My 20 Minutes with Tim Gunn: From “Sofia the First” to Being Thankful…

It was a typical Tuesday morning in late October here in the mom a la mode household, with my 2 year old racing his cars around, giving pause from time to time to gaze up at his favorite Disney Channel shows playing from our living room television.

Between episodes of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Doc McStuffins” (yes, my son enjoys the Doc!), the most adorable commercial for Disney’s latest animated TV movie, “Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess” came on, and a very familiar voice caused me to pop my head out from the kitchen doorway.

“Was that Tim???”

Indeed, it was.  To my delight, it was the inimitable Tim Gunn lending his voice to “Sofia the First” character, Baileywick.

Earlier this week, I spent about twenty minutes on the phone with Tim. We chatted about his involvement in “Sofia the First” as well as some other timely topics like how he’s spending his Thanksgiving, and what his thoughts are on Honey Boo Boo. 

I do hope you enjoy this very special interview below:

mom a la mode: I am SO delighted to chat with you today about your work with Disney’s “Sofia the First,” Tim.  Let’s start with how this all came about – how did you get involved with this project?

Tim Gunn: That’s sweet of you, Lisa, thanks.  This is “feel good TV” and it was such a joy to be a part of the film.  I was deeply flattered when Disney approached me for the role.  I have to be honest – when my agent first brought the part to my attention, my initial reaction was, “What?” But then I read the script and thought, “This is ME!”  The writers knew me well enough to put in things I would actually say, so it felt completely natural to assume the role of Baileywick. There’s such a great lesson in the film, too, about navigating the world and underscoring the importance of good behavior.  (And you know how I feel about good behavior!) Specifically, how one person’s misbehavior can have lasting consequences…like the effects it can have on so many others.

mom a la mode: From what I saw in previews, your character, Baileywick, the family’s Royal Steward, seems to play the role of mentor/teacher/friend to Princess Sofia….a familiar role for you, yes? 

Tim Gunn: In my role of Baileywick, I oversee the inner workings of the castle, as I’m essentially the head butler. Sofia is my primary charge, and yes – I act as a mentor, educator and a behavior-corrector.  I only want the best for her.

mom a la mode: How did your previous experiences working in animation compare to the work you did on “Sofia the First?”   And is it difficult to be solely behind the mic in a sound studio and not in front of the camera?

Tim Gunn: Prior to “Sofia the First” I had some minor appearances in animated TV shows like “American Dad” and “The Cleveland Show.”  On those types of shows the timing is everything and you are in the recording booth trying to sync up with what is already created – which can be extremely difficult.  But with “Sofia the First” the animators built around the voices, so it was all very natural for me.  And it was just a joy to do!

mom a la mode: You’ve done Reality TV, Sitcoms, Late Night, Red Carpet commentary – how does animation fit into the mix for you?

Tim Gunn: I really have nothing to compare it to, frankly.  Animation has its own niche and I hope that “Sofia the First” is successful and will carry on.  As for the other credentials, my answer to that is simply ‘How lucky am I to have such a diverse range of things in which I am involved??’ I’m very lucky to be able to do the work that I do.

mom a la mode: It seems like there’s a draw to the children’s arena by a few of your “Project Runway” partners – Heidi [Klum] has her lines with Babies “R” Us, Jeffrey Sebelia has his La Miniatura line, you’re working with Disney – what do you think is the draw?

Tim Gunn: It makes me very happy to know that there is so much interest in the children’s arena.  Children matter critically, and it is important to give them time and attention since they are our future.  So I applaud Heidi and Jeffrey for the work they’re doing.  And I was just thrilled to be part of something with Disney that is so great for kids.

mom a la mode: Speaking to the parents who will be reading this interview on my blog, specifically – you’ve “nurtured” so many budding design students through your years at Parsons and through “Project Runway.”  What is one of the best pieces of advice a parent can have to help nurture/recognize a talent within their own child?

Tim Gunn: It is really important to look at a child as a blank canvas and see what they have a personal affinity for. Maybe it’s music, maybe art or a sport.  But don’t force things onto a child.  I can recall from my childhood that I wasn’t a sports kid, and I just wanted to take piano lessons. And eventually it happened – starting with a $50 little piano, and then lessons and then eventually we got a baby grand. The best piece of advice I could give parents would be to be unencumbered by their own interests and wishes for their child and see what resonates naturally for their son or daughter.  And be honest about what’s working and what’s not working.

mom a la mode: I feel like I’ve heard you say that before on “Project Runway” with your designers.

Tim Gunn: Yes, exactly.  The role of a nurturer/mentor/parent is to point out what is working or not working.  Like on “Project Runway” when I once pointed out how the felt on a blazer wasn’t falling correctly and the designer told me, “Well, I’ve never worked with felt before.” And my reply to him was, “Then now is not the time to be working with felt!”

mom a la mode: Tim, “Sofia the First” seems to really be a positive, fun-filled show for the whole family, which is refreshing to see when there is so much clutter on TV these days.  Which brings me to the question about your thoughts on children (like that darling Honey Boo Boo) on Reality TV?

Tim Gunn: It is very concerning to me to see so many children involved in Reality TV, mostly because who they really are is still in formation.  And I’m concerned about this dimension of exposure, and how they’ll assimilate it.  I’m also suspect to the role of their parents in it.  Don’t forget, I was 50 when I was discovered as a “TV Person” so I was very grounded.  I look at young girls like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears and think of how very dangerous it was for them to be discovered at such a young age.  Fame needs to be treated very sensitively, and particularly children and fame.  And don’t even get me started on stage parents.

As for Honey Boo Boo, I did watch five minutes of the show to at least be able to make an informed opinion about it, and I have to tell you, it’s completely distasteful to me.  Frankly, it wasn’t so much the pageant component that bothered me – I felt guilty about being a voyeur in that household.  It was just a little too up close and personal for me.  I just feel like people have to be more careful…

mom a la mode: With Thanksgiving just a few days away at this point, what is Tim Gunn most grateful for?

Tim Gunn: I feel like what we’re most grateful for comes under a microscope when we reach Thanksgiving and I truly do thank my lucky stars for all that I have in my life. I’m thankful for everything, and almost feel guilty that I have too much. I mean, I’m just happy after Sandy to have a home and a roof over my head, literally.  There are 40,000 homeless people as a result of that Superstorm. 40,000! It’s just mind-boggling.  I wish I could invite all 40,000 to my NYC apartment for Thanksgiving.  I’m hosting this year – and cooking!

Some more info on “Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess” – Disney will introduce its first little girl princess with the debut of “Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess,” an enchanting, music-filled animated Disney Junior television movie for the whole family, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel and THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (9:00-10:00 a.m., ET/PT) on Disney Junior, the 24-hour channel.

A “Sofia the First” television series will debut in early 2013.

{I was not compensated in any way for this post.}