‘The Real Full Monty:’ Do They Really Take It All Off? James Van Der Beek, Tyler Posey, Anthony Anderson & More!
Inspired by the classic 1997 film and the U.K.’s successful annual event, for one night only FOX enlisted six celebrities — Taye Diggs (All American), James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek), Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Bruno Tonioli (Dancing With the Stars) and Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle) — to bare it all to help encourage prostate/testicular/colorectal cancer testing and support research in the two-hour event The Real Full Monty.
Modeled on the beloved British comedy about a group of down-on-their-luck men who’ll do anything to change their lives — even perform in a bawdy burlesque show — The Real Full Monty airs on FOX Monday, Dec. 9 at 8pm ET, and is available to stream next day on Hulu.
William Snape, Mark Addy, Robert Carlyle, Steve Huison and Tom Wilkinson in the 1997 British comedy. 20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
“When I got pitched the idea, I was like, ‘They want to do what? They want us to actually do the dance?’” Posey tells us. “I’m assuming there’s some sort of coverage sock or nude underwear — there’s going to be some sort of safety net there. And they’re like, ‘No, we want this to be completely authentic and genuine to the original concept.’ This, of course, is that they bare everything in front of an audience and it’s this huge, liberating thing.”
Posey, whose mother passed of cancer 10 years ago, didn’t take long to respond. He was honored to be a part of it. Here, Posey shares some more insight on the behind the scenes prep for the show.
Ray Mickshaw/FOX
They all learned some dance moves from …
“James Van Der Beek, I think, is the best dancer out of all of us. He really took it seriously as he’s been on Dancing With the Stars and is an incredibly talented professional person and artist. He helped us a lot when we were kind of fumbling with our steps. … Bruno was a whirlwind of fun and passion,” Posey tells.
Bruno Tonioli was the hardest on himself …
“First of all, he’s an amazing dancer. He was really hard on himself and really wanted to make sure that he nailed the parts, and we would go over and over and over again in certain moments just to make sure that we all really beat it into our heads that the next step that follows. Bruno really, really took it seriously, and I could even see him when he would mess up or miss a step, he would beat himself up a little bit,” Posey adds. “He’s a judge, this is what he does for a living, and it was cool to see that he treats himself the same way as the people that he’s judging.”
Bruno Tonioli, Anthony Anderson and Tyler Posey. Ray Mickshaw/FOX
The comic relief came from …
“Anthony was just so funny. He was a little awkward when it came to dancing just like I was, and Taye Diggs, as we’re not trained dancers, but he just made light of everything. He had these quotes that are so funny that I’m sure you’ll see (if they weren’t too vulgar that FOX can air). It was just such a great time.”
Now friends for life (they’ve got a regular text thread going), they will forever share one thing in common.
“The solidifying moment was when we all did that move, where we got naked in front of an audience together … we’re like blood brothers now. It’s solidified us for life.”
And hopefully saves some lives, as well!