Happy Endings character Max is about to finally make good the show’s title. The perennially single dude, played by Adam Pally, will be visited by his ex-boyfriend (Lone Star’s James Wolk) in Wednesday’s Valentine’s Day episode, during which we may just witness the show’s first real man-on-man moment.
Wolk – who plays Grant, the curiously straight man (at least in terms of personality) to Max’s eccentric yet loveable slob – reveals that the two will definitely get intimate in during his three-episode arc, which takes the show through February sweeps.
“There is a kiss in the works,” Wolk told the press during a recent conference call. “And [Pally] is a great kisser.”
Although Max has been seen with various flings through the show’s two-season run, he has never had a steady boyfriend, let alone an onscreen make-out partner (unless you count his recent spontaneous suck-and-blow sesh with Elisha Cuthbert’s Alex).
A kiss between Adam Pally's character and actor Max Greenfield (now Schmidt of New Girl) was shot and set to air during the first season, but was cut out by creator David Caspe in post-production because it "didn't work." Thus, this will be the first gay kiss on the series.
Although the lip lock will be a major moment for both Max and the show, Wolk says Max and Grant’s relationship is more than just physical. They may just L-O-V-E each other.
“Dave Caspe and the rest of the creators and writers … really did put in some sincere moments that I hope will excite the audience,” the actor, who is also currently guest-starring on Shameless, says. “The audience can look forward to seeing some real moments between these two guys.”
Wolk attributes much of this to his rapport with Pally, whom he says is hard not to love and respect both personally and professionally. “What a smile on that guy, what a twinkle in the eye,” he says.
“[He’s] incredible. And so to play off him, it’s fun. There’s trust there. There’s sense of play. There’s a sense of likeness. Hopefully, all that comes across on screen.”
If you looked at Max and Grant side-by-side, you might not assume they would be a couple. As Wolk explains, their courtship is “totally opposites attract. Max is go-with-the-flow, laid back, unkept at times. Grant is … always immaculately dressed. You’ll see he has some great vest-tie combos.”
He adds, “But ultimately I think what they see in each other is the complete opposite. Grant loves the fact that Max doesn’t care about what people think of him. And we’ll find out that Grant has some setbacks also … “
Look for more on that specific issue in the follow-up episode, “Everybody Loves Grant,” which is set to air next week.
Wolk wouldn’t offer any specific spoilers there, but he did say this: “[Grant’s] a guy who tries to exude and project an exterior perfectness. And all the while there are things about him that aren’t.”
So does that mean we’ll be saying “so long” to Max’s chance at a happy ending when Wolk’s run is up? “Well, they don’t kill him off,” Wolk reveals, laughing, to TV Guide Canada.
“The terms are amicable. They still love each other. Let’s put it that way.”
Catch Wolk in the Happy Endings episode “St. Valentine’s Day Maxssacre” tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET on Citytv and ABC.
Are you excited to see Max finally get a boyfriend? Comment below.
Follow TV Guide Canada on Facebook