'Kimmy Schmidt's' Tituss Burgess Takes Us Behind the Scenes of 'Peeno Noir,' Teases Season 2

Netflix’s freshman comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was a blessing on many levels. It not only marked Tina Fey’s return to TV after 30 Rock and gave Ellie Kemper the role she was born to play, but it also introduced us to a ferocious new talent: Tituss Burgess, who co-stars as Kimmy’s struggling-actor roommate Titus — a role that earned Burgess his first Emmy nomination (one of seven for Kimmy) for best supporting actor in a comedy.

Whether he’s teaching Kimmy how to survive on the streets of New York, scheming to scrape together enough money to support his acting dreams, or just breaking into song, Titus is undeniably Kimmy’s breakout star. And although he’s a Broadway veteran who briefly appeared on 30 Rock as Angie Jordan’s hairdresser D'Fwan, Kimmy is the first exposure most viewers have had to Burgess’s talents.

Yahoo TV caught up with Burgess to discuss his sudden fame; his memories of filming this season’s iconic “Peeno Noir” scene, which saw Titus hurriedly shooting a music video in a stranger’s house; and what’s on tap for Titus Andromedon in Season 2.

Congratulations on your Emmy nomination. This must be a whirlwind year for you, right?
Yeah, I kind of can’t believe it’s all happened the way it’s happened. You know, the whole Netflix model offers a different experience on both sides, for the viewers and the actors. So both professionally and personally, it’s taken some unexpected turns. But it’s all been amazing. And I’m certainly experiencing some highs that I never thought possible or ever dreamed of for myself, so this is wonderful. I was not expecting an Emmy nomination, so this is lovely.

Yeah, with the Netflix model, people can watch it whenever they want, so you probably have people coming up to you now who just watched the whole season last week.
Oh yeah, absolutely. It keeps experiencing bursts of popularity, as countries, even, are watching for the first time. Some of the tweets I get, they’re so lovely, but I don’t understand them! [Laughs.] Because I don’t speak the language. I’m hoping that it’s positive! “Peeno Noir” has taken on a life of its own, and I just love it; I’ve gotten so many renditions of it sung to me. I encourage it. Whatever rhymes.

You have to choose one episode to submit for Emmy consideration, so which episode did you choose?
I chose “Peeno Noir” [Episode 6, “Kimmy Goes to School!”]. It was the obvious choice, but it wasn’t an easy one for me. I am partial to Episode 11 [“Kimmy Rides a Bike!”], which I am featured in a little less, when I’m trying to find something supportive to say to Kimmy. I say I’m going to go to the library to watch the trial without ads. It just makes me laugh; that’s one that I’ve held near and dear. But you have to follow the signs, and I think I’d be an idiot not to submit that one [“Peeno Noir”].

What do you remember about shooting that scene? Was it as frantic for you as it was for Titus trying to shoot inside Jacqueline’s house while she’s away?
It was frantic, in a way. There were so many more costume changes that you guys didn’t even see, that we cut. I basically had to do the song all the way through about 20 times, in different locations. And then thinking of new things to say, and new ways to say them… it got a little taxing after a while. But it is very much as manic as the viewer is seeing it.

The show’s composer Jeff Richmond wrote the “Peeno Noir” song, right? Did he write all the lyrics, too?
Jeff Richmond wrote it; I improvised a liiiittle bit. I improvised the melody; I improvised all the harmonies; I improvised some of the things that we rhymed it with. So it was very much a collaborative effort.

If only there were an Emmy for Best Original Song. That would be perfect.
That would be perfect! I can’t believe there isn’t one. And may I dare say that I am also absolutely shocked that Jeff Richmond didn’t get nominated for theme song! It is the catchiest song since the Friends theme song. So that was a disappointment, but whatever.

Related: ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ Composer Jeff Richmond on Crafting the Perfect Theme Song

And Ellie Kemper, too! She was robbed!
Yes! I was shocked. She is the heart of the show, so it was a huge disappointment. And I certainly share my nomination with her. She informs so much of how I respond, and I couldn’t in all conscience ignore that, so I share that with her.

Do you know anything about Season 2 yet? We know last season ended with Titus being confronted by his wife, who we never knew about.
I was given a few hints today, that we’ll be finding out more about his backstory, where the wedding is concerned, and how he was raised. And I think that’s going to inform a lot of the eccentricities of Titus from Season 1. I think we’re gonna answer a lot of questions. And I also hear rumors that there’s going to be a one-man show for Titus. So God knows what’s going to happen with that. Oh my goodness.

Season 1 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is streaming now on Netflix.