Thanks to RichardAM for the heads up.
Last season the Lost team came over here to film scenes to work around your schedule, didn't they?
"They brought over the stars, directors and DOPs, then paid a lot of money for Connaught House and a restaurant beneath Tower Bridge. I was doing Spamalot at the time. They asked me to take the time off and go over [to Hawaii], but I didn't want to because I loved my time on Spamalot and I didn't want to miss a day. I expected they would recast it or bring in a new character, but I think [Charles Widmore] is more involved in the show than even I realise."
How invested are you in the show? Do you follow the twists?
"Truthfully, no. I know as much as anyone else, but I don't even know as much as you because I got sick of it. It went through a lull in scripts in the third season. At that point I felt like I had watched them wandering in a line through the forests a bit sweaty for the 1000th time. I thought 'I can't watch this anymore'. Then out of the bushes came a black cloud, which grabbed a black man and threw him to the ground, and I thought 'I definitely can't watch this anymore'."
If you don't know Widmore's true motivations, how do you know how to play the character?
"It's an interesting thing. You can sort of estimate what he is, based upon the lines he has to say. From the initial scenes I did with Henry Ian Cusick, the lines would indicate to me that he's a rich, powerful arsehole! That's what I think he probably is, so I just use that basic colouring and work from there. The [producers] don't tell anyone what's going on because the show has a lot of nutcase fans, and people could get a lot of money if they sell the storylines online. So they protect themselves by telling nobody."
Do you interact with the other cast much?
"Put it this way. When they came across here [to film], Ben (Michael Emerson) appeared and - I forget the lovely Korean girl's name - when they both appeared to work with me, it was the first time I'd seen them both. Suddenly there they were!"
So how much do you know in advance? Do you know about the episode you'll be shooting in a couple days' time?
"No, I have no idea. Normally I would have got a script by now. Hopefully there will be one waiting for me when I arrive home in LA tomorrow."
You've appeared on so many US shows in recent years - 24, The O.C., Ugly Betty and Lost, of course. Is there a series you haven't yet appeared in but would like to?
"When I took this job, it clashed with going on to Grey's Anatomy, but that was only a guest role. I've always been really lucky, because things like The O.C. that were guest roles have turned into full-time jobs."
Lost returns in February 2009. Renaissance and Moving Wallpaper air on ITV1 early 2009.
Source: Digital Spy
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Alan Dale Interview
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21 Comments:
I never thought an actor playing such an interesting character would seem to dislike the show so much.
Nutcase fans?
Is he just trying to make us hate Widmore even more?
He should consider himself lucky to be on such an amazing show, no one will remember The OC or Ugly Betty in 20 years.
Such an honest actor. I applaud him for not giving a political answer. For him it's just a job. He's not a fan of Lost so what?
I can't believe what an arsehole this guy is. He said he hates the show and makes fun of it, can't remeber the name of "that lovely girl". He is being offensive to the millions of fans by saying such things. I would have prefered a more political answer. Gosh, some actors don't realise how lucky they are!!
I find it funny that he mentions a lull in scripts (which we can all agree there were in the first 6 eps of season 3), but the episode he used to emphasize that point is The Cost of Living, one of the best written episodes of season 3.
But honestly, the nutcase comment IS pretty offensive. Maybe they shoulda recast him way back when. Alan Dale isn't that great of an actor, he's played the same role on The OC and Ugly Betty (or so I've heard), and so far, he's only impressed me in The Shape of Things to Come, and only because he had Michael Emerson to work off.
Flamingfloogan, IMO "the cost of living" was the episode together with "I do" which made Lost a parody of itself. The writers have a lot to explain that ridiculous smokey action. Actually, you should go and read DL's new interview and what he says on Eko's demise.
Alan Dale isn't that great of an actor, he's played the same role on The OC and Ugly Betty (or so I've heard), and so far, he's only impressed me in The Shape of Things to Come, and only because he had Michael Emerson to work off.
And backhanded insult to Henry Ian Cusick for 500! Classy.
Alan Dale is a bit crass and outspoken in his interviews. I wouldn't take it personal.
Well, I for one am hoping even more so for an unpleasant death for this character. Sounds like a pompous windbag to me. If his delicate genius is so offended by the show, why did he take the part?
I'd also guess that the British, being somewhat more reserved in their demeanor, might find our "enthusiasm" a bit much. Still..."nutcase"? Really? Has he ever watched a soccer game over there?
I'm glad he was this honest. It actually made me laugh a little bit. The nutcase comment is a tad bit unfortunate, but I don't think he meant it to be an insult.
I think he's great. Is he British or Australian? In any case, he and Naveen should be congratulated for being honest...and hilarious. As a nutcase fan myself (come on, when entire scripts get leaked and a single one-minute preview of a scene with "Skate" or "Jate" can generate literally 1000 comments on a fan site... yeah, I'd say we could be called nutcases), I agree with every word!
He's from New Zealand.
@The [producers] don't tell anyone what's going on because the show has a lot of nutcase fans...
In this context, I think he is spot on. And funny. We are crazy fanatics, especially when it comes to digging out spoilers. :D
Congratulations at all the oversensitive fans that have proved him right. Would you rather he just fed you a boring lie? Get over it.
"Flamingfloogan, IMO "the cost of living" was the episode together with "I do" which made Lost a parody of itself. The writers have a lot to explain that ridiculous smokey action. Actually, you should go and read DL's new interview and what he says on Eko's demise."
How so? I understand Eko wasn't supposed to die, and maybe his death istelf could have been handled better, but the episode was fantastic. The title of it, The Cost of Living, was a wonderful theme that is barley explored on any other show. It can be looked at two ways. One of them is the quesion of is the cost of living worth it? Eko survived his time in Nigeria, but at the cost of killing plenty of others. Like he said, he was more or less born into it, and was really a victim himself. But does that make it right? And the other way to look at it is that Eko's cost of living was death (if that makes sense). He lived the way he did, did anything to survive, and ultimatley died. I'm sure there are others who can articulate this better (my sister being the main one), but the episode was very well written. Eko's final words to Yemi were beautiful, touching, and extremly sad. The Cost of Living is one of my favorite episodes of season 3, and was really the only saving grace of the first 6 episodes of season 3.
"And backhanded insult to Henry Ian Cusick for 500! Classy."
You misunderstood me entirley. I have nothing but never ending adoration for HIC. In fact, he's one of the show's 3 best actors, tied with Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emreson. And he was truly fantastic in his scenes with Alan Dale - the only thing is, Alan Dale wasn't that great. He was really just playing a generic, wealthy asshole British dude. I simply meant to say is that the first scene where I began to really get intrested in Widmore was his scene with Ben, because he added a new layer to the role, and because he and Michael Emerson worked off each other really well. I didn't mean to instul Henry Ian Cusick at all.
I get that he doesn't like the show apparently, but he does come across as really obnoxious in this interview. It's like he's going out of the way to insult the show and it's fans. Not cool.
You wait Widmore! Desmond is going to kick your ARSE!
yeah spider monkey!
And if the island used to belong to widmore, he ain't going to get it back now.
I think Desmond kicking Widmore's ass would be good, but I think Ben going to town on him would be ever better. I mean, the dude did kill his daughter and all. Or Sayid, if Widmore did have Nadia killed.
@Flamingfloogan: 'tis cool. Just seemed a bit easy to misconstrue your first post, is all.
Strangely enough, I think Dale's fine as an actor, but wasn't incredibly swayed by the scene in Shape of Things to Come, that might play into it.
As for which characters should take Widmore out (if that's what's going to happen), it should really be between Desmond and Ben, and I would definitely say it's more for Desmond, if it wouldn't make for such awkward situations at the dinner table.
Alan Dale's interviews don't translate well into written form. I'd be willing to bet he made the nutcase comment with humour. Maybe some of his friends are Lost fans and try to ply him for information because he's on the show.
In any case, I think his honesty is absolutely refreshing. No BS is fine by me.
hahaha funny. That's going to be interesting when he goes back to shoot scenes :D
I think the same, T.L.A.
I found this interview funny and quite refreshing.