Chris Messina

Last night, the cast of The Mindy Project teamed up at PaleyFest to preview next week's episode for a crowd of fans and reporters and to talk about working on the show. It was just announced that the series was picked up for a second season, and Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina, Ike Barinholtz, Ed Weeks, and Beth Grant talked about what we might learn about their characters in the future — especially when it comes to their love lives. They also weighed in on new characters they hope to bring to the series, their favorite romantic comedies, and Mindy's return to The Office. Here are seven things we learned about The Mindy Project and its cast at last night's panel and screening:

1. Chris wants Mindy and Danny to kiss: The sexual tension between Danny and Mindy is one topic fans couldn't wait to dig into. Chris admitted that while it's fun to watch the "will they, won't they" dynamic between the two of them, he hopes something physical happens between the characters. "I'd like to see them kiss, at least."
2. Mindy will be on the series finale of The Office: Mindy's past on the TV comedy came up several times during the night, and she revealed that she will be returning to Dunder Mifflin one last time before the show says goodbye. "I'm going back to shoot the finale in a couple days, which is really exciting."
3. They've already written a character for Danny McBride: Ike previously worked with Danny on Eastbound and Down and said that Mindy already dreamed up a role for him as an "aggro" gay friend of hers. Ike described her saying: "I wanna have a gay friend who is just, like, not the cute, fun sidekick. The guy who, when we go to brunch, we get kicked out for being gross . . . like a bear." Mindy added: "He's like six foot, four inches and fat . . . super into Chris. He looks at Chris like, 'I will destroy him.'"
4. Ed had a memorable audition for the show: "My American accent left something to be desired, so I decided to go in and try it British," he said. "And I think, I threw a condom at the casting director, and Mindy said, 'That was hilarious,' in a very straight-faced way."
5. Mindy's favorite romantic comedy might be Much Ado About Nothing: When asked about her favorite films, Mindy said: "It's embarrassing, because maybe two out of the three or four romantic comedies that I really love, Chris Messina is in. You've Got Mail and Vicky Cristina Barcelona," she said. "But you know, I really loved Much Ado About Nothing, the Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson version."
6. B.J. Novak will direct more episodes: "He's a great friend to the show," Mindy said. "He finished an episode last week called 'Santa Fe.'" Ike and Ed added that their characters get naked in a sweat lodge on the episode, which Ike compared to watching a handsome English man doing a scene with a seal.
7. We'll be seeing more of Beverly: Beth, who plays Beverly, was just added as a series regular. The actress said that we'll get a chance to find out more about her character's past, including her love life, in upcoming episodes. "Well, I just learned in the new script that I've had several different boyfriends of many different religions," she said. "I'm quite excited about that."

Mindy Kaling is saying goodbye to NBC's The Office and settling into a new place of employment over on Fox — and this time she's the boss. The funny lady is executive producing and starring in The Mindy Project, in which she plays an OB/GYN in her early 30s named (you guessed it) Mindy, who's as obsessed with romantic comedies as she is romance. Get the details on the show before tonight's premiere.

• What it's about: Mindy is a successful, hard-working doctor, but she's less accomplished in her love life. Her rom-com dreams are dashed when her boyfriend (Bill Hader) dumps her and marries someone else. She pursues dating, but it's predictably messy. She hooks up with the hospital lothario (Ed Weeks) and flirts spars with another fellow doctor (Chris Messina), all while venting to her best friend, Gwen (Anna Camp).
• Where it works: Kaling's comedy style breathes new life into the hapless-single-girl shtick; I laughed out loud throughout the pilot. Plus, the show is light and fun, with fashion eye candy to spare (and male eye candy — Weeks and Messina are both adorable).
• Where it doesn't: I'm not sure I love the hospital setting. The dating antics Mindy gets into are funny enough, but the workplace drama with her patients doesn't add anything but distraction.
• When it's on: Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on Fox
• You might like this show if: You love Sex and the City. Mindy's got the funny lines, pink drinks, and a little Carrie Bradshaw in her.

To see a preview and view pictures of The Mindy Project, just keep reading.

Monogamy is not a romantic comedy. Given its title (and the fact that it stars Rashida Jones and Chris Messina), it sounds like the natural setup for something cute and light. But the film is not only dark, it's creepy. Messina stars as Theo, a wedding photographer planning for his nuptials to his fiancée Nat (Rashida Jones). Theo's life is pretty run-of-the-mill until he starts mixing up his photography work. Clients hire him to candidly capture their everyday routines (think of it as a personal paparazzo); but when he becomes infatuated with a particular customer (Meital Dohan), Theo spirals into a new sexual obsession.

This isn't the first Hollywood drama to address cheating or temptation, but the story's voyeurism aspect adds a new spin on the all too common theme. Even though Theo isn't actively engaging in sex with his mysterious client, can his consuming desire for her be considered infidelity? The film seems to raise these sorts of uncomfortable questions (read: maybe you shouldn't see this one with your partner). Critics already gave it their stamp of approval at the Tribeca Film Festival, so if you're anxious to take a peek for yourself, just read more

You may not know the name, but you probably know the face: Chris Messina has popped up in a few big movies over the last few years, usually playing the love interest (Julie's husband in Julie and Julia and Vicky's insensitive fiance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona) rather than the lead. But for me, Messina is someone that I've taken an interest in since his lead role in the little-seen indie romance Ira and Abby, opposite Jennifer Westfeldt.

Since then, I've always been able to find the actor endearing, even when his characters are not. And when they are (such as a caring husband in Away We Go), it's all the more satisfying. These days, I brighten each time I see his name, which is the case for his latest film Devil, a thriller in which strangers get stuck in an elevator with horrific results. Even though it's a bone-chilling clip, Messina's presence makes it easier to watch.

Check him out in the Devil trailer and let me know if you recognize the up-and-comer when you read more

The cast of Julie and Julia moved cross-country for the NYC premiere after hitting the red carpet in LA earlier this week. Meryl Streep went a bit more casual this time while Amy Adams took it up a notch in her floor-length gown. There were a few famous chefs out for the night, as well as Julie Powell who inspired the title character of the film. Both Yum and Buzz had the chance to interview Julie this week — read about her thoughts on the movie here and her relationship with Julia Child here.

To see a lot more photos including Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray and Sam Rockwell, just read more

Amy Adams and Meryl Streep posed side by side at the LA premiere of Julie and Julia last night. Ashley Greene looked hot all glammed up after her trip to Comic-Con while Chuck's Yvonne Strahovski went for a fresh-faced look. The food-centered film will hit theaters on Aug. 7, and we're getting hungry just thinking about all the delicious recipes.

To see a lot more photos including Jane Lynch and Maria Menounos, just read more