C-town's Nickelodeon star

Last week, we sat down at Ella’s and watched Nickelodeon’s new show, “The Troop.” The show is about three high school freshmen, two boys and a girl, who fight monsters. Their disguise is that they’re in a mime club, even though they’re not that good at miming.
The episode we watched was called “The Worm.” In this episode, the troop fights the Mongolian death worm. The Mongolian death worm doesn’t have eyes but is attracted to vibrations. Unfortunately, the senior shakedown (a school dance) had too many of them – both Mongolian death worms and vibrations – so it’s up to the troop, uh . . . mime club, to save the day.

Nick Purcell, who is from Concord, plays Jake in the show. We met up with Nick while he was home in Concord to ask him a few questions.

Ella: Okay, uh . . .
Sophia: Ella, I start.
E: Right.
S: What is your favorite episode you made so far?
Nick: My favorite episode is actually the episode that is coming up this Friday. The name of it is confusing but it’s about a monster called the Doulis. It’s an invisible monster; it’s an imprinting monster.
E: Okay, are you filming anything right now?
Nick: We’ve officially finished filming the first season of the show.
S: Did you get to pick your character’s name? Would you change it?
Nick: No, I did not. I actually love the name Jake Collins. I think it really fits the character.
E: If you got to name the show, what would you name it?
Nick: I like the name of it because I was a Boy Scout and it’s kind of similar to Boy Scouts in the way that it’s a troop of kids, so I think the name really fits.
S: Have you ever felt like you really wanted to do a part that one of the other characters did?
Nick: Well actually when I first auditioned for the show, I auditioned for Felix’s role and then I auditioned for Jake and I like Jake a lot better. Plus I got a call back for Jake and I didn’t for Felix (laughs).
E: What is your favorite part of Concord?
Nick: Favorite part of Concord . . . my favorite part of Concord would actually be right now. This time, this spot, just the area because it’s so beautiful during the fall, the foliage and it’s such a little quaint place to relax.
S: If Concord were a fruit or vegetable, what would it be and why?
Nick: Oh goodness! If Concord were a fruit or vegetable?
Autumn (Ella’s Mom): It’s a classic Insider question.
Nick: Is it really?
E: Yeah, we’ve answered it before in this Concord guide.
S: Wasn’t it like broccoli or something?
Nick: (laughing) A broccoli?
E: Yeah. One lady did an onion because like there was every layer.
S: It makes you cry.
Nick: No, it doesn’t make you cry. It makes you smile.
E: Maybe it makes you cry happy tears.
Nick: Well I’d say apples make me happy and Concord makes me happy, so maybe Concord would be an apple.
S: Apples are yummy.
E: Were you ever in a school play?
Nick: Yes, it was a long time ago. It was more like a little presentation of different scenes and situations.
S: What elementary school did you go to?
Nick: I went to Eastman. Wow! (laughing) I had to think about that for a second.
E: What are you looking forward to?
Nick: I am taking a roadtrip to Florida in about a month that I’m very excited for. I’m taking a roadtrip with one of my best friends.
S: Oh well! I think we’ve used up all our questions.
Autumn: Do you have any advice for these girls?
Nick: Well, I do have some advice. If you notice any suspicious activity or you think you might have spotted a monster, go to troopgrid.com. Sign up and then post your observations. Ah, that’s good. I think you guys can do that.
S & E: (Giggling)

Thanks to Autumn Van Sice for transcribing the interview, to Nick for taking time out to chat with the girls and to Sophia and Ella for being awesome in general.