Comedian and actor Al Madrigal, who gained prominence as the Senior Latino Correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, took on a perfectly grounded role in the absurd world of the NBC mockumentary, St. Denis Medical. His guest-starring role as Michael, a building inspector, required him to be the straight man, a task Madrigal found to be a comfortable fit.
In a recent interview, he emphasized that his excitement for the role stemmed largely from the opportunity to work alongside the show’s established and impressive cast.
Al Madrigal on his Role as Michael on St. Denis Medical
Madrigal’s character is introduced as a building inspector who comes to St. Denis to review the new birthing unit. Madrigal’s approach to playing Michael was to embrace the character’s simple, universal motivation. He defined the building inspector type as someone who just wants to do their job and leave.
He noted the universally recognizable dynamic where people become nervously over-accommodating around inspectors. Especially when some are trying to be extra nice in hopes of receiving favorable treatment. For Michael, his primary goal is simply to get the job done and make his next appointment.
Having a diverse acting resume that includes dramatic film roles, as well as sitcoms, Madrigal explained that playing a straight-man character in a comedy is less about a massive character transformation and more about subtle adjustments.
He stated that he has to be careful not to focus too much on creating a “character.” And that he sees it more as being himself in a different outfit with a clipboard. The role of a building inspector was not that much of a stretch for him. Stating, “I’m pretty handy. I know my way around the house.” And joking, “I could inspect things. I could do this job in real life.”
The Dynamic Between Michael and Joyce
While playing the grounded straight man, Michael becomes involved in a central comedic plot due to a weird connection with the hospital’s executive director, Joyce Henderson (Wendi McLendon-Covey). Furthermore, Madrigal highlighted the pleasure of the dynamic, emphasizing the skill of his co-star:
“Watching her change from scene to scene was amazing. You’re working with one of the most talented… comic actors of all time. So it’s hard not to, when you’re working with somebody like that, to just watch a little bit too.”
Madrigal’s performance as the weary, by-the-book inspector provides the perfect foil for the chaotic energy of the hospital staff, particularly Joyce, driving the humor in his guest episode.
St. Denis Medical airs Mondays on NBC at 8/7c and is available to stream the next day on Peacock.
