Warning: This post contains spoilers for Poker Face season 2, episode 3. Poker Face season 2, episode 3, “Whack-A-Mole,” sees Charlie employed by Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman) to locate a mole in her organization. Guest star Richard Kind is revealed to be the informant, and when he and Agent Clark (Simon Helberg) mingle, their characters hilariously discuss Sondheim musicals.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Kind revealed how he had a deeper connection with that Sondheim joke. As Kind explained, he considered Sondheim a friend and had actually performed in one of his plays. During that moment between his character and Agent Clark in Poker Face season 2, he added that “he became the object of our love,” and to see an FBI agent so interested in Sondheim was enjoyable. Read Kind’s comments below:

And, I was in an original Sondheim play, so I knew Sondheim. He was a friend, and I got to work with him, and I used to see him at parties and stuff, because I live in New York. To honor him in this way, that he became the object of our love, and two very disparate personalities coming together in the front seat of that car and talking about it, it just made me laugh. It just made me laugh that an FBI guy is talking about it, or is sharing his love of Sondheim, that just kills me.

What This Means For Poker Face Season 2

Jeffrey Seemed To Appreciate Musical Theater

Sondheim, who ed away in 2021, was an icon within the theater world, having written a number of acclaimed musicals. During that lighthearted exchange between Jeffrey (played by Kind) and Agent Clark, they mentioned a few Sondheim musicals, including Into the Woods and Assassins. The acclaimed lyricist also worked on West Side Story and composed Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which earned him a Tony Award. Kind, himself, has appeared in numerous productions throughout his career, including Bounce, created by Sondheim.

As Sondheim relates to Poker Face season 2, “Whack-A-Mole” made it clear that Jeffrey appreciated musicals, particularly shows Sondheim created. The character occasionally sang during the episode and, when discussing plans to fake his death, briefed Agent Clark on his prior community theater experience. Hilariously, Clark revealed that he also enjoys Into the Woods and other Sondheim productions, claiming that Assassins is undervalued. The reaction from Jeffrey was equally comical, expressing excitement over the FBI agent having such knowledge of Sondheim.

Our Take On The Poker Face Sondheim Joke

The Connection To Kind Is Touching

Given how the events unfolded in Poker Face season 2, episode 3, Jeffrey will unfortunately not be returning to continue his love for musical theater. In the end, Beatrix struck a deal with the FBI, but remains without her husband after he was unexpectedly shot and killed for real. That also means no more musical banter between Jeffrey and Agent Clark, but having learned about Kind’s connection to Sondheim, and how he felt about that joke being included in the show, it makes that whole moment more touching.