Olivia Munn - Daily Show Correspondent, Sitcom Star, Babe, Scarecrow Enthusiast?

Olivia Munn - Daily Show Correspondent, Sitcom Star, Babe, Scarecrow Enthusiast?

In America, Olivia Munn is a star. That's not the case here yet, despite her showing in E4 comedy Perfect Couples, in which she plays control freak/self-help addict Leigh. But Brit TV fans need to get with the program, because she's not just another Hollywood genero-beauty. For a start, she's a correspondent on The Daily Show and if Jon Stewart thinks you're funny, you must be doing something right.

But she's also the kind of girl who (genuinely) enjoys Comic-Con, talks about rude things with gusto and doesn't mind getting dressed up in Princess Leia's gold bikini. Oh - and she's gorgeous. Quite frankly, I'm surprised she let me talk to her...

I was surprised seeing you play such a controlling character in Perfect Couples. You always seem to be the cool, don't-give-a-toss kind of girl...

Leigh and me are completely different. She's got a lot more hope in her life. She believes in love and perfection and she's a buttoned-up woman. I don't believe there's a perfect way to do anything. I hope there's one true love, but Leigh thinks there is and you can make a person into it. I'm like if it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, blah.

So you're saying you're a world-weary, downbeat kind of gal?

I'm much more of a loner. I had a party. Well, I have a house in L.A. and some of my friends said 'shall we invite people over and have a pool party?' My first reaction was 'no, I don't want that'. But I was like sure. People get here and I can't wait for them to leave. I don't know them and I don't like to meet new people. I get a social anxiety that people don't realise. Especially if somebody's kind of a jerk. One girl was such a jerk and I was like 'ooh, I don't like you, but you're at my house and I have to be hospitable.'

In the show, Leigh's a wedding planner. You have to pull off perhaps the hardest accessory there is, the head mic.

I understand you're saying I look like an idiot. I'm not crying right now, I promise.

What can I say, I'm a truth-teller.

I love the truth. I had to learn on my side that because I love brutal honesty, it most likely means other people don't. If I say 'do I look fat?' if I do, I want you to tell me, so I can go and put something else on.

Here's another put-down. I read you were pictured wearing the same outfit as Pippa Middleton. Does this mean you have aspirations to join the British Royal family?

I obviously LOVE the Royal family. I didn't follow [the wedding]. I don't know them personally. It's their wedding, they didn't invite me. I've heard they took a commercial flight. I like that they seem like they're still living their life. I like that she wears things over and over. When I really like something, I'm like 'why can't I wear this again? Do you know how much this cost?' I would never buy something for $100 and throw it away the same day.

You're on The Daily Show, which is a big deal for anyone with comedy aspirations. How tough is that?

The day I'm on, it's all my focus. I don't answer my phone, I put everything away. You're doing it front of a live audience. Whenever you're in front of an audience and you're working with Jon Stewart, you want to be at the top of your game. Even if I'm not on the show, I'll just go down to watch it.

And finally, your first screen credit was in the horror movie, Scarecrow Gone Wild. Are you disappointed the Oscar voters didn't recognise your work as 'Girl #1'?

I don't really remember too much. That was some acting teacher who was like 'do you want to do two lines in some movie?' I was so excited. I do remember I was wearing a red shirt. I was outside by a tree. I don't think I've ever seen it.

Do you think there should be more killer scarecrows in cinema?

Scarecrows, it's about time. We haven't had anyone step up to the plate. I don't think it will be me, but I will be there to support whichever [young star] wants to come out and be a scarecrow.

Perfect Couples is currently on E4, Thursdays at 8:35p.m.

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