ABC Family’s “Chasing Life” returns next week for a holiday episode – and the star of the show is giving SpoilerTV a preview, along with sharing some of her own favorite Christmas traditions.
Italia Ricci (April Carver) tells us the Christmas episode was a lot of fun to shoot. She thinks fans will enjoy it. “We see this is the end of her chemo, the tail end of her chemo,” Ricci explains of April. “We see how it finishes and you get an idea of how she’s going to recover, if she’s going to recover and who’s going to be there with her during it.”
The episode begins right where the summer finale left off. That means it doesn’t actually take place over Christmas – it’s still springtime in the show. But April’s family decides she needs a little holiday pick-me-up. “Christmas is one of April’s favorite holidays. The Carvers decide to try and help her create Christmas in her hospital room to lift her spirits since she’s starting to lose her hair,” explains Ricci.
Losing her hair will prompt a few makeovers to test out new looks – including a short platinum wig. “The wigs were so much fun. I kept the blonde one but I haven’t worn it since. I want it just in case I ever feel like getting on a plane in a blonde wig,” laughs Ricci. “The episode was definitely fun because I got to see myself in all of those different hairstyles!”
This imitation Christmas celebration is full of real family dynamics. Viewers will get to meet even more Carver family members. “We meet April’s dad’s parents who come into town,” says Ricci. “They’re played by Marion Ross and Ed Asner who are just comedic geniuses. It was so much fun working with [them]. You get to see the dynamic with that side of the family and especially how they feel about Grandma who lives with us. It’s one of my favorite, favorite bits we’ve done all season. Fans can look forward to that!”
And viewers can also look forward to finding out what happens with Leo. “You will see whether or not he has the surgery,” says Ricci. If he does end up choosing the surgery, Ricci tells us that while April would be thrilled, it would also be scary for her. “He could die on that table. What happens is not something that anybody expects.”
Despite the fact this episode airs in the middle of the season, it was actually the last episode the cast filmed. “We filmed it in August,” says Ricci. “It got me prematurely in the [Christmas] spirit. I was humming Christmas carols when I was coming home and everybody thought I was a bit nuts. It definitely got me in the spirit a little too early.”
Not that she minds. Like her character, Ricci also loves Christmas. “I love just being home with my family. I’m from Canada, so I’m listening to non-stop Christmas music. Right now my favorite Christmas song of all time is ‘Carol of the Bells’ by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It gets me every single time. I have the remix as my phone ringtone.” She also tells us her favorite Christmas movies are the animated classics “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman” since they take her back to her childhood.
When it comes to gifts, Ricci loves to give a good surprise. “I gave my fiancé (actor Robbie Amell) an awesome gift! I tricked him into thinking that we were going to Vegas to see a Cirque du Soleil show. He was going to be missing a Kings playoff game, so he was pretty angry about that. [Instead] I took him to a race track in Vegas and he got to drive nine supercars as fast as he could because he is a car freak. He was so ecstatic. I’ve never seen such joy on a person’s face. It was fantastic!”
Though she hasn’t thought about New Year’s resolutions just yet, Ricci says she did make a couple for this year that she was proud to keep. “This year was to get pretty good at a speed bag (a type of boxing punching bag), which is so random, but I did it. Also I said I would not eat McDonald’s all year because I am obsessed with McDonald’s. I love McDonald’s and I would eat it like four times a week. I haven’t had it all year. I’m pretty impressed with myself. [In less than a month now] I can have it. I am so excited. I’m definitely not giving up any sort of food that I love again,” she laughs.
As Ricci focuses on the holidays, she is thinking fondly back on her experience of filming season one. “I would have to say that the Christmas episode was the most fun. We had the amazing guest stars, but it’s also the looks and the fact that it was the last episode that we filmed. It was like school’s almost out for summer and the energy was really high. We were all so proud of all 21 episodes that we had shot. We were just so pumped that we got to do an extra one. It was so much fun.”
The Christmas episode of “Chasing Life” airs Tuesday, December 9 at 9/8c. After that the second half of the season returns on a new night Monday, January 19 at 9/8c.
How much are you looking forward to the return of "Chasing Life?" Do you think Leo will have the surgery? What would you like to see in the Christmas episode? Let us know in the comments below.
I can not wait for this episode, but I am absolutely terrified about losing Leo, and I just can't wrap my mind around the idea that the character might die during the surgery. Clearly, April is going to get better and I'm not that worried about her future, but we've been told for a while already that Leo was meant to die soon, and I think that the surgery is only going to make it happen sooner. It's strange how, at first, I wanted him to get the surgery but after the summer finale, I'm just sensing something odd with it, as if Leo was already half gone. To be honest (SPOILER), when he comes to see her when she ran away from the chemo, I thought at first he was a ghost, an hallucination. I just hope that he won't end up as a vegetable or comatose, because that would be even worst than losing him entirely.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to this...so excited to see it. Love this show, really happy it got another season.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Tonya! Thanks for the heads up it was coming today. While Ricci didn't give anything away, she teased us just enough that now I am even more excited for the Christmas episode. Italia Ricci is so great in that role. I bet she is fun to interview. I had already read that the rest of the season starts mid--January. I can't believe they are moving it to Monday. That night is already packed for me. Thank goodness for the DVR. I'll continue the other discussion soon on that comment thread. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWas this "we've been told for a while already that Leo was meant to die soon' officially stated or just predictions? I hope he doesn't die :(( He's character really took me by surprise. It would be hard to lose him.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I'm looking forward to the episode :)
ReplyDeleteThe move to Monday is gunna kill this show.. damn ABCFamily already sealing its fate. At least we will get a 2nd season before they cancel it.
ReplyDeleteGood point. If the network wants it to succeed you think they'd not move it to such a competitive night. Even NCIS LA's numbers are down, after moving from Tuesday to Monday.
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ReplyDeleteI don't think he's going to die. Ricci said on this call she was "Team Leo" which made me think April definitely has more to explore with him over the season. And she also talked about the rest of the season (my article on that will come in January) and how Leo's decision brings them closer. So I think he's sticking around. :) Don't worry.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard that either. But I really don't think he's going to die. It definitely would be hard to lose him. I think he's going to be around through the rest of the season. That's my guess.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I'm excited for it to return. And so glad it got a second season.
ReplyDeleteI know - teasers get me excited, too! She really is fun to interview. She's very down to earth and tells fun stories and laughs and answers things honestly. I'm very impressed with her! I know - Mondays are such a packed night. That's a bummer for me, too.
ReplyDeleteI wish they'd kept it on Tuesdays! Mondays are tough.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm looking forward to it, too!
ReplyDeleteThere is a slight misunderstanding there. I was speaking about the fact that Leo's impending death was something that we heard regularly about on the show, not something that has been said in interviews...But I was not exactly clear about that, so, sorry for that :) But I so agree about the fact that, even if he's technically terminal, losing him is going to be pretty devastating !
ReplyDeleteOh please, may your predictions be true.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for Tuesday! *LOL* All the wigs and bald caps and stuff? This is gonna be fun! 😃 I'm the type who can't stand suspense and anticipation of any kind, so the four-month wait has been awful! And they're keeping things pretty quiet as far as spoilers for this episode and season 1B, too, which makes it even tougher! But they did let the cat out of the bag with pictures that Leo has the surgery. Ready to see what the outcome is though! I know Scott Michael Foster is credited up through episode 18, but they've done plenty of stuff with dreams/flashbacks/hallucinations, so who knows? And in another interview, Italia mentioned that we'll get some idea in this episode of how, or if, April's going to recover, so that'll be big! But she also said over the summer, I believe during the time season 1A was airing, that even she doesn't know April's ultimate fate, even though she thought she did at one point, so...*SHRUGS*
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as them moving to Mondays, I'm not sure what the deal is. It's not normally a huge TV night for me. In fact, my Tuesday nights are actually much more jam-packed most of the time! *LOL* And the move means I won't have to choose whether to watch "Chasing Life" or "The Little Couple" live! But I've seen quite a few people complain. But ABC Family's had Monday night shows that have apparently done well (For instance, "Switched at Birth" has been going for several years in that time slot.), so hopefully this'll be the same. What concerns me is the way the renewal for season two went down. First, they took forever to renew at all, and then they put in a 13-episode order rather than a full 20. And, yes, that order could still very well be extended, but I'm still concerned that season two may end up just being about tying up any loose ends to April's story and wrapping things up before they kill the show off! I wondered from the beginning how long they could sustain a storyline like this (I mean, at some point, April either dies or is pretty much declared cured, ya know?), but it would be such a shame to see the show end! Such great writing and storytelling, an amazing cast, and something that's become so meaningful to so many people!
that would be really great he they keep him on :)
ReplyDeleteYou realize that is just her opinion right? She has also stated in other interviews that Leo can't be there for her and that Dominic's the guy for her. Just because his decision brings them closer does not mean he won't die! After all it's risky surgery. and Italia said that what happens is NOT what anyone expects. His having the surgery and being okay is what everyone would expect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clarifying!
ReplyDeleteI guess it's never bad to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best! :)
ReplyDeleteI do realize that is her opinion, yes. But I believe actors' opinions can shed light on what happens in the shows sometimes. I don't know which interviews you are talking about - I didn't see them - but she said in this interview she's never publicly said before if she is Team Leo or Team Dominic - but she is Team Leo. And I thought that was interesting. Everyone can take it how they'd like. And yes, just because his decision brings them closer doesn't mean he couldn't die. Her comment about what happens is not what everyone expects is definitely interesting. I'm not sure what she means and I'm eager to find out. But it's in reference to AFTER Leo's decision to have surgery - after he decides, what happens is not what anyone expects. That could technically still mean he could die, which would be unexpected. And it's possible. But I don't think it will happen. That's my educated guess. I talked to her a little more about Leo's decision, which I know, but I don't know his prognosis beyond that. So we will have to wait and see!
ReplyDeleteI saw those pictures. I chose not to reveal that in the article because not everyone likes spoilers and not everyone looks up the pictures first. So I stayed with teasers and no spoilers. :) I was actually surprised they released those pics.
ReplyDeleteI am also eager for this episode (it does sound fun, doesn't it?) and the rest of the season. I hate the big wait in between, too. But it's almost here now. Yay!
I think people are complaining about the move to Monday nights because the networks air Castle, the Blacklist, Gotham and NCIS: Los Angeles on that night, among others. So there are already a lot of highly-rated or highly-publicized shows airing on that night. But I'm glad it's not a busy night for you! That's perfect. :) Great point, too, about ABC Family having successful Monday night shows like "Switched at Birth" that have been on for awhile. That's a good reminder that this move could also do okay.
I also thought it was a little weird that they gave a 13-episode order to season 2. But maybe it could still be extended like you say. Here is to hoping! I love the writing, storytelling, cast and meaning of the show, too! Thanks so much for your comments.
The writers said "We don't WANT to kill Leo. But characters serve a purpose". They expanded his part a bit but I still believe that he is going to die.Maybe not in the Christmas episode. But soon
ReplyDeleteHow? She didn't give anything away.And if you notice, in every interview she gives she is a different "Team"? First she was team Dominic, then she said "Can I have both" and now she is Team Leo? It's nothing more then her opinion.I would not put that much stock in it or you will be disappointed. Also she said "It brings them closer AT LEAST AS FAR AS APRIL IS CONCERNED". She never says that Leo feels the same. So don't get your hopes up there. Talked to WHO about Leo's decision?
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the released the photos and spoiled the episode means that something bad will probably happen. If you notice when Italia previewed season 1B, Leo's name is not even mentioned. That is telling to me. The producer told me on his facebook that they will know by January if they get additional episodes in season 2.
ReplyDeleteIt's possible. It would serve a purpose in the story so it's very possible. While I don't think he's going to die now, he could later in the season, it's very true.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Hadn't looked at that title. I talked to Italia Ricci about Leo's decision. (I was the one who wrote this article.)
ReplyDeleteActually Italia did talk about Leo when previewing season 1B but I didn't want to put that in this article since I wanted to focus just on the Christmas episode. I will write another article closer to when the second half of the season starts. :) Thanks for letting us know about what the producer told you on facebook. That's fantastic. It would be wonderful to get more episodes. Glad to know that's still a possibility.
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