Beth Behrs Discusses New Show, "2 Broke Girls"

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Actress Beth Behrs of the new CBS sitcom "2 Broke Girls" got her first taste of Philadelphia this week at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Behrs, originally from Lancaster, visited the school on Wednesday to speak to students about getting into the acting business. She also shared her own struggle-to-success story that resulted in a leading role in "2 Broke Girls," alongside Kat Dennings.

Before the new sitcom, the 25-year-old Behrs made several appearances on the CBS hit drama "NCIS" and played the leading role of "Heidi" in the straight-to-DVD movie, "American Pie Presents: The Book of Love." However, this, Behrs said, is her biggest accomplishment yet.

"I can't think of a better word—like 'big break,'" said Behrs. "So many girls are out in Los Angeles and New York trying to do this. The chance to work on a show that has this much heart, this much comedy, with such good writing – I feel like, I'm still pinching myself everyday. I'm very, very grateful."

The sitcom, produced by Michael Patrick King and comedienne Whitney Cummings, centers around two waitresses who form an unlikely and comical friendship. Max Black, played by Kat Dennings, is a feisty, street-smart woman who works two jobs just to make ends meet. On the other hand, Behrs' character, Caroline Channing, comes from a wealthy upbringing, but has suddenly lost her glamorous lifestyle due to her father's financial mismanagement.

The show ultimately brings two people from opposite backgrounds closer together in the midst of the economical slump.

"I think '2 Broke Girls' comes at a time when our economy is at a place where—no matter if you've had money before or never had any—people that have had money their whole lives now are struggling with the economy, and it's even worse for others who haven't, so I think that that's really relevant," Behrs said.

To view Beth Behrs' interiview on Talk Philly, CLICK HERE.

To prepare for her role, Behrs spoke with the producers of the show. And she admitted that, unlike Caroline, she "didn't come from a lot of money" growing up.

"Both my parents are in education, so my father is not the Bernie Madoff type," Behrs chuckled. "That sort of, 'everyone's done everything for you your whole life,' I had to kind of find [out]."

Working with Michael King and Whitney Cummings has been a blessing in its own right, the actress said, before comparing the level of comfort she feels with the producers and the cast to that of a family. And, Behrs recalled, the chemistry between herself and Dennings was instant.

"When I met her that morning of my screen test, it was like we'd known each other for years and years, and now she's become, if not my closest friend, one of my closest friends.

"Michael and Whitney and Kat are all such industry veterans, and they all sort of took me under their wing and have really helped me through, and are just so supportive."

And though excited about her first "big break," Behrs assured her fans that she'll never forget where she came from and the hard work ethic that got her this far. Though she cautioned that it's not easy to make it in the acting world, she also said that intense training and creativity are the first steps toward achieving the dream.

"You know yourself better than anyone, so you know how to market yourself, and as an actor, that's a really important skill," Behrs explained.

The show "2 Broke Girls" airs on CBS every Monday night at 9:30 p.m.

Reported by Crystal Cranmore, CBSPhilly.com