It's no surprise that the Brooklyn Nine-Nine set was buzzing with energy, guffaws, and behind-the-scenes antics. But in one interview, Melissa Fumero, who portrayed Amy Santiago, spilled the beans on something perhaps not everyone expected: Andy Samberg's short-lived grumpy moods on set. On a relaxed and unguarded Late Night with Seth Meyers segment, Fumero didn't hold back in describing one of the few times when the normally bubbly Samberg wasn't necessarily all grins. She said,
"He is, but I really enjoy when he gets grumpy. Yeah, it's pretty funny. It happens, like, once in a while, and it's very similar to how my 3-year-old gets grumpy."
What was memorable wasn't the news itself, but how affectionately she relayed it. She also said,
"But, you know, you just pour yourself some coffee and grab a cookie and just sit near him, and he will eventually take that coffee and eat that cookie from your hands. It does. He does like to be communal with food."
The remark was not a barb but instead a playful, fond observation about working with someone who is well-known for his cheerful nature and irresistible personality. The incident provided the fans with a glimpse into the less formal, more human, and sensitive aspects of both the actors behind their professional masks.
Here's the full interview for your reference:
Melissa Fumero's observations on the Brooklyn Nine-Nine on-set dynamics
During her interview with Seth Meyers, Melissa Fumero shared that Andy Samberg, who was the cheerleader of the cast, was not exempt from bad days. She particularly said that there were a few exceptional occasions during the show's later seasons when Samberg would be demonstrably grumpy. Fumero added, "It was very similar, like, how my 3-year-old gets grumpy," obviously making a humorous comparison and not condemning his actions.
Her remark was accompanied by laughter, meaning that such moments were infrequent, harmless, and even quaint. She mentioned how witnessing Samberg being irritable actually made her laugh, mostly because it was so out of character for a person who always boosted everyone on the set. This realization humanized the actor in a manner that fans hadn't quite witnessed yet.
Samberg's consistently positive reputation in Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Andy Samberg has been characterized as one of the most upbeat and energetic individuals on set by his co-stars for years. Fumero herself highlighted how he would be the morale keeper for the whole cast and crew. Such a background rendered her recollection about his very occasional grumpy days all the more remarkable. To her, those moments did not break the mood—they introduced a dash of surprise and playfulness to the day.
It's interesting to mention that Fumero's account came without judgment or negativity. Her tone was always positive, indicating clearly that the "grumpy Andy" incidents were brief and more irritating than distracting. The lighthearted comparison to the behavior of her toddler served to reframe the incident in a relatable and even humorous light.
A glimpse behind the curtain of Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Fans tend to be interested in what actually goes on behind the scenes of their favorite television shows. Melissa Fumero's tale provides precisely that—an unvarnished, unglamorized look at a moment that is both funny and real.
Her capacity for speaking openly about the ordinary realities of working on a hit sitcom presented fans with a more realistic view of the cast dynamic.