Desperately ‘Seeking Simone’: Exclusive Interview with Renee Olbert and Rose Rowe

If you aren’t already hooked on the hilarious web series Seeking Simone, then as soon as you finish this interview, you need to commit to watching the fictional dating antics of Simone Selkin online.

Simone, as embodied by the hilarious Renee Olbert, is a lovely lesbian on the prowl episodically dating her way through all the lez-brand of crazy the great city of Toronto has to offer. Season 2 recently started up, serving up many new ladies and laughs. You cant help but walk away feeling really good about your own dating life, because as bad as it may be… well, you’ll just be grateful that you’re not Simone.

SheWired chatted with the series star and creators, Olbert and Rose Rowe, to see if we could get some insider information on just what kind of scintillating trouble Simone will seek out this season. And, will she ever find Ms Right?

SheWired: Seeking Simone’s season 2 episodes are rolling out now. Can you tell us what is in store for our favorite Internet dating, W4W Torontonian?

Renee Olbert: Well, I would love to say that we will be seeing a more sedate, wiser Simone this season... but what would be the fun in that?! I think the beauty of this character and this season, is that Simone continues to put her self out there, warts and all. She’s really quite fearless that way and I think we see her time and time again get up and keep moving forward despite some pretty big upsets. That said, our Simone does see some action this year.  And by action...Well, I think you know what I mean.  But in case I’m not being clear, I mean ACTION.

Is each episode strictly scripted or do you allow for any improv?

Rose Rowe: The episodes start out scripted - and I'd LOVE to say that each special moment of Seeking Simone is solely due to my writing genius, but it is not so. When you have a hilarious star, hilarious guest stars, director, and crew… Sometimes what I've written pales in comparison to the on-the-spot utterings of the actors, or a brilliant idea our director has. Ultimately, the script provides a good road map for the episode but we definitely leave room for unscripted detours - like the sexy part of Episode 2.2 when Simone can't get Sylvia's jacket off, or the largely improvised phone call to Simone's agent in Episode 1.4, where she blurts out, "I'm a muncher."

It does give me a special little thrill when I'm watching the final cut and I discover that whole chunks of dialogue have actually survived as written.

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