“There's no such thing as the perfect couple,” says Chicagoan and Perfect Couples star Hayes MacArthur, who is nonetheless keyed up about the new NBC relationship comedy. MacArthur, who in real life is happily married to Ali Larter of Heroes fame, says there’s an element of relatable truth in every character on the single camera show, which centers on poking fun at relationships and finding humor in dysfunctional couples. In fact, MacArthur says, Dysfunctional Couples would have been an apt title for the show, which is scripted by writers from 30 Rock (Jon Pollack) and Friends (Scott Silveri).
Chicagoans may recognize MacArthur’s last name: His mother, Shelley MacArthur Farley, is a popular philanthropist and cabaret singer, and he attributes some of the success in his performance career to her. “We had a microphone in our apartment growing up. We’d do family shows for each other. One time we went to the Gold Star Sardine Bar in Chicago, which was a legendary haunt. I watched her perform with her piano and a beautiful dress on. There’s a performance element you’re exposed to early. [I learned to be] extroverted in front of people.”
MacArthur’s career shows no sign of slowing down: In addition to continuing his work on Perfect Couples, later this year he’ll star in Life as We Know It with Katherine Heigl.
