Tony Shalhoub, known to longtime TV fans as Antonio from WINGS, Monk from, well, MONK, and a wide variety of critically well-received roles, brings his talent to CBS’ latest Summer series, BRAINDEAD, as Red Wheatus, a Republican Senator who falls “victim” to what is eating the minds of some of Washington’s best and brightest. While his affliction (brain-bugs) may seem dire, what it helps him become overall? It’s maybe not as bad as it sounds.

BRAINDEAD is the brainchild of Robert and Michelle King, who created THE GOOD WIFE and would I would pay to script my food order, their writing is so sharp. They have assembled a cast of phenomenal talents, and in the video above from CBS’ Summer Press Day, Shalhoub talks about working with the Kings and his cast, what we can expect from his interaction with Danny Pino, whose Luke Healy is Red’s main oppo, how the US’ real world politics are almost too weird to believe, and the guest role on THE GOOD WIFE that just never came to fruition.

Check out the video for our round table discussion with Tony and fellow press and be sure to tune in tonight at 10/9c on CBS.