Why Leah Remini Says Kevin James Ruined Her For Life

The List
2 Dec 202103:36

TLDRLeah Remini and Kevin James, co-stars of the hit sitcom 'King of Queens,' shared a unique chemistry that Remini says has 'ruined her for life.' Despite the grueling schedule of a weekly sitcom, Remini cherished the experience, particularly her relationship with James. In her book 'Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology,' she describes James as her first leading man and a supportive co-star who even suggested giving her more comedic lines. Their close bond, akin to a married couple, led to Remini's role in James's later sitcom 'Kevin Can Wait.' Despite differences in religion, including Remini's departure from the Church of Scientology, James remained a supportive friend. Remini is grateful for the opportunity to work with James again and hopes for future collaborations to create more primetime magic.

Takeaways

  • 📺 Leah Remini and Kevin James had a strong on-screen chemistry during 'King of Queens' that contributed to the show's success.
  • 💔 Remini's statement that James 'ruined her for life' refers to the high standard of their working relationship, which she fears may not be replicated.
  • 📚 In her book 'Troublemaker', Remini expressed her love for the sitcom despite the challenges of production.
  • 🤝 She felt safe acting with James, who was her first leading man, and found him to be a supportive and generous co-star.
  • 😂 James often helped improve the scripts and even suggested giving Remini funnier lines, showing his selflessness.
  • 🎭 Their relationship was likened to a married couple, with arguments and reconciliations, mirroring their on-screen personas.
  • 📺 Remini was later invited to join James in his sitcom 'Kevin Can Wait', where they continued to showcase their undeniable chemistry.
  • 👍 James provided friendship and support to Remini when she decided to leave the Church of Scientology.
  • 😢 Despite the cancellation of 'Kevin Can Wait', Remini expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with James again.
  • 🚫 The Church of Scientology reportedly tried to influence Remini to convert James to their faith, which he declined due to being Catholic.
  • 🤔 There is a hint that Remini and James might work together again in the future, potentially creating more memorable on-screen moments.

Q & A

  • Why did Leah Remini say that Kevin James has 'ruined her for life'?

    -Leah Remini said Kevin James 'ruined her for life' because of the exceptional chemistry and bond they shared during their time working together on 'King of Queens.' She felt that no other leading man could compare to him, and his support and friendship had a profound impact on her.

  • What did Leah Remini enjoy most about working on 'King of Queens'?

    -Leah Remini enjoyed the everyday-ness of the job, the audiences, the crew, and the chemistry with her co-star Kevin James. She also appreciated the opportunity to complain about the grind of making a weekly sitcom, which she considered one of her favorite pastimes.

  • How did Kevin James contribute to making the scripts of 'King of Queens' more comical?

    -Kevin James contributed by finding ways to improve the scripts and even asked the writers to give Leah funnier lines. Despite being the show's star, he was gracious and often suggested that jokes be given to Leah instead of himself.

  • How did Leah Remini describe their relationship on the set of 'King of Queens'?

    -Leah Remini likened their relationship to that of a married couple, similar to their on-screen characters. They would fight like a longtime couple but always made up, and she felt safe acting with him.

  • Why did Kevin James bring Leah Remini on his later sitcom 'Kevin Can Wait'?

    -Kevin James brought Leah Remini on 'Kevin Can Wait' because of their undeniable chemistry and the strong professional and personal bond they had developed. He wanted to work with her again and felt it was the best opportunity to do so.

  • How did Leah Remini feel about working with Kevin James again on 'Kevin Can Wait'?

    -Leah Remini was very excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with Kevin James again. She stated that she would have taken any opportunity to work with him and that there was something special about their collaboration that was hard to explain.

  • What was the reaction of the Church of Scientology regarding Leah Remini and Kevin James?

    -The Church of Scientology reportedly tried to get Leah Remini to convert Kevin James to their religion. However, Remini refused because James was Catholic and not interested in Scientology.

  • How did Kevin James support Leah Remini when she decided to leave the Church of Scientology?

    -Kevin James provided friendship and support to Leah Remini during her decision to leave the Church of Scientology. He reached out to her, expressing his pride in her decision and offering his help if she needed anything.

  • What did Leah Remini say about the cancellation of 'Kevin Can Wait'?

    -Despite the show's cancellation, Leah Remini expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with Kevin James again. She mentioned that she laughed every day on set and would miss that the most, feeling thankful for the second chance at something that meant so much to her.

  • What was the duration of 'King of Queens' and how did it perform on television?

    -'King of Queens' ran for nine seasons and was one of the most popular shows on television during its time, largely due to the chemistry between Leah Remini and Kevin James.

  • What is the significance of the phrase 'ruined her for life' in the context of Leah Remini's statement?

    -The phrase 'ruined her for life' is a figure of speech used by Leah Remini to express the deep and lasting impact that working with Kevin James had on her. It signifies that the experience was so positive and fulfilling that it set a high standard for her future professional relationships.

  • What was the nature of the relationship between Leah Remini and Kevin James off-screen?

    -Off-screen, Leah Remini and Kevin James shared a close friendship. Despite not practicing the same religion, they navigated their differences and supported each other in personal and professional matters.

Outlines

00:00

📺 Chemistry Between Co-Stars in 'King of Queens'

The first paragraph discusses the successful nine-season run of 'King of Queens', highlighting the exceptional on-screen chemistry between Leah Remini and Kevin James. Remini, despite her complaints about the grind of sitcom production, expressed her love for the show, the audience, and the crew. She particularly cherished her relationship with James, her first leading man, whom she felt safe with and who always made the scripts funnier. Remini's appreciation for James is so profound that she believes no other co-star could compare to him, which she humorously refers to as him 'ruining her for life.'

🎭 The Generosity and Support of Kevin James

This paragraph delves into the professional dynamics between Remini and James, emphasizing James' willingness to enhance the comedic elements of the show, even at the expense of his own role. Remini admires James for his graciousness and his unique attitude in an industry dominated by ego, often suggesting that jokes be given to her instead. Their relationship is likened to a married couple, with arguments and reconciliations akin to a long-term partnership. Their bond extended to James inviting Remini to join his later sitcom 'Kevin Can Wait,' where their chemistry was as strong as ever.

🤝 Overcoming Differences: Religion and Support

The paragraph reveals the close relationship between Remini and James, which endured despite their differing religious beliefs. It discusses the Church of Scientology's attempts to convert James, as recounted by Remini, and how he provided support when she decided to leave the church. This support is a testament to the strength of their friendship, which remained solid even through significant personal changes in Remini's life.

🏆 Gratitude for a Second Chance at Success

The final paragraph focuses on the cancellation of 'Kevin Can Wait' after its second season and Remini's gratitude for the opportunity to work with James again. She expressed her thankfulness on Instagram, reminiscing about the joy and laughter she experienced on set and her appreciation for the second chance to work with her esteemed co-star. The paragraph concludes with a hopeful note on the potential for future collaborations between the two actors, creating more memorable moments in television.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡King of Queens

A popular television show that aired for nine seasons, featuring the chemistry between co-stars Leah Remini and Kevin James. It is central to the narrative as it is the show that brought the two actors together and set the stage for their enduring professional and personal relationship.

💡Chemistry

In the context of the video, chemistry refers to the strong interpersonal and professional relationship between actors on screen, which contributed to the success of 'King of Queens'. It is exemplified by the dynamic between Leah Remini and Kevin James, which was so compelling that it influenced Remini's subsequent experiences in the industry.

💡Troublemaker

A book authored by Leah Remini in 2015, titled 'Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology', where she discusses her experiences in Hollywood and her time in the Church of Scientology. The book is significant as it provides insight into Remini's perspective on her career and personal life, including her relationship with Kevin James.

💡Sitcom

Short for 'situational comedy', a genre of television show characterized by its humor and the use of recurring themes and catchphrases. 'King of Queens' is an example of a sitcom, and the video discusses the impact of working on such a show on Remini's career and her relationship with James.

💡Leading Man

Refers to the main male actor in a production, typically playing the romantic interest or hero. Kevin James is described as Remini's first leading man, and she expresses that her experience with him set a high standard for her future collaborations, highlighting the unique bond they shared.

💡Comical

Relating to humor or comedy. The video mentions how Kevin James would work to make the scripts more comical and even suggest giving funnier lines to Remini, demonstrating his generosity and commitment to the show's success beyond his own role.

💡Ego-driven

Describing a person who is primarily motivated by their own interests and desires, often at the expense of others. The term is used in contrast to describe Kevin James' behavior, as he was willing to share the spotlight and comedic moments with Remini, which is considered unusual in a competitive industry.

💡Married Couple

A term used to describe the relationship between two people who are married. In the video, Remini likens her relationship with James to that of a married couple, indicating a deep bond and shared history that includes both conflict and reconciliation, much like their on-screen characters in 'King of Queens'.

💡Kevin Can Wait

A later sitcom featuring Kevin James, where Leah Remini was also brought on board. It represents a second opportunity for the two actors to work together, highlighting their continued professional chemistry and personal friendship.

💡Chemistry (Personal)

While the term 'chemistry' was initially used to describe the on-screen dynamic, 'chemistry (personal)' refers to the genuine personal connection between Remini and James. This personal chemistry is emphasized as a significant factor in their ability to work together effectively and enjoyably.

💡Church of Scientology

A religious organization that figures prominently in the video as it is mentioned in relation to Leah Remini's personal life and her experiences detailed in her book 'Troublemaker'. The Church's influence and Remini's decision to leave it also impacted her relationship with Kevin James, who supported her during this transition.

Highlights

Leah Remini and Kevin James had amazing chemistry on 'King of Queens' for nine seasons.

Remini claims James has 'ruined her for life' due to their exceptional working relationship.

Despite the grind of a weekly sitcom, Remini enjoyed the process and the everyday-ness of the job.

Remini's relationship with James was so strong that she feels she may never find a comparable co-star.

James was known to make the scripts more comical and even requested funnier lines for Remini.

Remini felt safe acting with James, highlighting his gracious nature as an actor.

Their on-screen relationship in 'King of Queens' mirrored their real-life dynamic.

James brought Remini on his later sitcom 'Kevin Can Wait' due to their undeniable chemistry.

Remini expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with James again after 'King of Queens'.

Their close relationship endured despite differences in religious beliefs.

The Church of Scientology allegedly tried to convert James through Remini, but he remained Catholic.

James provided support to Remini as she left The Church of Scientology.

Despite 'Kevin Can Wait' being canceled after two seasons, Remini cherished the experience.

Remini posted on Instagram about how much she laughed every day working with James.

There is hope that Remini and James may star together again in the future.

Remini's book 'Troublemaker' reveals her experiences in Hollywood and with Scientology.

The actress compared her relationship with James to that of a married couple, with fights and reconciliations.