguised in a very charming story. I immediately saw my (older) daughter starting to use bigger words and fancier vocabulary. She still loves language, and so that was wonderful. And it celebrates how passionate Nancy is for all the wonderful things in her world, and how her imagination is so vivid. And I love that it captures what childhood should be.
Does the series echo those themes?
It’s got such a good message. It’s all about kids being kids, in an authentic way, and learning valuable lessons without it being preachy at all — just celebrating individual style and everything that the imagination can hold. It really celebrates being a unique kid.
Do you approach voicing an animated character differently when it’s based on a book rather than created for the screen?
The family is very relatable to me, so I wasn’t intimidated by these characters already out there. The mom is relatable because she’s a stay-at-home mom with two kids and she’s up for all the art projects. I’m sure there’s always a layer of glitter everywhere no matter how much she cleans because she celebrates the kids’ imagination and enthusiasm for all the projects they get themselves into.
How much glitter would be found in your home?
Oh, there’s so much. I’ve been relegated to the guest house with my glitter because I have an extensive collection, and the kids and I definitely craft up a storm. Glitter, glue, fabrics, lots of pompoms. My house could also pass as a Michaels store.
Why did you decide to add voice acting ?
I have always wanted to do cartoons. Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy (the Vampire Slayer), once said, “I think if we just cut you open a cartoon would pop out.” I’ve done guest spots here and there, but, honestly, I think becoming a mom and reading to my kids every night really sort of made me figure out doing voices.
Would you like to see How I Met Your Mother join the comedy revivals trend?
I would love it. That was such a wonderful place to go to work every day and such a great group. But (producers Carter Bays and Craig Thomas) might have blown it because they did so many flashforwards at the end of the series. And I’m like, “Oh, no, we can’t do reunion shows because you told everybody what happened.” But hey, never say never. I would definitely be on board if that happened.