Any woman who can go toe-to-toe with Will Ferrell is a comedy champion and Christina Applegate will be bringing those comedic chops to The Grinder in a guest starring role. This new comedy from Fox features Rob Lowe as Dean, an actor who recently ended a run playing a lawyer on the fake Grinder show-within-the-show. Without a gig, he returns home to Boise, believing his television experience gives him the knowledge to run his family’s law firm. Fred Savage co-stars as his brother, a real lawyer who has to deal with his delusional sibling.
EW announced Applegate will appear as Kelly Summers, one of Dean’s former high-school girlfriends’ who has never seen his show and doesn’t even own a TV, which intrigues Dean. The actress’ appearance is currently announced for the fifth episode though one has to think if there is comedic chemistry she may show up again.
Lowe and Applegate have both proven to be favorites among comedy viewers. Since her breakout role on Married with Children Applegate has been in demand for both movies and TV. She’s starred in TV series including Up All Night, Samantha Who? and Jessie, and played straight-man to Will Ferrell’s manic Ron Burgundy in the Anchorman movies. After a long career of successful roles on dramas like The West Wing, Lowe’s comedic turn as zen-overachiever Chris Traeger on Parks and Recreation surprised many who’d forgotten his appearances years ago in the Austin Powers films. The two last appeared onscreen together in the 2003 flight-attendant comedy View From the Top.
The Grinder has had some recent dust-up as showrunner Greg Malins left the series earlier this week over creative differences. Creators Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul and executive producer Jake Kasdan (EP on New Girl and Fresh of the Boat) are looking for a replacement. Other guest stars slated for this first season include Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage, The Mentalist) and Nat Faxon (American Dad!, Married). The Grinder premieres Sept. 29 on Fox.