Matt Rogers is living a comedy dream, and he knows it.
The comedian, actor and podcaster appears in Season 2 of Palm Royale on Apple TV+, and he says the experience of working closely with Kristen Wiig still doesn’t quite feel real. For Rogers, whose comedy sensibility has long been shaped by Wiig’s work, sharing the screen with her feels less like a career milestone and more like wish fulfillment.
“It’s Matt Rogers and Kristen Wiig let off the leash,” Rogers said, teasing what fans can expect. “That’s really all I can say.”
Rogers plays Bruce, the flamboyant king of a gay motel called the Tops Motel, where Wiig’s character, Maxine, finds herself seeking refuge. According to Rogers, Bruce and Maxine quickly discover they have shared ambitions, involving desire, power and, of course, plenty of chaos. The result is a partnership fueled by physical comedy, drag elements and what Rogers describes as nonstop hijinks.
Season 2, he added, is bigger and bolder than its predecessor.
“It’s a wackier, more high-octane version of the first season,” Rogers said. “When you look at the cast, it’s basically a list of all my favorite people.”
That list includes Ricky Martin, another Season 2 addition who left a lasting impression on Rogers, particularly for someone who was 10 years old when “Livin’ la Vida Loca” first dominated pop radio.
“In real life, you’re like, ‘That’s Ricky Martin,’” Rogers said. “He’s such a star.”
Still, it’s his time with Wiig that stands out most. Rogers credits her work on Saturday Night Live and films like Bridesmaids and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar with inspiring his own career in comedy. Now, he can also call her a friend, something he describes as “completely insane.”
“She’s limitlessly talented, incredibly kind, and also amazing to talk Housewives with,” Rogers said, noting that Wiig shares the same obsession with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City that has gripped much of pop culture.
Off-screen camaraderie translated naturally on set, Rogers said, especially because the show’s creative environment encouraged collaboration. While Palm Royale marked the first time he didn’t have to audition for a role, Rogers said producers welcomed his comedic instincts once filming began.
“When you show up and they’re excited to have you and want to hear what you have to say, it really sets you free,” he said. “On a show like this, it’s like going to a theme park for the day.”
That freedom extended to the visuals, too. Rogers’ mustache, applied daily with serious adhesive, became an unexpected scene-stealer.
“It truly transports you,” he said, crediting the hair, makeup and costume teams for helping him disappear into the character.
“I can’t believe I have footage of me and Kristen Wiig doing all this stuff together,” he said. “The episode comes out on Christmas Eve, and honestly? That’s my gift. I’m all set.”
Season 2 of Palm Royale streams on Apple TV+.
