Interview: Melissa Joan Hart talks ‘Melissa & Joey’ finale – Exclusive

One of ABC Family’s longest running and most successful comedy series will soon be coming to a close. Melissa & Joey — the hit original series starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence will air their final 10 episodes this Summer. Before that happens, “You Say You Want An Ovulation” will air tonight on ABC Family as the Spring finale.

We spoke with Melissa Joan Hart about what viewers can expect in the episode and the bittersweet ending to a series that has been a fan favorite since 2010.

Read on for our exclusive interview with Melissa Joan Hart below:

 

Congratulations on Melissa & Joey’s 100th episode! How does it feel to reach that kind of a milestone for this series?

It’s awesome. It’s what we always wanted starting out. It’s what every series wants. Before every live show we would say a little prayer. After the group prayer we would say “1, 2, 3 Syndication!” Like a “Let’s go get ’em!” kind of thing. It’s exactly what we hoped for and we got it.

Throughout the years, is there a specific episode that kind of stands out for you as one you really enjoyed the most?

There’s a bunch. One of my first favorites was the Dancing with the Stars episode where Joey and Mark Ballas did a Mango — a man tango. It was hilarious. Oh my Gosh, the Christmas episode this year was my absolute favorite thing I’ve ever done. When we flashed through time and did a really fun old fashioned sitcom. All the jokes were in old time language. It was really fun. Then we did a flash forward episode that hasn’t aired yet. We go into the future 100 years and see what happens. That was really fun and exciting. It was always fun to do these episodes that were a little different.

The 100th episode is also the Spring finale and in it, Mel and Joe decide it’s time to start a family. What can you tease about what viewers can expect from that episode?

It really touches on what most couples go through with fertility. It’s not as easy as you think. It can be a challenge and emotional and draining. We do it in a light and fun way but with some realism to it. There’s a lot of fun stuff that happens in these last 10 episodes this Summer. What’s going to happen to Ryder and what his future plans are…Taylor and her character’s relationship with Xander…she goes back and forth. It can be fun and hilarious but at the same time it’s wrapping up these loose ends and really letting the audience know where these characters are headed.

The series returns in June for the final 10 episodes. What’s ahead for the show in those last episodes? Have you guys begun filming?

We’re all done. We shot our series finale 3 weeks ago. It was a really emotional, moving, and amazing process. Especially the last few weeks knowing that we weren’t coming back — saying our goodbyes to each other, the characters, the set…it was an amazing experience to be able to have this closure. It felt like graduation. It was bittersweet.

Would you say the series is ending at a good time?

I think the writers have it right where it should end. Joe and I went to the network that we felt that way as well. It was time to wrap it up and tie up all the loose ends. I feel like if we had come back for another season, it would have felt a little strange.

What’s ahead for those final episodes? Do they wrap up all the loose ends you mentioned?

We do. We wrap it up and there are a lot of surprises coming your way. And a lot of jokes! A lot of every day jokes – marriage, family, all the comedy that happens that people have related to the whole series.

Moving forward, I started a clothing line called King of Harts. You can follow my instagram or Twitter and I started a blog. Our spring line just launched. I’m excited about it. It’s like a fourth baby. That’s what I’ve been spending all my time and energy into these last few weeks since Melissa & Joey ended. It’s made in America and we’re really proud of it.

Be sure to check out Melissa Joan Hart’s new clothing line “King Of Harts” and tune in to the 100th episode and Spring finale of ‘Melissa & Joey‘ tonight on ABC Family!