Brad Garrett, Elizabeth Perkins on 'How to Live With Your Parents'

Brad Garrett, Elizabeth Perkins on ‘How to Live With Your Parents’

By Yvonne Villarreal

April 10, 2013 12 AM PT

It’s not uncommon to hear a a spouse rant that they can’t stand the sight of their partner. Brad Garrett and Elizabeth Perkins, the said parents in ABC’s “How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life),” have found that to be true in a different manner.

“I can’t even look at him half the time because just looking at him makes me laugh,” Perkins said of her 6-foot, 8-inch comedian co-star, best known for playing Robert Barone in “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

It’s a sentiment, that when relayed to Garrett, naturally elicited a good ol’ comedic comeback.

“That’s not very nice,” he said in his trademark deep voice on the set of the new Wednesday comedy. “I’ve done all I can. I’ve had a lot of work done recently. It’s funny, my dentist has told me the same thing. I’m starting to get a complex. Well, you know, I can’t look at her without getting aroused.”

Ba-da-bum.

In “How to Live With Your Parents,” which was created by and based the life of Claudia Lonow, Garrett plays Max, a kooky stepfather who along with his wife Elaine (Perkins) see their empty-nest happiness side-swiped by daughter Polly (Sarah Chalke), who returns home to live with them along with her young daughter.

Perkins, who before this had starred in Showtime’s “Weeds” for four seasons, finds the lighter comedy to be a welcome departure.

“I usually play [the five-letter word for mean ladies],” she said. “Elaine is a very happy person who always sees her glass half full. She loves art, she love music, she loves sex, she loves wine. I’m used to playing people who are uptight or bitter or [angry]. I know it’s hard for people to imagine I may not be like that in real life!”

The role came with more challenges for Garrett, whose character has a pierced ear. When a magnetic earring nearly left him ear-less, the actor finally went the traditional route: a trip to Claire’s.

“I didn’t want to go to a place that pierces nipples or puts dinner plates in the lobes,” he said. But the thing about Claire’s is they make you get it pierced near the window. I went at night, right before they closed. Little did I know there was a Justin Bieber bracelet sale. I couldn’t not be seen. And, of course, who do I see the night I go out to dinner? The creator of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ Phil Rosenthal and one of the writers. They walk up to me and I could see that they zeroed in on my lobe. All they could say was, ‘Really? Let’s just hope this show lasts and the piercing is worth it.’ ”

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